Bose SoundLink Mini

27 June 2014 | 4:54 pm | Benny Doyle

Bose SoundLink Mini proves great things come in small packages.

Forget all the frills that many manufacturers bolt onto Bluetooth speakers. Ask yourself: “Why am I buying this product?” It's sound that you're after – you want to hear music. And that's what makes Bose SoundLink Mini so great. It's not waterproof, it doesn't have a speakerphone; It just gives you excellent sound, the quality of which is startling. It's super easy to pair it with any Bluetooth device, be it a phone, tablet or laptop – simply turn it on, press the Bluetooth button and put it in pairing mode. Then you can listen to your entire music catalogue through a pair of full-range drivers and a couple of passive bass radiators. The minimalist design means a line of six buttons operates the SoundLink Mini from the top, while a power jack, 3.5mm line input and micro USB port are also found dotted around the device. Though small, the speaker is solidly weighted and securely cased, meaning even if it does take a knock from time to time the internal wiring won't be affected. It shouldn't though, as the skid-proof rubber base allows it to grip on any surface or sit flush within the charging cradle.