This Is Why Bose’s SoundLink Plus Is the Goldilocks of Bose Bluetooth Speakers

8.5/ 10
SCORE

Bose SoundLink Plus

Pros

• Elegant design with integrated rope loop

• IP67 waterproof, dust resistant and shock resistant

• Its impressive for its size with fairly robust and well -defined bass and good clarity

• Equalization parameters in Bose Companion

• USB-C Out allows you to supply a phone and other devices

Disadvantages

• Although it is $ 130 less than the soundlink max, it’s always expensive

• No integrated microphone for the ability of the speaker

• No auxiliary entry

While Bose continues to extend his Soundlink Portable Bluetooth Pleble speakersIt has become more difficult to choose what suits you best. That said, the new one for 2025 SoundLink Plus ($ 269, £ 250, $ 430 in), which is between the more compact second generation liaison flex ($ 149, £ 150, $ 250 in) and the more strong and more expensive Max Soundlink ($ 399, £ 400, $ 600 in), can be the best in the group, Bose Bluetooth Goldillocks. Although it cannot play as strong or deliver as many bass as the highest maximum, it costs much less and extinguishes a clear and powerful sound which is a big step back from the sound of the flex. It establishes the right balance of performance and prices, winning a CNET Editors’ Choice prize in the process.

Learn more: Best Bluetooth speakers from 2025

Weighing 3.3 pounds and measuring 9.1 by 3.9 by 3.4 inches (in width, height and depth), it is more than twice as heavy as the flex and a few wider inches, but almost the same height. I thought it could also be twice the depth of the flex, but that is not quite that (3.4 inches compared to the 2.1 inch flex). That said, it looks like a much more substantial speaker in the hand while being easier to search than the maximum sound connection of 4.7 pounds, even with the removable rope handle of this model (the SoundLink Plus has a “robust utility rope loop” by exceeding its side).

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The SoundLink Plus has similar features to SoundLink Max, offering a USB-C in-out load and up to 20 hours of battery life at moderate volume levels. The max has an auxiliary entry while the most does not do so. The two are resistant to IP67 and waterproof dust, as is the Flex and the new Soundlink micro of $ 130 (2nd generation), which should be released at the end of August and has been improved with an improved sound load and USB-C. Unlike Flex, the Soundlink Plus has no integrated microphone, so it lacks loudspeakers, which is too bad.

The Bose Companion application has equalizer parameters that allow you to modify the sound profile of the speaker and personalize the shortcut button at the top of the speaker to be linked to a second bose speaker or create a quick link to Spotify, which allows you to easily resume reading from the service.

Note that this is a mono speaker and that to obtain a real stereo separation, you will have to link two SoundLink speakers more in left-right stereo mode. You can also create a link to other recent SoundLink speakers in party mode to increase sound to cover more space. I tested the stereo mode with two SoundLink Flex speakers, and the sound has improved considerably. But I had only one SoundLink Plus review sample, so I couldn’t test the stereo mode. However, on the basis of what I have heard of a pair of flexible speakers, I suspect that a sound combo of its left and stereo looks impressive if you can afford to buy two of these guys.

Comparison of SoundLink Plus to competition

I evaluated the SoundLink plus for a few hours in itself, and he performed well with the majority of the test tracks that I launched to him, although she really shines with well-recorded material and I did not seem as constrained in higher volumes as certain mini-high bluetooth speakers that I tested. To avoid deformation, the digital treatment of many portable speakers ends up cutting certain frequencies, especially in the low-end. For the most part, this did not happen here, and the speaker’s sound has resisted with a minimum distortion to higher volumes. However, from time to time, I met a track that the speaker simply did not manage too graciously, reminding me that he is always compact.

After comparing it to the SoundLink Flex and SoundLink Max, I then opposed a few other Bluetooth speakers, including the JBL in charge 6, Sony Ult 3 and Ult 5 and LG Xboom Rebound. All these speakers except the Sony Ult 5 List for a little less than this bose (however, the Ult 5 seems to be regularly on sale for $ 250). But these would all be models that I would have on my radar if I planned the SoundLink Plus.

Although the differences were not enormous – they are all consonant Bluetooth speakers – the more soundlink seems superior to all these speakers, except the ULT 5, which is much larger and plays a little stronger and produced more bass. Compared to JBL 6, the SoundLink Plus seems more complete with a wider sound scene. The same goes for the Sony Ult 3which does not produce as much bass as the bose, even with its entirely committed UL Slip Ult. Faced next to the LG Xboom rebound, I felt that Bose’s tonal balance was a little better, the bose having slightly higher treble and mid -range performance.

You can find Bluetooth speakers of better value – I still like Anker’s Boom 2 Soundcore, which costs about $ 120 or slightly less during flash sales – but bose has a little richer and more refined sound with better clarity and smooth design. Other profitable brands, such as TripAlso have portable speakers that sound great for the price. But they can be generic and do not seem as good as this bose when comparing models of a similar size.

Is the Bose Soundlink more worth it?

The SoundLink Flex and the Soundlink Max are very good Bluetooth speakers (I also like the SoundLink at homeBut it is not robust and is mainly designed for inner use). The very portable flex produces a larger and more bass sound than you expect for its compact size and is also at a fairly reasonable price, especially when it is at sporadic prices. The SoundLink Max also plays larger than its size does not indicate it and would compete well against Bluetooth Bluetooth style speakers.

On the other hand, these two models have some strikes against them. The flex sound has its limits – the speaker cannot produce so many bass and volume – and the SoundLink Max is a bit heavy and expensive. Soundlink Plus is not cheap at $ 269, but it divides the difference between flex and max, offering you a more complete and rich sound than flex while losing 1.4 pounds from the maximum (and $ 130 reduction on the price of Max’s list). It may not be the Bluetooth speaker perfect for everyone, but it should reach the ideal point for many people, especially when its prices decrease a little during flash sales.

Bose SoundLink Plus Key Specifications

• Weight: 3.3 pounds
• Dimensions: 9.1×3.9×3.4 inch
• Battery life: 20 hours (moderate volume level)
• Bluetooth 5.4 (30 -foot beach)
• IP67 Waterproof and dust test
• 5 hours to bill entirely via USB-C (no charger included)
• USB-C load
• Bose Simplesync Technology to combine the speaker with bars of sound or Smart bose speakers compatible via the bose application
• Combine two SoundLink Plus speakers for stereo sound or link with other SoundLink compatible speakers in celebrated sound mode
• Equalization parameters in the bose application
• Color options: blue, black and yellow
• Price: $ 269