Short answer: the Bose Soundlink Mini. It ranks #56 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $128.67; the Sonos Roam ranks #72 and costs $175, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the Bose Soundlink Mini: Compact aluminum build feels sturdy and dense. The catch: Boosted upper bass like most Bose speakers.
On the Sonos Roam side: Very neutral. IP67 rated at ~1 lb. Watch for: Bass extension isn’t very good.
One note: the Bose Soundlink Mini is discontinued, but it still ranks #56 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. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Sonos Roam and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If water resistance matters to you, the Sonos Roam at IPX5 (water jets) holds up far better than the Bose Soundlink Mini at no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose Soundlink Mini | Sonos Roam | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $128.67 Discontinued | $175.00 |
| Ranked | #56 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #72 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 |
| 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 |
| Drivers | 50mm full-range driver with passive radiators | Dual full-range drivers + passive radiators |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Max Volume | - | 95dB |
| Wifi | - | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.0 |
| EQ | - | Yes (via app, limited in Bluetooth mode) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- JBL Flip Essential vs Sonos Roam
- Bose Soundlink Mini vs Sonos Roam 2
The Two Speakers In Full
Bose Soundlink Mini: $128.67 Discontinued Amazon
Pros: Compact aluminum build feels sturdy and dense. Comes with a charging cradle.
Cons: Boosted upper bass like most Bose speakers. Upper treble rolled off. Bass doesn’t go as deep as others. Failures of the mainboard are common. Discontinued.
Full Bose Soundlink Mini review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Bose Connect) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~58Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| 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 | 50mm full-range driver with passive radiators |
| IP Rating | None |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Input | Proprietary connector |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 680 g |
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Sonos Roam: $175.00 Amazon
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.
Cons: Bass extension isn’t very good. Not stereo. Gets distorted if you turn up the bass.
Full Sonos Roam review and specifications →
| App | Sonos S2 App |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 63Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| 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 |
| 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