Short answer: the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen on measured sound quality, the Tronsmart T8 on price. The Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen ranks #37 of 182 medium speakers, rated 3.8/5, at $159. The Tronsmart T8 ranks #54, rated 3.6/5, at $49.99, $109.01 cheaper.
The Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen is the lighter choice. A small, rugged waterproof speaker with clear, well balanced mids, app EQ, aptX Adaptive and stereo pairing with a second unit. At 1.3 lbs (586 g) it weighs noticeably less than the Tronsmart T8 at 1.8 lbs (800 g). Watch for: 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 Tronsmart T8 is the longer-running pick. An affordable waterproof speaker with upward firing drivers that spread sound around, plus lights, app EQ, an aux input and stereo pairing. It is rated for 18 hours of battery against 12 for the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen lacks. The catch: Against the Xiaomi Sound Outdoor, listeners in Mateusz Cholewa’s comparison found the T8 harsh and tiring, and Techder Audios’ test showed the Xiaomi Sound Party with deeper, heavier bass.
Buy the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Tronsmart T8 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Prices on this page were last checked November 14, 2026 at 6:17 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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Specifications Side By Side
| Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen | Tronsmart T8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $159.00 | $49.99 |
| Ranked | #37 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #54 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (Tronsmart) |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 18 hours at 50% volume, lights off (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | - |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) | Yes (app) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | Partially |
| Omnidirectional | No | Pointing up |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs (586 g) | 1.8 lbs (0.80 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 7.9” x 3.5” x 2” (201 x 90 x 52 mm) | 8.6”H x 3.2”W x 3.2”D (218 x 82 x 82 mm) |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Drivers | 60mm full-range driver with passive radiators | 2x upward firing full-range drivers + 1x woofer + 2x passive radiators |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | - |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) | Yes (lanyard) |
| Amplifier Power | - | 40W |
| Charging Time | - | 4.5 hours |
| Frequency Response | - | 56Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Lights | - | Yes |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
Where the Ratings Come From
- Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen: reviews by Joy & Oluv’Sone, Oluv and Alan Ross.
- Tronsmart T8: reviews by Mateusz Cholewa, Techder Audios and Jagist.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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