Bose's SoundLink Mini: the little speaker that plays big
Hi, I'm David Carnoy, and I'm here with Bose's ultra-compact, wireless Bluetooth speaker, the SoundLink Mini, which retails for $199.99.
The first thing you notice about this speaker is that it's got a sleek design and almost looks like it was built by Apple, with a unibody aluminum enclosure that surrounds 2 small drivers and front and rear passive radiators.
At 1.5 pounds, the Mini isn't as diminutive
as some of the tiny Bluetooth speakers now on the market.
But its metal housing gives it considerably more substance than most of its plastic competitors, and if nothing else, this thing feels like something that's worth $200.
The Mini is designed to be very simple to use with clearly labeled buttons on the top.
Like all Bluetooth speakers, it will stream audio wirelessly from virtually any Smart phone or tablet, plus any Bluetooth-enabled PC or audio player.
The speaker remembers up to 6 devices, so you'll only need to pair
it once.
I like that the unit comes with a desktop charging cradle.
You can also plug the included AC adaptor directly into the unit, so you don't have to take the cradle with you when you travel.
However, it does not charge via USB, so you do need the AC adaptor.
As for battery life, Bose claims 7 hours of play time and a 3-hour recharge time, while the cradle has a nice extra everything else will cost you.
Bose is selling protective bumper sleeves that are nice, but they do cost a
whopping $25 each, and a carrying case will set you back $45.
In terms of connectivity, there's an auxiliary input on the side for non-Bluetooth devices, as well as a micro USB port on the back for a potential firmware upgrades.
Like Bose's step up sound like Bluetooth Mobile Speaker II, there's no integrated speakerphone, which is too bad.
It's a feature that not everyone uses but it's still good to have onboard.
How does the Mini sound?
Well, while it just can't deliver the performance of a large speaker for what it is
and its tiny size, it sounds impressive.
Overall, the sound signature is somewhat laidback and forgiving, so it's got a bit of a creamier sound.
The base goes pretty deep, but it doesn't sound incredibly tight or punchy.
All in all, however, you come away with a sense that Bose eked out about as much as it could from a speaker this size.
In this prize range, I'm also a fan of the UE Boom, which has a bit bigger sound, better battery life, and a built in speakerphone, is water-resistant and better
suited for outdoor use.
However the Mini's combination of a topnotch design and respectable sound in such a compact package, they got a standout product in a crowded field of highly portable Bluetooth speakers.
Yeah, it's somewhat pricey but I think most people will feel they've got their money's worth, will be quite happy to receive this as a gift.
I'm David Carnoy, and that's the Bose's SoundLink Mini.
Thanks for watching.
Here's why you'll want to gift the Apple iPad Air 2 this holiday season
Up Next
Here's why you'll want to gift the Apple iPad Air 2 this holiday season
This giving season, consider the Apple iPhone 6
This giving season, consider the Apple iPhone 6
The Asus RT-AC87U Wi-Fi router is a great gift for anyone
The Asus RT-AC87U Wi-Fi router is a great gift for anyone
The August Smart Lock secures our top pick for smart home and appliances
The August Smart Lock secures our top pick for smart home and appliances
UE Boom: Still a great portable Bluetooth speaker a year after its release
UE Boom: Still a great portable Bluetooth speaker a year after its release
Lenovo reinvents its flagship hybrid with the Yoga 3 Pro
Lenovo reinvents its flagship hybrid with the Yoga 3 Pro
Vizio TV a cheerful value for giver and receiver
Vizio TV a cheerful value for giver and receiver
GoPro's Hero4 Silver tops our list of camera picks
GoPro's Hero4 Silver tops our list of camera picks
Pebble Steel remains the best smartwatch, for several reasons
Pebble Steel remains the best smartwatch, for several reasons
Here's why we love the PlayStation 4
Here's why we love the PlayStation 4
Tech Shows
The Apple Core
The Apple Core
Alphabet City
Alphabet City
CNET Top 5
CNET Top 5
The Daily Charge
The Daily Charge
What the Future
What the Future
Tech Today
Tech Today
Cooley On Cars
Cooley On Cars
Carfection
Carfection
The Apple Core
The Apple Core
Alphabet City
Alphabet City
CNET Top 5
CNET Top 5
The Daily Charge
The Daily Charge
What the Future
What the Future
Tech Today
Tech Today
Cooley On Cars
Cooley On Cars
Carfection
Carfection
Latest News
Microsoft Announces First Surface Copilot Plus PCs Powered by Qualcomm
Microsoft Announces First Surface Copilot Plus PCs Powered by Qualcomm
Everything Announced at Microsoft's Surface Copilot + PC Event
Everything Announced at Microsoft's Surface Copilot + PC Event
Android 15: See New Features in Action
Android 15: See New Features in Action
If Apple Makes Siri Like ChatGPT or Gemini, I'm Done
If Apple Makes Siri Like ChatGPT or Gemini, I'm Done
Bose SoundLink Max Review: How Does It Compare to the Cheaper SoundLink Flex?
Bose SoundLink Max Review: How Does It Compare to the Cheaper SoundLink Flex?
Hands-On With Huawei's Pura 70 Ultra
Hands-On With Huawei's Pura 70 Ultra
I Tried Three Fitness Apps to Help My Postpartum Recovery
I Tried Three Fitness Apps to Help My Postpartum Recovery
How Many Times Did Google Say AI at I/O 2024?
How Many Times Did Google Say AI at I/O 2024?
I Tried Google's Project Astra
I Tried Google's Project Astra
Everything Google Just Announced at I/O 2024
Everything Google Just Announced at I/O 2024
Microsoft Announces First Surface Copilot Plus PCs Powered by Qualcomm
Microsoft Announces First Surface Copilot Plus PCs Powered by Qualcomm
Everything Announced at Microsoft's Surface Copilot + PC Event
Everything Announced at Microsoft's Surface Copilot + PC Event
Android 15: See New Features in Action
Android 15: See New Features in Action
If Apple Makes Siri Like ChatGPT or Gemini, I'm Done
If Apple Makes Siri Like ChatGPT or Gemini, I'm Done
Bose SoundLink Max Review: How Does It Compare to the Cheaper SoundLink Flex?
Bose SoundLink Max Review: How Does It Compare to the Cheaper SoundLink Flex?
Hands-On With Huawei's Pura 70 Ultra
Hands-On With Huawei's Pura 70 Ultra
I Tried Three Fitness Apps to Help My Postpartum Recovery
I Tried Three Fitness Apps to Help My Postpartum Recovery
How Many Times Did Google Say AI at I/O 2024?
How Many Times Did Google Say AI at I/O 2024?
I Tried Google's Project Astra
I Tried Google's Project Astra
Everything Google Just Announced at I/O 2024