Content is created by CNN Underscored’s team of editors who work independently of the CNN newsroom. When you purchase through links on our site, CNN and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Learn more
The Sonos Roam 2 is a great little portable speaker. But that begs the question: When does an update deserve a new issue? Whatever the criteria, the Roam 2 would meet the minimum requirements.
Very little has changed from the original Wanderlaunched in 2021. It has the same size and shape, with the same autonomy and robustness. His bone made some changes to the buttons and made it easier to use Bluetooth. And the Sonos logo is now the same color as the speaker.
And that’s OK. THE Roaming 2 still sounds better than most small portable speakers. If you’re willing to pay a premium price for Sonos sound and don’t need the longest battery life, it will keep you rocking wherever you go.
Sonos Roam2
The Roam 2 remains one of the best sounding portable speakers, especially for its size. It produces rich vocals and decent bass in an easy-to-carry package, but it only lasts 10 hours on a full charge and is more expensive than many competitors.
What we liked
The sound quality is excellent
The Roam 2 may sound slightly better than the Roam (if there is a difference, it’s subtle). It delivers clear vocals that have remarkable resonance for a small speaker and impressive bass for its size.
Most small portable speakers can’t generate bass to speak of, but the Roam managed to make my desk shake slightly while listening to Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us.” The drums on Billie Eilish’s “Birds of a Feather” had a satisfying thud, while her vocals were full and rich.
However, a small speaker will not provide full spectrum sound. The Roam 2 sacrifices some sharpness in the high tones: on Brittany Howard’s “What Now,” the guitar lacked bite, but the bass thumped deep. Likewise, the banjo on Beyoncé’s “Texas Hold ‘Em” lacked a bit of pizzazz, but the bass drum had excellent presence and Beyoncé’s vocals were full. When listening to music on the go, bass and vocals are likely more important – and harder to find – than treble, so this was a smart compromise on Sonos’ part.
Easier setup and convenient features
Wondering what’s new in Roam 2? Sonos added a separate button for Bluetooth – previously Bluetooth shared a button with power. The speaker can connect via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth; when you’re at home, you’ll probably want to use Wi-Fi, while you’ll use Bluetooth when you’re out of Wi-Fi range. The new button makes switching between Bluetooth and Wi-Fi much easier.
You also no longer need to use Wi-Fi to configure the speaker. On the original Roam, you had to use the Sonos app to connect the speaker to your network, then you could add the Bluetooth connection to use it away from your home network. This…
