The SoundLink Flex Gets Some Minor Improvements, But Is It Worth The Upgrade?
Bose recently released an update to their extremely popular SoundLink Flex. But with only minimal changes between the two speakers, there’s no cut-and-dry answer as to whether it’s worth upgrading. If you don’t already own the SoundLink Flex, I strongly recommend going with the SoundLink Flex 2 as it has improved bass, more modern Bluetooth, and the addition of a new shortcut button that gives you quick access to playlists and more.
For those of you who already have the SoundLink Flex and want to know whether it’s worth spending another $149, probably not – but it depends on which features you value most. I’ve compared the two speakers side by side below, noting all the differences, so you can make that decision yourself.
Bose SoundLink Flex vs SoundLink Flex 2
Model | Flex | Flex (Gen 2) |
Release Date | 2021 | 2024 |
Water Resistance | IP67 | IP67 |
Output Power | 12W | 12W |
Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.3 |
Battery Life | Up to 12 Hours | Up to 12 Hours |
Frequency Response | 60Hz – 20kHz | 60Hz – 20kHz |
Multispeaker Pairing | Yes | Yes |
Weight | 1.2 lbs | 1.2 lbs |
EQ: | No | Yes |
Dimensions | 2.05 x 7.91 x 3.54″ | 2.05 x 7.91 x 3.54″ |
App Support | Yes | Yes |
Price | Check Price | Check Price |
Same Shell, Same Rugged Durability
No real differences to note
There have been no significant changes to the overall design of the SoundLink Flex. Placing both speakers side by side and looking at them head-on, it’s impossible to tell the difference. The only real visual difference is the redesign of the control panel which has added a new button.
The two speakers have the same durability, both being made from the same rugged plastics and having shock protection that helps to prevent damage if accidentally dropped. They are both great choices for regular outdoor use, especially with their IP67 waterproofing that protects from pressure sprays, rain, and limited submergence.
The SoundLink Flex 2 Features All-New Control Layout
Which results in limited quality-of-life improvements
The controls are quite different between the first and second generations. The original Flex uses a multi-function button to play, pause, and skip tracks. Where on the second-generation Flex, there’s now a button dedicated to playback controls. This new play button is basically just the old multi-function button with a new icon. It retains the dedicated volume buttons found on the original Flex, making it easy to adjust. Holding down these volume buttons on the second-generation Flex quickly decreases the volume level.
If you’re already familiar with the call controls of the SoundLink Flex, you’ll need to change how you interact with that speaker. The second-generation model uses different shortcuts for calls and may take a little getting used to. This new control has limited benefits, cause only one shortcut can be set at a time. That means you have to choose whether or not you want the button to activate Spotify, voice assistant, or multi-speaker pairing. Being able to set multiple shortcuts to the number of presses would have been a useful addition.
Lack of Inputs and Outputs Has Become Standard
Neither speaker has any additional inputs or outputs, meaning you can’t use an aux cable or charge your phone through a USB output like some other speakers offer. This isn’t surprising, as aux inputs, for example, have become increasingly rare on smaller speakers as Bluetooth performance has improved.
Connect More Than One Flex In Party Or Stereo Mode
For Improved Coverage & Soundstage
Both speakers support multi-speaker pairing but aren’t compatible with each other. So if you have the original Flex and upgrade to the second generation, you won’t be able to connect the two speakers together. As it stands the SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) can only be paired with another speaker of the same model or with the SoundLink Max.
A stereo pairing will separate the speakers into left and right channels, which improves the soundstage and creates a traditional stereo experience. The other option is to use Party Mode and connect the speakers in mono, meaning the same sounds will come from both speakers without the separation into distinct channels.
Does The SoundLink Flex 2nd Gen Sound Better Than The Original Flex?
That depends on if you use Apple or Android
One of the most significant updates to the SoundLink Flex is the move from Bluetooth 4.2 to 5.3 which introduces AptX and AAC codec support, resulting in slightly lower latency and improved sound quality.
Whether you’re able to enjoy this upgrade depends on whether you’re on Android or Apple though. iPhone doesn’t have native support for aptX codecs, and getting the most out of this upgrade means Android users are at a slight advantage. It’s worth noting that this limitation is inherent to the operating system and doesn’t necessarily reflect negatively on the speaker.
For casual listeners, this change may not be very noticeable, but Bluetooth speaker enthusiasts will notice marginal detail and bass improvements compared to the previous generation.
Find Your Own Sound With Customizable EQ
While out of the box these two speakers sound much the same, the second generation Flex finally supports custom EQ through the Bose mobile app. Being able to custom EQ a speaker is often a downplayed feature, but considering how it can transform the way a speaker sounds, I consider it a big noteworthy change between these two speakers.
What’s Stayed The Same Between The Flex and The Flex 2nd Gen
Now that all the differences are covered, let’s look at what’s stayed the same. Needless to say it’s more than one would expect from such a long-awaited upgrade.
- Waterproof and dust-proof (IP67) for reliable outdoor use.
- 12-hour battery life for a full day’s worth of playtime.
- Built-in microphone with voice assistant.
- USB-C charging port for global compatibility.
- Party Mode for pairing two speakers together.
- Stereo Mode for pairing two speakers together with each speaker becoming a separate channel.
- PositionIQ technology that adjusts the sound depending on the speaker’s orientation.
- SimpleSync for quick and easy connection to other Bose speakers.
Which Should I Buy, And Is It Worth Upgrading?
If you don’t own the Bose SoundLink Flex already, go with the new second-generation release. Even though its improvements are marginal compared to the original, it retails for the same price so there’s no reason not to get it.
- MUSIC CALLS: The Bose SoundLink Flex Portable Bluetooth Speaker (2nd Gen) packs big, bold sound in a packable size that’s perfect for sharing tunes and good times anywhere on the planet
- SOUND THAT TAKES YOU PLACES: Take advantage of the surprisingly powerful performance of this Bose portable speaker with its clear, balanced, high-fidelity audio and deep bass that is easy to take with you
However, if you already own the original SoundLink Flex and want to know whether it’s worth upgrading – I’d say that depends on how important a custom EQ is to you, and whether you’re on Android or Apple. You will get some performance benefits from upgrading to Android, especially with aptX Bluetooth support. But for Apple users, if you found the original Flex could have done with some EQ adjustments for your personal taste, only then may the upgrade seem justifiable.