Bose SoundLink Plus review: Better than the JBL Charge 6?
The Bose SoundLink Plus is the latest addition to the company’s portable speaker lineup. Positioned between the more compact SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) and the larger SoundLink Max, the SoundLink Plus aims to strike a balance in size and output. With a unique design featuring four passive radiators for “booming bass,” does it deliver the “best-in-class sound” that Bose promises? Let’s fire it up and find out in this Bose SoundLink Plus review.
How has this article been updated?
This is the first version of the article. Updates will follow as the market changes.
Who is the Bose SoundLink Plus for?
With its IP67 rating and rugged build, the Bose SoundLink Plus is a solid pick for anyone after a portable Bluetooth speaker with decent output for medium-sized get-togethers, whether you’re at the beach or in the backyard.
What’s it like to use the Bose SoundLink Plus?
The SoundLink Plus features a built-in nylon carrying loop.
The Bose SoundLink Plus follows the familiar design language of the SoundLink lineup. It features a metal grille, a rubberized silicone wrap around the body, a fixed carrying loop on the side, and a set of nested controls along the top. With an IP67 rating, the SoundLink Plus is dustproof and designed to float if it takes an accidental dip in the pool. Bose states it’s also shock-proof, which is a fancy way of saying it can take a tumble or two without issue.
Now, before you ask, the color of our test model is “Citrus Yellow,” but don’t worry, it’s also available in Black and “Blue Dusk.” The Plus is pretty close in size to the JBL Charge 6, so it’ll fit into a backpack or bag without taking up too much room. Honestly, that’s my favorite size for a portable Bluetooth speaker: bigger than something like the Flex or Flip, but not too big.
The SoundLink Plus features four passive radiators.
Around the back of the speaker, you’ll find a single USB-C port. Unlike the SoundLink Max, there’s no 3.5mm jack. That USB-C port does pull double duty, though. It supports a 15W charge-out if you need to top up your phone. Just keep in mind it doesn’t support audio over USB-C.
However, what really makes the SoundLink Plus unique is what’s under the hood. While it’s a mono speaker with a single tweeter and woofer, it also packs four passive radiators, which is a setup I have not personally seen before.
How do you control the Bose SoundLink Plus?
The Bose SoundLink Plus operates via physical controls. Below is a breakdown of how they operate.
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What are the key features of the Bose SoundLink Plus?
The Bose app is pretty barebones, but I recommend installing it to get the most out of SoundLink Plus. You get the typical Bose 3-band EQ to personalize the sound of your speaker, although I’d much rather see a 5-band or 7-band EQ so you can really dive in. You can also use the app to toggle your shortcut button between Spotify Tap or to link a second SoundLink Plus with the touch of a button.
The good news is that now that the SoundLink family is expanding, you can link the SoundLink Plus with a SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) and the SoundLink Max for synchronized mono playback.
How does the Bose SoundLink Plus connect?
You can assign your shortcut button in the Bose app.
The Bose SoundLink Plus connects via Bluetooth 5.4 and supports multipoint pairing, Google Fast Pair, and both SBC and AAC codecs. But wait, there’s more, at least for Android users. Like the SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen), the Plus also supports aptX Adaptive and automatically switches to it if you’re using a Snapdragon Sound-certified device.
How do you pair the Bose SoundLink Plus?
Pairing the Bose SoundLink Plus over Bluetooth is easy and follows the usual steps as outlined below:
- Power on the SoundLink Plus by pressing the power button once.
- Open Bluetooth settings on your device
- Select “Bose SoundLink Plus”
- Download and install the Bose app for further control of the SoundLink Plus
How long does the Bose SoundLink Plus’s battery last?
In our testing, the Bose SoundLink Plus lasted 20 hours and 55 minutes of playback on a single charge at 80dB (SPL). This matches Bose’s claim that the SoundLink Plus can last up to 20 hours of playback off a single charge.
How does the Bose SoundLink Plus sound?
The Bose SoundLink Plus sounds perfectly fine for a portable Bluetooth speaker. It offers a relatively consumer-friendly sound with slightly emphasized bass and treble and a dip in the midrange.
Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (MDAQS)
An Overall score of 3.3 is average for Bluetooth speakers of this size.
What do the Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores mean?
- Timbre (MOS-T) represents how faithfully the speaker reproduces the frequency spectrum and temporal resolution (timing information).
- Distortion (MOS-D) represents non-linearities and added noise: higher scores mean cleaner reproduction.
- Immersiveness (MOS-I) represents perceived source width and positioning, which is how well virtual sound sources are defined in three-dimensional space.
See here for an explanation of MDAQS, how it works, and how it was developed.
The Bose SoundLink Plus attains a Timbre score of 3.7, a Distortion score of 2.6, an Immersiveness score of 2.6, and an Overall sound quality score of 3.3 on a scale from 1 to 5. This is a high score for a portable Bluetooth speaker. For comparison, the JBL Charge 6 only attained an Overall sound quality score of 2.7 in our testing.
Reviewer’s notes
Editor’s note: This review uses a hover-enabled glossary to describe sound quality based on a consensus vocabulary. You can read about it here.
Does the Bose SoundLink Plus have a microphone?
Unlike its smaller sibling, the SoundLink Flex, the SoundLink Plus does not have a built-in microphone.
Should you buy the Bose SoundLink Plus?
The SoundLink Plus retails for $269 USD.
Like most things from Bose, the SoundLink Plus doesn’t come cheap. At $269, it’s a hefty price for a medium-sized Bluetooth speaker, but with that price comes great sound and excellent build quality. If you’re already in the Bose ecosystem with a Flex (2nd Gen) or Max, the Plus will fit right in. Otherwise, it falls into the “wait until it goes on sale” category.
What should you get instead of the Bose SoundLink Plus?
The SoundLink Plus and Charge 6 share quite a few of the same features, but not the price.
If you’re looking to save a few bucks, the JBL Charge 6 () is a solid alternative to the SoundLink Plus. You still get a loop attachment that doubles as a handle, but the Charge 6 also brings 45W of output, a fully customizable 7-band EQ, and a slightly more rugged design with an IP68 rating. It doesn’t float, but it can take a bit more abuse.
The SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) makes a great beach speaker for when it’s you and a few friends.
Otherwise, staying on brand, if the SoundLink Plus is a bit overkill for your needs, check out the smaller Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen). It’s also outdoor-ready with an IP67 protection rating, and sounds great right out of the box. Like the Plus, it also supports Snapdragon Sound if you’re an Android user. Snag one for .
Be sure to check out our list of the Best Bluetooth Speakers for even more options.
Frequently asked questions
