Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Bose SoundLink Color II

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 and is still sold new; the Bose SoundLink Color II ranks #125 (rated 2.7/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.

Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Bose SoundLink Color II

The Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen is the better-sounding, longer-running 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 is rated for 12 hours of battery against 8 for the Bose SoundLink Color II. It is rated IP67 against IPX4 for the Bose SoundLink Color II. It supports aptX Adaptive Bluetooth, which the Bose SoundLink Color II lacks. Watch for: 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.

Why pick the Bose SoundLink Color II: Soft-touch rubber coating is comfortable to hold and tough enough for bumps and scrapes. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen. The tradeoff: Boosted bass on Color II.

Buy the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the Bose SoundLink Color II is discontinued.

Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.

Check Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen price at Amazon ($99.99) →Check Bose SoundLink Color II price at Amazon ($139.00) →

Specifications Side By Side

Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen Bose SoundLink Color II
Price$99.99$139.00 Discontinued
Ranked#37 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers#125 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
AppYesYes (Bose Connect)
Battery Life12 hours (Manufacturer specified)8 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Built-in MicrophoneYesYes
EQYes (3 band)No
IP RatingIP67IPX4
Party ModeYes (Bose Party mode)Yes (Bose Party mode)
Power InputUSB-CMicro USB
StereoNoYes
OmnidirectionalNoNo
TWSYesYes
Weight1.3 lbs (586 g)1.3 lbs (600 g)
BluetoothYesYes
Bluetooth Version5.34.2
Dimensions7.9” x 3.5” x 2” (201 x 90 x 52 mm)5.2” x 5” x 2.2” (132 x 127 x 56 mm)
Aux InputNoNo
Drivers60mm full-range driver with passive radiators2x 40mm full-range drivers
Bluetooth CodecsSBC, AAC, aptX AdaptiveSBC, AAC
Digital Aux InputNoNo
StrapYes (built-in loop)-
Power Bank-No
Check Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen price at Amazon ($99.99) →Check Bose SoundLink Color II price at Amazon ($139.00) →

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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 →

Bose SoundLink Color II ranking card

Pros: Soft-touch rubber coating is comfortable to hold and tough enough for bumps and scrapes. IPX4 splashproof. Supports multipoint pairing to two devices at once.

Cons: Boosted bass on Color II. Not as deep of bass as other models. Lacking midrange detail. Rolled off treble. Discontinued.

Full Bose SoundLink Color II review and specifications →

ReleasedMay 2017 (9 years ago)
AppYes (Bose Connect)
Aux InputNo
Battery Life8 hours (Manufacturer specified)
BluetoothYes
Bluetooth CodecsSBC, AAC
Bluetooth Version4.2
Built-in MicrophoneYes
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions5.2” x 5” x 2.2” (132 x 127 x 56 mm)
Drivers2x 40mm full-range drivers
EQNo
IP RatingIPX4
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeYes (Bose Party mode)
Power BankNo
Power InputMicro USB
StereoYes
TWSYes
Weight1.3 lbs (600 g)
Check current price at Amazon ($139.00) →Search eBay for Bose SoundLink Color II →