Customer Ratings & Reviews

SOUND: Not as loud as I’d expect it to be in a closed room or closed environment. It sounds good outside while working it sounds decent. PORTABILITY: Great for traveling I’m able to strap to forklift or my belt buckle very durable as well. BATTERY LIFE: battery life is very good last me a good while. I turn it off when I’m not listening to music and it turns off and on pretty quick no hesitation

This is a great little speaker if you like Bose sound. It's compact design make it easy to carry with you, and it's not half bad when it comes to sound. Off-axis listening loses quite a bit of bass, but the highs make up for it by spreading the sound in all directions, really useful for listening to audio books or podcasts while doing the dishes or taking a shower. The USB-C charging is a welcome upgrade, and really makes a difference when traveling, as you really only need to bring a single charger and cable with you for all of your modern devices. I take a star off for the lack of thought to include USB-C to C cables, instead putting A to C cables in the box. Come on Bose! If you have products such as the Portable Smart Speaker, you can connect this speaker to it in order to widen the sound. You can even connect a second Micro for stereo sound, even while playing together with the Portable Smart Speaker, and it will send the new timeing information to all other AirPlay speakers, so you can listen to music across your house and use the little Micros along with it.

I've been waiting on Bose to finally make some much needed improvements to their SoundLink Micro speaker and so far they have delivered. Sounds better, double the battery life and a new versatile strap system for on the go action. I'm glad I waited all these years to finally get a hold of this speaker.

This is perfect for travel and the sound is very very good. It beats any laptop or tablet speaker. Great fit for a traveling/mobile office. Happy with the purchase.

I love this product I have the flex speaker but this speaker for to use at work the sound quality is great

It’s actually a really great speaker to use when you want to listen to music !!!

Whether this is your first Bose experience or an addition to your personal Bose family of speakers, the Soundlink Micro Portable (2nd Gen) brings some huge sound in a small footprint. I happen to own a set of Bose Quiet Comfort headphones as well as a Revolve + II portable speaker, and am familiar with the quality of sound and the personalized immersive experience typical of a Bose product. This newest offering brings all of that at a scale that is extremely portable, durable and with more connectivity and improved technology. Bose really refined and simplified the ‘out of the box’ concept with a pretty straightforward butterfly-style packaging, the wings you open contain a few easy steps to charge up, power up and a QR code to take you directly to the app store to download the Bose app. The package contains the speaker, a USB-A to USB-C charging cable and a small instruction booklet, there is no charging block. The speaker itself appears to be silicone coated for the majority, and powder-coated steel mesh on a portion of the bottom. There are four ‘feet’ on the large bottom face, with two slots through which a nylon strap with a Velcro closure is fastened. The strap also has a loop at the very top of the speaker in the center, presumably for a carabiner or similar hanging device. With the feet and strap setup, it appears that the speaker can fire horizontally or vertically, and the speaker can be stood up vertically as a portion of the slim bottom edge (with the USB-C port and power button) is fashioned as a flat portion of the silicone casing. The speaker is built with a dust/water resistance rating of IP67, which makes it worry-free in the most rugged environments and protected from temporary immersion in water for 30 minutes. Battery life is doubled from the first gen, and 12 hours on about 4 hours of charge is great for taking it on the road. As to the controls, the face of the speaker has a small row of buttons above the speaker grille which enable Bluetooth, control volume and track selection, as well as a new ‘Shortcut’ button that you can either purpose to connect two Bose speakers with ‘speaker link’, or as a shortcut to Spotify. As I am an avid Spotify user, this is a pretty nice ‘extra’ that removes a step when getting the party started. I am unsure if this was common to the first gen Micro Portable, but I learned through playing around with it that the play/pause button can skip to the next track with a double-tap, and skip back to the last track with a triple-tap. As I own an older Revolver speaker, I cannot connect them using the newer Bose app, but am able to with the Bose connect app. As others have noted, it makes sense to connect ‘like’ micro speakers, but I’m finding that connecting two speakers with different build qualities don’t necessarily render better sound together. The speaker employs Bluetooth 5.4, newer generation of that technology which enables the multi-point connections. All in, the unit is pretty intuitive to operate and get going. The app has a comfortable user interface that controls all applicable Bose devices, can be used to adjust the source input, and has an equalizer feature that allows you to make custom or pre-defined adjustments to bass, treble and mid tones. Like the speaker, it is a fairly simple and straightforward app with intuitive controls and commands, which is something I particularly appreciate. The sound quality is exactly what you would expect from Bose –powerful and prominent low and mids coupled with really clear and bright high tones that blend into a large, rich sound environment than one would not expect from such a small footprint. Therein lies the magic, and what the user should take into consideration – the Micro has some stunning sound for its size, but it is Bose sound that scales. It is not as powerful as the sound I get from my Revolve unit, they are two different devices and the Revolver has advantages in the build that allow that sound to be even richer. I am not expecting the same depths and highs I can get out of that device, but for something I can throw into my backpack or take with me to the park, you can’t do better for a similar footprint. Bose shrunk it all down as small as it could, yet still brings enormous sound that is the king of the portable class.

I want a portable speaker to take with me on the go in my backpack, something small but powerful. I saw Bose was releasing a 2nd gen of their SoundLink Mirco Portable Speaker, so I decided to grab one. Pros: - Small Size, Big Volume. - Simple to Use. - 12hr Play Time. Cons: - No Microphone. - 3Hrs to Fully Charge. Setup: Bose makes it simple to setup with easy-to-follow instructions via pictures right on the box. On opening the SoundLink Micro, you find the initial instructions to first charge the speaker, then power on, and finally download the Bose software to connect to the device. It’s really that simple. My speaker was partially charged, so I was able to turn it on and connect right away, but your results may vary. The Speaker is only about 4in by 4in by 1.7in and 0.7lbs, the SoundLink Micro is Tiny! Though this is a very tiny speaker, it doesn’t include a Microphone anywhere so you cannot make a call through the device. Software: The Bose App is simple and straightforward. The App opens on the devices screen, where you can click the “+” to add your speaker. Then follow the guided steps to add the speaker. That’s it. After adding the speaker, there are a couple of settings you can adjust in the App, otherwise it is very simple. I probably won’t need to adjust much after finding the settings I like or adding the speaker to another device. Source setting allows you to enable Multi-Point Connection which enables the speaker to connect to 2 devices at once and switch between each seamlessly. This is great if you have multiple devices or if you want to share the speaker with someone to swap between music. EQ is the Equalizer, allowing you to pick from a preset or customize your sound. The Bose EQ is one of the simplest ones I’ve seen, with just 3 points to adjust: Bass, Mid, and Treble. All can be adjusted up or down 10 steps. Shortcut allows you to link 2 Bose speakers together to play from the same source or play Spotify. A double click will play the Discover playlist. This has been convenient when I just want to get some music going in the background quickly. Build: The Bose SoundLink Micro is built tough, with a silicone exterior and hard plastic back. The silicone exterior gives the SoundLink Micro an easy grip, which is great when you’re trying to find it in the bottom of your bag or trying to pick it up after a hard workout. It’s easy to grip and hold, plus the strap on the back makes it even easier to attach it to a bar or hook. I’ve used the strap for attaching to a hook in the garage or handing from the ceiling off a chandelier (just be careful not to damage the light!). I’ve even drop the SoundLink down a full flight of stairs without any damage to the speaker, I cannot say the wall was left without a mark though. It’s really a built for anything kind of portable speaker. Sound: This is where the best part of it comes in, the sound from the SoundLink Micro speaker is crazy powerful for how small it is. I’ve got louder speakers, but they are easily 4x or more the size of the SoundLink Micro, and only a little louder. On a sound quality level, the SoundLink Micro is very clear in the normal volume range below 90% maximum volume. I didn’t find much in the way of distortion with normal music or media. Where I did find some distortion, was with volume over 90% with very Bass heavy sounds like heavy metal or high vocals. But that’s not surprising, what is surprising is how well it handles everything else for how tiny the speaker is. Battery Life: For battery life, the SoundLink Micro can handle continuous play for 12hrs, which is plenty for my uses. Though I did find charging was slow, taking 3hrs to fully charge. Though you don’t have to fully charge to use the speaker it does take a significant amount of time to charge but luckily there is a USB-C port for charging, so you’re never to far from a way to charge up. Conclusion: If you want a small portable speaker that is powerful and easy to use, the Bose SoundLink Micro Portable Speaker is a perfect choice. The sound volume from this little speaker is very impressive and clear for the most part. The speaker is well built and tough, perfect for on the go. I’ll be leaving the Bose SoundLink Micro portable speaker in my backpack for the upcoming trips and blasting music along the way.

I've owned this 2nd generation version of the Bose sound link micro for about a week now and I would say that I am pretty happy with it. I won't compare it too much to other Bose speakers.. as I own bigger Bose portable speakers. But I'll say that I had high expectations coming into it. If you are like me and own multiple bluetooth speakers by Bose, You might have high expectations as well. But after setting those thoughts aside, I have to say that I am quite pleased and impressed with this little speaker. I wanted something small that I could just throw into my backpack and carry around with me around while I complete chores and tasks. That is the best thing about this tiny speaker. It is just so easy to bring with you wherever you are. It has a convenient strap on the back of the speaker for mounting onto bikes, and other surfaces. Personally I haven't used that much because I just lay it down on a flat surface wherever I am using it. But it is a cool built in feature to have. The speaker literally fits in the palm of my hand. It lays flat and has a good solid base for staying put in place so I never had problems with it sliding around on surfaces or falling over. Sound quality is very good for a speaker of this size. It gets loud enough to fill a living room or use outside by the pool or beach without annoying everyone else around you. I think I was expecting just a little more bass out of this speaker, but honestly it is very good. Bass has a good enough presence to get you vibing to your music. Mids are clean, trebles are crisp without sounding tinny. I would say the default EQ is perfect for most music genre's and podcasts. You can download the Bose companion app to adjust the EQ to your liking.. but honestly I didn't hear much of a difference between the default EQ and the Bass Boost setting. Which was probably the only let down for me with this speaker, I was expecting it to be bass heavy after turning on the Bass Boost. But I spose when you have a speaker of this size, you can only push that so much. Regardless.. the speaker sounds quite impressive and I love it. Battery life is excellent. I charged it fully straight out of the box and after a week of use. I still haven't had the need to recharge it. I would say I've been using it for about an hour or so a day and the battery is still at 90%. The speaker comes with a USB C cable for charging, but no charging brick. I think most people will have a power adapter for it anyway but it would've been nice to have it included. Would I recommend this speaker? Definitely. You get to have the legendary Bose sound quality in a compact and portable speaker. It is rugged, it is splash resistant, it is dust resistant. Take it to the beach, the park, camping, wherever life takes you and listen to your jams!

The Bose SoundLink Micro Portable Speaker (2nd gen) upholds the Bose tradition of quality workmanship and sound in a compact Bluetooth speaker that more than impressed me with its design and performance. First impression when holding the SoundLink Micro Portable is the feel of solidity; neither too light or too heavy, it looks well protected. At only 4 inches by 4 inches and barely over 1.5 inches thick, its rounded squared shape easily fits in the palm of my hand. I also like the simple, modern design with only 5 buttons for the basic functions on the front face beside the power button located next to the USB-C charging connection. There’s a shortcut button to either connect several SoundLink speakers or activate Spotify which can come in handy. Also, with an IP67 rating, it’s not afraid of water and dust. At the back, Bose was clever to add a nylon-type strap with velcro that can be attached to your belt or to some of your gear thus enhancing its portability.. As soon as it was fully charged, it was a breeze to connect it to my phone through the Bose app. I have other Bose devices and I was happy that the SoundLink Micro connected through the same app. The Bluetooth connection was immediate and in a couple of minutes, I was playing my favorite songs. And what a surprise to hear such a rich sound coming out of that tiny box. Very clear highs and mids, and the bass was more than adequate to the point to be impressive at times which enhanced the sound quality. Through the app, the custom equalizer is very effective at tailoring the sound to your liking. It also has a great battery life, although it took longer than usual to fully charge it after the unboxing but it was worth it. After four consecutive days of substantial use at moderate to high volume, it still had over 40% of charge. One thing to know is the absence of a microphone which most similar Bluetooth speakers offer but, personally, it’s not an inconvenience as I never use that option. The Bose SoundLink Micro (2nd Gen) is not a party speaker, so don’t expect it to compete with large speakers in large noisy environments, however it’s more than capable in a bedroom or in an outdoor setting among friends. It offers a solid quality build and great sound for its size plus a long battery life and will entertain those on the go or looking for something small and portable that performs above its weight.

The same deep full tones we have come to depend on Bose for.

I have owned a Bose SoundLink Micro for about 7 years. It has been flawless in its performance for that period, and still exhibits good battery life and sound reproduction. The option to “test drive” a 2nd generation model was exactly what I needed! So the comparison lets me see what has changed in the near decade since the SoundLink Micro was released. The size of the two is almost identical, as is the impact and water resistance. The 2nd gen is slightly thicker (see my photo). It retains a durable, drop resistant silicone coating over most of the body, with a powder coated steel grille over the speakers, so is perfect for outdoor usage. The revised strap is much more versatile, with a secure hook and look fixation. This can easily attach to your bicycle handlebars, the shower rod in the bathroom, the straps of a tote bag or backpack, etc. The update of the power input port to USB-C makes plugging in easier (its ambidextrous so you don’t have to peer into the socket to see which is “right side up”. To charge from fully spent to full took about 4 hours, so not “fast charging circuit” enabled. The new battery life is much longer, which probably accounts for the thicker body. The Gen 2 weighs about one ounce more (11.2 ounces total), which should not be noticeable. The Gen 1 quoted a 6 hr battery life, and the now quoted playing time is 12 hr. The actual playing duration depends on the volume, obviously, so your real time length will vary. The Gen 1 model is still listed on the BestBuy and Bose webpages, for a mark down of $20 lower from the prior price. The new model lists for only $10 more than the non-sale price of the Gen 1. The Gen 2 comes in black and “Blue Dusk” colors. My Gen 1 was a vivid orange, so spotting it was easy when outdoors. The speaker continues the dust/water resistance rating of IP67, which should be plenty durable for all but the most rugged activities. The standard for IP67 is that it will tolerate immersion under water up to 3 feet deep for 30 minutes. The Micro features one driver and two passive radiators, combined with Bose’s Active EQ system to deliver an amazingly full sound. The bass has exceptional power for a small speaker, while the mid’s remain balanced, and vocals project clearly. Higher volumes invokes some compression, but without perceptible distortion. Basic functions are easily handled with the buttons on the speaker. That includes on/off, volume, and BlueTooth linking to your music source. The BlueTooth protocol for the Gen 2 is 5.4, up from the 4.2 of Gen 1. The Bose Music app offers additional features, including EQ adjustments, firmware updates, and the ability to pair with other Bose speakers for either stereo mode or party mode. Using the free Bose Connect app on my iPhone, I was easily able to connect both SoundLink micro speakers simultaneously, despite the decade between their birth. I could choose between having them be stereo (left and right) or “Party mode” where you can have the same music playing on two speakers in different rooms. Tap into Adjustable EQ via the Bose app and adjust the bass, treble, & mid-levels to your preference. The Gen 2 has an additional button, called the “shortcut” button, that you can customize via the Bose app. One choice is to have the button trigger Spotify Tap, which will immediately connect to your Spotify library. If you are a subscriber to Spotify, you can pick your favorite playlist easier. Since I am an Apple Music subscriber, I did not test Spotify Tap. But linking my Apple Music choices to the SoundLink was extremely easy, but took more than a single button push. Android users can avail themselves to Google Fast Pair for smooth connecting of their mobile to the Bose. Bluetooth 5.4 offers advantages that are a bit more esoteric than simple background music listening. Compared to the Bluetooth 4.2 of my Gen 1, the Gen 2 supports Bluetooth “multipoint”, allowing the speaker simultaneously to be connected to two devices. For finer listening, you get codec support for several levels. The entry level SBC is of lower quality, but uses less data. For finer quality, codec AAC claims to be CD-quality audio via a Bluetooth connection. The top level, aptX Adaptive achieves “lossless audio quality”, part of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Sound platform. Bose has integrated this technology, but At age 75, my hearing acuity cannot perceive these differences, and the SoundLink micro is probably not the first choice for audiophile listening to nuances of symphonic or classical music. And your audio source might be as much a limitation of this current pinnacle of listening. I had to go to Qualcomm’s website to understand what this all means. From their website: Snapdragon is “an optimised chain of audio innovations and software designed to provide seamless, immersive audio in, and across, devices including smartphones, wireless earbuds and headsets… [it’s] designed to provide a superior sound experience for consumers while listening to streaming music, communicating on the phone, or wirelessly gaming.” Does Apple / iPhone support the aptX? According to my search, Apple does not and is not likely to ever. However, your listening and environment will be more likely the limitation than the codec used, if you are using an Apple device. Real-world impact for Apple users On a high-quality Bluetooth speaker (such Bose): You’re likely hearing AAC, which is very close to transparent for casual and even critical listening in a living room or outdoor setting. The speaker’s amp, drivers, and DSP make a much bigger difference than the codec. 

But aspects of the Snapdragon codec go beyond the connection of your phone to the speaker. The aptX codex will switch to your WiFi if the signal from your phone to the speaker becomes weak (you’re walking around with the phone in your pocket and leave the room where the speaker is). If your WiFi uses the Qualcomm technology, it will avoid the sound dropout, and automatically connect via your WiFi. As I was writing this up, my wife spontaneously commented about the music from the speaker. She said it was “brighter” than the other speakers commonly used in that room, one being a display speaker from a major provider and the other the speakers of the flat screen TV in the room. She also noted the quality of the lower tones, and was surprised at the size of the SL micro creating such “fullness”. Whether you are listening to podcasts, acoustic tracks, or just background ambient soundscapes, it’s an excellent choice. When traveling or going outdoors, and size is an issue, the SoundLink micro would be difficult to surpass. In conclusion, if a portable, compact speaker with a rugged build and modern features is your goal, this is the travel-ready model that should be in your top consideration.

What an amazing speaker! Tiny, powerful, long-lasting battery, waterproof! On top of that, you can even customize various aspects using the optional app… what’s there not to like?! Sound -- Crisp and powerful! On par or better than bigger speakers. Battery -- Incredible! White the specs say it can deliver up to 12 hours, I was able to get 13+ hours in one charge, when using it at 50% of its max volume. 50% is plenty loud for a family gathering and maybe a bit too loud while working. I actually used a timer to check how long I was using it and I would often check the remaining battery. In my tests, 100 minutes of playing music would use about 10% of the battery. Portability —---------- Given its tiny size, the Bose SoundLink Micro Portable Speaker is a lot simpler to carry around compared to any other speaker that provides a decent sound. And given its amazing sound and battery life, it is now our go-to speaker. We have used it indoors and outdoors during family get-togethers, playing music while working, and camping. We plan to also pair it with our projector while watching movies outdoors. We took it on a camping trip, and it was phenomenal. The battery lasted all trip-long without having to be recharged. Its portability makes a big difference. I would sometimes carry it in my jacket pocket while walking, and sometimes I would just strap it to the outside of my hiking backpack. The speaker’s very convenient strap allows for it to be placed practically anywhere. And we didn't have to worry about it raining because this speaker is waterproof! So convenient! Other goodies —---------------- I didn’t think I’d use the app. However, it does provide several features that I found very useful. - Equalizer: If you’re into tweaking the sound settings, the app includes the following one-click presets: “Bass Boost”, “Bass Reducer”, “Treble Boost”, “Treble Reducer”. You can also manually tweak the bass, mid and treble - Shortcut: I found this very convenient. There’s a button on the speaker itself that, using the app, you can customize what it can do. I currently have it configured to automatically connect to Spotify on my phone and start playing, just with the touch of a button! The default is to automatically connect to another Bose speaker. This can be great during parties or for surround sound. I don’t have another speaker so I couldn’t test this out. - Source: You can see all the devices that have connected to this speaker and turn on/off the ability for them to reconnect. I actually found it useful when, while in a remote work meeting, the speaker started playing music from my wife’s phone! Her iPhone had automatically reconnected to the speaker without realizing it. After this event, I explored the app, and thankfully there’s a “Multi-point Connection” (on by default) that allows for multiple devices to be connected/control the speaker. I now have it turned off and the app allows me to select which device can be connected to the speaker. - Voice Prompts - Whenever you turn on the speaker, a voice tells you its current battery level (which I found super useful) and the name of the device(s) that are connected/can control the speaker. This is enabled by default but the app allows you to disable it. Overall, I would absolutely recommend this product!

The Bose Soundlink Micro Portable (2nd Gen) speaker was much smaller than I expected. It’s 4 x 4 x 1.5 inches and weighs less than 12 ounces. My intention was to use it with a PC that doesn’t have sound. It does work for that, but the small and lightweight size also makes it very mobile. It is water resistant and can be used in the shower or the rain. It has a strap that can be attached to a belt, backpack, bicycle, etc. I already had the Bose app installed for use with a soundbar, so the initial set up took less than a minute. I just had to plug the speaker into a charger using the included USB cable, scan the QR code on the package, and follow the spoken instructions. I have trouble understanding the female voice because the words are not sharply enunciated and she talks too fast. There is a shortcut button on the speaker but I haven’t been able to understand any of the spoken instructions. Fortunately, shortcuts can also be done in the app. Instructions in a male voice might be easier to understand. I did (and still do) have some difficulty with connectivity. Companion device permissions and muti-point connection are enabled and I have the speaker paired to both the PC and my phone. The speaker stays connected to both while I’m using the phone to play music, but if I turn the phone off and back on, the speaker has disconnected from the app. Sound still works from both devices - I just don’t have access to the app settings. To access the app I have to go to the speaker itself and press the Bluetooth button. It reconnects quickly, but it’s just a hassle. I don’t have that problem with the Bose soundbar. It stays continuously connected to the app. In the beginning the speaker would turn off after a few minutes and I would have to reconnect to Bluetooth every time I wanted to use it. Setting auto-off in the app to “never” fixed that problem. Normally that would be a drain on the battery, but I have the speaker plugged into the USB port on the PC so I’m hoping that will keep it charged. Under normal use, the battery is supposed to last about 12 hours (less if operated at maximum volume). There is no way to see the battery level status on the device itself, but there is a setting in the app to announce the battery level every time the device is powered on. The sound coming from the PC is acceptable and somewhat better than it would be if using a monitor with sound. When subsequently connecting to a phone music app, the volume increased considerably and the music was much more vibrant and had more depth. Not quite as good as from the soundbar, but then it’s only a fraction of the size. For a portable speaker, it works well. I found I get the best sound when both sides are exposed by either hanging the speaker from the top strap or standing it on its bottom, although it is a little wobbly. A suggestion for improvement might be to flatten out the bottom for more stability, which might require moving the USB port to the top. A visual battery level indicator would also be helpful. Overall it's a quality small, portable speaker.

