Short answer: the onn Portable FM Boombox on value, the Bose SoundLink Max on sound and battery. The onn is called exceptional value with reasonably deep bass, an IPX7 rating that lets it float, FM radio with 10 presets and six LED effects, though its response is less smooth and it has no custom EQ. The Bose answers with deep, neutral bass, app EQ, IP67 protection and a battery that tested past 43 hours, though it distorts above 80% volume.
Buy the Bose SoundLink Max if sound quality is the priority over the price, or the onn Portable FM Boombox if the price is the priority over sound quality.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose SoundLink Max | onn Portable FM Boombox | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.00 | $74.83 |
| Ranked | #17 of 83 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #26 of 83 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 33ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 116ms | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Partially (1 tweeter) | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 4.9 lbs (2.2 kg) | 4.9 lbs (2.22 kg) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| EQ | No | No |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Party Sync, pairs with 1 other onn. speaker) |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | - |
| Dimensions | 10.4” x 4.7” x 4.1” (264.7 x 120.1 x 104.9 mm) | 13.8” x 5.9” x 7.7” (350 x 149 x 195 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2.5” (63.5mm) midrange drivers + 1x 0.79” (20mm) tweeter | 2 speakers |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | - |
| Amplifier Power | - | 25W RMS (100W peak) |
| FM Tuner | - | Yes (10 presets) |
| Removable Battery | - | No |
| Lights | - | Yes |
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How Bose SoundLink Max compares with other leading options:
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- Bose SoundLink Max vs JBL Xtreme 5
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Tribit Stormbox Lava
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Brane X
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Minirig 4 with subwoofer
Prices on this page were last checked September 26, 2026 at 11:14 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: $399.00 Amazon eBay
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 Boom 2. Gets distorted above 80%. Self drains the battery about 20% a week.
Full Bose SoundLink Max review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 33ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| 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
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onn Portable FM Boombox: $74.83 Walmart eBay
Pros: Extremely good value. Reasonably deep bass, though not as deep as something like the JBL Xtreme 3, Soundcore Boom 2, or Tribit Stormbox Lava. IPX7 waterproof and floats. FM radio with 10 presets. 6 multicolor LED lighting effects. Can run on battery or corded power.
Cons: Reasonable frequency response, but not quite as smooth as some of the top-ranked speakers in this size. No custom EQ. Only available in the United States and Canada.
Full onn Portable FM Boombox review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 25W RMS (100W peak) |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 13.8” x 5.9” x 7.7” (350 x 149 x 195 mm) |
| Drivers | 2 speakers |
| EQ | No |
| FM Tuner | Yes (10 presets) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Sync, pairs with 1 other onn. speaker) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Removable Battery | No |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 4.9 lbs (2.22 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- onn Portable FM Boombox vs Bose SoundLink Plus
- onn Portable FM Boombox vs Soundcore Motion X500
- onn Portable FM Boombox vs Sonos Move 2
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- onn Portable FM Boombox vs Marshall Middleton II
- onn Portable FM Boombox vs Soundcore Rave Neo 2
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- onn Portable FM Boombox vs LG Xboom Bounce
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