Short answer: the Soundcore Motion 100. It ranks #39 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $47; the Bose Soundlink Mini ranks #56 and costs $128.67, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the Bose Soundlink Mini: Compact aluminum build feels sturdy and dense. The catch: Boosted upper bass like most Bose speakers.
On the Soundcore Motion 100 side: Use Oluv’s EQ for the flattest response. Watch for: Not very deep bass, slight distortion.
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 Soundcore Motion 100. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Bose Soundlink Mini 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 at no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose Soundlink Mini | Soundcore Motion 100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $128.67 Discontinued | $47 |
| Ranked | #56 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 |
| 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 |
| Drivers | 50mm full-range driver with passive radiators | 2x full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| EQ | - | Yes |
| Power Bank | - | No |
| TWS | - | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.3 |
| Frequency Response | - | 50Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | - | 20W |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Sony ULT Field 3 vs Tribit Stormbox Mini+
- Bose Soundlink Flex vs Tribit Stormbox Pro
- Teufel Rockster XS vs Tribit Stormbox Pro
- Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Soundcore Motion 100
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Soundcore Motion 100
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
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- See all 22 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