The Bose - SoundLink Micro Portable Bluetooth Speaker 2nd Generation is a great little speaker!! It comes packaged nicely in a little box with the speaker and a short cord USB-C (no cube) - with a little picture guide to get you started (get your glasses as the print is tiny!). The set up was super simple - just look at the instruction pictures on the box, turn it on, make sure it's charged, hook it up to Bluetooth you're ready to go. If you don't already have the Bose app, just download it and get started. Everything you need is in the app which I already had loaded because I own two other Bose speakers - I just had to add this new one. Register your new speaker, it shows you the warranty date, and gives you tips, owner's guides, adjustments, troubleshooting guides, and set up help right in the app. The SoundLink 2nd gen speaker has a long battery life and comes with a great removable utility strap. Within the app, you can adjust the base, treble and mid levels. This is really sturdy and is covered with a rubbery material that bounces if you drop it. It can be used in the water and is really durable and dust proof. I would be careful at the beach so the sand doesn't get into the charging area (probably should have a cover on that part). You are able to connect it anywhere, the beach, by the pool and we've even attached it to the golf cart. It has a voice mode you can use also - check the app. I think it has a great battery life that lasts 10 to 12 hours. Mine was fully charged, but it only takes around 3 hours to fully charge either using a cube or attaching it to your computer. You can also use a party mode to connect two different speakers for great sound in the back yard. This speaker can sort of stand on its side but is probably better if propped up against something as it will fall over if bumped. I would absolutely recommend this speaker - another great BOSE product!

The Bose SoundLink Micro Portable Speaker (2nd Gen) is truly impressive. I have been using it for a few days now, and I am amazed at its performance. Setting it up was effortless. I simply charged the speaker, downloaded the Bose app, and connected to my phone. The sound quality is pure and crisp, and with the EQ customization in the app, I can adjust the audio to my liking. Personally, I enjoy a bit more bass, and this speaker delivers it perfectly. One of the most surprising aspects is its size; it fits in the palm of my hand, yet it fills my living room with rich, powerful sound. Whether I am relaxing on the patio or working with music in the background, the audio remains consistently clear and robust. The utility strap makes it easy to carry or attach to my bag, and the compact design ensures that my music goes wherever I do. Moreover, it offers impressive durability, it is dustproof, waterproof, drop-resistant, shock-resistant, and rust-resistant, which means I can use it outdoors without concern. The battery life is very impressive. The battery lasts up to 10 hours, and I appreciate being able to pair two devices with multipoint. Overall, it is a small package that delivers quality sound. This speaker has quickly become my go-to portable option, and I could not be happier with it.

