Different classes, so treat this as a step-up-or-not question rather than a head-to-head. The Google Home Speaker ranks #13 of 15 powered desktop speakers by sound quality at $99.99; the Sonos Roam 2 ranks #93 of 178 medium speakers by sound quality at $178.
What the Google Home Speaker does well: A compact Gemini smart speaker that doubles as a smart home hub with a Thread border router and Matter support. The catch: This is Google’s current speaker, and reviewers agree it is a downgrade in sound from the discontinued Google Nest Audio it replaces: SoundGuys measured its acoustic hardware directly against the Google Nest Audio and found a single 58mm full-range driver against the Google Nest Audio’s 75mm woofer plus dedicated 19mm tweeter, calling it ‘half the audio hardware for the same sticker price.’
The Sonos Roam 2 is the battery-powered, tougher option. A small Wi-Fi and Bluetooth speaker with water resistance, Alexa built in and Sonos multiroom support. Its battery is rated for 10 hours, while the Google Home Speaker needs an outlet. It is rated IPX5, while the Google Home Speaker has no water resistance. It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the Google Home Speaker lacks. Watch for: Exact same sound quality as the original Sonos Roam.
Buy the Google Home Speaker at $99.99 for a powered desktop speaker, or the Sonos Roam 2 at $178 for a medium speaker instead.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings and Portable Bluetooth rankings.
A compact Gemini smart speaker that doubles as a smart home hub with a Thread border router and Matter support.
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
| Google Home Speaker | Sonos Roam 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99.99 each | $178.00 |
| Ranked | #13 of 15 in Small Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #93 of 178 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | No | 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 | USB-C (30W adapter, power only, no USB Audio) | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (396 g) | 0.9 lbs (429 g) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes (Wi-Fi 6, dual-band) | Yes |
| App | Yes (Google Home) | Sonos S2 App |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (3 far-field mics, hardware mute switch) | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (Bass/Treble, via Google Home app) | Yes (via app, limited in Bluetooth mode) |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| TWS | No (two units pair only through a Google TV Streamer, not with each other directly) | Yes |
| Drivers | 58mm full-range driver | 1x ~45mm racetrack mid-woofer + 1x tweeter + 2x passive radiators |
| Inputs | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Chromecast | - |
| XLR Input | No | - |
| RCA Input | No | - |
| TRS Input | No | - |
| Optical Input | No | - |
| Coaxial Input | No | - |
| USB Input | No | - |
| HDMI Input | No | - |
| AES Input | No | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.2 |
| Dimensions | 3.4” x 4.2” x 4.2” (86.6 x 107 x 107 mm) (H x diameter) | 2.4” x 6.6” x 2.4” (62 x 168 x 60 mm) |
| Voice Assistants | Google Assistant / Gemini for Home | Amazon Alexa (Sonos Voice Control also built in) |
| Streaming Services | Chromecast built-in, Spotify Connect | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 63Hz |
| Omnidirectional | - | No |
| Maximum SPL | - | 95dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Digital Aux Input | - | No |
| Strap | - | No |
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