These sit in different size classes, so this is not a straight ranking comparison. The Bose SoundLink Plus ranks #25 of 120 large speakers by sound quality at $179; the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen ranks #37 of 179 medium speakers by sound quality at $159.
The Bose SoundLink Plus is the longer-running pick. A waterproof mid size speaker with vibrant sound, booming bass, clean mids, a long battery and premium build. It is rated for 20 hours of battery against 12 for the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen. The catch: Boosted thuddy bass, but not as deep as the SoundLink Flex and you should probably just buy one of those instead if you want a Bose.
The Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen is the lighter choice. A small, rugged waterproof speaker with clear, well balanced mids, app EQ, aptX Adaptive and stereo pairing with a second unit. At 1.3 lbs (586 g) it weighs much less than the Bose SoundLink Plus at 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg). It supports aptX Adaptive Bluetooth, which the Bose SoundLink Plus lacks. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Bose SoundLink Plus lacks. The catch: One Flex remains mono and cannot deliver genuine low-bass rumble; RTINGS also found the elevated treble can turn hi-hats and other high-frequency detail piercing.
Buy the Bose SoundLink Plus ($179) for a large speaker; the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen ($159) suits a medium speaker instead.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Bose SoundLink Plus | Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $179.00 | $159.00 |
| Ranked | #25 of 120 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #37 of 179 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg) | 1.3 lbs (586 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive |
| EQ | No | Yes (3 band) |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 9.1” x 3.9” x 3.4” (231 x 99 x 86 mm) | 7.9” x 3.5” x 2” (201 x 90 x 52 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 2.5” (63.5mm) woofer + 1x ~0.78” (20mm) tweeter + 4x passive radiators | 60mm full-range driver with passive radiators |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) | Yes (built-in loop) |
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