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Bose announces SoundLink Plus and SoundLink Micro (2nd Gen) portable speakers
June 12, 2025
- Bose launches SoundLink Plus ($269) with 20-hour battery, IP67 rating, and phone charging capability
- The SoundLink Micro (2nd Gen) ($129) gets USB-C, a 12-hour battery, and a removable strap
- Both speakers support Bluetooth 5.4, aptX Adaptive, and can pair with other SoundLink speakers
Bose is expanding its popular SoundLink Bluetooth speaker lineup with two new models. The company announced the SoundLink Plus portable speaker and a second-generation SoundLink Micro, both featuring enhanced audio performance and rugged designs built for outdoor use.
SoundLink Plus fills the gap between the Flex and Max
The new SoundLink Plus addresses a clear gap in Bose’s portable speaker lineup, slotting between the $149 SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) and the premium $399 SoundLink Max. Priced at $269, the speaker features a new acoustic architecture combining one subwoofer, one tweeter, and four passive radiators to deliver what Bose calls “best-in-class sound and booming bass.” For listeners who found the SoundLink Max’s $399 price tag steep but wanted more power than the compact Flex offers, the Plus appears positioned as the sweet spot option.
Despite its powerful drivers, the SoundLink Plus maintains a portable form factor and weighs less than four pounds. The speaker offers an impressive 20 hours of playback time and doubles as a power bank, with its USB-C port capable of charging phones and other devices at 15W.
Built for outdoor durability, the SoundLink Plus has an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance and can withstand submersion up to three feet for 30 minutes. The speaker actually floats in water and includes a rugged nylon rope for easy retrieval and attachment. Its shock—and rust-resistant construction features a powder-coated steel grille with soft-touch silicone housing.
Second-gen SoundLink Micro gets major upgrades
The updated SoundLink Micro maintains its ultra-compact dimensions while packing significant improvements. Weighing just under one pound, the new model delivers enhanced audio performance through a single driver and dual passive radiators, which should provide improvements at higher frequencies without sacrificing bass response.
Key upgrades include USB-C charging (replacing the previous micro-USB), extended 12-hour battery life, and a new removable fabric nylon strap for easier attachment to bags, bikes, shower heads, or other gear. The second-generation model also gains Bose app compatibility for the first time, enabling EQ adjustments and firmware updates.
Like its predecessor, the new Micro maintains IP67 water and dust resistance with the same rugged silicone exterior and powder-coated steel grille construction.
Connectivity and pairing features
Both new speakers support Bluetooth 5.4 with multipoint connectivity for pairing to two devices simultaneously, with a 30-foot range. They include Google Fast Pair for quick Android device pairing and support multiple audio codecs, including SBC, AAC, and Qualcomm’s aptX Adaptive for high-definition audio with compatible Android devices.
Another useful feature is the speakers’ ability to pair with other current SoundLink models. Users can create stereo setups with two identical speakers or use Party Mode to sync audio across different SoundLink models, including the SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) and Max.
The Bose app provides a custom three-band equalizer, shortcut button customization (including Spotify Tap), voice prompt language changes, and SimpleSync technology for connecting to compatible Bose soundbars and smart speakers.