We've tested 12 Bose speakers. Bose is a well-known audio equipment company that also sells headphones, soundbars, and home audio systems. They make speakers for a wide range of uses, including smart home speakers and waterproof speakers that you can use outdoors.
Updates
- 07/12/2024 Bose SoundLink Max reviewed
- 03/05/2024 Bose Home Speaker 500 updated
- 02/02/2024 Bose SoundLink Mini II Special Edition reviewed
- 11/07/2023 Bose SoundLink Flex updated
- 09/08/2023 Bose S1 Pro+ reviewed
Best Bose Speakers
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Best Bose Speaker
MusicVideos/MoviesPodcastsVoice AssistantOutdoorsBattery PoweredNoSpeakerphoneNoVoice AssistantYesBluetoothYesWi-FiYesThe best Bose speaker we've tested is the Bose Home Speaker 500. As its name implies, this speaker is designed for home use, with a sleek and stylish design that'll fit right into your living room. It's available in two colors, so you can pick the style that best suits your needs. Each comes with built-in support for Alexa and Google Assistant for hands-free control. The LED screen in the front of the speaker lets you keep track of the song you're listening to, which is a cool touch. You can also connect this speaker to other compatible Bose products to spread audio throughout your home.
As with most Bose speakers, it offers an impressive sound quality. Voices and other instruments in your favorite songs are clearly reproduced right out of the box. As a result, it's suitable for listening to all sorts of music genres, from rock to pop to hip-hop. If you want a different sound, bass and treble adjustments are available in the Bose Music app. Given its wired design, it's not the most portable, but you can always check out the Bose Portable Smart Speaker if you want a battery-powered alternative. While this alternative can't playback true stereo sound like the Home Speaker, it's still worth a look for premium on-the-go use.
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Best Upper Mid-Range Bose Speaker
MusicVideos/MoviesPodcastsVoice AssistantOutdoorsBattery PoweredYesSpeakerphoneYesVoice AssistantYesBluetoothYesWi-FiNoThe Bose SoundLink Revolve+ II is a slightly more affordable alternative for those wanting a more portable design. That's right—this speaker is battery-powered, so you can take it on the go without worrying about plugging it into a power outlet. As a result, it's a great choice for listening to music outdoors, especially since it's rated IP55 for dust and water resistance. The manufacturer also says it can withstand some small bumps and drops.
Use the built-in handle to carry this speaker wherever you go. This speaker also reproduces voices and other instruments with clarity, so you can enjoy all your favorite songs. Plus, the speaker lasts over eight hours off a single charge, which is great for long days outside. Unfortunately, compared to the Bose Home Speaker 500, you don't have any tools to adjust its sound, and there's no built-in voice assistant support. Still, you can use a voice assistant from a paired smartphone, which is a nice touch. It's the best Bose portable speaker we've tested at an affordable price.
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Best Mid-Range Bose Speaker
MusicVideos/MoviesPodcastsVoice AssistantOutdoorsBattery PoweredYesSpeakerphoneYesVoice AssistantYesBluetoothYesWi-FiNoThe Bose SoundLink Revolve II is another versatile speaker that's a more wallet-friendly alternative to the Bose SoundLink Revolve+ II. This portable Bluetooth speaker has a similar overall design, though it doesn't have a built-in handle. That said, it's lightweight and easy to bring with you outside, with an IP55 rating for dust and water resistance to help protect it against light rain exposure. You can pair your phone over Bluetooth to enjoy your favorite tunes, and if your phone supports Siri or Google Assistant, you can use those voice assistants to control it with your voice.
The sound quality is solid with this speaker, too. Voices and lead instruments are clear and detailed in the mix, so it's suitable for many different types of audio content. Podcasts and audiobooks sound great with the speaker since dialogue reproduces with accuracy. However, you won't find any customization tools to switch up its sound. Also, given its smaller size, it's no surprise that this speaker doesn't get as loud as the Revolve+ II. That said, if you're listening in an average-size room, it'll get the job done.
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Best Budget Bose Speaker
MusicVideos/MoviesPodcastsVoice AssistantOutdoorsBattery PoweredYesSpeakerphoneYesVoice AssistantYesBluetoothYesWi-FiNoThe Bose SoundLink Flex is the best Bose Bluetooth speaker available in the budget range. It's a portable speaker that's sold in several different colors. Its sturdy design is great for taking your favorite tunes with you on the go. On your next trip outdoors, use the built-in strap to attach the speaker to your bag or backpack. It's rated IP67 for dust and water resistance, and the manufacturer says it can withstand some falls to the floor. It lasts over seven hours off a single charge, so you can keep listening all day.
This speaker uses Bose's PositionIQ technology to automatically adjust its output based on its orientation, meaning you can use it horizontally or vertically, depending on your needs. With a clear and accurate reproduction of voices and other lead instruments, it's a solid choice for many music genres, podcasts, and audiobooks. Compared to the Bose SoundLink Revolve II, it doesn't have as good of a soundstage since it lacks a 360-degree design. Still, it's a great budget-friendly choice if you want something to take outdoors.
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Best Bose Wireless PA System
MusicVideos/MoviesPodcastsVoice AssistantOutdoorsBattery PoweredYesSpeakerphoneNoVoice AssistantNoBluetoothYesWi-FiNoThe Bose S1 Pro+ is a wireless public address (PA) system that's great for musicians who want to rock out wherever they go. Thanks to its built-in handle and battery-powered design, you can easily take this speaker to your next gig. It supports connections for many different instruments like microphones, electric guitars, and more, and you can even use Bose's Wireless Transmitters to connect wireless instruments, too. An integrated three-channel mixer lets you adjust the sound of your instruments accordingly, and you can use its ToneMatch EQ to automatically adjust for the instrument's most natural sound.
While it's on the larger side of Bluetooth speakers, you can adjust the speaker to sit horizontally or vertically, depending on your needs. The AutoEQ feature automatically compensates for the best possible sound regardless of how you situate the speaker, which is handy. You can connect a separate subwoofer to the device to bring out more thump and rumble in the bass range. Plus, the LiveStream tool is on hand to send audio from the speaker to the computer, which is great for hosting a live stream or recording your music for later.
Compared To Other Brands
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Well-balanced sound profile.
Bose's speakers offer pretty neutral, balanced sound profiles out of the box, especially in the mid-range, so vocals and lead instruments are usually reproduced clearly and accurately. This makes them suitable for listening to different types of audio content. -
Bluetooth-compatible.
Bose speakers support Bluetooth, so you can wirelessly stream your audio to the speaker from another paired Bluetooth device, like your smartphone. Some of their smart speakers also support Wi-Fi and Apple AirPlay. -
Voice assistant support.
Most Bose speakers support voice assistants. Some models use the voice assistant from your paired smartphone, while their smart speakers have built-in support for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant over a Wi-Fi connection.
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Lackluster customization options.
While some of Bose's more premium speakers are compatible with the Bose Music app, which gives you access to bass and treble adjustment features, they don't offer graphic EQs for full sound customization. Other Bose speakers don't have any sound customization features at all. -
Limited stereo support.
While a few of the Bose speakers we've tested support stereo content, most of them need to be paired to a second unit to play stereo audio and downmix stereo content to mono when used on their own, which doesn't sound as immersive. -
No room correction features.
The Bose speakers we've tested don't offer a room correction feature, so your audio sounds different depending on the room you're listening in.
Bose vs Sonos
Sonos and Bose are similar audio manufacturers producing high-end speakers with built-in smart capabilities. If you already own products in their respective ecosystems, their speakers are designed for easy compatibility, so you can spread music throughout your home. You can also find a few models with outdoor-oriented designs at more budget-friendly prices. You'll find Bluetooth compatibility with Bose, while Sonos speakers tend to operate over Wi-Fi.
Bose vs JBL
JBL is another well-known speaker manufacturer that offers a wider range of devices compared to Bose. With JBL, you'll find more budget-friendly models with outdoor-ready designs and some high-end party speakers for big events. That said, JBL's speakers aren't as well-designed as Bose's and tend to lack built-in voice assistant capabilities.
Bose vs Ultimate Ears
Ultimate Ears produces outdoor-geared speakers that are usually available at wallet-friendly price points. With ratings for dust and water resistance and the ability to float in water, some Ultimate Ears devices are better suited to the outdoors than Bose's sleek, home-friendly speakers. That said, Bose's speakers are generally better built, and their smart features offer additional support for voice assistants.
Overall, Bose offers a large speaker selection, including smart speakers, portable Bluetooth speakers, and speakers for musicians. Generally, you'll get Bluetooth compatibility and a balanced sound right out of the box. Many Bose speakers are compatible with voice assistants from a paired device or via built-in support. However, their models tend to lack more premium sound customization features like graphic EQs or room correction features. However, this looks set to change with the arrival of the Bose SoundLink Max, which promises more rigorous sound customization options. We'll be sure to update this article once our review has been published.
Lineup
Bose's speakers are designed to suit a wide array of potential consumer needs, from in-home to outdoor use.
Portable Bluetooth Speakers
- SoundLink series: Mid-range models that you can pair together to amplify sound
- S1 Pro series: Premium party models with Auto EQ calibration
- Smart Speaker series: Premium smart speakers with built-in voice assistant support; battery-powered, unlike the home audio models
Home Audio Speakers
- Smart Speaker series: Premium smart speakers with built-in voice assistant support; wired-only compared to the portable models
Amplifiers
- Amplifier series: Smart home devices that connect to your record player, CD player, or passive speakers to amplify audio
Stereo Speakers
- 251 series: Environmental outdoor speakers meant to withstand snow, rain, salt, and extreme temperatures; compatible with the Bose Music Amplifier
- 791 series: In-series speakers with a slim design to blend into your home environment; compatible with the Bose Music Amplifier
Computer Speakers
- Companion series: Mid-range multimedia speaker systems designed for easy integration with your computer
Portable PA and Loudspeaker Systems
- S1 Pro series: Portable party-oriented speakers with Auto EQ and Bluetooth compatibility
- F1 series: Premium loudspeakers with Auto EQ and Flexible Array technology to adjust the coverage pattern based on the space you're in; compatible with the F1 subwoofer
Generally speaking, the higher the model number, the more features are included. Depending on your needs, you may or may not find these features worth it.
Recent Updates
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Jul 02, 2024: We've added a mention of the Bose SoundLink Max, which is currently in testing. Otherwise, we've checked the text and made no changes to our picks.
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Feb 28, 2024: No changes in product picks. We've ensured they're all still the best for user needs in their unique categories.
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Dec 06, 2023: No new Bose speakers have been tested since the last update. Confirmed our picks remain accurate and widely available.
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Sep 11, 2023: Added the Bose S1 Pro+ as the 'Best Wireless PA System'.
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Jul 06, 2023: No new Bose products tested since our last update. Some minor text clarifications.
Conclusion
Bose is a well-known brand that offers many different types of speakers; depending on your listening habits, you may prefer one over the others. They make well-built Bluetooth speakers with a balanced and neutral sound out of the box, and their smart speakers come with built-in voice assistant support. However, their models tend to lack extra sound customization options.