Professionals
- Glossy design with built-in rope loop
- IP67 waterproof, dustproof and shock-resistant
- Spectacular sound for its dimension with pretty strong, well-defined bass and good readability
- EQ settings in Bose companion
- USB-C cost out lets you energy up a telephone and different units
Cons
- Whereas it is $130 lower than the SoundLink Max, it is nonetheless dear
- No built-in microphone for speakerphone capabilities
- No auxiliary enter
As Bose continues to develop its SoundLink transportable Bluetooth speaker line, it is develop into tougher to decide on which is greatest 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 most effective of the bunch, the goldilocks of Bose Bluetooth audio system. Whereas it may well’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 precise stability of efficiency and worth, incomes a CNET Editors’ Alternative award within the course of.
Learn extra: Finest Bluetooth Audio system 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 assumed 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 mentioned, it seems 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 aspect).
The SoundLink Plus is available in three coloration choices, together with this citrus yellow, which is at present solely accessible on Bose’s web site.
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 would 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 would 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 assist 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.
The again of the speaker. The speaker prices through USB-C and may cost units and act as an influence financial institution.
Word 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. You can even hyperlink to different current SoundLink audio system in Social gathering Mode to enhance the sound to cowl more room. I examined Stereo Mode with two SoundLink Flex audio system, and the sound improved dramatically. However I solely received 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 believe a left-right SoundLink Plus stereo combo would sound spectacular when 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 effectively 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 increased 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 essentially the most half, that did not occur right here, and the speaker’s sound held up properly with minimal distortion at increased volumes. Nevertheless, every now and then, 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 towards just a few different prime Bluetooth audio system, together with the JBL Cost 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 frequently 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.
Evaluating the SoundLink Plus to different prime Bluetooth audio system from JBL, Sony and LG.
Although the variations weren’t enormous — 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 slightly 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 absolutely engaged. Confronted off towards the LG Xboom Bounce, I felt the Bose’s tonal stability was slightly higher, with the Bose having barely superior treble and midrange efficiency.
You’ll find higher worth Bluetooth audio system — I nonetheless like Anker’s Soundcore Increase 2, which prices round $120 or barely much less throughout flash gross sales — however the Bose has slightly richer, extra refined sound with higher readability and a slicker design. Different cost-effective manufacturers, comparable to Tribit, even have transportable audio system that sound nice for the value. However they are often generic-looking and do not sound nearly as good as this Bose when evaluating fashions of the same dimension.
The SoundLink Plus weight 1.4 kilos lower than the SoundLink Max and value $130 much less.
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 House, however it is not ruggedized and is primarily designed for indoor use). The extremely transportable Flex produces larger sound and extra bass than you’d anticipate for its compact dimension and can also be fairly moderately priced, significantly when it is sporadically discounted. The SoundLink Max additionally performs larger than its dimension would point out and competes effectively towards considerably bigger Bluetooth boombox-style audio system.
However, each these fashions have just a few strikes towards them. The Flex’s sound has its limitations — the speaker can solely produce a lot bass and quantity — and the SoundLink Max is slightly heavy and dear. 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 is probably not 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.
The SoundLink Plus is IP67 waterproof and dust-proof.
Bose SoundLink Plus key specs
- Weight: 3.3 kilos
- Dimensions: 9.1×3.9×3.4 inches
- Battery life: 20 hours (reasonable 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 know-how 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 Social gathering Mode for augmented sound
- EQ settings within the Bose app
- Shade choices: blue, black and yellow
- Worth: $269