Short answer: the Bose Soundlink Flex. It ranks #38 of 177 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 3.8/5) at $79.99 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 Bose Soundlink Flex is the better-sounding, deeper-bass choice. A small, rugged waterproof speaker that survives drops and floats, with a warm, bass forward sound for casual outdoor use. Its bass reaches about 56Hz before falling 10dB, against 63Hz for the Sonos Roam. It is rated IP67 against IPX5 for the Sonos Roam. Watch for: Warm sounding with overly boosted bass which drowns out midrange detail.
The Sonos Roam is the lighter pick. 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 Bose Soundlink Flex at 1.3 lbs (589 g). It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the Bose Soundlink Flex lacks. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Bose Soundlink Flex lacks. The catch: Bass extension isn’t very good.
Buy the Bose Soundlink Flex. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the Sonos Roam is discontinued.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
A small, rugged waterproof speaker that survives drops and floats, with a warm, bass forward sound for casual outdoor use.
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
| Bose Soundlink Flex | Sonos Roam | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $79.99 | $169.99 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #38 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #95 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Sonos S2 App |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz | 63Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | No | Yes (via app, limited in Bluetooth mode) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX5 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 33ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 96dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 95dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs (589 g) | 0.9 lbs (429 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 7.9” x 3.5” x 2” (201 x 90 x 52 mm) | 2.4” x 6.6” x 2.4” (62 x 168 x 60 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 60mm full-range driver + 2x passive radiators | Dual full-range drivers + passive radiators |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) | No |
| Wi-Fi | - | Yes |
| Voice Assistants | - | Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant (choose one) plus Sonos Voice Control |
Watch Them Compared
Videos and reviews that test both speakers side by side.
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