Short answer: the Bose SoundLink Max for better sound quality, the onn Portable FM Boombox for the lower price. The Bose SoundLink Max ranks #17 of 77 large speakers at $309.99. The onn Portable FM Boombox ranks #23 at $74.83, $235.16 cheaper.
What the Bose SoundLink Max gets right: An IP67 rating for dust and water resistance to 1m, a claimed 20-hour battery that real-world testing found stretches past 43 hours, deep rich bass with neutral tuning and app EQ support, a USB-C port that can charge other devices, and a sturdy carry handle. Set against that: there’s a big peak in the upper bass, a dipped midrange with more peaks and dips above it, bass that doesn’t go as deep as the Boom 2, distortion above 80% volume, and the battery self-drains about 20% a week.
The case for the onn Portable FM Boombox: Exceptional value, reasonably deep bass (though not quite up to the JBL Xtreme 3, Soundcore Boom 2, or Tribit Stormbox Lava), an IPX7 rating that lets it float, FM radio with 10 presets, six multicolor LED lighting effects, and the ability to run on battery or corded power. The catch: its frequency response isn’t quite as smooth as the top-ranked speakers in its size class, and there’s no custom EQ.
Buy the Bose SoundLink Max if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the onn Portable FM Boombox if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose SoundLink Max | onn Portable FM Boombox | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $309.99 | $74.83 |
| Ranked | #17 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #23 of 77 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) | - |
| Weight | 4.9 lbs / 2.2 kg | 4.9 lbs / 2.22 kg |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| 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 |
| Output Power | Specs not published by manufacturer | 25W RMS (100W peak) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| FM Tuner | - | Yes (10 presets) |
| Removable Battery | - | No |
| Discontinued | - | No |
The Two Speakers In Full
Bose SoundLink Max: $309.99 Amazon
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.
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 |
| Output Power | Specs not published by manufacturer |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Partially (1 tweeter) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 4.9 lbs / 2.2 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Bose SoundLink Max & SoundCore Boom 2 - indoor soundtest
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Bose SoundLink Max & SoundCore Boom 2 - outdoor soundtest
- Alan Ross Reviews: Bose Max, the worlds most overpriced speaker? its a shocker!
- 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 😧
- 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.
- Reddit Search for Bose SoundLink Max Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Bose SoundLink Plus
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Dockin D Fine+ 2
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Mee audio PartySPKR
- Bose SoundLink Max vs JBL Xtreme 5
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Sony ULT Field 5
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Ultimate Ears Epicboom
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Tribit Xsound Mega
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Teufel Rockster
onn Portable FM Boombox: $74.83 Walmart
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.
Full onn Portable FM Boombox review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 13.8" x 5.9" x 7.7" (350 x 149 x 195 mm) |
| Discontinued | No |
| Drivers | 2 speakers |
| EQ | No |
| FM Tuner | Yes (10 presets) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Output Power | 25W RMS (100W peak) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Sync, pairs with 1 other onn. speaker) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Removable Battery | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 4.9 lbs / 2.22 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons