Scored using Portable Speakers Methodology v1.0
Portable Speakers Methodology v1.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Portable Speakers Methodology v1.0: technical specifications plus authentic consumer ratings, with 0% commercial bias.
Explore Portable Speakers Methodology v1.0

Bose SoundLink Mini Review | 130 Data compared

Avg. price:~£180Audio output power:50.00 WBattery life:10 hoursIP rating:?Bluetooth version:2.1Weight:680 g

Bose SoundLink Mini Review: Compare 130 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Portable Speakers category and whether it is worth buying.

Bose SoundLink Mini
6.9/10

Overall score

Score
6.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of products in the Portable Speakers category, based on technical analysis and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference for identifying the best products in the Portable Speakers category.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

80%

6.2

Technical score

20%

9.5

User score

â–²Better than 61% of portable speakers
7.7

Value for money

Value for money
7.7/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the overall score of products in the Portable Speakers category with their prices.
When it matters
When you are comparing products in the Portable Speakers category and want a good balance between quality and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

70%

6.9

Overall score

30%

9.6

Price

â–²Better than 59%
6.2

Technical score

Technical score
6.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Portable Speakers category across these key areas: Audio, Connectivity, Battery, Durability, Controls, Design, Smart features.
When it matters
When you want to compare products in the Portable Speakers category by technical performance, specifications, and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

32%

6.5

Audio

20%

6.6

Battery

18%

6.2

Durability

16%

5.4

Connectivity

8%

4.9

Controls

3%

9.0

Design

3%

5.8

Smart features

â–¼Worse than 71%
9.5

User score

User score
9.5/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews with the total review volume for products in the Portable Speakers category.
When it matters
When you want to know how products in the Portable Speakers category perform in everyday use and how reliable owners find them over time.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

70%

9.3

User ratings

30%

10

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
★Better than 97%
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Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of portable speaker Bose SoundLink Mini

Technical score
Technical score
6.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Portable Speakers category across these key areas: Audio, Connectivity, Battery, Durability, Controls, Design, Smart features.
When it matters
When you want to compare products in the Portable Speakers category by technical performance, specifications, and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components:

32%

6.5

Audio

20%

6.6

Battery

18%

6.2

Durability

16%

5.4

Connectivity

8%

4.9

Controls

3%

9.0

Design

3%

5.8

Smart features

6.2
User score
User score
9.5/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews with the total review volume for products in the Portable Speakers category.
When it matters
When you want to know how products in the Portable Speakers category perform in everyday use and how reliable owners find them over time.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

70%

9.3

User ratings

30%

10

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
9.5
Popularity
Popularity
10/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by products in the Portable Speakers category.
When it matters
When you prefer products in the Portable Speakers category that have been chosen and reviewed by many other buyers.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Popularity:
Bose SoundLink Mini has a popularity score of 10 points, which is higher than 92% of products in this category.
10
Value for money
Value for money
7.7/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the overall score of products in the Portable Speakers category with their prices.
When it matters
When you are comparing products in the Portable Speakers category and want a good balance between quality and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components:

