The DOSS SoundBox Plus is a portable Bluetooth speaker that comes with customizable RGB lights. Like many small speakers, it struggles to reproduce low-bass, but its balanced mid-range can reproduce vocals and lead instruments clearly. It's lightweight and portable, and it even has an IPX4 rating for water resistance, though we don't currently test for this. It doesn't get very loud, but at least audio is reproduced clearly and without a lot of compression when you play it at max volume.
Our Verdict
The DOSS SoundBox Plus is middling for music. It lacks low-bass, so you don't feel the thump and punch in bass-heavy genres like EDM. Vocals and lead instruments are reproduced clearly, though sibilants like S and T sounds can be piercing. Unfortunately, it doesn't get very loud, and its soundstage isn't very open or spacious. It also doesn't have any sound customization features.
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Not a lot of compression at max volume.
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Doesn't get very loud.
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Lacks low-bass.
The DOSS SoundBox Plus is inadequate for videos and movies. It lacks low-bass, so you don't feel the deep thump and rumble in action-packed scenes. Also, it doesn't get very loud, and it has a narrow, directional soundstage. On the upside, it can reproduce dialogue clearly and accurately. Via Bluetooth, its latency with iOS devices is likely too high to be suitable for watching videos, but it performs better with Android devices.
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Not a lot of compression at max volume.
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Doesn't get very loud.
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Lacks low-bass.
The DOSS SoundBox Plus is fair for podcasts. Its balanced mid-range can reproduce dialogue clearly and accurately, which is nice. It's Bluetooth-compatible, so you can pair it with your wireless devices to play podcasts wirelessly, and it has a very portable design. However, it doesn't get very loud, which can be disappointing.
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Not a lot of compression at max volume.
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Doesn't get very loud.
The DOSS SoundBox Plus is disappointing for voice assistants. It uses the voice assistant from your paired smartphone, but it doesn't have any built-in features. Though we don't test for it, you can also pair it to an Amazon Echo device for Alexa voice assistant capabilities. While it can understand you even if you aren't close to the speaker, it has some trouble understanding you in noisy environments.
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Poor ambient noise performance.
The DOSS SoundBox Plus is passable for outdoor use. It has a portable, lightweight design, and you don't have to plug it into an outlet to use it. With a battery life of over ten hours, it's suitable for long days outdoors. Also, it has an IPX4 rating for water resistance, though we don't currently test for this. That said, it doesn't get very loud, and its soundstage isn't very immersive or open-sounding.
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Not a lot of compression at max volume.
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IPX4 rating for water resistance.
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Doesn't get very loud.
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Poor directivity.
- 5.6 Music
- 5.2 Videos/Movies
- 6.9 Podcasts
- 5.0 Voice Assistant
- 6.3 Outdoors
- Updated Jan 27, 2021: Review published.
- Updated Jan 22, 2021: Early access published.
- Updated Jan 13, 2021: Our testers have started testing this product.
- Updated Jan 11, 2021: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The DOSS SoundBox Plus comes in several different color variants: 'Black', 'Navy Blue', 'Aquamarine', 'Pink', and 'White'. We tested the 'Black' variant, and you can see the label for the model we tested here. However, we expect the other colors to perform similarly.
The DOSS SoundBox Plus is an upgraded version of the DOSS SoundBox, and it's slightly bigger, with beat-synced lights and different drivers. There are also several different DOSS SoundBox speakers on the market, and you can see their advertised differences below:
| DOSS SoundBox | DOSS SoundBox Plus | DOSS SoundBox Pro | DOSS SoundBox Pro+ | DOSS SoundBox XL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sound Driver | 2*6W High-performance drivers | 2*8W High-performance drivers | 2*10W High-performance drivers | 2*12W High-performance drivers | 32W High-performance drivers |
| Waterproof | IPX4 | IPX4 | IPX5 | IPX5 | IPX4 |
| Bluetooth Version | Bluetooth 4.0 + EDR | Bluetooth 4.2 + EDR | Bluetooth 4.2 + EDR | Bluetooth 4.2 + EDR | Bluetooth 4.0 + EDR |
| Feature | Touch Control | Touch Control + Beat-Synched Lights | Stereo Pairing + Acting Bass + Light Show | Stereo Pairing + Booming Bass + Mixed Colors Lights | Enhanced Bass |
| Advertised Playtime (50% Volume) | 20 Hours | 20 Hours (Lights Off) | 20 Hours (Lights and Extra Bass off) | 15 Hours (Lights and Extra Bass off) | 10 Hours |
| TWS Pairing | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Note that since we haven't tested all of these speaker variants, so we can't confirm their performance.
If you come across another version, let us know in the discussions so we can update our review.
Compared To Other Speakers
The DOSS SoundBox Plus is a budget-friendly portable Bluetooth speaker that comes with customizable colored lights. Like many small speakers, it struggles to reproduce low-bass, and it doesn't get very loud. However, it doesn't have a lot of compression when you play it at max volume, which is nice. It also has an IPX4 rating for water resistance, though we don't currently test for this. See also our recommendations for the best cheap speakers.
The Anker Soundcore 2 and the DOSS SoundBox Plus are very similar speakers, so depending on your listening habits, you may prefer one over the other. The DOSS performs better with voice assistants, though neither speaker has a very impressive voice assistant performance. Also, it has less compression when played at max volume. However, the Anker is better-built, and its battery life is longer.
The DOSS SoundBox Plus and the Sony SRS-XB01 are very similar speakers, so depending on your listening habits, you may prefer one over the other. The Sony is better-built and much smaller, so it's easier to bring with you on-the-go. However, the DOSS has a better soundstage performance, and it gets louder. Also, it has a better voice assistant performance.
The Sony SRS-XB23 is a better speaker than the DOSS SoundBox Plus. The Sony is better-built. Its default sound profile is more neutral, and it has a better soundstage. Also, its graphic EQ allows for greater sound customization. However, the DOSS has less compression with played at max volume, and its voice assistant performance is better.
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the OontZ Angle 3 or the DOSS SoundBox Plus. The DOSS has a better-balanced sound profile, and it supports voice assistants, unlike the OontZ. However, the OontZ is better-built, and it gets louder and has longer battery life.
The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2 is a better speaker than the DOSS SoundBox Plus. The Ultimate Ears is better-built with longer battery life. Also, its sound profile is more neutral, and it has a better, more immersive soundstage performance. However, the DOSS supports voice assistants, unlike the Ultimate Ears.
The Kove Commuter 2 is a bit better than the DOSS SoundBox Plus for most uses. The Kove is better-built, and it has a better soundstage performance, so you feel more immersed in your audio. That said, the DOSS supports voice assistants from your smartphone, and it has longer battery life.
Test Results
The DOSS SoundBox Plus is a small, rectangular speaker that can be carried in one hand. Lights surround each driver, and you can adjust their colors and patterns to your liking or turn them off if you prefer. The front and back sides are covered in a metal grille, and the top and bottom are made of plastic. You can also buy it in several different color variants.
The DOSS SoundBox Plus is outstandingly portable. It's small and lightweight, so you can carry it with one hand. Since it's battery-powered, you can use it outside without having to plug it into an outlet.
The DOSS SoundBox Plus has an alright build quality. The front and back sides are covered by a metal grille, which helps protect the drivers. It also has an IPX4 rating for water resistance, though we don't currently test for this. However, the plastic covering the top and the bottom feels a bit cheap. Also, the manual warns that you shouldn't drop or shake the speaker. For a better-built speaker, check out the Sony SRS-XB01.
The controls are great. On the top, there's a round button that lets you control the volume by dragging your finger either clockwise or counterclockwise depending on whether you want to turn it up or down. The play/pause button also lets you answer and end your calls, and the Rewind/Forward buttons let you skip to the previous or next track. Also, you can tap the 'Mode' button to switch inputs or hold it to activate voice assistants. The buttons on the top light up when you press them to show that they've registered the command. On the side, there's the Power button and an 'Add' button that lets you control the lights or activate True Wireless Stereo pairing.
The DOSS SoundBox Plus has disappointing frequency response accuracy. It struggles to reproduce low-bass, so you don't feel the deep thump and rumble in bass-heavy genres like EDM. Vocals and lead instruments are clear and present thanks to its balanced mid-range, so it's still suitable for vocal-centric content. However, sibilants like S and T sounds can be sharp or piercing.
The DOSS SoundBox Plus has a passable soundstage. It can play stereo content without downmixing it to mono, which is nice. However, its directivity is poor, so its soundstage is perceived as narrow, directional, and uneven rather than open and spacious. For a speaker with a better soundstage performance, check out the Kove Commuter 2.
This speaker has satisfactory dynamics. It doesn't get very loud, so it may not be ideal to use at crowded parties. However, there isn't a lot of compression when you play it at max volume, so your audio should sound clear and pure.
The DOSS SoundBox Plus has a very good battery performance. We found that it lasts over 10 hours off of a single charge, though battery life can vary depending on your usage. In fact, the manufacturer claims that it can last for up to twenty hours with the lights off at 50% volume. Also, the speaker shuts off after fifteen minutes without audio playing, which can help save its battery life.
Note: You can turn off the power saving feature by installing a firmware update. However, you have to email the manufacturer directly to receive the update, as no firmware is currently listed on their website.
This speaker has poor voice assistant capabilities. It uses the voice assistant from your paired smartphone, but it has some trouble understanding you if you're in a noisy environment. Also, according to the manufacturer, you can connect the speaker to an Amazon Echo Dot speaker to use Alexa voice assistant. However, since this requires a third-party purchase, we don't test for it.
This speaker doesn't have a companion app. However, you can pair two SoundBox Plus speakers together via Bluetooth to create a True Wireless Stereo pair, according to the manufacturer.
The DOSS SoundBox Plus has an AUX port, so you can wire your smartphone to it to play audio. Also, there's a micro SD card port, so you can use it to play MP3, FLAC, and WAV files from a micro SD card.
The DOSS SoundBox Plus has adequate Bluetooth connectivity. It has an amazing Bluetooth range, so it can play audio from a connected device even if it isn't very close to the speaker. However, it doesn't support Bluetooth 5.0, and its latency with iOS devices is likely too high to be suitable for watching videos. It performs a bit better with Android devices. Some apps compensate for latency differently, so your real-world experience can vary.