Rankings
The Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) is a compact, rugged Bluetooth speaker with IP67 protection, 12 h battery life, and adaptive PositionIQ sound. It adds Bluetooth 5.3, aptX and multipoint pairing while retaining the core acoustic design of the first generation.
The Bose SoundLink Plus delivers premium 2-way audio, robust IP67 protection and a long-lasting 20-hour battery in a rugged, medium-sized package, ideal for outdoor use. It lacks a microphone and aux input and is heavier than many portable options.
The Bose SoundLink Max delivers powerful, balanced audio with deep bass, a rugged IP67 design and 20 h of playback, but its size and weight keep it anchored to stationary use. It adds premium features like USB-C charge-out and multipoint connectivity while still missing a microphone.
The Bose S1 Pro+ is a compact, battery-powered PA system delivering clear, evenly dispersed sound with Auto EQ, up to 11 h of playback and Bluetooth 5.0 streaming. It excels in portability and feature set for solo performers but lacks water resistance and deep bass.
The Bose SoundLink Revolve+ II provides immersive 360° sound, a solid 17-hour battery and IP55 protection in a cylindrical, handle-equipped design. Its reliance on a micro-USB charger, weight and lack of advanced codecs keep it from being a perfect modern portable speaker.
The Bose SoundLink Micro is a pocket-sized, IP67-rated speaker that offers surprisingly powerful sound and a built-in microphone, making it great for outdoor adventures. Its short battery life, Micro-USB charging and lack of aux input limit its convenience for longer sessions.
The Bose SoundLink Home is a stylish indoor Bluetooth speaker delivering strong sound and a built-in mic, but it lacks weather resistance and a dedicated app, making it best suited for home environments.
The Bose SoundLink Color offers a compact, palm-sized Bluetooth speaker with clear, balanced sound and decent volume, targeting indoor and on-the-go use. Its lack of water resistance, microphone and modest battery life keep it from excelling in outdoor scenarios.
| Attribute | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
20 hoursbest | 6 hours | 17 hours | 12 hours | 11 hours | 20 hoursbest | 9 hours | 8 hours | |
| ↓ lower better | 5 hours | 3.5 hours | 4.5 hours | 4 hours | — | 5 hours | 4 hours | 3 hoursbest |
9.1 metersbest | 9 meters | 9 meters | 9 meters | 9 meters | 9 meters | 9 meters | 9.1 metersbest | |
| ↓ lower better | 1,529 g | 340 gbest | 907 g | 590 g | 6,532 g | 2,130 g | 929 g | 570 g |
— | — | — | — | 62 Hzbest | — | — | — | |
— | — | — | — | 17,000 Hzbest | — | — | — | |
1 yearsbest | 1 yearsbest | 1 yearsbest | 1 yearsbest | 1 yearsbest | — | — | 1 yearsbest | |
— | — | — | 1 metersbest | — | 1 metersbest | — | — |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Connectivity(6) | ||||||||
Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | — | 4.1 | 5.3 | 5.0 | 5.3 | 5.3 | — |
Bluetooth Range (meters) | 9.1 meters | 9 meters | 9 meters | 9 meters | 9 meters | 9 meters | 9 meters | 9.1 meters |
Auxiliary Input (3.5 mm) | false | false | true | false | true | true | — | true |
USB‑C Port | true | false | false | true | true | true | true | false |
Supported Audio Codecs | — | — | SBC | SBC, AAC, aptX | — | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive | — | — |
Built‑in Microphone | false | true | true | true | — | false | true | false |
Battery & Power(2) | ||||||||
Battery Life (hours) | 20 hours | 6 hours | 17 hours | 12 hours | 11 hours | 20 hours | 9 hours | 8 hours |
Charging Time (hours) | 5 hours | 3.5 hours | 4.5 hours | 4 hours | — | 5 hours | 4 hours | 3 hours |
Build & Design(2) | ||||||||
Weight (g) | 1529 g | 340 g | 907 g | 590 g | 6532 g | 2130 g | 929 g | 570 g |
IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 | IP55 | IP67 | — | IP67 | — | — |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers laud the SoundLink Plus for its balanced, high-fidelity audio and durable IP67 construction, calling it the "Goldilocks" of Bose's portable lineup, while noting the missing microphone and slower charging.
Everyday users praise the powerful, clear sound, long battery life and rugged waterproof design, but complain about the absent microphone, hard-to-see buttons and desire for faster charging.
“best all-around package”
“Goldilocks positioning”
“favorite Bluetooth speaker”
Pick the Flex 2 for rugged, outdoor scenarios; pick the SoundLink Home for indoor aesthetic appeal and richer bass
Professional reviewers praise the Micro for its impressive full-bodied audio, robust IP67 construction and useful multi-speaker modes, while noting the high price, modest battery life and legacy Micro-USB charger as drawbacks.
Everyday users love the durability, sound quality relative to size and handy silicone strap, but frequently mention the lack of an aux input, short battery life and outdated charging port.
Professional reviewers praise the Revolve+ II for its room-filling 360° audio, robust IP55 build and seamless Bose ecosystem integration, while noting the outdated micro-USB port, weight and lack of advanced Bluetooth codecs.
Users love the immersive sound, long battery life and rugged design, but frequently mention the heavy weight, micro-USB charging and occasional voice-prompt annoyance.
Professional reviewers praise the Flex for its premium build, IP67 rating and the Bluetooth 5.3 upgrade that adds reliable multipoint pairing, while noting the lack of a more robust EQ and only incremental hardware changes.
Everyday users love the speaker's durability, floating ability and the convenience of pairing two phones at once, but complain about the missing AUX jack, mushy buttons and limited EQ options.
Professional reviewers call the S1 Pro+ a breakthrough in portable PA design, praising its clear, high-output sound, intelligent Auto EQ and dual wireless streaming, while noting limited low-end response and lack of water resistance.
Everyday users love the ease of setup, long battery life and reliable sound quality for street-performing and small venues, but complain about battery wear, no water resistance and limited bass.
Professional reviewers praise the powerful, clear sound and premium build, but note the lack of a microphone, basic EQ and the speaker's heavyweight.
Users consistently highlight the loud, clear sound, long battery and ruggedness, while complaining about the missing mic, unprotected ports and heavy weight.
Reviewers commend the premium design and solid audio performance, while criticizing the absence of smart-home features and limited battery life.
Users appreciate the sound quality and mic, but note the lack of IP rating, short battery and missing app support.
Professional reviewers commend the Color for punching above its weight in audio performance, highlighting clear mids and strong treble, while noting the lack of water resistance and built-in mic as drawbacks.
Everyday users like the big-sound feel, portability and simple Bluetooth pairing, but often lament the missing speakerphone, modest bass and absence of water protection.
