Customer Ratings & Reviews

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.

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 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.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Absolutely love this speaker! The Bose SoundLink Max delivers powerful, crystal-clear sound with deep bass that fills any room or backyard. The battery easily lasts all day, and the removable handle makes it super easy to carry to the beach or a friend’s house. It feels solid and premium, and the water-resistant design gives me peace of mind outdoors. Pairing was instant, and the Bluetooth connection stays rock-steady. Worth every penny—this is the best portable speaker I’ve ever owned!

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.

Nice bass, great for the shower area a sits water resistant IP67, fast lag free Bluetooth 5.2, pairs well design wise with a MacBook Pro, nice build and super convenient handle, built well and has a hefty felt to it but not too heavy.

This is probably my favorite speaker I've ever purchased from Bose. The highs are crisp and the lows are thunderous. This speaker honestly takes every party to the next level. I mostly use it as background music at family parties but its really convenient having this speaker get as loud as it does. Super versatile and I really LOVEE the top handle. It is made of such great quality and it feels so comfortable to carry this speaker around with the top handle. Battery life is also pretty amazing. Used it at a family party for over 5 hours and only got it down to 70%.

I have been wanting to purchase this speaker but hesitant at regular price. At the black Friday deal finally grabbed one. Product is solid and seems exceptionally well made. Set up and app are very easy to use. Adjusted eq to my preference and great sound followed. Bass is exceptional for a small speaker. You get what you pay for with this product.Excellent sound in a weatherproof package. Plays loud and clear. Looking forward to summer pool parties jamming with this speaker.

I'm old enough to remember when Bose was new to the mainstream commercial market and a home that had their Wave system was 'high-falutin'. I cut my teeth on Bose products when I finally had money of my own and was stepping into the audiophile world. I quickly moved past Bose into the ethereal realms of speakers and headphones, but always had a soft spot for Bose, even though it seemed like they were consistently getting beat at their own game. Well, I was pleasantly surprised to see and hear Bose come out swinging with the SoundLink Max. TL:DR - It deserves to be on the shortlist for anyone looking for an outstanding portable bluetooth speaker. It's the first portable BT speaker to even come close to acing my audiophile test playlist. Here is what I like about the SoundLink Max: Sound Quality: I kinda feel like this has taken a back seat for a lot of portable BT speakers as of late. Many people prioritize the portability or battery life of a system over pure sound quality. Understandable since if you can't take it with you, or if it doesn't play long enough, the quality really doesn't matter. You don't have to compromise on sound with the SoundLink Max. Even though I stopped chasing the holy grail of audiophile sound (it got WAY too expensive), I do still utilize my test playlist with all my new sound gear, and the Max is the first portable bluetooth speaker I've owned that could even come close to nailing each test. Everything from depth, impact, focus, transients, and resonance were spectacular. Of course it can't get proper separation due to the closeness of the speakers (but a paired set might just do it), but no single point system can do that. The only test that it even tripped over was part of the bass response, and I'm having trouble isolating whether that is an actual issue with the speaker or if it is something else. On some dance/R&B tracks with certain bass segments, there is a 'stutter' in one frequency set. It's weird, and it only pops up in certain songs. It could very well be an artifact from processing or the original production. Other than that, the SoundLink Max has an impressively controlled bass response which has usually been a weak point for BT speakers and Bose in particular. Looks: My wife loves the Blue Dusk color and the SoundLink Max design itself is simple and clean. I don't need disco lights nor do I need it to look like some alien spaceship. I also dig the rope handle, which I guess can be swapped out for a longer shoulder rope strap but that's not for me. Battery Life: Bose says you get 20 hours at moderate volume, but I spent six hours with the audiophile test and just regular music yesterday and a good three hours so far this morning just working in my office and the speaker is still reporting 100%! Now I hope that's not an error with the software but the weight of this speaker makes me think that it has some solid battery capacity built into it. Charge Capability: Unlike a few portable speakers I've utilized lately, the SoundLink Max will charge your phone if you plug it into the USB-C port. Always a nice feature. Durability/IP Rating: The Bose SoundLink Max feels solid and sturdy, plus the rubberized coating all lead you to feel that it can take some abuse and still keep rocking. That, and the fact that you can replace the handle if needed, all give me a good feeling that I'll be using this speaker for years to come. The solid IP67 (and weirdly secondary IP64) rating also mean that this is a great speaker to take out and about, whether it is to the pool, beach, desert, or wherever you may roam. Phone App: Simple and clean. Always appreciate that. What I don't like as much (but none are very big issues): Weight: Despite being a relatively compact speaker, you could probably do some serious damage to someone if you were to swing this at them. Perhaps Bose should consider marketing it as a self-defense item or perhaps a stylish exercise weight. It's nothing egregious, but it has some heft to it. Equalizer: While I appreciate that the app is clean and simple, and that the equalizer is easy to adjust, I would appreciate some better presets, or better yet, the ability to save my own. Hopefully this will come out in a future app update. I am VERY happy with the Soundlink Max and I look forward to years of great sounding music no matter where I may be.

Excellent sound and bass. Powerful and portable. Hold its charge for long periods. Highly satisfied with the purchase, will buy again

This Bluetooth speaker packs a punch and fills the room with music without needing to be very loud indoors. I look forward to using outdoors. It’s small but loud enough to use for a family gathering. I love it. I think it’s on the expensive side but Bose doesn’t disappoint with the sound and toughness of the speaker. I am glad that I purchased this speaker.

I bought this product with the expectation that it would be a bass power house. I can for sure tell you it beat my expectation. Though its not the loudest kid on the block it for sure delivers crisp sound and amazingly good bass for its size of speakers. Now given its multiple speakers its battery life isnt as great at high volume. Now if you have it at a decent medium high volume it will last a good 6 to 8 hours on an single charge. Im a diesel tech and it delivers perfectly in a loud environment like mine. Made with good quality and a good battery. I cant forget the connectivity, with a long range i can walk awayy with my phone about 20 feet and it still plays really well. In essence the down side is the battery does drain quick at high volume but thats due to asking it for everything it has. Not the loudest but delivers great bass Not fully portable but great size for its sound. I will definitely continue to invest in Bose products.

This Bose Sound Link Max delivers the best quality sound with a smooth design, pleasurable appearance and of course, portable and long playing battery life

It sounds incredible! That Bose sound!! The bass is crazy!!! Rumbles!! Mids and highs are crisp and clear. You can also adjust the EQ to your liking on the app. Great battery life!! Dust and waterproof is a plus. It also looks elegant. A bit pricey but if you can afford it, you'll not regret it.

I own many Bose speakers and this portable speaker is awesome. For the size, the sound quality is clear, loud, battery life is good and indicator tells you the battery life. Would recommend purchasing a carrying case for easy travel. We took it on our Hawaii trip, excellent purchase, do recommend.

I love this thing. Great sound quality, really loud for the size and the bass is crisp and clear. Highly recommend. Battery life is impressive and can even charge devices using port.

I'm not a Bose fanboy at all but this speaker is fantastic. I think at one point I owned 15 Bluetooth speakers so I have a good idea of what I want out of a speaker over a wide range of sizes. Everything about the Max is perfect. The bass is solid. I can't believe they fit all this sound into such a small package. The build quality is perfection. The Bluetooth is rock solid. It connects instantly every time. Handles multiple devices no problem. The price is steep so maybe wait for a sale in the future. But even if you pay full price I don't think you will have buyers remorse. I would love if the app EQ was 5 band instead of 3 band but I would not change anything about the speaker itself. So tempted to get another one once they add stereo pairing.