Customer Ratings & Reviews

The best of the best The sound is incredible the bass sounds excellent

Let me just say wow, I’m blown away by the sound of this speaker. No matter what genre of music I played it sounded great. There’s two small speakers on the sides & one large across the front. It’s small enough to fit on a countertop & it rumbled the countertop & cabinets. Setup was very easy, it synced with my iPhone immediately. I still have an iPod but I wasn’t able to sync it with that. Volume controls, Bluetooth & play/pause buttons are on the top of the speaker but can also be controlled using the app. I already have the Bose app so finding the Soundlink Max was easy. There’s an equalizer in the app for bass, treble, bass boost, etc. but it sounded great right out of the box. I added a little extra bass & treble & it sounds amazing. The range is good too, I walked through my house while using Bluetooth & there was no cutting out or lost connection, you can also use it while it’s charging. So far battery life is good & I used it for a few hours today. This is very sturdy & well made, even has a rope holding the handle on. I got the Blue dusk & it’s a beautiful color. My only complaint would be that it’s very heavy! I weighed it & it’s almost 5 lbs., not sure I’d want to carry it for a long time! Other than the weight it’s an awesome speaker for parties, picnics. Highly recommend!

This fairly little speaker puts out awesome sound, especially bass. Not at all surprising from Bose. The speaker isn’t tiny like the Bose Soundlink Mini II, and the sound is actually slightly better. Being probably three times the size of the Mini II, it is still very portable. Extremely portable in fact with the very comfortable built-in (but interchangeable) handle. It is heavier than I anticipated, but my guess is that is why it delivers bass that is deep and rich, comparable to many speakers way bigger than this one is. It doesn’t end with the bass. The speaker has incredible midrange and treble also. Turned all the way up there is no sound distortion that I detected. It has the ordinary Bluetooth control buttons (see picture) with an extra shortcut button (more later on that). It utilizes the Bose Music App which is a huge benefit as I can control it from the same place I do other Bose speakers. With the app, you can change the input source and customize the equalizer (or use four preprogrammed equalizer presets). The shortcut button is disappointing. You can turn it on and off or program it from the app. But there are ONLY TWO options for it. Those are to use the auxiliary (3mm) jack or Spotify. The shortcut button is pretty much worthless for those of us who don’t use Spotify. Not sure why Bose didn’t make other services such as iHeart, Apple Music, etc. available with the shortcut bar. It charges with a standard USB C to USB C cable and comes with its own power brick. So far battery life has been amazing. I haven’t actually timed the battery life but have played it all day long without draining the battery. The tips in the app suggest it is water resistant, as they show how to remove moister and dry the speaker. I didn’t read anything elsewhere about it being water resistant. I don’t plan on testing this out. However, it will be going to the beach a lot. I have several Bose speakers and just like the others, this one definitely delivers. Again, the sound is amazing for a smaller portable speaker. I very highly recommend this speaker for anyone looking for a quality, higher end, portable Bluetooth speaker.

Great speaker. This is the second time the power button has broken. Only had it about 2 months and already having to go back and get it replaced.

Bose Rock's Bose a very good company I recommended to anyone going to get the speaker it's a very good speaker

I’m very satisfied with this purchase. It is small with a HUGE sound.

Terrible purchase. Wasted $400. The Power button is FLIMSY and WEAK. I pressed the button too hard and heard the plastic break and fall into the speaker. Now it is un-usuable. There is also no remote or automatic bluetooth turn on functionality so now the speaker has become a brick. I only owned it for 7 months. And trying to replace it with BOSE now, the serial number is printed so poorly they cannot recognize the ID. Please don’t waste your money and time with this poorly made product.

This speaker's sound is elite. The battery is ok but after just 5 months the sound is distorted and crackling speakers. I'm sad.

