Short answer: the Minirig Mini 2, for eleven dollars more. It ranks #3 of 47 small speakers at $100. The Soundlink Flex ranks #34 of 135 medium speakers at $89, a weaker relative placement in a larger, more competitive class.
The Flex’s appeal is durability, not accuracy. IP67 rated, tough enough to survive drops from several feet, and it floats. Our notes describe the sound itself as warm with overly boosted bass that drowns out midrange detail.
The Mini 2 is the more neutral, deeper-reaching speaker, with the added flexibility of attaching a modular subwoofer later. Its real weaknesses are an unofficial water rating and an app and TWS pairing our notes call buggy.
Buy the Minirig Mini 2 for the more accurate sound and near-top ranking in its class. Buy the Soundlink Flex if Bose’s durability and party mode matter more than tonal accuracy.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose Soundlink Flex | Minirig Mini 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $89.00 | $100 |
| Ranked | #34 of 134 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #3 of 46 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz | 58Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | Splash resistant |
| Bluetooth Latency | 33ms | - |
| Max Volume | 96dB | 92dB |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | Proprietary USB cable |
| Stereo | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes (Bluetooth or cable) |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 589 g | 0.7 lbs / 320 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | - |
| Dimensions | 7.9" x 3.5" x 2.1" (201 x 90 x 52 mm) | 3.31" x 2.09" (84 x 53 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 60mm full-range driver + 2x passive radiators | 52mm custom neodymium |
| Aux Input | - | Yes |
| Aux Latency | - | 0ms |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | aptX, AAC, SBC |
| Power Bank | - | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 65Hz - 16kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Charging Time | - | 2.5-3.5 hours |
| Output Power | - | 15W |
The Two Speakers In Full
Bose Soundlink Flex: $89.00 Amazon
Pros: IP67 rated; rugged enough to survive drops from several feet and floats. Around 12 hours of battery at moderate volume.
Cons: Not stereo. Warm sounding with overly boosted bass which drowns out midrange detail
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 33ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Dimensions | 7.9" x 3.5" x 2.1" (201 x 90 x 52 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 60mm full-range driver + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 96dB |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 589 g |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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- Alan Ross Reviews: Beats Pill vs Harman Luna vs Bose Flex vs Soundcore Motion Plus
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- Alan Ross Reviews: Bose Soundlink Flex vs Soundcore Boost vs Bogasing M4 - cheap or Bose?
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- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Tribit Stormbox Flow vs Soundcore Motion 300 (LDAC) 😵 Budget Bose Soundlink Flex “Inspired” Speakers
- Oluv Patreon: Soundcore Motion 300 = Bose Soundlink Flex = Earfun UBoom L?
- Alan Ross Reviews: Bose Soundlink Flex or JBL Flip 6 (eq adjusted) or Denon Envaya - best speaker for travel!
- Alan Ross Reviews: Bose Soundlink Flex or Beosound A1 (1st gen) - ultimate compact speaker 😇
- Alan Ross Reviews: Bose Soundlink Flex or JBL Flip 6 (eq adjusted) or Denon Envaya - best speaker for travel!
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Tribit Stormbox Flow vs Soundcore Motion 300 (LDAC) 😵 Budget Bose Soundlink Flex “Inspired” Speakers
- Patricio Benadon: Bose SoundLink Flex vs. Mini 2 SE. Music audio quality sound test. Listen 4 different genres!
- Patricio Benadon: Bose SoundLink Flex vs. Mini 2 SE. Music audio quality sound test. Listen 4 different genres!
- Danny Pops: BEST Bose Speaker?? Bose Soundlink Flex vs micro, Color II, and revolve +
- Alan Ross Reviews: Bose Soundlink Flex vs Minirig MK3 and Marshall Emberton - best bluetooth speaker?
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: JBL, Bose, B&O, Sonos, Earfun, SoundCore… which portable speaker sounds best?
- Alan Ross - The Anti Shill!: Small speaker, mighty sound, The Flex gen 2 shatters physics!
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Links
Minirig Mini 2: $100 Minirigs
Pros: Very neutral. Much deeper bass than most other speakers in the size. Modular, can easily attach a subwoofer.
Cons: Calls itself splash resistant and has no official water rating. App is buggy. Wireless TWS pairing is buggy.
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 0ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | aptX, AAC, SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Charging Time | 2.5-3.5 hours |
| Dimensions | 3.31" x 2.09" (84 x 53 mm) |
| Drivers | 52mm custom neodymium |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 16kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | Splash resistant |
| Max Volume | 92dB |
| Output Power | 15W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | Proprietary USB cable |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes (Bluetooth or cable) |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs / 320 g |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Links
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Product prices and availability were last checked August 9, 2026 at 6:57 AM UTC 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.