Bose SoundLink Flex Gen 2 review: two-minute review
If you’re looking for a sleek, stylish portable Bluetooth speaker, you’ll struggle to find a better-looking alternative than the Bose SoundLink Flex Gen 2. This small speaker assumes a compact, curved form with a durable rubber body and attractive metallic-looking grille. But it’s more than just a pretty face.
The Bose SoundLink Flex Gen 2 plates up impressively powerful audio for its size, with commendable levels of detail and surprisingly good instrument separation. As a result, you get a layered, clear listening experience that will keep you tuned into your favorite tracks for hours on end. Sound quality can get a touch harsh and unstable at top volumes, but for the vast majority of the time, it steers well clear of tinniness and distortion.
Audio in the treble is communicated with delicacy and finesse, with mids also sounding as rich as you’d hope to hear from some of the best Bluetooth speakers in this size and weight class. Bass – although not delivering as much impact as a large-sized party speaker – has solid depth and dynamism too. You can, unlike its original gen predecessor, alter EQ settings on the Bose SoundLink Flex Gen 2. Just download the Bose app and switch things up to your liking. However, there is a disappointing lack of presets (four that increase or reduce either bass or treble), so you’ll likely need to manually adjust audio with the app’s three-band equaliser.
But you don’t only get a strong audio performance from the SoundLink Flex Gen 2, you also get excellent build quality and durability. This Bluetooth speaker has the IP67 dustproof and waterproof rating, meaning it can survive being dunked under a meter of water for half an hour. Pretty impressive. On top of that, it has a durable exterior, discreet feet that keep it standing and a customizable shortcut button, which I personally used to activate my voice assistant. Design-wise, this really is the full-package.
And even in the features department, the SoundLink Flex Gen 2 has a solid amount to work with. Of course, the Bose app opens up a lot of this, including the aforementioned EQ settings and shortcut button customization. But it also enables you to view devices connected via multi-point, change auto-power off time and even name the speaker from a list of random names (mine was Pint Size Party). And like its first generation ancestor, the SoundLink Flex Gen 2 harnesses PositionIQ tech, which optimizes audio output depending on the speaker’s orientation.
The re-utilization of PositionIQ is welcome, but it does hammer home something undeniable about the SoundLink Flex Gen 2. It’s very similar to the original Bose SoundLink Flex. Not only does it look almost identical, but it also has a like-for-like sound profile. Perhaps most frustratingly, the newer variant has the same battery life – just 12 hours – which is a little underwhelming when you consider recently-released rivals, like the Beats Pill, offer a much longer playtime.
Having said that, the addition of EQ options and a more up-to-date Bluetooth version is a noticeable improvement. Is it worth upgrading for owners of the original SoundLink Flex? Perhaps not. But if you want a new Bluetooth speaker, this certainly stands on its own four feet as a very strong option. So, if you’re new to the SoundLink Flex line and want a great-sounding portable speaker for all environments, I’d recommend this one. Otherwise, you may be better served by an alternative in our guide to the best waterproof speakers.
Bose SoundLink Flex Gen 2 review: price and release date
- $149 / £149.95 / AU$249.95
- Already appeared on sale
- Launched in September 2024
The Bose SoundLink Flex Gen 2 is a mid-priced option in the portable Bluetooth speaker market. It’s available in a nice range of colors, including: Alpine Sage (green); Black; Sandstone (brown); and my personal favorite, Blue Dusk.
It has a list price of $149 / £149.95 / AU$249.95, although I’ve already seen it available for $119 / £119 (about AU$180). Given it only launched in September 2024, that’s quite an enticing price – though it still has hot competition. Rivals like the JBL Flip 6, for instance, have been discounted to as little as $79 / £79 on Amazon.
Bose SoundLink Flex Gen 2 review: specs
Bose SoundLink Flex Gen 2 review: features
- Companion app compatibility
- Speaker pairing for stereo mode
- PositionIQ tech
Perhaps the biggest upgrade the SoundLink Flex Gen 2 has over its predecessor is that it actually has a companion app. It’s not got a ton of fancy features, but it’s pretty much a must-have for modern Bluetooth speakers in my view – and this is a pretty slick, clean-looking app too.
So, let's start with the most important function – EQ settings. These were absent last time, and although it’s nice to have some customizability, they’re actually pretty disappointing. There’s a grand total of four presets: Bass Boost; Bass Reducer; Treble Boost; and Treble Reducer. Wow, really? Sure, you can manually adjust EQ across three bands (Bass, Mids, Treble), but I would’ve preferred to see more depth here – maybe some genre-specific presets, for instance.
So what else does the app have? Firstly, it has a Source option, to toggle Multi-point – a handy feature – on or off and view connected devices. It also has an option to change the function of the Shortcut button to Speaker Link (to pair Bose speakers), Voice Assistant or Spotify Resume – pretty neat. These are nice additions in my view, making for a decently well-rounded in-app experience – even if EQ options are a bit lacking.
But there’s more: the SoundLink Flex Gen 2 continues the use of PositionIQ. This essentially provides positional compensation, meaning that the speaker can optimize audio output depending on its placement and orientation – pretty cool for a small Bluetooth speaker like this that’s made for use in a range of environments. In addition, you can pair this speaker with another in order to access Stereo audio output – but frustratingly, this is locked to Gen 2 models alone. I can’t help but think that backwards compatibility with the original model would’ve been a real incentive for owners to opt for the upgrade, so this feels like a bit of a missed opportunity.
Although this speaker has a USB-C port, you’re not able to use this for music output. There’s also no 3.5mm port, so it’s going to be wireless play only, guys. For me, this isn’t an issue, but the option would be a nice touch.
Finally, this speaker offers fairly average battery life. It can deliver approximately 12 hours of playtime with music at around 50% volume – the same as its predecessor and similarly-price competitors like the JBL Flip 6. Some may feel that simply matching its predecessor isn’t enough and what’s more, there are a lot of similarly-sized Bluetooth speakers that can offer superior numbers. Just look at the Beats Pill, for instance, which supplies an awesome 24 hours of playtime.
- Features score: 3.5/5
Bose SoundLink Flex Gen 2 review: sound quality
- Balanced, punchy sound
- Impressive dynamism and instrument separation
- Bass may be a little thin for some
On the SoundLink Flex Gen 2’s box, Bose says that “you’ve never had a sidekick that sounds this good”. And for many, that may well be true – this speaker does offer balanced, pleasingly nuanced audio. But despite its talents, I would argue that audio isn’t quite S-tier quality.
One reason for this is that music can be a little rough around the edges at high volumes. When tuning into As If Waltz by Geordie Greep, I felt that the track sounded almost compressed at 90%-100%, with treble a touch abrasive and vocals lacking the crisp clarity I heard at lower volume levels. This was an issue we also identified in our review on the SoundLink Flex Gen 2’s predecessor, but like that model, volume can climb surprisingly high for the speaker’s size, so if you’re not maxing out loudness, this likely won’t affect you.
Additionally, some may find that bass isn’t quite as impactful as they’d like, especially for larger rooms or more open spaces. Although bass is responsive and sharp, it can be a touch thin, especially out of the box. You can remedy this, in part, by upping bass levels in the Bose app, just don’t expect the boom of a larger party speaker. When listening to The Boys Are Back in Town by Yung Gravy, I found that the imposing, in-your-face low-end felt a little constricted. A significant factor here is, of course, the SoundLink Flex Gen 2’s size – it’s no beefy Boombox. If your main focus is ground-shaking low-frequency audio, you might want to consider a larger option, like the Earfun UBoom X or Bose SoundLink Max, for instance.
But anyway, that’s enough moaning. I want to be clear, the Bose SoundLink Flex Gen 2 does, in fact, sound very good and it’s going to offer a significant sonic step-up from almost any budget portable speaker. Why? Well there are a few key reasons. First of all, instrument separation is pretty strong. When playing St. Thomas by Sonny Rollins, the warm double bass, forward-sounding sax, sporadic percussion and cool keys all occupied surprisingly separate spaces, combining for a satisfying listen.
On top of that, instrumental and vocal elements sound natural and detailed. For instance, the drum solo in St. Thomas sounded authentic with even the weight of each drum hit sounding discernible and true to life. The rainfall at the start of Rains again by Solji also maintained its intended sound, without coming through like static or a muffled, crackling mess. Vocals also had a breathy, delicate quality that many cheap alternatives miss out on.
I’ll circle back to bass as well. As I mentioned earlier, it’s not exactly thunderous, but it does have solid depth and a respectable bite for a small speaker. I listened to I Want You by Moloko on both the Bose SoundLink Flex Gen 2 and a budget option – the Tribit Stormbox 2 – to identify the key benefits of splashing some extra cash. And bass clarity was one of the key improvements. With the Bose speaker, bass was neatly separated and had a more accurate tone than Tribit’s alternative – which served up a slightly muddied, muffled sound in comparison.
Another song with a lot of low-end emphasis – Black Eye by Allie X – produced similar results. The depth of the drum machine was replicated with far more finesse using Bose’s speakers, with the Tribit offering a more dulled sound. The dynamism of the bass connecting up to the lower mids was also far more impressive with the SoundLink Flex Gen 2, so if you’re willing to spend more on a Bluetooth speaker, you’ll certainly hear the difference, that much is certain.
- Sound quality score: 4/5
Bose SoundLink Flex Gen 2 review: design
- IP67 waterproof and dustproof rating
- Attractive look with classy color options
- Simple, well-sized button controls
So perhaps unsurprisingly, I’d argue that the Bose SoundLink Flex Gen 2’s design is actually its standout aspect. It looks very similar – no, almost identical – to its predecessor, but I’m not complaining; it was a very nice-looking model.
This speaker has smooth, curved corners, a rubbery body and beautifully finished speaker grille. It’s available in a really nice set of colors too. These aren’t eye-poppingly vibrant, more-so classy and refined. The unit I reviewed came in Blue Dusk – a really beautiful medium-blue color that is neither boring or overbearing. It’s oriented to sit lengthways too and has four subtle bumps that act as a base for the speaker to stand on.
And that ties into a fantastic aspect of the SoundLink Flex Gen 2 – it’s equally as practical as it is pretty. Firstly, it has a pretty durable design, in part thanks to its rubber outer casing, which means it should be fine to throw around (to an extent) and capable of taking a few falls. It also has the IP67 dustproof and waterproof rating, meaning it won’t succumb to an untimely death, even when submerged under a meter of water for up to 30 minutes. It also has a handy fabric tab that you can use to attach the speaker to a bag or belt.
Finally, the SoundLink Flex Gen 2 has a solid set of onboard controls. You get power, Bluetooth, shortcut, volume up/down and play/pause buttons. All of these are perfectly sized and are super clear – there’s no second-guessing what does what. There is, however, a user manual and tips section in the Bose app, so you’ll be able to get the best out of your speaker. Really, there’s nothing I didn’t like about the SoundLink Flex Gen 2’s design – it’s a true thing of beauty – but it doesn’t skimp on ease-of-use or durability either.
- Design score: 5/5
Bose SoundLink Flex Gen 2 review: value
- Not the cheapest speaker out there
- But already available on sale
- Clear quality improvement over budget options, too
When it comes to value, the Bose SoundLink Flex Gen 2 finds what I’d call a happy medium. The bottom line is, this isn’t a cheap, budget product – but it’s not a top-of-the range, premium pick either.
And I’d argue that the quality you get here matches that price profile nicely. Audio quality – although not mind-blowing – is very good and skips on the muddy, constricted sound you get from a lot of budget options. But you also get a stunning design and a decent enough feature-set to boot, which really help to justify the price tag.
You can already get this bad boy on sale too. I headed over to Amazon in the US and the UK and spotted this thing on discount, so you won’t have to spend a lot more than $120 / £120 if you’re savvy. That’s really not too bad given the quality on show – and given it’s predecessor was only a touch less. So again, it may not be the ultimate budget-friendly pick, but the SoundLink Flex Gen 2 still earns its keep.
- Value score: 4/5
Should I buy the Bose SoundLink Flex Gen 2?
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Bose SoundLink Flex Gen 2 review: also consider
Bose SoundLink Flex Gen 2 review: how I tested
- Tested for one week
- Predominantly used at the Future Labs music testing space
- Mainly tested using Tidal on FiiO M11S
I spent hours listening to music on the Bose SoundLink Flex Gen 2, testing it across various EQ modes and volume levels. I predominantly used the speaker in our music testing room at Future Labs to best judge audio quality and validate battery life claims.
When listening to tunes, I predominantly tapped into Tidal on the Fiio M11S hi-res music player. I streamed tracks from our carefully curated TechRadar reference playlist as well as a bunch of songs from my personal library. This included songs with deep bass, high-pitched vocals, and complexly layered mixes, enabling me to hear the speaker’s full range capabilities and dynamism across different frequencies. I also used the Tribit Stormbox 2 to closely assess the improvements this Bose speaker can offer over a more budget model.
- First reviewed: December 2024
- Read more about how we test
