Short answer: these are close enough that price should decide. These rank #62 and #64 out of 151 medium speakers, separated by just 2 spot and $57.99.
Both speakers are discontinued and share the same core sound signature. Our notes describe the same boosted upper bass typical of Bose, a rolled-off upper treble, and bass that doesn’t go as deep as rivals, on both models. Mainboard failures are noted as a common issue on both as well. The Mini 2 does measure 2dB less boosted in the bass than the original Mini, a small but real refinement.
The hardware changed more than the sound did. The Mini 2 uses two 33mm full-range drivers where the original Mini uses a single 50mm full-range driver with passive radiators. The Mini 2 also adds multipoint pairing, connecting to two devices at once and remembering up to eight, which the original Mini does not offer. The original Mini instead ships with a charging cradle in the box.
Everything else matches: both have the same compact aluminum build that our notes call sturdy and dense, the same 10-hour battery life, the same aux input, and the same Bose Connect app.
Buy the Bose Soundlink Mini 2 if you want multipoint pairing and the slightly less boosted bass, and don’t mind paying more for a used unit.
Buy the original Bose Soundlink Mini if you can find one for meaningfully less, since the sound signature and build are close enough that the price difference is hard to justify.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose Soundlink Mini 2 | Bose Soundlink Mini | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $182.99 Discontinued | $125.00 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #62 of 151 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #64 of 151 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~58Hz | ~58Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None | None |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs (680 g) | 1.5 lbs (680 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | - |
| Drivers | 2x 33mm fullrange | 50mm full-range driver with passive radiators |
| Dimensions | 7.1” x 2” x 2.3” (180 x 51 x 58 mm) | 7.1” x 2” x 2.3” (180 x 51 x 58 mm) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Power Input | Proprietary connector | Proprietary connector |
| App | Yes (Bose Connect) | Yes (Bose Connect) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| EQ | No | No |
| Strap | No | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Bose Soundlink Mini 2:
- Soundcore Motion 300 vs Bose Soundlink Mini 2
- Soundcore Motion+ vs Bose Soundlink Mini 2
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs Bose Soundlink Mini 2
- JBL Charge 6 vs Bose Soundlink Mini 2
- JBL Flip 6 vs Bose Soundlink Mini 2
Prices on this page were last checked October 2, 2026 at 10:18 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 Mini 2: $182.99 Discontinued Amazon eBay
Pros: Compact aluminum build feels sturdy and dense. ~10 hour battery life; can pair to two devices at once and remembers up to 8. Measured bass extension of ~58Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Boosted upper bass like most Bose speakers. Upper treble rolled off. Bass is 2db less boosted than the Mini. Bass doesn’t go as deep as others. Failures of the mainboard are common. Discontinued.
Full Bose Soundlink Mini 2 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Bose Connect) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~58Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.1” x 2” x 2.3” (180 x 51 x 58 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 33mm fullrange |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Input | Proprietary connector |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs (680 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs Sony ULT Field 3
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs Turtlebox Ranger
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs Xiaomi Mi Portable
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs Sony XB33
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs JBL Charge 4
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs Tribit Stormbox Flow
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs Bose Soundlink Revolve
- See all 76 comparisons
Bose Soundlink Mini: $125.00 Discontinued Amazon eBay
Pros: Compact aluminum build feels sturdy and dense. Comes with a charging cradle. Measured bass extension of ~58Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Boosted upper bass like most Bose speakers. Upper treble rolled off. Bass doesn’t go as deep as others. Failures of the mainboard are common. Discontinued.
Full Bose Soundlink Mini review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Bose Connect) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~58Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.1” x 2” x 2.3” (180 x 51 x 58 mm) |
| Drivers | 50mm full-range driver with passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Input | Proprietary connector |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs (680 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Bose Soundlink Mini vs Sony ULT Field 3
- Bose Soundlink Mini vs Xiaomi Mi Portable
- Bose Soundlink Mini vs Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2
- Bose Soundlink Mini vs Sony XB33
- Bose Soundlink Mini vs Turtlebox Ranger
- Bose Soundlink Mini vs Beats Pill 2024
- Bose Soundlink Mini vs JBL Flip 5
- Bose Soundlink Mini vs JBL Charge 4
- See all 76 comparisons