This retro-style Bluetooth speaker is trying to outdo Marshall at its own game, but is it up to the task?

17 Jan 2026, 23:00 · TechRadar

TechRadar Verdict

The Edifier ES60 is a real looker, with an appealing retro-style design and satisfyingly customizable LED lights. Things like USB-C audio passthrough and a built-in mic for hands-free calling are also welcome, although the speaker does have some noticeable flaws. Above all, audio just isn’t particularly refined, with limited nuance and sometimes-harsh treble. Battery life also isn’t the greatest, which makes the ES60 hard to recommend outright, especially given its relatively high price.

Pros

+Attractive retro-style design
+Customizable LED lighting
+Solid bass output

Cons

-Overzealous treble and limited nuance
-Underwhelming battery life
-Very restrictive EQ options

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Edifier ES60: two-minute review

Elegant and Supreme. According to Edifier, those are the two words that define its ‘ES’ line of speakers. So, as you can imagine, my hopes were pretty high for the Edifier ES60 – a Bluetooth speaker that promises “immersive” and “high-quality 360-degree sound”.

And in some ways, it met my expectations. Especially in regard to its ‘Elegant’ side. Yes, this is a very nice-looking speaker. Its retro-style design – which is clearly pretty Marshall-inspired – is a hit, with its golden details, faux-leather casing, and appealing speaker grille winning me over.

Sure it’s not the lightest speaker in its size-class, and its IP66 waterproof rating has been outdone by many of the best Bluetooth speakers, but it’s still highly portable and able to withstand a good splashing.

I wasn’t totally convinced of the ES60’s supremacy, though, especially in the audio department. This is a solid-sounding speaker in general, with clear overall audio output and punchy enough bass. However, it lacks the nuance that many similarly priced rivals offer. Vocals don’t sound beautifully separated, and it's not as expressive or energetic as models like the JBL Flip 7. The treble is also a little overzealous, and sounds particularly harsh at higher volumes.

The ES60’s suite of features is also a bit of a mixed bag. I’m a fan of the customizable ambient lighting, USB-C audio passthrough compatibility, and inclusion of a built-in mic for hands-free calls. However, the EQ options are very basic, and there’s no custom option, which I would’ve used to temper that treble a touch.

Also, you only get nine hours of battery life from this model, which is underwhelming compared to much of the competition in this price range. For instance, the aforementioned Flip 7 can live for as long as 16 hours, and the Marshall Emberton III can go for up to 32 hours.

When you consider that the Edifier ES60 typically comes in at $199.99 / £119.99 / AU$199.99, it just doesn’t feel like great value for money. Rivals outdo it in too many crucial areas, including audio performance, battery life, and waterproofing. It’s still a solid speaker overall, with an especially eye-catching design, but unless it’s on sale, I can’t recommend it outright.

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