Short answer: the Bose Soundlink Mini 2 if sound quality matters most, the Soundcore Flare 2 if price matters most. The Bose Soundlink Mini 2 ranks #55 of 136 medium speakers at $184. The Soundcore Flare 2 ranks #105 at $80, $104 cheaper.
What the Bose Soundlink Mini 2 offers: Compact aluminum build feels sturdy and dense. ~10 hour battery life; can pair to two devices at once and remembers up to 8. Watch for: 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.
What the Soundcore Flare 2 offers: Try Alan Ross’s EQ for it Watch for: Rolled off treble. Thuddy bass. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear.
Buy the Bose Soundlink Mini 2 if sound quality is the priority over the price, or the Soundcore Flare 2 if the price is the priority over sound quality.
Skip the Soundcore Flare 2 if sound quality matters to you. It ranks near the bottom of the 136 medium speakers.
If water resistance matters to you, the Soundcore Flare 2 at IPX7 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the Bose Soundlink Mini 2 at no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose Soundlink Mini 2 | Soundcore Flare 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $184.00 Discontinued | $80 |
| Ranked | #55 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #105 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~58Hz | 56Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None | IPX7 |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | Pointing up |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 680 g | 1.3 lbs / 600 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.0 |
| Drivers | 2x 33mm fullrange | 2x full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| Dimensions | 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 | USB-C |
| App | Yes (Bose Connect) | Yes |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| EQ | - | Yes |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 80ms |
| Max Volume | - | 99dB |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| TWS | - | Yes |
| Output Power | - | 20W |
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- JBL Flip 5 vs Sony SRS-XB30
- Bose Soundlink Mini vs Sony SRS-XE300
- Sony SRS-XB30 vs Tribit Stormbox
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- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs JBL Charge 3
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 Mini 2: $184.00 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.
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 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) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 33mm fullrange |
| IP Rating | None |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Input | Proprietary connector |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 680 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross: Hall of Fame classic vs latest Bose tech! More from alanrossreviews →
- Patricio Benadon: Bose SoundLink Flex vs. Mini 2 SE. Music audio quality sound test. Listen 4 different genres!
- techkiste.net: Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs the world ;) (Denon Envaya DSB250, Vifa Reykjavik, iRoar Go)
- Reddit Search for Bose Soundlink Mini 2 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- 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
- See all 75 comparisons
Soundcore Flare 2: $80 Amazon eBay
Pros: Try Alan Ross’s EQ for it
Cons: Rolled off treble. Thuddy bass. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear.
Full Soundcore Flare 2 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 80ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Drivers | 2x full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 99dB |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Output Power | 20W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 600 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs Sony SRS-XB30
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs W-King D8 Mini
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs Teufel Rockster Go
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs B&O Beosound Explore
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs Marshall Emberton II
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs Tribit Stormbox Mini+
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs Sony SRS-XE200
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- See all 73 comparisons