Short answer: the Bose Soundlink Revolve for better sound quality, the Bose Soundlink Mini for the lower price. The Bose Soundlink Revolve ranks #48 of 136 medium speakers at $220. The Bose Soundlink Mini ranks #56 at $128.67, $91.33 cheaper.
What the Bose Soundlink Mini offers: Compact aluminum build feels sturdy and dense. Set against that: Boosted upper bass like most Bose speakers.
The case for the Bose Soundlink Revolve: True 360° sound stays consistent no matter where you stand around it, unlike most portable speakers. The catch: Not stereo. Strange sizzling treble, peaks and dips.
One note: the Bose Soundlink Mini is discontinued, but it still ranks #56 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality, ahead of most of what is still sold new, so it is worth considering used.
Buy the Bose Soundlink Mini if the price matters more than sound quality. Buy the Bose Soundlink Revolve if sound quality matters more than the price.
If water resistance matters to you, the Bose Soundlink Revolve at IPX4 (splashing) holds up far better than the Bose Soundlink Mini at no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose Soundlink Mini | Bose Soundlink Revolve | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $128.67 Discontinued | $220.00 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #56 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #48 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~58Hz | 60Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None | IPX4 |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Yes |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 680 g | 1.5 lbs / 660 g |
| Dimensions | 7.1" x 2" x 2.3" (180 x 51 x 58 mm) | 3.2" x 6" x 3.2" (82 x 152 x 82 mm) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Power Input | Proprietary connector | Micro USB |
| App | Yes (Bose Connect) | Bose Connect |
| Drivers | 50mm full-range driver with passive radiators | 1x omnidirectional full-range transducer (~45mm) + 2x passive radiators |
| Discontinued | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 64.5Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| TWS | - | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 4.2 |
| EQ | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- JBL Charge 6 vs Sony ULT Field 3
- JBL Xtreme 3 vs Sony ULT Field 3
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs Sonos Roam
- Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Bose Soundlink Revolve
- Bose Soundlink Revolve vs JBL Charge Essential 2
The Two Speakers In Full
Bose Soundlink Mini: $128.67 Discontinued Amazon
Pros: Compact aluminum build feels sturdy and dense. Comes with a charging cradle.
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 Codecs | SBC |
| 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 | 50mm full-range driver with passive radiators |
| 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
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Bose Soundlink Mini vs Sony ULT Field 3
- Bose Soundlink Mini vs Bose Soundlink Mini 2
- Bose Soundlink Mini vs Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2
- Bose Soundlink Mini vs Xiaomi Mi Portable
- Bose Soundlink Mini vs Sony XB33
- Bose Soundlink Mini vs Beats Pill 2024
- Bose Soundlink Mini vs JBL Charge 4
- Bose Soundlink Mini vs JBL Flip 5
- See all 22 comparisons
Bose Soundlink Revolve: $220.00 Discontinued Amazon
Pros: True 360° sound stays consistent no matter where you stand around it, unlike most portable speakers.
Cons: Not stereo. Strange sizzling treble, peaks and dips. Overly boosted boomy bass at 75hz. Discontinued.
Full Bose Soundlink Revolve review and specifications →
| App | Bose Connect |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64.5Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.2" x 6" x 3.2" (82 x 152 x 82 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 1x omnidirectional full-range transducer (~45mm) + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 660 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: The Ultimate 360 Degree Bluetooth Speaker Showdown: Bose Soundlink Revolve Vs Tribit Stormbox Pro More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: The Ultimate 360 Degree Bluetooth Speaker Showdown: Bose Soundlink Revolve Vs Tribit Stormbox Pro
- Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org) More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
- Reddit Search for Bose Soundlink Revolve Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Bose Soundlink Revolve vs Tribit Stormbox Flow
- Bose Soundlink Revolve vs JBL Charge 4
- Bose Soundlink Revolve vs Bose Soundlink Revolve+
- Bose Soundlink Revolve vs Bose Soundlink Revolve+ II
- Bose Soundlink Revolve vs Soundcore Glow
- Bose Soundlink Revolve vs JBL Pulse 5
- Bose Soundlink Revolve vs Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2
- Bose Soundlink Revolve vs Bose Soundlink Mini 2
- See all 21 comparisons