Short answer: the Bose SoundLink Max. It ranks #17 of 82 large speakers by sound quality, rated 4.3/5, at $399. The Turtlebox Cub ranks #60, rated 3.0/5, at $330, $69 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The SoundLink Max has deep, rich bass to about 48Hz, but a big upper bass peak and a dipped midrange, and it distorts above about 80% volume. The Cub has only listening impressions so far: loud for its size, warm and bass-forward, with some bass loss at high volume.
Both are IP67 with a USB-C power bank. The Max adds an aux input with low latency. The Cub adds crush resistance, tie-downs and Party Mode.
Battery: Bose claims 20 hours and real world testing found over 40. Turtlebox claims 14+.
Weight: 2.2 kg for the Max, 2.4 kg for the Cub.
Buy the Bose SoundLink Max. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $69 saving on the Turtlebox Cub is not enough to make up the difference.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose SoundLink Max | Turtlebox Cub | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.00 | $330.00 |
| Ranked | #17 of 82 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #60 of 82 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | - |
| Aux Input | Yes | - |
| Aux Latency | 33ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 14+ hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 116ms | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Partially (1 tweeter) | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 4.9 lbs (2.2 kg) | 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| EQ | No | - |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Party Mode) |
| 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) | 8.6”H x 7.2”W x 5.7”D (218 x 183 x 146 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2.5” (63.5mm) midrange drivers + 1x 0.79” (20mm) tweeter | 1x 4.5” (114mm) woofer + 1x 1.3” (33mm) titanium tweeter |
| Digital Aux Input | No | - |
| Strap | No | - |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Bose SoundLink Max:
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Vifa Helsinki
- 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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
- 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 76 comparisons
Turtlebox Cub: $330.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: A compact, cube-shaped Turtlebox at 2.4 kg with a real two-way layout: a 4.5 inch woofer and a 1.3 inch titanium tweeter. Reviewers found it very loud for its size, with warm, bass-forward tuning and a bit more bass than the Turtlebox Ranger. IP67 waterproof and dustproof, crush and drop resistant, stainless steel tie-downs, a claimed 14+ hours from a 49.95Wh battery, USB-C charging with a power bank output, stereo pairing and Party Mode.
Cons: The evidence so far is listening impressions from two reviews, with no measurements or side by side tests against other brands. One reviewer found it loses bass at high volume, and it is not as loud as the full-size Turtlebox. Turtlebox’s claimed 118dB is a figure the brand’s larger speakers have not come close to at a standard one meter distance. It is also mono from one unit, and its recessed USB-C port only fits slim cable plugs.
Full Turtlebox Cub review and specifications →
| Battery Life | 14+ hours (Manufacturer specified) |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 8.6”H x 7.2”W x 5.7”D (218 x 183 x 146 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 4.5” (114mm) woofer + 1x 1.3” (33mm) titanium tweeter |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Mode) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Turtlebox Cub vs Marshall Stockwell III
- Turtlebox Cub vs Sony ULT Field 5
- Turtlebox Cub vs JBL Xtreme 4
- Turtlebox Cub vs Marshall Middleton
- Turtlebox Cub vs Bose SoundLink Plus
- Turtlebox Cub vs Teufel Rockster Cross 2
- Turtlebox Cub vs Soundcore Boom 2
- Turtlebox Cub vs Tribit Stormbox Lava
- See all 13 comparisons