Bose SoundLink Plus Portable Speaker

I'm an older guy... 60-- and I remember the days of huge component systems and giant speakers. I miss those days when the experience was to immerse yourself in sound, to experience the music and discuss it with your friends. To pull out parts of a song... the bass line, the drums, whatever... Today, you rarely see a large sound system. Everything is small-- particularly speakers. Bose, though, has found a way to take the sound quality from the old days and cram it into today's sound systems. Good job, Bose!. I have used this speaker much more than I had ever anticipated. Its portability makes it perfect for just about anywhere. However, portability aside, I have used this speaker to enhance my television viewing experience. It is more than adequate... provides my television with a bass response it just never had before. My only issue with this product is that the blue tooth feature is a bit touchy. I'll be watching television when all of a sudden the speaker will switch over to my phone. It is then a process that totally disrupts my viewing experience as I try to reconnect the television. Not as quick and easy a process as you might imagine. In spite of this, however, the SLplus (not sure if that's the official name) is a versatile, durable and dynamic sound source that will add to my enjoyment of music and movies, etc. for years to come. Thank you, Bose!

Overall, this is an excellent speaker. It delivers a full, rich sound for its size and performs as well as any competitor's speaker I’ve used. I’ve never had any issues with battery life, and the ability to use the speaker as a power bank to charge my phone came in handy more than once. It was perfect for a group of 10 while car camping. I also appreciated the rope loop, which made it easy to hang from a tree. I wouldn’t bring it backpacking due to its size and weight, but it strikes the perfect balance between portability and sound quality for car camping. If I had to find something to complain about, I’d say I don’t love how the buttons feel—but that’s a minor issue. I would definitely recommend this speaker to a friend—then I’d get to test out the party mode!

Pros: - Sound is unbeatable in the portable speaker category. Best by a mile. I own the original Bose Soundlink Flex and the Bose Soundlink Revolve+ II, but this Soundlink Plus gives a much richer and fuller sound compared to the other two. - Love the quick and easy three band EQ to dial in sound preference. - Battery life is awesome. Bose claims 20 hours of battery life, but at a normal decibel level I was getting longer than that over the course of several weeks of use. - Spectacular range. I could leave my phone in one the corner of the lower floor of my house, carry the speaker upstairs to the farthest upstairs corner, and still had a perfect connection. - No lag between sound and video when using my phone/laptop for streaming movies/tv shows and running the audio through the Soundlink Plus. - Seamless handoff from the Soundlink Plus audio output to anything I could think of: non-Bose earbuds, tv shows casted from my phone to the tv, turning my car on and having the audio pick up there. And then the reverse when I put my earbuds back in their case, turned the tv off, etc, the audio returned to the Soundlink Plus. - Does great in the shower as long as you don't aim your shower head at it (I did). If the speaker gets too wet, the music still plays, it just has a muffled sound to it until you wipe it off. Sometimes just a hand wipe while still in the shower did the trick, sometimes it stayed muffled until I dried it with a towel. No negative long term effects at all, just a little muffled audio while the speaker is wet. And really nice to have the alert that the speaker has purged all the water and can then be safely charged. - Speaking of charging, having the ability to use the speaker to charge your phone is a nice touch. - Buttons feel good to the touch and don't seem like they'll wear out easily. - The sturdy strap on the end makes it really easy to carry with a finger or two. Cons: Disclaimer: Neither of these were big enough of an issue to remove a star. I look at these like bonuses that would've been nice to have, but not big issues at all. And would be absolutely no issue if this was your only Bose speaker or if your other Bose speakers are newer models as of the last couple of years (Bose has a compatibility chart to see which other products the Soundlink Plus is able to connect). - Didn't pair with my older Bose speakers (1st gen Soundlink Flex and Soundlink Revolve+ II) for party mode or stereo mode; only pairs with newer models. - Soundlink Plus is controlled via the "Bose" app, while my older speakers are controlled via a separate "Bose Connect" app. It would be nice to have a single app.

