Short answer: the Bose SoundLink Plus. It ranks #25 of 126 large speakers by sound quality, rated 4.2/5, at $179; the Orange Box ranks #105, rated 2.5/5, and costs $359, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The Bose SoundLink Plus is the better-sounding, longer-running choice. 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 15 for the Orange Box. At 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg) it weighs much less than the Orange Box at 6.6 lbs (3 kg). It links with other speakers (Bose Party mode), which the Orange Box cannot. The tradeoff: 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 case for the Orange Box: A guitar amp styled speaker with a solid wood cabinet, waterproofing, and stereo pairing for a striking retro look. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Bose SoundLink Plus lacks. Watch for: Pathetic bass extension, port noise, hollow sounding.
Buy the Bose SoundLink Plus. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Orange Box and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Prices on this page were last checked November 14, 2026 at 6:17 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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Specifications Side By Side
| Bose SoundLink Plus | Orange Box | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $179.00 | $359.00 |
| Ranked | #25 of 126 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #105 of 126 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | AC Power brick |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg) | 6.6 lbs (3 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| EQ | No | No |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 9.1” x 3.9” x 3.4” (231 x 99 x 86 mm) | 11” x 6.9” x 6.7” (280 x 175 x 170 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 2.5” (63.5mm) woofer + 1x ~0.78” (20mm) tweeter + 4x passive radiators | 1x 102mm woofer, 2x 51mm tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) | - |
| Frequency Response | - | 35Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | - | 50W RMS |
Where the Ratings Come From
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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