TechJunkie Expert Recommendations
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Bluetooth speakers have evolved tremendously over the years, and since their price tags have been increasing with them, you want to make sure that the speaker you choose performs well, is reliable, and will last you a long time. Investing in more premium models will always be better if you want to get your money’s worth, and often name brands are the way to go. Bose has long been a leading brand in the world of Bluetooth speakers, and their speakers offer superb sound quality with many modern features. The company creates speakers fit for home use, outdoor, or traveling. Whatever reason you may have for why you need a speaker, Bose has a suitable product for you. Their speakers might not be the most affordable options on the market, but you are guaranteed top-notch quality and longevity for their prices. There was a time wherein Bose didn’t support hi-res audio files, but their newer speakers can now play WAV and FLAC files. They also offer speakers that already come with Alexa built-in, so you can have an even better, hands-free experience. Let’s look at the best Bose Bluetooth speakers you can get your hands on in 2022.
The Bose SoundLink Revolve+ is ideal for those who need an excellent, all-around Bluetooth speaker. This speaker guarantees deeper and louder sound, and it can give your an incredible authentic 360° sound experience. It uses Bluetooth connectivity to connect to devices wirelessly, but you also have the option to use the 3.5 mm stereo audio cable. You can use the speaker at home or bring it with you to a party or the beach because it has up to 17 hours of playtime per charge. The speaker can survive outside since it has an IP55 water and dust resistance rating. It comes with a flexible fabric handle, making it easy to bring it around with you. The speaker also has a built-in microphone that comes in handy when connecting an Alexa-enabled device. Users can also use the mic to take calls from the speaker without lifting their phone. Other speakers can only connect to one device at a time, but the SoundLink Revolve+ can connect to two devices simultaneously. You also can pair this speaker with another SoundLink speaker to have an even more immersive experience. If you don’t have another SoundLink speaker, you can connect to other speakers that are part of the Bose Smart Family using the speaker’s SimpleSync technology. To get access to more features and settings of the speaker, users should download the Bose Connect app on their smartphones.
If you need a Bluetooth speaker that you will mainly use at home, the Bose Home Speaker 500 is perfect for you. This single speaker is powerful enough to fill your room with stereo sound. It has Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa built-in, so you can conveniently control it with your voice without needing a separate voice control device. Users can also control the speaker using the buttons on the speaker or the Bose Music app. Its mic system has noise-rejecting capabilities, so it can still hear you clearly if you’re in a noisy room. Speaking of mics, the fact that the speaker has a mic means that you can take calls from the speaker. You can connect devices to the Bluetooth speaker using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, but it also supports Spotify Connect and Apple AirPlay 2. Since the Home Speaker 500 is part of the Bose Smart Family, you can quickly pair it with other Bose soundbars or smart speakers using its SimpleSync technology if you want to listen to the same songs in different rooms of your home.
The Bose Portable Smart Speaker is another versatile speaker that you can carry around with you. It’s great to use indoors, but its built-in handle makes it convenient for outdoor use as well. It weighs about 2.34 pounds, which might be a little heavy for a portable Bluetooth speaker. This speaker was designed in a way wherein you get a 360-degree sound experience. It comes with powerful bass, and it delivers crisp and realistic sound. The battery life on this speaker is about 12 hours per charge. It features a durable design and an IPX4 rating. That means it’s water-resistant, and it can survive accidental bumps and drops. When the speaker is connected to Wi-Fi, you have the option to control it using Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa. The latter even allows you to use the speaker to take calls. Like most modern Bose speakers, the Portable Smart Speaker can connect to other Bose Smart Home Family members to create a fantastic surround-sound or multi-room experience. Aside from Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, users can also connect their Apple devices using Apple AirPlay 2. Unfortunately, this speaker doesn’t come with a 3.5 mm audio jack, so you won’t be able to connect devices using a wired connection.
You might’ve assumed that all Bose Bluetooth speakers will cost you at least $300, but the brand does have options like the Bose SoundLink Color II that come at a more budget-friendly price. This speaker features a compact design, making it highly portable, and it only costs $129. It’s available in black, polar white, citron, and aqua blue. The SoundLink Color II is pretty impressive because it delivers bold sound despite its small size. The speaker features an exterior made from soft-touch silicone. It has a lithium-ion battery that promises 8 hours of usage per charge. If you connect your smartphone to the speaker, you can take calls from the speaker without touching holding your phone because it has a built-in mic. The speaker comes with voice prompts that guide you through the entire pairing process. Users can connect the SoundLink Color II with other SoundLink speakers since it has Bose’s SimpleSync Technology. You can freely bring the speaker with you to the beach or pool parties because it has an IPX4 waterproof rating. If there are areas it could improve on; it would be its treble range, connectivity, and battery life. It could also use an EQ.
The Bose SoundLink Flex should be your top choice if you need a Bluetooth speaker that you will often use outdoors. The speaker has a built-in handle, so you won’t struggle to carry it. It has an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance, so it can’t get dirty without you worrying, and it can survive being submerged in one meter of water for about 30 minutes. If it accidentally falls into a swimming pool, the speaker floats. The speaker has a custom-engineered transducer to deliver immersive and crisp sound. It’s intelligent enough to detect where you positioned it and automatically optimize its sound quality according to its environment and orientation. The SoundLink Flex offers 12 hours of playtime on a single charge, and you can quickly charge it with its free USB-C cable. The speaker allows you to receive and make calls with its built-in microphone. It also has a special button on the speaker that can quickly access Google Assistant or Siri on your connected device. The SoundLink Flex can also connect to other Bose speakers if it’s within 30 feet. Thanks to the Bose Connect app, updating the speaker’s software and playing around with its setting is easy and convenient. Aside from black, the speaker is available in white smoke and stone blue.
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