Bose SoundLink Plus Review: Premium Sound Power in a Portable Speaker

Experience the premium sound power of the Bose SoundLink Plus Bluetooth speaker, designed for on-the-go music lovers seeking quality and durability.

Crafting the Perfect Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Building a standout portable Bluetooth speaker isn’t as straightforward as it seems. Over the past few years, expectations have skyrocketed as brands continuously add fresh features and capabilities. In this fiercely competitive landscape, making your device stand out is a true challenge.

Bose, a brand that many competitors envy, isn’t resting on its legendary reputation. Their Bose SoundLink Plus is a seriously solid new option, perfect for those who want a speaker to accompany them on travels. But the question remains: is it great enough for daily use?

Bose SoundLink Plus: Price and Availability

The Bose SoundLink Plus became available this summer with a price tag around $460. For a compact speaker, that’s on the pricier side, but considering the features packed inside, it just might justify the investment.

It looks like Bose is betting that customers value quality and sound excellence more than just the dollar amount. It’ll be fascinating to see how the SoundLink lineup evolves in the coming year. For those craving even more muscle, the pricier SoundLink Max offers a powerhouse alternative.

Design and Features: A Miniature Powerhouse

The SoundLink Plus feels like a scaled-down sibling of the bigger SoundLink Max—bearing much of Bose’s signature styling but in a more portable frame. The front is graced by a steel grille showcasing the drivers beneath, topped with the iconic Bose logo. The panel gently curves with a smooth matte finish that feels sleek to the touch.

The controls are a delightful surprise: buttons are recessed into the soft rubberized casing, almost giving the illusion of touch-sensitive panels. But nope! They’re tactile mechanical buttons that feel satisfying to press — powering the speaker on/off, pausing tracks, adjusting volume, pairing devices, and toggling sound modes.

Most of the speaker’s body is wrapped in this soft rubber surface, lending a nice hand feel and likely prolonging durability by cushioning minor bumps. Of course, this softness does attract dust and stray hairs, but that’s a small price to pay.

Best of all, the SoundLink Plus boasts an IP67 rating, meaning it’s fully dustproof and safe to submerge in water for up to 30 minutes at depths of one meter. Not quite “Titanic” level, but perfect for beach days and poolside jams.

Looking down, you’ll spot a raised foot for stability, while the back reveals an additional speaker grille and a handy USB-C charging port. On the right, a fabric loop makes carrying a breeze. It’s big enough to slip a couple of fingers through or attach a carabiner, perfect for hooking onto bags or hooks.

Though the build feels robust and well-made, part of that impression comes from its weight. At 3.2 lbs (1.45 kg), this speaker is a bit of a heavyweight for its size. If you’re after something ultra-light, contenders like the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 offer a much lighter alternative.

Under the hood, the SoundLink Plus supports Bluetooth 5.4, setting it up well for future-proof wireless connections. It plays nice with SBC, AAC, and aptX Adaptive codecs, and offers dual-device multipoint pairing — meaning you can easily switch between two connected devices without hassle.

Bose claims up to 20 hours of battery life, but keep in mind that blasting tunes at max volume will drain it much faster. In practice, I got a bit over 10 hours per charge. A cool bonus is that the speaker can charge your phone via its USB-C port — a neat little lifesaver when you’re out and about.

Sound and Performance: The Signature Bose Balance

When it comes to sound quality, Bose has built a formidable reputation, but that doesn’t always guarantee every new product will hit the mark. Fortunately, the SoundLink Plus delivers on the brand’s promise.

Its sound is probably the strongest argument behind its premium price tag. Whether you’re at an intimate outdoor gathering or just filling a room, this little powerhouse impressively fills the space with clear, balanced audio.

True to Bose’s signature style, the SoundLink Plus handles all genres with finesse — no frequency range gets overwhelmed. You get crisp mids and highs, a rich bass depth, and a bass response that holds steady without muddiness.

And yes, it can get really loud if you want to pump up the volume, though your battery will thank you less for it. I tested it with relatively fresh albums by Lorde and Jamie XX and was impressed by how well it handled dynamic bass. The more dance-centric vibes of Tame Impala’s End of Summer also came through with engaging groove and clarity.

Verdict: Worth the Price or Not?

The one sticking point that keeps me from giving the Bose SoundLink Plus an unreserved thumbs-up is the steep asking price. Bose has never been a budget brand, but this weatherproof speaker’s MSRP feels a bit inflated.

Don’t get me wrong: the build quality, features, and especially the sound meet expectations. But when you start comparing it to more affordable competitors, the value proposition becomes less clear.

That said, if the design and brand vibe speak to you, the SoundLink Plus is likely to be a great companion. It’s a compact, powerful speaker that ticks most boxes for premium portable audio.

Other Options to Consider

• JBL Charge 5: A strong contender in this price bracket, offering nearly the same specs as the SoundLink Plus but roughly half the price. Bonus points for a Wi-Fi-enabled version that adds extra connectivity options without breaking the bank.
• If you’re already invested in a Sonos multi-room system, the Sonos Roam 2 is a smaller, more portable sibling that integrates seamlessly. While it won’t fill the room quite as powerfully as the SoundLink Plus, it’s a versatile choice for both solo and networked listening.

“Bose SoundLink Plus delivers on the brand’s promise with clear, balanced audio and robust features suitable for most listening scenarios.”

What do you think? Does the Bose SoundLink Plus hit the sweet spot of portability, power, and price? Or would you opt for a lighter, less costly alternative?

FAQ

• How long does the Bose SoundLink Plus battery last?
  Officially up to 20 hours, but expect closer to 10-12 hours with regular use at moderate volume.
• Is the SoundLink Plus waterproof?
  Yes, it has an IP67 rating, meaning it’s dustproof and can survive submersion in water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes.
• Can I connect two devices at once?
  Absolutely, it supports dual-device multipoint pairing for easy switching between two Bluetooth sources.
• Does it support high-quality codecs?
  Yes, it supports SBC, AAC, and aptX Adaptive codecs, ensuring solid audio quality over Bluetooth.
• How heavy is the Bose SoundLink Plus?
  It weighs about 3.2 lbs (1.45 kg), which is heavier than some ultra-portable rivals.

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