Bose never ceases to amaze me with their products. I hate to sound like a “fan boy” but man…quality and performance is what counts and Bose takes it to the max with the Soundlink Max! I cannot not believe the range, clarity and bass that bursts from the speakers in the Soundlink Max. I wanted to replace a speaker that I had in my garage for projects due to environmental damage. The previous garage speaker had a critter that stored seeds and made a nest in the subwoofer opening! Ruined! IPX proofing is important on an outdoor speaker! Soundlink Max is IPX6… No critter, no water or dust gonna stop Soundlink from brining the tunes. IPX6 rated protection is extremely waterproof but not submersible. It can take rain, splashes or a spilled beverage! It’s ready for the beach, pool or adventure! NOTE: if you get it wet…let it dry COMPLETELY before trying to charge it usb! No hair dryers either. I don’t like reading manuals…but Bose kept it simple on the app so I would recommend checking it out to maximize your Soundlink Max. It also is usb C for charging which I really love. You can also charge your phone from it but note that it will decrease the 20 hours or play. Bose also makes a mention that if you are using max sound setting the 20 hours is greatly reduced as one would expect. To help with battery, if you leave it on accidently, after 20 minutes it will auto shut off which is nice. I also really love the premium material of skin, It feels soft but slip resistant if you have wet hands. The buttons are responsive. You can turn the volume up and down and play and pause on the speaker itself….BUT NO NEXT/BACK SONG BUTTON! That’s definitely a design misstep or bad design choice but totally forgivable. I use my phone most of the time anyway. The speaker sets solid on anything you set it on…beach towel or beach bag. While looking at the manual in the Bose App, I discovered you can change the handle with ease to different color rope design! I like that little touch. I also like the ergonomic handle… feels good and solid in the hand or to use it to tie on the boat somewhere or a canoe on a float trip! I like the app Bose has. I had the app with my BOSE Headphones and the Soundlink Max synced right up no problem. You can play with the EQ if you want…I found the factory set is the best for me. Back to the sound…Just world class. I love music and I have too many headphones and speakers to be honest but I like having the right device for the right job….For summer fun or out door adventure…BOSE SOUNDLINK MAX is by far the way to go. It completely fills my back deck, garage or any room in my house up with full rich, clear and crisp sound with bass that seems impossible from such a small device with no visible subwoofer or tweeters!!! So easy to transport anywhere you want to go! Loud for a party or soft for ambience….just amazing. Not to mention the rich warm conversations from podcasts. I absolutely love the Soundlink Max!

The Verdict: The Bose SoundLink Max Speaker is without a doubt incredible. If you are an audiophile like me, this is a must-have speaker. I have had many Bose products through the years and they never disappoint. This latest portable SoundLink Max has the word “Max” in its name for a reason. Setup Setup is simple, straightforward, and very intuitive. When I received the speaker, it was about halfway charged and took a few hours to charge up to full. Once charged up, pairing it to my iPhone was easy and I also paired it with a computer via Bluetooth. It retains the connection well and pairs right back up when you power it back on, provided the paired device is close enough. While not required, the Bose App gives you a lot of additional functionality and settings. I would highly recommend using the app to tweak your speaker to your ears’ liking. More on that below. Use I can’t say enough how incredible this little speaker is. The form factor is the perfect size for portability and it doesn’t weigh as much as you’d think given the amazing sound it produces. This speaker takes bass to the MAX – it will literally rattle your windows like a small earthquake if you turn the bass all the way up via the app. The sound is rich, full, and sounds like it is coming from a speaker 3-4 times the size of this little mini MAX. As I mentioned before, the app, while not required, should really be downloaded and utilized. It not only allows you to manage the EQ settings, but allows for Firmware/Software updates, registration/warranty support (if you ever need it), Battery life has been outstanding. I’ve been using this speaker often for nearly 5 days and I’m still at over 50 percent charged – very impressive. I currently have it placed in a bathroom (separate from the shower) for listening to music in the morning while showering. It’s sound is powerful enough even though it’s in a separate room. While you can control just about anything and everything from either the app or whatever device you connect via Bluetooth, my only wish is that this speaker came with a remote. I realize this is designed mainly to be a portable speaker, but I would be willing to pay a little more for a remote. I would highly recommend this speaker to anyone looking for a high quality, reasonably priced portable speaker with outstanding sound quality.

The Bose SoundLink Max rechargeable portable speaker, simply to say, lives up to Bose quality and sound. Packaging - great packaging and visual setup instructions Design - strong quality build that is small enough to carry around but feels sturdy and tough enough to last through daily use and listening on the go. The speaker is metal with a rubber skin to protect it from bumps and drops. The layout of buttons is simple and straight forward. The carrying handle is soft but strong and seems like it will hold up for the long term. It looks cool with the corded handle with rubberized grip. The size is also large enough to pack great sound with speakers on the front and sides. It is also waterproof to a point so you can take it outside and not worry about it getting wet when it rains or by the pool. Connectivity - Bluetooth is quick to connect but also provides a mini phone jack for direct connection if needed. A USB charger is included but also you can charge your phone with the same port when you are away and your phone gets low battery. Controls - Buttons are provided for power, volume, pause/play, input source and shortcut. Sound - Great sound that is full and room filling and seems to provide sound that a much larger speaker would provide. Great bass which sounds like a subwoofer is built-in. It gets really loud when you need it for outside listening with good treble and midrange. The midrange provides really good voice quality to better understand the words. It also sounds great at lower volumes. The quality sound is Bose good. Bose App - you can control the EQ settings for bass, midranges and treble through the app. You can also control the speaker volume, pause/play and switch input sources. You can create shortcuts to play from Spotify or to switch to audio line in.

I previously had an older Bose 360 degree speaker and it was great - it was portable, sounded good, and you could hear music in any direction. This definitely takes it up several notches, however. With the SoundLink Max, you get stereo sound and good bass as well. It isn't extremely large, I would say roughly the size of a shoe. I really like the rubberized finish on it, which means that it is durable and can handle a few bumps and bruises. I also like the fact that it is powered by USB-C and can charge your phone as well! Having an aux input jack is also very nice. Because it has stereo drivers, it is able to do left/right, whereas other speakers have just a single driver. Bass is further enhanced by the radiators on the sides, as some other competitor models also do. That being said, I was impressed by the sound quality. By default the sound is "energetic", with prominent mids and good bass. However the app provides the ability to adjust the EQ (though only in bass/mid/high, instead of a more precise layout with sliders for the different bands) to tune the sound to your liking. The carry handle is also fairly sturdy, and the speaker can get pretty loud. All in all, I really like this device in that it has good quality sound without being overly large/heavy.

The Bose - SoundLink Max Portable Bluetooth Speaker is a top of the line portable speaker! The sound is crisp, clear and overall just awesome! When the speaker is charged it last close to 20 hours, which makes it great to carry to the lake, pool, or a park. Included in my box was the Bose Soundlink Max Portable Bluetooth Speaker, a safety sheet, USB-C to C cable, and the USB-C power supply. Quick set-up instuctions are located on the box along with a QR code to download the Bose app. After downloading the app, I followed the instructions to connect to bluetooth. I had no problems connecting the Bose portable speaker to my android cellphone. Within the app you may chose whether you want a Bass Boost, Bass reducer, Treble Boost, or Treble reducer. If connected to your phone you can hear connection status, connected devices, and incoming caller ID. You can not answer a phone call. This Bose Soundlink speaker can be paired with 8 devices. If you have another Bose speaker that is compatible, you can link both speakers to play simultaneously. I have my speaker connected to my cellphone along with my Smart TV, TV Sound Bar, and desktop computer. Highly recommend.

