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.

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I am very surprised with what I have experienced. This speaker sounds very good and loud. Clear singing. Convenient to carry when traveling. The speaker is a bit heavy. but I am satisfied with it. battery lasts quite a long time. Thanks.

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.

I am really enjoying this speaker so far. I'm a home office user and dancer. I mainly use this speaker for work calls, music during my coding sessions, and gym and dance sessions. My office setup at home is a small room, and I tested this speaker for about 3 weeks. Battery Life / Power Overall, the charge life on this speaker is pretty good. I use this speaker for about 3-5 hours per week, and the speaker still has a bit of juice left (3 hours). So after 3 weeks of usage, it has about 9-15 hours of charge life. Design I love the rope-like handle on the side. It makes it easy for on-the-go when I need to throw it in my gym bag for dance class. It's medium sized and not too big. The silicone/rubbery material does catch dust, but its easy to clean off. Sound Quality The sound quality is crisp and has a punchy base. It's perfect for when I am need to focus on coding or in the dance studio practicing. Connectivity Bluetooth connectivity was surprisingly stable! I noticed a bit of static when I have 2 devices connected at once. For example, when I have music playing from my computer and scrolling on Tiktok, there's a bit of static, but the connection doesn't drop. Connecting your device for the first time is really fast. Overall, I have really enjoyed this speaker. I think it's a solid speaker that is versatile for someone like me who is either coding or on-the-go.

The time I've had with the Bose SoundLink Plus Portable Speaker has been great. The speaker delivers outstanding sound quality in a compact size that can be easily moved around. It offers a carrying loop that's a nice addition but found that i didnt use it much. The build of the speaker is a nice silicon all round which helps with any accidental drops, the front grill and back plate are metal with a nice coating. You can easily eq the speaker through the app but found that it sounded great out the box. One thing that I found extremely useful was that you can use the speaker as a portable charger. All around great speaker that will be used for many cookouts.

Overall, this speaker is fantastic. It packs a punch when it comes to full, rich sound. I've used it to listen to music at social gatherings as well as linked it to the bluetooth on my tv to use it as a mini soundbar. It sounds amazing no matter what it's playing and stays connected with no drops. That being said, while you can connect multiple devices (i.e. phone and tv) the feature to switch between devices was hit or miss for me. Usually, I had to turn the speaker off to connect to the other device, which is not necessarily a big deal, but you get to listen to 'the voice' (loudly) telling you the speaker is on and connected, multiple times. It's super handy to be able to charge other devices, like your phone, from the SoundLink Plus. If you're out at the park or on the beach for the day and forgot a charging device, this will do the trick. While it takes a while for the speaker itself to fully charge, the battery lasts a long time. After having it a couple weeks, the speaker is still running on the one full charge I did when I got it. All while I've used it for many hours. I also have the first generation Soundlink Flex so comparing the two, this one takes the sound quality up several notches. The SoundLink Plus is also a bit heavier than the Flex, but not too much to detract from wanting to take it with me. I really would have liked to use party mode between my Flex and the Plus, but unfortunately, the technology in the Plus isn't compatible with the generation 1 Flex. The SoundLink Plus lives up to the quality I've come to expect from Bose and takes incredible sound in a small package to the next level.

