8.5 / 10
SCORE Bose SoundLink Plus $269 at Bose $269 at Amazon $269 at B&H Photo-Video Pros Sleek design with integrated rope loop
IP67 waterproof, dustproof and shock-resistant
Impressive sound for its size with fairly robust, well-defined bass and good clarity
EQ settings in Bose companion
USB-C charge out allows you to power up a phone and other devices Cons While it's $130 less than the SoundLink Max, it's still pricey
No built-in microphone for speakerphone capabilities
No auxiliary input
As Bose continues to expand its SoundLink portable Bluetooth speaker line, it's become harder to choose which is best for you. That said, the new-for-2025 SoundLink Plus ($269, £250, AU$430), which sits between the more compact second-gen SoundLink Flex ($149, £150, AU$250) and the beefier and pricier SoundLink Max ($399, £400, AU$600), may just be the best of the bunch, the goldilocks of Bose Bluetooth speakers. While it can't play quite as loud or deliver as much bass as the larger Max, it costs significantly less and puts out clear, potent sound that's a big step up from the Flex's sound. It strikes the right balance of performance and price, earning a CNET Editors' Choice award in the process.
Read more: Best Bluetooth Speakers of 2025
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