Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Beats Pill 2024

Last updated: October 12, 2026

Short answer: the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen. It ranks #37 of 175 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 3.8/5, at $99.99; the Beats Pill 2024 ranks #80, rated 3.3/5, and costs $129.95, so there is little reason to consider the other one.

Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Beats Pill 2024

The Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen is the better-sounding pick. A very portable 1.3 lbs (586 g), IP67-rated speaker with a clear, well-balanced midrange that keeps voices and instruments intelligible. It supports aptX Adaptive Bluetooth, which the Beats Pill 2024 lacks. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Beats Pill 2024 lacks. The tradeoff: One Flex remains mono and cannot deliver genuine low-bass rumble; RTINGS also found the elevated treble can turn hi-hats and other high-frequency detail piercing.

The Beats Pill 2024 is the longer-running choice. Doubles as a power bank (USB-C charge-out). It is rated for 24 hours of battery against 12 for the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen. The tradeoff: Boosted upper bass, somewhat thuddy.

Buy the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Beats Pill 2024 and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.

Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.

Check Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen price at Amazon ($99.99) →Check Beats Pill 2024 price at Amazon ($129.95) →

Specifications Side By Side

Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen Beats Pill 2024
Price$99.99$129.95
Ranked#37 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers#80 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
AppYesYes
Battery Life12 hours (Manufacturer specified)24 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Built-in MicrophoneYesYes
EQYes (3 band)No
IP RatingIP67IP67
Party ModeYes (Bose Party mode)-
Power InputUSB-CUSB-C
StereoNoNo
OmnidirectionalNoNo
TWSYesYes
Weight1.3 lbs (586 g)1.5 lbs (680 g)
BluetoothYesYes
Bluetooth Version5.35.3
Dimensions7.9” x 3.5” x 2” (201 x 90 x 52 mm)8.6” x 2.8” x 2.8” (219 x 71 x 70 mm)
Aux InputNoNo
Drivers60mm full-range driver with passive radiators2x drivers with dual passive radiators
Bluetooth CodecsSBC, AAC, aptX AdaptiveSBC, AAC
Digital Aux InputNoYes (USB-C)
StrapYes (built-in loop)Yes (lanyard)
Bass Extension (-10dB)-~56Hz
Power Bank-Yes (USB-C)
Check Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen price at Amazon ($99.99) →Check Beats Pill 2024 price at Amazon ($129.95) →

More worthwhile head-to-heads for Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen:

Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 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.

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The Two Speakers In Full

Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen ranking card

Older model: the Bose Soundlink Flex (ranked lower, rated 3.8/5). See every Bose SoundLink Flex, Micro, Max and Plus generation.

Same family: the Bose SoundLink Max (larger model, rated 4.3/5), the Bose Soundlink Micro 2 (larger model, rated 3.6/5) and the Bose SoundLink Plus (larger model, rated 4.2/5).

Pros: A very portable 586g, IP67-rated speaker with a clear, well-balanced midrange that keeps voices and instruments intelligible. The second generation adds a Bose app with 3-band EQ, better-placed controls and stereo pairing with another Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen. It supports AAC and aptX Adaptive in addition to SBC, making it a stronger wireless option than most small rivals.

Cons: One Flex remains mono and cannot deliver genuine low-bass rumble; RTINGS also found the elevated treble can turn hi-hats and other high-frequency detail piercing. The claimed battery life is only 12 hours, and some owners report accelerated standby drain after firmware updates. It is expensive for its size, so the added app and codec support, not a transformational sound upgrade over the original, are the main reasons to choose it.

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Full Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen review and specifications →

ReleasedSep 2024 (2 years ago)
AppYes
Aux InputNo
Battery Life12 hours (Manufacturer specified)
BluetoothYes
Bluetooth CodecsSBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive
Bluetooth Version5.3
Built-in MicrophoneYes
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions7.9” x 3.5” x 2” (201 x 90 x 52 mm)
Drivers60mm full-range driver with passive radiators
EQYes (3 band)
IP RatingIP67
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeYes (Bose Party mode)
Power InputUSB-C
StereoNo
StrapYes (built-in loop)
TWSYes
Weight1.3 lbs (586 g)
Check current price at Amazon ($99.99) →Search eBay for Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen →

Beats Pill 2024: $129.95 Amazon $129.95 eBay

Beats Pill 2024 ranking card

Older model: the Beats Pill+ (ranked lower, rated 2.1/5). See every Beats Pill generation.

Pros: Doubles as a power bank (USB-C charge-out). 24 hour battery life; a 10 min quick-charge gives 2 hours. IP67 rated. Stereo pairs with a second Pill. Measured bass extension of ~56Hz (-10dB).

Cons: Boosted upper bass, somewhat thuddy. Slightly recessed mids. Rolled off treble.

Full Beats Pill 2024 review and specifications →

ReleasedJun 2024 (2 years ago)
AppYes
Aux InputNo
Bass Extension (-10dB)~56Hz
Battery Life24 hours (Manufacturer specified)
BluetoothYes
Bluetooth CodecsSBC, AAC
Bluetooth Version5.3
Built-in MicrophoneYes
Digital Aux InputYes (USB-C)
Dimensions8.6” x 2.8” x 2.8” (219 x 71 x 70 mm)
Drivers2x drivers with dual passive radiators
EQNo
IP RatingIP67
OmnidirectionalNo
Power BankYes (USB-C)
Power InputUSB-C
StereoNo
StrapYes (lanyard)
TWSYes
Weight1.5 lbs (680 g)
Check current price at Amazon ($129.95) →Search eBay for Beats Pill 2024 →