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 103 large speakers by sound quality at $279; the Bose SoundLink Home ranks #73 of 167 medium speakers by sound quality at $179.
The Bose SoundLink Max is the longer-running, tougher option. IP67 rated: dustproof and waterproof to 1m. It is rated for 20 hours of battery against 9 for the Bose SoundLink Home. It is rated IP67, while the Bose SoundLink Home has no water resistance. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Bose SoundLink Home lacks. Watch for: Big peak in the upper bass, dipped midrange and lots of peaks and dips above the midrange.
The Bose SoundLink Home is the lighter choice. Delivers remarkably even on-axis midrange and treble linearity, rendering vocals, podcasts, and acoustic instruments clearly without harshness. At 2 lbs (890 g) 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. The tradeoff: Single full-range driver produces mono sound with limited soundstage width, and it lacks true deep sub-bass rumble.
Buy the Bose SoundLink Max ($279) for a large speaker; the Bose SoundLink Home ($179) suits a medium speaker instead.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose SoundLink Max | Bose SoundLink Home | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $279.00 | $179.00 |
| Ranked | #17 of 103 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #73 of 167 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Aux Latency | 33ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 9 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | None |
| Bluetooth Latency | 116ms | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Partially (1 tweeter) | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 4.9 lbs (2.2 kg) | 2 lbs (890 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC |
| EQ | No | No |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 10.4” x 4.7” x 4.1” (264.7 x 120.1 x 104.9 mm) | 8.5” x 4.4” x 2.3” (216 x 112 x 58 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2.5” (63.5mm) midrange drivers + 1x 0.79” (20mm) tweeter | 1x full-range transducer with dual passive radiators |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C audio) |
| Strap | No | No |
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- Bose SoundLink Max vs Brane X
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Minirig 4 with subwoofer
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 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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The Two Speakers In Full
Bose SoundLink Max: $279.00 Amazon eBay
Same family: the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen (smaller model, rated 3.8/5), the Bose Soundlink Micro 2 (larger model, rated 3.6/5) and the Bose SoundLink Plus (larger model, ranked lower, rated 4.2/5). See every Bose SoundLink Flex, Micro, Max and Plus generation.
Pros: IP67 rated: dustproof and waterproof to 1m. Up to 20 hour battery; real-world testing found 43+ hours. Deep, rich bass with neutral tuning, app EQ. USB-C doubles as device charger. Sturdy carry handle. The aux input has lower latency (about 33ms) than most Bluetooth connections. Measured bass extension of 48Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Big peak in the upper bass, dipped midrange and lots of peaks and dips above the midrange. Bass not as deep as a Soundcore Boom 2. Gets distorted above 80%. Self drains the battery about 20% a week.
Full Bose SoundLink Max review and specifications →
| Released | May 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 33ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 116ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10.4” x 4.7” x 4.1” (264.7 x 120.1 x 104.9 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2.5” (63.5mm) midrange drivers + 1x 0.79” (20mm) tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Partially (1 tweeter) |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 4.9 lbs (2.2 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Bose SoundLink Max & SoundCore Boom 2 - indoor soundtest More from Oluv’Sone →
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Bose SoundLink Max & SoundCore Boom 2 - outdoor soundtest
- Alan Ross Reviews: Bose Max, the worlds most overpriced speaker? its a shocker! More from alanrossreviews →
- Oluv Patreon: Marshall Middleton II - first impressions
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Bose SoundLink Max vs. Ultimate Ears EpicBoom 🤑Big Bucks No Whammies? 💣 Let’s Find Out 😧 More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Bose SoundLink Max vs Tribit XSound Mega 😲 Can the Budget Priced Speaker Hang With the Big $ One?
- Scott’s Reviews: Bose SoundLink Max First Impressions, Unboxing, and Sound Test. More from ScottsReviews →
- Mateusz Cholewa: BOGASING S8 Pro Max 100W vs BOSE Soundlink MAX More from Mateusz Cholewa →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Bose SoundLink Max vs B&O Beoplay A2 active
- Bose SoundLink Max vs JBL Xtreme 3
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Soundcore Motion X600
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Soundcore Select Pro
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Soundcore Motion Boom
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Loewe We. Hear Pro
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Soundcore Rave Neo 2
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Harman Kardon Citation 200
- See all 87 comparisons
Bose SoundLink Home: $179.00 Bose eBay
Pros: Delivers remarkably even on-axis midrange and treble linearity, rendering vocals, podcasts, and acoustic instruments clearly without harshness. Dual passive radiators provide punchy mid-bass down to ~65Hz that sounds full and warm for its compact 890g size. Premium anodized aluminum enclosure with a built-in stand, USB-C digital audio input for wired playback from computers, and a built-in microphone for speakerphone calls. Supports wireless stereo pairing when linked with a second unit.
Cons: Single full-range driver produces mono sound with limited soundstage width, and it lacks true deep sub-bass rumble. There is no companion app support or customizable EQ to adjust the tonal balance. Battery life is rated at only 9 hours, and recharging takes up to 4 hours via USB-C. Unlike most portable SoundLink models, it has no IP water or dust resistance rating and no 3.5mm analog auxiliary input.
Full Bose SoundLink Home review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 9 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C audio) |
| Dimensions | 8.5” x 4.4” x 2.3” (216 x 112 x 58 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x full-range transducer with dual passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2 lbs (890 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons