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 ranks #94 of 178 medium speakers by sound quality at $169.99.
The case for the Google Home Speaker: 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 is the battery-powered, tougher choice. A small, waterproof Wi-Fi and Bluetooth speaker with wireless charging, voice control 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: Bass extension isn’t very good.
Worth knowing: the Sonos Roam has been discontinued and is hard to find new at this point. The Sonos Roam’s replacement, the Sonos Roam 2, is still sold new.
Buy the Google Home Speaker at $99.99 for a powered desktop speaker, or the Sonos Roam at $169.99 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, waterproof Wi-Fi and Bluetooth speaker with wireless charging, voice control and Sonos multiroom support.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Google Home Speaker | Sonos Roam | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99.99 each | $169.99 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #13 of 15 in Small Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #94 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 | Dual full-range drivers + 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 | 5.0 |
| 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 or Google Assistant (choose one) plus Sonos Voice Control |
| Streaming Services | Chromecast built-in, Spotify Connect | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 63Hz |
| Maximum SPL | - | 95dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | - | No |
| Digital Aux Input | - | No |
| Strap | - | No |
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