Short answer: the Sonos Roam 2. It ranks #94 of 177 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 3.2/5, at $179; the B&O Beosound Explore ranks #142, rated 2.5/5, and costs $294.99, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
The B&O Beosound Explore is the longer-running, tougher choice. A rugged waterproof speaker with an anodized aluminum design, a strap and carabiner, and a long real world battery. It is rated for 27 hours of battery against 10 for the Sonos Roam 2. It is rated IP67 against IPX5 for the Sonos Roam 2. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the Sonos Roam 2. Watch for: Huge lack of bass extension compared to competitors, overly hot ringing treble.
The Sonos Roam 2 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass option. A small Wi-Fi and Bluetooth speaker with water resistance, Alexa built in and Sonos multiroom support. Its bass reaches about 63Hz before falling 10dB, against 70Hz for the B&O Beosound Explore. At 0.9 lbs (429 g) it weighs noticeably less than the B&O Beosound Explore at 1.4 lbs (631 g). It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the B&O Beosound Explore lacks. The catch: Exact same sound quality as the original Sonos Roam.
Buy the Sonos Roam 2. It is rated higher for sound quality than the B&O Beosound Explore and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
A rugged waterproof speaker with an anodized aluminum design, a strap and carabiner, and a long real world battery.
A small Wi-Fi and Bluetooth speaker with water resistance, Alexa built in and Sonos multiroom support.
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Specifications Side By Side
| B&O Beosound Explore | Sonos Roam 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $294.99 | $179.00 |
| Ranked | #142 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #94 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~70Hz | 63Hz |
| Battery Life | 27 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX5 |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Weight | 1.4 lbs (631 g) | 0.9 lbs (429 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 5.2 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC |
| Dimensions | 3.2” x 4.9” x 3.2” (81 x 124 x 81 mm) | 2.4” x 6.6” x 2.4” (62 x 168 x 60 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 1.8” (46mm) full-range drivers | 1x ~45mm racetrack mid-woofer + 1x tweeter + 2x passive radiators |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Amplifier Power | 60W | - |
| Maximum SPL | 91dB (Manufacturer specified) | 95dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| App | Yes (Bang & Olufsen app) | Sonos S2 App |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) | Yes (via app, limited in Bluetooth mode) |
| Strap | Yes (carabiner) | No |
| Wi-Fi | - | Yes |
| Voice Assistants | - | Amazon Alexa (Sonos Voice Control also built in) |
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