Bose SoundLink Color II Review: Great Water-Resistant Tunes

With Bose, you can always expect quality sound. The Bose SoundLink Color II, a new update to the original Bluetooth wireless speaker, offers the same sound quality mixed with several new features, including water-resistance.

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5.25 inches tall by 2.25 inches wide and only 1.25 pounds, the SoundLink Color II provides incredible sound packed into a compact, ultra-portable speaker. Now with IPX-4 Certification water-resistance, you can now take it practically anywhere, from the beach to the patio to your living room. Bose ditched the hard plastic design of its predecessor, opting for a durable, silicone shell that is soft and rubbery. While a recent CNET review argues that the new design attracts dust and lint, the update makes for a more rugged compact speaker.

Voice prompts guide users in setting up the Bluetooth, which has a range of 30 feet. Volume, power, and pairing buttons all reside at the top of the device. Bose has even included Siri and Google Now voice capability, allowing users to make calls or complete prompts with a connected smart device. Pair up to eight devices on your SoundLink Color II, and enjoy music for up to eight hours. When you need to recharge, the speaker only requires a USB (no AC-adapter included). Use the iOS and Android companion app to rename your speaker, enable/disable voice prompts, and check your battery life.

CNET reports that the sound from the compact speaker is better than the original, and outperforms many Bluetooth speakers at this size. Bass is still lacking in overall sound quality.

The Bose SoundLink Color II might not be the most battery-efficient or cost-efficient compact speaker on the market, but it is the best-sounding. Available in Aquatic Blue, Coral Red, Polar White or Soft Black, the speaker offers portability and performance in a tiny, powerful package.