Rugged little Bose SoundLink Flex Bluetooth speaker sounds big — and it floats

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The new Bose SoundLink Flex is tiny and tough.
The new Bose SoundLink Flex is tiny and tough.
Photo: Bose

Bose recently rolled out an all-new portable Bluetooth speaker. The rugged little SoundLink Flex features an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, 12-hour battery life and what Bose said is “astonishing” sound for its size. Oh, and it floats, too, the company said.

Bose SoundLink Flex: small but mighty

At a weight of just over a pound and dimensions of 7.9 inches (width) by 3.6 inches (height) by 2.1 inches (depth), the Bose SoundLink Flex probably couldn’t be much more compact. It features a built-in utility loop you can attach to a carabiner to carry it around.

Custom transducer and ‘Position IQ’

Bose said in a press release the custom transducer it put inside the Flex is “as big as could fit.” And it can project “bass that you can feel in your chest.” Using what Bose calls “PositionIQ,” the speaker detects its orientation, such as upright, hanging in the air or laying on its back, and tunes audio output to suit the situation.

The speaker’s silicone back and powder-coated steel grille resist corrosion and discoloration from UV light, Bose said. The IP67 water resistance rating means the device is safe around the pool. Bose said it floats to the surface when dropped in water. Sound like you shouldn’t toss it in the pool, but if it falls in, it’ll pop back up.

You'll find the controls on top.
You’ll find the controls on top.
Photo: Bose

Connectivity

The SoundLink Flex links up with any Bose smart speakers or soundbars. You can stereo pair it with another SoundLink Flex or any other Bose portable speaker.

A built-in microphone lets you take calls and converse with your phone’s  voice assistant.

The Bose SoundLink Flex comes in black, smoke white and blue colors. You can buy it for $149 on the Bose website, at Amazon and at various other retailers.

Where to buy: Amazon

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