The Bose SoundLink Micro Portable Speaker (2nd Gen), also called the SoundLink Micro Gen 2, ranked first in TechRadar’s blindfolded comparison of five small Bluetooth speakers. The result came from four participants, so it is a useful editorial signal—not proof that Bose will sound best to every listener. TechRadar reported color-specific Amazon offers on October 6, 2026: $99.99 for Dewdrop Mint in the US and £79.95 for Petal Pink in the UK. Those are dated prices, not confirmed live offers.
Which Bose speaker won the blind test?
It was the Bose SoundLink Micro Gen 2. TechRadar senior writer Harry Padoan described the exercise as a blindfolded comparison intended to reduce the influence of branding and appearance. Four participants ranked five compact speakers in this order:
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- Bose SoundLink Micro Gen 2
- Edifier ES20
- Ultimate Ears Miniroll
- JBL Go 5
- IKEA Kallsup
That ranking reflects one small editorial test, not a broad listener survey or an independently repeated laboratory result. It does not establish that Bose is the best choice in every room, at every volume, or for every kind of music. TechRadar’s comparison provides the test context.
What did the reported sale cost—and is it still available?
TechRadar’s October 6, 2026 deal report listed the SoundLink Micro Gen 2 at $99.99 in the US, down from $129, for the Dewdrop Mint colorway. In the UK, it listed Petal Pink at £79.95, down from £119.95. These were Amazon deal prices reported on that date, not a live price check; the offer, seller, color selection, and stock may have changed. Check the current listing before treating either figure as an available price.
#1 Best Overall
- SURPRISINGLY POWERFUL SOUND: SoundLink Micro’s crisp sound and impressive bass allows you to use this mini wireless speaker to break through any silence and form an in-the-moment connection.
- ULTRA-PORTABLE SIZE: The SoundLink Micro Speaker is designed to be ultra portable. A pocketable size and an improved utility strap mean you can attach the small Bluetooth speaker to a bag, slip it in a pocket, or play it from the palm of your hand.
- DURABLE DESIGN: A rugged, tiny-but-tough design means the SoundLink Micro Portable Speaker (2nd Gen) is built to bounce back. It’s dust and waterproof (rated IP67) and shock and rust resistant — so this small waterproof speaker can play rain or shine.
- UP TO 12 HOURS OF EXTENDED BATTERY: With double the battery life of the original SoundLink Micro, you can keep the connection going for up to 12 hours of your day.
- ADVANCED BLUETOOTH CONNECTIVITY: With an extended range of up to 30 feet and increased bandwidth, Bluetooth now brings you better connectivity over previous versions.
For context, TechRadar’s March 22, 2026 review gave list prices of $129, £119.95, and AU$179.95, and said the speaker was released in August 2025. List prices and past promotions are not substitutes for today’s regional checkout price. TechRadar’s dated deal report is the source for the October offer.
What you get from the SoundLink Micro Gen 2
Bose’s specifications make this a small, rugged speaker built for portable listening rather than a feature-rich smart speaker. It supports Bluetooth 5.4, is rated IP67 for dust and water protection, and is specified for up to 12 hours of battery life per charge. It weighs 0.7 lb (0.3 kg), according to TechRadar’s review specification table.
Rank #2
- SURPRISINGLY POWERFUL SOUND: SoundLink Micro’s crisp sound and impressive bass allows you to use this mini wireless speaker to break through any silence and form an in-the-moment connection.
- ULTRA-PORTABLE SIZE: The SoundLink Micro Speaker is designed to be ultra portable. A pocketable size and an improved utility strap mean you can attach the small Bluetooth speaker to a bag, slip it in a pocket, or play it from the palm of your hand.
- DURABLE DESIGN: A rugged, tiny-but-tough design means the SoundLink Micro Portable Speaker (2nd Gen) is built to bounce back. It’s dust and waterproof (rated IP67) and shock and rust resistant — so this small waterproof speaker can play rain or shine.
- UP TO 12 HOURS OF EXTENDED BATTERY: With double the battery life of the original SoundLink Micro, you can keep the connection going for up to 12 hours of your day.
- ADVANCED BLUETOOTH CONNECTIVITY: With an extended range of up to 30 feet and increased bandwidth, Bluetooth now brings you better connectivity over previous versions.
- USB-C: The port is for charging only; Bose does not specify it as an audio input.
- Microphone: There is no microphone, so do not buy it expecting speakerphone functionality.
- Bluetooth range: Bose specifies up to 30 feet (9 meters); walls and other conditions can affect a wireless connection.
- Battery: Up to 12 hours is Bose’s stated maximum, not a guaranteed runtime at every volume or use pattern.
Bose’s product listing is the manufacturer source for capabilities and compatibility details. TechRadar’s review describes the design as compact and practical, with clean sound and strong protection, while also noting limited sound scale for its size and a high full price.
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How it compares with the JBL Clip 5 and Wonderboom 4
The blind-test order alone is not a buying guide: the JBL Clip 5 and Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 were not the closest alternatives named in TechRadar’s product review. The review’s comparison table offers a more useful starting point on price, portability, battery, and protection. Its prices are list-price snapshots, not current offers.
