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Bose has long been one of the best manufacturers of headphones, speakers, and other audio devices. Their iPod dock is still one of our personal favorite electronics accessories of all-time. But their speakers may be their best products yet.
We did the research, tested a wide variety of their speakers, and aggregated tens of thousands of online reviews. Without a doubt, these are the best Bose speakers on the market. Be sure and check out #10 – they are particularly interesting. So without further adieu, here are our top picks.
Our Top Pick
Bose Companion 2 Series III
With over 3,600 positive online reviews, these great speakers are perfect for your laptop or PC. You can also use the AUX input to connect an iPhone, and the sound quality is – of course – unmatched. Relatively low priced for Bose, they are even a budget pick (of sorts). Highly recommended.
Other Great Picks
Bose SoundLink
With over 3,400 great online reviews, the SoundLink is perfect for all your Bluetooth speaker needs. It’s portable, has amazing sound quality, and is also affordable. Definitely recommended.
Bose SoundLink Micro
This great waterproof speaker is perfect for Bluetooth use, and is highly portable. With o
Bose SoundLink Revolve+
With over 1,100 glowing online reviews, the SoundLink Revolve+ is a stellar Bluetooth speaker. Bose has really outdone themselves with this model, as the 360 sound is staggering, the 16 hour battery life is amazing, and it can even be paired with another speaker, to deliver jaw-dropping sound. Highly recommended.
Bose Soundlink Mini II Limited Edition
The 10 hour battery life, sleek look and design, and 620+ positive reviews all speak for themselves. This is one of the best speakers you can get from Bose, and we definitely recommend it.
Bose 161
The 161 speaker system from Bose is another tremendous choice. If you’re a stickler for sound quality – this might be for you. With over 400 sterling online reviews, and an affordable price point, they are one of Bose’s most popular models. Definitely recommended.
Bose Soundwear Companion Wireless Wearable Speaker
Have you ever dreamed about wearing a speaker? Well, today is your day. This wearable speaker from Bose is extraordinary, and will definitely turn some heads. With over 500 glowing reviews, and tremendous sound quality, the only bad thing you could say about it, is that it’s not a budget pick. Highly recommended.
Bose Free Space 51 Outdoor In-Ground Speakers
These awesome in-ground speakers are classy, stylish, and pack in great sound quality. While not a budget pick, they are well worth the money, and have over 120 sterling reviews. We loved the bass, as well as the stealth effect of having in-ground speakers. Definitely recommended.
Bose S1 Pro
This S1 Pro is definitely not cheap – but it is well worth the money. With over 11 hours of battery life per charge, and amazing sound quality – it’s highly recommended.
Bose Frames Audio Sunglasses
Do you want sunglasses that also play music? Then these may be for you. Bose has really peered into the future with these, and the sleek look is combined with awesome sound quality. Definitely recommended.
What Is Bose?
Bose is a manufacturer of high-end audio equipment. For years, consumers have trusted and relied on Bose to deliver great sound quality, with attractive, minimalist designs.
Bose products do tend to cost slightly more, but they also deliver superior audio quality. They are known for their top-of-the-line headphones, as well as their great speakers.
Bose was started in 1964 by Amar Bose, but is now largely owned by MIT. The original aim of Bose speakers was to offer superior sound quality, specifically by bouncing sound of the walls of the room, in an attempt to mimic a concert hall.
Bose also makes car speakers, and is known for being very adamant about enforcing their patents and branding. One thing is for sure – if you are buying any product made by Bose, you can be guaranteed excellent sound quality.
Sound Quality Of The Best Bose Speakers
Bose is best known for their sound quality – but what in particular sets them apart from other manufacturers? For one, Bose devices seem to “be more alive” than other speakers.
This means you feel more like you are in the room, while the band is recording the song, than at home listening to a stereo. Bose products have a distinct loudness, as well as more clarity in the midrange (and lower).
It is a little bit difficult to describe audio sound quality, so the best way to experience the Bose difference, is to listen yourself. You won’t find any muddy tones, nothing will be out of balance, and you’ll leave the experience truly believing “that just sounded…better”.
However, it is important to note that some people may not like the “Bose sound”. In which case, it may make more sense to go with another manufacturer’s audio products.
Some very high-level audiophile listeners also frequently state that Bose may not offer “true” audiophile-level sound. This is a very minor complaint, as Bose is meant for more the average consumer, who simply wants better sound quality. They don’t necessarily want to spend thousands of dollars on extremely high-end audio equipment.
IP Ratings
When you buy audio equipment, it is important to understand how well the equipment may be able to withstand outside elements. In terms of IP ratings, they specifically refer to water and dust resistance.
IPX specifically stands for ingress protection, with the X referring to dust-resistant certification. The number between 1-8 that comes after the IPX, refers to how resistant that item is to the elements.
IP4 is normal for most headphones, while an IPX rating of 7 or higher, usually means you can submerge your audio equipment in water, without it getting damaged.
