Bose SoundLink Flex review: Mini but mighty good

Bose's latest Bluetooth speaker not only sounds better than the competition, but it's actually a good value at $150, which could be a surprising thing to say about anything from Bose. CNET's David Carnoy compares it with some of the best Bluetooth mini speakers and tells you why it should be near the top of your short list if you're looking for a travel-friendly wireless speaker that's fully waterproof.
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Bose Soundlink Flex - bit.ly/3EXOcpS
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Bose Soundlink Resolve II - bit.ly/3kmafPo
Sonos Roam 2 - bit.ly/3kn5dln
Bang & Olufsen BeoPlay A1 2nd generation - bit.ly/3C0r5cq
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00:00 Intro
00:52 Design & Features
02:44 Speaker quality
03:31 Music quality
04:39 The competition
07:09 Stereo pair
07:40 Conclusion

[@trojanjoe14]

I’ve always been a bose fan since I was literally a kid starting off with the larger CD player one my mom use to have. I just got an add for a discount $125 for this and jumped at the opportunity based on the Bose name and associated sound quality. This review just made me much more excited to receive it before my birthday lakehouse trip in two weeks. Thanks!

[@cactusmanbwl1990]

I recently bought a 2 pack from Best Buy for $250 and have to say I am blown away with how good they sounds paired together.

[@davante1286]

I exchanged my jbl flip 6 for the bose and very happy

[@benjaminwallace5644]

I also bought 2 of these SoundLink flex so I can play in stereo mode, and I love it

[@claudegrinnell9602]

Can you combine speakers for increase sound

[@innnews6299]

Can you pair a SoundLink Mini 2 with the Flex?

[@kierstenridgway4634]

Oooh!! I bet. I really think that you can't go wrong with Bose.

[@kvechannel]

it's unbelievable how good it sounds. Like real high end speakers.. even at low volume. I was afraid to spend so much money on such a small loudspeaker, but I was not disappointed. It's worth every penny.

[@ashleyphillips5922]

Does it have voice control? So you can tell it to play a song

[@mehadihasanmukit7015]

Do you have this one? Can you please confirm me one thing? Does the speaker automatically turned off if music not played for a certain time despite of being connected with any device?

[@kvechannel]

@@mehadihasanmukit7015 Yes turns off if no music is played

[@jeffery8168]

@@ashleyphillips5922 If you have a modern iphone or android phone with ok google enabled, yes. Though your phone should also be close, often times it goes through your phone's mic. Standalone no, not many speakers have standalone voice control, and if it does, its never good.

[@jeffery8168]

@@mehadihasanmukit7015 All bose speakers have this basic function

[@ctran1955]

It’s been a long time since I bought my Bose soundlink color for like $120 many years ago. I compared it with the UE boom at home and the UE boom had…. No bass frankly. I feel like many people hate on Bose for being overrated but…. It’s always sounded nice and rich to me, and the speakers aren’t much more expensive than the competitors. It was my first Bose product and I really enjoyed it. I don’t use it too much anymore since I don’t go anywhere lol. Part of me wants a new toy but I should be realistic haha

[@kiransingh7898]

I am using soundflex and I love its sound. It's the best sound yet for its Bluetooth speakers

[@saurabhsukhdeve748]

I like its shape , it help in producing depth in the audio 🔥

[@chrissyt107]

I bought a Bose SoundLink Micro after using a much larger UE Boom for years - omg what a difference! The hand palm sized Bose Micro brings out a much wider variety of frequences and beats the boom by miles, strong soundscape for Jazz and Classical music, too. Plenty sound and volume for our small London apartment and very minimalist look.

[@jameshamre8778]

This was a great review. I could really hear the difference in the sound as you did the examples. Very helpful!

[@robertoalmanzar9207]

Hola

[@isometrus]

Excellent speakers. Bought first one in gray. Me and my wife were so impressed from such a big sound of that small mono speaker that purchased second one the next day. Was an very good decision. The stereo mode sounds outstanding. Clarity, tonality and balance are excellent as the surprisingly big soundstage. Seems like some people have issues connecting both speakers in party/stereo mode and the user manual is not really informative. Here's the right way to do it easy. Party/Stereo mode using the speakers buttons: -Connect your phone to speaker 1 -Turn "On" the speaker 2 -Press BT button and "+" button at same time on speaker 1 -Then press BT button and "-" button at same time on speaker 2 - The speaker's voice say that speakers are connected in "Party Mode" (both mono). -To turn on the "Stereo mode" or switching between stereo and party mods, just press the BT and "+" on one of the speakers. No matter on which one. Another important thing for quick and stable connection is to rename at least the one speaker of the pair through the app. That way they will not have the exact same name confusing the streaming device connection and it would be staying connected rock solid to the first speaker only. Actually I'm impressed by the very solid bluetooth connection on both single and pair mode of these speakers. And the stereo mode is mind blowing. Most of the KZbin videos that playing the stereo mode sound are far from the real life sound of the speakers when they are properly positioned in the room in form of a big triangle regarding the listener's position. The real sound is very clear, big and airy, with nice 3D holographic effect present, audio effects coming from each direction and behind me when the track is mastered that way, exactly like this happens when listening to my carefully positioned Mission HiFi speakers. They can be very loud also. Often listening on those small bluetooth speakers for fun with friends in my medium living room next to my main HiFi setup, placing the small Bose on top of my stand mounted speakers, playing some funny recorded track, then telling them that actually the big speakers are "off" and silent and the sound comes only from the tiny gray Bose on top which playing at 60%. My friends always had the illusion that the big speakers are playing and had been shocked from the big sound of the small Soundlink Flex.

[@everything-interesting]

thanks a lot for the howto! i saved it for future use

[@jamiefinlay6674]

So looking at just one for now how is it with just one alone

[@isometrus]

@@jamiefinlay6674 Open, airy sound, clarity and deep punchy bass. Do not expect lean neutral signature. For me the tunning is more W shaped with equality boosted lows, mids and heights with plenty of space between the instrments in a very entertaining Hi-Fi way. Yesterday I've seen a single speaker used in a butic cloth store with a great success. It sounded enough big and open in the open space. Now I'm pretty curious how the Bosse compairs with the new single stereo Soundcore Motion 300 which praised really high fro the reviewers the last two months.

[@odysseusmikalis2166]

Thank you!

[@Keeponwalker]

Excellent review! Those of us over 50 years old can confirm what I am going to say: bass is important, yes... but when you have years of experience and have listened to various speakers of different classes , ranges, and brands... you become convinced that the most important thing is not the bass nor the power... this eventually becomes tiresome and boring due to the novelty of new and unusual sounds... what years and experience seek is clarity at all frequencies. That no frequency is competing with another one to reach your ear... Rather, they work in unison and in harmony, to bring forward the sound that only Bose knows how to do and only those who have or have had a Bose product know what I mean.

[@lllatin]

Great review thank you for the info! I’m getting one for Christmas!

[@BabeWest]

For anyone wondering, the song playing at the 4:00 mark is “Time for Miracles” by The Cave Birds….and yes the buzzing is part of the song. Probably not the best song to use for a speaker review. I made my phone Shazam itself…for us, you’re welcome.

[@brunoqnzbk7891]

😂😂😂

[@mikealt79]

Excellent review! I've had a ton of Bose bluetooth speakers over the years and this one is already my favorite! I retired my perfect little SoundLink micro to my 10 yr old son 🙂

[@canturkcivelek4896]

Great Review! All my questions are answered! Thank You 🙏🏻

[@jamiepersona]

Omg just got this today the bass and clarity is off the chain I bought another one immediately and paired them

[@cndns2]

I just got the blue Bose flex speaker on Black Friday sale for $119. I couldn't be more thrilled. Go and get yours while they're still on sale.

[@obsidian00]

Thanks for the review! 👍🏾

[@JorgeRodriguez-ef9dv]

I wanna get one and I’m glad you guys do review

[@KAIYUHAHN]

still using my bose soundlink mini ii 5years without battery damage and last sept. 10 i buy my new bose flex sound link stone blue great performance and quality

[@jessicaeppele101]

Just got this in the limited edition chilled lilac! I love it! And it was on sale on amazon!

