I tested Boses smallest Bluetooth speaker and although I enjoyed its balanced audio, its high price feels hard to justify

Date:
Sun, 22 Mar 2026 13:30:00 +0000

Description:
Boses bijou Bluetooth speaker delivers solid sound, excellent durability, and stylish looks, but Id still buy a rival instead heres why.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Bose SoundLink Micro Gen 2: review The Bose SoundLink Micro Gen 2 is the sequel to the audio specialists 2017-issue mini Bluetooth speaker. And according to Bose, this palm-sized follow-up brings a fair few enhancements to the table: improved audio performance, enhanced features, and extended battery life. But is it actually worth buying? Here are my thoughts after several weeks of testing.

First of all, it has to be said that the Bose SoundLink Micro Gen 2 is a significant improvement over its predecessor as youd probably hope given
that they were released eight years apart. Now, you get USB-C charging, and
up to 12 hours of battery life, which is nothing special, but comparable to some similar-sized rivals from JBL and Ultimate Ears. On top of that, its new and improved fabric strap is fantastic its so easy to sling around shower heads, bikes, bags you name it. Pair that with a still-great IP67 dust and waterproof rating which enables the SoundLink Micro Gen 2 to survive being dunked under a meter of water for 30 minutes and youve got a speaker that
can go literally anywhere with you. Combine this with its small size and lightness of build, and Boses bijou audio companion is more practical than just about any model out there even those listed in our best Bluetooth speakers guide.

Something else that has been improved is audio quality. And in fairness, the Bose SoundLink Micro Gen 2 is a pretty solid-sounding model given its small size but thats not to say its perfect. (Image credit: Future) Bose SoundLink Micro Gen 2 (Black) at Amazon for 116.62 Bose has gone for a relatively balanced sound profile on the SoundLink Gen 2. Bass is pretty punchy, but never boomy or overstated. Mids are clean, but not the sole star. And treble is energetic, but not tinny unless youre listening at top volumes, but thats something Ill get onto later.

Anyway, when listening to Black Eye by Allie X, I was impressed by the tonality of vocals, and the way that the speaker replicated their almost breathy quality. The attack of violins in the intro wasnt the most dynamic Id heard, but it was certainly clean and distortion-free at mid volume levels. And after bumping bass up by a level on the Bose app, the pumping low end
came through with decent impact too. Was I wowed by excellent instrument separation, pounding low-end performance, and top-tier detailing? No. But thats to be expected on a speaker this small.

While were on this topic, its worth noting that the Bose SoundLink Micro Gen
2 has a fair few sonic limitations, as a direct result of its compact form. You wont get the bass thump that larger models like the Bose SoundLink Plus
, or even the Bose SoundLink Flex Gen 2 can muster. And if you push volume all the way to the maximum, youre going to get pretty thin-sounding audio, with very noticeable compression and slightly shrill treble. But in this models defense, this is fairly standard for mini Bluetooth speakers trust
me, Ive tested tons of them! Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from
us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

But still, this model did perform well, all things considered. In Felini by Venerus and Marco Castello, the precision of fingerpicking guitars and airy sound effects was commendable, and the two vocalists' harmonies intertwined neatly.

Deeper tracks, like M-Highs Never Would dont sound amazing on the SoundLink Flex Gen 2, as it struggles to handle the darkest parts of the frequency range. Still, standing upright, the speaker managed decently agile bass, and matched the tracks aggressive treble to good effect. Rivals like the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 can produce a more weighty performance, but if youre not listening to the heaviest tunes, that shouldnt be a problem for you.

Ill finish talking about sound by mentioning that the Bose SoundLink Micro
Gen 2 has strong codec support, with SBC, AAC, and even aptX Adaptive if youve got a compatible device that is. There arent any wired playback
options, though I suspect most users will be fine with using Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity.

So, the SoundLink Micro Gen 2 sounds pretty solid overall, but how does it perform elsewhere? Lets step on over to the features domain.

This model isnt doing anything out of the ordinary by Bose 's standards. It has multi-point connectivity, fast-pairing, and a shortcut button for Spotify or linking with another Bose speaker. And you can link with various other
Bose speakers, luckily, including another SoundLink Micro Gen 2 for stereo,
or models like the Bose SoundLink Max for generally bigger sound.

