The major issue most people have when purchasing a Bose Soundlink small (apart from the price tag) is the battery life.
A dead battery in a battery-powered Bluetooth gadget like the Soundlink Mini is pretty much the same as a junked device.
Although we can’t expect batteries to last indefinitely, how long does the Bose SoundLink Mini battery last?
What is the battery life of the Bose SoundLink Mini?
The 2600mAh battery of the Bose SoundLink Mini may be recharged 400-600 times. In layman’s words, this means that SoundLink Mini customers may expect battery life to decline after two years, with full failure to charge occurring after six to eight years, depending on usage and recharging frequency.
A shortened lifespan is usually the first symptom of battery degeneration.
On a full battery, your SoundLink Mini can last up to 12 hours at first.
The battery life is closer to seven hours after the first year.
This decrease in battery life is not the result of abuse or mistreatment.
The chemicals inside the battery shell will ultimately lose their ability to store a charge.
What Is the Battery Life of the Bose SoundLink Mini?
The battery in the Bose SoundLink Mini has an average lifespan of six to seven years.
It is feasible to keep the battery alive for an additional year with good maintenance and understanding of batteries.
The charge, though, will most likely only last 10 or twenty minutes.
This is impressive, given that the speaker may continue to be used after the battery has died when attached to a power outlet, with no degradation in the speaker’s great music quality.
If you bought the SoundLink Mini when it was first introduced for $200, you’ve already gotten significantly better audio quality than you could have paid for.
It’s been eight years, unfortunately.
I’m guessing you’re SoundLink Mini’s battery isn’t holding a charge any more.
You may have grown accustomed to using your SoundLink Mini as a stand-alone device.
Did you know that you can report your speaker?
Is it possible to replace the battery in a Bose SoundLink Mini?
Yes! I’ve got some even better news for you. It’s simple and affordable to do.
All you’ll need is a six-millimeter hex screwdriver and a new battery to finish the task.
The first iteration of the Bose SoundLink Mini was built to last and have a simple battery replacement process.
All you have to do to get to the battery is turn the speaker upside down and peel the rubber cover off.
After removing the cover, you’ll get a clear view of the battery’s outer face.
The battery’s model is printed on the exterior face’s label.
The 061384 battery model is used in the SoundLink Mini 1st Generation.
Bose no longer manufactures the original battery for this Bose speaker type due to its age.
Replacement batteries may be found on online marketplaces such as Amazon and eBay, as well as third-party battery suppliers.
Replacement units range in price from $30 to $50, depending on the capacity of the battery.
The capacity of certain aftermarket batteries is increased from the device’s initial 2200mAh to 3400mAh.
It is advised, however, that you replace the battery with one that is as close to the original as feasible.
While a significant improvement in battery life may appear attractive, the manufacturer usually selects the battery capacity that works well with the device.
The rest is simple after you have the replacement battery and a six-millimeter hex screwdriver.
Remove the four screws from the battery’s corners. The battery may now be removed with ease.
Remove the old battery by sliding it out. In the battery compartment, place the new battery.
You can’t go wrong since the battery will only fit in the slot in the right orientation.
Replace the battery in the speaker shell and tighten the screws.
The rubber cover should then be pushed back into place.
New batteries aren’t always fully charged when they arrive.
It is suggested that you charge the battery to at least 70% capacity, which should take two to three hours.
With the new battery fitted, the battery life for portable usage should be restored.
Depending on the battery you choose as a replacement, you should be able to use your SoundLink Mini for another five to six years.
Additional Batteries Should Be Stored
I would suggest getting one or two additional replacement batteries for your speaker.
If you’ve had the same speaker for eight years, it’s probable you’ll want to resurrect it when the battery runs out again.
I believe you have earned the right to acquire an improved model of your speaker if you can make it last for thirteen years of use.
If you insist on using your first-generation Bose SoundLink Mini, keep in mind that speciality batteries, such as the ones necessary for your SoundLink Mini, aren’t guaranteed to remain available indefinitely.
As a result, die-hard environmentalists will demand one battery for every five years they wish to keep the SoundLink Mini portable.
Don’t plan too far ahead, as additional issues, such as a speaker explosion, may arise as the speaker ages.
Another reason to avoid buying too many replacement batteries is that they might be expensive.
Unused batteries may only be stored for up to twenty years, and that duration is not guaranteed.
After five years of storage, certain batteries are no longer functional.
Keep your additional replacement batteries in a container that’s a few degrees cooler than room temperature.
What can I do to extend the life of my Bose SoundLink Mini battery?
If you bought a SoundLink Mini before the Mini II was released in 2015, or if you just updated the battery in your SoundLink Mini, you may be wondering what the best practices are for maintaining the battery in good shape.
Fortunately, I have a few suggestions to help you get the most out of your Bluetooth speaker.
Chemical compounds in rechargeable batteries store electric energy and can be recharged a set number of times.
A cycle is the number of times a battery may be recharged.
Quality portable items would often have big capacity batteries with a reasonably high number of charge cycles in their lifetime, about 600.
This means that the gadget may be recharged around 600 times from near empty to 100 percent until the battery no longer holds a charge.
This implies that reducing the number of times you have to charge it by saving battery life is the most effective strategy to extend the battery’s life.
When you’re not using your SoundLink Mini, turn it off.
You can avoid having to recharge the battery if you don’t exhaust it as quickly.
The longer you can use the speaker before the battery runs out, the longer it will last in the long run.
Do not leave your SoundLink Mini unattended for an extended amount of time.
If there is no charge flowing through the battery over an extended period of time, the battery will lose charge and capacity.
If you don’t use the speaker very often, make sure to switch it on every now and again to keep the charge going.
Keep the speaker away from severe heat or cold.
The battery might grow and become volatile if the speaker gets too hot.
The charge will drain and part or all of the battery capacity may be drained if it becomes too cold.
Allowing your speaker to come into touch with water is not a good idea.
The SoundLink Mini isn’t a speaker for extreme sports. It’s designed for high-quality audio in relaxing environments.
The motherboard, the battery, and the connections between them can all be severely damaged by water. Make sure to bring your speaker inside if you prefer to use it in your yard or outside lounging spots. It’s possible that a wet day will result in a dead speaker.
When the battery is fully charged, unplug the speaker.
A full battery might cause the speaker to heat up if it is charged continuously. If the speaker is turned on, the heat will not disperse on its own.
The heat will continue to develop, potentially compromising the battery’s performance.
When plugged into an outlet, use a surge protector.
Another danger that can cause catastrophic harm to batteries is electrical surges.
When you need to plug in your SoundLink Mini, use a surge protector to protect it from electrical surges.
Conclusion
The SoundLink Mini from Bose is a reliable and long-lasting aging speaker.
The sound quality is still superior to that of contemporary Bluetooth speaker rivals.
Although it may not be the greatest portable audio speaker in 2021, it is still a fantastic speaker to have at home.
The SoundLink Mini has proven to be a terrific speaker eight years later, whether you kept it to keep mics out of your Bluetooth speaker or just couldn’t let it go.
Because the battery can be replaced, the surviving SoundLink Minis in the wild might last another 10 years or longer before being discontinued.
I applaud those who maintain their SoundLink Minis in functioning order.