Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Soundcore Flare 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 Soundcore Flare 2 ranks #134 (rated 2.6/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.

Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Soundcore Flare 2

The Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen is the better-sounding 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 supports aptX Adaptive Bluetooth, which the Soundcore Flare 2 lacks. 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 Soundcore Flare 2: Try Alan Ross’s EQ for it. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen. The catch: Rolled off treble.

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

Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.

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

Specifications Side By Side

Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen Soundcore Flare 2
Price$99.99$80 Discontinued
Ranked#37 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers#134 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
AppYesYes
Battery Life12 hours (Manufacturer specified)12 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Built-in MicrophoneYesYes
EQYes (3 band)Yes
IP RatingIP67IPX7
Party ModeYes (Bose Party mode)Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers)
Power InputUSB-CUSB-C
StereoNoYes
OmnidirectionalNoPointing up
TWSYesYes
Weight1.3 lbs (586 g)1.3 lbs (600 g)
BluetoothYesYes
Bluetooth Version5.35.0
Dimensions7.9” x 3.5” x 2” (201 x 90 x 52 mm)3.5” x 3.5” x 6.3” (89 x 89 x 160 mm)
Aux InputNoNo
Drivers60mm full-range driver with passive radiators2x full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators
Bluetooth CodecsSBC, AAC, aptX AdaptiveSBC
Digital Aux InputNoNo
StrapYes (built-in loop)-
Bass Extension (-10dB)-56Hz
Bluetooth Latency-80ms
Maximum SPL-99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)
Amplifier Power-20W
Lights-Yes
Check Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen price at Amazon ($99.99) →

More top alternatives to Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen:

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 →

Soundcore Flare 2: $80 Discontinued eBay

Soundcore Flare 2 ranking card

Pros: Try Alan Ross’s EQ for it. Measured bass extension of 56Hz (-10dB).

Cons: Rolled off treble. Thuddy bass. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear. Discontinued and no longer sold new.

Full Soundcore Flare 2 review and specifications →

ReleasedJan 2020 (6 years ago)
Amplifier Power20W
AppYes
Aux InputNo
Bass Extension (-10dB)56Hz
Battery Life12 hours (Manufacturer specified)
BluetoothYes
Bluetooth CodecsSBC
Bluetooth Latency80ms
Bluetooth Version5.0
Built-in MicrophoneYes
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions3.5” x 3.5” x 6.3” (89 x 89 x 160 mm)
Drivers2x full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators
EQYes
IP RatingIPX7
LightsYes
Maximum SPL99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)
OmnidirectionalPointing up
Party ModeYes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers)
Power InputUSB-C
StereoYes
TWSYes
Weight1.3 lbs (600 g)
Search eBay for Soundcore Flare 2 →