In the competitive world of consumer tech, it’s often harder to resist tinkering and adding new features than to leave well enough alone. Thankfully, Sonos has exercised restraint with the second-generation Sonos Roam, the $179 Roam 2 released in late May. While it sports a slightly refreshed look (including new colors), a dedicated Bluetooth button, and a few other minor upgrades, the Roam 2 is essentially the same as its predecessor, and that’s a good thing.
I’ve been a fan of the first-gen Sonos Roam since its release in 2021, using it regularly as a bedside speaker for music and as a white noise machine. Its compact size, great sound, and seamless integration into my larger Sonos network make it a versatile and reliable companion. So, I was eager to see how the Roam 2 stacked up.
After spending several weeks with the Roam 2, I can confidently say that it’s almost identical to the original. This isn’t a full review because there’s not much new to say. Here’s a breakdown of what I liked and disliked, but keep in mind that much of it echoes the first-gen Roam experience.
If you’re familiar with the first-gen Roam, you might want to skip this quick rundown of the Roam 2’s features, as it’s pretty much the same in terms of price and functionality. For a detailed look at the original Roam, check out our full review.
Sonos’ smallest speaker retains its signature oblong shape, measuring 6.6 inches by 2.4 inches by 2.3 inches, and weighs just under a pound. It can be positioned both horizontally (with four rubber feet along the longest side) and upright. The rubberized physical controls (volume up/down, play/pause, and mic mute/unmute) remain unchanged and are located on top of the device.
Pool parties and beach days are still a go thanks to the Roam 2’s IP67 dust and waterproof rating. Charging is handled the same way: via the included USB-C cable and port, and wirelessly using the $49 Sonos Roam Wireless Charger accessory or any Qi-certified wireless charger. Battery life remains at 10 hours, which isn’t great by today’s standards, especially considering the new Beats Pill ($150) boasts up to 24 hours. An increase in battery life would have been a welcome addition.
Another feature that would have been nice to see is speakerphone functionality. We’re increasingly seeing this on comparable Bluetooth speakers like the Beats Pill and Sony’s ULT Field 1, and their compact size makes them ideal for workstations.
Connectivity-wise, the Roam 2 has upgraded to Bluetooth 5.2, but still only supports SBC and AAC codecs. However, its Wi-Fi connectivity is compatible with both 2.5 and 5 GHz bands, as well as AirPlay 2. While Sonos continues to work on its app redesign, connecting the Roam 2 to the app and your Sonos network remains a straightforward process. The app still allows you to control volume, adjust bass and treble EQ, manage battery levels, group speakers, and enable stereo pairing.
Since the Roam 2 features the same power and amplification, single midwoofer, and single tweeter as the original, I wasn’t surprised to find no significant difference in audio quality compared to my first-gen Roam. Besides a slightly crisper sound, perhaps due to its newness, the Roam 2 sounds nearly identical to the Roam. The Roam 2 still punches above its weight with a clear, balanced sound signature, punchy low-end frequency response, supportive mids, and crisp, clean highs. While pushing it to its limits can lead to some distortion and digital signal processing intervention, if you’re after booming bass, you might want to consider the Sonos Move 2 ($449). Alternatively, you can create a stereo pair with another Roam (first or second-generation) to widen the soundstage and boost volume. I paired the Roam 2 with my first-gen Roam, and the results were impressive, offering better sound separation and height despite the different generations. You don’t need two of the same generation to achieve good sound. Additionally, the Sonos app’s EQ sliders can be used to fine-tune the sound balance if you’re using different generations.
Sonos’ multi-speaker connectivity offers creative possibilities. Out of curiosity, I grouped my Era 300 with a stereo pair of Roam and Roam 2 placed six feet apart on either side, balancing the volumes and EQs to create a setup where the Era 300 acted as a subwoofer. The result was a big, full sound with a physical stereo separation from the Roams.
The Sonos Roam 2 is an excellent-sounding speaker that doesn’t improve on its predecessor’s sound, but that’s not a bad thing. Refer to our original Roam review for a comprehensive analysis of the Roam 2’s audio performance, as it remains accurate.
The main differences in the Roam 2 are few and might not be significant depending on your usage. The most notable addition is a dedicated Bluetooth button on the back of the speaker. Previously, the main power button was the only way to turn the speaker on and off and enter Bluetooth pairing mode. While this sounds simple, I’ve lost count of the times I forgot the process and ended up shutting down the speaker instead of pairing it. Since the Roam 2 is a dual Bluetooth/Wi-Fi speaker, switching between the two modes frequently can be a hassle. The new button is a lifesaver, requiring just a single press to turn Bluetooth on and another single press to switch back to Wi-Fi. The Roam 2 can now be connected via Bluetooth straight out of the box without setting it up with your Sonos network through the app first. If you prefer, you can even use the Roam 2 as a pure Bluetooth speaker, completely bypassing the Sonos app.
Unfortunately, the Roam 2 lacks Google Assistant, which is a significant drawback for me. Due to a legal battle between Sonos and Google, Sonos discontinued voice assistant integration in its speakers, starting with the Era 300 and Era 100 last year, and continuing with the Move 2 and Roam 2 this year. Whether this is a deal breaker depends on your individual needs, but it is for me. I rely on Google Assistant daily to control my smart home devices, and having a Sonos Roam on my bedside table makes it my first and last voice assistant interaction of the day. While Alexa and Sonos Voice are still available, adding another voice assistant to my existing system is a hassle I’d rather avoid.
The Sonos Roam 2 is a testament to Sonos’s restraint when it comes to updating one of its best portable speakers. Especially considering the recent struggles with its app redesign, restraint is a valuable asset. Apart from minor upgrades like the dedicated Bluetooth button, updated Bluetooth version (5.2 from 5.0), and new color options, the Roam 2 remains unchanged and is still the most affordable ($179) and best way to expand your Sonos speaker network. Its sound quality is still impressive for its size, particularly when paired in stereo. While extended battery life would have been great, 10 hours of playback is likely sufficient for most users.
Should you buy a Roam 2? Personally, due to my reliance on Google Assistant, I’d seek out an original Roam first. However, if Google Assistant isn’t a priority, the Roam 2 is a solid (though minor) step forward for the small but mighty Roam.
