Short answer: the JBL Flip 6. It ranks #13 of 177 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 4.2/5) at $79.95 and is still sold new; the Sonos Roam ranks #95 (rated 3.1/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The Sonos Roam’s replacement, the Sonos Roam 2, is rated 3.2/5 at $179.
The JBL Flip 6 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass pick. A small, rugged speaker with very neutral sound for its size, an excellent choice for most people. Its bass reaches about 56Hz before falling 10dB, against 63Hz for the Sonos Roam. Alan Ross Reviews measured it at 98dB at full volume, against 95dB for the Sonos Roam. It is rated IP67 against IPX5 for the Sonos Roam. The catch: Some slight upper mids emphasis.
The Sonos Roam is the lighter choice. A small, waterproof Wi-Fi and Bluetooth speaker with wireless charging, voice control and Sonos multiroom support. At 0.9 lbs (429 g) it weighs noticeably less than the JBL Flip 6 at 1.2 lbs (544 g). Watch for: Bass extension isn’t very good.
Buy the JBL Flip 6. It is rated higher for sound quality; the Sonos Roam is no longer sold new.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
A small, rugged speaker with very neutral sound for its size, an excellent choice for most people.
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
| JBL Flip 6 | Sonos Roam | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $79.95 | $169.99 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #13 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #95 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Sonos S2 App |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz | 63Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) | Yes (via app, limited in Bluetooth mode) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX5 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 116ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 98dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 95dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (544 g) | 0.9 lbs (429 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 6.9” x 2.7” x 2.8” (176 x 68 x 72 mm) | 2.4” x 6.6” x 2.4” (62 x 168 x 60 mm) |
| Drivers | 44mm x 80mm woofer, 16mm tweeter | Dual full-range drivers + passive radiators |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Amplifier Power | 30W | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) | No |
| Wi-Fi | - | Yes |
| Voice Assistants | - | Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant (choose one) plus Sonos Voice Control |
Watch Them Compared
Videos and reviews that test both speakers side by side.
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