Short answer: the Xiaomi Sound Party. It ranks #20 of 182 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 4.1/5, at $135.84. The Bose Soundlink Flex ranks #38, rated 3.8/5, at $79.99, $55.85 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
The Xiaomi Sound Party is the louder, longer-running option. A versatile outdoor speaker with warm, balanced sound, fully waterproof build, long battery life, a phone charging port and a handy retractable handle. Alan Ross Reviews measured it at 102dB at full volume, against 96dB for the Bose Soundlink Flex. It is rated for 26 hours of battery against 12 for the Bose Soundlink Flex. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Bose Soundlink Flex lacks. The catch: The sound evidence is mixed rather than universally glowing.
The Bose Soundlink Flex is the lighter pick. A small, rugged waterproof speaker that survives drops and floats, with a warm, bass forward sound for casual outdoor use. At 1.3 lbs (589 g) it weighs much less than the Xiaomi Sound Party at 2.6 lbs (1.2 kg). Watch for: Warm sounding with overly boosted bass which drowns out midrange detail.
Buy the Xiaomi Sound Party. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $55.85 with the Bose Soundlink Flex does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Measured Differences
- Output: the Xiaomi Sound Party was measured at 102 dB maximum against 96 dB for the Bose Soundlink Flex, so it gets clearly louder before it runs out of headroom.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Xiaomi Sound Party | Bose Soundlink Flex | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $135.84 | $79.99 |
| Ranked | #20 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #38 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz | 56Hz |
| Battery Life | 26 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect, up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/3A) | - |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 4.2 |
| Dimensions | 10” x 3.6” x 3.6” (255 x 92 x 92 mm) | 7.9” x 3.5” x 2” (201 x 90 x 52 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm woofers (35W total) + 2x 15mm tweeters | 1x 60mm full-range driver + 2x passive radiators |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Maximum SPL | 102dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 96dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Weight | 2.6 lbs (1200 g) | 1.3 lbs (589 g) |
| Amplifier Power | 50W | - |
| Power Input | USB-C (5V/3A, 9V/2A, 12V/2A) | USB-C |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) | Yes (built-in loop) |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 33ms |
Where the Ratings Come From
- Xiaomi Sound Party: reviews by Joy & Oluv’Sone, Oluv and Alan Ross.
- Bose Soundlink Flex: reviews by Joy & Oluv’Sone, Oluv and Alan Ross.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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