Bose SoundLink Revolve Plus might just offer the best sound possible for a portable Bluetooth speaker system with a ton of great features.

When it comes to quality sound, a lot of audiophiles will think of Bose first and foremost, and it makes sense that they would put their years of experience and quality control into the portable Bluetooth arena. What they delivered is the Bose SoundLink Revolve Plus, a lantern-style portable Bluetooth speaker that puts out excellent sound across all ranges. Offering everything from stereo pairing to mounting options, this entry to the market is likely the best performer in every category. The only thing it’s missing is a full IPX7 water resistant rating and a lower price tag, but if those two things aren’t any major concern, the SoundLink Revolve Plus might just turn your next outdoor experience into a miniature concert all on its own.

Simple enough to grab, pair, and go on the road, but complex enough to fill a space with sound, the Bose SoundLink Revolve Plus offers a great deal of versatility and awesome options. Let’s dig into the details and see how Bose has made this price tag worth it.

Contents

DESIGN & BUILD | Made to Project

The Bose SoundLink Revolve Plus boasts an attractive lantern shape with a solid fabric handle, so you can carry it with you wherever you go. Pair two of these together through the Bose Connect app for either a Stereo Mode setup or double-augmented Party Mode. While it’s too big to be clipped onto or comfortably tucked into a backpack, the Revolve Plus sits at the top of the compact, portable Bluetooth speaker list for clear quality and strong bass. An integrated microphone allows you to use it as a speakerphone, keeping you connected from up to 30 feet away over wireless Bluetooth or an aux-in, if someone brought old school tunes to share. A multi-function button accesses Google Assistant or Siri at a touch, commanding your phone with voice controls as you wish. Up to 16 hours of battery life means you’ll keep rocking and rolling until the moon is high in the sky, filling your outdoor spaces with quality music, calming ambiance, or the next best audiobook for as long as you desire.

“…keeping you connected from up to 30 feet away over wireless Bluetooth…”

A single 91mm driver powers the whole 360-degree omnidirectional deal from within an IPX4 water-resistant shell. Not only will this speaker resist damage caused by splashing water from any direction, but it is also built with bumps and drops in mind, so you don’t have to worry if you knock it over. The fabric handle is solidly built and comfortable to hold. An optional cradle makes charging this speaker super easy, while a threaded universal mount lets you take advantage of nearly any standardized tripod.

Bose SoundLink Revolve Plus full view

Bose SoundLink Revolve Plus full view

SAFETY & DURABILITY | Splish-Splash

The Bose SoundLink Revolve Plus is built to move and groove, without sacrificing that heft and build quality that makes you feel like you’re holding onto something constructed by experts. While it delivers, hand over fist, this particular speaker isn’t as tough or resilient as other competitors. The lower water resistance rating, IPX4 rather than the waterproof IPX7, means that it will resist splashing, but nothing with more force or ingress force than that. Be careful to not let it drop into a pool for safety reasons, and don’t try to charge it if it’s wet. That’s about all there is to it. Getting caught in a sudden rain, a few little splashes while at the pool or washing the dog, none of that will cause any damage to the Revolve Plus. Just don’t submerge it, and you’re good to go.

“…will resist splashing, but nothing with more force or ingress force than that.”

The trade-off between extra useful features and waterproof capability is worth it when you consider the sound quality the Bose SoundLink Revolve Plus offers. Most IPX7 speakers won’t have the aux-in 3.5mm plug or offer the convenience of a charging dock, so consider those benefits when making your decision.

Bose SoundLink Revolve Plus splash proof

Bose SoundLink Revolve Plus splash proof

PERFORMANCE | Portable Power

Ease of Use

Sync and go. Bluetooth makes connecting to the Bose SoundLink Revolve Plus so easy and so simple, especially with NFC making the pairing process even more simple. Simple unlock your phone, turn on NFC and hold the device to the Bose logo on the top. Accept the pairing and you’re done. After that, all you need to control every aspect of your music can be achieved with a few simple taps. This is the case for many portable, outdoor Bluetooth speakers, so what makes the Revolve Plus stand out amongst the many? Because of the integrated microphone, if your phone has Google Assistant or Siri, you have even more to command at the touch of a finger. You get a lot of power and a lot of control to ensure that the party doesn’t have to stop.

Best Features

The Bose SoundLink Revolve Plus puts out excellent sound for its form factor, and might have the best sound profile of any outdoor, portable Bluetooth speaker. Will it replace a decent set of wireless speakers for at-home use? No, but you shouldn’t expect it to. When you’re headed outdoors, you need portability and power, and that’s what the Revolve Plus has in spades. The 360-degree omnidirectional sound output operates best when placed near a wall or other flat surface, allowing the bass to deepen and bounce for greater effect.

Bose SoundLink Revolve Plus handle

Bose SoundLink Revolve Plus handle

LONGEVITY & PRICE | All Night Long

The sixteen-hour battery life for a portable, Bluetooth speaker is mind-blowing. Bose states that there is a slight output reduction when the battery drops under 30%, but the change is hardly noticeable. Its range can be a little restrictive as well, but thirty feet is plenty of space to keep the speaker with you and your phone inside the house or tucked away. If you’re going camping and want to bring the tunes, the Revolve Plus will be with you every step of the way. The seamless aluminum body and quality Bose construction mean that this device will last for years, above and beyond the yearly phone upgrades.

Be sure to check the current Bose SoundLink Revolve Plus – Amazon price here.

We haven’t shied away from the price, I promise. Bose always carries a little bit of a heavier price tag than other brands. The SoundLink Revolve Plus has an MSRP of $299.00, where many other comparable competitors hover around a third of that price and offer a lower sound quality in some areas, but compensate with full waterproof designs. Ultimately, if the sound quality means the world to you, the extra cost might not matter.

Bose SoundLink Revolve Plus in use

Bose SoundLink Revolve Plus in use

Pros

  • Exceptional sound quality for its level of portability
  • Long battery life
  • Attractive, powerful design

Cons

THE BOTTOM LINE | Tough Decisions

Bose is arguably one of the top names in the consumer realm for a quality auditory experience, for a price. If you really want that pure, perfect sound that’s the best that a portable Bluetooth speaker can offer an audiophile, then yes, this is the option you want. If a little bit of a muddy midrange or lower overall volume is acceptable, then I’d check out some of the other Best Outdoor Bluetooth Speakers right here.