Customer reviews from bose.com
Bose - SoundLink Plus Portable Bluetooth Speaker - Citrus Yellow
Average customer rating
4.9
(104 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 104 reviews
5 Stars
93
4 Stars
11
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Star
0
Customer Reviews for Bose - SoundLink Plus Portable Bluetooth Speaker - Citrus Yellow
Customer Rating
4
Be ready to pay a premium for Bose quality
on June 27, 2025
Posted by: ys24
Gender:Male
Length of ownership:1 week
Overall, great speaker that is best suited to stationary use.
Pros:
- great sound quality: gets quite loud with minimal distortion and maintains good bass even at max volume. Can easily fill an indoor room / outdoor patio
- materials: the metal grille feels quality, and the silicone has held up well so far. Slight concern about how the metal front grille will show dents if the speaker is dropped but haven't "tested" that yet
- carry loop: makes it convenient to carry the speaker (even if it is heavy)
- clicky, easy to press buttons: Bose easily has the best buttons of any Bluetooth speaker I've used
- solid Bluetooth connection: no drops or disconnects even with Multipoint in use, didn't test range explicitly but was able to walk up/downstairs without issue. Wasn't able to test Party mode with multiple speakers
- battery life: best battery life on a speaker I have used. I've only had to charge it twice within this review period despite very heavy usage.
- great sound quality: gets quite loud with minimal distortion and maintains good bass even at max volume. Can easily fill an indoor room / outdoor patio
- materials: the metal grille feels quality, and the silicone has held up well so far. Slight concern about how the metal front grille will show dents if the speaker is dropped but haven't "tested" that yet
- carry loop: makes it convenient to carry the speaker (even if it is heavy)
- clicky, easy to press buttons: Bose easily has the best buttons of any Bluetooth speaker I've used
- solid Bluetooth connection: no drops or disconnects even with Multipoint in use, didn't test range explicitly but was able to walk up/downstairs without issue. Wasn't able to test Party mode with multiple speakers
- battery life: best battery life on a speaker I have used. I've only had to charge it twice within this review period despite very heavy usage.
Cons:
- cost: it is quite expensive for a midsize speaker
- weight: while it is convenient to carry, it is quite heavy and requires at least two fingers in the loop to comfortably carry
- directional audio: I prefer upward-firing portable speakers for my specific use case at home. Might not be a con for you
- long charge time: takes quite a long time to charge (took about 3 hours from 30%)
- Citrus Yellow color: I am not a fan of this new color. I think the Blue color is my favorite.
- cost: it is quite expensive for a midsize speaker
- weight: while it is convenient to carry, it is quite heavy and requires at least two fingers in the loop to comfortably carry
- directional audio: I prefer upward-firing portable speakers for my specific use case at home. Might not be a con for you
- long charge time: takes quite a long time to charge (took about 3 hours from 30%)
- Citrus Yellow color: I am not a fan of this new color. I think the Blue color is my favorite.
The SoundLink Plus is great, but it's not without its shortcomings. For starters, it is in a weird position pricewise in the Bose lineup. For the price, you can almost buy two SL Flex, which would likely sound better when paired together in stereo. Those wanting a bona fide outdoor speaker may likely look to the SoundLink Max instead in order to fill larger outdoor spaces. As such, it's a 4.5 star speaker with a 3 star price, which makes it about a 4-star speaker in my estimation.
Written by a customer while visiting bose.com
Customer Rating
4
Little Box BIG SOUND
on June 28, 2025
Posted by: JulieT
Gender:Female
Length of ownership:1 week
Let me start by saying that this little speaker really packs a punch. I usually keep my older Bose Soundlink portable speaker in the kitchen so I decided to move this farther away. We have an open concept family room and kitchen so it is basically one large room. The sound quality and robustness from the BSL Portable Rugged Speaker at any listening distance was shockingly great! We have an older Bose Surround Sound system in this room as well and the sound quality rivaled it. I’ve also used this gem outside on our large outdoor patio. While the sound doesn’t have quite the crispness like it does inside 4 walls, it is certainly loud and undistorted and great for a party if you are going for volume. The closer I move to the speaker when it is outside, the more I regain the crisp sound. The only drawback I can put my finger on is the weight of the speaker itself. It does come with a sturdy loop handle on the side for easy pickup. I weighed my SoundLink and my new SoundLink Rugged Portable out of genuine curiosity. My originally BSL came in at 1 lb 4.6 oz and the new Rugged Portable weighs 3 lb 5.8oz. I have no problem moving this new one around inside or outside, or throwing it in the car for camping, boating or a weekend away. The only time I would think twice would be throwing it into my bag for a quick trip to the beach or pool where I would definitely feel the weight difference on my shoulder. The weight is the only reason I have not given it 5 stars for Ease of Use or and Overall Rating. Other than that, I still think this is the perfect addition to the Bose collection since I can always grab my smaller SL for just that purpose.
Written by a customer while visiting bose.com
Customer Rating
5
Great Outdoor Speaker!
on June 28, 2025
Posted by: BoseGuy415
Gender:Male
Length of ownership:1 month
The Bose SoundLink Plus Portable Speaker is a great all around outdoor speaker! I’ve been using this inside and outside for the last 2 weeks during yard work and when I’ve been cleaning the pool. The sound is great with crisp highs and good bass depth.
When working outside, I keep my phone with me and the speaker placed near the back porch. I’ve been as far as 60 feet away and my phone is still connected to the speaker. I’ve been able to change the volume and skip songs without any issue.
After the initial charge, I haven’t charged the speaker yet. Yesterday, my family and I went to watch fireworks and during the wait, I turned the speaker on and was shocked to hear it still had a 70% charge throughout all the days I’ve used it. Although the speaker can charge phones through the USB-C port, I have not tried that feature.
I don’t have any particular cons about the speaker but both neighbors on either side of me may say otherwise. When one of your favorite songs comes on and you turn up the volume, you can definitely hear it. Well, so did my neighbors…. They were looking for a stereo system around my backyard and were shocked when I showed them this speaker. I’m pretty sure they are going to buy one now as well.
One of the best features of this speaker is the water resistance which makes it great when using around the pool. I have zero concern about this speaker getting wet! My much older SoundLink speaker was great, but I needed to protect it when it was being used around the pool from splashing and getting knocked over (it was top heavy when the speaker guard was folded to be the stand). This new SoundLink Plus Portable Speaker is perfect for being outside at the pool. It is water resistant, durable and the rubberized shell makes it perfect to be used outdoors through any weather.
When working outside, I keep my phone with me and the speaker placed near the back porch. I’ve been as far as 60 feet away and my phone is still connected to the speaker. I’ve been able to change the volume and skip songs without any issue.
After the initial charge, I haven’t charged the speaker yet. Yesterday, my family and I went to watch fireworks and during the wait, I turned the speaker on and was shocked to hear it still had a 70% charge throughout all the days I’ve used it. Although the speaker can charge phones through the USB-C port, I have not tried that feature.
I don’t have any particular cons about the speaker but both neighbors on either side of me may say otherwise. When one of your favorite songs comes on and you turn up the volume, you can definitely hear it. Well, so did my neighbors…. They were looking for a stereo system around my backyard and were shocked when I showed them this speaker. I’m pretty sure they are going to buy one now as well.
One of the best features of this speaker is the water resistance which makes it great when using around the pool. I have zero concern about this speaker getting wet! My much older SoundLink speaker was great, but I needed to protect it when it was being used around the pool from splashing and getting knocked over (it was top heavy when the speaker guard was folded to be the stand). This new SoundLink Plus Portable Speaker is perfect for being outside at the pool. It is water resistant, durable and the rubberized shell makes it perfect to be used outdoors through any weather.
Written by a customer while visiting bose.com
Customer Rating
5
"The Baby L1Pro"
on June 29, 2025
Posted by: ZonikVice
Gender:Male
Length of ownership:1 month
The new Bose Soundlink Plus is a portable speaker you need to have.
It has so many qualities that it will be difficult to be brief. Here is my review:
The Sound: The power and scope of how far the sound can travel are unreal!
You can feel the definition of the crystal-clear sound, deep and dominant bass - the bass, midrange, and treble levels are completely separated in harmony. The premium construction and design demonstrate the excellent engineering that Bose has developed over the years. In this great little portable speaker, at first glance, I can see that half of this system is occupied by a dominant active subwoofer. A powerful midrange driver, just like those used in the line array systems of the powerful L1Pro, and to give it that exquisite touch, a highly sensitive tweeter, which, like a band all work together to give you a truly pleasing result and experience. This Bose SL Plus speaker is practically the synthesis of a professional Bose system in a very small rectangle that fits in the palm of your hand. I call it "the baby L1Pro."
You can feel the definition of the crystal-clear sound, deep and dominant bass - the bass, midrange, and treble levels are completely separated in harmony. The premium construction and design demonstrate the excellent engineering that Bose has developed over the years. In this great little portable speaker, at first glance, I can see that half of this system is occupied by a dominant active subwoofer. A powerful midrange driver, just like those used in the line array systems of the powerful L1Pro, and to give it that exquisite touch, a highly sensitive tweeter, which, like a band all work together to give you a truly pleasing result and experience. This Bose SL Plus speaker is practically the synthesis of a professional Bose system in a very small rectangle that fits in the palm of your hand. I call it "the baby L1Pro."
The Qualcomm chip's aptX Hi-Res Bluetooth codec built into this speaker is capable of transmitting audio signals up to 24-bit 96kHz, ideal for playing my vast collection of lossless audio files (FLAC, WAV, ALAC), mostly Hi-Res, through my Sony Xperia 1 VII. It also plays the streaming platforms I use most often that provide high-resolution audio, such as Tidal and Apple Music. This speaker's compatibility with various devices (Android, Windows, Mac, etc.) is imperative to me. This guarantees that I will not have connection issues or lossy streaming quality, which I could say is a pet peeve of mine. This Bose SL Pro is the only small portable speaker that allows me to experience clarity, definition, and quality.