I own over a dozen Bose products going back at least as many years including the SoundLink Mobile II, SoundLink Mini II, SoundLink Color, and SoundLink Flex in addition to various headphones, earbuds, and home theater speakers. Over those years, I have become a loyal consumer because Bose products produce the best sound I have experienced in various platforms from personal speakers, to headphones, to home theater and the company backs up their products with exceptional support and service after the point of sale. Having used the new SoundLink Plus for a couple weeks now, I am happy to say my satisfaction and loyalty have been earned again. The speaker arrives securely packaged in its box, which immediately sets the tone for the quality I’ve come to expect from Bose. Once unboxed, the speaker impresses with a solid and appealing build and a familiar Bose design that is positioned between the SoundLink Max and SoundLink Flex speakers. The SL Plus provides an excellent sound profile with rich, deep bass Bose has become known for and a large volume capacity that easily fills a large room or outdoor space. Here are the main strengths I have noted in using the speaker: 1. The speaker delivers crisp highs and midranges alongside a deep, rich bass that makes it sound like a much larger speaker. This is the bass Bose has been known for that was somewhat lacking in the SL color and Flex first edition. 2. Whether listening at low volumes for background music or cranking it up for outdoor gatherings, the volume range is impressive. 3. Speaking of background music, the sound carries very well throughout the house even at lower volumes, making it an excellent choice for a main indoor speaker. 4. I have used my speaker to play music in our living room all day long for multiple days and it still has not needed to be recharged, so the advertised 20-hour battery life is conservatively accurate. 5. Bluetooth connectivity is quick and seamless so far, making pairing with my phone and iPad a breeze. 6. Another excellent feature is the speaker’s ability to double as a power-bank, allowing you to charge your phone or other portable devices in a pinch. This level of versatility means the SoundLink Plus adapts easily from being my mobile companion on the go to serving as the main speaker in our living room. Here are a few shortcomings I noted: 1. The lack of compatibility for pairing with older Bose models, such as the SoundLink Flex first edition, especially for users hoping to build a multi-speaker setup using previously purchased Bose speakers. This inconvenience is expanded by the existence of different apps for different speakers and headphones so that you cannot manage all of your Bose devices from one app. 2. Along with the limitations in synching with other speakers, playback is only in mono so stereo playback requires the purchase of a second SoundLink Plus (which may also be a plus for some given more immersive sound options). 3. The SoundLink Plus does not have the PositionIQ feature that the SoundLink Flex has that allows it to adjust sound to different speaker placement positions. 4. The side mounted carrying loop feels a tad undersized (the size of the loop NOT the actual rope diameter which is adequate) especially considering the speaker’s considerable weight compared to other portable speakers (3 lbs 6 oz compared to the Flex’s 1 lb 5 oz). The size of the carrying loop only allows carrying it with one or two fingers, which doesn’t create a confident or secure feeling. A wider loop that allows for a full hand or even wrist carrying would be greatly beneficial. Overall, the SoundLink Plus delivers excellence in sound quality, versatility, and utility. I have found the strengths to far outweigh the few shortcomings, especially the unmistakable Bose quality, exceptional deep bass, wide volume range, and rugged, water-resistant build. I have tried several other brands of speakers and headphones through the years, and there is simply nothing that comes close to Bose sound and quality, and this newest addition to the lineup is no exception and is my new go to speaker.

The speaker came in a nice looking box that showed the contents in great detail. Once I opened the box I saw the speaker was very well packed and stable in the box. The sack it was wrapped in was a nice touch. For a speaker that is supposed to be portable it did seem very heavy. It’s a nice looking speaker though, reminiscent of the Wave radios. I am not sure I’d use the loop to hook the speaker onto anything due to the weight but I have already carried it by hand using the loop a few times. It’s definitely sturdy! The speaker came charged 30% more than enough to pair with my phone, which was a breeze. I also paired it with my TV, also very simple to do. It took about 3 hours to fully charge but with the battery life you advertise it’s worth the wait! Once I powered it up and played a few test songs I found this speaker has amazing bass in such a small package. Nice highs too. I noticed you can turn the volume up really loud before there’s any distortion at all. My first impressions are that I would use this around my home a lot and bring it on vacations where I drove. I think it’s too heavy to pack in a checked bag or to carry on. I used the speaker in place of my sound bar this morning so I could hear the news while I got ready and it was hard to tell it wasn’t the soundbar! The dialogue was so clear. And I didn’t have to crank my tv up because I’m running around, I just took the speaker with me! If the weather is decent I plan to bring it over to some friends’ to use by their pool this weekend. They bought a Bose Micro SoundLink after I brought mine over and they were impressed by the sound. Wait until they hear this one! I know they’re going to want one of these, too! They don't have enough room near the tv in their kitchen for a soundbar, the tv is about 24”, this would be ideal to get great sound vs their tv’s tinny built-in speakers and they can stream music when not watching tv. I’ve had it a few weeks and after at least 10 to 15 hours of use I have not had to charge the speaker again so far. Overall I’m pretty psyched I got the speaker!

