We can't talk about brilliant speakers without acknowledging Bose. The range of fantastic, portable speakers that Bose has is only rivaled by Anker. Of course, Bose has plenty of other designs that are surely worth considering.
Bose has a speaker suited for just about any purpose, so whether you're looking for a smart speaker to add to your home or need a dependable speaker for a gig, Bose has you covered. The speakers are often waterproof too, so don't be shy to take some of them poolside.
The best Bose speakers at a glance:
• Best overall Bose speaker: Bose SoundLink Flex - View on Amazon
• Best Bose speaker for outdoors: Bose SoundLink Micro Bluetooth Speaker - View on Amazon
• Best Bose smart speaker: Bose Home Speaker 500 - View on Amazon
With so many Bose speakers out there, it can be hard to narrow down your choices and pick out what's the best one for you. Luckily, we're here to help with that.
We've put together a list of a handful of our favourite Bose speakers and noted their strengths, weaknesses, and what they're most suited for. Each of these is a brilliant speaker that won't disappoint, but you can be sure that you'll be informed on what each Bose speaker has going for it.
The best Bose speakers:
All prices are correct at the time of writing. Prices, stock and deals are subject to change without notice.
Best overall Bose speaker
BoseThe SoundLink Flex is far from Bose's most powerful speaker, but it's a brilliant all-rounder you can't go wrong with. Usually, Bluetooth speakers are limited by a restrictive range, but the SoundLink Flex has plenty of freedom, so you never feel tied down by it. The fact the built-in microphone means you can receive calls from it means you won't be tied to your phone either.
A 12-hour battery life is dependable, and thanks to the USB-C connection, you can charge it back up to full in roughly four hours. As such, the SoundLink Flex will never be on low power for long.
Pros
- Reliable Bluetooth connection and range
- USB-C charges quickly
- Built-in microphone
Cons
- Not the most powerful option
| Drivers | Custom-engineered transducer |
| Audio power | Unspecified |
| Battery life | 12 hours |
| Charging time | Approx. 4 hours |
| Waterproofing | IP67 |
| Dimensions | 9 x 20.1 x 5.2 cm |
| Weight | 0.6kg |
- Customer review: "The sound is crystal clear and the volume is very good as is the bass and treble and can be adjusted via the app. The speaker has some weight to it and is pretty sturdy but very portable. A nice touch is that when you press the power button it tells you how much charge percentage there is left."
Best Bose speaker for outdoors
BoseIP67 waterproofing means that the SoundLink Micro can be submerged without suffering any damage, but that's only scratching the surface of its potential as an outdoor speaker. The build is very lightweight, so it'll never become cumbersome to carry. In fact, a durable strap is included so you can secure it onto a backpack.
The only thing that lets the SoundLink Micro is its battery life. A playtime of six hours isn't abysmal, but it is easily outclassed.
Pros
- Durable strap that can be attached to a backpack
- Great waterproofing
- Lightweight
Cons
- Underwhelming battery life
| Drivers | Custom-designed transducer and passive radiators |
| Audio power | Unspecified |
| Battery life | 6 hours |
| Charging time | Approx. 4 hours |
| Waterproofing | IP67 |
| Dimensions | 9.83 x 9.83 x 3.48 cm |
| Weight | 0.29kg |
- Customer review: "I bought one of these for myself a while ago and was mainly using it to listen to music and podcasts around the house. The sound is impressive for such a small unit (sure, there are compromises but for the size it’s great, and not at all tinny) and it’s great to be able to leave my phone on its charger and have control (via the multifunction button) of whatever I’m listening to in, say, the bathroom or the kitchen."
Best Bose smart speaker
Bose
One of the most important aspects for any smart speaker to possess is simple and convenient controls, which the Bose Home Speaker 500 excels at. You can use the controls on the top of the device or use voice commands thanks to Alexa compatibility. There's also an LCD screen on the front that tells you what is currently playing.
Our only gripe with the Bose Home Speaker 500 is that, while it is fine on its own, it shines best when paired with other Bose devices.
Pros
- Alexa compatibility makes it very versatile
- Easy to control through voice or top controls
- Handy LCD screen
Cons
- Wants to be paired with other Bose speakers and companion app
| Drivers | Two custom drivers |
| Audio power | Unspecified |
| Battery life | N/A |
| Charging time | N/A |
| Waterproofing | N/A |
| Dimensions | 20.3 x 17 x 10.9 cm |
| Weight | 2.15kg |
- Customer review: "The speaker is all about the sound which is excellent. It fills a decent sized room comfortably, and that is when not anywhere close to full volume. It gives a lovely bass sound which can be adjusted along with treble on the app to suit the listener. As someone who appreciates music, and how it is delivered I love this speaker. Small but deadly is how I would best describe, and I have no problems advocating this product to those who like listening to music, or indeed radio, like me."
Best 360-degree Bose speaker
BoseThis SoundLink Revolve (Series II) has a clever design that produces sound in all directions, meaning you'll get full enjoyment out of it regardless of where you are in relation to it. The build is also worth noting, being durable enough to take more than a few knocks, and the 13-hour battery makes it suitable for a night-long party.
