Sonos Roam 2 Review: Premium Portable Sound That Goes Anywhere

Sonos has built its reputation on delivering premium home audio, and the Roam 2 represents their most ambitious portable offering yet. This compact speaker promises to bring the signature Sonos sound experience anywhere life takes you—from your living room to the beach, trail, or backyard.

After extensive testing across various environments, I can confidently say the Roam 2 delivers on its promises—with a few caveats worth noting.

Design and Build Quality

The Roam 2 is astonishingly lightweight and compact, making it genuinely portable unlike some "portable" speakers that are more of a two-handed affair. Sonos has refined the industrial design with a clean, modern aesthetic that looks at home whether you're placing it on a bookshelf or tossing it in a backpack.

The IP67 rating means this speaker can handle complete dust protection and submersion in water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. I've tested it in rain, at the pool, and covered in beach sand—it shrugs off everything. The durable construction inspires confidence for outdoor adventures.

Available in five colors—Black, White, Olive, Sunset, and Wave—Sonos offers options to match your style. The tactile buttons provide satisfying feedback and prevent accidental presses, a thoughtful touch for outdoor use.

Sound Quality: Size-Defying Performance

This is where the Roam 2 truly shines. The precision-engineered drivers deliver clarity and bass that genuinely defy the speaker's compact dimensions. Whether you're listening to bass-heavy electronic music, acoustic folk, or podcasts, the audio remains balanced and detailed.

The Automatic Trueplay feature is a standout. This technology analyzes the acoustic environment and adjusts the EQ in real-time, ensuring optimal sound whether you've placed the speaker upright on a shelf, laid it on its side by the pool, or set it on an outdoor table. It's the kind of intelligent audio processing that justifies the Sonos premium.

For outdoor listening, the Roam 2 projects sound impressively. While it won't replace a proper party speaker for large gatherings, it fills a backyard hangout or campsite with room to spare.

Connectivity: Best of Both Worlds

The Roam 2 offers remarkable versatility with both Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity. On the go, it functions as a standard Bluetooth speaker—pair it with your phone and you're ready. At home, connect it to your WiFi network through the Sonos app to unlock the full feature set.

WiFi mode provides higher-quality audio streaming, extended range throughout your home, uninterrupted playback (no phone calls interrupting your music), and integration with other Sonos speakers for multi-room audio. If you already own Sonos products, the Roam 2 slots seamlessly into your ecosystem.

That said, some users have reported occasional Bluetooth connectivity hiccups. In my testing, the connection was generally stable, but I did experience a few dropouts in areas with heavy wireless interference. This is worth noting if you'll primarily use it in Bluetooth mode.

Smart Features

When connected to WiFi, the Roam 2 transforms into a capable smart speaker. It supports both Sonos Voice Control and Amazon Alexa, allowing hands-free control over your music, smart home devices, weather updates, and more.

Apple AirPlay 2 support means iPhone users can easily stream directly to the Roam 2 when on the same network. Sonos Radio is also included, providing curated stations and thousands of live broadcasts without requiring additional accounts.

Battery Life

Sonos advertises up to 10 hours of continuous playback, and in my testing with moderate volume levels, this held true. However, cranking the volume or using features like Trueplay constantly can reduce this. Some users report getting closer to 6-7 hours at higher volumes.

Charging options are flexible: use the included USB-C cable with any compatible power adapter, or set it on a wireless charger for convenience. The power button allows you to save battery when not in use rather than leaving it in standby.

The Sonos Ecosystem Advantage

If you're already invested in Sonos, the Roam 2 becomes even more valuable. You can group it with other Sonos speakers for synchronized multi-room audio, pair two Roam 2 speakers for stereo sound, or use it as a portable extension of your home system.

For newcomers to Sonos, the Roam 2 serves as an excellent entry point. It showcases what the brand does well while remaining useful as a standalone device.

Final Verdict

The Sonos Roam 2 is the portable speaker I recommend for anyone who values sound quality above all else. Its audio performance genuinely punches above its weight class, the build quality inspires confidence for outdoor adventures, and the dual WiFi/Bluetooth connectivity offers flexibility that most competitors can't match.

The premium price is justified for those who will use both portable Bluetooth mode and smart home features. If you're looking for a basic Bluetooth speaker and won't use the WiFi capabilities, there are more budget-friendly options—but none will sound quite this good.

For Sonos ecosystem users, existing homeowners looking for premium outdoor audio, or anyone who refuses to compromise on sound quality, the Roam 2 earns a strong recommendation.

Check the current price on Amazon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Sonos Roam 2 worth the price?

With an excellent 9/10 score, yes—it's a top performer in its category.

How does the sound quality compare to competitors?

We evaluate bass response, clarity, soundstage, and volume levels. This product impressed us with its audio performance.

Is Sonos Roam 2 good for music and movies?

We test with various content types. Look for our breakdown of performance across music genres, dialogue clarity, and immersive movie experiences in the full review.

What alternatives should I consider?

Check our related reviews section for comparable products. Your ideal choice depends on your specific priorities—features, price, or ecosystem compatibility.