If you want better Wired input
Choose Sonos Move 2 Portable Speaker. It scores 4.5 vs 1.5 for Wired input, with a 3.9 overall score.
Sonos Roam 2 Portable Bluetooth Speaker Review
Bottom Line
Choose the Sonos Roam 2 for compact, waterproof Sonos audio with Wi-Fi, AirPlay and easy Bluetooth. Skip it if longer battery life, lower price, bigger bass or speakerphone features matter more.
Best for
Best for existing Sonos users or buyers who want one compact speaker that can move between Wi-Fi multi-room listening at home and Bluetooth listening outdoors. It also suits people who prioritize a waterproof, lightweight design over maximum bass or battery life.
Not for
Not for shoppers mainly chasing the longest battery life, the lowest price, heavy outdoor bass, speakerphone use or advanced Bluetooth codecs. Original Roam owners also get too few changes to make the upgrade compelling.
Verdict
Reviewers generally see the Sonos Roam 2 as a refined portable speaker rather than a major sequel. Its strongest case is the blend of compact sound, waterproof build, Wi-Fi streaming and easy Bluetooth pairing, especially for people already using Sonos at home. Sound is repeatedly described as clear, balanced and bigger than the speaker looks, though bass, loudness and stereo presentation trail larger or cheaper rivals. The main tradeoff is paying a premium for Sonos integration and smart features while accepting shorter battery life, limited codecs, no speakerphone and only modest upgrades from the original Roam.
Feature Scorecards
Summary
46 reviewed features-
Very positive 4.5-5.014 (30%)
-
Positive 3.5-4.419 (41%)
-
Neutral 2.5-3.47 (15%)
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Negative 1.5-2.46 (13%)
Pros
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Sound balance was one of the Roam 2's strongest areas, with repeated praise for clear, full and balanced playback for its size, offset by some criticism of bass limits and refinement.
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Water resistance earned strong praise, with reviewers reporting successful use around showers, beaches, dunking, splashes and rinsing.
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Setup simplicity improved sharply for Bluetooth use, with many reviewers praising out-of-box pairing; Wi-Fi setup through the app was less consistent.
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Inter-speaker connectivity was a major strength, with praise for Sonos grouping, Sound Swap, AirPlay-style extension and seamless ecosystem integration.
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Weight and portability were consistently praised, with reviewers emphasizing that it is light, packable and easy to carry around the house or outdoors.
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Design and aesthetics were broadly praised as sleek, minimal, premium and packable, though one review found the matte black exterior prone to smudges and scratches.
Cons
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Google support was a consistent weakness where mentioned, with reviewers noting that Google Assistant is no longer available.
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Float capability was a clear drawback: reviewers liked the waterproofing but noted that it sinks unlike some outdoor rivals.
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Speakerphone capability was a weak point because reviews noted that the Roam 2 cannot be used for phone calls or conference calls.
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Wired input was a clear limitation, with the USB-C port described as charging-only rather than an audio input.
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The lack of a strap, loop or carry attachment was a repeated portability complaint despite the compact body.
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Bluetooth codec support was criticized as limited, with repeated notes that the speaker only supports SBC and AAC despite its premium price.
Compared With Category Average
Compared with other Portable Bluetooth Speakers, this product is above average in Voice assistant responsiveness, Wi-Fi streaming reliability, Backwards compatibility, near average in Frequency response balance, Price / value for money, below average in Google, Wired input, Handle or strap quality.
Comparison summary
46 compared features-
Above average 0.4+ pts higher14 (30%)
-
Same as average within 0.3 pts20 (43%)
-
Below average 0.4+ pts lower12 (26%)
Largest category differences
| Attribute | This product | Category average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 | 4.1 | -2.1 | |
| Voice assistant responsiveness | 4.8 | 2.9 | +1.9 |
| Wired input | 1.5 | 3.2 | -1.7 |
| Handle or strap quality | 2.4 | 4.0 | -1.6 |
| Float capability | 1.9 | 3.5 | -1.6 |
| Wi-Fi streaming reliability | 4.7 | 3.3 | +1.4 |
| Dynamic headroom | 2.8 | 4.2 | -1.4 |
| Battery life (if portable) | 3.2 | 4.2 | -1.0 |
Consider This Instead
If you want better Speakerphone quality
Choose Tribit StormBox Micro 3. It scores 4.8 vs 2.0 for Speakerphone quality, with a 4.4 overall score.
If you want better Float capability
Choose Bose SoundLink Flex Portable Speaker, 2nd Gen. It scores 4.4 vs 1.9 for Float capability, with a 3.9 overall score.
If you want better Power bank function
Choose Marshall Kilburn III Portable Bluetooth Speaker. It scores 4.6 vs 2.0 for Power bank function, with a 4.3 overall score.
Compared in Reviews
Products reviewers directly compared with this model, grouped into quick takeaways.
Bose SoundLink Flex
- Better: clarity and detail Good Housekeeping says Bluetooth-only rivals such as the Bose SoundLink Flex can sound more convincing.
- Better: battery life Tom's Guide says the Bose SoundLink Flex lasted about twice as long in testing.
- Better: float capability The Bose SoundLink Flex is described as having a floating advantage the Roam 2 lacks.
Anker Soundcore Motion 300
- Cheaper: price and value BGR says the Motion 300 sounds good and costs much less than the Roam 2.
- Better: Bluetooth features and speakerphone PCMag recommends the cheaper Motion 300 for high-res Bluetooth streaming and speakerphone support.
JBL Flip 6
- Better: bass and treble balance SoundGuys says the Roam 2 has less bass and treble than the JBL Flip 6, but still does not feel lacking.
- Cheaper: price and sound TechRadar notes the JBL Flip 6 costs less while still sounding good, though it lacks Wi-Fi.
FAQ
Is the Sonos Roam 2 a big upgrade over the original Roam?
Reviewers repeatedly call it a refinement, not a major upgrade. The dedicated Bluetooth button and easier setup are useful, but the sound hardware and 10-hour battery life are largely unchanged.
Who benefits most from the Roam 2?
The strongest reviews come from people already in the Sonos ecosystem. Wi-Fi, AirPlay, grouping and Sound Swap make it more valuable than a basic Bluetooth speaker.
How good is the sound quality?
Most reviewers praise the sound as clear, balanced and impressive for the compact size. The caveat is that larger or cheaper rivals can offer more bass, louder outdoor output, wider stereo or better detail.
Is battery life a weakness?
Yes. Ten hours was often described as acceptable for short outings, but several reviewers said similarly priced or cheaper competitors last much longer.
Can it handle water, sand and outdoor use?
Reviewers were positive about the IP67 build, with reports of surviving splashes, beach use, rinsing, dunking and accidental drops. It does not float, which some reviewers called out as a limitation.
Does it work well as a simple Bluetooth speaker?
Yes, the new Bluetooth button makes pairing much easier and lets it work without first using the Sonos app. However, reviewers note that the premium price makes more sense when you also use Wi-Fi and Sonos features.
Sample Expert Reviews We Analyzed
These are a few of the reviews included in our analysis.
Video Reviews
Article Reviews
goodhousekeeping.com
- Review score
- 3.8
housebeautiful.com
- Review score
- 4.4
geardiary.com
- Review score
- 4.6
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