Bose · Updated June 2026
Bose SoundLink Max: price, specs & release date
Bose SoundLink Max, released 2023. Every price and spec below is linked to its source and dated — no guesses.
Source: bose.com verified ✓ corroborated verify in ledger
The Bose SoundLink Max is listed at $399 on bose.com as of 2026-06-27, #14 cheapest of 15 portable speakers (median $179.99); other retailers may be lower. It earns a Bronze Deskmark — 32/100 pay-blind standing, #17 of 20 in class.
Verified Jun 27, 2026 · figures linked to their source in the table below
- Best for Big, punchy, room-filling sound with wide soundstage; Rugged IP67 build quality and useful carry handle.
- Skip if High $399 price for a Bluetooth speaker with no smarts/Wi-Fi is a dealbreaker.
Is the Bose SoundLink Max a good buy?
At $399, the Bose SoundLink Max is #14 cheapest of the 15 portable speakers we track, where the median is $179.99. On the spec sheet, its bluetooth of 5.4 is above the median of the 17, its weight of 4.9 lb is above the median of the 15, and its battery hr of 20 is at the median of the 20.
Evidence of Record
Our data- Independent labsmeasured it
- 1
- Physical metricsrecorded
- 5
- Outlets on record1 tested · 2 mention-only
- 3
One independent lab measured this product across 5 physical metrics — weight, mdaqs overall score, mdaqs timbre and 2 more. These numbers rest on a single hands-on source so far; 2 other outlets have it on record by mention only.
weight · mdaqs overall score · mdaqs timbre · mdaqs immersiveness · mdaqs distortion
Review consensus · sourced & dated
What reviewers say about the Bose SoundLink Max
Three whitelisted outlets (SoundGuys, Tom's Guide, TechRadar) all reviewed the exact Bose SoundLink Max hands-on. All praise its big, punchy stereo sound and rugged IP67 build, while flagging the high $399 price and slow ~5-hour recharge. Only SoundGuys ran lab MDAQS measurements (overall 2.7, low Distortion 1.5).
Based on 3 reviews · 3 lab-tested · 2024-06-06–2024-12-12
Tested by SoundGuys, Tom's Guide, TechRadar
Consistently praised
- Big, punchy, room-filling sound with wide soundstage · 3 sources
- Rugged IP67 build quality and useful carry handle · 3 sources
- 20-hour rated battery life · 2 sources
Commonly flagged
- High $399 price for a Bluetooth speaker with no smarts/Wi-Fi · 3 sources
- Slow full recharge (~5 hours) · 2 sources
- Silicone/rubberized finish collects dust and fingerprints · 2 sources
- Sound hardens or lacks fine detail at higher volumes · 2 sources
Where reviewers disagree On sound refinement testers split: Tom's Guide and TechRadar found it engaging and deft in listening tests, while SoundGuys' lab MDAQS returned a low Distortion score of 1.5 and an average overall 2.7, a more critical technical read than the enthusiastic listening notes.
The sources (3)
weight: 2.13kg (4.6 lbs) · MDAQS overall score (HEAD acoustics): 2.7 · MDAQS Timbre: 3.6 · MDAQS Immersiveness: 2.6 · MDAQS Distortion: 1.5
There is plenty to love about this great-sounding and durable Bluetooth speaker, and nothing about it feels cheap or lacking.
$399 is a tough pill for the rest of us, making the Bose SoundLink Max one of those “wait until it goes on sale” speakers.
its meager Distortion score of 1.5 brings down its overall rating, but again, it’s not too much to be concerned about.
the SoundLink Max delivers expansive stereo sound, a 20-hour battery life and is one of the most practical portable speakers for life on the move.
It delivers a wider soundstage than the Sonos Move 2 and has an expansive sound that delivers an immersive stereo experience.
some musical elements could occasionally sound hard and a bit forced when compared to the more relaxed and laidback-sounding Sonos Move 2.
The sound it makes is as big and heavy as the speaker it comes from, but it's by no means a blunt instrument.
when you listen to stuff you're properly familiar with, there's no denying the Bose struggles to extract the finer detail that you know is there.
Specifications
| Price (US) | $399 US MSRP $399 confirmed on Bose.com product page. Digital Trends listed $400 (rounding). |
|---|---|
| Brand | Bose |
| Released | 2023 |
| Battery hr | 20 |
| IP rating | IP67 |
| Drivers | 4 full-range drivers + 2 passive radiators |
| Bluetooth | 5.4 |
| Weight (lb) | 4.9 |
| Stereo pairing | Yes |
| Aux (in) | Yes |
Source: bose.com (verified 2026-06-15) · corroborated by digitaltrends.com. Specs confirmed directly from Bose.com product page (SLMAX-SPEAKERWIRELESS): price $399, BT 5.4, 20 h battery, IP67, 4.9 lb, 4.73" H × 10.42" W × 4.13" D, 3.5mm AUX jack confirmed, USB-C in/out (5 h charge time), stereo mode + party mode. Driver count 4 full-range per Bose product description with passive radiators for bass. Corroborated by Digital Trends ($400, 20 h, IP67, 2.22 kg = 4.9 lb). Release year 2023 per market history.
Is the Bose SoundLink Max worth it vs cheaper portable speakers?
Bose SoundLink Max against its closest cheaper and pricier portable speakers on the specs that matter — every value sourced. See all 15 ranked
| Product | Price | Battery hr | IP rating | Drivers | Bluetooth | Weight (lb) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bose SoundLink Max this | $399 | 20 | IP67 | 4 full-range drivers + 2 passive radiators | 5.4 | 4.9 |
| JBL Xtreme 4 | $380 | 24 | IP67 | 2×70mm woofer + 2×20mm tweeter | 5.3 | 4.63 |
| Sonos Move 2 | $499 | 24 | IP56 | 2 tweeters + 1 midwoofer | 5.3 | 6.61 |
Frequently asked questions
What do reviewers say about the Bose SoundLink Max?
Three whitelisted outlets (SoundGuys, Tom's Guide, TechRadar) all reviewed the exact Bose SoundLink Max hands-on. All praise its big, punchy stereo sound and rugged IP67 build, while flagging the high $399 price and slow ~5-hour recharge. Only SoundGuys ran lab MDAQS measurements (overall 2.7, low Distortion 1.5). Praised: Big, punchy, room-filling sound with wide soundstage; Rugged IP67 build quality and useful carry handle; 20-hour rated battery life. Flagged: High $399 price for a Bluetooth speaker with no smarts/Wi-Fi; Slow full recharge (~5 hours); Silicone/rubberized finish collects dust and fingerprints; Sound hardens or lacks fine detail at higher volumes. (From 3 tester reviews, 3 lab-tested.)
How much does the Bose SoundLink Max cost?
The Bose SoundLink Max has a US price of $399 (US MSRP $399 confirmed on Bose.com product page. Digital Trends listed $400 (rounding).), as of 2026-06-15.
How does the Bose SoundLink Max compare on price?
At $399, the Bose SoundLink Max is #14 cheapest of the 15 portable speakers we track, where the median is $179.99.
When was the Bose SoundLink Max released?
The Bose SoundLink Max was released 2023.
What are the Bose SoundLink Max's key specs?
Bose SoundLink Max (Bose): battery hr 20, ip rating IP67, drivers 4 full-range drivers + 2 passive radiators, bluetooth 5.4, weight lb 4.9. Full sourced spec sheet verified 2026-06-15.
Price of record: $399 at bose.com, 2026-06-27. Other retailers may be lower — check the current price:
See Bose SoundLink Max on Amazon As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.Similar portable speakers
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Step up
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