These sit in different size classes, so this is not a straight ranking comparison. The Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen ranks #37 of 179 medium speakers by sound quality at $159; the Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker ranks #14 of 29 powered desktop speakers by sound quality at $279.
The Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen is the battery-powered, tougher choice. A small, rugged waterproof speaker with clear, well balanced mids, app EQ, aptX Adaptive and stereo pairing with a second unit. Its battery is rated for 12 hours, while the Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker needs an outlet. It is rated IP67, while the Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker has no water resistance. The catch: 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 case for the Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker: A compact smart speaker with an up firing driver for taller sound, built in Alexa, AirPlay 2, Google Cast and an aux input. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen lacks. The catch: RTINGS lists sub-par directivity as its main weakness, and reviewers agree a single unit sounds narrow from side to side, so it works best as a stereo pair.
Buy the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen at $159 if you want a medium speaker. Buy the Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker at $279 if you want a powered desktop speaker instead.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings and Powered Home rankings.
Prices on this page were last checked November 11, 2026 at 3:26 AM 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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Specifications Side By Side
| Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen | Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $159.00 | $279.00 each |
| Ranked | #37 of 179 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #14 of 29 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (Bose) |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | No Battery |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes (far-field, mic mute button) |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) | Yes (Bass/Mid/Treble + up-firing driver level) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | None |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) | Yes (Bose app multi-room, AirPlay 2, Google Cast) |
| Power Input | USB-C | AC power cord |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | - |
| TWS | Yes | Yes (stereo pairing via Bose app) |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs (586 g) | 3.7 lbs (1.68 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 7.9” x 3.5” x 2” (201 x 90 x 52 mm) | 7.2” x 4.8” x 6.6” (184 x 121 x 167 mm) (H x W x D) |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Drivers | 60mm full-range driver with passive radiators | 3in woofer, 1in tweeter, 1.5in up-firing mid/high driver |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | - |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) | - |
| Wi-Fi | - | Yes |
| Power Bank | - | No |
| Inputs | - | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3.5mm aux |
| XLR Input | - | No |
| RCA Input | - | No |
| TRS Input | - | Yes (3.5mm) |
| Optical Input | - | No |
| Coaxial Input | - | No |
| USB Input | - | No |
| HDMI Input | - | No |
| AES Input | - | No |
| Voice Assistants | - | Amazon Alexa / Alexa+ |
| Streaming Services | - | AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect |
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