Bose SoundLink Plus Portable Speaker Review
Summary: The Bose SoundLink Plus Portable Speaker provides an audio punch and also a portability leap!
4.6
Punchy Portability
Welcome to a new generation of portable audio with the Bose SoundLink Plus Portable Speaker, a very well-built and stylish Bluetooth speaker that delivers a spectacular rich and full-bodied sound for its tiny size. For the audio connoisseurs, the “Plus” sits between the SoundLink Flex and SoundLink Max in Bose’s lineup and combines a rugged IP67-rated design with premium materials like powder-coated steel and soft silicone to protect it from bumps, knocks and drops. It even floats! (*)
(*) SoundLink Plus is designed to withstand accidental drops in water for up to 30 minutes. If SoundLink Plus is directly exposed to salt or chlorinated water, rinse with fresh water and allow it to dry thoroughly before use.
With audio front and centre, it’s also been designed for portability with a sturdy nylon strap that makes it easy to attach to a bag or hang up when in use. Further, the Bose SoundLink Plus Portable Speaker comes in two different colours that include Black, Blue Dusk (reviewed) and a limited-edition Citrus Yellow. I must admit that the Blue Dusk gives it a distinctive look that stands out without being too flashy.
Battery life is impressive at close to 20 hours on a single charge and it can also act as a power bank via its USB-C port to top up other devices. Charging takes around five hours which is a little on the longer side for this category. Further, it supports a range of Bluetooth codecs for reliable wireless performance and has simple physical controls on the top panel (Power on, Bluetooth, Volume up/down, Play/Pause button) plus a reprogrammable shortcut button (e.g. Google). In Australia, the Bose SoundLink Plus Portable Speaker retails for $429.95AUD (September 2o25).
What’s in the box
- Bose SoundLink Plus Portable Speaker
- USB-C (C to C) cable
- Safety sheet
The Unboxing
As you can see, the Bose SoundLink Plus Portable Speaker is a good-looking device that measures at 8.6cm (height) x 23.1cm (width) with a very portable weight of just 1.52g. Overall, it feels very sturdy and professionally built and I must admit that the blue colouring looks great opposed to traditional black.
Although it works straight out of the box and you can connect it to your smartphone via Bluetooth, if you want to take your audio to the next level, you need to download the accompanying Bose app. This allows you to modify EQ, keep an eye on the battery and adjust volume from the comfort of your smartphone. Another impressive aspect about the SoundLink is that it supports Google’s Fast Pair technology that automatically detected the smart speaker and then offered to download the app for me – nicely played Bose, like a master violinist on a Stradivarius!
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Audio Quality
Sound quality (obviously) is one of its strengths of the Bose SoundLink Plus Portable Speaker with a bass-forward tuning that works well for upbeat music and outdoor listening. Mids and highs are clear and pleasant although the deepest bass notes are less pronounced compared to some rivals. The speaker plays in mono which means it does not create a wide stereo image but its directivity is impressive, so it sounds consistent from different angles. It’s definitely a party speaker system and perfect for both indoors and outdoors!
Final Thoughts?
The Bose SoundLink Plus in Blue is a durable and attractive portable speaker with strong audio performance for casual and outdoor use. It is not the most feature-packed option and it does not deliver the tightest bass in its class but it offers a balanced mix of style, sound quality and battery life that makes it easy to recommend to those who like the Bose sound signature.
Bring on summer by the pool with the Bose SoundLink Plus Portable Speaker!
Key Specifications
Brand: Bose
Model Number: 894040-0200
Connections: Bluetooth
Battery Life: Up to 20 hours
IP Rating: IP67
Voice Assistant: No
Controls: Control via Bose Connect App
Warranty: 1 Year
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