Fender is known for their legendary guitars, but their consumer electronic brand Fender Audio’s CES 2026 debut of the Fender Elie 6 and 12 — portable Bluetooth speakers with big sound — was definitely one of my favorite products to debut at CES this year.
The Elie 6’s small form factor, thoughtful design details (like a wooden panel up top) and punchy bass make this one of the most sought-after speakers for 2026, and not just for audiophiles, but for music lovers of all types. I tried the Elie 6 for two weeks, and here’s what I thought.
Buyer tip: The speaker is set to launch in March but is currently available on Fender Audio’s site for pre-order below.
Fender Elie 6
Sleek Design With Thoughtful Details
The Elie 6 is available in two colors, a deep black or a cream, and I chose to test the “Skyscraper Black” version of this audio device. It’s on the heavier side, even though the size itself is quite compact.
All in all, the Elie 6 weighs about four pounds. It also features an added textured wooden handle which makes it easy to transfer this speaker with you on the go. Other thoughtful design details include tactile controls, including a knob-like setup to turn the speaker on and off, and a wooden panel running along the top seam which gives the speaker a slightly more elevated look. The Fender logo is boasted up front, and the back of the speaker has a cleverly indented panel that holds inputs for other audio devices.
The Elie 6 Is Built for Bass
The second the speaker turns on and the guitar chime tone welcomes you in, it’s time to let this audio device shine. Bluetooth connects quickly and easily to your smartphone, and there are other audio inputs in case you want to connect a microphone or a guitar.
On the inside, the speaker has one tweeter, one full-range driver and a subwoofer. Together they deliver 60 watts of power and some of the cleanest bass I’ve heard from a speaker this size. No distortion, no unpleasant thumping, just clean beats at every volume.
You can also connect the Elie 6 to other Fender speakers, and the brand says you can link up to 100 speakers if you have the space. During our audio demo, I noticed the difference linking up just two speakers made — the sound was more immersive, incredibly room filling, and gave that surrounding sound experience without the need for a four-speaker setup like in the good old days.
Specifications
- Battery Life: 18 hours.
- Max Power Output: 60 watts.
- Bluetooth Version: 5.3.
- IP Rating: IP54.
- Output: 3.5mm AUX.
Pros
- Sleek, minimalistic design.
- Tactile audio knobs.
- Bluetooth and AUX connectivity.
- Stereo pairing with other Fender Audio speakers.
- Big bass and clean sound.
Cons
- Slightly bulky (weighs close to 4.5 pounds).
- Only IP54 water resistance.
Battery life is pretty great
Fender’s Elie 6 promises 18 hours of battery life, which is on par with most of its competitors of the same size.
I also liked that it came charged straight out of the box, and the speaker itself features USB-C charging, which makes it easy to add to your home audio system. A 15-minute quick charge should also give you back 90 minutes of playtime, according to the brand.
It really shines when it comes to connectivity
As mentioned before, the Elie 6 features Bluetooth connectivity, but it also has other options, including a combined XLR and quarter-inch input on its rear. This can then be used to plug in a guitar, for example.
There is also compatibility for wireless microphones (the only caveat is you need to use Fender’s proprietary system for this), which makes this an audio device not just for listeners but for musicians as well.
Fender Elie 6
Is the Fender Elie 6 worth $300
The Elie 6 has an old-school design, with knobs and tactile buttons that make it a treat to use. The design itself is sleek and minimalistic, making it an audio accessory that works well in smaller homes and homes with larger audio systems.
Its ability to deliver clean, punchy bass at all volumes, and its added connectivity features, make this one of the most versatile portable speakers on the market. If you’ve been waiting to upgrade to a long-lasting portable speaker that doesn’t just look good, but sounds good too, The Fender Elie 6 is it.
