OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
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REVIEWS
Scored using Portable Speakers Methodology v1.0
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Products in this category are scored under Frontum Portable Speakers Methodology v1.0: technical specifications plus authentic consumer ratings, with 0% commercial bias.
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Bose SoundLink Mini II Special Edition Review | 130 Data compared

Avg. price:~£180Audio output power:?Battery life:12 hoursIP rating:?Bluetooth version:4.2Weight:?

Bose SoundLink Mini II Special Edition 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 II Special Edition
7.1/10

Overall score

Score
7.1/ 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 71% of models
Score components

80%

6.4

Technical score

20%

9.6

User score

▲Better than 71% of portable speakers
7.8

Value for money

Value for money
7.8/ 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 68% of models
Score components

70%

7.1

Overall score

30%

9.6

Price

▲Better than 68%
6.4

Technical score

Technical score
6.4/ 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 57% of models
Score components

32%

7.3

Audio

20%

6.0

Battery

18%

6.4

Durability

16%

6.1

Connectivity

8%

4.7

Controls

3%

8.1

Design

3%

5.7

Smart features

▼Worse than 57%
9.6

User score

User score
9.6/ 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
★ Better than 98% of models
Score components

70%

9.4

User ratings

30%

10

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
★Better than 98%
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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 II Special Edition

Technical score
Technical score
6.4/ 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 57% of models
Score components:

32%

7.3

Audio

20%

6.0

Battery

18%

6.4

Durability

16%

6.1

Connectivity

8%

4.7

Controls

3%

8.1

Design

3%

5.7

Smart features

6.4
User score
User score
9.6/ 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
★ Better than 98% of models
Score components

70%

9.4

User ratings

30%

10

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
9.6
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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
★ Better than 92% of models
Popularity:
Bose SoundLink Mini II Special Edition has a popularity score of 10 points, which is higher than 92% of products in this category.
10
Value for money
Value for money
7.8/ 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 68% of models
Score components:

70%

7.1

Overall score

30%

9.6

Price

7.8
Audio output power
?
Driver unit size
?
Number of drivers
3
Market range: <0 – >5
This portable speaker has 3 drivers, which is more than 70.1% of portable speakers and equal to the number in 11.5% of portable speakers.
Frequency response tolerance
?
Lowest frequency
68 Hz
Market range: <20 Hz – >120 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
4.2
Market range: <3 – >5.3
This portable speaker supports Bluetooth version 4.2 which is older than that of 53.8% of portable speakers and equal to that of 17.8% of portable speakers.
Maximum Bluetooth range
9 m
Market range: <10 m – >30 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; HSP
Bluetooth LE Audio
?
Show more
Battery life
12 hours
Market range: <6 hours – >24 hours
This portable speaker has a battery life of 12 hours which is longer than that of 47.8% of portable speakers and equal to that of 15.7% of portable speakers.
Battery capacity
?
Charging time
4 hours
Market range: <2 hours – >5 hours
This portable speaker has a charging time of 4 hours which is longer than that of 67% of portable speakers and equal to that of 19.3% of portable speakers.
Maximum charging input power
5 W
Market range: <5 W – >30 W
This portable speaker has a maximum charging input power of 5 W which is lower than that of 58.7% of portable speakers and equal to that of 38.5% 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
yes
This portable speaker resists accidental impacts. 67.3% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Show more
On-device controls placement
top
Touchscreen
no
This portable speaker does not have a touchscreen. 0.3% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Smartphone app control
no
This portable speaker does not support smartphone app control. 54% of portable speakers offer this feature.
No compatible mobile app for speaker control.
Remote control
no
This portable speaker does not include a remote control. 15% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Fast pairing
?
Show more
Weight
?
Height
5.1 cm
Market range: <5.79 cm – >29 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
Market range: <7.6 cm – >37 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
5.8 cm
Market range: <4.3 cm – >19.97 cm
This portable speaker has a depth of 5.8 cm which is shallower than that of 76.2% of portable speakers and equal to that of 0.2% 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
App; USB
Voice assistant support
?
Spotify Connect
no
This portable speaker does not support Spotify Connect. 10.8% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Show more