I'm NOT disappointed to have this new Soundlink Plus in my collection. First, a few Pro's for this speaker. The new Citrus Yellow is a refreshing color addition...please keep this!!! As a Bose SoundLink owner (2-Flex and 2-SE's) I was most definitely impressed with the sound of the rugged Plus version, very powerful. First impression was definitely the slightly larger size and weight, which allows for the mega rich sound. The PLUS comes with a 3-band equalizer capability you can adjust in the Bose app, which is a perfect option to personalize your sound. You can also use this speaker as a power bank and charge your phone or Bose earbuds...which leads me to the battery life!!! WOW..Bose hit it out of the park with battery life. I used my speaker for over 4 different days streaming music and got a total of 23.5 hour of music before the battery was done. I'm sure if music play and charging a device is done on a single charge it will be much less, but the battery life is a BIG win. As of this review, I only have 1 Plus speaker, but I would expect a superb sound experience with 2 Plus speaker linked together (my next plan!). I have not had any water exposure on this speaker, but I have with my other SoundLink speakers and I'm expecting the same waterproof design. The only downside I've experienced in the inability to like the Plus with any of my prior Flex or SE SoundLink devices, as they are older versions. Another slight negative is the weight of the speaker, especially for traveling. I use mine as a white noise machine so traveling with it is important. Due to the device also being a power bank, you will need to place it in a carry-on (if flying) and that will definitely add weight to your bag. These two "cons" however are not significant enough to bring this amazing speaker down to a 4-star device. Definitely worth investing in one...or two!

This product is what every portable speaker should be. Incredible battery capacity, when turned on, after the initial pairing, the connection is nearly instantaneous. The inconvenient part of this product is that the software connection of previous Bose products is now lagging behind. I have the first-gen Bose SoundLink Flex, but due to it being unable to pair with the SoundLink Plus due to software incompatibility. However when getting the ability to pair more recent speakers simultaneously offers a lovely surround sound experience that has lasted nearly weeks without needing a recharge. As well as being able to have different orientations and still nonetheless, not struggling to perform as optimally. I am excited to share this product with others. This has been one of my favorite Bose products ever.

The SoundLink Plus is a GREAT speaker! I also have the SoundLink Max and the SoundLink Flex 2, so I was able to compare all three, toggling between the three speakers to see how the same song sounds on each. Not surprisingly, they all sound great, with slight differences that can most likely be attributed to size, i.e., the slightly larger Max is understandably a bit more vibrant than the Plus using the same settings. That being said, the Plus fills the niche between the Max and Flex 2 quite nicely. Personally, I'll continue to use the (heavier and most vibrant) Max in my home/on my deck/in my backyard, I'll continue to use the (lighter and pretty vibrant) Flex 2 for extended travel (it already "lives" in my luggage), and I'll use the "Goldilocks" Plus for day trips/excursions to local beaches/parks. More realistically, though, if someone wants or needs to choose just one of the three, it definitely makes sense to go with the Plus with the understanding that it's a bit on the heavy side if weight is a concern, but at the same time, I'm sure the weight helps to make it more rugged, so that's also a (no pun intended) plus!

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!

As someone who listens to music throughout the day—while working from home, cooking, and relaxing outside—the Bose SoundLink Plus has been a surprisingly perfect companion. I bought it mainly for its portability and sound quality, and after using it daily for a month, here’s my take. I use it for everything from Zoom calls to backyard barbecues. It’s ideal for small to mid-sized rooms and works great for podcasts, jazz, and acoustic music. It does well with bass-heavy genres too, though bass lovers might miss the thump of larger systems. First Impression: It’s sleek, solid, and feels premium right out of the box. The rubberized base gives it a sturdy grip on most surfaces, and it easily fits in a tote bag or backpack. It’s not ultra-light, but for the sound quality it delivers, I don't mind the trade-off. This little speaker packs a punch. The audio is crisp, with a warm bass that doesn’t distort even at higher volumes. Whether I’m listening to podcasts or streaming Spotify playlists, it consistently delivers clear mids and rich lows. Bose’s audio engineering is very evident here—it punches well above its size. I’ve been getting about 15-17 hours per charge, depending on the volume. That’s slightly more than advertised and plenty for a full day or weekend trip. It also charges fairly quickly with USB-C. Bluetooth pairing is seamless. It remembers the last few devices and reconnects automatically, which is helpful when switching between my phone and laptop. The range is solid too—I can leave my phone in the kitchen and still get stable audio in the backyard. ✅ Pros Excellent sound quality for its size Long-lasting battery Sturdy, premium design Quick and stable Bluetooth connection Built-in mic works great for calls ❌ Cons Pricey compared to other compact speakers (but the sound quality justifies it, in my view) I’m a remote worker and music lover who values good sound but doesn’t want to be tied to a big sound system. I’ve tried JBL, Anker, and UE Boom, and this is the first speaker I’ve genuinely loved enough to write a review for. Final Verdict: If you’re looking for a portable Bluetooth speaker with exceptional sound, the Bose SoundLink Plus is hard to beat. It’s a bit of an investment, but if sound quality matters to you and you’re not planning to throw it in a pool, you’ll likely love it as much as I do.

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I’ve honestly never owned such a powerful portable speaker. It was perfect for my intimate outdoor gathering and charges super fast. Not only will you be able to hear your music but enjoy it too because of the quality of the sound. I absolutely love it!

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!

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I love this color of blue - it looks so good. It’s really easy to connect to my phone to play music and the quality of sound is clear and solid. It is a little larger than other Bose speakers I have - so while good for use around the house, a little big/heavy to put in your bag to take on the go.

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Wow, this speaker blew me away and exceeded my expectations. Its sleek design looks upscale and the soft feel rubber buttons are easy to press. The sound is clear and goes pretty high if you turn up the volume. Great bass as well, does not distort sound.

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.

After spending some time with the Bose SL Plus, I gotta say it fits a unique spot in the world of portable speakers by being sleek in design and small enough to ‘grab-and-go.’ All while being powerful enough to fully immerse yourself in the music with not only clarity, but also with some amazing volume capabilities. Upon opening the box and removing the speaker, the first thing I noticed is the nice smooth design. Nothing beats that soft-touch material. Well, nothing except the amazing sound quality you’re gonna get from this thing. I’m always amazed with Bose and how well they design their products to be so simple to use and SOOO versatile. Connecting a device is way easy using Bluetooth, ESPECIALLY if you have the Bose app. (Which I’d HIGHLY recommend - tho it can be done without it. But I gotta tell yah, you’re missing out!!) & with the SL Plus being so portable, taking it with me on my journeys throughout the day is more than easy. The handle is perfectly designed to snatch up the speaker and walk straight out the door. (You could also hang it from a backpack with a carabiner for some vibes on a hike so that’s a total bonus) The adjustable sound controls (EQ settings) always take it to the next level too. I can’t get over how sweet it is to be able to go from, “Shh, don’t wake the baby!”, to, “Party Time!” I know it’s gotta be decent party quality too because while I haven’t thrown one to test it yet. I did have a neighbor peek their head over to ask about where the music was coming from because it was so clear and had us all rocking our hips a little to the beats. Another aspect I MUST rave about is the battery life! The SL Plus can hold a charge, that’s for sure. It also has reverse charging capabilities. Meaning, if that device you’re connected it too is low in go-juice? Not a problem. Grab a cord, plug in and youre all clear to keep jamming! (Charging another device doesn’t immediately kill the speaker battery either. You will lose approximately half the battery life for a full charge (tested with smart phone) but the speaker lasts so long on its own that I never worry about that when using that feature. I know I’ll reach an outlet again before it sees red.) With all the good, I can admit it does have a couple of “cons” to note if you’re considering the purchase. The first is the weight and the second is the inability to stand vertically. While it isn’t *heavy,* it is on the heavier side for a portable device. So that is something you would want to consider if taking it on a longer journey where you may not have a spot to sit it. The not being able to stand vertically part is more of a “would be neat” kinda thing but it’s something someone might find inconvenient if in a tight spot so I’m noting it. TL;DR: the Bose SL Plus is a small speaker that packs a huge punch, fits into a variety of scenarios - from more zen solo jam seshes to group hangs - & is easy on the eyes. The insanely long battery life, portability and ability to adjust the EQ settings make it the perfect choice for any and all adventures. Be aware - it’s got a bit of weight to it and is unable to stand upright. Still, I find it to be THE best portable speaker I’ve ever used. 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.