Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen vs Sonos Roam 2

Last updated: September 22, 2026

These are not really the same size class, and that is the honest framing here. The Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen ranks #6 of 9 powered desktop speakers by sound quality at $79.99; the Sonos Roam 2 ranks #74 of 142 medium speakers by sound quality at $179.

Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen vs Sonos Roam 2

The case for the Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen: What Hi-Fi rated it 5 stars for sound, calling it expansive for its size with great Alexa integration and an understated look, from a single 44mm front-firing driver. The tradeoff: What Hi-Fi’s one real complaint was distortion at higher volumes, and bass force and detail both fall off at the low end, typical for a speaker not much bigger than a hockey ball.

The case for the Sonos Roam 2: Very neutral. The tradeoff: Exact same sound quality as the original Roam.

Buy the Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen at $79.99 for a powered desktop speaker, or the Sonos Roam 2 at $179 for a medium speaker instead.

Water resistance is not close: the Sonos Roam 2 is rated at IPX5 (water jets), well ahead of the Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen at no water resistance.

Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings and Portable Bluetooth rankings.

Specifications Side By Side

Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen Sonos Roam 2
Price$79.99 each$179.00
Ranked#6 of 9 in Small Size Powered Desktop Speakers#74 of 142 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
Aux InputNoNo
Battery LifeNo Battery10 hours (Manufacturer specified)
IP RatingNoneIPX5
Party ModeYes (Wi-Fi multi-room, Alexa)-
Power InputExternal AC adapter (DC jack)USB-C
StereoNoNo
Weight0.7 lbs (340 g)0.9 lbs (429 g)
Wi-FiYes (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 2.4GHz/5GHz)Yes
AppYes (Alexa)Sonos S2 App
Bluetooth CodecsSBC, AACSBC, AAC
Built-in MicrophoneYes (mic mute switch, temperature sensor)Yes
EQNoYes (via app, limited in Bluetooth mode)
Power BankNo-
TWSYes (Wi-Fi stereo pairing via Alexa app)Yes
Drivers44mm front-firing driver1x ~45mm racetrack mid-woofer + 1x tweeter + 2x passive radiators
DiscontinuedNo-
InputsWi-Fi, Bluetooth-
XLR InputNo-
RCA InputNo-
TRS InputNo-
Optical InputNo-
Coaxial InputNo-
USB InputNo-
HDMI InputNo-
AES InputNo-
BluetoothYes-
Dimensions3.9" x 3.9" x 3.5" (100 x 100 x 89 mm) (H x W x D)2.4" x 6.6" x 2.4" (62 x 168 x 60 mm)
Voice AssistantsAmazon Alexa / Alexa+Amazon Alexa (Sonos Voice Control also built in)
Streaming ServicesAmazon Music, Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Pandora, iHeartRadio, SiriusXM, TuneIn-
Bass Extension (-10dB)-63Hz
Omnidirectional-No
Bluetooth Version-5.2
Maximum SPL-95dB (Manufacturer specified)
Digital Aux Input-No

More worthwhile head-to-heads for Sonos Roam 2:

Prices on this page were last checked September 22, 2026 at 5:11 AM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.

The Two Speakers In Full

Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen: $79.99 each Amazon eBay

Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen ranking card

Pros: What Hi-Fi rated it 5 stars for sound, calling it expansive for its size with great Alexa integration and an understated look, from a single 44mm front-firing driver. It has a room temperature sensor, works as an eero Wi-Fi extender, and includes a mic mute switch alongside dedicated volume and action buttons.

Cons: What Hi-Fi’s one real complaint was distortion at higher volumes, and bass force and detail both fall off at the low end, typical for a speaker not much bigger than a hockey ball. Engadget’s own head-to-head against the step-up Echo Dot Max found that speaker louder and bassier, from a 2.5-inch woofer and dedicated tweeter versus this speaker’s single small full-range driver. It is mono in a single unit, has no 3.5mm output, no battery, and needs Wi-Fi and an Amazon account for its smart features.

AES InputNo
AppYes (Alexa)
Aux InputNo
Battery LifeNo Battery
BluetoothYes
Bluetooth CodecsSBC, AAC
Built-in MicrophoneYes (mic mute switch, temperature sensor)
Coaxial InputNo
Dimensions3.9" x 3.9" x 3.5" (100 x 100 x 89 mm) (H x W x D)
DiscontinuedNo
Drivers44mm front-firing driver
EQNo
HDMI InputNo
IP RatingNone
InputsWi-Fi, Bluetooth
Optical InputNo
Party ModeYes (Wi-Fi multi-room, Alexa)
Power BankNo
Power InputExternal AC adapter (DC jack)
RCA InputNo
StereoNo
Streaming ServicesAmazon Music, Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Pandora, iHeartRadio, SiriusXM, TuneIn
TRS InputNo
TWSYes (Wi-Fi stereo pairing via Alexa app)
USB InputNo
Voice AssistantsAmazon Alexa / Alexa+
Weight0.7 lbs (340 g)
Wi-FiYes (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 2.4GHz/5GHz)
XLR InputNo

Sonos Roam 2: $179.00 Amazon eBay

Sonos Roam 2 ranking card

Pros: Very neutral. Additional button for pairing instead of being shared with power button. Measured bass extension of 63Hz (-10dB).

Cons: Exact same sound quality as the original Roam. Bass extension isn’t very good. Not stereo. Gets distorted as you turn up the bass.

AppSonos S2 App
Aux InputNo
Bass Extension (-10dB)63Hz
Battery Life10 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth CodecsSBC, AAC
Bluetooth Version5.2
Built-in MicrophoneYes
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions2.4" x 6.6" x 2.4" (62 x 168 x 60 mm)
Drivers1x ~45mm racetrack mid-woofer + 1x tweeter + 2x passive radiators
EQYes (via app, limited in Bluetooth mode)
IP RatingIPX5
Maximum SPL95dB (Manufacturer specified)
OmnidirectionalNo
Power InputUSB-C
StereoNo
TWSYes
Voice AssistantsAmazon Alexa (Sonos Voice Control also built in)
Weight0.9 lbs (429 g)
Wi-FiYes