Different classes, so treat this as a step-up-or-not question rather than a head-to-head. The Bose SoundLink Max ranks #17 of 120 large speakers by sound quality at $399; the Bose Portable Smart Speaker ranks #75 of 179 medium speakers by sound quality at $399.
The Bose SoundLink Max is the longer-running, tougher choice. A rugged waterproof speaker with deep bass, a very long real world battery and a port that charges your phone. It is rated for 20 hours of battery against 12 for the Bose Portable Smart Speaker. It is rated IP67 against IPX4 for the Bose Portable Smart Speaker. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Bose Portable Smart Speaker lacks. Watch for: Big peak in the upper bass, dipped midrange and lots of peaks and dips above the midrange.
The Bose Portable Smart Speaker is the lighter pick. A smart speaker with Alexa and Google Assistant built in that streams over Wi-Fi at home and Bluetooth on the go. At 2.3 lbs (1.06 kg) it weighs much less than the Bose SoundLink Max at 4.9 lbs (2.2 kg). It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the Bose SoundLink Max lacks. It links with other speakers (Bose Music multi-room, SimpleSync, AirPlay 2), which the Bose SoundLink Max cannot. The tradeoff: RTINGS found the out of the box tuning boomy and says it doesn’t get very loud; the app’s bass and treble sliders help, and SoundGuys recommended cutting bass by 10 to 20 steps to balance it.
Buy the Bose SoundLink Max at $399 if you want a large speaker. Buy the Bose Portable Smart Speaker at $399 if you want a medium speaker instead.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Prices on this page were last checked November 11, 2026 at 3:26 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose SoundLink Max | Bose Portable Smart Speaker | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.00 | $399.00 |
| Ranked | #17 of 120 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #75 of 179 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (Bose Music) |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Aux Latency | 33ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes (far-field mic array, mic mute button) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX4 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 116ms | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Partially (1 tweeter) | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Pointing up |
| Weight | 4.9 lbs (2.2 kg) | 2.3 lbs (1.06 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC |
| EQ | No | Yes (Bass/Treble) |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Bose Music multi-room, SimpleSync, AirPlay 2) |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 4.2 |
| Dimensions | 10.4” x 4.7” x 4.1” (264.7 x 120.1 x 104.9 mm) | 7.6” x 4.7” x 4.1” (192 x 119 x 104 mm) (H x W x D) |
| Drivers | 2x 2.5” (63.5mm) midrange drivers + 1x 0.79” (20mm) tweeter | 1x high-excursion driver with 360-degree deflector + 3x passive radiators |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | No |
| Wi-Fi | - | Yes |
| Voice Assistants | - | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant |
| Streaming Services | - | AirPlay 2, Chromecast built-in, Spotify Connect, Amazon Music, Pandora, SiriusXM, TuneIn |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Bose SoundLink Max: