Short answer: the Bose Soundlink Micro. It ranks #19 of 47 small speakers by sound quality at $84; the Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 ranks #42 and costs $100, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
What the Bose Soundlink Micro offers: Rugged rubberized coating, IP67 rated (1m submersion for 30 minutes). Very compact and pocketable at 0.68 lb. Watch for: Lack of clarity. Overly boosted bass
What the Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 offers: Doubles as a hands-free speakerphone and USB power bank. Metal grille with a faux-leather back and a small kickstand. 8-10 hour battery life. Watch for: Huge lack of bass. Sounds very thin and tinny at high volume
Buy the Bose Soundlink Micro. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 and costs less, so the other one has nothing left to offer.
Skip the Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 if sound quality matters to you. It ranks near the bottom of the 47 small speakers.
Water resistance is not close: the Bose Soundlink Micro is rated at IP67 (brief submersion), well ahead of the Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 at no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose Soundlink Micro | Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $84.00 | $100 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #19 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #42 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 66Hz | ~120Hz |
| Battery Life | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | No | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | None |
| Bluetooth Latency | 50ms | - |
| Max Volume | 90dB | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) | No |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | Micro USB | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Pointing up |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs / 289 g | 0.6 lbs / 250 g |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 4.2 |
| Dimensions | 3.9" x 3.9" x 1.4" (98 x 98 x 35 mm) | 5.5" x 3" x 1" (140 x 75.2 x 26.1 mm) |
| Drivers | 40mm with dual passive radiators | 2x 44.5mm (~1.75") full-range drivers |
| Charging Time | 3 hours | 3 hours |
| Output Power | 5W | 8W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 130Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
A few more comparisons worth a look in the same class:
- Harman Kardon Neo vs Lenovo 700 Ultraportable Bluetooth Speaker
- Klipsch Austin vs Harman Kardon Neo
- Soundcore Boom Go 3i vs Harman Kardon Neo
- Bose Soundlink Micro vs Minirig Mini 2
- Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 vs Lenovo 700 Ultraportable Bluetooth Speaker
Prices on this page were last checked August 27, 2026 at 10:09 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 Micro: $84.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: Rugged rubberized coating, IP67 rated (1m submersion for 30 minutes). Very compact and pocketable at 0.68 lb.
Cons: Lack of clarity. Overly boosted bass
Full Bose Soundlink Micro review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 66Hz |
| Battery Life | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 50ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Charging Time | 3 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.9" x 3.9" x 1.4" (98 x 98 x 35 mm) |
| Drivers | 40mm with dual passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 90dB |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Output Power | 5W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs / 289 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2: $100 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Doubles as a hands-free speakerphone and USB power bank. Metal grille with a faux-leather back and a small kickstand. 8-10 hour battery life.
Cons: Huge lack of bass. Sounds very thin and tinny at high volume. Discontinued.
Full Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~120Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Charging Time | 3 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 5.5" x 3" x 1" (140 x 75.2 x 26.1 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 44.5mm (~1.75") full-range drivers |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 130Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Output Power | 8W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs / 250 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 vs Harman Kardon Neo
- Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 vs Lenovo 700 Ultraportable Bluetooth Speaker
- Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 vs Sony SRS-XB12
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- Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 vs Xiaomi Mi Portable Mini
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- Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 vs JBL Clip
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