However, you can also rename the speaker in the Bose app (mines called Bite Size Party), enable or disable voice prompts, and alter EQ. As weve seen with many Bose products, the EQ settings are a little basic, with presets to boost or dampen bass or treble, and a three-band equalizer to adjust the bass,
mids, and treble. However, this still works decently well.

I wouldve liked to have seen some more interesting features, like a personalized EQ test for more tailored audio, or hands-free calling, seen on the original SoundLink Micro (which had a built-in mic), but this model still has a good feature-set all in all.

Perhaps my favorite thing about this speaker, though, is its design. Ive already mentioned its excellent fabric strap, which Ive been using to attach the speaker to my shower, but theres more. It has well-sized, responsive button controls, a rubber body thats drop-resistant, and a classy range of color options. I used the Black version, but Im partial to the Blue Dusk, Petal Pink, and Sandstone alternatives. Ultimately, this is a great-looking, compact, and waterproof speaker that really can go anywhere with you. (Image credit: Future) Still, theres one thing that holds me back from recommending the Bose SoundLink Micro Gen 2 outright: its price. This model comes in at $129 / 119.95 / AU$179.95, which is a lot for a speaker of this size. For reference, you can get our pick for the best Bluetooth speaker overall, the JBL Flip 7 , for $149 / 129 / AU$179 at full price. And that model is considerably more powerful, offers far superior audio with awesome bass, and has more features to explore too. Its also regularly discounted, and although it's a little larger, remains highly portable.

Even if you wanted something as small as the Micro Gen 2, you could go for
the JBL Clip 5 , which retails for $79.95 / 59.99 / AU$89.95, or the bass-heavy Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 for only $99.99 / 89.99 / AU$149. Im
not convinced that the Bose SoundLink Flex Gen 2 offers sound thats good enough to warrant the extra cost. All of these other models are highly waterproof, sound strong, and look great to boot. So, even if Boses speaker performs fairly well across the board, it feels like a slightly tough sell.

And there you have it. The Bose SoundLink Micro Gen 2 is a very solid upgrade on its predecessor, and I was satisfied by its thoughtful design and improved sound quality. Ultimately, though, it doesnt feel exceptional enough either sonically or in terms of features to earn its steep price-tag, meaning that Id only recommend this above rivals from the likes of JBL and UE if you can get it on sale. (Image credit: Future) Bose SoundLink Micro Gen 2 review: price & release date List price of $129 / 119.95 / AU$179.95 Released in August 2025 The Bose SoundLink Micro Gen 2 released in August 2025, eight years after its predecessor, the Bose SoundLink Micro. It comes in with a
list price of $129 / 119.95 / AU$179.95, which represents a $10 / 20 / AU$30 increase over the original, at their respective launch points. However, there are a lot of improvements on this second model which make it the better pick over its ancestor. The SoundLink Micro Gen 2 is available in Black, Blue
Dusk, Petal Pink, Sandstone, or Twilight Blue. Bose SoundLink Micro Gen 2 review: specs Swipe to scroll horizontally

Weight

0.7lbs / 0.3kg

Dimensions

1.7 x 4.1 x 4.1 inches / 43 x 104 x 104mm

Connectivity

Bluetooth 5.4

Battery life

12 hours

Speaker drivers

1x dynamic driver, 2x passive radiators

Waterproofing

IP67 (Image credit: Future) Should I buy the Bose SoundLink Micro Gen 2?
Swipe to scroll horizontally

Attribute

Notes

Score

Features

All the essentials are here, battery life is OK, but no mic and underwhelming EQ options.

3.5/5

Sound quality

Clear audio, with good codec support, but noticeable compression at higher volumes and size-related limitations hold it back.

4/5

Design

Durable yet stylish, with great waterproofing and a practical fabric strap.

4.5/5

Value

High price for its size, and rivals offer far better bang for your buck.

