Short answer: the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen, if you are buying new. The Tribit Maxsound Plus ranks higher than it (#22 vs #36 of 157 medium speakers, 4.1/5 vs 3.8/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen is still sold new at $159.
Where the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen shines: it sounds pretty much identical to the 1st gen. The compromise: it’s not stereo, sounds warm with overly boosted bass that drowns out midrange detail, and self-drains its battery about 10% a week.
The appeal of the Tribit Maxsound Plus: switching to Xbass mode gets the flattest frequency response, and all three versions sound exactly the same. That’s offset by: bass is slightly less deep than the best in the category.
Buy the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen if you want one new; the Tribit Maxsound Plus is discontinued, so only look for it used.
Battery life favors the Tribit Maxsound Plus: rated for 20 hours against 12 hours for the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen | Tribit Maxsound Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $159.00 | $79.99 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #36 of 157 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #22 of 157 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs (586 g) | 1.3 lbs (595 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 4.2 |
| Dimensions | 7.9” x 3.5” x 2” (201 x 90 x 52 mm) | 2.6” x 7.8” x 2.7” (65 x 198 x 68 mm) |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Drivers | 60mm full-range driver with passive radiators | 2x 44mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive | SBC |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 58Hz |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 160ms |
| Maximum SPL | - | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Power Bank | - | No |
| Amplifier Power | - | 24W |
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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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Tribit Maxsound Plus: $79.99 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Tribit Xsound Plus 2, ranked lower, rated 3.9/5.
Pros: Use XBass mode for flattest frequency response and balanced audio reproduction. 24W output with dual 44mm drivers and dual passive radiators. Up to 20 hours battery life and IPX7 waterproof casing. Measured bass extension of 58Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Slightly less deep bass than modern class leaders. No true wireless stereo pairing between two units (introduced on the V2). Discontinued; superseded by Maxsound Plus V2 and XSound Plus 2.
Full Tribit Maxsound Plus review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 24W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 160ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 2.6” x 7.8” x 2.7” (65 x 198 x 68 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 44mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs (595 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: All Tribit Speakers Compared - Maxsound Plus, Stormbox, Xsound Go, Maxboom More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Flow has deeper bass than the Bose Flex but………..
- Alan Ross Reviews: Anker Soundcore 3 vs Tribit Maxsound Plus - Best £50 speaker
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Maxsound Plus v1 vs V2 - upgraded Maxsound Plus tested! 🏅
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