Portable Bluetooth speakers have become indispensable devices for listening to music, podcasts and more on the go. As a pioneer in wireless multi-room audio, Sonos makes some of the best portable speakers money can buy. But should you get the Sonos Move or the Sonos Roam? I‘ll compare these two excellent models in depth so you can decide which is right for you.
A Brief History of Sonos
Before we dive into the Move vs. Roam, it helps to understand Sonos‘s background. Founded in 2002 by John MacFarlane and several partners, Sonos aimed to develop a wireless in-flight entertainment system. Though that specific idea wasn‘t fruitful, the team soon set their sights on revolutionizing home audio.
The first Sonos product – the 2005 ZonePlayer 100 – let users stream music wirelessly from a computer to speakers throughout their home. This was groundbreaking technology at the time and set the stage for Sonos to become a major player in whole-home audio.
Over the following decade, Sonos continued improving its wireless products, focusing more on software upgrades and sound quality. The company also forged over 100 partnerships with music services and leveraged input from artists and sound engineers.
It wasn‘t until 2019‘s Move portable speaker that Sonos entered the Bluetooth speaker market. The Move kicked off a series of battery-powered portable models like the Roam.
Sonos Move vs. Roam: In-Depth Comparison
Now let‘s take a close look at how the flagship Sonos Move and the newer Sonos Roam stack up:
Price
At $399, the Sonos Move commands a premium price, reflecting its larger size, weight and top-notch audio. The lighter and more compact Roam costs less than half as much at $179. So if budget is a concern, the Roam has a clear edge.
Size & Weight
The Move measures 9.44 x 6.29 x 4.96 inches and weighs a hefty 6.60 pounds. You‘ll notice its mass when carrying it around.
By comparison, the Roam comes in at just 6.61 x 2.44 x 2.36 inches and 0.95 pounds. It truly earns its name, easily slipping into a backpack without weighing you down.
Durability & Water Resistance
Both speakers boast excellent durability and waterproofing, ready for the pool, beach or patio. The Move carries an IP56 rating while the Roam meets IP67 standards, meaning it‘s even more effectively shielded from dust and can survive underwater immersion.
Battery Life
The Move squeezes out around 11 hours of playback per charge, while the Roam supplies about 10 hours. Both figures are impressive for Bluetooth portables. The Roam‘s quick-charging gives it an edge, with a 50% charge taking just 1 hour.
Sound Quality
As you‘d expect from such a pricey model, the Move sounds incredible, delivering rich, vibrant audio that can fill larger spaces. But the miniature Roam belies its size, projecting defined treble, articulate mid-range and surprising bass power.
Smart Features
Either speaker can connect directly to voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant for handy voice controls. The Move and Roam also automatically fine-tune audio to their environments using Sonos‘s clever Trueplay tuning.
Connectivity
A key advantage of the Move is its ability to connect over both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. So it meshes perfectly with other Sonos speakers for whole-home streaming while also pairing to Bluetooth on the go. The Roam uses Bluetooth only.
When the Sonos Move Is the Better Choice
Given its higher price but slighter larger size and weight, the Sonos Move makes more sense for certain use cases:
- Using it mostly at home, integrated with a whole-home Sonos system
- Critical listening sessions where audio quality is paramount
- Outdoor gatherings, parties and other events needing room-filling sound
When the Sonos Roam Is the Better Pick
Thanks to its ultra-portable form factor, resilient build and surprising sound, the Sonos Roam fits better for:
- Listening on the go – tossed in a bag for the park, beach, etc.
- Traveling and vacations where size and weight are factors
- Homes where a single great-sounding portable speaker is all that‘s needed
The Verdict: Sonos Roam Is the Best Portable Speaker for Most
In reviewing all the details, the Sonos Roam stands out as the preferable choice for a typical listener seeking an exceptional portable Bluetooth speaker.
The Roam equals or surpasses the Move in nearly every category that counts: it‘s dramatically smaller and lighter, costs less than half the price, offers similar battery life and smart features, and still provides shockingly good audio performance for its petite stature.
Yes, audiophiles seeking the most premium sound quality may still gravitate to the Sonos Move. But for portable use, the Roam‘s compact yet powerful design can‘t be beaten – it‘s my top pick not only among Sonos speakers, but across the entire Bluetooth speaker market.
So if you‘re looking for Sonos-caliber sound in a highly travel-friendly form, the Sonos Roam is the clear winner. Considering its balance of sound, features and reasonable cost, it deserves a spot in just about anyone‘s bag.