Bose SoundLink Mini II Special Edition vs the average portable speaker

246810TotalAudioConnectivityBatteryDurabilityControlsDesignSmart features
  • 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.
  • Resists accidental impacts
    This portable speaker resists accidental impacts, while the average portable speaker lacks an impact-resistance rating.
  • 1 more speaker drivers
    This portable speaker has more speaker drivers than the average portable speaker (3 vs 2).
    3 vs 2
  • Supports party mode
    This portable speaker supports party mode, while the average portable speaker does not support party mode.
    Supports synchronized multi-speaker party/group playback.
  • Has a USB Type-C port
    This portable speaker has a USB Type-C port, while the average portable speaker does not have a USB Type-C port.
    Has a physical USB-C port.
  • 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
  • 19.8% higher user score
    User score
    9.6/ 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
    ▼
    ▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Bose SoundLink Mini II Special Edition
    the average portable speaker
    Bose SoundLink Mini II Special Edition has a higher user score than the average portable speaker (9.58 vs 8).
    9.58 vs 8
  • 2.38x more popular
    Bose SoundLink Mini II Special Edition is more popular than the average portable speaker (10 vs 4.21).
    10 vs 4.21
  • 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.
  • 1 more speaker drivers
    This portable speaker has more speaker drivers than the average portable speaker (3 vs 2).
    3 vs 2
  • 1 more multipoint connections
    This portable speaker has more multipoint connections than the average portable speaker (2 vs 1).
    2 vs 1
  • Has a USB Type-C port
    This portable speaker has a USB Type-C port, while the average portable speaker does not have a USB Type-C port.
    Has a physical USB-C port.
  • Resists accidental impacts
    This portable speaker resists accidental impacts, while the average portable speaker lacks an impact-resistance rating.
  • 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 party mode
    This portable speaker supports party mode, while the average portable speaker does not support party mode.
    Supports synchronized multi-speaker party/group playback.
  • 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
  • 2.5 cm shallower
    This portable speaker is shallower than the average portable speaker (5.8 cm vs 8.3 cm).
    5.8 cm vs 8.3 cm
  • 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.
  • Does not support smartphone app control
    This portable speaker does not support smartphone app control, while the average portable speaker supports smartphone app control.
    No compatible mobile app for speaker control.
  • 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
  • 1 hours longer charging time
    This portable speaker has a longer charging time than the average portable speaker (4 hours vs 3 hours).
    4 hours vs 3 hours
  • 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.
  • 5 W lower charging input power
    This portable speaker has lower charging input power than the average portable speaker (5 W vs 10 W).
    5 W vs 10 W
  • 2x more expensive
    Bose SoundLink Mini II Special Edition 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
  • 24 ms higher audio latency
    This portable speaker has higher audio latency than the average portable speaker (109 ms vs 85 ms).
    109 ms vs 85 ms
  • 0.8 Bluetooth levels older
    This portable speaker has an older Bluetooth version than the average portable speaker (4.2 vs 5).
    4.2 vs 5
  • 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
  • 1 hours longer charging time
    This portable speaker has a longer charging time than the average portable speaker (4 hours vs 3 hours).
    4 hours vs 3 hours
  • 5 W lower charging input power
    This portable speaker has lower charging input power than the average portable speaker (5 W vs 10 W).
    5 W vs 10 W
  • 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 smartphone app control
    This portable speaker does not support smartphone app control, while the average portable speaker supports smartphone app control.
    No compatible mobile app for speaker control.
  • 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.

Video reviews

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

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

R
rtings.com
02/02/2024
Summary of the review
Bose SoundLink Mini II Special Edition Review - RTINGS.com
A
applevis.com
07/12/2020
Summary of the review
Bose Soundlink Mini 2 SE. A Great Speaker Updated. If you would like to expand this list, please let me know if you would also enjoy video-based hardw...
H
hifi.de
08/12/2023
Summary of the review
Bose SoundLink Mini II Special Edition Review: The Classic, a Decade Later
(Translated)Show original
G
giga.de
23/02/2020
Summary of the review
Bose SoundLink Mini 2 Special Edition review: Never change a running system
(Translated)Show original
Q
quechoisir.org
21/01/2020
Summary of the review
Bose SoundLink Mini II Special Edition Review - Que Choisir
(Translated)Show original

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 II Special Edition

  • Impressive deep bass and rich audio output for its small size
  • Premium, sleek aesthetic with a durable aluminum unibody enclosure
  • Upgraded USB-C charging port replaces the outdated micro-USB
  • Compact form factor makes it highly portable around the house
  • Long battery life offering up to 10-12 hours of continuous playtime
  • Easy and quick Bluetooth pairing process with convenient voice prompts
  • Built-in microphone works reliably for speakerphone calls and voice assistants

What customers don't like about Bose SoundLink Mini II Special Edition

  • Lacks any official water-resistance or dustproof IP rating, making it risky for outdoor or beach use
  • Noticeably heavy and dense for a compact speaker, which can weigh down travel bags
  • The Special Edition package removes the convenient desktop charging cradle that was included with the standard version
  • Narrow soundstage with sub-par directivity requires sitting directly in front of it for the best sound
  • Does not feature a graphic equalizer or audio adjustment presets in the app
  • High Bluetooth latency can cause noticeable audio-to-video sync issues when watching movies or clips
  • Cannot pair multiple units together for a traditional multi-speaker or wide stereo setup

Verdict

The Bose SoundLink Mini II Special Edition is a sleek, 680-gram portable speaker with a one-piece aluminum chassis measuring 51 x 180 x 58 mm. It features dual-opposing passive radiators and high-efficiency transducers that output 7.1W of power to deliver remarkably deep bass and full-range sound. Major characteristics include Bluetooth 4.2 connectivity with multi-device pairing for up to 8 devices, a 3.5mm auxiliary input, a built-in microphone for speakerphone and voice assistants, and an updated USB-C port supporting up to 12 hours of battery life on a 4-hour charge. Its primary pros are its luxury, tank-like durability, pocket-sized form factor, and exceptional, room-filling sound quality. However, its notable cons include a lack of water or dust resistance (no IP rating), no companion app support for customizable EQ, and the absence of native stereo pairing capabilities.

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