If you’ve ever read a Bose speaker review written by an audio professional, you might think their critique was harsh.
Bose speakers are often regarded by audio professionals as being pricey and lacking in usefulness.
However, one thing that Bose does really well – and for which they may not receive enough credit – is their Bluetooth compatibility solutions.
The Bose SoundLink Mini has revolutionized the firm.
Because of its success, the Mini II is the latest addition to the series.
But how does Bose differ from the original design? Which generation is a better investment?
What Is The Difference Between The Mini And The Mini II Bose SoundLink?
Bose has increased the battery life of the Mini II by around 70-80% over the Mini. The Mini II now uses a USB-C charging cord instead of the conventional connector that came with the original Mini, and the audio quality has been marginally increased.
Is getting the Mini II worth it? Is this enough of a difference to call this a successful upgrade? Let’s take a closer look at the specifics.
The Bose SoundLink Mini and Mini II have a long and illustrious history.
Let’s start from the beginning, with the introduction of the original Bose SoundLink Mini in 2013.
And it’s only a year or two older than the Mini II.
In June of 2015, the Mini was redesigned for a new release.
While the first Mini was well-received, the Mini II added a number of useful features.
The Mini II, on the other hand, was discontinued in 2018.
The Revolve and Revolve+ speakers replaced the Mini II speakers.
Revolve had been introduced prior to the Mini II’s demise, and Bose attempted to promote it as the company’s primary Bluetooth speaker system.
The Mini II’s appeal, on the other hand, was unstoppable.
The Special Edition Mini II was introduced in late 2019 and has received a lot of positive feedback since then. It’s also simple to acquire on the internet.
Differences Between the Mini and the Mini II Bose SoundLink
The Battery Life
The most significant difference between the Bose SoundLink Mini and the Mini II is their battery life.
When compared to everything else introduced about the same time, the original Mini had a very average battery life.
Of course, this means that some of our top competitors performed a far better job.
On a single charge, the Mini got roughly 7 hours of battery life, but some of its strongest competitors got double that.
The Mini II increased the battery life of the Mini to 12 hours.
Isn’t it pretty decent? It did not outperform some of its competitors, although it is a significant upgrade over the Mini.
The Mini II also lacks the charging cradle that came with the original Mini.
The Mini II is just equipped with itself and a USB-C charging wire.
Changes and Design Elements
Both the Mini and the Mini II are designed with quality in mind.
Both speakers are made of metal and will not break if they are dropped inadvertently.
Neither, however, was meant to be waterproof, unlike many other portable speakers on the market.
If you drop your drink on it, the circuits may be fried.
The Mini and Mini II are both compact and lightweight, weighing around 700 grams each.
This allows you to conveniently transport them in your tote bag or handbag.
Their measurements are very almost identical, so you won’t get the impression that one is larger than the other.
A multi-functional button is one feature of the Mini II that the first-generation Mini lacked.
You may use this button to change tracks, make calls with a microphone, or activate voice assistants (like Alexa or Siri).
On the left side of the speaker is a 3.5 mm headphone connector and a microUSB charging port.
It’s as simple as plugging in to charge or plugging in your speakers.
Differences in performance
Okay, both of these speakers are rather simple and – dare I say it? – basic.
Basic, on the other hand, isn’t always a terrible thing.
In fact, the Mini and Mini II’s low-key character is refreshing for those who do not consider themselves to be tech-savvy.
So, while there aren’t many cool features to play with, you do get a powerful speaker.
Both of these Bose speakers perform admirably in terms of bass, while the Mini II makes some improvements in this area.
And portable speakers aren’t known for their ability to blast out bass.
You may also be amazed by the amount of power that these speakers produce.
The Mini II features just a smidgeon of more bass over the Mini.
You’ll definitely hear some mid-range dips, which are typical of tiny, portable Bluetooth speakers.
The bass-heavy lows tend to dominate the mids, muddying things up a little in some tunes.
The Mini II has the normal roll-off of Bluetooth portable speakers when it comes to the highs.
However, unlike other speakers of this size, you won’t notice a lot of harshness here.
Connectivity
The process of pairing your Bluetooth speakers with your mobile devices has grown a lot easier over the years, and Bose has gone above and beyond to make it as simple as possible for their customers.
All you have to do to get the Mini II to pair is turn on the speaker.
When you switch it on, you’ll hear a voice in your chosen native language asking you which language you’d like to pair with it.
It will then advise you that you may link from your compatible device’s Bluetooth menu.
Most people will not require this extra prompt, however individuals who are new to Bluetooth pairing may find it useful.
The Benefits and Drawbacks of the Bose SoundLink Mini II
Before we wrap up this Bose SoundLink Mini vs. Mini II cross-comparison study, let’s take a time to consider the advantages and disadvantages of purchasing the Mini II (in which case, you will likely be buying the Special Edition model).
The benefits are as follows:
- With linked devices, you can count on dependable and powerful connectivity.
- Given the greater grade of materials utilized, it is reasonably priced.
- A compact portable speaker with plenty of power
- Beginners will find it simple to use.
Now, let’s look at some of the Mini II’s drawbacks:
- Larger and more bulky than some of the most recent portable Bluetooth speakers to hit the market.
- There isn’t even a cradle, although the Mini had one.
- Battery life is still inferior to those of competitors.
- The sound quality is just mediocre because the mids and highs might be improved.
Mini vs. Mini II Bose SoundLink
As of 2021, the Bose SoundLink Mini and Mini II are showing their age. We’re witnessing a slew of new rivals join the market, each with higher sound quality and more advanced functionality.
The Mini II, on the other hand, is a respectable small gadget that sounds better than you might expect.
The distinctions between these two generations are minor, yet they are obvious.
The battery life accounts for the majority of the changes, while the Mini II has improved sound quality over its predecessor.
If you’re looking for a mid-range Bluetooth portable speaker, the Special Edition Mini II is a good option to consider.
However, if you’re looking for the best of the best, none of these models will likely meet your expectations, as their battery lives are short and their sound quality is average.
