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Bose SoundLink Flex II Bluetooth Speaker

Bose SoundLink Flex II Bluetooth Speaker

By Bose · Portable Bluetooth Speakers · Audio & Electronics · More from Bose

  • 12 hours battery life
  • IP67 water and dustproof
  • Bluetooth 5.3
  • Custom EQ via Bose app
  • PositionIQ orientation detection

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Problems, parts and running costs

Summary

A small, rugged IP67 Bluetooth speaker that floats and claims up to 12 hours on a charge, aimed at buyers who want portable Bose sound and app features. Check the battery claim before you buy: independent testing measured closer to 7 hours, and a single unit is mono.

Strengths

  • Small and light at 1.291 lb, with a floating design and a hang loop.
  • Clear mid-range and vocals, and the Bose App adds a 3-band graphic EQ.
  • Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint and stereo pairing of two units.
  • Bose SimpleSync links it to Bose soundbars, and Party Mode pairs several speakers.

Weaknesses

  • Battery life falls well short of the 12-hour claim: SoundGuys measured 7 h 03 m at 80 dB.
  • A single unit is mono and front-facing, so stereo needs a second identical speaker.
  • Consumer Reports rates sound quality only middling, with boomy bass and a grainy midrange.
  • No built-in voice assistant and no AUX input; Bluetooth is the only connection.
  • DSP cuts bass past 80% volume, and elevated treble can make hi-hats piercing.
  • Owners report units that stopped charging after 14 months, and battery drain after a firmware update.

Verified specifications

ModelBose SoundLink Flex Portable Speaker (2nd Gen); Bose model path SLFLXII-SPEAKERWIRELESS, model number 887612-0100.
Battery life (claimed)up to 12 hours; Bose’s own test basis is 65% volume playing Spotify at typical indoor temperature.
Battery life (measured)SoundGuys measured 7 h 03 m looping music at 80 dB from a meter away.
Charge time4 hours; Bose Canada specifies a 5 V / 1.5 A (7.5 W) USB-C supply for a 0%–100% charge in standby.
Water and dust resistanceIP67, meaning complete dust protection and immersion up to 1 meter for 30 minutes; the speaker floats but is not designed to play while in water.
Bluetooth5.3, up from the original’s Bluetooth 4.2; wireless range within 30 ft / 9 m.
CodecsSBC and AAC; Snapdragon Sound / aptX support for compatible Android phones; Lenovo lists aptX Adaptive.
Multipointkeeps a simultaneous connection to two paired source devices.
OrientationPositionIQ detects the speaker’s orientation and adjusts sound; it works but cannot be disabled.
Modesspeakerphone, SimpleSync, Party Mode and Stereo Mode (two speakers).
Microphonebuilt in, for calls and relaying to the phone’s voice assistant.
AppBose App for setup, 3-band EQ, stereo pairing, shortcut and SimpleSync updates.
Voice assistantnone built in; it uses the paired phone’s Siri or Google Assistant.
Inputsno AUX; Bluetooth is the only connection.
Stereomono as a single unit; stereo needs a second identical unit.
Dimensions2.06 in H × 7.93 in W × 3.56 in D (5.23 × 20.14 × 9.04 cm); 1.291 lb (0.59 kg).
Materialsaluminum, fabric, nylon, plastic, silicone, steel.
In the boxspeaker, USB-C (C-to-A) cable, safety sheet. The power adapter is not included.
Warrantyone-year limited; optional BoseCare adds accidental-damage and extended coverage.
Full research notes and sources

Sound

RTINGS’ instrumented test finds a well-balanced mid-range and clear vocals, but limited low-end thump and elevated treble that can make hi-hats piercing; the app EQ helps. Consumer Reports is harsher, calling the bass prominent and boomy, the midrange grainy and congested, the treble subdued and the soundfield two-dimensional. SoundGuys says the 2nd Gen sounds essentially identical to the original and that pushing past 80% volume triggers DSP that reduces bass to prevent distortion. GearLab describes a cohesive, controlled mix that suits music, audiobooks and podcasts. The speaker is mono and front-facing, so a single unit is not immersive and video is a weak point; stereo needs a second identical unit.

Battery life

Bose rates the Flex II at up to 12 hours, but its own test basis is 65% volume playing Spotify at typical indoor temperature. SoundGuys’ standardized test measured 7 h 03 m at 80 dB from a meter away, and its aggregator of owner sentiment lists short battery life among the top complaints. Charging takes 4 hours over USB-C, and the power adapter is not included. Owner signals are thin but real: one verified SoundGuys owner reports both speakers stopped taking a charge after 14 months, and a thread in r/bose reports battery drain on two Flex 2 speakers after firmware 8.2. Treat these as individual reports, not a failure rate.

Build and waterproofing

IP67 means complete dust protection and immersion up to 1 meter for 30 minutes, and the silicone-wrapped body is rated drop, shock and rust resistant. The speaker floats, but Bose says it is not designed to play while in water; rinse it after salt or chlorinated water and let the ports dry fully before charging. At 1.291 lb it fits a hand or a bag, and a hang loop makes it easy to clip on. Tom’s Guide notes the metal and silicone build feels higher quality than rivals that use cloth and plastic.

Is it worth it?

SoundGuys lists an MSRP of $149, and Bose’s US page and Lenovo both list $159. At or below about $110–$119 it is a defensible pick for a rugged, pocketable IP67 speaker; at $159 the measured battery life, mono output and middling measured sound make alternatives worth comparing. SoundGuys recommends the JBL Flip 7 as an alternative at the same price with the same IP67 rating. Bose’s two-speaker set is listed at $318. Recurring costs are minimal: USB-C charging and no subscription; a second unit is the main optional extra for stereo.

Which model this is

This page covers the SoundLink Flex Portable Speaker (2nd Gen), the successor to the original Flex, sold under the model path SLFLXII-SPEAKERWIRELESS and model number 887612-0100. The original 2021 Flex is a separate model, and the SoundLink Flex SE without a microphone is a different product. Gen 1 and Gen 2 cannot be paired for stereo because they use different apps. The Amazon listing carries ASIN B0HL4S4GGD.

Sources

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