## What's new from the original SoundLink Micro? The 2nd generation of the Bose SoundLink Micro has the following differences: - Improved Audio: I don't have the original Micro to compare, but Bose states they have made improvements to the internal hardware in the 2nd generation of the Micro speaker to enhance higher frequencies and overall sound. - App Compatibility: The 2nd gen can connect to the Bose app for EQ adjustments and firmware updates. This wasn't available on the 1st gen. - Improved Battery Life: The 2nd gen can last up to 12 hours, where the original could last up to 6 hours. - Charging Port: The 2nd gen uses USB-C (the first generation used Micro USB) - New strap: The 2nd gen has a new, removeable fabric nylon strap. - Bluetooth version: The Bluetooth version has been upgraded to 5.4 in the 2nd gen (up from 4.2 in the 1st gen) ## Design The portable design of this speaker makes it great for taking with you on the go and tethering it from your backpack or a bike. The Velcro strap on the back makes it easy to loop around a bar. There is also a smaller strap at the very top that could be used with a carabiner (not included). The speakers also features a Shortcut button (that I at first mistaken for the power button) that can be used to link it with another compatible speaker. It can be customized in the app, but at launch, the only other option is to link it to your Spotify app to resume music or discover new music. Hopefully more options are added in the future. Typically, if I want to listen to a speaker on my desk, I would want to sit it upright and have the speaker point towards me, but that's not really possible with this speaker. You might get it to balance sitting upright (as I did in my one photo), but it is not stable and it easily falls over. Therefore, it usually sits on its back at my desk. It still sounds great even in this position, but it's in more of a position to project music upwards instead of "at" me. ## Performance Hey, it's Bose... of course it sounds amazing! The bass on the unit defies its compact size. Even when it is lying on its backside, there are little bumps on the back that lift the bass radiators off the surface enough to let the bass come out. Bose also seems to strengthen the mids in a way that greatly complements the lows, giving music more "oomph" and power. Highs also come through crisp and round the full sound experience. I've listened to a variety of pop, punk, and rock music and it all sounds amazing on this speaker. Does it sound as good as their larger speakers, like the Revolve? Not quite, but it sounds way better than many other speakers this size. The JBL Go 4 comes close, but the JBL sounds slightly more "tinny" even with its great bass performance when compared the Bose SoundLink Micro (2nd gen). While the Bose SoundLink Micro (2nd gen) can get loud enough for a small to medium sized room, you can tell when raising the volume to around 80% volume, the unit immediately backs off of the bass, likely to protect the driver. This is common in portable speakers like this and doesn't seem like anything out of the ordinary. ## Battery Life The battery can last up to 12 hours on the 2nd generation of the Micro (up from 6 hours on original). The 2nd gen of the Bose SoundLink Micro now uses a standard USB-C cable for charging, a nice upgrade from Micro USB. ## Summary Amazing sound. Great battery life. Compact size. Handy strap. There's a lot to like to like about the Bose SoundLink Micro (2nd gen) and it is definitely a solid choice for music lovers on the go. I just wish it would securely stand upright on its own, but I'm sure a 3rd party silicone case (when available) could easily facilitate that.

I had the first Bose SoundLink Mini back in 2013.  I used it for years in my office, and I absolutely loved it, it was a groundbreaking product that led so many others to introduce high quality portable speakers.  So the new Bose SoundLink Micro (Gen 2) caught my interest.  I have probably acquired 10-12 other portable Bluetooth speakers since then.  Now I want a small speaker I can use while traveling (generally with others); I needed a high quality portable.  I like Micro 2's smaller size and flexible stretch band.  Bose does not specify the output wattage of the Mico (gen2), but it's likely 5w as the original Micro was. Like most BT speakers that are this size they do not have an aux input. Setting the Bose Micro (2) up was easy. I already had the Bose App on my phone, I just added the new product.  The app includes a 3 band graphic EQ which I found very handy.  The Micro weighs 11.6oz and it can be used for 12h without recharging. It's 4"x4"x1.5". The Gen 2 model has upgraded audio, battery and the newer Bluetooth 5.4.  But I'm getting this speaker to travel with, and to use outdoors. I did my testing of the Micro (G2) by my backyard pool.  The Micro (G2) has an IP67 rating, meaning it is both waterproof and dustproof, making it suitable for use in harsh conditions like beaches, rain, or the shower. This rating signifies that the speaker can withstand temporary submersion in water.   So to the pool I went. I started listening to Boston's first album. I was about 10 feet from the speaker with the speaker close to a wall. 'More than a Feeling', sounded quite airy, the speaker seemed to bounce the high's around. Quite pleasant. The bass was a little thin, so I adjusted the bass via the EQ in the app, and that muddled the mids.  So I again used the EQ to adjust the Bass, Mids and Highs.  I kicked up the bass 8db and the mids 4db and the highs 6db.  Quite a difference (but I made further changes with a parametric equalizer app I had on my phone offering even better sound quality) .  As Boston's 'Foreplay' switches to 'Long Time', and the rhythm picks up, and the speaker sounds very sweet, very easy to listen to.  Pretty superb for its size.  The bass of 'Smokin' was ok for a smallish speaker, I didn't expect chest thumping bass, and I didn't get it but it had a nice even tone, just what I wanted.  I was listening with the speaker turned up to 8, and it was fairly loud (no noticeable distortion). However, turning it up to 10 it was quite loud (I expected to see my neighbors poke their head over my wall), far louder than I expected (or needed for critical listening).  I then listened to some DSOTM, 'Money' sounded amazing, a little bass light but the midrange and highs were awesome.  'Us and Them' had a nice presence, the nuances of the girls' voices. And the subtle voices in 'Brain Damage' and 'Eclipse' were superb. All and all this is a super little speaker, the app they provide is ok (a full range EQ was better).  And it provided quite an improvement, proving the speaker has very good, accurate dynamic range.  The Micro (G2) real winner for its size, I've found my new travel companion! I like this tiny speaker so much I'll probably get another so I can have Stereo output (supported by holding the Bluetooth and Volume Up buttons on one speaker and the Bluetooth and Volume Down buttons on the other speaker, then press and hold the Bluetooth and Volume Up buttons on either speaker until the voice prompt says "Stereo mode" followed by "Left" from the left speaker and "Right" from the right speaker to confirm).  Oh my, how much small speakers have improved since the first Bose SoundLink Mini. 

I have a range of speakers from Bose - from TV soundthe bars to rechargeable and many other Bluetooth, WiFi & smart speakers. With that, I was very interested in the new Bose Sound Link Mini 2. Pros / Cons first - then onto the review. Good: Size / Portability Buttons Grip Velcro Spotify Button Bluetooth Distance Bluetooth Compatibility Sound USB-C Battery Life App Customizations OK - I didn’t find anything bad or mediocre with this speaker. Like all new things, I let it charge until it was full - then I started to enjoy the speaker. Initial impressions out of the box is that the speaker has a nice grippy feel with a Velcro strap for attaching to beach chairs, bike handle bars, racks and obviously more places based on where you may go. It’s small and lightweight and having a way to secure this is very smart. I didn’t have the SoundLink Mini, so I can’t say how the new model improved, however. I already use the Bose App because I have three other speakers and the new SL Mini 2 showed right up and was able to be customized. There’s a customizable button for Spotify but I don’t use it (seriously!) - so I didn’t find much use for it. After a number of days using this speaker, I’m impressed and here’s why … For such a small speaker, this really does provide a nice sound. I was on the hunt for a new office speaker, so I put it on a small table in the corner of the room and it was very decent - very unexpectedly. In the open, the bass is much less but using the walls brings about some depth that you don’t really get great exposure otherwise. While this speaker didn’t end my hunt - it shows that a small speaker can go a long way. But yes, I did go with the other speaker in one of my photos. From iPads to Galaxy Phones, to Samsung TVs, this speaker paired without issue. I used it by the pool, outside grilling, in my office and around the house. In the different scenarios, I found that I could walk quite a ways away from the speaker before the Bluetooth started to cut out. Even after 4 days of use - say, maybe 20 hours of time - the SL Mini 2 had 60% battery remaining and wow - I find that impressive. If you find yourself getting low on battery, this speaker does charge while you use it so you don’t have to worry about always being topped off. I used to bring the Revolve+ II in my backpack when the beach may be in my future but man is that thing heavy (and MicroUSB?!) - but I have found its replacement. Another sweet portable speaker from Bose - recommended!

Bottom Line: The Bose Soundlink Micro Portable Speaker (2nd Gen) delivers fantastic sound in a small, versatile design that is well suited for showers, backpacks, bikes, and more. Pros: compact design; useful straps; easy to use; can connect multiple devices; surprisingly good bass; loud. Cons: can be stood upright, but not super stable. Review: Bose is known for high quality sound, and the Soundlink Micro delivers on that expectation. Mids are very crisp and come across well. In general, the speaker also does a good job with high frequencies (e.g., the high-hat in “Beat It” by Michael Jackson is very crisp), but in some instances, particularly with sync sounds, highs can get muddy. Bass performance is surprisingly good; it’s tight and punchy, which comes across exceptionally well in songs like “Boom Boom Pow” by the Black Eyed Peas. That said, this is an ultraportable device and buyers should not expect room shaking bass performance from this speaker. Sounds across lows, mids, and highs are tuned and balanced very well, and the speaker delivers exceptional quality for its size. Last, it's loud enough that I can put it at the top of my yard and listen to music throughout the entire yard. Setting up and using the speaker is very easy. Buttons are clearly marked, and connecting multiple devices was easy and straightforward. One of the features I really like is that when you turn on the speaker, it announces what devices are connected via Bluetooth. The app features for this speaker are minimal. You an adjust low, mid, and highs (just those categories, not individual frequencies) in the equalizer, and set up connections for multiple speakers if you have them. The Soundlink Micro is definitely designed for use on the go. There are two nylon straps. The first is a closed loop on the top, which would allow you to hang the speaker from something using a carabiner or other hook. For instance, one could hang it from a backpack during hiking or around a tree branch when camping. The other is Velcro strap on the back, which is designed to attach the speaker to a bar. Some obvious uses for my family would be shower or towel bars in the bathroom as well as bike handles, since we take a lot of bike rides. This version of the speaker can also be stood upright on a flat surface, which is helpful for those who want to place it on a table or desk. However, the speaker is pretty narrow, which means the slightest bump will knock it over. Additionally, you can’t really stand it up on an uneven surface, and so if you’re outside you’ll probably want to lean it up against something if you’re not going to hang it.