Best Bose Speakers in 2022

This Bose Bluetooth speaker has proven itself an enormously popular product. And there are a variety of good reasons behind that popularity. First, the SoundLink III provides much richer, more resonant baselines than previous versions of the SoundLink. Second, overall volume is increased from earlier editions. Also, you’ll get up to 14 hours of play from the upgraded lithium-ion battery (compared to approximately 8 hours from previous generations) and pairing your SoundLink III speakers with your Bluetooth device is now simpler and faster than ever. That’s a lot of improvement on what was already an outstanding speaker. And the fact that the SoundLink III is still one of the company’s more modestly priced items only adds to the allure.

Once you’ve paired your SoundLink III speaker to your Bluetooth mobile device the speaker will remember the pairing and sync up automatically whenever you power it up. Bose is serious about this being a Bluetooth enabled speaker and so they don’t overload the speaker itself with what would technically be a lot of superfluous controls. There is volume control, muting and the ability to switch to aux input but that’s about it. And that’s fine. Because the control you’ll get through your Bluetooth mobile device will more than make up for any onboard control shortages. The bottom line is that the company have outdone themselves with their SoundLink III speaker, turning an already robust audio device into something worth writing home about. As a result it earns a place on our list along with our Best Choice designation.

The SoundTouch 30 Wireless Speaker is one of the company’s larger tabletop models. Measuring 17 x 10 x 7 inches and weighing nearly 26 pounds it’s not something you’re going to be taking to parties with you. It’s intended to provide you serious sound quality for your home whether in the kitchen, living room or the home bar in your finished basement. It’s also great for use in the outdoor kitchen or on the deck during big holiday get togethers. The SoundTouch 30 stores your favorite music for retrieval at any time (which means you don’t always have to have your mobile device handy to hear music) and can be synced with Alexa for true hands off capability.

As we mentioned you don’t need to have your mobile device at the ready all the time to hear your favorite music on the SoundTouch 30 Wireless Speaker. That’s because the “sound touch” of the name refers to the six buttons on both the top of the unit and the remote that allow you to access your favorites at any time. The SoundTouch should be more than adequate for any standard sized room and actually plays a lot larger than it physically is. Clarity and depth are first rate and the bass is full and satisfying without being jarring or causing the dishes on your counter to rattle. There’s also a vertical bass port on the rear of the device that helps fill in aural gaps for those not in front of the speaker as it plays.

For our Best Value choice we reach for the color in the form of the SoundLink Color Bluetooth Speaker II. The Color II is a tough, durable, portable device that’s water resistant which all adds up to it being an excellent choice to take along on your camping trip or to the beach. The sound here, while not up to the standards of top-of-the-line Bose offerings is still quite full bodied and satisfying, even when listening in the great outdoors. With the icing on the cake cementing its status as our Best Value pick being the price, which is less than you will pay for a pair of high end athletic shoes.

Take the SoundLink Color II out to the pool with you on a hot lazy summer afternoon or to the park on a picnic with your sweetheart or bring it into the bathroom with you to provide ambience for your nice hot bath. It’s a remarkably portable, durable piece of audio technology that’s not limited by weight or materials or size. The lithium-ion battery is rechargeable via the included micro-USB cable and will provide you up to eight hours of life on a single charge. As for audio quality you’ll get a surprising richness at the low end of the spectrum to complement the nice clear, crisp highs. Available in coral red, blue, polar white, aquatic blue or basic black it’s as handsome as it is practical and capable. And it won’t make you choose between it and paying the rent. For more portable options, check out our list of top portable bluetooth speakers on the market today.

The Bose Wave Radio made quite a splash when it was introduced toward the end of the last century and the fact that it’s still alive and well here in the heart of the digital age says a lot about the quality of the sound it generates and its overall value. The Wave Music System IV produces clean, debris-free sound at all points on the audio spectrum and does so at whatever decibel level you chose. You’re able to access all your favorite tracks by way of iTunes, Spotify, Deezer, Internet radio and more, along with whatever you happen to have stored on your mobile device. The company’s Wave technology was first introduced as an audio experience that would fill a room and they certainly deliver on the promise with the System IV.

Although you’ll need to plug this puppy in to enjoy it that shouldn’t really be a problem since this is not intended to go to the park with you. Its role is to sit on the counter in the kitchen or on the nightstand in the bedroom or behind the bar in the basement and provide the type of sound quality you normally only hear in high end lounges or concert halls. And it fulfills its destiny with a casual efficiency that makes pretty much every other radio-centric device obsolete. With its simple, elegant design, easy wireless connectivity, AM/FM support, alarm clock and room filling capabilities the Bose Wave Music System IV is an audio device no true music lover should be without. Our handy guide to the best soundbars features more great products like this.

The problem with most audio systems? They only play in one direction. If you find yourself behind the speakers you’re going to have to settle for audio backwash which, if you’re a music lover, is just not going to cut it. Happily the Bose SoundLink Revolve is here to rescue you from the depths of musical despair with its true 360° sound. This is no novelty act. No techno curiosity trying to cash in on a void in the market. It’s a real-life in-the-round speaker that sounds equally terrific no matter where you’re sitting or standing in relation to it. The audio itself is not only there for you but it’s of an extremely high quality with full, satisfying bass lines and crystal clear highs that will have you involuntarily raising your head to take notice.

Fortunately, the Bose engineers didn’t forget that a mobile device such as this needs to be, well, mobile. As such it’s a trim 3.3 inches in diameter and weighs in at a svelte 1.5 pounds. The fabric handle also provides a nice sure grip and makes toting the Revolve a snap. (Unfortunately it also make swiping it a snap too, so be careful how and where you deploy it.) The Revolve is also water resistant so it can withstand a couple of minutes of rain. The icing on this cake is extremely sweet and include a lithium-ion battery that provides up to 16 hours on a single charge, trouble free syncing with your mobile device, the ability to be paired with a second Revolve to really get the party going and the ability to accept voice prompts via Google now or Siri. If you are looking for waterproof speakers, make sure you check out our shower speakers review for our top picks.

The moment you power up the Soundlink Mini II Limited Edition you’ll realize something is a bit different. First the device asks you for your language preference then informs you it has automatically entered pairing mode. All you need to do then is use the pairing menu on your mobile device and you’re ready to rock. Stream music from any of your favorite online sources, listen to Internet radio or play any of your favorite tunes on your smartphone or tablet. There’s also a built in speakerphone option that lets you take those important phone calls while keeping your hands free for more important things like making lunch. Since the last iteration of this Bose mini speaker they have addressed battery life and the Mini II now boasts a new upgraded battery that provides up to 10 hours on a single charge.

At 1.5 pounds you might think the Mini II has an inconsequential feel but you’d be wrong. Because of its compact size it actually feels much more substantial than the actual weight indicates and the seamless shell and rugged faceplate just reinforce that impression. While you’re not going to get true stereo sound here simply because the device isn’t big enough the sound you get will blow away just about any other non-Bose portable Bluetooth speaker in its class. It’s a bit more than some of those other speakers but until they actually catch up to this Bose mini speaker, it’s worth the investment.

Some people wear their heart on their sleeves while others wear their radio around their neck. Such is the nature of the Bose Soundwear Wireless Wearable Speaker. But this is more than just a way to listen to your favorite tunes without having to shut out the real world with headphones. It’s a full-on communication nexus that accepts voice input, allows you to take phone calls hands-free and has an effective Bluetooth range of 30 feet, so it will work with your mobile device no matter where it is in the room. The lithium-ion battery will provide up to 12 hours on a single charge and the whole thing weighs just over half a pound.

Granted, this is not a device for everyone and even those enamored of it will need to exercise caution when wearing it in public but for those who treasure innovation, convenience and quality rolled into a single high end audio device the Soundwear wireless speaker may produce techgasms of extraordinary intensity. Since this is a speaker we’re talking about here though we must comment on the audio quality, which is surprisingly good. Having music rise up to the ears is a novel idea that seems like it shouldn’t necessarily work but it does. It’s also capable of producing stereo effects to beat the band. The Soundwear is flexible to contour to your neck and shoulders and various-colored covers are also available, though must be purchased separately.

The SoundTouch 130 Home Theater System features a 37” soundbar with six internal Bluetooth home speakers arrayed so as to provide effective sound coverage as the action moves across the screen. With the wireless bass module properly positioned the effect is pretty extraordinary and something you may only have experienced previously in the movie theater. As with most Bose products (and most high end audio products in general these days) the system is compact and discreet with clean lines and sporting impressive overall build quality. There are five HDMI input modules on the back so you can enjoy high resolution sound regardless if you’re playing games, watching a DVD or surfing through your 300 satellite channels.

Easy Bluetooth compatibility also lets you access your favorite music services like Spotify or iTunes as well as Internet radio or any of the hundreds of songs you have stored on your mobile device. The 130 can also be synced with any other SoundTouch devices anywhere in your home so you can follow the action of the game even when you’re in the kitchen making a snack. The system guides you through setting up your Bose WiFi speakers step by step so there’s no mistakes. Even the tech challenged should be able to handle it without a hitch. Audio calibration via the included ADAPTIQ headset is not quite as straightforward but with a little patience is nothing that can’t be mastered. Make sure you also check our guide to the best bookshelf speakers.

The fact that the Solo 5 is a mere 21.6 inches long (and that the speakers are only about a foot apart inside the device) means it’s not going to be very effective when it comes to augmenting the sound on your 45” TV. But with that as a given, if you’re looking to really ramp up the audio quality of the 21” screen have behind your home bar or in the outdoor kitchen or even the indoor kitchen you can’t go wrong with the Bose Solo 5 TV Sound System. This is a basic soundbar that’s handsome and discreet and ramps up your ability to enjoy your smaller TV without costing you an arm and a leg. Granted, it’s not exactly cheap but given the fact that you’ll likely be enjoying its benefits for years to come it’s an outstanding value.

The Solo 5 provides simple as pie Bluetooth integration so you can use it to stream your favorite music from a variety of Internet sources as well as whatever you have stored on your mobile device. There are also coaxial, optical and aux inputs and an auto shut-off feature that powers the device down after 60 minutes of no activity. The Solo 5 is a plug and play speaker system that delivers convincing bass lines and compelling highs notes and will help you turn your ho-hum TV into the one everyone wants to use. Just be sure to turn off your TV’s own speakers before using it. Our handy guide to the best smart speakers features more great speakers like this. 

Being a rich, satisfying black in color the Virtually Invisible 300 Wireless speakers from Bose are anything but. Yet we’re not going to quibble about marketing terms because the quality of audio you get from these compact, extremely light speakers stacks up favorably against anything else in their class. But not only are they impressive when standing alone, they can also be easily synced with any of the company’s other SoundTouch or soundbar systems as well. While these Bluetooth home speakers may not be invisible they are small enough to be placed just about anywhere without calling too much attention to themselves. And if you wish you can also pick them up with optional floor stands that save you tabletop space and from having to blemish your walls.

Enjoy your favorite music from Spotify or Pandora and connect these SoundTouch speakers via WiFi with other Bose devices to create a true surround sound experience right in your living room. Everything can be controlled from your handset with the free SoundTouch app. While they’re quite capable of standing on their own two feet the SoundTouch Virtually Invisible speakers really shine when used as part of a larger immersive sound system. Just saying.