Short answer: the JBL Pulse 5. It ranks #47 of 177 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 3.7/5) at $224.99 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 Pulse 5 is the better-sounding, tougher choice. A waterproof party speaker with a built in light show, app EQ and linking with up to 100 other JBL speakers. It is rated IP67 against IPX5 for the Sonos Roam. The catch: Bass does not reach as deep as others, and the plastic scratches easily.
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 much less than the JBL Pulse 5 at 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg). It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the JBL Pulse 5 lacks. The tradeoff: Bass extension isn’t very good.
Buy the JBL Pulse 5. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the Sonos Roam is discontinued.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
A waterproof party speaker with a built in light show, app EQ and linking with up to 100 other JBL speakers.
A small, waterproof Wi-Fi and Bluetooth speaker with wireless charging, voice control and Sonos multiroom support.
Prices on this page were last checked October 31, 2026 at 7:11 PM 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Pulse 5 | Sonos Roam | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $224.99 | $169.99 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #47 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #95 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Sonos S2 App |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~58Hz | 63Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes | Yes (via app, limited in Bluetooth mode) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX5 |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | No |
| Weight | 3.3 lbs (1500 g) | 0.9 lbs (429 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 4.2” x 8.4” x 5.2” (107 x 214 x 131 mm) | 2.4” x 6.6” x 2.4” (62 x 168 x 60 mm) |
| Drivers | 64mm woofer, 16mm tweeter | Dual full-range drivers + passive radiators |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Amplifier Power | 40W | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Strap | No | No |
| Maximum SPL | - | 95dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Wi-Fi | - | Yes |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
| Voice Assistants | - | Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant (choose one) plus Sonos Voice Control |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JBL Pulse 5 compares with other leading options: