Different classes, so treat this as a step-up-or-not question rather than a head-to-head. The Google Home Max ranks #11 of 16 powered desktop speakers by sound quality at $399; the Sonos Roam 2 ranks #74 of 142 medium speakers by sound quality at $179.
The case for the Google Home Max: The most capable driver set of Google’s own smart speakers, with two 4.5-inch high-excursion woofers and two 0.7-inch tweeters across six Class-D amplifiers. The tradeoff: Discontinued by Google since 2020, so it can no longer be bought new; used and refurbished stock is what remains, and RTINGS calls its soundstage mediocre despite the driver count.
The case for the Sonos Roam 2: Very neutral. The tradeoff: Exact same sound quality as the original Roam.
Buy the Google Home Max at $399 if you want a powered desktop speaker. Buy the Sonos Roam 2 at $179 if you want a medium speaker instead.
If water resistance matters to you, the Sonos Roam 2 at IPX5 (water jets) holds up far better than the Google Home Max at no water resistance.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings and Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Google Home Max | Sonos Roam 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399 each Discontinued | $179.00 |
| Ranked | #11 of 16 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #74 of 142 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Battery Life | No Battery | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None | IPX5 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room, Chromecast built-in) | - |
| Power Input | AC power cord | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Weight | 11.7 lbs (5.3 kg) | 0.9 lbs (429 g) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes (2.4GHz/5GHz) | Yes |
| App | Yes (Google Home) | Sonos S2 App |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (6 far-field mics for Smart Sound room correction) | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (Media EQ + Room EQ, automatic via Smart Sound) | Yes (via app, limited in Bluetooth mode) |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| TWS | Yes (Wi-Fi stereo pairing via Google Home app) | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 4.5in high-excursion woofers, 2x 0.7in tweeters | 1x ~45mm racetrack mid-woofer + 1x tweeter + 2x passive radiators |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Inputs | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Aux, USB-C | - |
| XLR Input | No | - |
| RCA Input | No | - |
| TRS Input | Yes (3.5mm) | - |
| Optical Input | No | - |
| Coaxial Input | No | - |
| USB Input | Yes | - |
| HDMI Input | No | - |
| AES Input | No | - |
| Amplifier Power | 6x Class-D amplifiers | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 4.2 | - |
| Dimensions | 7.5" x 13.2" x 6.1" (190 x 336 x 154 mm) (H x W x D) | 2.4" x 6.6" x 2.4" (62 x 168 x 60 mm) |
| Voice Assistants | Google Assistant | Amazon Alexa (Sonos Voice Control also built in) |
| Streaming Services | Chromecast built-in, Spotify Connect, Pandora, TuneIn, iHeartRadio | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 63Hz |
| Omnidirectional | - | No |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.2 |
| Maximum SPL | - | 95dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Digital Aux Input | - | No |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 22, 2026 at 5:11 AM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Google Home Max: $399 each Discontinued eBay
Pros: The most capable driver set of Google’s own smart speakers, with two 4.5-inch high-excursion woofers and two 0.7-inch tweeters across six Class-D amplifiers. Its Smart Sound feature uses six built-in microphones to measure the room and adjust the equalizer automatically. Owner reviews on Walmart consistently single out its bass depth and clarity, with one directly comparing it favorably to the Amazon Echo Studio and Apple HomePod. Two units can be wirelessly stereo-paired for left/right separation, and it can be grouped with other Google/Nest speakers for multi-room audio.
Cons: Discontinued by Google since 2020, so it can no longer be bought new; used and refurbished stock is what remains, and RTINGS calls its soundstage mediocre despite the driver count. It never gained Apple Music or Tidal support over Wi-Fi. At launch, voice commands could fail to register over loud music, and Bluetooth tops out at version 4.2 with no aptX. At 5.3kg it is heavy and needs real shelf space, and $399 was expensive even in 2017 next to the far cheaper Nest Audio. Discontinued.
Full Google Home Max review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 6x Class-D amplifiers |
| App | Yes (Google Home) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 4.2 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (6 far-field mics for Smart Sound room correction) |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.5" x 13.2" x 6.1" (190 x 336 x 154 mm) (H x W x D) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 4.5in high-excursion woofers, 2x 0.7in tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (Media EQ + Room EQ, automatic via Smart Sound) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Inputs | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Aux, USB-C |
| Optical Input | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room, Chromecast built-in) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC power cord |
| RCA Input | No |
| Stereo | No |
| Streaming Services | Chromecast built-in, Spotify Connect, Pandora, TuneIn, iHeartRadio |
| TRS Input | Yes (3.5mm) |
| TWS | Yes (Wi-Fi stereo pairing via Google Home app) |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Voice Assistants | Google Assistant |
| Weight | 11.7 lbs (5.3 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes (2.4GHz/5GHz) |
| XLR Input | No |
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Sonos Roam 2: $179.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: Very neutral. Additional button for pairing instead of being shared with power button. Measured bass extension of 63Hz (-10dB).
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 |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| 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 |
| Maximum SPL | 95dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa (Sonos Voice Control also built in) |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (429 g) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons