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 | 34,033 ratings
Price: 149
Last update: 08-26-2024
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.
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.
Product information
| Recommended Uses For Product | For Smartphones or Tablets |
|---|---|
| Compatible Devices | Laptop, Tablet, Smartphone |
| Mounting Type | Floor Standing |
| Unit Count | 1.0 Count |
| Controller Type | Button, App Control, Voice Control |
| Material | Plastic |
| Color | Stone Blue |
| Battery Life | 12 Hours |
| Included Components | USB-cable, Speaker |
| Product Dimensions | 2.05"D x 7.91"W x 3.54"H |
| Audio Output Mode | Stereo |
| Speaker Maximum Output Power | 5 Watts |
| Item Weight | 1.3 Pounds |
| Is Waterproof | TRUE |
| Charging Time | 12 Hours |
| Maximum Range | 21 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) |
| Connectivity Protocol | Bluetooth |
| Item Weight | 1.3 pounds |
| ASIN | B099T738ZC |
| Item model number | 865983-0200 |
| Batteries | 1 Lithium Ion batteries required. (included) |
| Customer Reviews |
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars
30,220 ratings
4.7 out of 5 stars |
| Best Sellers Rank | #272 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics) #13 in Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Date First Available | October 14, 2021 |
| Department | Unisex-Adult |
| Manufacturer | Bose |
Top reviews from the United States
Jake
Simply great.
Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2024Amy
Well Worth the Investment Due to Good Quality and Design
Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2024SHD8599
Great sound quality
Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2024
Mandy
I LOVE IT!
Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2024
Mandy
Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2024
Images in this review
