Short answer: the Edifier D12. It ranks #7 of 29 powered desktop speakers by sound quality, rated 3.8/5, at $179.99; the Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker ranks #14, rated 3.7/5, and costs $279, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the Edifier D12: A stereo desktop speaker in one box with Bluetooth, aux and RCA inputs, and a lot of sound for the money. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker.
The case for the Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker: A compact smart speaker with an up firing driver for taller sound, built in Alexa, AirPlay 2, Google Cast and an aux input. It streams over Wi-Fi as well as Bluetooth, which the Edifier D12 cannot. It links with other speakers (Bose app multi-room, AirPlay 2, Google Cast), which the Edifier D12 cannot. The catch: RTINGS lists sub-par directivity as its main weakness, and reviewers agree a single unit sounds narrow from side to side, so it works best as a stereo pair.
Buy the Edifier D12. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Prices on this page were last checked November 11, 2026 at 3:26 AM 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier D12 | Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $179.99 each | $279.00 each |
| Ranked | #7 of 29 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #14 of 29 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 57Hz | - |
| Battery Life | No Battery | No Battery |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Aux, RCA | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3.5mm aux |
| IP Rating | None | None |
| Outputs | Subwoofer line out | - |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cable | AC power cord |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Drivers | 2x 4” woofers, 2x 19mm silk dome tweeters | 3in woofer, 1in tweeter, 1.5in up-firing mid/high driver |
| TWS | No | Yes (stereo pairing via Bose app) |
| Weight | 10.1 lbs (4.6 kg) | 3.7 lbs (1.68 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | - |
| App | No | Yes (Bose) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 14.1” x 6.3” x 8” (359 x 159 x 203.5 mm) | 7.2” x 4.8” x 6.6” (184 x 121 x 167 mm) (H x W x D) |
| EQ | Yes (Bass/Treble controls) | Yes (Bass/Mid/Treble + up-firing driver level) |
| Frequency Response | 54Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Bose app multi-room, AirPlay 2, Google Cast) |
| Wi-Fi | No | Yes |
| Amplifier Power | 70W (R/L treble: 15W+15W, R/L mid-bass: 20W+20W) | - |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes | - |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | No |
| TRS Input | No | Yes (3.5mm) |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes (far-field, mic mute button) |
| Voice Assistants | - | Amazon Alexa / Alexa+ |
| Streaming Services | - | AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Edifier D12 compares with other leading options: