Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Bose Soundlink Mini

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 ranks #74 (rated 3.4/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.

Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Bose Soundlink Mini

The Flex 2nd gen is the current, tougher Bose. It is rated IP67, adds an app with a 3-band EQ, pairs with a second Flex for stereo, and supports AAC and aptX Adaptive. Its midrange is clear and well balanced. Bass stays light, as with most speakers this size, and RTINGS found its treble can turn piercing on hi-hats.

The SoundLink Mini is a discontinued classic with an aluminum body. It still has an aux input and a charging cradle, but it has no water resistance and charges through a proprietary connector. Its sound has the usual Bose upper-bass boost with rolled-off treble, and mainboard failures are a common complaint, which matters when buying used.

Buy the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen. It is rated higher for sound quality; the Bose Soundlink Mini is no longer sold new.

There is a real battery-life gap here: the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen is rated for 12 hours, the Bose Soundlink Mini only 7 hours.

Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.

Check Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen price at Amazon ($99.99) →Check Bose Soundlink Mini price at Amazon ($125.00) →

Specifications Side By Side

Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen Bose Soundlink Mini
Price$99.99$125.00 Discontinued
Ranked#37 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers#74 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
AppYesYes (Bose Connect)
Battery Life12 hours (Manufacturer specified)7 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Built-in MicrophoneYesYes
EQYes (3 band)No
IP RatingIP67None
Party ModeYes (Bose Party mode)-
Power InputUSB-CProprietary connector
StereoNoYes
OmnidirectionalNoNo
TWSYesNo
Weight1.3 lbs (586 g)1.5 lbs (680 g)
BluetoothYesYes
Bluetooth Version5.3-
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 radiators50mm full-range driver with passive radiators
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 price at Amazon ($125.00) →

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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 ranking card

Newer model: the Bose Soundlink Mini 2, ranked higher, rated 3.4/5, released Jul 2015 (also discontinued). It adds stereo pairing. Battery life goes from 7 to 10 hours. See every Bose SoundLink Mini generation.

Pros: Compact aluminum build feels sturdy and dense. Comes with a charging cradle. Measured bass extension of ~58Hz (-10dB).

Cons: Boosted upper bass like most Bose speakers. Upper treble rolled off. Bass doesn’t go as deep as others. Failures of the mainboard are common. Discontinued.

Full Bose Soundlink Mini review and specifications →

ReleasedJul 2013 (13 years ago)
AppYes (Bose Connect)
Aux InputYes
Bass Extension (-10dB)~58Hz
Battery Life7 hours (Manufacturer specified)
BluetoothYes
Bluetooth CodecsSBC
Built-in MicrophoneYes
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions7.1” x 2” x 2.3” (180 x 51 x 58 mm)
Drivers50mm full-range driver with passive radiators
EQNo
IP RatingNone
OmnidirectionalNo
Power InputProprietary connector
StereoYes
StrapNo
TWSNo
Weight1.5 lbs (680 g)
Check current price at Amazon ($125.00) →Search eBay for Bose Soundlink Mini →