Short answer: the Sonos Play. It ranks #59 of 164 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 3.5/5) at $299 and is still sold new; the Bose Soundlink Mini ranks #73 (rated 3.4/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
The Sonos Play is the longer-running, tougher pick. Genuinely wide, clean stereo dispersion off-axis thanks to the two angled tweeters, holding up from the side far better than most portables. It is rated for 24 hours of battery against 10 for the Bose Soundlink Mini. It is rated IP67, while the Bose Soundlink Mini has no water resistance. The catch: 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.
The Bose Soundlink Mini is the lighter option. Compact aluminum build feels sturdy and dense. At 1.5 lbs (680 g) it weighs much less than the Sonos Play at 2.9 lbs (1.3 kg). The tradeoff: Boosted upper bass like most Bose speakers.
Buy the Sonos Play. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the Bose Soundlink Mini is discontinued.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sonos Play | Bose Soundlink Mini | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.00 | $125.00 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #59 of 164 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #73 of 164 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (Bose Connect) |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa (Sonos Voice Control also built in) | - |
| 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 | 50mm full-range driver with passive radiators |
| EQ | No | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | None |
| Party Mode | No | - |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | Proprietary connector |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 2.9 lbs (1.3 kg) | 1.5 lbs (680 g) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | ~58Hz |
| Strap | - | No |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 4, 2026 at 9:58 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 |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| 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 |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa (Sonos Voice Control also built in) |
| Weight | 2.9 lbs (1.3 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
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Bose Soundlink Mini: $125.00 Discontinued Amazon eBay
Pros: Compact aluminum build feels sturdy and dense. Comes with a charging cradle. Measured bass extension of ~58Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Boosted upper bass like most Bose speakers. Upper treble rolled off. Bass doesn’t go as deep as others. Failures of the mainboard are common. Discontinued.
Full Bose Soundlink Mini review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Bose Connect) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~58Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.1” x 2” x 2.3” (180 x 51 x 58 mm) |
| Drivers | 50mm full-range driver with passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Input | Proprietary connector |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs (680 g) |
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