Short answer: the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen on measured sound quality, the Xdobo X8 on price. The Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen ranks #35 of 142 medium speakers at $159. The Xdobo X8 ranks #125 at $35, $124 cheaper.
What the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen offers: 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. 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 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.
What the Xdobo X8 offers: A compact 860g speaker with a useful practical feature set: IPX5 splash resistance, USB-C charging, aux and microSD playback, speakerphone and TWS pairing. Reviews consistently find it surprisingly loud and full-bodied for the size, making it a plausible inexpensive outdoor/background-music option. Watch for: The single full-range driver is the limitation. Reviews note a harsh midrange, rolled-off treble and audible distortion, while bass extension is only about 65Hz. It can play loud, but it does not have the clarity or control for attentive listening.
Buy the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen if sound quality is the priority over the price, or the Xdobo X8 if the price is the priority over sound quality.
Skip the Xdobo X8 if sound quality matters to you. It ranks near the bottom of the 142 medium speakers.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen | Xdobo X8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $159.00 | $35 |
| Ranked | #35 of 142 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #125 of 142 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | - |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) | - |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX5 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | - |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs (586 g) | 1.9 lbs (860 g) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 7.9" x 3.5" x 2" (201 x 90 x 52 mm) | 8.7" x 3.7" x 2.8" (220 x 95 x 72 mm) |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Drivers | 60mm full-range driver with passive radiators | 66mm full-range driver |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | ~65Hz |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
| Amplifier Power | - | 60W |
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 September 16, 2026 at 12:41 AM 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
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 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 |
| 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
- 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 Soundcore Boom 3i
- Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Soundcore Motion 100
- Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs JBL Charge 5
- See all 94 comparisons
Xdobo X8: $35 eBay
Pros: A compact 860g speaker with a useful practical feature set: IPX5 splash resistance, USB-C charging, aux and microSD playback, speakerphone and TWS pairing. Reviews consistently find it surprisingly loud and full-bodied for the size, making it a plausible inexpensive outdoor/background-music option. Measured bass extension of ~65Hz (-10dB).
Cons: The single full-range driver is the limitation. Reviews note a harsh midrange, rolled-off treble and audible distortion, while bass extension is only about 65Hz. It can play loud, but it does not have the clarity or control for attentive listening.
Full Xdobo X8 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 60W |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~65Hz |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.7" x 3.7" x 2.8" (220 x 95 x 72 mm) |
| Drivers | 66mm full-range driver |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.9 lbs (860 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons