What's the best product Bose has ever made? That's hard to say, but a case can be made for the SoundLink Mini , the company's 2013 compact Bluetooth speaker that features impressive build quality and sound for its size and isn't too outrageously priced at $200 (£170 and AU$299).

Bose SoundLink Mini II remains one the few standout products in the ultracompact wireless speaker category, featuring a top-notch design and very good sound for its tiny size.

The Bose SoundLink Mini II is a very sleek, compact wireless Bluetooth speaker that sounds great for its small size. It also has excellent build quality with a unibody aluminum enclosure, and it includes a charging cradle that you can leave plugged in.

There's no real stereo separation, and you can't pair two speakers together.

It's been a couple of years since Bose released the SoundLink Mini , a portable Bluetooth speaker that seriously impressed us with its smart design, features, and big sound. The updated SoundLink Mini II is priced the same ($199.95), and looks quite similar in terms of size and design layout.

Powerful audio performance with surprising bass response for its size; Well designed; Built-in speakerphone; Can connect to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously

Digital signal processing changes bass response at different volume levels; Deceptively heavy; Aux audio cable isn't included

There's a lot to like about the design of the SoundLink Mini II. Most of its body is made from an assortment of metals. The seamless enclosure is forged from anodized aluminium, while steel has been used for the perforated speaker grilles.

Excellent build quality; Voluminous sound fit for a mid-sized room; Voice guided Bluetooth pairing; Long lasting battery life

Sound quality is limited by its size; Dangerous price point with rivalling models offering expanded functionality at a lower price

It's been a couple of years since Bose released the SoundLink Mini ( at Amazon) , a portable Bluetooth speaker that seriously impressed us with its smart design, features, and big sound. The updated SoundLink Mini II is priced the same ($199.95), and looks quite similar in terms of size and design layout. New features include improved battery life and speakerphone functionality, but the main attraction remains an uncanny ability to produce convincing bass from its tiny frame. It may not sound like a subwoofer is involved, but this speaker can muster enough low end that, at times, you'll ponder its size in minor disbelief. Portable Bluetooth speakers have a long way to go before audiophiles and purists hop onboard, but for those looking for a powerful, clean audio experience from a tiny speaker, the SoundLink Mini II earns our Editors' Choice award. DesignThe SoundLink Mini II ($170.00 at Amazon)  replaces the SoundLink Mini. Like the original, the speaker is easily portable in ter...

The tiny Bose SoundLink Mini II delivers the richest bass you'll find in a portable Bluetooth speaker this size, while managing to stay balanced with crisp highs.

Powerful audio performance with surprising bass response for its size; Well designed; Built-in speakerphone; Can connect to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously

Digital signal processing changes bass response at different volume levels; Deceptively heavy; Aux audio cable isn't included

With multiple streaming music services now available to all there's a new battlefield emerging for mobile accessories and it's not headphones, it's speakers; specifically mobile speakers that have a battery of their own and link to your device via Bluetooth.

There are lots of Bluetooth speakers out there, but all compromise in one way or another - they're too big, have terrible battery life, or just don't sound very good . It's refreshing, then, when there's a viable alternative, even if you have to pay a bit more to get it.

Surprisingly solid bass; great detail; voice prompts; The sturdiest portable Bluetooth speaker you can buy; Includes charging cradle; international power

More expensive than its similarly-sized competitors; No stereo pairing between two or more speakers; No real stereo separation

The Bose SoundLink Mini II isn't a giant leap forward, but it's enough that there is no reason to buy the older model anymore.

Great build quality; More features & better battery life than the original; Big sound for the small size

Bose missed an opportunity in not allowing for stereo pairing; Looks almost too similar to the original

Great sound from a small speaker. Set up couldn't be easier - took less than 30 seconds. Very pleased!

Bose released a few months ago the SoundLink Mini II – a sleek, portable and powerful Bluetooth speaker and the successor to the SoundLink Mini which we also reviewed last year. Although it looks identical to its predecessor, Bose made some changes under the hood to make it even more capable.

* Great sound quality; * Premium build; * Speakerphone capabilities; * Can connect two devices at the same time; * Good battery life

* Pricey; * No NFC; * Doesn't include a carrying case or soft cover

At just 5.1cm tall, the Bose SoundLink Mini II truly can be described as "palm-sized".

Full-bodied sound; Weighty bass; Portable

Lows lack precision and agility