The Bose SoundLink Plus positions itself as a high-end mid-size Bluetooth speaker. I carried it to the backyard, used it indoors at full volume, and tested it on the move to see whether it balances performance and portability. In many roles it impresses, though sometimes I found myself wishing for more depth or speed.
Design & Build
Holding the SoundLink Plus feels solid. The soft-touch silicone body keeps things grippy without feeling fragile. The metal grille across the front adds a premium feel and protects the drivers. One standout is the utility loop built into the side—slipping a finger or carabiner through it made transport easy.
Ruggedness is real here. The speaker is rated IP67, so dust and water exposure didn’t phase it during my tests, and Bose claims it even floats under water for short durations. (I took the plunge in a shallow pool—though I didn’t leave it floating long.)
The speaker is fairly heavy compared to truly portable models, so it never felt like I was going to toss it in a backpack for a long hike. But in day-to-day use, it feels premium and well engineered.
Performance & Features
Sound & Audio Quality
The SoundLink Plus uses a driver setup that includes a woofer, a tweeter, and several passive radiators to push more audio output. In my listening tests, the bass felt strong for its size, though it can’t match full bookshelf or floor models. The mids and highs came through clearly, especially on vocals and acoustic instruments.
At higher volumes, I noticed a bit of compression—dialogue would recede slightly, and louder tracks sometimes lost subtle textures. The treble occasionally felt bright on dense mixes. Still, in everyday listening or outdoor use, the speaker holds up admirably.
One limitation: stereo separation is absent. The speaker plays back in mono, so you lose width and immersion in stereo mixes.
Battery, Charging & Extras
Bose rates the battery for up to 20 hours, and that matched what I experienced during moderate volume use. At louder volumes, runtime dropped noticeably. Charging is slow—even with a USB-C input, it took around five hours to go from empty to full.
A nice bonus: the SoundLink Plus can act as a power bank. I charged a phone from its USB-C port during one test. It’s no fast charger, but for an emergency boost it’s helpful.
The loop handle and durability make it well suited for outdoor or travel use. Connectivity via Bluetooth 5.4 is stable, and multipoint pairing lets you stay connected to two devices (e.g. phone + laptop) without constant re-pairing.
App & EQ
Via Bose’s companion app, you get access to a three-band EQ and presets. I used the custom EQ to push mids when dialogue felt thin. The app also allows you to remap a physical shortcut button and manage firmware updates. The app interface is clean and straightforward.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong, clear sound with good bass for size
- 20-hour battery when used moderately
- Rugged, IP67-rated build with utility loop
- Bluetooth 5.4 with multipoint support
- Can charge other devices via USB-C pass-through
- App allows EQ tuning and shortcut remapping
Cons
- Audio compression and detail loss at max volume
- No stereo separation (mono output)
- Charging takes about five hours
- Heavier than many portable rivals
- Bass depth falls short of larger dedicated speakers
- EQ controls limited to three bands
Verdict
The SoundLink Plus delivers a refined balance of rugged design, battery longevity, and sound performance for its class. Its ability to float, resist water and dust, and double as a power bank make it highly versatile. But audio compromises at high volume and slow charging drag down the experience. For those who want a premium mid-size speaker that works indoors and outdoors, the SoundLink Plus is a strong companion—just don’t expect it to outshine full stereo systems in every scenario.
Overall Score: 7.9 out of 10
