Short answer: the Sonos Roam 2, if you are buying new. The Sonos Roam ranks higher than the Marshall Emberton III (#95 vs #125 of 177 medium speakers) but is discontinued; its replacement, the Sonos Roam 2, is rated 3.2/5 at $179 and is still sold new.
The Marshall Emberton III is the longer-running, tougher pick. A tough waterproof speaker with Marshall styling and a very long battery, plus quick charging. It is rated for 32 hours of battery against 10 for the Sonos Roam. It is rated IP67 against IPX5 for the Sonos Roam. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the Sonos Roam. The tradeoff: Strange unnatural echo-like sound coloration, bass not as deep as competitors.
The Sonos Roam is the better-sounding, lighter option. 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 Marshall Emberton III at 1.5 lbs (673 g). It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the Marshall Emberton III lacks. The catch: Bass extension isn’t very good.
Buy the Sonos Roam 2, the replacement for the discontinued Sonos Roam; it is rated higher for sound quality than the Marshall Emberton III.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
A tough waterproof speaker with Marshall styling and a very long battery, plus quick charging.
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
| Marshall Emberton III | Sonos Roam | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $179.99 | $169.99 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #125 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) | 62Hz | 63Hz |
| Battery Life | 32 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Marshall Stack) | - |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs (673 g) | 0.9 lbs (429 g) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX5 |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 6.3” x 2.7” x 3” (160 x 68 x 76 mm) | 2.4” x 6.6” x 2.4” (62 x 168 x 60 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2” full-range cone drivers + 2x 2” passive radiators | Dual full-range drivers + passive radiators |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (3 presets via app) | Yes (via app, limited in Bluetooth mode) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | Yes | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Amplifier Power | 20W | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | No |
| Maximum SPL | - | 95dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Wi-Fi | - | Yes |
| Voice Assistants | - | Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant (choose one) plus Sonos Voice Control |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Sonos Roam: