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 turn out to be tougher to decide on which is finest for you. That mentioned, 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), could be the perfect of the bunch, the goldilocks of Bose Bluetooth speakers. Whereas it might probably’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 appropriate steadiness of efficiency and value, 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, top and depth), it is greater than twice as heavy because the Flex and a few inches wider, however about the identical top. I believed it may additionally be twice the depth of the Flex, but it surely’s not fairly that (3.4 inches in comparison with the Flex’s 2.1 inches). That mentioned, 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 comparable options to the SoundLink Max, providing USB-C in-out charging and as much as 20 hours of battery life at average 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. Not like the Flex, the SoundLink Plus does not have a built-in microphone, so it is lacking speakerphone capabilities, which is simply too dangerous. 

The Bose companion app has equalizer settings that let you 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 it is 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. You can too hyperlink to different current SoundLink audio system in Occasion 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 obtained one SoundLink Plus overview pattern, so I used to be unable to check Stereo Mode. Nevertheless, primarily based on what I’ve heard from a pair of Flex audio system, I think a left-right SoundLink Plus stereo combo would sound spectacular in the event you can afford to purchase two of those guys.

Evaluating the SoundLink Plus to the competitors

I evaluated the SoundLink Plus for just a few hours by itself, and it carried out properly with the vast majority 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 moveable 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. Nevertheless, every now and then, I would encounter a monitor 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 just a few 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 record for rather less than this Bose (nevertheless, the ULT 5 does appear to repeatedly go on sale for $250). However they’d all be fashions I would have on my radar if I had been contemplating the SoundLink Plus.

Although the variations weren’t big — 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 somewhat 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 increase totally engaged. Confronted off in opposition to the LG Xboom Bounce, I felt the Bose’s tonal steadiness was somewhat higher, with the Bose having barely superior treble and midrange efficiency. 

You 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 somewhat richer, extra refined sound with higher readability and a slicker design. Different cost-effective manufacturers, corresponding to Tribit, even have moveable audio system that sound nice for the worth. 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 price it? 

Each the SoundLink Flex and SoundLink Max are superb Bluetooth audio system (I additionally just like the SoundLink Home, but it surely is not ruggedized and is primarily designed for indoor use). The extremely moveable Flex produces greater sound and extra bass than you’d anticipate 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 properly in opposition to considerably bigger Bluetooth boombox-style audio system.

However, each these fashions have just a few 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 somewhat heavy and dear. The SoundLink Plus is not low-cost at $269, but it surely splits the distinction between the Flex and Max, supplying you with fuller, richer sound than the Flex whereas shedding 1.4 kilos from the Max (and $130 off the Max’s record value). It is probably not the proper Bluetooth speaker for everyone, but it surely ought to hit the candy spot for lots of oldsters, particularly when its value 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 (average quantity stage)
• 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 expertise for pairing the speaker with appropriate Bose sensible soundbars or audio system through the Bose app
• Pair two SoundLink Plus audio system for stereo sound or hyperlink with different appropriate SoundLink audio system in Occasion Mode for augmented sound
• EQ settings within the Bose app
• Shade choices: blue, black and yellow
• Value: $269