[@iu1191]

This is the review many of us were waiting for. The comparisons were the most significant thing. I have a pair of Revolve+ speakers, and I honestly love them in stereo pair mode. While they are incredibly impressive on their own, filling a room or even a garden with quite lovely & beautifully rich, clear & warm 360 degree sound, I absolutely NEVER listen to either of them on their own anymore. In a stereo pair, they are absolutely sublime. I also have a pair of the B&O A1 gen 2 speakers - they are excellent as a pair also - not s much bass as the Bose, but the highs are really well defined and spacious. Bluetooth speakers in stereo pairs are becoming a real thing now, and that set-up provides a great deal of flexibility. Good quality Bluetooth speakers can sometimes give even bookshelf speakers a run for their money. The flexibility of having the speaker on the shelf one minute and on a desk or in the garden in another minute is very powerful and persuasive. A good set of bookshelf speakers cost WAY less money, but their flexibility and portability make up for some of the cost. A good pair (and I emphasise a 'good pair') of Bluetooth speakers are generally small enough to throw two in a backpack, and you have the equivalent of a large boombox in your bag with the added benefit of that wide stereo image when playing the music. I simply never buy Bluetooth speakers without buying 2 now, and I cannot imagine I will ever again. I think this speaker in stereo pair would be excellent. I am thinking about how I might find out how they sound. They seem like they are designed to sit on a fireplace in stereo-pair mode and fill a room with sound. Thanks for the video - hit all the points of note. You will never make enough comparisons, but what you did really provided a good platform for some further comparisons of our own. Once again, David - you are amazing. Love the work you put in and am grateful for it.

[@davidcarnoy961]

Thanks for the support!

[@Damon0306]

I’m a little late, almost a year, but just purchased this speaker and the sound is amazing, I liked it so much I only wish I bought the pair to save $ as I immediately ordered a second one and they really sound fantastic in stereo mode.

[@joelf5565]

Sounds great. I haven’t been this immersed in my music since my Paradigm surround sound system with 10” powered sub. I do prefer the sound on its back. Not only is it then 360 sound, but I find the sound more open and bright.

[@cryohellinc]

Thank you for this great review. Will buy as a gift for my mom. :)

[@raygutierrez9221]

I just bought one , it's truly great for movies Sound detail is #1 with perfect base and treble..

[@dashakhneres]

Mighty...Good Title...Amazing Machine...Boss Always Delivers...Thanks🐉🔥🙏

[@TheAkong02]

Will definitely buy that Bose SoundLink Flex

[@pierjade4792]

Please do a comparison with the Bose sound link mini II special edition which is still extremely popular and costs a little more. Which one has the better sound. I think you'll get a lot of hits on such a video

[@thegoodearth6943]

Thanks, this was a big help

[@meatwad74]

I bought the Bose soundlink mini 8 years ago. Still going great after a battery change. BT speakers were the rage then. It was on the expensive side but a comparison with the other popular ones at Best Buy, this one was a lot better. Avoided that ‘tin can ‘ sound. Unfortunately seems like not much progress in sound quality in 8 years. Probably due to size constraints

[@MandoMonge]

I also got the same sound link mini 1. It bothers me that Bose doesn’t recognise it anymore, provide support or even shows it on their website. Great sound, compact and battery lasts long enough to not be annoying

[@weavery2k]

same here but I blew my bass

[@meatwad74]

@@MandoMonge Really?. For me battery life is the weak point. It’s 4-5 hrs at best. At mid-high volume. And even if it’s off, there is still quite some battery drain.

[@davidpinontoan3429]

Unless you get s1 pro but that’s different

[@SandraTDance]

Really when did u have to change the battery and we're do u buy a battery ? Thanks

[@kalpakrshah999]

Great review, thanks.! :) Could you do a review on Bose Home portable speaker.?

[@rob41137]

1:42 Thanks that’s all I needed to know. The Bose/Amazon ad video did a great job of showing literally everything but the product. 🤦‍♂️

[@TK-rj4of]

Very good review!! Superb!

[@vault911]

Excellent review. Keep it up!

[@swh1386]

Just bought one. Very impressed

[@davidjamgochian]

Great reviews!!!

[@BEANDRR]

Hello have you compared it to the Mini Soundlink II? and Thanks for the review.

[@readerrabbit6690]

I’m so glad you compared it to the jbl charge cuz these are the exact 2 speakers on sale today that I’m trying to decide between 😂

[@tarvinder91]

I recently bought this speaker and there is no other speaker that comes close this whole overall package. The bass is so deep and awesome. The trebles are so clear. I have compared this with sony xb33 and jbl charge and flip etc.. The Marshall comes close but on that when u increase the volume it goes so flat.. This this Bose is out of the league and really surprised by everything. Its also so compact. Put bose in the corner of the room and u will feel a sound theater playing.

[@rayallen4967]

What boss model sir?

[@lowkeytowns3868]

Very good review but as far as stereo sound goes you don’t have to have another flex just to get it I own a flex and pair it with my sound link revolve+ and I get stereo mode just fine

[@flyvtec04]

Just got my Flex in white. Also looked at the Marshall Emberton because they were similarly priced at Target. Chose the Flex because I could “feel” the music better. Bose wins again! 👍🏽👍🏽

[@insenjojo1839]

Ditto for me buddy, The emberton sounded nice at low to mid volumes, but at a relatively high volume the flex sounds like a decent bookshelf speaker, it's that good, got mine in white too..cheers!!!

[@1540Don]

AS ALWAYS GREAT REVIEW

[@patrickandrews7893]

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE MY BOSE FLEX BLUETOOTH SPEAKER: EVEN THOUGH AN AUDIOPHILE FRIEND OF MINE DISMISSES ALL BOSE SOUND, I LOVE IT!!!! I WAS HAPPY I FOUND THIS LINK ON KZbin!!! GOT A BONUS @ WORK & GOT THIS GEM--& AM TOTALLY SATISFIED!!!

[@insenjojo1839]

I got mine yesterday, in white, absolutely love it...

[@BRR949]

I love it overall, and I like the sound quality, to me it sounds a little better than the Soundlink did.

[@sentiasatransformasi]

im still using the bose speaker w the handle since probably 6 years ago n so far i still love using it. but now i need a small speaker for mobility

[@alexandru-teodorstrugaru5477]

Actually, it works in stereo with the Micro AND the Revolve II plus. I am currently testing all 3 and i am BLOWN AWAY by how good the Flex sounds paired in stereo AND itself!

[@feelgeorge]

How do they compare to Marshall Emberton Portable Bluetooth Speaker

[@chemepuppie]

I love the micro. They should make a V2 but keep the same size and design

[@insenjojo1839]

very impressed with mine, the biult quality is really nice, got the white, matching with my bose NC 700s...kind of feels like them with metal and rubberised back

[@maxvauderk816]

Just purchased one because laptops speakers ... can't wait for it to arrive!

[@JaySouth3]

Great Review! Does this speaker have AUX input or USB C to aux function?

[@mitangot1599]

Bose often has these as re-builds for $100. One of them suddenly would not start after a few months and they had great customer service. Love the sound and works well in stereo. You can pair and put in stereo without the app if you want.

[@eugeneamponsah1876]

Great review

[@yolandawilliams5894]

On sale at best buy right now for $129. I couldn't wait to try it, when I heard it in a store at the airport I was blown away. When I played mine, it was nothing like the sound I hey. No strong base, I'm hoping because it's only at. 30% charge

[@kingofalldoughboys]

I just bought the Bose Soundlink Flex in the limited edition Carmine Red from Amazon for a Prime Day sale price of just $110. If I'd known just how good its sound was I'd have ordered a second one at the sale price to link together for stereo sound.

[@edcipriani8873]

Thank you for your review, David. After watching your review and several others' reviews and feedback, as well as looking at the competition, I bought the Bose Flex about 2 weeks ago. I also bought the 1st Gen Marshall Emberton a couple weeks before the Flex, which also sounds incredible. I might end up keeping both the Flex and the Emberton, but the Bose Flex is slightly better than the Emberton.

[@arunkumarguptavlogs]

How is mic good? For office calls

[@edcipriani8873]

@@arunkumarguptavlogs - the mic on the Bose Flex is actually pretty good.

