If you’re dipping your toes into streaming high-resolution audio or want to bring an older hi-fi system into the modern era without breaking the bank, the WiiM Mini might just be the smartest £90 you can spend.
Compact, functional, and refreshingly hassle-free, it’s a streamer that won’t try to wow you with gimmicks — but still ends up surprising you with just how capable and reliable it is.
Why I Bought the WiiM Mini
I picked up the WiiM Mini as a simple way to add streaming functionality to my existing setup — which already includes a dedicated DAC and a traditional amplifier. What I wanted was a fuss-free way to stream from Spotify, Qobuz, or my local files without having to juggle dongles, laptops, or Bluetooth adapters.
What I got was something far more central to my system than expected. The WiiM Mini doesn’t demand attention, but once it’s in place, it becomes hard to imagine your setup without it.
Setup and First Impressions
Straight out of the box, it’s clear the WiiM Mini is built with convenience in mind.
The unit itself is about the size of a hockey puck — light, unassuming, and easily tucked behind an amp or shelf. You get both a power cable and audio cables included (nice touch, especially at this price), and setup takes just minutes.
Plug it into a USB power source, connect either via the 3.5mm line out or optical, and fire up the WiiM Home app. From there, the app walks you through a quick Wi-Fi setup, and before you know it, the device appears as a streaming endpoint for Spotify Connect, Tidal, Qobuz, AirPlay, and more.
And yes — it supports 24-bit / 192 kHz high-res audio. Just make sure you dive into the device settings in the app to enable the best quality available.
Streaming Options & Integration
The WiiM Mini isn’t just compatible with popular streaming platforms — it actively integrates with them. It supports:
- Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, and Qobuz
- Apple AirPlay 2 and Chromecast Audio
- DLNA and UPnP for local file playback
- Amazon Alexa Cast and voice control
- Multi-room audio syncing (with other WiiM or compatible devices)
In day-to-day use, this means no need to open a clunky companion app every time you want to play music. You simply open your regular streaming app, choose the WiiM Mini as the output device, and hit play.
And unlike some streamers that add a delay, drop connection, or mess with volume levels, the Mini behaves like part of the system — no lag, no dropout, no drama.
DAC Quality & Sound Tuning
The onboard DAC (based on the TI PCM5121 chip) is nothing flashy — but it’s surprisingly competent. For many users, especially those running bookshelf speakers or a mid-tier amp, it’ll more than hold its own. It’s clean, balanced, and doesn’t colour the sound too heavily.
One standout feature here is the built-in parametric EQ, accessible via the app. It’s fully featured, letting you tune across multiple bands with both presets and custom options — great for dialing in the sound of your room, speakers, or even personal taste. You don’t usually get this level of control on gear under £100.
That said, since I already own a dedicated DAC, I run the WiiM Mini via its optical output, bypassing the internal DAC entirely. The result is bit-perfect digital signal straight into my system — ideal if you want to preserve your existing chain’s sound signature.
Day-to-Day Experience
After using the WiiM Mini for around 10 months, what stands out is how little I think about it — in the best way possible. It just works. No bugs, no weird connection issues, no firmware updates that brick things. It’s stable, reliable, and feels more mature than you’d expect at this price point.
The physical design is minimal. There are touch controls on the unit itself for play/pause and volume, but truthfully, I never use them. Like most people, I control everything via my phone or tablet.
It’s so lightweight that I used a small dab of Blu Tack underneath it just to keep it from sliding around on the shelf — not a complaint, just something to be aware of.
Compared to the Competition
There are a few other budget streamers out there, but the WiiM Mini really leads the pack. Here’s how it stacks up:
- Vs. WiiM Pro – The Pro offers additional inputs (like coaxial and Ethernet), but if you’re purely streaming wirelessly, the Mini does 95% of the same job for less money.
- Vs. Audioengine B-Fi – Less flexible, fewer services, no app EQ. The WiiM wins.
- Vs. Bluesound Node (2021) – The Node sounds better, no doubt, but it’s over £400. The WiiM Mini is a fifth of the price and still satisfies.
Unless you’re a hardened audiophile with £1000+ speakers, the real-world difference between a Node and a well-set-up WiiM Mini into a good DAC is smaller than you’d think.
Who’s It For?
If you’ve got a vintage amp or speaker setup gathering dust — or a budget hi-fi system you want to upgrade with modern streaming — the WiiM Mini is the easiest and best-value way to bring it into 2025.
It’s not for someone who wants touchscreen displays, coaxial ins and outs, or network storage browsing. But for 90% of users looking for high-res audio streaming with zero fuss, it’s exactly what you need.
Final Verdict
The WiiM Mini isn’t flashy. It doesn’t have a screen or aluminium casing. But what it does have is a rock-solid streaming experience, a good-enough DAC, and a level of app control that’s more like Sonos than a typical budget device.
At under £100, it’s one of the best-value audio upgrades I’ve ever bought — and one I recommend to nearly everyone getting into streaming.
See full tech specs on the WiiM Mini official site.
Enjoyed this WiiM Mini review?
Don’t forget to check out our other equipment reviews or explore something new in the Musical Vibe of the Week series — perfect listening to put your streamer to the test.
