The Bose SoundLink Plus is the latest in the manufacturer's eminently portable SoundLink series. Positioned somewhere between the Bose SoundLink Max and the Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) in both price and stature, it promises a bass-forward sound in a small package that can be worn around your wrist (courtesy of its nylon carrying strap). With an advertised 20 hours of battery life and an IP67 rating, it's well-positioned to be your partner in crime for summer's outdoor activities.
Our Verdict
The Bose SoundLink Plus is an okay choice for music. It offers a fairly balanced sound, though it lacks low bass, so bass-heavy music misses some thump and rumble. There's still some punch in the mid-bass, while the slightly boosted high-bass adds warmth to basslines. Its balanced mid-range also keeps vocals and lead instruments clear. There's a 3-band EQ and presets available via the app, which can help tailor the sound to your preferences. Sadly, you're limited to mono playback, and its poor directivity means the sound changes noticeably as you move off-axis. While the speaker gets decently loud for its size, compression at max volume can rob kick drums of punch.
Graphic EQ and presets in app.
Portable design with carrying strap.
Downmixes stereo content to mono.
Some compression at max volume.
The Bose SoundLink Plus is disappointing for videos and movies. It has a fairly balanced sound, with some mid-bass punch and slightly boosted high-bass that adds warmth to cinematic effects, though it lacks low-bass rumble. Its balanced mid-range keeps dialogue clear. Further caveats include mono-only playback and compression at max volume, which can rob effects of some punch. While latency is decently low with both iOS and Android devices, there's still a chance of some AV sync issues. Still, this speaker gets pretty loud for its size and can fill in for a soundbar in a pinch. Just don't expect fireworks.
Graphic EQ and presets in app.
Downmixes stereo content to mono.
Some compression at max volume.
The Bose SoundLink Plus is a good choice for podcasts. It's very portable, and you can easily fasten its nylon strap to a belt or tie it to your hand, allowing you to bring your favorite podcast dialogue with you. The balanced mid-range keeps voices clear, and you can adjust vocal-centric frequencies using the in-app EQ. It's loud enough to be heard over the sound of a running sink if you're listening while doing the dishes. Mono playback does little to hamper podcast audio, though its poor directivity means voices lose some detail as you move off-axis, so it's best to listen from in front.
Graphic EQ and presets in app.
Portable design with carrying strap.
Long, almost 20-hour battery life.
Some compression at max volume.
The Bose SoundLink Plus lacks a microphone and voice assistant capabilities.
The Bose SoundLink Plus is good for outdoor use. With a durable build, IP67 rating, and just shy of 20 hours of battery life, it's well-suited to expeditions. Just be aware that you'll need to set aside five hours for a recharge. Its sturdy nylon carrying strap makes it a versatile companion for hiking, letting you fasten it to a belt loop or backpack; plus, you can recharge other devices via its USB-C port. The slightly boosted high bass adds some warmth and punch, but it doesn't produce enough low bass or volume to get a dance party going. Its poor directivity also means the sound changes noticeably as you move off-axis, while mono-only playback can rob recordings of some width and space.
IP67 rating.
Long, almost 20-hour battery life.
Some compression at max volume.
Changelog
- Updated Aug 28, 2026: This review has been updated to Test Bench 1.0.1. This includes the Test Bench 1.0 updates to all of our Sound tests: Frequency Response Accuracy, Raw Frequency Response, Directivity, and Loudness, as well as the revised Low-Frequency Extension calculation and related DRC updates introduced in Test Bench 1.0.1. There have also been text changes throughout the review, including to the usages and product comparisons, where applicable, to match these results. You can read more about these changes in our Test Bench 1.0 changelog and Test Bench 1.0.1 changelog.
- Updated Aug 11, 2026: This review has been updated to Test Bench 1.0, which includes new results for all of our Sound tests: Frequency Response Accuracy, Raw Frequency Response, Directivity, and Loudness. There have also been text changes made throughout the review, including to the usages and product comparisons, to match these results. You can read more about these changes in our changelog.
- Updated Jul 04, 2025: Review published.
- Updated Jun 30, 2025: Early access published.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Bose SoundLink Plus comes in three color variants: 'Black,' 'Blue Dusk,' and 'Citrus Yellow' (here's a picture of its label). We tested the 'Blue Dusk' variant, but we expect other colors to perform similarly. If you encounter another variant of this speaker, please let us know in the comments, and we'll update our review.
Popular Speaker Comparisons
The Bose SoundLink Plus helps fill the gap between the larger, louder Bose SoundLink Max and the more compact Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen). The SoundLink Max is still the better choice for listening to music because, while it shares a very similar frequency response with the SoundLink Plus, it can play stereo tracks without downmixing to mono. It can get louder, too. The smaller SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) is the most portable of the SoundLink lineup, though its smaller size results in reduced battery life, maximum volume, and bass output. For a more resilient yet similarly portable outdoor speaker, consider the JBL Charge 6. This IP68-rated speaker is constructed from very sturdy materials and has a sound performance similar to that of the Bose. Still, its battery life can't hold a candle to the SoundLink Plus's 19-hour battery life.
You can also see our recommendations for the best Bluetooth speakers, the best waterproof speakers, and the best Bluetooth speakers for bass.
The Bose SoundLink Plus and the JBL Charge 6 are similarly portable speakers, and either would be a good fit for outdoor use. The JBL edges out the Bose speaker unless your top priority is longer battery life. The JBL is better constructed, has an IP68 rating, and has premium build quality. The two speakers are mono-only and have a similar frequency response that rolls off some bass while keeping the mid and treble ranges smooth. The Bose's nearly 20-hour battery life is impressive, but it also comes with a long, almost 5-hour charge time. Conversely, the JBL clocks in at 13.7 hours, but you won't spend the better part of a day charging it.
The Bose SoundLink Plus is a better portable option than the Bose SoundLink Max, though the latter is a better choice for listening to music. While both speakers feature nylon carrying handles, the Plus is a fair bit lighter and smaller. The two have similar frequency responses, though the Max has a bit more bass on tap. As the larger speaker, it can get louder without as much compression at max volume. It can also play back stereo content without downmixing to mono, which will be a boon for music lovers. Though the two speakers have a similar build quality, the Plus's longer battery life can make it a better companion for longer expeditions or camping trips, though be wary that it'll need the best part of five hours to charge.
The Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) is a smaller, more portable option compared to the Bose SoundLink Plus. You can adjust both their sound profiles via the graphic EQ and presets in the app, though both speakers are limited to mono-only playback. The SoundLink Plus has a longer battery life of almost 20 hours. While the SoundLink Flex's battery life is only a third of this, you're faced with a less daunting 2.4-hour charge time (as opposed to 4.6 with the larger speaker). If you're a voice assistant user, you'll likely favor the SoundLink Flex, which works with compatible voice assistants on your phone and has an excellent microphone.
If you're looking for an outdoor speaker and are more concerned with portability and build quality than bass response, you'll want to pick up the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4 over the Bose SoundLink Plus. The Ultimate Ears is lighter and built from sturdier materials. It has outstanding directivity, so everyone can enjoy similar audio delivery around the speaker. The Bose has a more balanced frequency response, with a little more bass on tap, plus its companion app connectivity lets you adjust the EQ and access presets for greater customization. The Bose can get louder, too, though there's quite a bit more compression at max volume that can impact audio clarity. The Bose's 19.1-hour battery life is longer than the Ultimate Ears', too, but beware of its almost 5-hour charge time if you're charging in a hurry.
Test Results
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