It can be hard to find a Bluetooth speaker that you can take with you. You need something that fits in your pocket. You need sound that is different from the rest. And it has to be strong enough to handle everything you do. In this crowded market, the Bose SoundLink Micro makes a big promise. It says it can give you Bose sound that is loud and clear in a small, tough package.
But does it do what it says it will? Is it still the best option when there are tough competitors like the JBL Clip 4 and the Bose SoundLink Flex, which is bigger than the JBL Clip 4?
This review has all the information you need. There are a lot of reasons why the Bose SoundLink Micro Bluetooth speaker is so great. We will also talk about the things it does wrong. You’ll know by the end if this speaker is right for you.
First Impressions: How Well the Building and Design Are Done
The strap on the back is the best part because it doesn’t break. This isn’t just a weak loop. This strap is very strong and can hold the speaker to just about anything. I tied it to:
- Bags
- Handlebars for bikes
- Beach umbrellas
- Loops for the belt
- Camping with sticks from trees
I enjoy more than one type of travel. I go from cities to beaches to the mountains to hike. I go camping, and next year.
Sound Performance
Does the Bose SoundLink Micro Make a Lot of Noise?
Yes, it gets very loud. It can easily fill a small room or be the perfect music for a small group outside. This won’t work for a big party, but the sound is loud enough for personal use or a small gathering.
The Bass Is What Makes It Stand Out
The bass is what makes it stand out. Bose makes its passive radiators and transducers. This technology lets the speaker make bass notes that other speakers of the same size can’t. The sound is full and well-balanced. The highs are clear and sharp, but not too sharp. Good thing it doesn’t sound like a lot of little speakers.
Durability and Water Resistance
Is It Safe for the Bose SoundLink Micro to Get Wet? The speaker can deal with both dust and water. Let’s look at that more closely:
The “6” means that it is completely safe from dust and sand. Great for the beach. You don’t have to worry if you drop it in the pool or get caught in a storm. It will keep on going. This makes it a great friend to have outside because you don’t have to worry about it.
Battery Life and Charging
The battery lasts long enough, but not very long.
How Long Does the Bose SoundLink’s Battery Last?
Bose says that the SoundLink Micro can run for up to six hours on a single charge. From what I’ve seen, this works pretty well at a medium volume. It should last four to five hours if you turn it up loud.
It’s enough time for a trip in the afternoon, but not as long as some of the other options. The JBL Clip 4, for instance, can last for up to 10 hours. The Micro is small and sounds great, but that’s a trade-off.
How Do You Charge a Bose Micro?
Inside the box is a cable. One of the main things I don’t like about this is that it has an older port instead of a newer USB-C port.
The Bose Connect App
As I said before, the app is a little light. I don’t see the point of it if you only have one Bose device. You can also use it to update the speaker’s firmware, which is useful but takes a long time. You can manage connections and switch between Party Mode and Stereo Mode with the app.
Does the Bose SoundLink Micro Have a Party Mode?
One speaker is the left channel and the other is the right channel when the stereo mode is on. This makes the sound very clear.
The Bad Things: What Bose Could Do Better
The SoundLink Micro is getting old in these ways.
- The speaker works really hard to connect to the last device it was paired with.
- It seems like the app missed a chance. It does the basics, but it could do a lot more, like let you change the EQ settings. We need a good reason to add another app to our phones. Apps are taking up more and more space, so they’re not very useful.
The Contest: Face-to-Face
How does the SoundLink Micro compare to its biggest competitors?
Bose SoundLink Micro or Bose SoundLink Flex?
A lot of people want to know this. There are two Bose speakers, and each one is great for a different kind of person.
Is the Bose SoundLink Flex Better Than the Bose SoundLink Micro?
It is more useful than anything else because it is smaller, lighter, and has a strap built in. The Bose SoundLink Flex has the best sound. It makes a sound that is deeper, fuller, and louder because it is bigger. This technology changes the sound on its own depending on where the speaker is pointing. In its price range, the Bose SoundLink Flex is one of the best-sounding speakers.
The SoundLink Flex lasts up to 12 hours, which is twice as long as the Micro. The Micro costs less than the Flex when it comes to price. If you want a speaker that you can clip on and forget about, the Bose SoundLink Micro is the best one. The Bose Soundlink Flex Portable Bluetooth Speaker is the better choice if you want the best sound in a portable (but bigger) package that lasts longer on a single charge.
Is JBL Better Than Bose?
In most cases, it’s up to the person.
Design: The Micro has a strap that won’t break. The JBL Clip 4 has a carabiner clip built in. The clip on the JBL Clip 4 is bigger, which might help it hold on to thicker things better.
Sound: For their size, they both sound great. Bose speakers usually have a warmer sound and more bass.
One thing that makes the JBL Clip 4 stand out is that you can charge it with a USB-C cable. This makes things a lot better. Both are rated IP67, which means they are equally tough and waterproof. People know that the JBL Clip 4 speakers are loud.
Verdict: The choice is very close. The Micro is great if you like the Bose sound and the way the strap looks. The JBL Clip 4 is also a great choice if you want to easily charge your device with USB-C and have a built-in carabiner.
Questions That Are Often Asked (FAQs)
Should You Buy the Bose SoundLink Micro?
How Long Will a Bose Speaker Last?
Is Harman Kardon Better Than Bose?
What Company Is Better Than Bose?
What Is the Best Speaker That Works with Bluetooth?
A Closer Look: How the SoundLink Micro Will Help You
We now know that the Bose SoundLink Micro is portable and sounds great. But what does that mean in the real world? We should talk about some real-life situations where this little speaker works well and some where you might want to use the Bose SoundLink Flex instead.
For the City Explorer and the Commuter
Being busy all the time is part of living in a city. The Micro is the best friend you could ever ask for. You can attach it to your backpack or messenger bag and carry it with you while you walk or take public transportation. It makes a sound bubble around you that you don’t need headphones for. If you live in a small apartment, this is also a great place to live. You can get the full Bose sound without having to buy a big speaker that takes up a lot of space. In these small areas, it’s usually better than the Bose Flex, which is louder.
For the Person Who Likes to Swim or Spend Time at the Beach
The IP67 rating is very important here. Sand, dust, and water can’t hurt it. You can just wash it off if it gets sand on it. It floats, so if it falls into the pool, you can easily get it back. A lot of people would rather have the Bose SoundLink Flex SE Bluetooth speaker because it can get louder. The Micro is a great way to listen to music by yourself while lying on your beach towel.
Report on Long-Term Durability: After One Year
The Bose SoundLink Micro Bluetooth speaker has held up very well after being used a lot for more than a year. The silicone body has a few small scratches on it from being dropped on rocks and pavement, but there are no cracks or other big damage. This speaker is really powerful, and that’s not just a sales pitch.
We thought the battery would work a little worse, and it has.
Party Mode and Stereo Mode: How They Work
Even the best products can have problems. This is how to fix some problems that happen all the time.
How does it work?
You can only use stereo mode if you have two of the same speakers, like two Flexes or two Micros. It makes one speaker the left channel and the other the right channel. This makes a real stereo soundstage that makes music sound much more real. Putting two Bose SoundLink Micro speakers on your desk in stereo will give your computer a great little sound system.
A Wider Look at the Market Alternatives
The Soundcore Brand from Anker
The Soundcore brand from Anker makes speakers like the Soundcore Icon Mini.
Cost: Anker is almost always a lot less expensive.
Sound: The Bose SoundLink Micro usually has a deeper bass and a sound that is more balanced and of higher quality. Anker speakers can sound good for the money, but they don’t always have the same depth as Bose speakers.
Bose doesn’t always have the same features as Anker, like an AUX port.
Verdict: Anker is a great deal if money is your main concern. Bose is the best choice if sound quality is the most important thing to you in a small speaker.
Is Harman Kardon Better Than Sony?
They don’t have a direct competitor to “clip,” but their portable products are worth talking about.
The “XB” in Sony speakers, like the Sony XB100, stands for Extra Bass. These speakers usually have long battery lives and are made to emphasize heavy, thumping bass.
Harman Kardon mostly competes with JBL and other Harman brands. Harman Kardon’s speakers, such as the Luna, are made to look and sound good.
What Makes Harman Kardon Stuff So Pricey?
Harman Kardon is a high-end brand for sound and style. You are getting high-quality materials, an award-winning industrial design that is one-of-a-kind, and better audio engineering.
Final Thoughts: Is the SoundLink Micro Still a Good Deal?
Yes, but there is something to say. The Bose SoundLink Micro is a great sound system. It looks like it wouldn’t make much noise, but it does. It has a strap design and is tough, so it’s perfect for an adventurous life.
But the other businesses have caught up. The JBL Clip 4 speaker sounds the same, has a great clip design, and comes with USB-C for modern convenience, all for about the same price. Even though it costs a little more, a lot of reviews say that the bigger Bose SoundLink Flex sounds better and lasts longer on a charge It plays great music anywhere very well.
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