Different classes, so treat this as a step-up-or-not question rather than a head-to-head. The Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen ranks #11 of 14 powered desktop speakers by sound quality at $79.99; the Sonos Roam ranks #93 of 172 medium speakers by sound quality at $169.99.
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 Sonos Roam is the battery-powered, tougher option. A compact Wi-Fi and Bluetooth portable with very neutral sound, Qi wireless charging and Alexa or Sonos Voice Control. Its battery is rated for 10 hours, while the Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen needs an outlet. It is rated IPX5, while the Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen has no water resistance. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen lacks. The tradeoff: Bass extension isn’t very good.
One note: the Sonos Roam is discontinued and no longer widely available new. The Sonos Roam’s replacement, the Sonos Roam 2, is still sold new.
Buy the Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen ($79.99) for a powered desktop speaker; the Sonos Roam ($169.99) suits a medium speaker instead.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings and Portable Bluetooth rankings.
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.
Amazon $79.99 eBay
A compact Wi-Fi and Bluetooth portable with very neutral sound, Qi wireless charging and Alexa or Sonos Voice Control.
Amazon $169.99 eBayPrices on this page were last checked October 17, 2026 at 6:04 PM 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.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen | Sonos Roam | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $79.99 each | $169.99 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #11 of 14 in Small Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #93 of 172 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Battery Life | No Battery | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None | IPX5 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room, Alexa) | - |
| Power Input | External AC adapter (DC jack) | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (340 g) | 0.9 lbs (429 g) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 2.4GHz/5GHz) | Yes |
| App | Yes (Alexa) | Sonos S2 App |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (mic mute switch, temperature sensor) | Yes |
| EQ | No | Yes (via app, limited in Bluetooth mode) |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| TWS | Yes (Wi-Fi stereo pairing via Alexa app) | Yes |
| Drivers | 44mm front-firing driver | Dual full-range drivers + passive radiators |
| Inputs | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | - |
| XLR Input | No | - |
| RCA Input | No | - |
| TRS Input | No | - |
| Optical Input | No | - |
| Coaxial Input | No | - |
| USB Input | No | - |
| HDMI Input | No | - |
| AES Input | No | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions | 3.9” 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 Assistants | Amazon Alexa / Alexa+ | Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant (choose one) plus Sonos Voice Control |
| Streaming Services | Amazon Music, Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Pandora, iHeartRadio, SiriusXM, TuneIn | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 63Hz |
| Maximum SPL | - | 95dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | - | No |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.0 |
| Digital Aux Input | - | No |
| Strap | - | No |
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