Short answer: the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen. It ranks #19 of 177 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 4.1/5) at $399 and is still sold new; the Sonos Roam ranks #95 (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. A premium waterproof puck speaker with good sound, a long battery, and a battery you can swap, built to last. 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. A small, waterproof Wi-Fi and Bluetooth speaker with wireless charging, voice control and Sonos multiroom support. 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.
A premium waterproof puck speaker with good sound, a long battery, and a battery you can swap, built to last.
A small, waterproof Wi-Fi and Bluetooth speaker with wireless charging, voice control and Sonos multiroom support.
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Specifications Side By Side
| B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen | Sonos Roam | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.00 | $169.99 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #19 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #95 of 177 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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