70%

6.9

Overall score

30%

9.6

Price

7.7
Audio output power
50 W
This portable speaker has an audio output power of 50 W which is higher than that of 75.8% of portable speakers and equal to that of 3.3% of portable speakers.
Driver unit size
55 mm
This portable speaker has a driver unit size of 55 mm which is larger than that of 62.1% of portable speakers and equal to that of 1.4% of portable speakers.
Number of drivers
2
This portable speaker has 2 drivers, which is more than 24.5% of portable speakers and equal to the number in 45.5% of portable speakers.
Frequency response tolerance
?
Lowest frequency
68 Hz
This portable speaker has a lowest frequency of 68 Hz which is higher than that of 60.5% of portable speakers and equal to that of 0.3% of portable speakers.
Show more
Bluetooth connectivity
yes
This portable speaker supports Bluetooth audio. 5.4% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Bluetooth version
2.1
This portable speaker supports Bluetooth version 2.1 which is older than that of 92% of portable speakers and equal to that of 7.3% of portable speakers.
Maximum Bluetooth range
9 m
This portable speaker has a maximum Bluetooth range of 9 m which is shorter than that of 95.8% of portable speakers and equal to that of 3.5% of portable speakers.
Bluetooth profiles supported
A2DP; AVRCP; HFP
Bluetooth LE Audio
no
This portable speaker does not support Bluetooth LE Audio. 2.5% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Show more
Battery life
10 hours
This portable speaker has a battery life of 10 hours which is shorter than that of 53.9% of portable speakers and equal to that of 12.9% of portable speakers.
Battery capacity
?
Charging time
3 hours
This portable speaker has a charging time of 3 hours which is shorter than that of 35.5% of portable speakers and equal to that of 35.1% of portable speakers.
Maximum charging input power
10 W
This portable speaker has a maximum charging input power of 10 W which is higher than that of 44.3% of portable speakers and equal to that of 26.1% of portable speakers.
Built-in rechargeable battery
yes
This portable speaker has a built-in rechargeable battery. 18.7% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Show more
IP rating
?
Water resistance
no
This portable speaker is not water resistant. 61.7% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Dust resistance
no
This portable speaker is not rated as dust resistant. 51.5% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Waterproof depth rating
?
Drop resistance
?
Show more
On-device controls placement
top; side
Touchscreen
no
This portable speaker does not have a touchscreen. 0.3% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Smartphone app control
yes
This portable speaker supports smartphone app control. 46.1% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Compatible mobile app provides speaker control or settings.
Remote control
no
This portable speaker does not include a remote control. 15% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Fast pairing
no
This portable speaker does not support fast pairing. 22.5% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Show more
Weight
680 g
This portable speaker weighs 680 g which is lighter than that of 54% of portable speakers and equal to that of 0.6% of portable speakers.
Height
5.1 cm
This portable speaker has a height of 5.1 cm which is shorter than that of 92.7% of portable speakers and equal to that of 0.3% of portable speakers.
Width
18 cm
This portable speaker has a width of 18 cm which is narrower than that of 50.4% of portable speakers and equal to that of 1% of portable speakers.
Depth
5.1 cm
This portable speaker has a depth of 5.1 cm which is shallower than that of 81.1% of portable speakers and equal to that of 0.7% of portable speakers.
Carry options
none
Show more
Companion app name
?
Firmware updates
yes
This portable speaker supports firmware updates. 52.9% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Supports user-accessible firmware updates.
Firmware update method
USB
Voice assistant support
yes
This portable speaker supports voice assistants. 73.6% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Supports direct voice-assistant control.
Spotify Connect
no
This portable speaker does not support Spotify Connect. 10.8% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Show more

