Different classes, so treat this as a step-up-or-not question rather than a head-to-head. The Bose SoundLink Bluetooth Speaker III ranks #64 of 105 large speakers by sound quality at $299.95; the Bose Soundlink Mini 2 ranks #72 of 175 medium speakers by sound quality at $184.
The Bose SoundLink Bluetooth Speaker III is the longer-running option. Four drivers and two opposing passive radiators give fuller, deeper bass than the Bose Soundlink Mini 2. It is rated for 14 hours of battery against 10 for the Bose Soundlink Mini 2. The catch: No water or dust resistance.
The Bose Soundlink Mini 2 is the lighter pick. Compact aluminum build feels sturdy and dense. ~10 hour battery life; can pair to two devices at once and remembers up to 8. At 1.5 lbs (680 g) it weighs much less than the Bose SoundLink Bluetooth Speaker III at 3 lbs (1.37 kg). The catch: Boosted upper bass like most Bose speakers.
One note: the Bose SoundLink Bluetooth Speaker III is no longer in production and isn’t widely stocked new anymore.
Buy the Bose SoundLink Bluetooth Speaker III ($299.95) for a large speaker; the Bose Soundlink Mini 2 ($184) suits a medium speaker instead.
Worth knowing: the Bose SoundLink Bluetooth Speaker III has not been measured yet. Its rating is estimated from related models, with a likely range of 3.1 to 3.7, so treat this verdict as provisional.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose SoundLink Bluetooth Speaker III | Bose Soundlink Mini 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.95 Discontinued | $184.00 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #64 of 105 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers Estimated | #72 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Drivers | 4x neodymium full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators | 2x 33mm fullrange |
| Battery Life | 14 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None | None |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Weight | 3 lbs (1.37 kg) | 1.5 lbs (680 g) |
| Dimensions | 10.1” x 5.3” x 1.9” (256 x 135 x 48 mm) | 7.1” x 2” x 2.3” (180 x 51 x 58 mm) |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| App | No | Yes (Bose Connect) |
| EQ | No | No |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Party Mode | No | - |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Power Input | AC Power brick | Micro-USB or charging cradle |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | ~58Hz |
| Omnidirectional | - | No |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 4.2 |
| Digital Aux Input | - | No |
| Strap | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Bose Soundlink Mini 2 compares with other leading options:
- EarFun Uboom L vs Bose Soundlink Mini 2
- Soundcore Motion 300 vs Bose Soundlink Mini 2
- Soundcore Motion+ vs Bose Soundlink Mini 2
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs Bose Soundlink Mini 2
- Minirig 4 vs Bose Soundlink Mini 2
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Bose SoundLink Bluetooth Speaker III: $299.95 Discontinued Estimated eBay
Pros: Four drivers and two opposing passive radiators give fuller, deeper bass than the Bose Soundlink Mini 2. Two drivers per side play left and right channels. Up to 14 hours of battery. Wraparound metal grille and sealed silicone buttons hold up to daily handling. Has a 3.5mm aux input.
Cons: No water or dust resistance. No app, EQ, speakerphone or multi speaker pairing. Charges through a proprietary AC adapter rather than USB. Bose boosts the upper bass, so voices can sound thick. Discontinued, so only used or renewed units remain.
Full Bose SoundLink Bluetooth Speaker III review and specifications →
| Released | Feb 2014 (12 years ago) |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 14 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Dimensions | 10.1” x 5.3” x 1.9” (256 x 135 x 48 mm) |
| Drivers | 4x neodymium full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 3 lbs (1.37 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- CNET: Bose SoundLink Bluetooth Speaker III: Revamped design, better sound and battery life More from Cnet →
- Android Authority: Bose SoundLink 3 Review
- Solo Trips: BOSE soundlink 3 vs JBL Xtreme
- Solo Trips: BOSE soundtouch 10 vs BOSE Soundlink 3
- Reviews, Tutorials & Tech: Review Bose SoundLink III Bluetooth Speaker More from Audio Science Review →
- Aaron X Loud and Wireless: Bose SoundLink III Speaker in 2018? Watch This Before you buy!
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Bose Soundlink Mini 2: $184.00 Discontinued Amazon $184.00 eBay
Older model: the Bose Soundlink Mini (ranked lower, rated 3.4/5). See every Bose SoundLink Mini generation.
Pros: Compact aluminum build feels sturdy and dense. ~10 hour battery life; can pair to two devices at once and remembers up to 8. Measured bass extension of ~58Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Boosted upper bass like most Bose speakers. Upper treble rolled off. Bass is 2db less boosted than the Bose Soundlink Mini. Bass doesn’t go as deep as others. Failures of the mainboard are common. Discontinued.
Full Bose Soundlink Mini 2 review and specifications →
| Released | Jul 2015 (11 years ago) |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (Bose Connect) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~58Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.1” x 2” x 2.3” (180 x 51 x 58 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 33mm fullrange |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Input | Micro-USB or charging cradle |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs (680 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs Bose Soundlink Mini
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs Soundcore 3
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs Sony ULT Field 3
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs Xiaomi Mi Portable
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs Sony XB33
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs Turtlebox Ranger
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs Bose Portable Smart Speaker
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs Beats Pill 2024
- See all 96 comparisons