Without question, the SL Max provides great sound out-of-the-box dominating speakers twice its size and form factor. With very few shortcomings, it will be my go-to speaker for beach/picnic outings due to its space filling soundscape and portability. Performance- Rich, full sound with a great balance of treble and bass. No peaking on high volumes and easily able fill a room and/or cover a space in a mid-size gathering. App based EQ can further implement a specific sound profile to match different genres of music. My overall rating is specifically tied to its robust performance. Size/ Portability- A lot packed into a little. For comparison, it's roughly the size of a Fiji water bottle and easily able to fit into any backpack without hogging too much space. With that, the control panel buttons are sized just right, even for my thick fingers. Another high point. Build- When you first grab the handle, you may be slightly surprised at how heavy the capsule is. With that weight comes confidence in the build. This is a solid, sturdy road companion. I have no issue toss around, getting wet, or placing in the sand. A downside it there are no covers for the power or aux inputs, but there is a warning system for charging. If there is water detected, the led will flash until dry. In any event Bose recommends fan usage for drying/clearing debris, so I can still feel confident in taking it wherever I boldly go. This goes for the handle as well. Very sturdy, without the need to be delicate. Battery- The first 10% of the fully charged battery disappeared after about an hour and some change, which I assumed I was going to get roughly 10% per hour. But, I've been at 80% for well past that metric which gives a solid plus for battery life. Of course, the louder the play, the shorter the battery life, but for sporadic usage, the battery has surpassed satisfaction. Finish- This is where I find one of my main issues. The finish of the Max is a rubber based matte coating. While I know it helps with durability, it is terrible for keeping your speaker looking its best. All knicks, dust, specks, marks, etc. show on the surface and are not easily removed. So, if you're going to put this speaker to hardship, let it be known it will look the part over time. Also, I have known such finishes to not do well over time with oxidation. Only time will tell, but this is/has been my experience. App experience- Easily connected to several BT sources with/without the app. App adds EQ and quick settings so it will be advantageous if you like to tinker with your sound. The app has been improved since my last foray with the S1 Pro. So far, dependable and useful when I choose to use it. A few things to wrap up. The first is the Shortcut button. It is promoted as programmable, but the only choices are for the AUX and Spotify. I'm hoping that can be expanded through a software update at a later date, as of writing this, it is simply a disguised "source" button. I would love to set the button to my preferred music app of choice. Second, there are no in-call options. No mic or speaker output of calls. That can be a hit or miss feature, and they chose to exclude it here. When you take a call, music stops, call is taken through handset. Once call completes, music automatically resumes with no interaction needed. Not an issue, but is one of those features that should be noted. In closing, The Soundlink Max lives up to the boisterous claims and satisfies just about all of my needs and wants in an on-the-go speaker. A worthy companion.

Bose has come out swinging powerfully with the release of the Soundlink Max wireless speaker. As an owner and fan of the SoundLink Flex speaker, I was surprised and excited to hear that Bose would be releasing a bigger and louder version of it. If you already own a prior version of this line of speakers, you'll kind of know what to expect, but I promise you that you will be impressed! Sound Quality: I am blown away by how good this Bose speaker sounds. It definitely sounds a lot bigger than it physically is. I like to sit it on my window sill when I am listening to music and it fills our living room with music easily. It has such a nice full and immersive sound. I feel like I am standing in a concert hall when I use this speaker in my living room to listen to music. It is loud, even at a low 30-40% volume setting. The bass is very punchy, without drowning out the mids and highs. Mids have a nice subtle tone that carry the treble and voices very nicely to your ears. This speaker sounds so good, that I cannot wait to hear what the next song on my playlist is going to sound like through it. If you're an audiophile, You'll understand what I am saying. I honestly love this speaker, and I plan on using it every chance I get. Bose has proven their sound engineering knowledge and If there is an award for "Portable speaker of the year" I think this one deserves it. Build quality: This speaker is very very rugged. I think it will definitely survive a drop from shoulder height. I'm not going to test my theory, but it is tough. It is heavy, and it's built like a tank. The carry strap is a very nice touch, you can remove it easily if you don't want it. But I think it is classy and since the speaker is chunky ( I can barely wrap my hand around the whole thing), it makes carrying it around a lot easier. my one and only complaint about this speaker, is that the silicone "skin" that covers the speaker is a huge lint and dust magnet. If you have OCD about keeping things dust free as I do. You will find yourself wiping this thing clean very often. lol. I understand the need for it though. It gives the speaker a nice rugged protective skin. I do love that Bose included a 3.5mm aux port on here. I plan on using it to connect it to my home projector when watching movies. The USB C port is for input/output. So it will charge the speaker with a fast charging cable, and it will output power to charge your phone or tablet! I don't know how I feel about draining the battery from this amazing speaker to charge my phone, but it is definitely a very nice feature to have if I need to charge my phone in an emergency. Would I recommend this speaker? Yes, I highly recommend this speaker. You will not be disappointed.

TLDR: For anyone looking for a portable Bluetooth speaker in the price range, you will most be happy with your purchase. As an owner of Bose Soundlink Color II, I was pretty excited to try out Bose’s latest offering. Right of the bat, the speaker gives a much fuller sound. With the larger size, you get a lot more bass than the Color II. Setup of the speaker was simple. Bose recommended performing a factory reset before pairing for the first time (holding + and – button for a few seconds). After resetting, I was able to connect the speaker to my iPhone. Next, I highly recommend downloading the latest Bose app and adding the speaker. The app has a few built-in guides that explain most of the speaker’s functionality and customizations you can perform. As a Spotify user, I like the fact that I can change the Shortcut button to directly launch Spotify. One thing I will say is that initially, I thought the sound from the speaker was a little harsh. Thankfully within the app you can customize the EQ. After a good amount of experimentation, I was able to find a configuration that sounded good to me. For reference, my settings are: Bass: +1 Mid: -3 Treble: +3 While I haven’t done any testing in this area, the speaker is IP67 rated, so you should be able to take it just about anywhere and not have to worry about the speaker getting wet or full of dust. The speaker also has some sensors to determine if it is wet, so you don’t plug it in while there is still some moisture in the USB port. Having an included USB-C cable and charger is a nice touch. You can also use the speaker as a power bank and charge your phone through the USB port. You can remove the carrying handle, but I am not sure why you would. Overall, after a bit of tweaking of the settings, I am happy with the speaker and would recommend it to most people. While it won’t replace my home theater setup, it does make for a good experience on the go.

I recently purchased the Bose Soundlink Max speaker, and I must say, it has exceeded my expectations in every way. Despite its compact size, the sound quality is impressively powerful. The clarity is remarkable, making it perfect for any genre of music. The bass remains deep and rich, even at low volumes, which is ideal for quiet listening sessions. Portability is another major plus. Its small size makes it easy to carry around the house, so you can enjoy great sound in any room. The Bluetooth connection is stable and quick to set up, with no perceptible lag in sound, ensuring a seamless listening experience. Additionally, the accompanying app is very functional. It allows for easy adjustments in the EQ, so you can tailor the sound to your preference with minimal hassle. Overall, the Bose Soundlink Max is a fantastic speaker that delivers excellent sound quality and convenience. Highly recommended!

