Short answer: the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen. It ranks #19 of 175 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 4.1/5) at $299.99 and is still sold new; the Sonos Roam ranks #96 (rated 3.1/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The Sonos Roam’s replacement, the Sonos Roam 2, is rated 3.2/5 at $179.
The B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen is the better-sounding, longer-running pick. Longer battery than the 2nd gen (~24 hours at sensible volumes). It is rated for 24 hours of battery against 10 for the Sonos Roam. It is rated IP67 against IPX5 for the Sonos Roam. It supports aptX Adaptive Bluetooth, which the Sonos Roam lacks. The tradeoff: Distorts easier than the 2nd gen with deeper bass.
The Sonos Roam is the lighter option. Very neutral. At 0.9 lbs (429 g) it weighs noticeably less than the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen at 1.2 lbs (558 g). Watch for: Bass extension isn’t very good.
Buy the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the Sonos Roam is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen | Sonos Roam | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.99 | $169.99 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #19 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #96 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Sonos S2 App |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | Yes | Yes (via app, limited in Bluetooth mode) |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (558 g) | 0.9 lbs (429 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 5.2” x 1.8” x 5.2” (133 x 46 x 133 mm) | 2.4” x 6.6” x 2.4” (62 x 168 x 60 mm) |
| Drivers | 82.5mm woofer, 15mm tweeter | Dual full-range drivers + passive radiators |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX5 |
| Amplifier Power | 60W | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Strap | Yes (built-in strap) | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 63Hz |
| Maximum SPL | - | 95dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Wi-Fi | - | Yes |
| Voice Assistants | - | Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant (choose one) plus Sonos Voice Control |
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- Minirig 4 vs B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen
- Minirig 3 vs B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen
Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 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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The Two Speakers In Full
B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen: $299.99 Amazon $299.99 B&H Photo Video eBay
Older models: the B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen (ranked higher, rated 4.3/5) and the B&O Beosound A1 (ranked higher, rated 4.3/5). See every B&O Beosound A1 generation.
Pros: Longer battery than the 2nd gen (~24 hours at sensible volumes). IP67 rated with a serviceable, replaceable battery: the first Bluetooth speaker with Cradle to Cradle certification. Multipoint connectivity and aptX Adaptive.
Cons: Distorts easier than the 2nd gen with deeper bass. Dipped area in the upper mids. Not as deep of bass as the 2nd gen
Full B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen review and specifications →
| Released | May 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 60W |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 5.2” x 1.8” x 5.2” (133 x 46 x 133 mm) |
| Drivers | 82.5mm woofer, 15mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (558 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen - outdoor sound test More from Oluv’Sone →
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen vs 2nd gen - worth the premium?
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: B&O Beoplay/Beosound A1 - all 3 generations compared
- Oluv Patreon: B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen - soundcheck
- Oluv Patreon: B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen - outdoor test
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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Sonos Roam: $169.99 Discontinued Amazon $169.99 eBay
Newer model: the Sonos Roam 2, ranked higher, rated 3.2/5, released May 2024. See every Sonos Roam generation.
Pros: Very neutral. IP67 rated at ~1 lb. Wireless (Qi) charging: rare for a portable speaker. Works with Alexa/Sonos Voice Control and the wider Sonos ecosystem over Wi-Fi. Measured bass extension of 63Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass extension isn’t very good. Not stereo. Gets distorted if you turn up the bass. Discontinued.
Full Sonos Roam review and specifications →
| Released | Mar 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| App | Sonos S2 App |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 63Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 2.4” x 6.6” x 2.4” (62 x 168 x 60 mm) |
| Drivers | Dual full-range drivers + passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (via app, limited in Bluetooth mode) |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| Maximum SPL | 95dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant (choose one) plus Sonos Voice Control |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (429 g) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons