Short answer: the Soundcore Motion 100. It ranks #39 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $47; the Bose Soundlink Mini 2 ranks #55 and costs $184, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Bose Soundlink Mini 2 gets right: Compact aluminum build feels sturdy and dense. The tradeoff: Boosted upper bass like most Bose speakers.
What the Soundcore Motion 100 offers: Use Oluv’s EQ for the flattest response. Set against that: Not very deep bass, slight distortion.
One note: the Bose Soundlink Mini 2 is discontinued, but it still ranks #55 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality, ahead of most of what is still sold new, so it is worth considering used.
Buy the Soundcore Motion 100. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Bose Soundlink Mini 2 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If water resistance matters to you, the Soundcore Motion 100 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 Motion 100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $184.00 Discontinued | $47 |
| Ranked | #55 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #39 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~58Hz | 65Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None | IPX7 |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 680 g | 1.3 lbs / 575 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.3 |
| 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) | 7.5" x 3.1" x 2.4" (190 x 80 x 60 mm) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | AAC, LDAC, SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | No |
| Power Input | Proprietary connector | USB-C |
| App | Yes (Bose Connect) | Yes |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| EQ | - | Yes |
| Power Bank | - | No |
| TWS | - | Yes |
| Frequency Response | - | 50Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | - | 20W |
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- Bose Soundlink Mini vs Beats Pill 2024
- JBL Charge 5 vs Tribit Stormbox Pro
- Bose Soundlink Mini vs Sony XB33
- Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2 vs Bose Soundlink Mini 2
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs Xiaomi Mi Portable
The Two Speakers In Full
Bose Soundlink Mini 2: $184.00 Discontinued Amazon
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 |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- 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
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs Bose Soundlink Mini
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs Sony ULT Field 3
- 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 23 comparisons
Soundcore Motion 100: $47 Amazon
Pros: Use Oluv’s EQ for the flattest response
Cons: Not very deep bass, slight distortion. Real-world battery falls well short of the 12-hour claim at higher volumes (closer to 4 hours at max). Charging takes about 5 hours; no charge-out for other devices.
Full Soundcore Motion 100 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 65Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, LDAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.5" x 3.1" x 2.4" (190 x 80 x 60 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 20W |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 575 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Soundcore Motion 100 vs Tribit Stormbox Pro
- Soundcore Motion 100 vs Xiaomi Sound Outdoor
- Soundcore Motion 100 vs JBL Pulse 5
- Soundcore Motion 100 vs Soundcore Glow
- Soundcore Motion 100 vs JBL Charge Essential 2
- Soundcore Motion 100 vs Bose Soundlink Flex
- Soundcore Motion 100 vs Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen
- Soundcore Motion 100 vs Bose Soundlink Revolve+ II
- See all 22 comparisons