Can You Overcharge A Bose SoundLink?

The SoundLink series speakers were designed to be portable speakers as well as home speakers.

To achieve this, Bose put thought into how their products would be used at home and on the go.

Portability is a simple feature to accomplish with decent battery life and a sturdy build. 

Mixing it with home life is a bit different, and you may be concerned that leaving your Bose Soundlink plugged in all the time at home may be draining the battery.

Can I Leave My Bose SoundLink Plugged In?

The Bose SoundLink can receive continuous electric input from a wall outlet indefinitely without causing damage to the battery due to overcharge or prolonged high temperatures. Therefore, overcharging is not a concern with Bose portable speaker batteries.

The power management system inside the Bose SoundLink monitors the battery level and current flow. 

When the battery has reached full capacity, the incoming electric charge is directed toward the active device and aware of the battery. 

The larger models like the Resolve and SoundLink are aimed at offering high-quality audio for home entertainment that can be moved from room to room or linked to speakers in each room. 

This at-home focus meant added consideration to user preferences such as keeping the power cord plugged into the outlet.

In some portable devices, a consistent charge when the battery is full can cause overheating that can get hot enough to ruin internal components or expand the battery rendering the device inoperable. 

SoundLink utilizes a system to stop the incoming charge from reaching the battery at full capacity.

If you have replaced the original battery of your Bose SoundLink with an off-brand product, there is no guarantee that overcharging won’t occur. 

Miniscule differences can cause the power monitoring system to be unable to recognize the capacity of the battery. 

This can lead the incoming charge to continue despite the battery being full. 

Cons of Leaving Your Bose Plugged In All The Time

Bose designed the SoundLink series speakers to be capable of remaining plugged into an outlet indefinitely without overcharging the battery. While Bose designed a system to prevent overcharging, there is a different concern.

If the speaker remains plugged in for a long enough period, the battery will remain inactive. 

Over time, an inactive battery will lose the ability to hold a charge. To prevent this in your Bose SoundLink, unplug that charger now and then. 

If you are not concerned about the condition of your SoundLink’s battery, then you can use SoundLink series speakers exclusively on wall power. Should you change your mind in the future, it is possible to replace the battery of your Bose SoundLink speaker. 

However, replacement batteries are not always reliable and often are made with estimates of the product specifications rather than accurate blueprints. 

There are plenty of replacement batteries for sale and the internet is perfect for consumer research.

Ultimately, I would recommend that you use the SoundLink speakers in both portable and stationary modes. 

The varied use helps to limit the use of your battery and also keep it active. 

This reduces the number of recharge cycles used to keep the speaker running which also results in a longer battery life altogether. 

By splitting the time the speaker spends using its battery and is plugged in, you’ll enjoy uninterrupted access to Bose quality audio and form better device maintenance habits. Win, win.

What Would Damage My Bose SoundLink’s Battery?

Despite Bose’s efforts to make their products impervious to electric damage and minor accidents, life happens. 

There are still ways to cause damage to your battery that you can not prevent or control. 

Luckily, most of them are rare acts of God. 

Electrical storms can cause power surges throughout the grid. 

If a surge hits your home, anything plugged in is at risk of exposure to some serious voltage.

The speed and charge of a lightning bolt are far too much for alternating systems to redirect and can overwhelm and possibly brick your SoundLink. 

Fortunately, you can prevent this kind of damage to your devices with the proper use of a surge protector on your home’s outlets.

The next grave danger to Bose SoundLink’s battery is its’ exposure to water. 

Water can damage the circuit boards inside the speaker, the cables that connect the device’s inner parts, and the battery. 

Water can short the battery’s current. 

It can also cause a small current to flow directly from the battery to other exposed parts taking down the circuit boards with it. 

Only one of the models in the SoundLink series has a serious waterproof rating. 

Keep your speaker away from bathtubs, pools, oceans, rivers, lakes, and ponds. 

Or at the very least, keep them secured away from the water.

Water exposure is not always the end of a speaker. 

If you find yourself in a situation with a soaked SoundLink, it’s time to take the battery out and learn how to use rice. 

You might be able to save it just yet.

The voltage the Bose SoundLink chargers use to power your device and charge the battery is very specific. 

Using a charger with a higher voltage and wattage output is another way you could possibly put your SoundLink’s battery at risk. 

A stronger current, even if it is only slightly stronger, can overpower what Bose’s system was designed to handle.

This in turn can lead to overcharging the battery. 

Overcharging the battery can cause your battery to expand and heat the speaker’s circuits to the point that soldiers and parts are damaged or melted.

This can eventually even lead the device to catch fire.

How Do I Charge My Bose SoundLink Safely?

As harsh as the last section was on possible harms to your speaker’s battery, it is only that way because taking care of your Bose SoundLink is incredibly easy. 

Even if you do not wish to take the extra time to learn extensive electronic device and battery care, simply using the correct charging capability and unplugging the charger every so often is all you need to do to take care of your speaker. 

Here are some helpful tips to take care of your Bose SoundLink:

Use a surge protector when plugged into wall power

You will know the climate of your locality and how it affects the electric grid of your area. 

If surges and fluttering electricity are common, you need to use surge protectors for all of your valuable electronics. 

Even if you live in a stable environment, it doesn’t hurt to use surge protectors for your valuable electronics at all times.

Power surges are not typically predictable and can happen anywhere. 

Let the speaker run on battery power now and then

If you want your SoundLink’s portable life to stay in that seven to twelve hours range, you’ll want to make sure the battery does not go dormant. 

Unplug the charger enough to let the battery drain some juice and get warm. 

If the battery remains inactive for too long, its battery life can diminish until eventually it no longer holds a charge. 

Only use the charger that came with your device

Unless your original charger is damaged beyond repair, try not to use any unverified third-party chargers. 

Inaccurate wattage or voltage can overcharge your battery or surge the connections. 

Keep your speaker away from water

Aside from the SoundLink Micro, Bose’s SoundLink series is not meant for outdoor adventures in the rain or bodies of water. 

It’s best to keep them away from the possibility of taking a deep dive.

Even the SoundLink Micro has limitations to its’ waterproofness.

Overcharging Bose Speakers

The dangers of overcharging a Bose SoundLink speaker are minimal. 

You almost have to go out of your way to induce electric or battery damage to your SoundLink speaker. 

Which is great news for almost everyone. 

The only real danger arises when a Bose SoundLink owner finds themselves in a situation where they need a replacement charger.

The best option for replacements is contacting Bose themselves. 

With a Bose-certified charger, you can avoid the possible dangers of third-party chargers.

With a little bit of common sense and thoughtfulness, Bose’s SoundLink speakers are durable, stable, and safe devices. 

It’s safe to say that most owners of a SoundLink speaker will not suffer from battery expansion or other overcharging issues. 

These products should outlast the original battery, which is about eight years. 

SoundLink owners can bask in the comfort of owning a dependable and quality device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Bose SoundLink’s batteries replaceable?

Yes, you can replace the batteries in SoundLink speakers.

Replacing the battery voids the warranty, but chances are if your battery no longer works you have already surpassed the warranty period.

Can I use any charger that fits on my SoundLink speaker?

No. You should use the original charger or a replacement directly from Bose.

If the product is no longer supported and a charger must be purchased from a third party, do your best to make sure that the voltage, wattage, and every other specification match your original charger exactly.

My SoundLink won’t turn on unless it’s plugged into the wall, should I get a new one?

While it may be beneficial to research new Bose SoundLink products on the market, you may be able to recover your SoundLink’s portability by replacing the battery.