Short answer: the Xiaomi Sound Outdoor. It ranks #41 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $56.80; the Bose Soundlink Mini 2 ranks #55 and costs $184, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the Bose Soundlink Mini 2: Compact aluminum build feels sturdy and dense. The catch: Boosted upper bass like most Bose speakers.
On the Xiaomi Sound Outdoor side: A pretty decent sounding speaker. Watch for: Boosted bass. Somewhat uncontrolled in the bass at high levels.
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 Xiaomi Sound Outdoor. 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 Xiaomi Sound Outdoor at IP67 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the Bose Soundlink Mini 2 at no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose Soundlink Mini 2 | Xiaomi Sound Outdoor | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $184.00 Discontinued | $56.80 |
| Ranked | #55 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #41 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~58Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None | IP67 |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 680 g | 1.3 lbs / 597 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.4 |
| Drivers | 2x 33mm fullrange | 20W woofer, 10W tweeter + 2x passive radiators |
| Dimensions | 7.1" x 2" x 2.3" (180 x 51 x 58 mm) | 7.7" x 2.7" x 2.6" (196.6 x 68 x 66 mm) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Power Input | Proprietary connector | USB-C |
| App | Yes (Bose Connect) | No |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| EQ | - | No |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (Speakersync, up to 100 speakers) |
| TWS | - | Yes |
| Frequency Response | - | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | - | 30W |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Bose Soundlink Mini vs Sony XB33
- Soundcore Motion 100 vs JBL Pulse 5
- JBL Charge 4 vs Bose Soundlink Mini
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs Xiaomi Mi Portable
- Tribit Stormbox Flow vs Bose Soundlink Mini 2
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
Xiaomi Sound Outdoor: $56.80 Amazon
Pros: A pretty decent sounding speaker.
Cons: Boosted bass. Somewhat uncontrolled in the bass at high levels
Full Xiaomi Sound Outdoor review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.7" x 2.7" x 2.6" (196.6 x 68 x 66 mm) |
| Drivers | 20W woofer, 10W tweeter + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 30W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Speakersync, up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 597 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Xiaomi Sound Outdoor vs Tribit Stormbox Pro
- Xiaomi Sound Outdoor vs JBL Pulse 5
- Xiaomi Sound Outdoor vs Soundcore Motion 100
- Xiaomi Sound Outdoor vs Soundcore Glow
- Xiaomi Sound Outdoor vs Bose Soundlink Revolve+ II
- Xiaomi Sound Outdoor vs Bose Soundlink Revolve+
- Xiaomi Sound Outdoor vs JBL Charge Essential 2
- Xiaomi Sound Outdoor vs Bose Soundlink Flex
- See all 18 comparisons