Sonos has been busy lately. Alongside launching its first wireless headphones, the Sonos Ace, it has also refreshed its truly portable speaker with the release of the Roam 2.
The new speaker is available now, and while it doesn't represent a huge change from the original, it brings some sensible and desirable improvements that should make it more compelling and entertaining.
Here's what's new.
Sonos Roam 2: release date and price
The Sonos Roam 2 was announced alongside the Sonos Ace on 21st May 2024. While the Ace didn't go on sale until 5th June, the Roam 2 was available to buy immediately.
It cost £179 / $179 / AU$299 at launch but has dropped to £139 in the UK for Prime Day, so keep your eye out for any future discounts. The launch price was slightly more expensive than the original Roam in the UK and US, but slightly cheaper in Australia.
Sonos Roam 2: what's new?
Not a lot has changed and this new model is more of a refresh than a proper next-generation product. However, the changes are logical and should mean everyday use is improved.
Perhaps the biggest change is that you no longer have to set it up on your home wi-fi network with the Sonos app before you can pair it to a device over Bluetooth. For us, that's a no-brainer (it's how most Bluetooth speakers works), as it means you can start using it out and about before you even get it home from the shop.
Pairing is made easier with the addition of a dedicated Bluetooth button. The first-gen Roam required you to hold the power button for a set amount of time, so a dedicated button is much more intuitive.
The design is more subtle, too. The Sonos logo is now monochromatic – i.e. the same colour as the device. It's the same design language as seen on the Sonos Ace headphones. On the original Roam in black, the Sonos logo was white, making it stand out much more and looking – dare we say it? – a bit cheap.
Other than that, the Roam 2 is pretty much unchanged from the original model. It should have the same sound (which we awarded four out of five), Trueplay for optimising the audio to your immediate environment, 10 hours of battery life and IP67 waterproofing. But there's one slight change – it now comes in White rather than the original's Lunar White (which was more grey). The other finishes remain unchanged: Olive, Sunset, Wave and Black.
Sonos Roam 2: early verdict
It's fair to say that the new Sonos Roam 2 is one of the more low-key Sonos launches. This new model represents more of a correction of some of the original's faults than a full revamp. Plus the refreshed design is more in keeping with Sonos' other recent products. But all this comes at a higher price, in the UK and US at least.
Could the tweaks help the new Roam to that elusive fifth star? We should find out soon enough when we get the speaker in for a full review.
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