8.5/ 10 SCORE Bose SoundLink Plus Pros
Sleek design with built-in rope loop
IP67 waterproof, dustproof and shock-resistant
Impressive sound for its dimension with pretty sturdy, well-defined bass and good readability
EQ settings in Bose companion
USB-C cost out permits you to energy up a telephone and different gadgets
Cons
While 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 broaden its SoundLink transportable Bluetooth speaker line, it is grow to be more durable to decide on which is finest 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), could be the very best of the bunch, the goldilocks of Bose Bluetooth audio system. While it may’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 worth, incomes a CNET Editors’ Choice award within the course of. Read extra: Best Bluetooth Speakers of 2025Weighing 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, nevertheless it’s not fairly that (3.4 inches in comparison with the Flex’s 2.1 inches). That stated, it appears 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).
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The SoundLink Plus is available in three shade choices, together with this citrus yellow, which is at the moment solely obtainable on Bose’s web site. David Carnoy/CNETThe 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. Both 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. Unlike 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 high 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 also can cost gadgets and act as an influence financial institution. David Carnoy/CNETNote 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 also can hyperlink to different current SoundLink audio system in Party Mode to enhance the sound to cowl more room. I examined Stereo Mode with two SoundLink Flex audio system, and the sound improved dramatically. But I solely bought one SoundLink Plus assessment pattern, so I used to be unable to check Stereo Mode. However, 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 if you happen to can afford to purchase two of those guys.Comparing the SoundLink Plus to the competitionI evaluated the SoundLink Plus for a number of hours by itself, and it carried out effectively 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 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 probably the most half, that did not occur right here, and the speaker’s sound held up properly with minimal distortion at increased volumes. However, every now and then, I’d 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 towards a number of different high 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 (nonetheless, the ULT 5 does appear to recurrently go on sale for $250). But they’d all be fashions I’d have on my radar if I had been contemplating the SoundLink Plus. Comparing the SoundLink Plus to different high Bluetooth audio system from JBL, Sony and LG. David Carnoy/CNETThough 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 just a little louder and produces extra bass. Compared to the JBL 6, the SoundLink Plus sounds fuller with a wider soundstage. The similar 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. Faced off towards the LG Xboom Bounce, I felt the Bose’s tonal steadiness was just a little higher, with the Bose having barely superior treble and midrange efficiency. You can discover higher worth Bluetooth audio system — I nonetheless like Anker’s Soundcore Boom 2, which prices round $120 or barely much less throughout flash gross sales — however the Bose has just a little richer, extra refined sound with higher readability and a slicker design. Other cost-effective manufacturers, reminiscent of Tribit, even have transportable audio system that sound nice for the value. But they are often generic-looking and do not sound pretty much as good as this Bose when evaluating fashions of an analogous dimension. The SoundLink Plus weight 1.4 kilos lower than the SoundLink Max and value $130 much less. David Carnoy/CNETIs the Bose SoundLink Plus price it? Both the SoundLink Flex and SoundLink Max are excellent Bluetooth audio system (I additionally just like the SoundLink Home, nevertheless 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 fairly 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.On the opposite hand, each these fashions have a number of 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 just a little heavy and dear. The SoundLink Plus is not low-cost at $269, nevertheless it 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 worth). It might not be the proper Bluetooth speaker for everyone, nevertheless it ought to hit the candy spot for lots of parents, particularly when its worth dips a bit throughout flash gross sales. The SoundLink Plus is IP67 waterproof and dust-proof. David Carnoy/CNETBose SoundLink Plus key specsWeight: 3.3 poundsDimensions: 9.1×3.9×3.4 inchesBattery life: 20 hours (average quantity degree)Bluetooth 5.4 (30-foot vary)IP67 waterproof and dustproof5 hours to totally cost through USB-C (no charger included)USB-C cost outBose SimpleSync know-how for pairing the speaker with suitable Bose sensible soundbars or audio system through the Bose appPair two SoundLink Plus audio system for stereo sound or hyperlink with different suitable SoundLink audio system in Party Mode for augmented soundEQ settings within the Bose appColor choices: blue, black and yellowPrice: $269