If you’re in the market for a portable speaker upgrade, you’ve probably already heard about the original Sonos Roam. The Roam series is quite unique because it includes both wifi and Bluetooth connectivity, making it a handy smart speaker that’s just as portable as all the other Bluetooth-only models out there, but much more versatile.
The list of features includes a choice between Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa and Sonos voice control, size-defying sound, direct access to Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, Sonos Radio, Amazon Music and more in the Sonos app, and Apple AirPlay 2 support so you can ‘send’ audio directly from Apple devices on the same wifi network.
The debut Sonos Roam was not without its notable issues, though. It’s fairly pricey, the 10-hour battery life is beaten by most rivals, it doesn’t have an attachment point for a carrying strap and it can be difficult to set up if you’re more focused on Bluetooth playback than wifi-based smart features. What about the upgraded Sonos Roam 2, then?
Sonos Roam 2: At a glance
Pros
- Great connectivity via wifi and Bluetooth
- Smart speaker capabilities
- Excellent sound quality for the size
- Compact and portable
Cons
- Comparatively short battery life
- No attachment point for a carrying strap
Key specifications
| Dimensions | 16.8 x 6.2 x 6cm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 430g |
| IP rating | IP67 |
| Connectivity | Wifi and Bluetooth |
| Battery life | Up to 10 hours |
Sonos Roam 2: What‘s changed?
The new Sonos Roam 2 is a modest yet thoughtful update to the original Roam. It’s still the main speaker that I’d recommend for those after something more versatile than a regular Bluetooth speaker and, while the slight changes might not be revolutionary, they do address one of the minor annoyances of the first version.
The most notable improvement is the addition of a dedicated Bluetooth pairing button. In my experience, this makes connecting to devices much more straightforward than on the older variant, which requires holding down the power button for pairing. It’s a small but worthwhile change.
There’s also a minor design update, with the Sonos logo now the same colour as the speaker. It means the Roam 2 aligns with Sonos’ more recent product designs, but it makes no difference to the functionality. Both this and the previous speaker look smart.
Sonos Roam 2: Features
Beyond those changes, though, it’s effectively the same product. It makes sense, then, that the price also hasn’t changed with this update. Overall, the Roam 2 is very similar to its predecessor, but I already loved using that speaker and there’s no difference with this one.
It offers the same impressive sound performance, with Sonos’ Trueplay technology optimising audio based on your surroundings. It has the same voice control and Apple AirPlay 2 capabilities. It also has wireless charging support, something I haven’t seen on any other Bluetooth speaker I’ve tested.
The battery life remains at a decent 10 hours (respectable, but others last longer), and it retains its IP67 rating, making it waterproof and dustproof. It’s ideal for outdoor adventures, although the lack of a strap may mean you’ll need to leave space for it in a bag or slip it into a water bottle pocket. I’ve done this before with the older Roam and it fits perfectly.
Sonos Roam 2: Sound quality
The Roam 2, like the original, delivers strong bass and clear midrange, making it great for most genres of music that I tested. It is quite a small speaker, so it’s worth keeping that in mind, and it might not be quite as “room-filling” of a sound as you might get from some of the other best options.
It is best viewed as a component within a Sonos multi-room audio system, though, and it comes into its own when “extending” whatever playlist you have playing in the living room and dining room out into the back garden, for example. You also don’t need other Sonos products for this multi-room feature as you could set it up with AirPlay 2, linking other compatible speakers such as Apple HomePod and HomePod mini for synced-up music playback.
As a standalone speaker, the Roam 2 is great but also not quite able to match up to some of its competitors in terms of clarity and detail. At Good Housekeeping, we’ve tested some of the best rivals in 2024 and, if you’re happy with a Bluetooth-only speaker, you can find a much more convincing sound experience from the Bose SoundLink Flex or the new Beats Pill.
Good Housekeeping’s verdict on the Sonos Roam 2 portable speaker
Overall, the Sonos Roam 2 is a refinement of the original speaker rather than a massive upgrade. It has the same battery life (although Sonos says it has “optimised” the battery), the same connectivity, the same sound quality and the same high price tag.
The notable changes are the Bluetooth button and slightly changed design, which are minor improvements, but improvements nonetheless. It’s a great choice if you’re already invested in the Sonos ecosystem with the likes of the Sonos Era 100 or Era 300, want a smart portable speaker, or want a user-friendly and versatile option for more than Bluetooth playback.
However, if you already have a Roam, I can’t recommend you upgrade to this one given how small the changes are. And I am a little disappointed that there’s still no carrying rope or strap.
I’d continue to recommend the Sonos Roam SL as a worthwhile alternative, too. It has everything that’s great about the Roam and Roam 2, but leaves out the microphone and voice control to reduce the price. For £159, it’s a saving worth considering. And, if you’re not wedded to Sonos as a brand, take a look at other great Bluetooth-only models, such as the Bose SoundLink Flex, Beats Pill, JBL Flip 6 and Soundcore Motion 300.
Simon Cocks is Good Housekeeping UK’s Technology Editor, overseeing tech shopping content and strategy for the title. He previously also worked across other titles including Esquire UK, Digital Spy, Men’s Health UK and Women’s Health UK.
Simon specialises in testing the latest smart gadgets, home entertainment gear, headphones, speakers, portable chargers, radios, e-book readers and smartphones. He's reviewed top tech products from brands including Google, Apple, Amazon, JBL and Bose.
A magazine journalism graduate from Kingston University in 2014, Simon also worked on the Discovery and Silkroad inflight magazines. He then gained experience writing about entertainment at SFX and Total Film. He also contributed reviews and interviews to TwitchFilm (later ScreenAnarchy), CultBox and Frame Rated.
He joined Good Housekeeping UK as the Editorial Assistant for Special Projects and was part of Good Housekeeping’s Consumer Affairs Team between 2014 and 2019. In this role, he conducted price comparison research, wrote detailed household and money-saving advice guides and edited thousands of in-depth reviews for the Good Housekeeping Institute.
He has focused on technology and gadgets since 2020, where he started by testing out power banks and instant cameras. He writes reviews, roundups, news articles and deals updates, and also covers top tech deals during sales like Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
When not testing out the latest gizmos, you’ll find Simon either catching up with the newest releases at his local cinema or out shooting with his beloved compact camera.
You can follow Simon on Instagram, on Bluesky, on LinkedIn and on Threads.
