Short answer: the Bose SoundLink Plus for better sound quality, the Soundcore Motion X500 for the lower price. The Bose SoundLink Plus ranks #22 of 77 large speakers at $269. The Soundcore Motion X500 ranks #24 at $99.99, $169.01 cheaper.
The case for the Bose SoundLink Plus: IP67 rated, close to 20 hours of battery, vibrant sound with booming bass and clean mids, Bluetooth 5.4 with good range, and a premium tactile grille and silicone build. The catch: the bass is boosted and thuddy, and not as deep as Bose’s own SoundLink Flex - the Flex is the better buy if you specifically want a Bose.
What the Soundcore Motion X500 gets right: 40W stereo from a 3-driver layout (two tweeters plus a woofer), IPX7 rated, compact, fine build quality for the price, a Spatial Dynamic mode, and battery life that gets close to its 12-hour claim. Set against that: a little bright on top (a custom EQ helps) with a peak at 250Hz and a dip at 1kHz.
Buy the Bose SoundLink Plus if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Soundcore Motion X500 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If battery life is a priority, the Bose SoundLink Plus is rated for 20 hours versus 12 hours for the Soundcore Motion X500.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose SoundLink Plus | Soundcore Motion X500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $269.00 | $99.99 |
| Ranked | #22 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #24 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 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 | USB-C |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 3.3 lbs / 1.5 kg | 4.6 lbs / 2.1 kg |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 9.1" x 3.9" x 3.4" (231 x 99 x 86 mm) | 8.7" x 8" x 3.2" (220 x 202 x 81 mm) |
| Output Power | Specs not published by manufacturer | 40W |
| Drivers | 1x 2.5" (63.5mm) woofer + 1x ~0.78" (20mm) tweeter + 4x passive radiators | 2x 58mm (2.3") forward-firing full-range drivers + 1x 43mm (1.7") upward-firing driver |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 48Hz |
| Max Volume | - | 104dB |
| Frequency Response | - | 50Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
The Two Speakers In Full
Bose SoundLink Plus: $269.00 Amazon
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 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 |
| Output Power | Specs not published by manufacturer |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 3.3 lbs / 1.5 kg |
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Soundcore Motion X500: $99.99 Amazon
Pros: 40W stereo with 3-driver layout (two tweeters + woofer). IPX7 weatherproof rating. Compact and very portable. Fine build quality at this price. Spatial Dynamic mode provides immersive sound. Gets close to 12 hour battery claim.
Cons: A little bright on top, a custom EQ can flatten things out a bit. Peaks at 250hz and dip at 1khz
Full Soundcore Motion X500 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.7" x 8" x 3.2" (220 x 202 x 81 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 58mm (2.3") forward-firing full-range drivers + 1x 43mm (1.7") upward-firing driver |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 104dB |
| Output Power | 40W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 4.6 lbs / 2.1 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons