BoseNew SoundLink Plus Portable Bluetooth Speaker, Wireless Outdoor Speaker, Waterproof, 20-Hour Battery, Black

Brilliant sound and dead easy to connect to my phone. Works superbly in my campervan. Feels solid and well protected with a rubberised casing.

Louder then I expected

Absolutely sensational speaker. Deep booming bases rich creamy mids and glass like treble. Incredible to think how far technology has moved on - all this in something so light and portable.You will not be unhappy if you decide to go for this.

First impressions of this speaker are good. The build quality seems high with a rubberised construction that feels like it will stand up to a lot of wear and tear, and everything has been thought through so that it's ridiculously easy to use. Just turn it on, pair your phone/computer/other device and you're done. On the other hand there are no bonus features that you get with some similar speakers, like being able to use it as a speakerphone.You are encouraged to install the Bose app but it's not necessary and all it really offers you is basic EQ settings. On the plus side you can use the app without having to register an account.The speaker is heavy. It's not something you'll just casually grab to take with you. Charging is via USB-C. You get a double-ended USB-C cable in the box but no power adapter. While the world is rapidly moving towards USB-C everywhere, not everybody will find this convenient. If you only have an older USB-A socket to connect to you'll have to find another way to charge it.This is my first Bose product and I'm aware that they have a good reputation for quality sound. I'm by no means an audiophile but I found the sound OK. I was certainly not blown away by it. It's adequate. Being just one speaker it's obviously not stereo. Personally I'm not convinced it justifies the premium over less expensive competitor products but it feels like it will last a very long time.

I’ve used it indoors and outside and the sound carries well in both situations, with clear vocals and bass that adds depth without overwhelming the rest of the mix. Adjusting the levels through the app has helped switch between spoken audio and music without losing clarity. The battery has gone through a full day in the garden with friends plus the evening without a recharge, and being able to give my phone a quick top-up has been handy. It’s coped with light rain, a bit of sand, and being moved around without showing any damage, and the surface wipes clean easily. The loop makes it easy to move between rooms or hang nearby when space is limited. Pairing with my phone and tablet takes seconds, and linking with another unit creates a fuller sound for films or bigger gatherings. It fits in a backpack comfortably yet feels sturdy enough to take on trips without worrying about knocks or drops.

Premium, that’s what this speaker is. Which was very welcome.Bose as a brand is something which doesn’t really resonate with me as an audiophile. Sure, it’s a good name, but I feel they normally cater for people who buy them for the name. My personal choice would normally be for Japanese or British hifi / audio products as they tound to be, in my opinion, better sonically for what I listen to.The unit is weighty, and I mean it weighs just over 1.5kg when I put it on the scales. This solidity helps the sound output by ensuring there is no tinny or unwanted vibration to your sound. Even at higher volumes the speaker performs well. The bottom of the unit has a thick rubber anti-slip strip, which really holds it fast to whatever it is sat upon. It helps to give a good platform to help project properly. A nice feature.The speaker is very well constructed, and feels robust. Premium, see? Even the soap-on-a-rope carry strap (which I initially laughed at as a gimmick) is thick and well made. Kit that continues to surprise me. And I mean it. Listening to live radio broadcasts via the unit, speech is articulated well and clearly, with good sonic range so the output doesn’t sound clipped or too bright. Putting on some classic rock (AC/DC’s Back In Black & Led Zeppelin’s eponymous album) gave me really solid, thumping drums, with identifiable thick basslines & soaring guitars. I listen to this normally on an expensive seperates setup, and for a portable, I was blown away.Without giving you a review of every album I’ve auditioned with this Bose speaker, let’s just summarise by saying I am very impressed. The battery seems to last ages, and it looks good. I mean, boxes all get ticked here. If I was looking to buy another portable speaker at some point, this would be on the list again. Recommended, totally.

Used this at a couple of outdoor get-togethers and it handled both music and chaos without issue. Clear audio even in open space, and volume holds well without distortion. Hasn’t struggled through dust, splashes or a few knocks on the ground. Battery lasts long enough for a full day out without constantly checking the charge. Portability helps — chuck it in a bag, no worries. Setup was done in under a minute. Ended up pairing it with another one at a mate’s place and the result was loud but balanced. Control through the app is useful, but I mostly left it as is after the first few tweaks. Sounds good straight out the box and stays consistent, which is all I need really. Strong all-round.