I have thoroughly enjoyed my entire ownership of this speaker.
Time of writing this review is roughly 8 months after purchase, having used this speaker practically every single day since. This was a replacement for a very well-loved but somewhat lacking B&O (P3?) oval-shaped speaker that inspired of few of my must-have features.
My key requirements in purchasing a speaker at this price point were:
- Punchy, solid bass, with high accuracy, clear playback throughout most of the volume range
- Relatively attractive, understated, simple design with ergonomic and intuitive controls
- Easily oriented for high quality playback in a variety of different situations (facing sideways, upwards, at angles)
- Long-lasting battery without any obnoxious constant playback interruptions informing you of battery life remaining
This speaker delivers on all of these.
The bass is incredibly clear, with no horrible warbling and distortion that’s very common with dozens of other similar speakers. The audio playback is very crisp and clear, with no noticeable quality losses. I’m sure it’s not perfect, but it’s more than adequate for 95%+ of people. Even at low volumes, the quality is still extremely high. There is a usable, enjoyable sound at every volume level.
The design is simple, but handsome. It does not look obnoxious or out of place anywhere. It is just the right size, not too large to pop into a bag, and not too small as to have low-power drivers with poor sound. Very easy to transport. The squared design makes it very stable on most surfaces, but is still rounded enough not to get caught on things. The controls are very easy to understand, even the multi-device Bluetooth cycling and syncing. I have no complaints.
The speaker works well for playback in nearly any position, especially when placed on a table or other nice playback surface. It can be placed facing upward, and the speaker enhances playback for all-around sound. When placed horizontally, the same happens for directional playback. Very impressive stability in a wide variety of situations. Some would consider the lack of a lanyard or string to be a downside for this point, but there is massive benefits to keeping this speaker on a surface.
The battery life is incredible. Vastly longer than I had really expected for this speaker. With my personal usage (middle volume range, 2-3 uses a day for 30 to 60 minutes at a time), I usually recharge every 1-2 weeks. Not sure what exactly that equates to in real playback time, but I still find it impressive. The speaker will notify you at 20% and 10% battery level, which is exactly what I wanted. Many other speakers will interrupt playback at 75%, 50%, etc. I’ve not experienced any noticeable battery decay during my ownership, but I have only fully depleted and nearly fully recharged the entire time, with no “filling up” in between.
Downsides do exist, but most are inconsequential for me.
- The audible indicators that inform you of which device you are connected to can sometimes feel a bit sluggish, especially with long device names.
- I feel the price point is still a bit on the high side for the value, but I feel I’ve more than gotten my money’s worth. I just like a good deal.
- Volume occasionally spikes very high in certain scenarios when switching between devices, but is fairly easily turned down after a quick scare.
I would highly recommend this speaker to anyone in the market for a speaker at this price point. This is an especially good deal on sale. If you’re still reading at this point, just get the damn thing on the way.
Bose SoundLink Flex Bluetooth Speaker, Portable Speaker with Microphone, Wireless Waterproof Speaker for Travel, Outdoor and
4.7 | 36,713 ratings
Price: 149
Last update: 12-29-2024
About this item
STATE-OF-ART DESIGN: SoundLink Flex outdoor speaker is packed with exclusive technologies and a custom-engineered transducer for deep, clear, and immersive audio at home or on the go
CLEAREST POSSIBLE SOUND: Proprietary Position Qtechnology automatically detects the position of your portable Bluetooth speaker for optimal sound quality in any orientation or environment
WATERPROOF WIRELESS SPEAKER FOR TRAVEL: SoundLink Flex is rigorously tested to meet IP67 waterproof speaker standards. Crafted and sealed with waterproof materials, it even floats – ideal for outdoor adventures
PORTABLE BLUETOOTH SPEAKER: Built to resist water, dust, and debris, in a design that withstands drops and rust, this compact speaker goes wherever you do. It’s also easy to hold and store, and resistant to corrosion and UV light
RECHARGEABLE BATTERY: Portable speaker charges through USB-C cable (included). Lithium-ion battery offers up to 12 hours of life per charge
BUILT-IN MICROPHONE: You can make and receive calls through the portable Bluetooth speaker. Just one button accesses your phone's Siri or Google Assistant voice input
BOSE CONNECT APP: App automatically updates the portable Bluetooth speaker with the latest software, allows you to customize settings, unlock product features, and more
Charging time: approximately 4 hours when using the original cable.
