The Sonos Roam 2 is an ultra-portable speaker that weights 0.9 pounds and can be positioned either vertically or horizontally (for better stability), and right now it's on sale for $143 (regularly $179). A PCMag review mentions that the speaker's orientation impacts more than just its appearance, even though its Trueplay feature promises to automatically adjust the audio for the best sound. For connectivity, the Roam 2 offers Bluetooth, wifi, and AirPlay2, but skips Google Assistant. You can use it as a regular Bluetooth speaker without the app or with Alexa for hands-free voice control. Just keep in mind, that Alexa can't manage its music and radio playback—you'll need to use Sonos Voice Control for that, which could get a bit annoying.
This portable speaker comes with a charging cable and is said to last about 10 hours per charge, just like the original Roam. However, the Roam 2 includes a battery-saving feature that lets the speaker shut down faster when not in use, plus a wifi power save option to extend battery life when on wifi. You can also charge the Roam 2 wirelessly using a wireless charger. Additionally, the Roam 2 has an IP67 rating, meaning it's dust-proof and can handle being underwater up to a meter for 30 minutes—great for poolside or beach use.
Compared to other models, the Roam 2 offers mono audio, unlike the pricier Sonos Move 2, which provides superior stereo sound and is currently priced at $359, down from $449. Alternatively, the Anker Soundcore Motion 300 offers better Bluetooth connectivity, a speakerphone, and high-resolution audio streaming at a more affordable price of $79.99.
