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8.3 / 10 Score Cnet Score CNET provides expert, unbiased reviews of products and services. When we assign a score, we use a scale of 1-10. Each product we score is evaluated by criteria specific to its category with most assessing pricing, quality, features and performance. Read more on: How we test Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker $299 at Amazon Pros Attractively designed compact smart speaker with excellent sound for its size
Supports Google Cast for multiroom audio, Apple AirPlay and Bluetooth
Amazon Alexa support
Touch controls on the speaker
Can be linked as a stereo pair or used as rear speakers when combined with the Lifestyle Soundbar Cons More expensive than Sonos Era 100
Not backward compatible with earlier Bose Wi-Fi speakers
Doesn't natively support high-res 24-bit/192kHz audio at launch
Over the years, Bose has made various stabs at multiroom wireless audio systems to compete with Sonos' offerings. Its new Lifestyle Collection, which includes the Lifestyle Ultra Speaker ($299) I'm reviewing here, the Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar ($1,099) and the Lifestyle Ultra Subwoofer ($899), takes a different approach. Instead of being tethered to the Bose app for setup and use, the speakers use Google Cast or Apple AirPlay, so they can intermingle with other Google Cast-capable wireless speakers you might already have in your home.
Read more: Best Wi-Fi Wireless Speakers of 2026
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