[@rudyleotardo8278]

I bought this Bose speaker yesterday so far better sound than my jbl flip 5 .

[@XXtheJUMPoffXX]

Still using my Sony XB20 from years ago, no complaints

[@roy-nk4vq]

Bought one. Liked it so much, I bought a second one. Thinking about buying two more for gifts!

[@stevenuk]

excellent review, Bose is very good. The stereo pairing is fantastic.

[@lazer2365]

"Let's talk about that." Obviously a Good Mythical Morning viewer. Good review. I'm convinced to get one.

[@johnmatthewdorion7855]

Would it be wierd if I had 2 different models of a speaker for stereo sound? So I already have a Bose SoundLink Color 2 and I am looking into the SoundLink Flex which is in this video

[@Sarasdad91]

I'm using this speaker while watching this video. I love it. Great sound and great base.

[@kelvinsmith6854]

Its bass, not base

[@smileytan]

What kind of camera was used to film this??? It's amazing!!

[@alfamayle1373]

Thanks David

[@MrAchilles113]

Sure wish there was a Soundlink Mini 3 already.

[@trellroberts1131]

I love my flex I think I want the blue one I have the white one it's amazing

[@dougdixonhull]

This looks interesting and a will definitely check it out in the flesh. I've been using the Bose Micro for the last couple of years and love the sound quality and flexibility. Just wish bose made these speakers so more then two could be paired up like some of the other manufacturers. The one thing bose do that sold me was keeping the fidelity at both high and low volumes. Although I think the pricing is a little on the high side. The quality is first class.

[@barbaracalvin7936]

Can I hook this bose to my sound bar for more sound that goes to my tv if so can you show me

[@robwells5753]

Buy it!

[@ilovepugs99]

The target near my house is remodeling and their removing the elctronics sections so everything is on clearance. I got a white bose soundlink flex for $44.95 !!!!

[@Dan-oj4iq]

I bought one of these and the very next day I bought another one. Stereo sound out of these is fabulous! One minot flaw in design: unless I am doing something wrong, you need to physically handle each speaker to pair them in the app. And every time you shut them down and want to pair them again you need to hold each speaker to press two buttons. This should all happen in the app with no touch needed.

[@Nogitsune_Yako]

No doubt that Flex is a great speaker but is it really worth 300$ for that stereo? For that money you can buy something really decent.

[@Dan-oj4iq]

@@Nogitsune_Yako For me $300 is well worth it. They sound fantastic combined. You would need to be an audiophile to be disappointed. And even then you may not be.

[@edcipriani8873]

@user-iq2mx5iz6i - I bought the Bose Flex about 2 weeks ago, I also own a Bose SoundLink Color 2 from a couple years ago. I have paired them the manual way which you mentioned where you hold down the 2 buttons on the first and second Bose speakers. I also can pair the 2 speakers in the Bose App on my iPhone and iPad as well, which seems to work consistently without any issues. I have also been able to change these 2 speakers over to stereo in the Bose App. I think I read somewhere that the Bose App does have some hiccups on Android devices versus IOS, and Bose is aware of this and they are trying to fix this issue. I am not saying this about the Bose App and IOS versus Android with any Apple Arrogance or the typical children of the corn iPhone mentality where many iPhone users would never consider using an Android. This is my first iPhone and while it's good, the IOS experience has a lot missing which Android does a helluva lot better as well.

[@isometrus]

Yes they worth it. Stereo mode is amazing. Looking at their size I can't believe how much clarity and big scale sound they produce.

[@stevengarlick0030]

Do you know if this speaker will be coming to the UK any day soon?

[@kannan4384]

I’m still rocking the Sony SRS X3 speaker from like 5 years ago. Sound is great, but I’d like a little more bass and better battery life. Call quality however was great

[@robertoalmanzar9207]

Ya

[@mitchellsigler3057]

I still have the SRS X3-fantastic sound and build quality. Got the Flex for $110 new. Awesome.

[@211teitake]

Much older but I want to know how it compares with Anker Soundcore Motion +.

[@thebestphysician]

Listening on bose soundlink flex. I love it. Thanks for the review 😃

[@iceman012776]

Love it I have multiple bose products I love them all

[@kellen4811]

this is true. This speaker is great. The sound quality is amazing. I am finding myself hearing lyrics in songs that i’ve never heard because the sound is so clear. And yes, it is true, the base you can feel in your chest.

[@ChiTownDude]

Bass. Like the fish.

[@lazer2365]

@@ChiTownDude But not pronounced like the fish...

[@insenjojo1839]

only in higher volumes, but yeah the bass is really well done, this thing doesn't distort mcuh or at all even at max volumes, i am impressed, got mine in white

[@bradpitt2069]

Bose is the king of the speakers !!! 👍👍👍👍

[@spankewe]

Can you pair two of these with the sound bar 700 as rear sound? …plus the bass module?

[@eBroncos]

I recently bought it. The sound comes out only from the right hand side of the front speaker. No sound at all comes from the left hand side of the front speaker as well as from the back speaker. Is it normal for the item or is my unit defective?

[@RussShawTV]

I just bought one for $109 at Costco yesterday. Apparently Costco has them on sale. 👍😎

[@JCourts2k23]

I just got the speaker, and I love it, getting phone calls from my iPhone on it, but not text message alerts, any ideas?

[@kupo3769]

i got flex recently and my friend can hear me great, yea the bass feels Greta oo

[@midcitygym]

Love mine, highly recommend

[@JohnDoe-md2sb]

It's nice to see that no, self proclaimed "audiophile" made any stupid comments about Bose technology and how it's a "scam". 👍👍 Bose has always been technologically advanced over other speaker/audio system manufacturers. Always felt that they deserved more recognition in the field. Not to mention the Bose automotive suspension technology.

I can pair and use stereo with my old micro sound link. The micro I'm giving it away, the soundlink flex is my new travel speaker!

[@bjeliful]

Important thing to know is that you need to have always original cable for charging ,otherwise it beeps all time during the charging and that is really annoying, believe... And also, when you turn up to max volume it twisted the sound.

[@mega00760]

just got one and it was 50% less today at costco, the bass it more than i like but happy with the purchase, it is top heavy and falls down quite easily

[@Nicepackage]

When connecting both speakers are connected as a stereo pair, try adjusting the volume up-and-down on your iOS device on the screen. The speakers will stop working..

[@JayLang7]

Can you link 2 of them for stereo sound ?

[@nocommentarygamer682]

I basically can’t afford both the AirPods and this speaker right here but maybe someday.

[@tmassey1465]

Thank you. I'll stay with my HKS ONYX

[@kdsewell01]

Hello David! Thank you so much for your review. I have the older Soundlink Mini II... does this speaker sound better than that one? I've always loved this little speaker. 🙂

[@davidcarnoy961]

I don't have the Mini II around still but my guess is that the Flex does sound better from what I remember of it. It's more travel friendly as well.

[@kdsewell01]

@@davidcarnoy961 Thank you so much for the response! It's on my Christmas list!

[@migks37]

@@davidcarnoy961 no way the flex is more travel friendly. The flex is 50% bigger. About the same weight.

[@gtbigdog3507]

@@davidcarnoy961 I have both and the flex is way clearer and the bass is less booming

[@mmitchell3540]

Mine was not loud at all. I’m sending it back!

[@BRR949]

I'm still trying to figure out how to get this thing to turn itself off, the way that my Soundlink color would, or if the Flex even does that. I've fallen asleep with it on several times, and it's still on in the morning. Lol

[@chiling938]

I also own a Bose soundlinkflex and if you guys also have it then I recommend you to listen to “ Bombay Dreams ft. Kavita Seth “ you will witness the true bass of this mighty speaker ❤

[@monbernardo9457]

Sound was great... the bass is so good for its size. . The only downside for me was it battery... it's only last 4hours on mid volume

[@etaboas]

Is there a way to directly connect to aux? I bought usb-c to aux for this speaker, but no luck. Any suggestions are appreciated 👍🏽

[@debasishsamal4646]

@CNET …Bose Vs apple HomePod, which one is better ???

[@9138806]

How does the flex compare to the sound link mini 2

[@richardhague801]

what is the start up sound like? my current speaker emits a loud intrusive beep when it's turned on which is annoying when others are sleeping etc