BOSE SIMPLESYNC TECHNOLOGY: SimpleSync pairs your Bose SoundLink Flex Bluetooth Speaker to compatible Bose products for sound that follows you from room to room. Away from your phone? Press and hold the Bluetooth button on each device to sync their sound. Already got a group going? Link by pressing the Action button to connect at a moment’s notice
CLEAREST POSSIBLE SOUND: Proprietary Position Qtechnology automatically detects the position of your portable Bluetooth speaker for optimal sound quality in any orientation or environment
WATERPROOF WIRELESS SPEAKER FOR TRAVEL: SoundLink Flex is rigorously tested to meet IP67 waterproof speaker standards. Crafted and sealed with waterproof materials, it even floats – ideal for outdoor adventures
PORTABLE BLUETOOTH SPEAKER: Built to resist water, dust, and debris, in a design that withstands drops and rust, this compact speaker goes wherever you do. It’s also easy to hold and store, and resistant to corrosion and UV light
RECHARGEABLE BATTERY: Portable speaker charges through USB-C cable (included). Lithium-ion battery offers up to 12 hours of life per charge
BUILT-IN MICROPHONE: You can make and receive calls through the portable Bluetooth speaker. Just one button accesses your phone's Siri or Google Assistant voice input
BOSE CONNECT APP: App automatically updates the portable Bluetooth speaker with the latest software, allows you to customize settings, unlock product features, and more
Charging time: approximately 4 hours when using the original cable.
BOSE SIMPLESYNC TECHNOLOGY: SimpleSync pairs your Bose SoundLink Flex Bluetooth Speaker to compatible Bose products for sound that follows you from room to room. Away from your phone? Press and hold the Bluetooth button on each device to sync their sound. Already got a group going? Link by pressing the Action button to connect at a moment’s notice
Product information
| Material | Plastic |
|---|---|
| Model Name | Bose SoundLink Flex Bluetooth speaker |
| Speaker Type | Portable Speaker |
| Special Feature | Waterproof |
| Recommended Uses For Product | For Music Players |
| Compatible Devices | Laptop, Tablet, Smartphone |
| Unit Count | 1.0 Count |
| Controller Type | Button, App Control, Voice Control |
| Color | Black |
| Battery Life | 12 Hours |
| Included Components | USB-cable, Speaker |
| Product Dimensions | 2.05"D x 7.91"W x 3.54"H |
| Item Weight | 1.3 Pounds |
| Is Waterproof | TRUE |
| Charging Time | 12 Hours |
| Warranty Type | Limited |
| Maximum Range | 9 Meters |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Control Method | App, Voice |
| Wireless Communication Technology | Bluetooth |
| Power Source | Battery Powered |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio | 81.6 dB |
| Water Resistance Level | Waterproof |
| Number of Batteries | 1 Lithium Ion batteries required. (included) |
| Audio Driver Type | Dynamic Driver |
| Bluetooth Range | 3E+1 Feet |
| Number of Microphones | 1 |
| Subwoofer Connectivity Technology | Wireless |
| Connectivity Protocol | Bluetooth |
| Includes MP3 player? | No |
| Number of Power Levels | 5 |
| Number of USB 2 Ports | 1 |
| Specific Uses For Product | outdoor activities, travel |
| UPC | 017817832014 |
| Style | Gen 1 |
| Indoor/Outdoor Usage | Outdoor |
| Manufacturer | Bose |
| Item Weight | 1.3 pounds |
| Department | Unisex-Adult |
| ASIN | B099TJGJ91 |
| Item model number | 865983-0100 |
| Batteries | 1 Lithium Ion batteries required. (included) |
| Customer Reviews |
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars
36,713
4.7 out of 5 stars |
| Best Sellers Rank | #11,942 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics) #440 in Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Date First Available | October 14, 2021 |
Top reviews from the United States
JakeSimply great.