After months of searching for the best outdoor speaker, I finally decided to purchase the Bose SoundLink Max. Here’s my honest review after using it for about 3 months. What I Love: - Impressive Sound Quality: The sound quality of the Bose SoundLink Max is truly remarkable. I’ve owned several Bluetooth speakers over the years, and this one stands out for its full, rich audio that captivates you and makes you stop what you’re doing to appreciate the music. The bass is deep and impactful without being muddy, while the vocals are crystal clear. I use it for a variety of occasions, from enjoying morning pump up music to hosting weekend pool parties, and it effortlessly handles everything crisp. - Bulletproof Build Quality: The build quality of the Bose SoundLink Max is impressive. The silicone coating gives it a premium feel, and I appreciate that I don’t have to be overly cautious with it. I’ve accidentally dropped it a few times, been caught in rainstorms, and even dipped it in the pool to clean some dirt off, and it still functions flawlessly. The IP67 rating is not just a marketing gimmick. - Exceptional Battery Life: Bose claims a battery life of 20 hours, but I consistently get closer to 22-24 hours of mixed volume listening. The reverse charging feature is a lifesaver when camping or at the beach. Being able to charge my phone directly from the speaker has saved me multiple times. The rope handle is well-designed. It’s comfortable to carry and feels sturdy. What Could Be Better: - High Price: The Bose SoundLink Max is quite expensive at $399. I managed to find it for $299 during a sale, which was the sweet spot for the price, but at full retail, it’s definitely an expensive purchase. - Slightly Heavier Than Expected: At almost 5 pounds, the speaker is heavier than I anticipated. It’s definitely noticeable when carrying it in a backpack. - Basic Bose App: The Bose app is basic. It offers a simple EQ and multiple speaker linking, and that’s about it. For Bose, I would expect more customization options. Other cheaper speaker companies provide significantly more app features. The charging and aux ports lack covers, which seems like an oversight for a rugged device. I know it’s waterproof, but I’m still always a bit weary. In real-world use, I primarily rely on this speaker for outdoor entertaining/poolside music. It fills my backyard (about 30x40 feet) with clear, crisp sound, and the wireless freedom allows me to place it anywhere. The aux input is convenient, and pairing with my phone is always instant and reliable. It also has options to connect to multiple phones at once, so if my phone leaves, my wife’s phone will automatically connect, which is great when the unexpected happens. Overall, if you can find it on sale for around $300, it’s a solid investment. The sound quality and build quality justify the cost at that price point. At full retail, you’re paying a premium for the Bose brand, but you do get premium performance. Just be prepared for the weight if portability is a major concern. Would I buy it again? Yes, but I’d definitely wait for another sale. It’s become my go to speaker for any situation where I want excellent sound. Recommendation: Wait for a discount, but don’t hesitate once the price drops to $300 or below.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

The Bose SoundLink Max is a game-changer in portable speakers, delivering an unparalleled audio experience. Compared to the already impressive Bose SoundLink Flex which was my original bose speaker, the Max takes sound quality to a whole new level—20 times better, to be exact! Its rich bass, crystal-clear highs, and room-filling sound leave the Flex in the dust, making it the ultimate choice for audiophiles and casual listeners alike. While the SoundLink Flex is a solid option for its size and portability, the Max truly lives up to its name, providing superior depth, clarity, and volume without distortion. If you're looking for a portable speaker that delivers premium sound quality, the SoundLink Max is worth every penny.

Couldn't wait to get my hands on the new Bose Soundlink Max. Unboxing was as easy as it gets. After pulling the unit out of the box, I did a quick factory reset by holding the + and - buttons at the same time for about 5-10 seconds to make sure it was at its factory settings. I also already had the Bose app up and running on my iphone since I have other Bose products throughout the house that I control. If you don't have the app on your phone, I highly recommend doing that. It's very intuitive and makes it easy to connect via bluetooth and gives you control of volume and equalization of the device to your preferred sound quality settings. The speaker came charged at about 30%, so I would recommend charging it for the full 5 hours as recommended. Product has both a USB-C and auxiliary port, which also comes with the USB-C charger. Bose states the charge has a 20 hour battery life which is pretty exceptional. I have about 6 hours of use so far and battery life still seems good. Note: (I have not tested for the full 20 hours yet). One thing I like about this speaker is the ability to have two phones dual linked to the Soundlink Max. This is a feature I haven't seen before, but it comes in real handy when I'm busy grilling and my wife can control the music playlist without grabbing my iphone. The handle makes it super easy to transport from one location to another and reminds me of the old boom boxes I used to carry around in the 80's and 90's but with a more compact feel. Let's talk about the sound. This for me, is why I rated this new Bose portable speaker a 4 star rating. Since I own a lot of different speakers in my home like Sonos, Bose, and JBL, which all have great Sound quality in my opinion, I naturally have pretty high expectations. I will say the clean sound clarity which is well known in all Bose systems was consistent. The Bass in my opinion based off the size of the speaker was decent, but lacked punch. I was expecting a little more for the price point. Here are my final thoughts. You can never go wrong with a high quality and reputable brand such as Bose and with that, usually comes a higher price point. There are a lot of positive features with the new soundlink Max at the same time keeping the product simple, compact, and well made. If you are looking for a little stronger cleaner punch in the bass, I think you might find something out there and pay a little less.