This Is Why Bose’s SoundLink Plus Is the Goldilocks of Bose Bluetooth Speakers

As Bose continues to increase its SoundLink portable Bluetooth speaker line, it is develop into more durable to decide on which is greatest for you. That stated, the new-for-2025 SoundLink Plus ($269, £250, AU$430), which sits between the extra compact second-gen SoundLink Flex ($149, £150, AU$250) and the beefier and pricier SoundLink Max ($399, £400, AU$600), may be the perfect of the bunch, the goldilocks of Bose Bluetooth speakers. Whereas it could possibly’t play fairly as loud or ship as a lot bass because the bigger Max, it prices considerably much less and places out clear, potent sound that is an enormous step up from the Flex’s sound. It strikes the fitting stability of efficiency and worth, incomes a CNET Editors’ Alternative award within the course of. 

Learn extra: Best Bluetooth Speakers of 2025

Weighing 3.3 kilos and measuring 9.1 by 3.9 by 3.4 inches (in width, peak and depth), it is greater than twice as heavy because the Flex and a few inches wider, however about the identical peak. I believed it may additionally be twice the depth of the Flex, however it’s not fairly that (3.4 inches in comparison with the Flex’s 2.1 inches). That stated, it looks like a considerably extra substantial speaker within the hand whereas being simpler to tote round than the 4.7-pound SoundLink Max, even with that mannequin’s detachable rope deal with (the SoundLink Plus has a “rugged utility rope loop” protruding from its facet).

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The SoundLink Plus has related options to the SoundLink Max, providing USB-C in-out charging and as much as 20 hours of battery life at reasonable quantity ranges. The Max has an auxiliary enter whereas the Plus does not. Each are IP67 dust-resistant and waterproof, as are the Flex and new $130 SoundLink Micro (2nd Gen), which is due out in late August and has been upgraded with improved sound and USB-C charging. In contrast to the Flex, the SoundLink Plus does not have a built-in microphone, so it is lacking speakerphone capabilities, which is just too dangerous. 

The Bose companion app has equalizer settings that permit you to tweak the speaker’s sound profile and customise the shortcut button on prime of the speaker to both hyperlink to a second Bose speaker or create a fast hyperlink to Spotify, which lets you simply resume playback from the service.

Observe that this can be a mono speaker and that to get actual stereo separation, you would need to hyperlink two SoundLink Plus audio system in left-right Stereo Mode. It’s also possible to hyperlink to different latest SoundLink audio system in Social gathering Mode to reinforce the sound to cowl extra space. I examined Stereo Mode with two SoundLink Flex audio system, and the sound improved dramatically. However I solely received one SoundLink Plus evaluate pattern, so I used to be unable to check Stereo Mode. Nonetheless, based mostly on what I’ve heard from a pair of Flex audio system, I believe a left-right SoundLink Plus stereo combo would sound spectacular for those who can afford to purchase two of those guys.

Evaluating the SoundLink Plus to the competitors

I evaluated the SoundLink Plus for a couple of hours by itself, and it carried out nicely with nearly all of check tracks I threw at it, although it actually shined with well-recorded materials and did not appear as constrained at larger volumes as some mini Bluetooth audio system I’ve examined. To keep away from distorting, many transportable audio system’ digital processing finally ends up clipping some frequencies, particularly within the low-end. For probably the most half, that did not occur right here, and the speaker’s sound held up properly with minimal distortion at larger volumes. Nonetheless, at times, I would encounter a observe the speaker simply did not deal with all too gracefully, reminding me that it is nonetheless compact.    

After evaluating it to the SoundLink Flex and SoundLink Max, I then pitted it in opposition to a couple of different prime Bluetooth audio system, together with the JBL Charge 6, Sony ULT 3 and ULT 5 and LG Xboom Bounce. All these audio system besides the Sony ULT 5 listing for rather less than this Bose (nevertheless, the ULT 5 does appear to commonly go on sale for $250). However they’d all be fashions I would have on my radar if I have been contemplating the SoundLink Plus.

Although the variations weren’t large — they’re all good-sounding Bluetooth audio system — the SoundLink Plus sounds superior to all of these audio system besides the ULT 5, which is considerably bigger and performs a little bit louder and produces extra bass. In comparison with the JBL 6, the SoundLink Plus sounds fuller with a wider soundstage. The identical goes for the Sony ULT 3, which does not produce as a lot bass because the Bose, even with its ULT bass enhance totally engaged. Confronted off in opposition to the LG Xboom Bounce, I felt the Bose’s tonal stability was a little bit higher, with the Bose having barely superior treble and midrange efficiency. 

Yow will discover higher value Bluetooth speakers — I nonetheless like Anker’s Soundcore Boom 2, which prices round $120 or barely much less throughout flash gross sales — however the Bose has a little bit richer, extra refined sound with higher readability and a slicker design. Different cost-effective manufacturers, equivalent to Tribit, even have transportable audio system that sound nice for the value. However they are often generic-looking and do not sound pretty much as good as this Bose when evaluating fashions of an identical measurement. 

Is the Bose SoundLink Plus value it? 

Each the SoundLink Flex and SoundLink Max are superb Bluetooth audio system (I additionally just like the SoundLink Home, however it is not ruggedized and is primarily designed for indoor use). The extremely transportable Flex produces greater sound and extra bass than you’d count on for its compact measurement and can also be fairly moderately priced, notably when it is sporadically discounted. The SoundLink Max additionally performs greater than its measurement would point out and competes nicely in opposition to considerably bigger Bluetooth boombox-style audio system.

However, each these fashions have a couple of strikes in opposition to them. The Flex’s sound has its limitations — the speaker can solely produce a lot bass and quantity — and the SoundLink Max is a little bit heavy and expensive. The SoundLink Plus is not low-cost at $269, however it splits the distinction between the Flex and Max, providing you with fuller, richer sound than the Flex whereas shedding 1.4 kilos from the Max (and $130 off the Max’s listing worth). It will not be the right Bluetooth speaker for everyone, however it ought to hit the candy spot for lots of oldsters, particularly when its worth dips a bit throughout flash gross sales. 

Bose SoundLink Plus key specs

• Weight: 3.3 kilos
• Dimensions: 9.1×3.9×3.4 inches
• Battery life: 20 hours (reasonable quantity degree)
• Bluetooth 5.4 (30-foot vary)
• IP67 waterproof and dustproof
• 5 hours to totally cost through USB-C (no charger included)
• USB-C cost out
• Bose SimpleSync know-how for pairing the speaker with suitable Bose sensible soundbars or audio system through the Bose app
• Pair two SoundLink Plus audio system for stereo sound or hyperlink with different suitable SoundLink audio system in Social gathering Mode for augmented sound
• EQ settings within the Bose app
• Colour choices: blue, black and yellow
• Worth: $269