Bose SoundLink Home

Name: Bose — SoundLink Home, portable bookshelf Bluetooth speaker (Cool Grey)
Brand: Bose
SKU: B0DT7FT7BC

Portable bookshelf Bluetooth speaker (Cool Grey)

Ideal for: Everyday music for desk and living room.

Live price and availability on amazon.com.be

A small Bluetooth speaker in anodised aluminium and fabric, designed to stay on show on a shelf or desk. According to Bose, it runs up to 9 hours on battery. It also takes audio from a computer over USB-C, and two units can be paired in stereo.

Dimensions21.6 × 11 × 5.9 cm
Weightabout 0.88 kg (1.93 lb)
Battery lifeup to 9 h per Bose, USB-C charging in about 4 h
ConnectivityBluetooth 5.3 multipoint, USB-C audio input
Drivers1 full-range transducer + 2 passive radiators

Avoid ifSkip it if you want a speaker for outdoors or the bathroom (it isn’t water resistant), Wi-Fi multiroom, an app with an equaliser, or sound big enough to fill a large room at a party.

Bose SoundLink Home Bluetooth speaker in Cool Grey, anodised aluminium frame and fabric grille, front view

Why this model

The Bose SoundLink Home is a small bookshelf Bluetooth speaker in anodised aluminium and fabric, made for anyone who wants music at their desk or in the living room from an object that still looks good when it’s silent. It charges over USB-C, runs up to 9 hours on battery according to Bose and moves easily from room to room.

In this Bose SoundLink Home review, we cover the design, everyday use, the key specs with official figures and its real limits. If you’re after a design Bluetooth speaker for your desk, or a more understated alternative to a Marshall Emberton, you’ll quickly know whether it fits.

Design: an aluminium Bose speaker made to stay on show

The SoundLink Home is built around an anodised aluminium frame and a premium fabric grille, with a built-in stand. In Cool Grey it blends into a minimal desk, a bookcase or a living-room sideboard, without the gadgety look of many portable speakers. Bose also offers it in Light Silver and Warm Wood.

At 21.6 cm wide, 11 cm tall and 5.9 cm deep, it’s barely bigger than a book lying flat. Bose says it weighs under a kilo, so you can carry it from your desk to the kitchen without a second thought.

Day to day: desk, living room and calls

It connects over Bluetooth 5.3 and supports multipoint, so it stays paired with two devices, such as your phone and your laptop. For working from home, the USB-C audio input also lets you plug in a computer or another source directly.

The built-in microphone handles hands-free calls, and you can reach your phone’s voice assistant when the phone isn’t within reach. Buy two and you can link them in stereo (left and right) using the buttons on the speakers.

Bose SoundLink Home key specs

Inside, Bose pairs a full-range transducer with two passive radiators that reinforce the bass. According to Bose, the battery lasts up to 9 hours (measured at 50% volume) and fully recharges in about 4 hours over USB-C. No power adapter is included: the box only has a USB-C to USB-A cable.

It doesn’t work with the Bose app or Bose Connect, doesn’t support SimpleSync and can’t connect to other Bose speakers or soundbars (apart from a second SoundLink Home in stereo). There’s no Wi-Fi, and Bose states it isn’t designed to withstand liquids.

Who it’s for, and who should look elsewhere

The SoundLink Home is for people who want a good-looking object on a desk or shelf, a setup with no app and no tweaking, and a speaker they can move around the house. It also makes an easy design tech gift, with nothing complicated to configure.

Look elsewhere if you want to take it to the beach or into the shower, build a Wi-Fi multiroom system, or need an adjustable equaliser in an app. To fill a large room or a party, a bigger speaker such as the Bose SoundLink Max will suit you better.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Bose SoundLink Home worth it for a desk?

Yes, if you want a compact, well-finished Bluetooth speaker for a desk. It connects to two devices at once, accepts audio from a computer over USB-C and handles calls with its built-in microphone. For sound that fills a large room, go bigger.

What is the Bose SoundLink Home battery life?

According to Bose, the SoundLink Home runs up to 9 hours on battery, measured at 50% volume over Bluetooth. A full recharge takes about 4 hours over USB-C. The power adapter isn’t included in the box.

Can you pair two Bose SoundLink Home speakers in stereo?

Yes, two SoundLink Home speakers can be linked in stereo, one as the left channel and one as the right. Pairing is done with the buttons on the speakers, no app needed. However, it can’t connect to other Bose speakers.

Is the Bose SoundLink Home waterproof?

No, the SoundLink Home has no water or dust resistance. Bose states it isn’t designed to withstand liquids. Keep it indoors, in the office, living room or bedroom.

What’s a good Marshall Emberton alternative for a design Bluetooth speaker?

The Bose SoundLink Home is a good alternative if you prefer a minimal aluminium-and-fabric look to Marshall’s vintage style. It’s designed to stay indoors on a shelf or desk, whereas the Emberton is aimed more at outdoor use. You’ll find it on Amazon, with delivery in Belgium.