Xiaomi Smart Speakers: A Complete Guide to Selection, Setup, and Use

Xiaomi’s smart speakers have become an integral part of today’s smart home systems, combining sound quality, voice control and extensive integration capabilities with other ecosystem devices, powered by voice assistant XiaoAI (in China) or Alice (in Russia), supporting music streaming, appliance management, and even acting as a hub for automating home scenarios.

In this article, we’ll take you through everything you need to know about Xiaomi smart speakers, from choosing the right model to fine-tuning and solving typical problems, how to connect a speaker to a Wi-Fi network, sync it with other devices, configure voice commands, and even use it as a smart home control center, and focus on the 2023-2026 models, their differences and current features.

Whether you’re new to the smart gadget world or a power user, this guide will help unlock the full potential of your column, and if you’re still planning a purchase, at the end of the article you’ll find a model comparison table and selection guidelines.

What Xiaomi smart speakers are: a review of models 2026

Xiaomi’s line of smart speakers includes several series, differing in price, functionality and design.

• 🎵 Mi Smart Speaker – budget models with a basic set of features, ideal for the first acquaintance with voice assistants.

Among the most popular models of 2026:

• 📢 Xiaomi Smart Speaker 2S — Compact speaker with support for Alice and Wi-Fi 6.
• 🎧 Xiaomi Sound Pro – flagship with two speakers and support LDAC high-quality.
• 🏠 Xiaomi AI Speaker Art – Design model with screen and video call support.

Each model has its own characteristics, for example, Xiaomi Sound Pro is suitable for music fans thanks to the support of Hi-Res Audio, and AI Speaker Art will be the center of entertainment in the living room with a built-in display:

• 🔋 Autonomous life (relevant for portable models).
• 🎛️ Supported protocols (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee for smart home).
• 🗣️ Language support for voice assistant.

How to connect Xiaomi smart speaker to Wi-Fi and phone

The first step after buying is to connect the speaker to the Wi-Fi network and sync with the mobile device. This will require the Mi Home app (or Xiaomi Home in new versions), the process takes no more than 5 minutes, but there are a few nuances that you should know about.

Instructions for connection:

1. Download and install the Mi Home app from the App Store or Google Play.
2. Connect the column to the power and wait for the beeping signal about readiness.
3. In the app, click Add Device (+) → Choose the Smart Home category → Smart speakers.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen: the application will prompt you to connect to the speaker’s temporary network (Xiaomi_XXXX).
5. Select your home Wi-Fi network and enter your password.
6. Wait for the setting to be completed - the column will emit an audible signal and voice a greeting.

Important: the speaker only supports 2.4 GHz networks. If your router is running in 5 GHz mode, turn on compatible mode or create a separate network for smart devices.

• 📶 The column is lit with a white indicator (means the pairing mode).
• 🔒 Wi-Fi passwords do not contain Cyrillic characters (some models do not support them).
• 📱 Bluetooth is enabled on the phone (needed for initial synchronization).

Install the Mi Home app

Connect the column to the socket

Check that the router is running at 2.4 GHz

Make sure your Wi-Fi password is in Latin

Turn on Bluetooth on your phone-->

If the column doesn't connect, try:

• 🔄 Reboot the router and column (hold the power button for 10 seconds).
• 📲 Update the Mi Home app to the latest version.
• 🌐 Temporarily shut down VPN or Proxy on the phone.

Setting up voice assistant: XiaoAI vs Alice

Xiaomi’s smart speakers support two voice assistants depending on the region:

• 🇨🇳 XiaoAI - Chinese version with Mandarin support (powered by global firmware as Mi) AI Assistant).

To activate voice control:

1. Say the key phrase: For XiaoAI, "Hey, XiaoAI," or "" For Alice, "Alice," or "Hello, Alice."

Wait for the beep (the column will make a short confirmation sound).

"Put the music on."

"What's the weather forecast today?"

The main commands for management:

To improve voice recognition:

• 🎤 Place the column 1-2 meters away from where you normally talk.
• 🔇 Reduce background noise (TV, air conditioning).
• 🗣️ Speak clearly, without accent (especially important for XiaoAI).

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If the speaker does not respond to voice commands, check the microphone sensitivity settings in the Mi Home app. → Settings → Microphone sensitivity and select High Mode (suitable for large rooms).

Alice-enabled speakers can conflict with other Yandex devices (e.g. Yandex.Station) when used simultaneously. To avoid this, in Alice's settings, turn off the "Respond on all devices" option.

Integration with a smart home: managing Xiaomi devices

One of the key features of Xiaomi’s smart speakers is the ability to control other ecosystem devices through voice or automated scripts. The column can act as a central hub, linking light bulbs, sockets, robot vacuum cleaners and even air conditioners.

To connect the devices:

1. Make sure all gadgets are added to the Mi Home app and are on the same Wi-Fi network.
2. Open the column settings in the app and go to the Smart Home section.
3. Click Add Device and select the gadgets you want to control your voice.
4. Create scenarios (e.g., Good Morning – turn on the lights, kettle and tell the weather forecast).

Examples of voice commands for a smart home:

• 💡 "Turn on the nightlight in the bedroom (for Yeelight or Mi) LED Bulb).
• 🔌 "Turn off the socket in the kitchen in 30 minutes (for Mi Smart Plug).
• 🤖 "Start the vacuum cleaner in the living room (for Mi Robot Vacuum).
• ❄️ "Set the air conditioner temperature to 20 degrees".

For advanced users, you can set up automations by time or triggers.

• 🕒 At 7:00, the column will turn on the light, start the coffee maker and read the news.
• 🚪 On the motion sensor: at the entrance to the room will light up the lamp and turn on your favorite music.
• 🌡️ Temperature: If the room gets hot, the column will turn on the fan.

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For scripts to work smoothly, all devices must be connected to the same Mi Home account and be on the same local network. If the script doesn't work, make sure that the router doesn't block traffic between devices (turn off the firewall for local range). IP).

If the column does not see other devices:

⚠️ Warning: Make sure all gadgets are updated to the latest firmware.Some older devices (e.g., 1st generation Mi Home Sensor) may not be supported by newer versions of the Mi Home.

Problems and Errors: How to Fix Typical Failures

Even the most reliable devices sometimes fail, and consider the most common problems with Xiaomi smart speakers and how to solve them.

1. The column does not turn on or respond to buttons

Possible causes and solutions:

• 🔌 Power problems: check the socket, cable and power supply. Try another adapter (at least power) 5V/2A).
• 🔋 Battery discharged (for portable models): connect to charging for 30 minutes, even if the indicator does not burn.
• 🔄 System freeze: Hold the power button for 10-15 seconds for forced reboot.

2.The column is connected to Wi-Fi, but the voice assistant is not working

What to check:

• 🌐 Internet connection: the column must have access to Xiaomi or Yandex servers (check whether the router blocks mi.com or yandex.ru domains).
• 🔊 Microphone Settings: In the Mi Home app, go to Device → Settings → Microphone and enable voice control.
• 📱 Update firmware: outdated software may cause crashes. Update column via Settings → Update of the PO.

3. The column makes wheezing or distorts the sound.

Possible solutions:

• 🎵 Equalizer settings: in the app, select Music or Movie mode instead of Voice.
• 🔊 Speaker check: If the sound is distorted at high volume, lower the level or check the speaker for physical damage.
• 📻 Sound source: If the problem manifests itself when playing over Bluetooth, try connecting over Wi-Fi (e.g. via Spotify Connect).

If none of the methods helped, reset to factory settings:

1. Hold the power button and button Mi/Ali (if there is, during 10 seconds.
2. Wait for the sound signal and the indicator flash.
3. Configure the column again through the Mi Home app.

Xiaomi smart speakers comparison: which one to choose in 2026

The choice of model depends on your needs: whether you need portability, high-quality sound or advanced features of a smart home.

Selection recommendations:

• 🎧 For music: Xiaomi Sound or Sound Pro (if you need a powerful bass).
• 🏠 For a smart home: AI Speaker Art (built-in Zigbee hub makes it easier to connect sensors).
• 🚀 For travel: Mi Portable Bluetooth Speaker (water resistance and autonomy).
• 💰 Budget option: Smart Speaker 2S (Minimalist design and basic functions).

If you plan to use a speaker in a smart home system, pay attention to the support for protocols:

• 📡 Zigbee – to connect sensors and lamps without Wi-Fi.
• 🔗 Mi Mesh – to create a mesh network between Xiaomi devices.
• 🌐 Matter – for compatibility with other brands (e.g. Philips Hue).

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If you already use Xiaomi smart home devices (like Yeelight light bulbs or Aqara sockets), opt for a Zigbee or Mi Mesh speaker, which will eliminate the need to buy a separate hub.

Hidden features and life hacks for Xiaomi smart speakers

Beyond the basic features, Xiaomi’s smart speakers hide a few useful features that many users don’t know about.

1. Multi-Room Audio (Multi-Room Audio)

If you have multiple Xiaomi speakers, you can group them together to play music synchronously.

1. Open the Mi Home app.
2. Go to the settings of the first column → Multimedia. → To form a group.
3. Add other columns to the group.
4. Select the source of the sound (for example, Spotify or Yandex.Music).

Now music will be played synchronously across all devices, with groups up to 5 speakers supported.

2.Use of the column as a Bluetooth transmitter

Xiaomi Sound and Columns AI Speaker Art can transmit audio from a TV or computer over Bluetooth, even if the source does not have a built-in Bluetooth module:

• Connect a Bluetooth adapter to your TV (e.g., Xiaomi Bluetooth Audio Receiver).
• In the column settings, activate the Bluetooth transmitter mode.
• Couple the adapter and the column.

3. Voice notes and reminders

The speaker can record voice notes and sync them to your smartphone, for example:

• Say, "Alice, write down: buy milk and bread."
• The note will be saved in the Mi Home app and will be available on all devices with your account.

4.Do not disturb mode

To prevent the column from responding to voice commands at night:

1. In the Mi Home app, go to the column settings.
2. Choose Sleep Mode or Don't Disturb.
3. Set a schedule (for example, from 23:00 to 7:00).

5. Control of the column through ADB (advanced)

If you're familiar with Android Debug Bridge, you can get advanced control over your speaker, like installing custom firmware or disabling unnecessary services.

adb connect [IP- column address]


adb shell




pm list packages | grep xiaomi

Attention: Inexperienced actions can lead to a device blink! Use this method only if you understand the risks.

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If you often listen to podcasts or audiobooks, set up autorenewal in the Mi Home app. → Multimedia. → Autorenew and turn on the option. Now the column will continue to play from the moment of stoppage, even after shutdown.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions