Bose SoundLink Mini

Bose

Bose SoundLink Mini

D

Ranked #11 in Outdoor Speakers

236 LP on the category ladder what's LP?

The Bose SoundLink Mini is a small, lightweight speaker that lacks the build quality and power for outdoor use. Wirecutter points out its fragile design and short battery life in outdoor conditions. RTINGS confirms it “does not hold up under weather exposure.”

Consolidated from 26 cited sources across 25 outlets

Where the cited sources landed, as we read them

21 positive sources
3 neutral sources
1 unconvinced source

See the sources

Flagged as a product to avoid

2 of 3 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick.

Its lightweight design and low output make it inadequate for outdoor use, with fragile construction and short battery life.
Flagged 28 July 2026

Its lightweight design and low output make it inadequate for outdoor use, with fragile construction and short battery life.
Flagged 28 July 2026
Limited output and insufficient weatherproofing disqualify it for outdoor settings.
Flagged 28 July 2026

Why the boards include products to avoid

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Pros & cons

✓ IPX4 waterproofing
✓ Solid bass for its size

✗ Small size
✗ Low output
✗ Fragile construction
✗ Short battery life
✗ IPX4 insufficient

The sources behind this ranking

We searched the web and YouTube for what has been published about this product, then read the articles, video transcripts and comments we found.

Evidence 25 video reviews and 1 community source

21 positive sources

F Facebook Adam Mojo Lebowitz · owner

It made a huge difference! Defender actually has a lot of bass and it all came back over the Bose speaker. It sounded a LOT like the original arcade cabinet.

Android Authority Android Authority · 3.4M subscribers · Feb 2014

It isn't cheap, but the Bose SoundLink Mini is an excellent-sounding Bluetooth speaker.

H2TechVideos taur611 · owner · Nov 2013

I bought mine used. Probably one of the best purchases I've made. I use to listen to music to help me fall asleep and with my laptop.

Matthew Moniz Matthew Moniz · 938K subscribers · Nov 2015

a lot of people feel for 200 the soundlink mini 2 has some of the best sound on the market so i thought it'd be a great idea to do a sound comparison between the astro pure audio bluetooth speaker and the soundlink mini 2.

Gloob drdj69 · owner · Aug 2013

BOSE soundlink mini is just stunning, very very nice. got one today and i absolutely love it.

SoundGuys SoundGuys · 323K subscribers · Jul 2015

It isn't a giant leap forward, but it's enough that there is no reason to buy the older model anymore.

Stetson Doggett Stetson Doggett · 167K subscribers · Mar 2015

I think the charging dock is an excellent accessory, as it allows you to easily set the speaker down when it needs juice, or quickly grab it when you're on the go. Bose claims the speaker takes about 3 hours to charge and provides about 7 hours of audio playback on a full battery.

The Product Lab The Product Lab · 89.9K subscribers · Mar 2022

The Bose SoundLink Mini II SE is a revamped version of the original that delivers similar top-notch quality.

TheFullSetup TheFullSetup · 22.2K subscribers · Nov 2013

Eitherway i think you will love the bose soundlink mini Bluetooth wireless speaker.

PROEML GRAPHIC PROEML GRAPHIC · 18.5K subscribers · May 2020

Overall this is a top quality Bluetooth speaker, it’s not all singing and dancing with a multitude of complicated features and functions but it fills its purpose perfectly giving fantastic sound quality, allowing you to talk on the phone and use your devices phone’s voice assistant, the battery lasts for a massive 12 hours of play time per charge so it gets top marks from me.

Dave West Media Dave West Media · 15.3K subscribers · Nov 2019

The original Bose Soundlink Mini helped break new ground in the compact Bluetooth speaker segment, one of the first mini speakers to offer a 'Hifi' like sound in a design small enough to go anywhere.

TheChanClanLife TheChanClanLife · 4.4K subscribers · Jul 2022

The SoundLink Mini II Special Edition delivers full, natural sound with dramatically deeper bass than you’d expect from a speaker that fits in the palm of your hand. It also features a built-in microphone for taking calls, and makes easy wireless connections anytime, anywhere. Now with 20% more battery life, a USB-C charging port, and two special edition colors — Luxe Silver or Triple Black.

HiFiHeritage HiFiHeritage · 4K subscribers · Jun 2023

AMAZING SOUND!

Lane Reviews Stuff Lane Reviews Stuff · 1.1K subscribers · Jan 2023

This small, weighty bluetooth speaker packs a punch. It has a RICH sound and has lasted for nearly ten years without issue.

LinoBlanco LinoBlanco · 924 subscribers · Jul 2020

The Bose SoundLink Mini is still an amazing portable speaker that has been with me for 6 years and it never changed! It’s still one of the best sounding speakers up until now.

G’s Life G’s Life · 900 subscribers · Sept 2017

Both speakers are great, but for outdoor use the Bose Revolve is the way to go.

HwTechBlog HwTechBlog · 812 subscribers · Nov 2013

This speaker is nice for its size, is rechargeable, and can be played via Bluetooth devices anywhere you need to go. A smartphone + internet connection + this speaker = portable unlimited music anywhere you decide to listen to music.

Tekspert Tekspert · 780 subscribers · Sept 2016

In my opinion this is one of the best bluetooth speakers out there which boasts great bass and high sound quality all the way to full volume. I use this all the time, for work and play and it gets the job done well, really well.

Bay Bloor Radio Bay Bloor Radio · 696 subscribers · Jun 2015

One of the biggest improvements of the SoundLink Mini II is an increased battery life: up to 10 hours of play while it's unplugged, and it'll recharge in 1 to 3 hours.

TheReviewArtist TheReviewArtist · 410 subscribers · Feb 2014

I do recommend this speaker as it is amazing for the price and in this category you will find that the SOUNDLINK mini really does stands out from the main competitors such as the Beats PILL and the Logitech UE BOOM.

GeekSignals GeekSignals · 58 subscribers · Oct 2013

We absolutely love it and highly recommend it, if you're in the market for a portable Bluetooth speaker!

3 neutral sources

Matthew Moniz uheredia · owner · Nov 2015

Seems like Astro did a good job on the this category vs Bose, I'll like to know if you can do a a review on the Astro vs Creative Sound Blaster 2 ( Which by the way. have a dedicated Amp for the bass and another Amp for Mids and Tweeters. Nice! )It will be very interesting to see this rev if u can make it possible. thanks, see ya!

Reviews, Tutorials & Tech Reviews, Tutorials & Tech · 14.8K subscribers · May 2014

It was a bit finicky for me. Sometimes I would have to press it twice for pause to take effect. Regarding the rotary volume ring, it was more stiff than I thought was necessary and consequently you can't turn the knob with one hand to adjust the volume without the speaker twisting around. It takes two hands. one hand holds the speaker, the other hand twists the dial.

Review Brothers Review Brothers · 417 subscribers · Feb 2014

Excellent hardware, amazing clarity, but lack a large volume and bass.This puts it right on par for its price point with other products.

1 unconvinced source

CNET CNET · 4.1M subscribers · Jul 2014

The bass doesn't go quite as deep as the Bose Mini, but it does seem a bit tighter. While the bass isn't huge, this little guy manages to have some kick to it, and it does well in smaller rooms and makes for an excellent little background music generator. The sound does have its limitations and as I said you can get some distortion when you crank the volume.

1 stance not read source

ÜT ÜT · 59 subscribers · Sept 2023

hy I got fake. So yeah the sound quality was a dead giveaway and the voice prompts well I'll walk you through it the difference is one by one so that if you have a SoundLink mini 2 Special Edition you can just look it up and see if the one that you have is actually uh an original if you're not convinced with the sound quality so let's get

Frequently asked questions

It ranks #11 (D tier) on our consolidated outdoor speakers board, drawn from 26 cited sources across 25 outlets.

Small size. Low output. Fragile construction. Short battery life. IPX4 insufficient.

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