However, this speaker really wants to be seated on an elevated surface. It doesn't need to be high up, but the sound comes out of its lower half, so you won't get as good an experience if it's at ground level.
Pros
- Durable build
- 360-degree sound
- Great battery life
Cons
- Better on an elevated surface
| Drivers | Dual passive radiators, downward-facing transducer |
| Audio power | Unspecified |
| Battery life | 13 hours |
| Charging time | Approx. 4 hours |
| Waterproofing | IP55 |
| Dimensions | 15.2 x 8.2 x 8.2 cm |
| Weight | 0.66kg |
- Customer review: "This speaker is the best I’ve ever come across!! I made the mistake of buying a party speaker over a year ago for just £15. It was absolutely dreadful compared to this. The sound clarity of the Bose is perfect. No distortion or degradation of the music, no matter the volume. The bass is also epic. Hard to believe such a small speaker can throw out such booming bass."
Best Bose travel speaker
BoseFor those who want to take their music on the go, the Bose Portable Smart Speaker has you covered. It has a handle that's easy to carry around with its handle, and you can set it up for use easily anywhere. It's not just the build that impresses either; the bass here packs a punch, especially considering its size.
While Bose usually excels in waterproofing, the IPX4 isn't groundbreaking. It's not a dealbreaker, but it is outclassed by the brand's other offerings.
Pros
- Useful handle for carrying
- Great bass for the size
- Easy to set up and use right away
Cons
- Better Bose options exist for waterproofing
| Drivers | Three passive radiators, downward-facing transducer |
| Audio power | Unspecified |
| Battery life | 12 hours |
| Charging time | Approx. 4 hours |
| Waterproofing | IPX4 |
| Dimensions | 19.15 x 11.9 x 10.4 cm |
| Weight | 1.06kg |
- Customer review: "Did a lot of research before purchasing and I’m not disappointed in my choice. Looks great, not heavy and easy to set up. Best thing though is the sound quality….cannot be faulted, just brilliant! It’s portable so can move from inside to outside in the garden for ‘tunes’ in the summer and is equally as good over Bluetooth or wi-fi. No complaints a great product."
Best Bose PA speaker
BoseStanding out from the usual Bose designs, the S1 Pro+ is a PA speaker perfect for use at gigs or any event where you need to project sound. It's powerful when you need it to be, and adjusting settings and levels is easy with the three-channel mixer.
A rather nice aspect of this speaker is that you have options on how to place it. You can set it vertically, horizontally, titled back, or atop a stand, and still receive a reliable output. Just be aware that it's a fair bit heavier than the other speakers on this list.
Pros
- Can be placed in different positions
- Powerful sound
- 3-channel mixer
Cons
- Not the lightest
| Drivers | Unspecified |
| Audio power | Unspecified |
| Battery life | 11 hours |
| Charging time | Unspecified |
| Waterproofing | Unspecified |
| Dimensions | 33.2 x 23.8 x 27.9 cm |
| Weight | 6.5kg |
- Customer review: "This speaker is deafeningly loud yet compact and portable enough to go in the car to take camping or to the beach. It has Bluetooth connectivity so you can always connect it to other devices such as a TV to give an extra punch! Along with line inputs with adjustable controls (also adjustable via the Bose music app) The sound is not lost outside either, having used this in the garden several times now, the audio clarity is breathtaking and remarkable. Battery life is very good - something I was apprehensive about to begin with as there was mention of buying a battery - however I have since realised that this just increases a very good battery life into an exceptional battery life."
FAQs
Does a Bluetooth connection affect audio quality?
A Bluetooth connection can affect audio quality, but it shouldn't be a major concern. When it comes to modern Bluetooth speakers playing music, only audiophiles keenly listening should be able to notice any discrepancies.
It is worth noting, however, that you may notice a difference when listening to dialogue in shows and movies. As such, a home theatre setup would benefit from including wired speakers over wireless and Bluetooth ones.
How important is bass in speakers?
Bass is important, but only as far as your preferences and intended use for the speaker go. Quality bass is at its most noticeable when listening to punchy music; speakers lacking in good bass often have those songs feeling a little hollow. If you prefer your music softer, bass isn't as important of a factor.
Bass also doesn't play as much of a part when considering movies and shows. Sure, it will make an explosion sound better, but it will have next to no effect on dialogue.
Kyle Purves is a Commercial Content Writer for What’s The Best, with an avid interest in all things gaming and tech.
They’re well-versed in reviewing a variety of tech products, with a soft spot for speakers and earphones. They’re also no stranger to hunting down the best savings, always wanting to get the best deal possible. Outside of work, they can often be found playing through an RPG, listening to Japanese noise rock, or trying to catch up with their ever-expanding list of shows and anime to watch. If possible, they try to play Dungeons and Dragons a couple of times a week, but getting six adults to be free at the same time is easier said than done.
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