Reviewer MHM 3-5A premium speaker in a sturdy package.
Reviewer MHM 3-5
Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2024
But my goodness. This speaker punched above the weight I expected and what reviewers claim. They say it’s good for less than 10 people. Probably true if in an enclosed space.
Outside, standing in the corner of my backyard about 40+ feet away, the speaker volume is at about 60-70% and with the air conditioner droning on I can still hear this speaker, and the vocals are clear, the instruments are clear, and there’s even some punch of the bass. It’s so much more potent than I expected.
I actually bought a second one (the one pictured) so I could utilize Party Mode and Stereo Mode, and then these are far better than they have any right to be. The bass shook through the house at about 40% volume, to the extent that my wife actually asked me to return one and get some noise cancelling headphones if I wanted to be blaring music all day. ????
So (for now), I’m obliging and returning one, but honestly, I don’t want to. One of these speakers are great. Two make a great portable stereo system.
Now for the feature set. Key selling points for me were:
1. Durability. It’s made of steel and silicone, is rated to withstand a dunk in water and dust. You can enjoy this in the yard, on your workbench, swimming, shower, etc. I live in high desert, and the wind blew over these speakers from a table to the ground and they didn’t have a single dent or scratch. Which leads me to…
2. The device has sensors built in that detect its positioning, so the sound quality was maintained even if it’s on its back, side, or face down. None of the other products that compete in this segment offer that function to my knowledge.
3. Unlike other products that I considered, this sounded good right out of the box. Anker (Soundcore) offers some great competition in this segment, but needs the EQ tweaked to shine. They’re not bad by any means, but I wanted things to just be simple. Power on and go without fuss. Bose delivered that.
There are similar products for sure. Ultimate Ears will also let you pair two portables to create a stereo, but it lacked the intelligence that this speaker did.
We already covered Soundcore. Tweak with the EQ, save some money, you’ll likely be happy.
These speakers do often go on sale, and I purchased mine used (like new) and refurbished respectively. The “Used” unit was actually brand new from Amazon, broke the seals on the box and everything. Far as I could tell, the speaker just rolled around in someone’s trunk unopened before returning. The box had some cosmetic damage but no dents, broken seals, and all accessories were obviously also unopened.
Refurbished unit came straight from Bose. Also came with all accessories and literature, just a box that was labeled “Refurbished”. Warranty on refurbished or new are 1 year regardless.
I bring this up to encourage you to save some money, reduce some e-waste, and buy secondhand like I did. No judgments if you want to go new of course! But I got 2 speakers, one that was new in reality, essentially $100 off the set, and I didn’t miss out on anything in terms of product or warranty.
$150 is pricey for a speaker, but $103 for a Bose speaker is not. Especially one that can literally go for a swim.
Four criticisms I’d like y’all to know. First, compression above about 75% volume. Your bass will flatline above this point to maintain clarity of the track as a whole. In reality, that just means you go from a slightly warm tone to a very neutral tone of sound profile. No big deal unless you’re blasting EDM, Hip-Hop, the like. As I said, this little 20W speaker carries enough punch that 70% was more than enough to fill my backyard.
Second criticism is no biggie for me, but worth bringing up for those shopping the competition. I didn’t want to fuss with an EQ, but competitors do have them to fine tune your sound. Consequentially, the app is basically useless beyond seeing your battery life and an option on how to do party mode (not required).
Third criticism is truly a nitpick, but why do I have two apps for my Bose products? Why do I need one for headphones and one for speakers? Wish Bose would put all their portable speakers and headphones into one app. You could easily knock out criticisms 3-4 by just putting this speaker into the Bose Music app, like my QuietComfort Headphones, and this VERY speaker's big brother, the Soundlink Flex Max, is already there. Why the heck is the Soundlink Flex not in Bose Music, with a basic EQ like the others?
Fourth, this uses outdated Bluetooth. No big deal. Pairs easily. But don’t expect to watch movies or game off of this. Latency is too high.
Anyhow, enough of that. Go buy one. Or better yet, two. You won’t be disappointed.
Images in this review
NiceLoud and Bass boosted :)
Emmy Rodriguez Harris