Just in time for Summer 2025, Bose has dropped two new Bluetooth speakers: the SoundLink Plus and the SoundLink Micro Gen 2. Let’s see what they bring to the table—and how they plan to stand out in a portable speaker market that’s more crowded than a Miami beach on Memorial Day.
Bose SoundLink Plus: Premium Portable Speaker for Summer 2025
The SoundLink Plus slots in between the SoundLink Flex (Gen 2) and the larger SoundLink Max, aiming to hit the sweet spot of size, power, and portability. At just 9.1″ wide, 3.9″ high, and 3.4″ deep—and weighing only four pounds—it’s compact enough to toss into a backpack, gym bag, or whatever you’re pretending is a carry-on.
Don’t let the size fool you. Inside, Bose crams in a dedicated tweeter, a subwoofer, and four passive radiators. That means actual stereo separation and real bass—not just the muddy thump most portables try to pass off as “rich sound.” It’s IP67 rated, so yes, it floats—and yes, it’ll survive the pool, the beach, or getting kicked across your patio by an excited toddler.
You also get 20 hours of battery life, plus USB-C device charging when your phone taps out at 3 PM. The housing is shock- and rust-resistant, and the powder-coated steel grille and silicone-wrapped frame give it a premium-but-durable look. There’s even a rugged utility rope attached, so you can hang it, carry it, or rescue it from your neighbor’s koi pond.
It’s portable, powerful, and refuses to die easily. Just like that playlist you’ve been dragging from one summer to the next.
Bose SoundLink Micro (2nd Gen): Ultra-Portable Bluetooth Speaker Built for Summer
If the SoundLink Plus is travel-sized, the SoundLink Micro (2nd Gen) is downright pocketable. Measuring just 4.06″ x 4.06″ x 1.54″ and tipping the scale at under a pound, this is the speaker you throw in your bag and forget—until it starts cranking out sound way bigger than its size should allow.
Bose originally launched the Micro in 2017, and the 2nd Gen refresh finally brings it into the modern era. You get USB-C charging (it’s about time), an extended 12-hour battery life, and full compatibility with the Bose app for easier control and firmware updates. Under the hood, a single driver and dual passive radiators do some serious heavy lifting, delivering surprising low-end grunt and improved clarity, especially in the highs.
Also new is a removable fabric nylon strap that makes it easier than ever to clip the Micro to whatever’s nearby—bags, bikes, backpacks, golf carts, or your shower curtain rod if that’s your thing. It’s still IP67 rated, so it’ll survive rain, dust, and spontaneous pool dives.
It’s small, tough, and louder than your buddy who insists his speaker sounds just as good. Spoiler: it doesn’t.
Stereo and Party Modes: Pair Up for Bigger, Better Bose Sound
With the addition of the SoundLink Plus and 2nd Gen Micro, Bose now has a full squad of portable Bluetooth speakers covering every size and use case. Whether you’re poolside, trail-bound, or hiding from the sun under a patio umbrella, there’s a SoundLink for that.
Even better? You can double up. Any two speakers from the current SoundLink family—Micro (2nd Gen), Flex (2nd Gen), Plus, or Max—can be paired for a bigger, fuller soundstage. Use Stereo Mode to split left and right channels (just make sure both speakers are the same model), or go with Party Mode to sync audio across two different units and blanket your space in sound.
It’s Bose’s way of saying: why annoy the neighbors with one speaker when you can use two?
Bose App Support and Bluetooth 5.4: Finally, the Features You Deserve in 2025
Just like the SoundLink Max and Flex (2nd Gen), the new SoundLink Plus and Micro (2nd Gen) work seamlessly with the Bose app (iOS and Android), which does more than just take up space on your phone. It handles firmware updates automatically—because manually updating a Bluetooth speaker in 2025 should be illegal—and gives you access to EQ adjustments, shortcut button customization (yes, you can make it launch Spotify Tap), and SimpleSync for pairing with compatible Bose soundbars and smart speakers. Welcome to the future, finally.
On the wireless side, both speakers support Bluetooth 5.4, giving you multipoint pairing for two devices and a 30-foot range. That means you can finally stop yelling at your speaker for dropping out when you walk into the kitchen. The speakers also offer Google Fast Pair for quicker pairing to Android devices.
For audio quality, Bose sticks to the basics with SBC and AAC, ensuring solid compatibility across iOS and Android devices. But if you’re rolling with a Snapdragon Sound-certified Android phone, you’ll also get aptX Adaptive—which adjusts dynamically to deliver low-latency, high-resolution audio without eating battery like a junkie on payday.
In short: it connects faster, sounds better, and does more. And no, your six-year-old Bluetooth brick can’t compete.
Comparison
| Bose SoundLink Model | Plus (2025) | Max (2024) | Flex (Gen 2 2024) | Micro (2nd Gen – 2025) | Micro (2017) |
| Price | $269.00 | $399.00 | $149.00 | $129.00 | $119.00 |
| Microphone | No | No | Built-in | Not Indicated | Built-in |
| Speakers/Microphones | 1 x Tweeter 2 X Passive Radiators 1 x Subwoofer | Full Range Speakers with Passive Radiators | Shielded Speakers Speakerphone | 1 x Full Range Driver 2 x Passive radiators | Shielded Speakers Speakerphone |
| Sound Options | SimpleSync Party Mode (When Enabling Two Speakers) Stereo Mode (When Enabling Two Speakers) | SimpleSync . Party Mode (When Enabling Two Speakers) Stereo Mode (When Enabling Two Speakers) | SimpleSync Party Mode (When Enabling Two Speakers) Stereo Mode (When Enabling Two Speakers) | SimpleSync Party Mode (When Enabling Two Speakers) Stereo Mode (When Enabling Two Speakers) | SimpleSync Party Mode (When Enabling Two Speakers), Stereo Mode (When Enabling Two Speakers) |
| Noise Control Type | Not Inidicated | Not Indicated | Echo Reduction | Not Indicated | Echo Reduction |
| Water Resistance | IP67 | IP67 | IP67 | IP67 | IP67 |
| Product Material | Powder-coated Steel Grille Soft-touch Silicone | Aluminum Fabric Nylon Plastic Silicone Steel | Aluminum Fabric Nylon Plastic Silicone Steel | Powder-coated steel grille Soft-touch silicone | Metal Plastic Silicone Steel |
| Battery Life | 20 hours | 20 hours | 12 hours | 12 hours | 6 hours |
| Battery Charge Time | 5 hours | 5 hours | 4 hours | 4 hours | 4 hours |
| Charging Interface(s) | USB-C In/Out | USB-C In/Out | USB-C Port | USB-C Port | USB Micro Port |
| Wireless Connectivity | Bluetooth Google Fast Pair Spotify Tap | Bluetooth Google Fast Pair Spotify Tap | Bluetooth | Bluetooth Google Fast Pair Spotify Tap | Bluetooth |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.4 | 5.3 | 5.4 | 4.2 |
| Bluetooth Multipoint | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Range | 39 ft | 30ft | 30 ft | 30 ft | 30ft |
| Bose App | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions (HWD) | 3.94 x 9.1 x 3.4 inches | 4.73 x 10.42 x 4.13 inches | 3.56 x 7.93 x 2.06 inches | 4.06 x 4.06 x 1.54 inches | 3.87 x 3.87 x 1.37 inches |
| Weight | 3.29 lbs | 4.9 lbs | 1.30 lbs | 0.7 lbs | 0.68 lbs |
The Bottom Line: Bose Knows What It’s Doing
Bose isn’t just coasting on brand recognition—they’re actually doing solid work in the portable speaker space. The SoundLink Plus smartly fills the gap between the affordable Flex and the beefy SoundLink Max, offering better sound without the back-breaking price or weight.
The Plus brings legit upgrades: a tweeter, subwoofer, and four passive radiators—because Bose finally realized people want bass and detail without lugging around a boombox from 1989. It’s rugged, IP67-rated, and even charges your phone. You could do a lot worse for summer.
Meanwhile, the SoundLink Micro (2nd Gen) is the refresh we’ve been waiting for. More playtime, cleaner sound, USB-C charging (thank you), and a removable strap that actually makes sense. It’s still tiny, still tough, and still louder than anything else its size.
In a market flooded with me-too portables, Bose is showing up with gear that sounds good, works well, and—shockingly—makes sense for the price.
Price & Availability
The Bose SoundLink Plus is priced at $269 and available in Black, Blue Dusk, and Citrus Yellow. U.S. pre-orders launch on June 12, 2025 (June 18 for Citrus Yellow) with general availability on June 26 2025 from Bose.com
The Bose Soundlink Micro Gen 2 is priced at $129 and available in Black and Blue Dusk, with global release dates scheduled for later this summer from Bose.com
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