MUZEN Button Mini portable speaker review

For years, portable Bluetooth speakers have been getting smaller and smaller. We are currently at the point where we can actually wear a Bluetooth speaker. This allows us to listen to our favourite music or podcasts virtually anywhere. 

I’m reviewing the MUZEN Button Mini portable Bluetooth speaker. This is a compact Bluetooth speaker with retro design elements and endless portability. It’s one of the smallest portable audio products I’ve ever reviewed. Is it loud, and does it produce any bass? These are the two biggest questions I have going into this review. 

Notable specs: MUZEN Button Mini  

• 400mAh rechargeable battery, 8 hours of playtime at 50% volume
• Metal alloy constructed frame
• Classic record player-inspired design
• Net weight 0.29 lb

Unboxing the MUZEN Button Mini 

The Muzen Button comes in a cardboard box that slides upward to reveal the speaker. Included in the box are a variety of stickers, a catalogue, and a user manual. In terms of accessories, it includes a charging cable and a coloured strap/lanyard. 

Users can select from a variety of colours including Cotton Candy, Yellow, and Green. For this review, I had green, red and light blue. Personally, I prefer green because it has the most retro look out of all of them.

Design of the MUZEN Button Mini

I’ve also reviewed the MUZEN OTR Metal and the MUZEN Wild Mini speakers. The commonality these speakers have is retro-inspired design elements. The MUZEN Button Mini follows this tradition. It resembles a classic record player with a two-toned alloy body with chrome detailing.

It has an extremely compact design measuring approximately 2.5” x 2” x 1” (WHD) and weights only. 0.27 lb. The top features a hook for the included strap. It can attach to a bag, backpack, carried around the next or in a pocket. In other words, it’s designed to be taken everywhere.

The front features a volume dial that clicks as you move it. Pressing the button starts and stops the music. Next to that is a metal bar that moves up and down. Moving it up restarts and song and down shuffle to the next track. Finally, there is a volume switch. Pressing it left turns the speaker off, and right powers it on. 

The back of the MUZEN Button Mini has small rubber feet on each corner. This allows it to sit on a flat surface without vibrating and moving around. 

Pairing the MUZEN Button Mini

The MUZEN Button Mini uses Bluetooth 4.2 to connect to devices like smartphones, tablets and laptops. When flipping the switch on, a classic morse code beeping sound comes on. This tells you it is ready to pair. 

Pairing to my smartphone was simple. I then tried to connect my Bluetooth tablet but it does not support dual Bluetooth pairing. It will automatically pair and connect to the last device used. This means if you want to pair a new device, you’ll have to first unpair the previous one. 

Using the MUZEN Button Mini

I inserted the lanyard, attached the MUZEN Button Mini to my belt, and played music from my Spotify playlist. Despite being small in size, the drivers produce a wide, clear sound profile. I could still hear the low-end in a lot of the music, certainly more than I expected from a pocket-sized speaker. 

At full volume, the MUZEN Button Mini can fill an entire room with sound. Most importantly, the sound does not get distorted at high volumes. I attribute this to the metal alloy body and overall construction. I also used it outside in my backyard while I was doing yard work. For a speaker that size, its loudness will surely impress others during social events. 

Being an audiophile, I wanted to really test out the sound quality. At a low volume, I played music and put it close to my ear. The subtle musical details in the low, medium, and high frequencies are all present. I can clearly hear basslines, solo guitars, and drums. MUZEN has done an incredible job producing mini speakers that don’t compromise on sound. 

Who is the MUZEN Button Mini for?

Not everyone is comfortable using or wearing headphones. Some people want to hear their surroundings while still consuming content on the go. That’s exactly the type of person the MUZEN Button Mini is for. 

I could see myself using this to share music while going for a walk or hike with a friend. This provides background music while we walk and talk. I also used it in the backyard as I was doing some yard work. It’s so small, I could carry it in my jacket pocket and listen to podcasts while I worked. 

It’s also good for bringing some life to day-to-day walking or biking commutes. I attached it to my belt and listened to podcasts as I walked to the neighbourhood grocery store. Still, I was mindful to turn it down when others were close so they couldn’t hear it. Nevertheless, it brought some colour to an otherwise boring walk to pick up milk and bread. 

Final thoughts on MUZEN Button Mini

It goes without saying that portable audio has come a long way in a few short years. Not only are speakers incredibly small, but they are also powerful. The MUZEN Button Mini is a case in point. While it delivers an impressive sound and is built with quality material, there are some things I would like to see added to it. 

First, it needs a USB-C port. In 2022, we should no longer see products that use Micro USB. I was also surprised that it uses Bluetooth 4.2 and not Bluetooth 5. The MUZEN Wild Mini has Bluetooth 5 so I don’t know why the Button Mini doesn’t as well. Bluetooth 5 provides stable signal transmission and lower power consumption so it would be a great addition.

Second, I wish it was also a speakerphone. I have yet to see a Bluetooth speaker as small as the MUZEN Button Mini that also functions as a speakerphone. Provided it can provide a better experience than a smartphone speakerphone, I think this is a feature a lot of people will use. 

A tiny speaker in your pocket

I’m very impressed with how MUZEN was inspired by retro design to create a unique portable Bluetooth speaker. It’s constructed with premium material, has subtle yet refined details, and has amazing sound  – all in a small package. Best of all, it literally fits in your pocket. 

If you want to carry a Bluetooth speaker around everywhere you go, then I highly recommend you check out the MUZEN Button Mini. You can carry it, wear it, or put it in your pocket. You can find it right now at Best Buy.