Short answer: the JBL Grip, if you are buying new. The Sonos Roam measures as well as it (#83 vs #86 of 151 medium speakers, 3.1/5 vs 3.1/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the JBL Grip is still sold new at $99.95.
Buy the JBL Grip new; the Sonos Roam is no longer sold new, so it only makes sense as a used find.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sonos Roam | JBL Grip | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $179.99 Discontinued | $99.95 |
| Ranked | #83 of 151 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #86 of 151 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 63Hz | ~68Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 14 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 95dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (429 g) | 0.8 lbs (385 g) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.4 |
| Dimensions | 2.4” x 6.6” x 2.4” (62 x 168 x 60 mm) | 2.5” x 6” x 2.6” (64 x 152 x 65 mm) |
| App | Sonos S2 App | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | - |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant (choose one) plus Sonos Voice Control | - |
| EQ | Yes (via app, limited in Bluetooth mode) | Yes (7 band) |
| Drivers | Dual full-range drivers + passive radiators | 1x 43x80mm fullrange |
| IP Rating | IPX5 | IP68 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Strap | No | Yes (strap) |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (Auracast) |
| Frequency Response | - | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | - | 16W |
| Lights | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Sonos Roam compares with other leading options:
- Earfun Uboom L vs Sonos Roam
- Soundcore Motion 300 vs Sonos Roam
- Minirig 4 vs Sonos Roam
- B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen vs Sonos Roam
- JBL Charge 6 vs Sonos Roam
Prices on this page were last checked October 2, 2026 at 10:18 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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The Two Speakers In Full
Sonos Roam: $179.99 Discontinued Amazon eBay
Newer model: the Sonos Roam 2, ranked higher, rated 3.2/5.
Pros: Very neutral. IP67 rated at ~1 lb. Wireless (Qi) charging: rare for a portable speaker. Works with Alexa/Sonos Voice Control and the wider Sonos ecosystem over Wi-Fi. Measured bass extension of 63Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass extension isn’t very good. Not stereo. Gets distorted if you turn up the bass. Discontinued.
Full Sonos Roam review and specifications →
| App | Sonos S2 App |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 63Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 2.4” x 6.6” x 2.4” (62 x 168 x 60 mm) |
| Drivers | Dual full-range drivers + passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (via app, limited in Bluetooth mode) |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| Maximum SPL | 95dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant (choose one) plus Sonos Voice Control |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (429 g) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL Grip: $99.95 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: Ambient light on the back with settable themes. Measured bass extension of ~68Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Lacking deeper bass, definitely the worst of the JBL line until you get to the smaller clip. Not as much clarity as higher ranked speakers, rolled off highs and wavy midrange
Setup: EQ from Oluv in his post can help it a bit but still isn’t very neutral
Full JBL Grip review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 16W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~68Hz |
| Battery Life | 14 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 2.5” x 6” x 2.6” (64 x 152 x 65 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 43x80mm fullrange |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP68 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (385 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons