Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) Review: Small, Rugged and Smarter Than Ever

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The Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) is one of the best-selling portable Bluetooth speakers on Amazon, and it is easy to see why: it is small enough to clip to a backpack, rugged enough to drop in a pool (it floats), and it carries the Bose name at a mid-range price.

But the second generation looks almost identical to the original. So what actually changed, how does it compare with rivals like the JBL Flip, and is it the right speaker for you? This review covers everything you need to know before buying.

Note: this review is based on Bose’s official specifications, retailer listings and published third-party testing. We have not run our own lab measurements, and we say so wherever it matters.

Quick Verdict

Best for: anyone who wants a compact, tough, good-sounding speaker for the beach, hiking, the shower or the backyard, especially Android users with aptX Adaptive phones and people who already own other Bose speakers.

Skip it if: you need party-level volume for a big outdoor group, more than 12 hours of battery, or a speaker that can charge your phone.

Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) Specifications

What’s New Compared With the Original SoundLink Flex

The 2nd Gen is a refinement, not a redesign. The size, shape, battery life and IP67 rating are carried over. The upgrades are mostly about connectivity and control:

• Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint, so two phones or a phone and a laptop can stay connected at once.
• AAC and aptX Adaptive support. The original only supported SBC. AAC helps iPhone users, and aptX Adaptive gives Snapdragon Sound Android phones higher-quality, lower-latency audio.
• A new programmable Shortcut button on the top panel. In the Bose app you can set it to summon your voice assistant, launch Spotify, or quickly pair a second speaker.
• The newer Bose app with a user-adjustable EQ, one of the most requested features on the first model.

One catch: because the 2nd Gen uses the new Bose app instead of the older Bose Connect app, it cannot be stereo-paired with a 1st Gen SoundLink Flex. If you already own the original and want a stereo pair, buy two of the same generation.

Design and Durability

The SoundLink Flex is built for the outdoors. The body is wrapped in soft silicone, the front grille is powder-coated steel, and a fabric utility loop on the side lets you hang it from a backpack, a tent pole or a shower head. At 1.3 lb it is light enough to carry all day.

The IP67 rating means it is protected against dust and can survive being submerged in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes. Bose also designed it to float, which is a genuinely useful feature if it falls off a pool deck or a kayak.

Sound: Clear, Balanced, Surprisingly Full

Independent reviewers consistently describe the Flex’s sound as clear and well balanced, with a detailed midrange that keeps vocals and podcasts easy to understand, and more bass than its size suggests. Its main limitation is maximum volume: it fills a room or a small patio well, but it is not designed to power a big outdoor party.

PositionIQ automatically detects whether the speaker is standing up, lying flat or hanging, and adjusts its tuning to suit. It is a small touch, but it means you do not need to think about orientation.

If you want more sound, you can pair two 2nd Gen Flex speakers in Stereo Mode (left and right channels) or use Party Mode to play the same audio on multiple compatible Bose speakers, including the larger SoundLink Max.

Battery Life

Bose rates the battery at up to 12 hours, unchanged from the original. That is enough for a full day out, but it is the speaker’s weakest spec on paper: several rivals in the same price range promise more, and at high volume you should expect noticeably less than 12 hours. It charges over USB-C, and it cannot act as a power bank for your phone.

Who Should Buy It (and Who Shouldn’t)

Buy it if you:

• Want a compact, rugged speaker for travel, the beach, the pool or the shower
• Care more about clear, balanced sound than maximum loudness
• Use an Android phone with aptX Adaptive, or switch between two devices often
• Already own Bose speakers and want to link them together

Look elsewhere if you:

• Need a speaker loud enough for a large outdoor party (consider a bigger model such as the Bose SoundLink Max)
• Want 20+ hours of battery life or a built-in power bank
• Want to stereo-pair with a 1st Gen SoundLink Flex you already own

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Clear, balanced sound with solid bass for the size
• IP67 waterproof and dustproof, and it floats
• Bluetooth 5.3 multipoint plus AAC and aptX Adaptive
• Programmable Shortcut button and adjustable EQ in the Bose app
• Stereo and Party Mode with other compatible Bose speakers
• USB-C charging and a handy utility loop

Cons

• 12-hour battery life is average for the price
• Not loud enough for big outdoor gatherings
• Cannot stereo-pair with the 1st Gen model
• No power bank feature

Final Verdict

The Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) does not reinvent the formula, and it does not need to. It keeps everything that made the original popular, from the rugged, floating IP67 design to the clear and balanced sound, and adds the modern features it was missing: multipoint, better codecs, an adjustable EQ and a handy Shortcut button. Battery life and maximum volume are only average, but if you want a small, tough speaker that sounds great and goes anywhere, it remains one of the safest buys in its class.

Check the current price of the Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) on Amazon

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Bose SoundLink Flex 2nd Gen waterproof?

Yes. It is rated IP67, so it is dustproof and can be submerged in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes. It also floats.

How long does the battery last?

Bose rates it at up to 12 hours. Expect less at high volume.

What is the difference between the SoundLink Flex 1st and 2nd Gen?

The 2nd Gen adds Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint, AAC and aptX Adaptive support, a programmable Shortcut button and EQ control through the newer Bose app. Size, battery life and the IP67 rating are the same.

Can I pair two SoundLink Flex speakers?

Yes. Two 2nd Gen units can work in Stereo Mode, and Party Mode links compatible Bose speakers. A 2nd Gen cannot stereo-pair with a 1st Gen model.

Does it work with iPhone?

Yes. It works with any Bluetooth device, and AAC support benefits iPhone users. aptX Adaptive is only available on compatible Android phones.

Can I use it for calls?

Yes. It has a built-in microphone for speakerphone calls and voice assistant access.