As someone who grew up going to the Jersey Shore, I most readily associate portable speakers with crowded beaches on which rowdy groups of friends vie for music control. Needless to say, I’ve never used a portable speaker in my own home, and I’m rarely the person tasked with bringing one on vacation. While I’ve listened along in Airbnbs and other group settings, I’d never considered brand quality before testing out the Sonos Roam 2 ($143, originally $179), which happens to be on sale for Labor Day.
As far as I’m concerned, this device is pure magic, from its matte sunset colorway to its lightweight, packable design that weighs less than a pound. Not only can I fit it in any pocket of my carry-on suitcase, I want to be the one responsible for bringing it, so that I can impress all my friends with the new and improved sound quality I bring to the table.
Sonos’s Roam 2 is an upgrade from the original model because of its elevated finish, convenient button controls, and efficient charging system, prompting customers to leave nearly 150 five-star reviews on the brand’s website, with over 90 percent asserting they’d recommend it to a friend. While it’s a far cry from a booming sound bar, it makes for a way more pleasant streaming experience than one of those small plastic handheld speakers cheap enough to qualify as a prize in a Happy Meal.
Ahead, I dive deep into the reasons I love the Sonos Roam 2 — starting with the fact that I could, actually, jump in the pool with it in my hand. It can be submerged in three feet of water for up to 30 minutes! Can anyone else at the Jersey Shore say the same for their portable speaker? Just wondering.
About the Sonos Roam 2 Portable Speaker
- It allows for 10 straight hours of playtime on a full charge.
- It’s waterproof, dustproof, and drop resistant, making for utmost durability.
- It weighs just under a pound and measures 6.61″ height x 2.44″ width x 2.36″ depth.
- You can choose from five different colors including black, white, sunset (coral), wave (blue), and olive (green).
- You can connect the speaker to any device via Bluetooth or connect it to WiFi and use it as a smart speaker through the accompanying phone app, which offers access to Sonos Radio, Apple AirPlay 2, and Amazon Alexa.
- It’s equipped with Automatic Trueplay™, which fine-tunes the sound based on your environment and the way you have the speaker positioned, whether it’s on its side or standing upright.
- While playback controls are tactile, you can also use Sonos Voice Control to prompt the pause, volume, skip, and resume functions as long as you’re connected to internet.
- The box comes with the speaker, a USB-C to USB-C charging cable, and a quickstart guide.
What I Like About the Sonos Roam 2 Portable Speaker
As an overpacker, I’m all about something lightweight that’s easy to squeeze into multiple pockets in my suitcase. Naturally, I’m obsessed with the sunset shade of my speaker as it screams, “Grab an Aperol spritz and head to the beach!” I’m also notoriously klutzy, so the fact that the speaker is waterproof and drop resistant is a major bonus.
The crystal clear sound and powerful bass become obvious before you even start up your playlist — the ‘power-on’ noise alone is size-defying and crawls underneath your skin the way surround sound speakers do at a movie theater. Finally, the device is easy to set up with a fast Bluetooth connect. I never have to ask my boyfriend to help me sync my devices out of helpless frustration, which is saying a lot coming from someone who considers herself technologically illiterate.
How to Use the Sonos Roam 2 Portable Speaker
The Sonos Roam 2 Portable Speaker is extremely easy to use. After charging via the USB-C, simply hold the power button, which will trigger the LED light and a magical noise that lets you know the device is on. Press down on the Bluetooth button to connect the speaker instantly to one of your devices, which must also be in range with its Bluetooth setting turned on. You can press the ‘+’ and ‘-‘ buttons on the side of the speaker to increase or decrease volume as well as the pause/play button for tactile commands. If you’re connected to the internet, you can also utilize Sonos Voice Control, which can be explored further through the app. Hold down the power button to put the speaker in sleep mode, power it off, or wake it up.
What to Consider Before Buying the Sonos Roam 2 Portable Speaker
While I have yet to experience problems with my device, many onsite reviews mention charging issues over time, and especially when compared to other Sonos products. Shoppers also report a lack of support from Sonos technicians and the customer service team in general. Those who have used portable speakers from other brands compare the sound to other models, reporting inferior quality when using third party music apps such as Spotify. “Good mid-range to upper range sound. Low end / bass is limited with size of speaker, but speaker placement helps with low end,” one person wrote.
If you’re looking for an even smaller portable speaker — say, one you can fit in the palm of your hand — and you care less about sound quality, this model may not be right for you.
Where Is the Sonos Roam 2 Portable Speaker Available?
The Sonos Roam 2 Portable Speaker is available on the brand’s website.
Rating:
★★★★★
Sarah Wasilak is the associate director of Shopping at PS. With plenty of experience in the commerce market, a keen interest in SEO, and 10 years as an editor at the brand, she enjoys writing across the lifestyle and health-and-fitness categories. She has bylines at PS, InStyle, Elle, Refinery29, Who What Wear, Elite Daily, Byrdie, and The Quality Edit and aims to amplify minority voices in all her work.