Wireless Streaming And Bluetooth
WiFi streaming is of higher fidelity than Bluetooth, so if you’re really serious about audio quality, you will want to opt for devices that support WiFi streaming. Bluetooth is convenient, but if you have sharp ears, you will be able to hear the audio quality dip.
With WiFi, you will get 24bit and 96kHz audio, which is superior to what you will get with Bluetooth devices. aptX and AAC codecs will improve audio quality on Bluetooth, but you should still opt for WiFi streaming, if you’re really serious about sound quality.
Voice Assistance
Voice assistants are increasingly common in audio devices today, and you will usually have the option of integration, or support. The difference being that integration can directly work with the voice assistant, whereas support means that you will have to go through your smartphone as the middleman.
If you heavily rely on voice assistance, we most definitely recommend choosing an audio device that has voice assistant integration, not just support. The difference may seem small, but it will make a big impact over the long run.
Battery Life
Bose offers great battery life for all of their products. Increased battery life is one of the advantages of choosing slightly more expensive audio devices, and in our testing, longer battery life makes a big difference in how much you can enjoy a device.
No one wants wireless headphones that have to constantly be charged, so a long battery life is actually a huge indicator of value. In fact, we have yet to test any product that offers a better combination of battery life and sound quality, than Bose does.
Bose Outdoor Speakers
One of our favorite unique products that Bose manufactures, is outdoor speakers. They can be attached to the roof of your house, or meant simply to blend in with your decor (sometimes even being put directly in the ground itself).
These speakers offer the wholly unique ability to provide great sound quality, along with an almost-unnoticed appearance. If you have ever want sleek, high-quality party speakers – Bose may just be the manufacturer for you.
Bose Computer Speakers
Bose computer speakers are legendary for their high quality sound. Most of our staff had Bose speakers for their desktops in the early 2000s, in fact. While computer speakers in general have become less commonplace, Bose still makes excellent computer speakers, and they still offer best-in-class sound quality.
Bose Surround Speakers
Bose is also very well-known for their home theater speakers, and we still have fond memories of watching our first DVDs with Bose surround speakers transmitting the audio. Offering smooth sound, with clear treble and rich bass, it’s hard to find a better pair of surround speakers than the ones Bose manufactures.
Bose Car Speakers
Bose also makes speakers that are extremely popular in cars, including for high-end brands like Porsche and Corvette. Bose speakers can be particularly great for driving, as they are a little bit louder and clearer than most speakers, which helps the music stand out above the constant roar of the road.
Can I Connect My Bose Speakers To A TV?
Bose offers great functionality and connectivity, so your Bose speakers can seamlessly connect to your TV. Typically this is done via either a digital optical audio connection, or through an HDMI connection.
Usually most modern TVs will offer an HDMI connection, so this would be the first option to try. If HDMI is not available for your particular TV, opt instead for an optical audio connection. After this, it’s as simple as choosing the right audio device in your TV’s system settings, and you’ll be all set.
Can I Connect Two Bose Speakers?
Yes, Bose makes this easy, with connectivity possible via the Bose Connect app, as well as through the buttons directly on the speakers themselves. There are also two cool, distinct modes to choose from – Party mode, and Stereo mode.
Party mode simply means that the left and right speakers operate in unison. Stereo mode, by contrast, has the two speakers operating separately. Either mode is perfect for large gatherings, or if you just want loud, crystal clear sound.
Price And Budget
It’s important to be clear that Bose is not really a budget brand. They pride themselves on high quality audio, and their products tend to be slightly more expensive.
However, if you are on a tight budget, you can still afford high quality sound. Simply track your spending wisely, look for the right Bose model for you, and perhaps even wait for a sale. You can often find very good deal on Bose products – it might just require a little bit of patience.
While Bose is synonymous with high-end sound, they are also a consumer-friendly brand. The most hardcore audiophiles opt for equipment that costs tens of thousands of dollars, which is far more expensive than anything Bose manufactures.
How Do I Choose The Best Bose Speakers For Me?
Choosing the best Bose speakers for you is easy – just determine what your specific needs are, and also incorporate your budget. If you need a huge surround system – opt for that.
If your priority is noise-cancelling for your headphones – Bose has great options for this. Ultimately, we can’t make the choice for you, but we can tell you that no matter what your needs are – Bose has a top of the line product that will work for you.
The Best Bose Speakers
There you have it – our picks for the best Bose speakers. Whether you want outdoor speakers, noise canceling headphones, or sunglasses that also play music – Bose always has a huge list of great products to choose from.
While we always loved their iPod dock, we were equally impressed with their outdoor speakers, and particularly loved the ability to easily play high fidelity audio from multiple different speakers at once. Bose has a great reputation for a reason – they offer amazing sound quality, sleek design, and pricing that makes their equipment accessible to the average consumer.
If you’re serious about audio quality – but maybe don’t want to spend $10,000 on speakers – Bose is likely the right fit for you. There are a ton of great electronics besides these though – so be sure to take a look at our other top picks, in the tech category.