Short answer: the Bose Soundlink Mini for better sound quality, the Tribit Xsound Surf for the lower price. The Bose Soundlink Mini ranks #56 of 136 medium speakers at $125. The Tribit Xsound Surf ranks #79 at $26, $99 cheaper.
What the Bose Soundlink Mini offers: Compact aluminum build feels sturdy and dense. Comes with a charging cradle. Watch for: 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.
What the Tribit Xsound Surf offers: Rugged rubberized frame with a metal grille. About 20% louder than the XSound Go at the same volume. IPX7 rated, USB-C charging, and pairs with a second Surf for stereo. Watch for: Bass doesn’t go as deep as others, strange midrange peaks
Buy the Bose Soundlink Mini if sound quality is the priority over the price, or the Tribit Xsound Surf if the price is the priority over sound quality.
Water resistance is not close: the Tribit Xsound Surf is rated at IPX7 (brief submersion), well ahead of the Bose Soundlink Mini at no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose Soundlink Mini | Tribit Xsound Surf | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $125.00 Discontinued | $26 |
| Ranked | #56 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #79 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~58Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None | IPX7 |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 680 g | 1 lbs / 440 g |
| Dimensions | 7.1" x 2" x 2.3" (180 x 51 x 58 mm) | 7" x 2.2" x 2.1" (178 x 57 x 54 mm) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | aptX HD, aptX Lossless, LDAC, aptX Adaptive |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Likely Yes (based on Tribit pattern) |
| Power Input | Proprietary connector | - |
| App | Yes (Bose Connect) | Yes |
| Drivers | 50mm full-range driver with passive radiators | 40W: 2x drivers with passive radiator |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.0 |
| Frequency Response | - | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | - | 12W RMS |
| EQ | - | Yes |
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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: $125.00 Discontinued Amazon eBay
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 |
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Tribit Xsound Surf: $26 eBay
Pros: Rugged rubberized frame with a metal grille. About 20% louder than the XSound Go at the same volume. IPX7 rated, USB-C charging, and pairs with a second Surf for stereo.
Cons: Bass doesn’t go as deep as others, strange midrange peaks
Full Tribit Xsound Surf review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | aptX HD, aptX Lossless, LDAC, aptX Adaptive |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Likely Yes (based on Tribit pattern) |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7" x 2.2" x 2.1" (178 x 57 x 54 mm) |
| Drivers | 40W: 2x drivers with passive radiator |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 12W RMS |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Weight | 1 lbs / 440 g |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Tribit XSound Surf vs. XSound Go (Upgraded Model) Bluetooth Speaker Sound Comparison. More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
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