I got this speaker a few weeks ago, and it has been a blast (quite literally :P) listening to my albums on this mighty speaker. The sound quality (and loudness) definitely surprises you for the size of the device. The bass has a nice punch to it, and the highs and the mids are very well defined as well. For portability, it has a nice strap that lets you carry it around, and the fact that it's waterproof (and will even float!!) are positives that assure me of its durability. It also has a shortcut button that directly plays Spotify off my phone (or can connect to a 2nd speaker to turn on party/stereo modes) and the Bluetooth connection has been rock-solid unlike some other speakers I've owned before. Moreover, the speaker can also pair with 2 devices at once and also with my Bose soundbar through SimpleSync for multi-room speaker grouping (or just to add more punch to my TV audio). The app lets you control the EQ and adjust the bass, treble and mids to your preferences, and connects consistently to the speaker. And lastly, the 20 hour battery, alongside the fact that I can charge my phone through the speaker's massive battery are great to have! Pros: Amazing sound, compact package, rugged & waterproof, great battery life Cons: No mic for calls, limited color options Overall, I'm loving my time with this speaker, and would definitely recommend it!

very happy with this speaker - it gives you rich, clear sound both inside and outside, with great battery life. I've used this outdoors and had beautiful sound at various levels. sound travels very well, but also great at lower volumes when you don't want to disturb the people around you. the bass is not as deep as I usually prefer with speakers of this size, but the richness of the sound and durability of the speaker make up for this. highly recommend.

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] This speaker is amazing first off for being a portable speaker I wasn't expecting it to be as big as it is but I love it. It's not hard to connect it to your phone or tv whatever your connecting it to. The sound is great it sounds like I'm in a theater when I have it hooked up to my tv.

Over the past few weeks I've played a variety of music styles at different volume levels and I haven't been disappointed. I'm amazed by the warmth of the music this little speaker produces. And If it's all about the bass, this little speaker really delivers. Seriously, for a small portable speaker, the bass is excellent. At high volume levels the audio is still really clear and the bass remains punchy. So if you care about sound, you won't be disappointed. I'm also had some fun playing with the Bass & Treble controls in the Bose App (iPhone), as it allows me to fine tune a song to just the way I like. The physical design is sleek and very appealing. The build quality is what you expect from Bose, superb. The controls on top are excellent and work flawlessly. They also have an amazing soft touch. When first unboxing I was surprised by the weight, it seemed a bit heavy at first but now I'm accustomed to it. But that extra heft keeps it firmly planted, no buzzing when the bass is pumping. And I suspect it's also due to extra big batteries as I can charge my phone from the speaker while playing music. Love it. Bluetooth pairing just works. I paired to a phone and a TV. So easy and quick. It has a novel carrying handle, a soft braid rope. I wasn't convinced at first but it's really great as I feel like I have a solid grip on the speaker. No way it can slip out of my hand. I usually carry it with one finger but two fingers easily fit. The only disappointment, if I'm being critical, is the charging cord could be a bit longer. But it's a standard USB-C, so no big deal. Would I recommend this to a friend? Definitely. With one caveat, to make sure they understand the limits of "portable". To carry out to the backyard, upstairs, in the car, on motorcycle or horse. Yep, definitely. But for backpacking, trekking on foot, it might be a bit too heavy. One thing I haven't tried yet is pairing multiple speakers, either to extend the area of coverage or in a novel Left/Right Stereo mode. So I'll be getting another for summer pool parties. Overall, it's a great speaker. Great build quality, sounds amazing, everything just works as expected. Sincerely, Jerry