The battery is the best Bose has ever built in, lasting over 20 hours. I have really been using this speaker nonstop, and the battery doesn't seem to drop for days. During a week of continuous use at high volume, I have only had to charge the battery a maximum of two times; it's tireless.
Water resistance: We have a pool at home, where weekends become our escape from the chaotic world. The Bose SL Pro has become our faithful, powerful friend, providing all the music we love. With the splashing and the humid environment, I must emphasize that the chlorine and chemicals used for pool maintenance are highly corrosive to plastics, silicones, and metals: the Bose Soundlink Plus is durable and completely waterproof! For the first time, I have the peace of mind that my favorite speaker is and will be holding up without a problem.
Powerful for gatherings: We recently had guests at our house to celebrate Father's Day. 12 people were talking and singing on our patio, and the power of this Bose SL Plus was surprising. All my guests noticed the power and sound quality. The barrage of questions came flooding in: Where does the music come from? Does that speaker actually sound like that? What brand is it? How can it sound like that being so small? and so on. Something I love and take pride in about having Bose systems is that everyone notices it.
The world is full of bad products, so it is imperative to highlight when a product is truly good and fascinating. I really can not find anything wrong with this speaker because even the price is very accessible compared to other Bose speakers that are a bit more pricy. What I think would have made it perfect is if it had come with an accessory to protect it, like a silicone case or a bag of some sort to protect it from scratches as well as an accessory to transport it with ease.
I have more than 25 years of experience handling audio systems and professional audio as well. Owner of the project Zonikvice, and I take pride in the fact that in the most recent 10 years or so I have invested and acquired Bose products for my projects. Since then I have gotten complimented on my Bose speakers every time and it has always been a satisfaction.
Written by a customer while visiting bose.com
Customer Rating
5
Amazing portable speaker
on June 29, 2025
Posted by: Jetgas
Gender:Male
Length of ownership:1 month
After several weeks of using the SoundLink Plus, I have enjoyed the whole speaker from sound to portability and weight. The speaker really was noticeable in an open setting as a BBQ or a backyard party; the bass and treble were clear, and the sound was amazing. The speaker really stood out with the features of 20-hour battery life and the loop, which makes it easier to place the speaker anywhere in a situation. The Bluetooth connection was a breeze; it connected to any device that I tried to. The other feature, which was a plus for the speaker, was that it allows you to charge other devices through the USB-C input; very useful and cool. The controls work seamlessly and flawlessly. The only feature that I wish was available on the speaker was a battery level would have made it completely amazing. So if you’re looking for a speaker with great sound and verticality, the SoundLink Plus speaker stands out from other speakers.
Written by a customer while visiting bose.com
Customer Rating
4
A Sound Experience
on June 29, 2025
Posted by: Ash
An immersive experience starts at the unboxing. The box shows you what you are getting (while not great if your box is just left on your doorstep and you are worried about theft) . Pulling the tab makes getting to your speaker a breeze. If you are like me it is also very satisfying. The speaker is snug inside wrapped in a protective sleeve. I was surprised by the weight of the speaker when lifting it from the box. While the weight of the speaker was more than I was expecting the loop at the end of the speaker makes handling and carrying the speaker easy. The speaker arrived with around 30% battery - just enough to get your device paired and enjoy your favorite album, playlist, etc. Charging your speaker takes a couple of hours, once fully charged the battery lasts for 20 or more hours depending oh how you are listening. (A little less if you use for speaker for a battery charger and speaker) Let’s get into the sound experience! Bose knows how to create a speaker that is so full and balanced at all volume levels. As an eclectic listener of music I was very impressed with the versatility this speaker has when it swings from classic rock, to 90’s pop to the pure twang of a good country song. The hit of the bass was surprising given the size of the speaker. Not only does this speaker sound great with music, listening to audio books and podcasts is extremely clear. Using the speaker as a mini sound bar when watching movies on my iPad was also extremely enjoyable. The speaker does it with style- I can’t wait for my friends to get one so we can pair them up while we paddle board and camp. I love not having to worry about dust and water damaging my speaker. Singing in the shower, watching movies in the bath, working outside, camping this speaker can go and does belong everywhere.
Written by a customer while visiting bose.com
Customer Rating
5
Must Have
on June 29, 2025
Posted by: reviews_liss_9940
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] This speaker is AMAZING! I’ve owned so many speakers where the battery life sucked and the sound quality wasn’t great (had almost a water sound to most?). This speaker comes with an app where you can control the bass and even have another speaker linked to it. All and all this is the greatest speaker I’ve owned!
Written by a customer while visiting influenster.com
Customer Rating
5
Bose is literally the best
on June 29, 2025
Posted by: pearlx_1457
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I’ve never been disappointed with a Bose product and I’m not starting now! This is a larger portable speaker, but it really packs a punch. I’ve brought it to a picnic and a sand volleyball game and it’s been perfect for those larger gatherings! Bluetooth range is quite large and the sound quality is impeccable.
Written by a customer while visiting influenster.com