The Sonos Roam 2 builds on Sonos’s reputation for premium sound and adds increased usability, durability, and smart features in a rugged, truly portable package. After testing this speaker at home, in the backyard, and even at the beach — where it survived sand, splashes, and an accidental fall into the ocean — I can confidently say the Roam 2 delivers on many fronts.
From its robust IP67 waterproof and dustproof design to deep Sonos ecosystem integration, Roam 2 is more than a Bluetooth speaker — it’s a versatile smart speaker that performs both indoors and out. Below, we break down what makes Roam 2 stand out, who should consider buying it, real user feedback, and how it compares to the competition.
Quick Specs & What’s New
Sonos Roam 2 unboxedGearBrain
- Price: $179
- Battery Life: Up to 10 hours continuous playback on a charge
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.2 & Wi-Fi
- Water & Dust Rating: IP67 (dustproof & waterproof)
- Charging: USB-C + Qi-certified wireless charging
- Voice Assistants: Amazon Alexa (Wi-Fi required), Sonos Voice Control
- Colors: Olive, Sunset, Wave, Black, White
- Trueplay: Automatic Trueplay tuning for optimized sound
- Adjustable EQ: Bass, treble, and loudness via the Sonos app
- Speaker Drivers: Tweeter + midwoofer
- Amplification: Two Class-H digital amps
Sonos’s newest portable speaker improves on the popular original Roam with dedicated Bluetooth pairing buttons, simpler controls, and faster setup without sacrificing sound quality or ecosystem compatibility.
Design & Build Quality: Rugged, Elegant & Portable
The Roam 2’s sleek yet sturdy design feels premium and portable. Its clean lines, five vibrant colors, and new, discrete power and Bluetooth buttons make daily use effortless. The housing is tough — IP67 waterproof and dustproof — meaning it can handle sand, dirt, rain, and even accidental drops into water without trouble.
During real-world testing at the beach, the speaker never flinched, even after direct sand exposure and contact with ocean water. Its lightweight feel and small size make it easy to grab and go — and it looks good just about anywhere, from your living room shelf to your picnic blanket.
Sound Quality: Impressive for Its Size
Sonos Roam 2 Ultra Portable Smart SpeakerGearBrain
For a speaker this compact, the Roam 2 delivers big, balanced sound. The combination of a dedicated tweeter and midwoofer, powered by tuned amplifiers, delivers rich clarity and depth across the frequency range.
Automatic Trueplay & Adjustable EQ
- Automatic Trueplay optimizes your audio based on your environment —whether you're indoors or outdoors—so music always sounds balanced.
- Adjustable EQ in the Sonos app lets you tweak bass, treble, and loudness to suit your taste.
How to Use Adjustable EQ:
- Open the Sonos app
- Select your Roam 2 speaker
- Tap Settings
- Choose EQ
- Adjust Bass, Treble, or Loudness
These tools make it easy to fine-tune sound for different settings — boost bass for outdoor listening or keep it flat for indoor clarity.
In backyard test sessions, the audio remained clear and full, even at higher volumes. Beach conditions — with wind and open space — challenged the speaker, but Roam 2 still delivered a satisfying performance considering its size.
Connectivity: Bluetooth + Wi-Fi & Alexa Integration
Port and pairing button on Sonos Roam 2.GearBrain
Roam 2 supports both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
- Bluetooth pairing is now easier thanks to a dedicated button—you can pair without the app.
- Wi-Fi connects the speaker to your Sonos ecosystem and enables voice assistants.
Important Alexa Setup Tip:
Alexa on Roam 2 only works when connected to Wi-Fi. Initially, we had trouble with voice control until we connected the speaker to home Wi-Fi via the Sonos app — after that, Alexa worked reliably.
Battery Life & Charging
Battery Life & Charging using Sonos AppSonos
Roam 2 offers up to 10 hours of continuous playback — decent for most outings but slightly shorter than some competitors.
Charging options include USB-C and Qi wireless charging, which is especially handy if you use wireless charging pads at home or on the go.
Ecosystem Compatibility
One of Roam 2’s biggest advantages is its integration with the Sonos whole-home ecosystem. You can:
- Group it with other Sonos speakers for synchronized playback
- Move audio from room to room
- Use it with AirPlay and supported streaming services
This flexibility makes Roam 2 more than a simple Bluetooth speaker — it’s a smart home audio component.
Who Should Buy the Sonos Roam 2
Sonos Roam 2 comes in five colorsSonos
The Sonos Roam 2 isn’t for everyone, but it excels in several key areas:
Sonos System Users
If you already have Sonos speakers or soundbars at home, Roam 2 extends your system effortlessly to mobile and outdoor use — Wi-Fi connectivity and app support let you incorporate it into multi-room setups.
Outdoor & Travel Enthusiasts
Thanks to its IP67 waterproof and dustproof design, the Roam 2 is ideal for camping, pool parties, backyard gatherings, and beach days. It survived real-world beach testing without a hiccup.
Sonos aooGearBrain
Smart Feature Fans
Support for Amazon Alexa and Sonos Voice Control makes Roam 2 useful beyond music — ask for weather, control smart home devices, or manage playback hands-free (Wi-Fi required).
Audio Lovers Who Want Compact Power
The sound quality relative to size is excellent. If your priority is a compact speaker with strong sound and smart features, Roam 2 delivers.
Who Might Want Something Else
- If you want max battery life (20+ hours), competitors like JBL or Ultimate Ears might suit you better.
- If raw volume and bass are priorities at high outdoor volumes, larger speakers will outperform Roam 2.
What Users Are Saying
Here’s a summary of real owner and reviewer feedback across the web:
Positive Feedback
Great Sound for Size
Many users and reviewers praise the Roam 2 for delivering clear, rich audio that belies its compact form — especially with Trueplay tuning and app EQ.
Durable & Portable
Users frequently highlight the rugged IP67 build as a major plus for outdoor use — a feature repeatedly confirmed in community reviews.
Easy Bluetooth Pairing
The dedicated Bluetooth button fixes a long-standing issue with the original Roam and simplifies out-of-box use.
Volume controls on top of Sonos Roam 2GearBrain
Constructive Feedback
Battery Life Could Be Better
Multiple sources note that, while 10 hours is respectable, many rivals offer significantly longer playtimes.
Volume & Bass Limits
Some users find that Roam 2 isn’t as loud or bass-heavy as larger speakers or competitors like Bose/Sony units.
Price vs. Alternatives
At its price point, some buyers feel there are louder or longer-playing Bluetooth speakers available — though those lack Wi-Fi and ecosystem integration.
Overall, user sentiment is positive, with many owners appreciating the blend of portability, durability, and smart features.
Competitor Snapshot
- Bose SoundLink Flex: Slightly longer battery and warmer default bass, but lacks Wi-Fi smart integration.
- JBL & Ultimate Ears: Often louder with longer battery, but without Sonos app integration or Alexa/Trueplay features.
- Other Smart Speakers: Larger smart units (e.g., Sonos Move 2) offer better audio and battery life but sacrifice portability.
Summary
The Sonos Roam 2 is one of the most versatile portable speakers on the market today — merging rugged durability, smart functionality, and impressive audio in a compact package.
Whether you’re a Sonos ecosystem veteran looking to extend your sound outdoors or a traveler who wants premium audio that’s waterproof and feature-rich, Roam 2 ticks nearly all the boxes.
It's only that compromises — battery life and raw outdoor loudness — are understandable trade-offs given its size and feature set.
If you want portable sound that feels at home anywhere — from living rooms to beaches — the Sonos Roam 2 is an excellent choice.
Check out GearBrain Assistant, our smart home compatibility find engine to see the other compatible products that work with Amazon Alexa enabled devices.
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