The Bose SoundLink Micro is a portable Bluetooth speaker released in 2020. It's one of the manufacturer's more budget-friendly picks, with a small and lightweight design that's ideal for listening to your favorite tunes on the go. The speaker is rated for impact resistance, and its IP67 rating for dust and water resistance means it can withstand light exposure to the elements. Plus, the built-in silicone strap makes it easy to transport, whether you're moving from room to room in your home or out on a hike in the woods.
Our Verdict
The Bose SoundLink Micro is middling for music. It offers a fairly balanced sound out of the box, so voices and lead instruments in your favorite tunes are reproduced with clarity and accuracy. A small dip in the treble adds a slightly dull quality to the mix. Without any customization tools, you can't switch up its sound, either. Also, as with most small speakers, you don't feel the deep rumble in the low-bass with genres like EDM and hip-hop.
- Supports multi-device pairing.
- Doesn't get very loud.
- Lacks low-bass.
The Bose SoundLink Micro isn't meant for movies, but if you pair it to your smartphone to watch some videos, it can get the job done. Dialogue is pretty clear, and the speaker's low latency performance means that you don't have any lip-synching issues. However, it doesn't get very loud, and the lack of rumble in the low-bass means you don't get a very cinematic feel.
- Low iOS and Android audio latency.
- Doesn't get very loud.
- Lacks low-bass.
The Bose SoundLink Micro is satisfactory for podcasts. Dialogue is reproduced clearly, meaning you can follow along with all your shows with ease. Its portable design means you can listen all around your house or even in your backyard. You can even pair it with up to two devices at a time, meaning you can switch your audio source in no time.
- Supports multi-device pairing.
- Doesn't get very loud.
The Bose SoundLink Micro is middling for voice assistant use. It doesn't have any voice assistants built in, so if you want to control it with your voice, you'll need to pair it with a smartphone that supports Siri or Google Assistant. The speaker can hear your commands from far away, but it has some trouble in noisier environments.
- Supports multi-device pairing.
- Doesn't have a voice assistant built-in.
- Doesn't get very loud.
The Bose SoundLink Micro is fair for outdoor use. It's a sturdy speaker with a durable design, and its IP67 rating for dust and water resistance means it's certified to withstand some exposure to the elements. It's portable, making it easy to take with you on your next hike, and its built-in silicone strap lets you attach the device to your bag while out and about. It's not loud, so you'll want to stay close to the device while listening.
- IP67 rating.
- Doesn't get very loud.
Changelog
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Updated Feb 05, 2026:
We referenced the Bose SoundLink Micro (2nd Gen) in the Wired box.
- Updated Aug 15, 2024: We've added a comparison between this speaker and the JBL Clip 5 in App.
- Updated Aug 21, 2023: Updated the Portability picture for greater clarity and consistency between reviews.
- Updated Jan 19, 2023: Updated the review text for clarity and consistency. No changes in test results.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
This speaker comes in three color variants: 'Black', 'Midnight Blue', and 'Bright Orange'. You can see its label here. We expect these color variants to perform similarly to our test unit.
If you come across a different variant, please let us know in the discussions, and we'll update our review.
Popular Speaker Comparisons
The Bose SoundLink Micro is a small, portable wireless speaker with a simple design. Its IP67 rating certifies it to be submersible in water up to one meter deep for up to thirty minutes. It's a decent choice for vocal-centric content like podcasts, but there aren't any sound customization features.
See our recommendations for the best portable speakers, the best Bluetooth speakers, and the best waterproof Bluetooth speakers.
The JBL Clip 5 and the Bose SoundLink Micro are both extremely portable speakers with small footprints. They have different mechanisms to fasten themselves onto bags or bikes, with the JBL sporting a carabiner while the Bose features a strap on the back. Their differences extend beyond this, however, as the JBL has a more balanced sound, which can be tuned via a graphic EQ and presets, and it can get louder, too. That said, the Bose can be a more versatile option as it features a longer continuous battery life and voice assistant capabilities when paired with a compatible Siri or Google Assistant device.
The Bose SoundLink Flex is a better speaker than the Bose SoundLink Micro overall. The Flex has a great build quality and can get louder than the Micro. It also offers a better-balanced sound profile that can produce a deeper bass. That said, the Micro is smaller and lighter, making it more portable. It also has lower Bluetooth latency with iOS and Android devices, though some apps compensate for latency differently, and your experience may differ.
The JBL Flip 4 is a better speaker than the Bose SoundLink Micro overall. The Flip 4 has a better-balanced sound profile out-of-the-box, can play stereo content without downmixing it to mono, and can get louder. That said, the Bose is a bit smaller, making it more portable. It has a bit less compression present at max volume, resulting in cleaner-sounding audio at louder volumes.
The JBL Flip 5 is a slightly better speaker for most uses than the Bose SoundLink Micro. The JBL has a better-balanced sound profile and can get louder, although with more compression artifacts at max volume. The JBL also has a longer battery life. However, the Bose supports your smartphone's voice assistant.
Test Results
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