Short answer: the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen if sound quality matters most, the Klipsch Groove if price matters most. The Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen ranks #36 of 157 medium speakers, rated 3.8/5, at $159. The Klipsch Groove ranks #105, rated 2.8/5, at $9, $150 cheaper.
The Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen is the better-sounding, longer-running choice. 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 Klipsch Groove. At 1.3 lbs (586 g) it weighs noticeably less than the Klipsch Groove at 1.7 lbs (770 g). It is rated IP67 against IPX4 for the Klipsch Groove. 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.
Why pick the Klipsch Groove: Pretty balanced sound in a compact, splash-resistant form factor. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen lacks. The catch: Bass doesn’t go as deep as class leaders.
Buy the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen if sound quality is the priority over the price, or the Klipsch Groove if the price is the priority over sound quality.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen | Klipsch Groove | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $159.00 | 9.00 |
| Ranked | #36 of 157 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #105 of 157 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX4 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs (586 g) | 1.7 lbs (770 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 4.0 |
| Dimensions | 7.9” x 3.5” x 2” (201 x 90 x 52 mm) | 5” x 6” x 2.6” (127 x 152 x 67 mm) |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Drivers | 60mm full-range driver with passive radiators | 1x 3” full-range driver + 2x side-firing passive radiators |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive | SBC, AAC |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) | No |
| Power Bank | - | No |
| Amplifier Power | - | 10W RMS |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 2, 2026 at 10:18 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: $159.00 Amazon eBay
Older model: the Bose Soundlink Flex (ranked lower, rated 3.8/5).
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.
Full Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.9” x 3.5” x 2” (201 x 90 x 52 mm) |
| Drivers | 60mm full-range driver with passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs (586 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Flex More from Oluv’Sone →
- Oluv Patreon: Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen - sound demo
- Tô Thái Trí Hùng: Unbox & Sound Test - Bose Soundlink Flex 2
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen & Soundcore Motion 300 sound test
- Alan Ross: Hall of Fame classic vs latest Bose tech! More from alanrossreviews →
- CEONTHEMAKING: Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd Gen VS Marshall Emberton III - What’s NEW?? More from CEONTHEMAKING →
- Alan Ross - The Anti Shill!: Small speaker, mighty sound, The Flex gen 2 shatters physics!
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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Klipsch Groove: 9.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: Pretty balanced sound in a compact, splash-resistant form factor. IPX4 water resistance and ~8 hour battery life make it durable for outdoor and poolside use. 3-inch high excursion full-range driver paired with dual side-firing passive radiators.
Cons: Not stereo. Bass doesn’t go as deep as class leaders. Distortion sets in at higher output levels. Older Bluetooth 4.0 architecture without app EQ.
Full Klipsch Groove review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 10W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 5” x 6” x 2.6” (127 x 152 x 67 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 3” full-range driver + 2x side-firing passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 1.7 lbs (770 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
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