Rank #3
- MUSIC CALLS: The Bose SoundLink Flex Portable Bluetooth Speaker (2nd Gen) packs big, bold sound in a portable size that’s perfect for sharing tunes and good times anywhere on your travels
- SOUND THAT TAKES YOU PLACES: Take advantage of the surprisingly powerful performance of this Bose wireless speaker with its clear, balanced, high-fidelity audio and deep bass that is easy to take with you
- PERFECTLY PORTABLE, WITH BATTERY LIFE TO MATCH: This Bluetooth speaker is small enough to fit in your hand or clip onto a bag using the utility loop, plus it has up to 12 hours of battery life* so you can focus on the fun at the beach, hikes, or pool
- TOSS IT, DROP IT, IT’S ALL GOOD: This IP67 rated Bose portable Bluetooth speaker is waterproof and dustproof and is wrapped in a durable, silicone-wrapped body to withstand drops, shocks, and rust
- STEREO ON THE GO: Amp up the adventure with more sound when you link two compatible Bose speakers, choose Stereo Mode for left and right channels, or go for Party Mode for even bigger, bolder sound
| Speaker | List price in TechRadar review | Weight | Claimed battery life | Protection | Carrying or attachment detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bose SoundLink Micro Gen 2 | $129 / £119.95 / AU$179.95 | 0.7 lb / 0.3 kg | Up to 12 hours | IP67 | Compact design; check Bose’s current listing for strap fit and availability. |
| JBL Clip 5 | Not stated in the cited comparison summary | Not stated in the cited comparison summary | 12 hours | IP67 | Clip-style attachment; compare whether its attachment suits your bag or setup. |
| Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 | Not stated in the cited comparison summary | Not stated in the cited comparison summary | 14 hours | IP67 | Not stated in the cited comparison summary. |
The Bose and JBL entries share the same stated battery duration and IP rating in TechRadar’s comparison, while the Wonderboom 4 is listed with two more hours of claimed battery life. Those specifications do not establish which sounds better in your setting. Consider size and weight, sound at the volume you actually use, attachment options, and the price and availability in your region. The Bose’s absent microphone and charging-only USB-C matter if you need calls or wired audio.
For comparison details, see TechRadar’s SoundLink Micro Gen 2 review.
Rank #4
- MUSIC CALLS: The Bose SoundLink Flex Portable Bluetooth Speaker (2nd Gen) packs big, bold sound in a portable size that’s perfect for sharing tunes and good times anywhere on your travels
- SOUND THAT TAKES YOU PLACES: Take advantage of the surprisingly powerful performance of this Bose wireless speaker with its clear, balanced, high-fidelity audio and deep bass that is easy to take with you
- PERFECTLY PORTABLE, WITH BATTERY LIFE TO MATCH: This Bluetooth speaker is small enough to fit in your hand or clip onto a bag using the utility loop, plus it has up to 12 hours of battery life* so you can focus on the fun at the beach, hikes, or pool
- TOSS IT, DROP IT, IT’S ALL GOOD: This IP67 rated Bose portable Bluetooth speaker is waterproof and dustproof and is wrapped in a durable, silicone-wrapped body to withstand drops, shocks, and rust
- STEREO ON THE GO: Amp up the adventure with more sound when you link two compatible Bose speakers, choose Stereo Mode for left and right channels, or go for Party Mode for even bigger, bolder sound
Who should buy it?
The SoundLink Micro Gen 2 is a sensible shortlist option if you want a compact speaker with IP67 protection, USB-C charging, and Bose’s reported clean sound. Its blind-test win is a point in its favor, but it should not outweigh a fit check: the speaker’s scale is limited, it has no microphone, and its full list price was criticized as high in TechRadar’s review.
- Consider it at a verified discount if compact size and rugged protection matter more than room-filling sound.
- Compare the JBL Clip 5 if a clip-style carry attachment is central to how you will use the speaker.
- Compare the Wonderboom 4 if its 14-hour stated battery life suits your priorities better.
Before buying, confirm the live price, selected color, seller, stock, and regional return terms. If considering a replacement strap, verify that the accessory is explicitly compatible with the second-generation speaker and currently available.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- CERTIFIED RENEWED: Products are refurbished, tested, and certified by the original manufacturer or an authorized partner to meet manufacturer standards
- THOROUGHLY TESTED: Every Bose Certified Renewed product undergoes thorough internal and external cleaning and, where needed, is fitted with Bose replacement parts. With functionality and quality testing, your Bose Certified Renewed product will be as good as new
- SHOP CONFIDENTLY: All Bose refurbished products are backed by a 1-year warranty, the same as any new Bose product
- BOSE WATERPROOF SPEAKER: Small but powerful, the Bose SoundLInk Micro Bluetooth speaker produces loud, clear sound with shockingly deep bass. It packs a custom-designed transducer and passive radiators for crisp, balanced sound
- TEAR-RESISTANT STRAP: This small portable speaker comes equipped with an easy-to-use, tear-resistant silicone strap. Secure it to your backpack, beach cooler, or handlebars, and the reliable strap will hold tight through shocks and shakes
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