An immersive experience starts at the unboxing. The box shows you what you are getting (while not great if your box is just left on your doorstep and you are worried about theft) . Pulling the tab makes getting to your speaker a breeze. If you are like me it is also very satisfying. The speaker is snug inside wrapped in a protective sleeve. I was surprised by the weight of the speaker when lifting it from the box. While the weight of the speaker was more than I was expecting the loop at the end of the speaker makes handling and carrying the speaker easy. The speaker arrived with around 30% battery - just enough to get your device paired and enjoy your favorite album, playlist, etc. Charging your speaker takes a couple of hours, once fully charged the battery lasts for 20 or more hours depending oh how you are listening. (A little less if you use for speaker for a battery charger and speaker) Let’s get into the sound experience! Bose knows how to create a speaker that is so full and balanced at all volume levels. As an eclectic listener of music I was very impressed with the versatility this speaker has when it swings from classic rock, to 90’s pop to the pure twang of a good country song. The hit of the bass was surprising given the size of the speaker. Not only does this speaker sound great with music, listening to audio books and podcasts is extremely clear. Using the speaker as a mini sound bar when watching movies on my iPad was also extremely enjoyable. The speaker does it with style- I can’t wait for my friends to get one so we can pair them up while we paddle board and camp. I love not having to worry about dust and water damaging my speaker. Singing in the shower, watching movies in the bath, working outside, camping this speaker can go and does belong everywhere.

The Bose SoundLink Plus Portable Speaker is a great all around outdoor speaker! I’ve been using this inside and outside for the last 2 weeks during yard work and when I’ve been cleaning the pool. The sound is great with crisp highs and good bass depth. When working outside, I keep my phone with me and the speaker placed near the back porch. I’ve been as far as 60 feet away and my phone is still connected to the speaker. I’ve been able to change the volume and skip songs without any issue. After the initial charge, I haven’t charged the speaker yet. Yesterday, my family and I went to watch fireworks and during the wait, I turned the speaker on and was shocked to hear it still had a 70% charge throughout all the days I’ve used it. Although the speaker can charge phones through the USB-C port, I have not tried that feature. I don’t have any particular cons about the speaker but both neighbors on either side of me may say otherwise. When one of your favorite songs comes on and you turn up the volume, you can definitely hear it. Well, so did my neighbors…. They were looking for a stereo system around my backyard and were shocked when I showed them this speaker. I’m pretty sure they are going to buy one now as well. One of the best features of this speaker is the water resistance which makes it great when using around the pool. I have zero concern about this speaker getting wet! My much older SoundLink speaker was great, but I needed to protect it when it was being used around the pool from splashing and getting knocked over (it was top heavy when the speaker guard was folded to be the stand). This new SoundLink Plus Portable Speaker is perfect for being outside at the pool. It is water resistant, durable and the rubberized shell makes it perfect to be used outdoors through any weather.

Let me start by saying that this little speaker really packs a punch. I usually keep my older Bose Soundlink portable speaker in the kitchen so I decided to move this farther away. We have an open concept family room and kitchen so it is basically one large room. The sound quality and robustness from the BSL Portable Rugged Speaker at any listening distance was shockingly great! We have an older Bose Surround Sound system in this room as well and the sound quality rivaled it. I’ve also used this gem outside on our large outdoor patio. While the sound doesn’t have quite the crispness like it does inside 4 walls, it is certainly loud and undistorted and great for a party if you are going for volume. The closer I move to the speaker when it is outside, the more I regain the crisp sound. The only drawback I can put my finger on is the weight of the speaker itself. It does come with a sturdy loop handle on the side for easy pickup. I weighed my SoundLink and my new SoundLink Rugged Portable out of genuine curiosity. My originally BSL came in at 1 lb 4.6 oz and the new Rugged Portable weighs 3 lb 5.8oz. I have no problem moving this new one around inside or outside, or throwing it in the car for camping, boating or a weekend away. The only time I would think twice would be throwing it into my bag for a quick trip to the beach or pool where I would definitely feel the weight difference on my shoulder. The weight is the only reason I have not given it 5 stars for Ease of Use or and Overall Rating. Other than that, I still think this is the perfect addition to the Bose collection since I can always grab my smaller SL for just that purpose.

