Short answer: the Sonos Play on measured sound quality, the Bose Soundlink Mini 2 on price. The Sonos Play ranks #48 of 137 medium speakers at $299. The Bose Soundlink Mini 2 ranks #56 at $184, $115 cheaper.
What the Sonos Play offers: Genuinely wide, clean stereo dispersion off-axis thanks to the two angled tweeters, holding up from the side far better than most portables. Loudness processing keeps it sounding full-bodied at low volume. Set against that: Bass distorts noticeably on bass-heavy tracks at default settings, and the distortion persists even after enabling Trueplay tuning and manually pulling bass back in the app. Sounds boxy and short on clarity next to cheaper competitors.
On the Bose Soundlink Mini 2 side: Compact aluminum build feels sturdy and dense. ~10 hour battery life; can pair to two devices at once and remembers up to 8. The catch: Boosted upper bass like most Bose speakers. Upper treble rolled off. Bass is 2db less boosted than the Mini. Bass doesn’t go as deep as others. Failures of the mainboard are common.
Buy the Sonos Play when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the Bose Soundlink Mini 2 when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
There is a real battery-life gap here: the Sonos Play is rated for 24 hours, the Bose Soundlink Mini 2 only 10 hours.
There is a real gap in water resistance: the Sonos Play at IP67 (brief submersion) against the Bose Soundlink Mini 2, which has no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sonos Play | Bose Soundlink Mini 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.00 | $184.00 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #48 of 137 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #56 of 137 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (Bose Connect) |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 4.2 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions | 7.6" x 4.4" x 3" (192.3 x 112.5 x 76.7 mm) | 7.1" x 2" x 2.3" (180 x 51 x 58 mm) |
| Drivers | mid-woofer, 2x angled tweeters | 2x 33mm fullrange |
| EQ | No | - |
| IP Rating | IP67 | None |
| Output Power | Specs not published by manufacturer | - |
| Party Mode | No | - |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | Proprietary connector |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | - |
| Weight | 2.9 lbs / 1.3 kg | 1.5 lbs / 680 g |
| Wifi | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | - | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | ~58Hz |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
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Prices on this page were last checked August 29, 2026 at 8:52 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
Sonos Play: $299.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: Genuinely wide, clean stereo dispersion off-axis thanks to the two angled tweeters, holding up from the side far better than most portables. Loudness processing keeps it sounding full-bodied at low volume. 24-hour user-replaceable battery with an included wireless charging base, IP67 waterproof and dustproof, and full Sonos WiFi multi-room with AirPlay 2 on top of Bluetooth 5.3.
Cons: Bass distorts noticeably on bass-heavy tracks at default settings, and the distortion persists even after enabling Trueplay tuning and manually pulling bass back in the app. Sounds boxy and short on clarity next to cheaper competitors.
Full Sonos Play review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.6" x 4.4" x 3" (192.3 x 112.5 x 76.7 mm) |
| Drivers | mid-woofer, 2x angled tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | Specs not published by manufacturer |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.9 lbs / 1.3 kg |
| Wifi | Yes |
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Bose Soundlink Mini 2: $184.00 Discontinued Amazon eBay
Pros: Compact aluminum build feels sturdy and dense. ~10 hour battery life; can pair to two devices at once and remembers up to 8.
Cons: Boosted upper bass like most Bose speakers. Upper treble rolled off. Bass is 2db less boosted than the Mini. Bass doesn’t go as deep as others. Failures of the mainboard are common. Discontinued.
Full Bose Soundlink Mini 2 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Bose Connect) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~58Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.1" x 2" x 2.3" (180 x 51 x 58 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 33mm fullrange |
| IP Rating | None |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Input | Proprietary connector |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 680 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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