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 Sony SRS-XB30 ranks #133 (rated 2.6/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The Sony SRS-XB30’s replacement, the Sony ULT Field 3, is rated 3.4/5 at $208.
The Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen is the better-sounding, lighter option. A very portable 1.3 lbs (586 g), IP67-rated speaker with a clear, well-balanced midrange that keeps voices and instruments intelligible. At 1.3 lbs (586 g) it weighs much less than the Sony SRS-XB30 at 2.2 lbs (1 kg). It is rated IP67 against IPX5 for the Sony SRS-XB30. It charges over USB-C rather than Micro USB. 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 Sony SRS-XB30 is the longer-running option. A compact 2.2 lbs (1 kg) portable with IPX5 splash protection, aux input, LDAC/AAC support, Sony’s app, speakerphone capability, power-bank output, stereo pairing and Party Chain linking. It is rated for 24 hours of battery against 12 for the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen. It supports LDAC Bluetooth, which the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen lacks. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen lacks. The tradeoff: Independent lab listening rates music fidelity only fair: bass has impact but is boomy and lacks the deepest notes, while the midrange can sound hazy, muffled and grainy.
Buy the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen. It is rated higher for sound quality; the Sony SRS-XB30 is no longer sold new.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen | Sony SRS-XB30 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99.99 | $199 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #37 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #133 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (Sony Music Center) |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX5 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) | Yes (Partychain up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs (586 g) | 2.2 lbs (1000 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 4.2 |
| Dimensions | 7.9” x 3.5” x 2” (201 x 90 x 52 mm) | 9” x 3.2” x 3.4” (228 x 82 x 86 mm) |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Drivers | 60mm full-range driver with passive radiators | 2x 48mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 55Hz |
| Amplifier Power | - | 20W |
| Maximum SPL | - | 95dB (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen compares with other leading options:
- Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs EarFun Uboom L
- Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Soundcore Motion 300
- Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Soundcore Motion+
- Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021
- Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Minirig 4
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: $99.99 Amazon $99.99 eBay
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.
Full Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| 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 →
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen & Soundcore Motion 300 sound test
- Oluv Patreon: Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen - sound demo
- Alan Ross: Hall of Fame classic vs latest Bose tech! More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross - The Anti Shill!: Small speaker, mighty sound, The Flex gen 2 shatters physics!
- Alan Ross - The Anti Shill!: DBSONO X-Blast F37 vs Bose Soundlink Flex 2 - They all want to be me 😊
- Mateusz Cholewa: JBL Charge Essential 3 SE vs BOSE SoundLink FLEX 2 More from Mateusz Cholewa →
- CEONTHEMAKING: Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd Gen VS Marshall Emberton III - What’s NEW?? More from CEONTHEMAKING →
- Tô Thái Trí Hùng: Unbox & Sound Test - Bose Soundlink Flex 2
- Musou1: JBL flip 7 vs KEF muo vs Bose flex 2
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Bose Soundlink Flex
- Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Tribit Xsound Plus 2
- Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs JBL Charge Essential 2
- Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Teufel Rockster XS
- Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Huawei Sound Joy
- Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Cleer Audio Scene
- Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Soundcore Boom 3i
- Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs JBL Charge Essential 3 SE
- See all 146 comparisons
Sony SRS-XB30: $199 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Sony ULT Field 3, ranked higher, rated 3.4/5, released Apr 2025. See every Sony XB and ULT generation.
Pros: A compact 1kg portable with IPX5 splash protection, aux input, LDAC/AAC support, Sony’s app, speakerphone capability, power-bank output, stereo pairing and Party Chain linking. It reaches a useful 95dB maximum level and has a claimed 24-hour battery life at moderate volume, making it a convenient older outdoor option. Measured bass extension of 55Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Independent lab listening rates music fidelity only fair: bass has impact but is boomy and lacks the deepest notes, while the midrange can sound hazy, muffled and grainy. Its micro-USB charging and older Bluetooth 4.2 platform now feel dated, so it is best considered for features and used-market value rather than sound quality. Discontinued.
Full Sony SRS-XB30 review and specifications →
| Released | Mar 2017 (9 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 20W |
| App | Yes (Sony Music Center) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 55Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9” x 3.2” x 3.4” (228 x 82 x 86 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 48mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| Maximum SPL | 95dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Partychain up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs (1000 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sony SRS-XB30 vs Soundcore Flare 2
- Sony SRS-XB30 vs Teufel Rockster Go
- Sony SRS-XB30 vs W-King D8 Mini
- Sony SRS-XB30 vs Marshall Emberton II
- Sony SRS-XB30 vs Marshall Emberton III
- Sony SRS-XB30 vs B&O Beosound Explore
- Sony SRS-XB30 vs Bose SoundLink Color II
- Sony SRS-XB30 vs Tribit Stormbox Mini+
- See all 90 comparisons