Short answer: the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen for better sound quality, the Xiaomi Sound Outdoor for the lower price. The Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen ranks #33 of 135 medium speakers at $129.99. The Xiaomi Sound Outdoor ranks #41 at $47.94, $82.05 cheaper.
The case for the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen: It sounds pretty much identical to the 1st gen. The tradeoff: it isn’t stereo, sounds warm with overly boosted bass that drowns out midrange detail, and self-drains about 10% of its battery a week.
What the Xiaomi Sound Outdoor gets right: It’s a pretty decent sounding speaker. Set against that: its bass is boosted and gets somewhat uncontrolled at high volumes.
Buy the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Xiaomi Sound Outdoor if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen | Xiaomi Sound Outdoor | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $129.99 | $47.94 |
| Ranked | #33 of 135 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #41 of 135 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) | Yes (Speakersync, up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 586 g | 1.3 lbs / 597 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.4 |
| Dimensions | 7.9" x 3.5" x 2" (201 x 90 x 52 mm) | 7.7" x 2.7" x 2.6" (196.6 x 68 x 66 mm) |
| Aux Input | No | - |
| Drivers | 60mm full-range driver with passive radiators | 20W woofer, 10W tweeter + 2x passive radiators |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | - | 30W |
The Two Speakers In Full
Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen: $129.99 Amazon
Pros: Pretty much identical sounding to the 1st gen
Cons: Not stereo. Warm sounding with overly boosted bass which drowns out midrange detail. Self drains the battery about 10% a week.
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 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 586 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Flex
- 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!
- CEONTHEMAKING: Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd Gen VS Marshall Emberton III - What’s NEW??
- Alan Ross - The Anti Shill!: Small speaker, mighty sound, The Flex gen 2 shatters physics!
- Reddit Search for Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Soundcore Boom 3i
- Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs JBL Charge 5 Wifi
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- Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Bogasing G4
- Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs W-King D320
- Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Harman Kardon Luna
- Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Tribit Maxsound Plus V1/V2/Thunderbox Plus
- See all 21 comparisons
Xiaomi Sound Outdoor: $47.94 Amazon
Pros: A pretty decent sounding speaker.
Cons: Boosted bass. Somewhat uncontrolled in the bass at high levels
Full Xiaomi Sound Outdoor review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.7" x 2.7" x 2.6" (196.6 x 68 x 66 mm) |
| Drivers | 20W woofer, 10W tweeter + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Output Power | 30W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Speakersync, up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 597 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons