Short answer: the Bose SoundLink Plus. It ranks #25 of 85 large speakers by sound quality, rated 4.2/5, at $269; the Orange Box ranks #74, rated 2.5/5, and costs $359, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
Why pick the Bose SoundLink Plus: IP67 rated, IP67 water/dustproof. 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 case for the Orange Box: 50W RMS output power, IPX7 waterproof, 15-hour battery life, guitar amp-inspired vintage design, 102mm woofer with dual tweeters, Bluetooth 5.0, AUX input, TWS pairing, built-in microphone, solid wood construction. 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.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose SoundLink Plus | Orange Box | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $269.00 | $359.00 |
| Ranked | #25 of 85 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #74 of 85 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 |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 30, 2026 at 2:57 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 Plus: $269.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: IP67 rated, IP67 water/dustproof. Close to 20 hour battery life. Vibrant sound with booming bass, clean mids. Bluetooth 5.4 with good range. Premium tactile grille, smooth silicone. Quality build at $269.
Cons: 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.
Full Bose SoundLink Plus review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9.1” x 3.9” x 3.4” (231 x 99 x 86 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 2.5” (63.5mm) woofer + 1x ~0.78” (20mm) tweeter + 4x passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg) |
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Orange Box: $359.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: 50W RMS output power, IPX7 waterproof, 15-hour battery life, guitar amp-inspired vintage design, 102mm woofer with dual tweeters, Bluetooth 5.0, AUX input, TWS pairing, built-in microphone, solid wood construction
Cons: Pathetic bass extension, port noise, hollow sounding. Jagged frequency response, big dip at 260Hz and wavy up top.
Full Orange Box review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11” x 6.9” x 6.7” (280 x 175 x 170 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 102mm woofer, 2x 51mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 35Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 6.6 lbs (3 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons