Bose SoundWear Companion Wearable Speaker Review
Bose has engineered a new segment of wearable audio gear with their innovative SoundWear Companion speaker for $299.95 at Best Buy. No longer do you have to carry a portable speaker on a belt clip or in a pocket. This unique wearable audio gadget goes around the back of your neck like an in-ear Bluetooth headset and it creates a halo of audio around you.
Disclosure: The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Bose SoundWear Companion Unboxing Video
Setting up the SoundWear Companion speaker with my iPad Pro 12.9” was easy via a wireless Bluetooth connection and voice prompts. The free Bose Connect app, available from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, may be used for customizing how the speaker works with any connected device and to assign vibrations for discreet notifications.
Bose SoundWear Companion and Box
I tried out the wearable audio Bose speaker with my new iPad Pro 12.9”. My iPad was setup on a side table at home and I used it to stream new shows. The Bose SoundWear Companion is rated to last for 12 hours of playtime per charge from its rechargable lithium-ion battery. It is powered up via a micro USB port. Charging it for 15 minutes will add about two and a half hours of playtime.
Bose SoundWear Companion on Box Right Side
Like with all of the other Bose audio equipment I have owned over the years, such as the SoundLink III, Wave Radio and SoundLink Mini, this SoundWear Companion wearable immersed me in a halo of deep, clear sound. It comes with two 11” waveguides in the flexible neckband. The audio did extend a few feet past me, however it was not loud like what those small portable speakers produce.
Bose SoundWear Companion Top Black
Situational awareness with audio wearables is important for safety. Enjoying music while walking around the neighborhood was easy with it and my smartphone too.
Bose SoundWear Companion In Hand
One of the more important issues I have had with Bluetooth headphones or earbuds, with the rare exception, is to hear my surroundings. This is most important when walking across the road at busy intersections. Walking with a portable speaker can be a challenge, but Bose has made it easy with the SoundWear Companion.
Bose SoundWear Companion Underneath
Wearing it for a few hours at a time was nice. Its soft medical-grade silicone coating on my neck felt somewhat like a more premium Fitbit smartwatch band. The black covering Bose includes is a nice addition. It is weather-resistant and IPX4 rated for use outside. It can take intermittent light rain, but not full on splashes. It is best to stay out of the pool while wearing it.
Bose SoundWear Companion Front Side
There were a few instances where my iPhone received calls while I was using the SoundWear Companion and the person on the other end was able to hear me. I answered those calls with a press of a button near the bottom of the one side. The same button can also activate Siri on iOS or Google Assistant on Android.
Bose SoundWear Companion on Box Left Side
Overall, I used my SoundWear Companion speaker at home for streaming music and shows. For those that watch shows and movies on an iPad or Android tablet, it is a nice option beyond a soundbar attached to a large TV and it is a lot more personal. It saves on space, but certainly makes a large impression with its deep sound. This unique and innovative Bose gear is for someone who wants a more personal way to enjoy music and audio without having to cover their ears with headphones or use earbuds.