Bose SoundLink Mini vs the average portable speaker

246810TotalAudioConnectivityBatteryDurabilityControlsDesignSmart features
  • 30 W more audio output power
    This portable speaker has more audio output power than the average portable speaker (50 W vs 20 W).
    50 W vs 20 W
  • 1 more multipoint connections
    This portable speaker has more multipoint connections than the average portable speaker (2 vs 1).
    2 vs 1
  • Has built-in stereo speakers
    This portable speaker has built-in stereo speakers, while the average portable speaker does not have built-in stereo speakers.
    Provides true stereo output within the unit.
  • Has a removable battery
    This portable speaker has a removable battery, while the average portable speaker does not have a removable battery.
  • Includes a power adapter
    This portable speaker includes a power adapter, while the average portable speaker does not include a power adapter.
  • Supports voice assistants
    This portable speaker supports voice assistants, while the average portable speaker does not support voice assistants.
    Supports direct voice-assistant control.
  • Supports firmware updates
    This portable speaker supports firmware updates, while the average portable speaker does not support firmware updates.
    Supports user-accessible firmware updates.
  • 5 °C higher maximum operating temperature
    This portable speaker has a higher maximum operating temperature than the average portable speaker (45 °C vs 40 °C).
    45 °C vs 40 °C
  • 18.7% higher user score
    User score
    9.5/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews with the total review volume for products in the Portable Speakers category.
    When it matters
    When you want to know how products in the Portable Speakers category perform in everyday use and how reliable owners find them over time.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Bose SoundLink Mini
    the average portable speaker
    Bose SoundLink Mini has a higher user score than the average portable speaker (9.5 vs 8).
    9.5 vs 8
  • 2.38x more popular
    Bose SoundLink Mini is more popular than the average portable speaker (10 vs 4.21).
    10 vs 4.21
  • 30 W more audio output power
    This portable speaker has more audio output power than the average portable speaker (50 W vs 20 W).
    50 W vs 20 W
  • Has built-in stereo speakers
    This portable speaker has built-in stereo speakers, while the average portable speaker does not have built-in stereo speakers.
    Provides true stereo output within the unit.
  • 5 mm larger main driver
    This portable speaker has a larger main driver than the average portable speaker (55 mm vs 50 mm).
    55 mm vs 50 mm
  • 1 more multipoint connections
    This portable speaker has more multipoint connections than the average portable speaker (2 vs 1).
    2 vs 1
  • Has a removable battery
    This portable speaker has a removable battery, while the average portable speaker does not have a removable battery.
  • Includes a power adapter
    This portable speaker includes a power adapter, while the average portable speaker does not include a power adapter.
  • 5 °C higher maximum operating temperature
    This portable speaker has a higher maximum operating temperature than the average portable speaker (45 °C vs 40 °C).
    45 °C vs 40 °C
  • Supports playback mute
    This portable speaker supports playback mute, while the average portable speaker does not support playback mute.
    Speaker playback audio can be directly muted.
  • Has a sleep timer
    This portable speaker has a sleep timer, while the average portable speaker does not have a sleep timer.
    A selectable timer can stop playback or power the speaker down.
  • 7.3 cm shorter
    This portable speaker is shorter than the average portable speaker (5.1 cm vs 12.4 cm).
    5.1 cm vs 12.4 cm
  • 3.2 cm shallower
    This portable speaker is shallower than the average portable speaker (5.1 cm vs 8.3 cm).
    5.1 cm vs 8.3 cm
  • Supports voice assistants
    This portable speaker supports voice assistants, while the average portable speaker does not support voice assistants.
    Supports direct voice-assistant control.
  • Supports firmware updates
    This portable speaker supports firmware updates, while the average portable speaker does not support firmware updates.
    Supports user-accessible firmware updates.
  • Is not water resistant
    This portable speaker is not water resistant, while the average portable speaker is water resistant.
  • Is not rated as dust resistant
    This portable speaker is not rated as dust resistant, while the average portable speaker is dust resistant.
  • 2.9 Bluetooth levels older
    This portable speaker has an older Bluetooth version than the average portable speaker (2.1 vs 5).
    2.1 vs 5
  • 6 dB SPL lower maximum sound pressure
    This portable speaker has a lower maximum sound pressure level than the average portable speaker (86 dB SPL vs 92 dB SPL).
    86 dB SPL vs 92 dB SPL
  • Does not support stereo pairing
    This portable speaker does not support stereo pairing, while the average portable speaker supports stereo pairing.
  • Does not support True Wireless Stereo
    This portable speaker does not support True Wireless Stereo, while the average portable speaker supports True Wireless Stereo.
  • 2 hours shorter battery life
    This portable speaker has a shorter battery life than the average portable speaker (10 hours vs 12 hours).
    10 hours vs 12 hours
  • 2 fewer paired devices remembered
    This portable speaker remembers fewer paired devices than the average portable speaker (6 vs 8).
    6 vs 8
  • 2x more expensive
    Bose SoundLink Mini is more expensive than the average portable speaker (£180 vs £90).
    £180 vs £90
  • 6 dB SPL lower maximum sound pressure
    This portable speaker has a lower maximum sound pressure level than the average portable speaker (86 dB SPL vs 92 dB SPL).
    86 dB SPL vs 92 dB SPL
  • 8 Hz less deep bass extension
    This portable speaker has less deep bass extension than the average portable speaker (68 Hz vs 60 Hz).
    68 Hz vs 60 Hz
  • 2.9 Bluetooth levels older
    This portable speaker has an older Bluetooth version than the average portable speaker (2.1 vs 5).
    2.1 vs 5
  • 2 fewer paired devices remembered
    This portable speaker remembers fewer paired devices than the average portable speaker (6 vs 8).
    6 vs 8
  • 1 m shorter Bluetooth range
    This portable speaker has a shorter Bluetooth range than the average portable speaker (9 m vs 10 m).
    9 m vs 10 m
  • 2 hours shorter battery life
    This portable speaker has a shorter battery life than the average portable speaker (10 hours vs 12 hours).
    10 hours vs 12 hours
  • Is not water resistant
    This portable speaker is not water resistant, while the average portable speaker is water resistant.
  • Is not rated as dust resistant
    This portable speaker is not rated as dust resistant, while the average portable speaker is dust resistant.
  • Does not support stereo pairing
    This portable speaker does not support stereo pairing, while the average portable speaker supports stereo pairing.
  • Does not support True Wireless Stereo
    This portable speaker does not support True Wireless Stereo, while the average portable speaker supports True Wireless Stereo.
  • 4 older
    This portable speaker was released earlier than the average portable speaker (2015 vs 2019).
    2015 vs 2019

