Short answer: the Bose Soundlink Mini 2 for better sound quality, the Sonos Roam 2 for the lower price. The Bose Soundlink Mini 2 ranks #55 of 136 medium speakers at $184. The Sonos Roam 2 ranks #71 at $177, $7 cheaper.
What the Bose Soundlink Mini 2 offers: Compact aluminum build feels sturdy and dense. Set against that: Boosted upper bass like most Bose speakers.
The case for the Sonos Roam 2: Very neutral. Additional button for pairing instead of being shared with power button. The catch: Exact same sound quality as the original Roam.
One note: the Bose Soundlink Mini 2 is discontinued, but it still ranks #55 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality, ahead of most of what is still sold new, so it is worth considering used.
Buy the Bose Soundlink Mini 2 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Sonos Roam 2 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If water resistance matters to you, the Sonos Roam 2 at IPX5 (water jets) holds up far better than the Bose Soundlink Mini 2 at no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose Soundlink Mini 2 | Sonos Roam 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $184.00 Discontinued | $177.00 |
| Ranked | #55 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #71 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~58Hz | 63Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None | IPX5 |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 680 g | 0.9 lbs / 429 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.2 |
| Drivers | 2x 33mm fullrange | 1x ~45mm racetrack mid-woofer + 1x tweeter + 2x passive radiators |
| Dimensions | 7.1" x 2" x 2.3" (180 x 51 x 58 mm) | 2.4" x 6.6" x 2.4" (62 x 168 x 60 mm) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Power Input | Proprietary connector | - |
| App | Yes (Bose Connect) | Sonos S2 App |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Wifi | - | Yes |
| EQ | - | Yes (via app, limited in Bluetooth mode) |
| Max Volume | - | 95dB |
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- Bose Soundlink Mini vs Bose Soundlink Revolve
- Sonos Roam vs Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs Sonos Roam
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs DBSONO X-Blast F37
The Two Speakers In Full
Bose Soundlink Mini 2: $184.00 Discontinued Amazon
Pros: Compact aluminum build feels sturdy and dense. ~10 hour battery life; can pair to two devices at once and remembers up to 8.
Cons: Boosted upper bass like most Bose speakers. Upper treble rolled off. Bass is 2db less boosted than the Mini. Bass doesn’t go as deep as others. Failures of the mainboard are common. Discontinued.
Full Bose Soundlink Mini 2 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Bose Connect) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~58Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.1" x 2" x 2.3" (180 x 51 x 58 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 33mm fullrange |
| IP Rating | None |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Input | Proprietary connector |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 680 g |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross: Hall of Fame classic vs latest Bose tech! More from alanrossreviews →
- Patricio Benadon: Bose SoundLink Flex vs. Mini 2 SE. Music audio quality sound test. Listen 4 different genres!
- techkiste.net: Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs the world ;) (Denon Envaya DSB250, Vifa Reykjavik, iRoar Go)
- Reddit Search for Bose Soundlink Mini 2 Review
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Sonos Roam 2: $177.00 Amazon
Pros: Very neutral. Additional button for pairing instead of being shared with power button
Cons: Exact same sound quality as the original Roam. Bass extension isn’t very good. Not stereo. Gets distorted as you turn up the bass.
Full Sonos Roam 2 review and specifications →
| App | Sonos S2 App |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 63Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 2.4" x 6.6" x 2.4" (62 x 168 x 60 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x ~45mm racetrack mid-woofer + 1x tweeter + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (via app, limited in Bluetooth mode) |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| Max Volume | 95dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Stereo | No |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs / 429 g |
| Wifi | Yes |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons