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Bose Soundlink Flex Review

Enrest Walugembe Avatar
Updated Jan 25, 2024 6:27 PM

True Score

83
81
12

Experts

94
38.5k

Consumers

Product Awards

GR Certified

Customer Favorite

Expert Rankings

Experts were amazed by the quality of the Bose SoundLink Flex, and they recommended it for music, podcasts, and outdoor use. They praised its low directivity index, dual-device Bluetooth 4.2 pairing, and portable design. However, they were disappointed that it lacks a graphic EQ and doesn’t support stereo.

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Table of Contents

Product Snapshot

Overview

The Bose SoundLink Flex is a mid-range portable Bluetooth speaker released in 2021, promising a resilient, portable design for use on the go. It boasts an IP67-rated water-proof and dust-proof design. You can find similar products on our list of the best-ranked speakers today. This unit produces neutral, balanced sounds and supports dual-device Bluetooth pairing. Examine the details of the Bose SoundLink Flex below and see how it compares to the best Bluetooth speakers in the industry today.

Consensus

our Verdict

Reviewers praised the Bose SoundLink Flex, recommending it for outdoor use, podcasts and music. Editors at Tech Hive loved its speakerphone functions and IP67-rated water-proof and dust-proof design. Analysts at PCMag hailed its portable 1.3-lb construction. Experiments revealed a 60.8Hz to 15.6 kHz frequency response range and near-neutral 0.22 slope, producing balanced sounds. This device has a good 87.5 dB maximum SPL and 3.02 dB DRC, showing some sound quality deterioration at the highest volume. Check out our Bose S1 Pro System review for a louder Bluetooth device. It has a 4.59 dB in directivity index, offering an average soundstage performance. The device has a tested 7.2 hr-battery life and excellent smartphone-based voice assistant functions. This product supports dual-device Bluetooth pairing, boasting a decent 109 ms Android Bluetooth latency and 236 ms iOS Bluetooth latency. However, it downmixes stereo to mono and lacks a graphic EQ. Check out the Bang & Olufsen Beosound Explore review for a graphic EQ.

ReasonS to Buy

  • Neutral sound profile
  • Pairs with two devices via Bluetooth 4.2
  • Good Android Bluetooth latency is good for movies
  • Excellent smartphone-based voice assistant performance
  • Waterproof and dustproof design

Reason to Avoid

  • So-so soundstage performance
  • Doesn’t have graphic EQ
  • No support for stereo

Bose Soundlink Flex Specs

Battery LifeBattery Life12 hrs
Built In MicrophoneBuilt In MicrophoneYes
Charge TimeCharge Time4 hrs
DepthDepth2.06"
HeightHeight3.56"
IPX RatingIPX RatingIP67
Smart AppSmart AppYes
Speaker PairingSpeaker PairingYes
Water ResistantWater ResistantYes
WattageWattage7W
WidthWidth7.93"
Wireless RangeWireless Range30 ft

All Specs

Test Results

Battery Life (Hours)9.5967
Volume Output (dB)81.4
Low End Roll Off (Hz)64.42
High End Roll Off (Hz)10,093.191

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Product Comparison

Bose Soundlink Flex Review

True Score

83
81
80
82

Ranking

#

23

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260

#

41

/

260

#

52

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260

#

35

/

260

Market Context

The Bose SoundLink Flex is a mid-range portable Bluetooth speaker released in 2021, promising a resilient, portable design for use on the go. It boasts…

The Bose SoundLink Flex is a mid-range portable Bluetooth speaker released in 2021, promising a resilient, portable design for use on the go. It boasts an IP67-rated water-proof and dust-proof design. You can find similar products on our list of the best-ranked speakers today. This unit produces neutral, balanced sounds and supports dual-device Bluetooth pairing. Examine the details of the Bose SoundLink Flex below and see how it compares to the best Bluetooth speakers in the industry today.

The Bose SoundLink Flex has an 87.5 dB maximum SPL, getting louder than the Bose SoundLink Micro, which has a top 78.6 dB SPL. Featuring…

The Bose SoundLink Flex has an 87.5 dB maximum SPL, getting louder than the Bose SoundLink Micro, which has a top 78.6 dB SPL. Featuring a 0.22 frequency response slope, the SoundLink Flex offers more balanced sounds than the SoundLink Micro, which has a -0.63 slope. However, the 0.7-lb Bose SoundLink Micro Bluetooth speaker is more portable than the 1.3-lb SoundLink Flex. Browse our Bose SoundLink Micro review to analyze the Micro.

Unlike the Wi-Fi-enabled Sonos Roam, the Bose SoundLink Flex portable speaker connects via Bluetooth. The Sonos has built-in Alexa and Google Assistant, providing better voice…

Unlike the Wi-Fi-enabled Sonos Roam, the Bose SoundLink Flex portable speaker connects via Bluetooth. The Sonos has built-in Alexa and Google Assistant, providing better voice assistant performance than the SoundLink Flex, which relies on a smartphone. The Flex has a better 7.2-hour battery life than the 5.1-hour battery life of the Roam.

Featuring a 0.22 frequency response slope, the Bose SoundLink Flex produces slightly better-balanced sounds than the JBL Flip 5 Bluetooth portable speaker with its -0.31…

Featuring a 0.22 frequency response slope, the Bose SoundLink Flex produces slightly better-balanced sounds than the JBL Flip 5 Bluetooth portable speaker with its -0.31 slope. It also supports voice assistants via a smartphone, unlike the Flip 5. However, the Flip 5 has a better 3.29 dB directivity index, providing a wider soundstage than the 4.59 dB directivity index of the SoundLink Flex.

Battery Life

12 hrs

6 hrs

10 hrs

12 hrs

Built In Microphone

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Charge Time

4 hrs

4 hrs

2 hrs

2.5 hrs

Depth

2.06"

2.44"

2.71"

Height

3.56"

6.6"

2.9"

IPX Rating

IP67

IPX7

Smart App

Yes

Bose Connect

Amazon Alexa app, Google Assistant, Sonos app

JBL Portable

Speaker Pairing

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Dig Deeper

Bose Soundlink Micro Review →

Sonos Roam Review →

JBL Flip 5 Review →

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Score Card

E

Expert Score

81

*.75

We place a 75% weighted value on Expert Test Scores

C

Customer Score

94

*.25

We place a 25% weighted value on Customer Scores

True Score

83

Any product with a True Score above 80 is a Absolutely Fresh

Expert Scores

  • Rtings
    100.6

    Category Trust Rating

    65
    There are more rugged and better-sounding options, but the Bose SoundLink Flex is an easy… Read More

    By:

    Jon Jacobi
  • Sound Guys
    81.17

    Category Trust Rating

    NR
    The Bose SoundLink Flex makes for a good hiking or shower companion and delivers playback… Read More

    By:

    Zak Khan
  • DXO Mark
    97

    Category Trust Rating

    63
    The Bose SoundLink Flex is one of the best quality portable rugged Bluetooth speakers we’ve… Read More

    By:

    Stephen Fenech
  • PC Mag
    43.6

    Category Trust Rating

    80
    Its own (admittedly quite minor) shortcomings and the strength of the Bluetooth speaker competition make… Read More

    By:

    What Hi-Fi?
  • Trusted Reviews
    45.5

    Category Trust Rating

    80
    The Bose SoundLink Flex delivers clear and rich audio, in a suitably tough body with… Read More

    By:

    Simon Lucas
  • CNET
    36.25

    Category Trust Rating

    86
    For the most part, the Soundlink Flex keeps its promises. The speaker does indeed deliver… Read More

    By:

    Simon Lucas