These are not really the same size class, and that is the honest framing here. The Sonos Era 100 ranks #16 of 29 powered desktop speakers by sound quality at $217.99; the Sonos Roam ranks #94 of 178 medium speakers by sound quality at $169.99.
Why pick the Sonos Era 100: A compact Wi-Fi smart speaker with stereo from two angled tweeters, Trueplay room tuning, Alexa and Sonos multiroom. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the Sonos Roam. Watch for: RTINGS’ own two listed cons are not loud enough for larger rooms and very little low-bass thump, so genres like EDM and hip-hop lack rumble even with the tone adjustments.
The Sonos Roam is the battery-powered, tougher pick. 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 Sonos Era 100 needs an outlet. It is rated IPX5, while the Sonos Era 100 has no water resistance. It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the Sonos Era 100 lacks. The tradeoff: Bass extension isn’t very good.
One note: the Sonos Roam is no longer in production and isn’t widely stocked new anymore. The Sonos Roam’s replacement, the Sonos Roam 2, is still sold new.
Buy the Sonos Era 100 at $217.99 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 Wi-Fi smart speaker with stereo from two angled tweeters, Trueplay room tuning, Alexa and Sonos multiroom.
A small, waterproof Wi-Fi and Bluetooth speaker with wireless charging, voice control and Sonos multiroom support.
Prices on this page were last checked November 5, 2026 at 10:30 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.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Sonos Era 100 | Sonos Roam | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $217.99 each | $169.99 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #16 of 29 in Medium 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 (Sonos multi-room, AirPlay 2) | - |
| Power Input | External AC adapter | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Weight | 4.5 lbs (2.02 kg) | 0.9 lbs (429 g) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes (Wi-Fi 6) | Yes |
| App | Yes (Sonos S2) | Sonos S2 App |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (far-field, mic mute button) | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (Bass/Treble + Trueplay room correction) | Yes (via app, limited in Bluetooth mode) |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| TWS | Yes (stereo pairing via Sonos app) | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x angled tweeters, 1x mid-woofer | Dual full-range drivers + passive radiators |
| Inputs | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C (line-in adapter sold separately) | - |
| XLR Input | No | - |
| RCA Input | No | - |
| TRS Input | No | - |
| Optical Input | No | - |
| Coaxial Input | No | - |
| USB Input | Yes (line-in adapter sold separately) | - |
| HDMI Input | No | - |
| AES Input | No | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 7.2” x 4.7” x 5.1” (182.5 x 120 x 130.5 mm) | 2.4” x 6.6” x 2.4” (62 x 168 x 60 mm) |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa | Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant (choose one) plus Sonos Voice Control |
| Streaming Services | Sonos app streaming (Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music and more), AirPlay 2 | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 63Hz |
| Maximum SPL | - | 95dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | - | No |
| Digital Aux Input | - | No |
| Strap | - | No |
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