Bose SoundLink IIFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 35 mentions across 12 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment46%
PROS 46%
CONS 54%

Rank based on 35 mentions across 12 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want rich, room-filling sound with a sleek premium design
  • You value long per-charge playtime and Bose's reputation for durability and support
  • You're comfortable paying a premium price or buying used

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need strong, punchy bass at higher volumes
  • You expect app connectivity, EQ controls, or a built-in microphone
  • You're worried about long-term battery charging reliability

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Value
Bose SoundLink Flex~$149 · 1.7× cheaper
Big, clear sound for its sizeExcellent stereo pairing experienceOutperforms competitor speakersOverpriced compared to competitorsOccasional defects or inconsistent unitsFiddly stereo pairing process
Bose SoundLink Flex~$149 · 1.7× cheaper
Big, clear sound for its size
Excellent stereo pairing experience
Outperforms competitor speakers
Overpriced compared to competitors
Occasional defects or inconsistent units
Fiddly stereo pairing process
Best value
2Value
Sony ULT Field 1~$130 · 1.9× cheaper
Strong, balanced bassImproved sound quality over past Sony speakersReliable stereo pairingULT mode can sound boomy or muffledNo Party Connect multi-speaker supportLower volume/loudness than some JBL models
Sony ULT Field 1~$130 · 1.9× cheaper
Strong, balanced bass
Improved sound quality over past Sony speakers
Reliable stereo pairing
ULT mode can sound boomy or muffled
No Party Connect multi-speaker support
Lower volume/loudness than some JBL models
3Mid
Anker Soundcore Rave Neo 2~$200 · 1.2× cheaper
Powerful, excellent bassImproved bass over previous generationStrong overall sound qualityPossible tweeter noiseUnclear battery capacity specsUnclear power/charging behavior
Anker Soundcore Rave Neo 2~$200 · 1.2× cheaper
Powerful, excellent bass
Improved bass over previous generation
Strong overall sound quality
Possible tweeter noise
Unclear battery capacity specs
Unclear power/charging behavior
4Upper
Bose SoundWear Companion~$299 · 1.2× pricier
Great for Active and Work UseSolid Sound QualityStrong Value When on SaleHigh Price Deters BuyersDiscontinued by BoseSound Leaks to Others
Bose SoundWear Companion~$299 · 1.2× pricier
Great for Active and Work Use
Solid Sound Quality
Strong Value When on Sale
High Price Deters Buyers
Discontinued by Bose
Sound Leaks to Others
5Upper
Marshall Tufton~$449 · 1.8× pricier
Powerful, punchy bassUpgrade satisfaction over smaller Marshall modelsHigh volume capabilityMixed sound quality opinions vs other Marshall modelsAuto Bluetooth disconnect after pausesHeavy and not very portable
Marshall Tufton~$449 · 1.8× pricier
Powerful, punchy bass
Upgrade satisfaction over smaller Marshall models
High volume capability
Mixed sound quality opinions vs other Marshall models
Auto Bluetooth disconnect after pauses
Heavy and not very portable
6Mid
Edifier D32~$180 · 1.4× cheaper
Retro cassette-inspired designImpressive sound and bass qualityIntuitive controls over timeBass can feel limitedBuild material concernsLimited EQ bands
Edifier D32~$180 · 1.4× cheaper
Retro cassette-inspired design
Impressive sound and bass quality
Intuitive controls over time
Bass can feel limited
Build material concerns
Limited EQ bands
7Upper
Marshall Acton III~$279 · similar price
Powerful, room-filling soundClear upgrade from older modelsCrisp vocals with solid bassHigh price relative to valueAudio inconsistencies and glitchesNo multi-speaker connectivity
Marshall Acton III~$279 · similar price
Powerful, room-filling sound
Clear upgrade from older models
Crisp vocals with solid bass
High price relative to value
Audio inconsistencies and glitches
No multi-speaker connectivity
8Value
JBL Charge 3~$149 · 1.7× cheaper
Easy, affordable DIY battery replacementRich, balanced sound qualityStrong battery lifeBass-related crackling and distortionBattery swelling over timeNo 360-degree sound
JBL Charge 3~$149 · 1.7× cheaper
Easy, affordable DIY battery replacement
Rich, balanced sound quality
Strong battery life
Bass-related crackling and distortion
Battery swelling over time
No 360-degree sound
9Upper
JBL PartyBox 100~$399 · 1.6× pricier
Powerful BassGreat Overall Sound QualityStrong Value for MoneySlow Boot/Connect TimeTWS Pairing IssuesInconsistent Battery Life Reports
JBL PartyBox 100~$399 · 1.6× pricier
Powerful Bass
Great Overall Sound Quality
Strong Value for Money
Slow Boot/Connect Time
TWS Pairing Issues
Inconsistent Battery Life Reports
10Mid
Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 3~$199 · 1.3× cheaper
Powerful, clean sound
Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 3~$199 · 1.3× cheaper
Powerful, clean sound
You are here
17Mid
Bose SoundLink II~$249
Impressive Sound QualityLong-Term Durability When MaintainedLong Battery Playtime per ChargeWeak Bass at Higher VolumesBattery Charging Failures Over TimeHigh Premium Price
Bose SoundLink II~$249
Impressive Sound Quality
Long-Term Durability When Maintained
Long Battery Playtime per Charge
Weak Bass at Higher Volumes
Battery Charging Failures Over Time
High Premium Price

Who wins on what (similar price)

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Most owners are impressed by the SoundLink II's sound quality and design. Commenters repeatedly call the speaker's audio 'awesome,' 'great,' and worth the premium price, with several saying it beats speakers like Beats Solo or older Bose Charge models. Users appreciate the compact size filling a room or apartment with rich, warm sound, and praise the sleek aesthetics and included case. Even skeptics who once thought Bose was overpriced admit they got what they paid for, and long-term owners still favor it over newer competing models years later.

Bass and volume leave some buyers wanting more. A recurring complaint is that bass disappears or gets muddy as volume increases, with several reviewers calling the low end weak, foggy, or lacking punch compared to rivals like Klipsch or Loewe. Others found the overall sound underwhelming next to older personal speakers or headphones they already owned, leading a few to return the unit shortly after purchase. Deep sub-bass frequencies below 30-40Hz are reportedly missing, disappointing bass-heavy genre fans.

Battery reliability and missing features are the biggest long-term frustrations. Multiple owners report the speaker stops charging or drains unexpectedly after one to two years of daily use, forcing costly replacement batteries or Bose support calls. Others note the lack of an EQ, app connectivity, or microphone for calls despite Bose's app supporting other portable speakers. One user experienced power-on failures unless plugged in. Despite these gripes, some long-time owners kept units running for a decade by simply replacing the battery.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?