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

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pcmag.com
10/07/2013
Summary of the review
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cnet.com
15/07/2013
Summary of the review
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techguide.com.au
24/07/2013
Summary of the review
W
whathifi.com
06/12/2013
Summary of the review
S
soundguys.com
14/02/2014
Summary of the review
A
applevis.com
04/10/2013
Summary of the review
T
tdcat.com
26/08/2014
Summary of the review
H
hifitest.de
31/10/2013
Summary of the review
A
avguide.ch
16/09/2013
Summary of the review
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kopfbox.de
24/11/2013
Summary of the review
L
lesnumeriques.com
01/08/2013
Summary of the review
L
lesnumeriques.com
01/08/2013
Summary of the review
0
01net.com
26/07/2013
Summary of the review
C
cnetfrance.fr
22/08/2013
Summary of the review
0
01net.com
13/08/2009
Summary of the review
H
hablandodemanzanas.com
12/03/2014
Summary of the review
B
bytelix.com
02/08/2015
Summary of the review
S
saggiamente.com
13/10/2013
Summary of the review
M
macitynet.it
14/09/2013
Summary of the review

Third-party reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
Reviews last updated: August 2026 · How we calculate this

What customers like about Bose SoundLink Mini

  • Dramatically deep and punchy bass for an ultra-compact speaker
  • Premium build quality with a solid, durable one-piece aluminum casing
  • Highly portable, compact design that easily fits in a bag or the palm of your hand
  • Impressive clarity in the midrange and high frequencies, making dialogue and vocals stand out
  • Sleek and attractive minimalist aesthetic that looks premium on bookshelves or counters
  • Convenient charging cradle included for easy desktop power management

What customers don't like about Bose SoundLink Mini

  • Surprisingly heavy and hefty for its small size, which can impact travel convenience
  • Brushed aluminum exterior is prone to scratches and scrapes without a protective cover
  • Mediocre battery life compared to modern rivals, lasting only around 7 hours on a single charge
  • The heavy bass emphasis can occasionally overpower the treble, leading to muddy audio in small spaces
  • Lack of waterproofing or ruggedisation makes it less ideal for outdoor use without a case
  • First-generation model lacks integrated speakerphone functionality and uses a proprietary charging cable instead of Micro-USB or USB-C

Verdict

The Bose SoundLink Mini is an ultra-compact portable Bluetooth speaker measuring 2.1 x 7.1 x 2.3 inches and weighing 1.5 pounds, featuring a durable unibody aluminum casing, a 30-foot wireless range, and a 3.5mm auxiliary input. Its primary advantages include deep, room-filling sound with exceptional bass response for its size, an included tabletop charging cradle, and robust, premium build quality. However, its notable drawbacks include a relatively short battery life of roughly 7 hours, a proprietary DC charging connector rather than standard micro-USB charging, a lack of speakerphone capabilities due to no built-in microphone, and a lack of water resistance.

Compare Bose SoundLink Mini with other products in the Portable Speakers category

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