Skip to content
Compare products

Review Speakers

Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) review: buy or skip?

Buy8.4/10 research score

Quick answer

Buy it, if you want a rugged speaker with natural sound. Why: clear, balanced sound in a tough, floating speaker. The catch: 12-hour battery.

By Buyrskip Editorial Team Updated 1 min read

We research products independently. When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How we earn money

Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen)

Our verdict on the Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen)

Buy it if
you want a rugged speaker with natural sound.
Skip it if
you want deep, thumping bass.
Best for
Clear, portable sound
Key feature
Clear, balanced sound in a tough, floating speaker
Typical price
$129–$149
Check Price on Amazon Paid link

Key specifications

Water resistanceIP67
BatteryUp to 12 hours
Weight0.6 kg
Stereo pairingYes

Who should buy it, and who should skip it

A good fit if you

  • you want a rugged speaker with natural sound
  • value clear sound
  • can spend around $129–$149

Skip it if you

  • you want deep, thumping bass
  • mind this: 12-hour battery
  • mind this: mono

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Clear sound
  • Floats
  • Rugged
  • Good app

Cons

  • 12-hour battery
  • Mono

The verdict in one breath

The Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) is a Bluetooth speaker we would point many buyers to. What earns it the buy: clear, balanced sound in a tough, floating speaker. In our list it is the pick for: clear, portable sound.

Reasons to buy

  • Clear sound
  • Floats
  • Rugged
  • Good app

Reasons to skip

  • 12-hour battery
  • Mono

The specs that matter

  • Water resistance: IP67
  • Battery: Up to 12 hours
  • Weight: 0.6 kg
  • Stereo pairing: Yes

Worth knowing

It floats and survives drops, which makes it a favorite for pools and kayaks.

Buy it or skip it?

Buy it if you want a rugged speaker with natural sound. Skip it if you want deep, thumping bass; the JBL Flip 7 is the better buy then. Everything else is in our list of the best bluetooth speakers.

Alternatives worth considering

JBL Flip 7

JBL · Speakers

JBL Flip 7

Buy it if you want one tough speaker for the backyard, pool and trips.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
Most people
Typical price
$129–$149

Pros

  • IP68 waterproof and drop-proof
  • Auracast multi-speaker

Cons

  • Mono sound
Check Price on Amazon Paid linkRead our review
Ultimate Ears Boom 4

Ultimate Ears · Speakers

Ultimate Ears Boom 4

Buy it if you want sound that fills the space all around you.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
360-degree sound
Typical price
$129–$149

Pros

  • 360° sound
  • Floats

Cons

  • No app EQ depth
Check Price on Amazon Paid linkRead our review

Frequently asked questions

Should I buy the Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen)?

Buy it, if you want a rugged speaker with natural sound. Why: clear, balanced sound in a tough, floating speaker. The catch: 12-hour battery.

When should I skip it?

Skip it if you want deep, thumping bass. The JBL Flip 7 is the better buy then.

What does the Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) cost?

Usually $129–$149 on Amazon.com. It tends to dip during Prime Day and Black Friday.

Buyrskip Editorial Team

Part of the Buyrskip research team. We compare specifications, documentation and real-world trade-offs so you can decide faster.

How we research products Editorial policy

Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen): the full buy-or-skip review

Is the Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) worth buying? Short answer: buy it, if you want a rugged speaker with natural sound. This review explains what this Bose model gets right, where it falls short, what it usually costs in the US and which Bluetooth speaker to buy instead if it is not the right fit for you.

What the Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) does well

The headline: clear, balanced sound in a tough, floating speaker. Key specs: Water resistance: IP67; Battery: Up to 12 hours; Weight: 0.6 kg; Stereo pairing: Yes. In our list it is the pick for: clear, portable sound. It usually sells for $129–$149.

It floats and survives drops, which makes it a favorite for pools and kayaks.

The trade-offs

Good: clear sound, floats, rugged, good app. Not so good: 12-hour battery, mono. Read the skip-if line before you order: skip it if you want deep, thumping bass.

What to buy instead

Instead, consider the JBL Flip 7 ($129–$149): punchy sound, IP68 toughness and Auracast in a bottle-size speaker. Better if you want one tough speaker for the backyard, pool and trips.

Instead, consider the Ultimate Ears Boom 4 ($129–$149): loud 360-degree sound in a drop-proof, floating speaker. Better if you want sound that fills the space all around you.

Instead, consider the JBL Charge 6 ($179–$199): big sound, long battery and power-bank charging in a rugged body. Better if you want one speaker for the beach, backyard and travel.

Before you buy

Waterproofing: IP67 survives the pool, the beach and rain. Size vs sound: bigger drivers mean more bass, but a speaker you actually carry beats one that stays home. Pairing: party or stereo modes let you link two speakers of the same brand.

US buyer tip

For backyard and pool use, a rugged IP67 speaker is the safest buy; check whether the brand sells replacement batteries or offers a long warranty.

Prices on Amazon.com move in a pattern. The deepest cuts land on Prime Day in July, Prime Big Deal Days in October and the Black Friday to Cyber Monday week, with smaller drops around Presidents Day, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and back-to-school. Judge a deal against the usual price we show, never against the crossed-out list price.

Order from Amazon itself or the brand's official storefront so the US manufacturer warranty applies, keep your order confirmation and register the product with the brand. Most items can be returned within 30 days, and holiday purchases often get an extended return window into January.