Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Bose Soundlink Mini 2

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 Mini 2 ranks #72 (rated 3.4/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.

Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Bose Soundlink Mini 2

The Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen is the better-sounding, tougher option. 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 IP67, while the Bose Soundlink Mini 2 has no water resistance. It supports aptX Adaptive Bluetooth, which the Bose Soundlink Mini 2 lacks. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Bose Soundlink Mini 2 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 case for the Bose Soundlink Mini 2: Compact aluminum build feels sturdy and dense. ~10 hour battery life; can pair to two devices at once and remembers up to 8. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen lacks. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen. The tradeoff: Boosted upper bass like most Bose speakers.

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

Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.

Check Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen price at Amazon ($99.99) →Check Bose Soundlink Mini 2 price at Amazon ($184.00) →

Specifications Side By Side

Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen Bose Soundlink Mini 2
Price$99.99$184.00 Discontinued
Ranked#37 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers#72 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
AppYesYes (Bose Connect)
Battery Life12 hours (Manufacturer specified)10 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Built-in MicrophoneYesYes
EQYes (3 band)No
IP RatingIP67None
Party ModeYes (Bose Party mode)-
Power InputUSB-CMicro-USB or charging cradle
StereoNoYes
OmnidirectionalNoNo
TWSYesYes
Weight1.3 lbs (586 g)1.5 lbs (680 g)
BluetoothYesYes
Bluetooth Version5.34.2
Dimensions7.9” x 3.5” x 2” (201 x 90 x 52 mm)7.1” x 2” x 2.3” (180 x 51 x 58 mm)
Aux InputNoYes
Drivers60mm full-range driver with passive radiators2x 33mm fullrange
Bluetooth CodecsSBC, AAC, aptX AdaptiveSBC
Digital Aux InputNoNo
StrapYes (built-in loop)No
Bass Extension (-10dB)-~58Hz
Check Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen price at Amazon ($99.99) →Check Bose Soundlink Mini 2 price at Amazon ($184.00) →

Watch Them Compared

Videos and reviews that test both speakers side by side.

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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 Mini 2 ranking card

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 →

ReleasedJul 2015 (11 years ago)
AppYes (Bose Connect)
Aux InputYes
Bass Extension (-10dB)~58Hz
Battery Life10 hours (Manufacturer specified)
BluetoothYes
Bluetooth CodecsSBC
Bluetooth Version4.2
Built-in MicrophoneYes
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions7.1” x 2” x 2.3” (180 x 51 x 58 mm)
Drivers2x 33mm fullrange
EQNo
IP RatingNone
OmnidirectionalNo
Power InputMicro-USB or charging cradle
StereoYes
StrapNo
TWSYes
Weight1.5 lbs (680 g)
Check current price at Amazon ($184.00) →Search eBay for Bose Soundlink Mini 2 →