2.5/5 Buy it if You want a speaker that you can take absolutely anywhere The Bose SoundLink Micro Gen 2 is small, lightweight, highly waterproof, and
comes with a handy fabric strap. You really can take it anywhere with ease, and thats one of its greatest qualities. Read more Read less Youve got more of Boses recently released models If you have speakers like the Bose
SoundLink Flex Gen 2, the Bose SoundLink Plus, and the Bose SoundLink Max, then you can easily pair this model with one of those. You can also pair the SoundLink Micro Gen 2 with an identical unit for stereo sound. Read more Read less Dont buy it if You want the best sound quality Look, the Bose SoundLink Micro Gen 2 sounds good for a speaker of its size, but it didnt blow me away. And if you want better sound quality, you could go for a similarly-priced model like the JBL Flip 7, which produces phenomenal all-round audio with far better bass. Read more Read less Youre looking for the best value option Off the back of that last point, Id argue that the Bose SoundLink Micro Gen 2
isnt a great value-for-money option. Small models like the JBL Clip 5 and UE Wonderboom 4, which Ive listed below, would get my recommendation. Id also
say that the JBL Grip is worth checking out, if you want something with lighting and a super-sleek look. Read more Read less Bose SoundLink Micro
Gen 2 review: also consider Swipe to scroll horizontally Header Cell - Column 0

Bose SoundLink Micro Gen 2

JBL Clip 5

Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4

Price

$129 / 119.95 / AU$179.95

$79.95 / 59.99 / AU$89.95

$99.99 / 89.99 / AU$149

Weight

0.7lbs / 0.3kg

0.6lbs / 0.3kg

0.9lbs / 0.4kg

Dimensions

1.7 x 4.1 x 4.1 inches / 43 x 104 x 104mm

3.4 x 5.3 x 1.8 inches / 86 x 134.5 x 46 mm

4.1 x 3.8 x 3.8 inches / 104 x 95.3 x 95.3mm

Connectivity

Bluetooth 5.4

Bluetooth 5.3

Bluetooth 5.2

Battery life

12 hours

12 hours

14 hours

Speaker drivers

1x dynamic driver, 2x passive radiators

1x 45mm full-range driver, 1x passive radiator

2x 40mm active drivers, 2x passive radiators

Waterproofing

IP67

IP67

IP67 JBL Clip 5 The JBL Clip 5 is a cheap, small, yet great Bluetooth
speaker. It has the same IP67 rating as Boses mini model, the same battery life, and similar dimensions. It sounds surprisingly good, has a few EQ
modes, and can clip onto anything, from bikes through to hooks. Read our full JBL Clip 5 review . Read more Read less Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 The UE Wonderboom 4 is easily one of my favorite small Bluetooth speakers, and one that punches well above its weight. You get far punchier bass than its Bose rival can muster, and generally clean audio all round. Pair that with a striking design, excellent waterproofing, and a solid 14-hour battery life, and youre looking at a great option. Read our full Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 review . Read more Read less How I tested the Bose SoundLink Micro Gen 2 (Image credit: Future) Tested over the course of multiple weeks Used in our music testing space and while showering Mainly tested using Tidal I spent multiple weeks testing the Bose SoundLink Micro Gen 2, and spent hours listening in our music testing space at Future Labs, at home, and in the shower.

Most of the time, I listened to tunes via Tidal, on either my Samsung phone
or the Nothing Phone (4a) . To begin with, I ran through the TechRadar
testing playlist , which features tunes from a wide range of genres, but I also made sure to bump tracks from my personal library . I also tried using party mode, by connecting the speaker to my Bose SoundLink Flex Gen 2 .

More generally, Ive tested more than 40 Bluetooth speakers here at TechRadar, and personally curated our guide to the best Bluetooth speakers . Ive
reviewed all sorts of models, from premium Bose units, through to budget-friendly alternatives like the Tribit PocketGo . As a result, I have a strong understanding of the segment, and know exactly what it takes to stand out in a highly convoluted market. Read TechRadars reviews guarantee First reviewed: March 2026 Bose SoundLink Micro Gen 2: Price Comparison bundle
99.95 View bundle 99.95 View 116.62 View 119 View deal 119.95 View Show more We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices powered by



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/audio/wireless-bluetooth-speakers/bose-soundlink-mic ro-gen-2-review


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