Overall, great speaker that is best suited to stationary use. Pros: - great sound quality: gets quite loud with minimal distortion and maintains good bass even at max volume. Can easily fill an indoor room / outdoor patio - materials: the metal grille feels quality, and the silicone has held up well so far. Slight concern about how the metal front grille will show dents if the speaker is dropped but haven't "tested" that yet - carry loop: makes it convenient to carry the speaker (even if it is heavy) - clicky, easy to press buttons: Bose easily has the best buttons of any Bluetooth speaker I've used - solid Bluetooth connection: no drops or disconnects even with Multipoint in use, didn't test range explicitly but was able to walk up/downstairs without issue. Wasn't able to test Party mode with multiple speakers - battery life: best battery life on a speaker I have used. I've only had to charge it twice within this review period despite very heavy usage. Cons: - cost: it is quite expensive for a midsize speaker - weight: while it is convenient to carry, it is quite heavy and requires at least two fingers in the loop to comfortably carry - directional audio: I prefer upward-firing portable speakers for my specific use case at home. Might not be a con for you - long charge time: takes quite a long time to charge (took about 3 hours from 30%) - Citrus Yellow color: I am not a fan of this new color. I think the Blue color is my favorite. The SoundLink Plus is great, but it's not without its shortcomings. For starters, it is in a weird position pricewise in the Bose lineup. For the price, you can almost buy two SL Flex, which would likely sound better when paired together in stereo. Those wanting a bona fide outdoor speaker may likely look to the SoundLink Max instead in order to fill larger outdoor spaces. As such, it's a 4.5 star speaker with a 3 star price, which makes it about a 4-star speaker in my estimation.

The Bose SoundLink is a solid little powerhouse. It packs that classic Bose sound—crisp highs, clean mids, and just the right amount of bass for its size. Super portable, with a loop that feels sturdy enough to take anywhere without worry. It’s clearly built for life on the go. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if it gives some of the top portable speakers out there a real run for their money. Perfect companion for any outdoor hangout.

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] This speaker is amazing for being a staple at home to move around or to bring to the parks and parties. Even golf trips for my husband. It has been great to connect and the battery last. Highly recommend. If you are curious, the song playing is home run by Geoff Moore and the distance. My son is 6 and plays baseball, and it’s on repeat at our house! Enjoy!

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] This speaker is amazing. The sound quality and battery life is way better than my friends jbl and my ueboom. Easy to connect to phone and easy to bring wherever. It does have some weight to it probably similar to brick so its not as light as the others mentioned but still very portable.

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] The Bose Soundlink Plus portable speaker is a top of the line product. The speaker is sturdy but conveniently sized. The exterior is a rubbery texture rather than slick plastic. The color is exactly as the product image. Sound quality from this speaker is remarkable. The volume reaches extreme heights and the bass translates beautifully. This speaker is ideal for parties, hanging by the pool, or a good old fashioned kitchen dance party. Thrilled with this product.

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] The Bose SoundLink Plus portable speaker brings the noise—in the best way. It’s got rich, clear sound with surprising bass for its size, and it’s super easy to take anywhere. The Bluetooth connection is solid, the battery lasts a long time, and it looks sleek too. Whether you’re chilling at home or hanging out outside, this little speaker really delivers.

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I love this speaker!!! The design, the sound quality, the bass, and the button controls. I made sure to choose music with a good bass to test out the quality and volume, and it does not disappoint. The speaker is small enough to travel with and the loop is very sturdy, but this gets loud enough to use for get togethers. The party function where you can link two Bose speakers together for the optimum sound for parties is great. The Bose app makes it easy to navigate your music, sound EQ, and Bluetooth devices with ease. Way worth the price.

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] This speaker sounds amazing—full, rich audio with punchy bass, especially for its size. It’s built tough too: waterproof, dustproof, and it even floats, so it’s perfect for beach days or camping. Battery life is excellent (around 20 hours), and it can charge your phone in a pinch. Bluetooth pairing is quick and solid, and it connects easily to multiple devices. You can also use the Bose app to manage settings and updates.