Short answer: the Sonos Roam for better sound quality, the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom for the lower price. The Sonos Roam ranks #72 of 136 medium speakers at $175. The Ultimate Ears Wonderboom ranks #87 at $79, $96 cheaper.
On the Sonos Roam side: Very neutral. IP67 rated at ~1 lb. Watch for: Bass extension isn’t very good.
What the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom gets right: IP67 rated and floats. The tradeoff: Not stereo, barely any bass, recessed treble.
One note: the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom is discontinued, but it still ranks #87 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality, ahead of most of what is still sold new, so it is worth considering used.
Buy the Sonos Roam if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sonos Roam | Ultimate Ears Wonderboom | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $175.00 | $79 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #72 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #87 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 63Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Max Volume | 95dB | - |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Yes |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs / 429 g | 0.9 lbs / 425 g |
| Wifi | Yes | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | - |
| Dimensions | 2.4" x 6.6" x 2.4" (62 x 168 x 60 mm) | - |
| App | Sonos S2 App | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | - |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | No |
| EQ | Yes (via app, limited in Bluetooth mode) | No |
| Drivers | Dual full-range drivers + passive radiators | 2x 1.6" active drivers + 2x 1.8" x 2.6" passive radiators |
| IP Rating | IPX5 | IPX7 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Power Input | - | Micro USB |
| TWS | - | Yes |
| Party Mode | - | No |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Sonos Roam: $175.00 Amazon
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.
Cons: Bass extension isn’t very good. Not stereo. Gets distorted if you turn up the bass.
Full Sonos Roam review and specifications →
| App | Sonos S2 App |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 63Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| 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 |
| Max Volume | 95dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Stereo | No |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs / 429 g |
| Wifi | Yes |
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Ultimate Ears Wonderboom: $79 Discontinued
Pros: IP67 rated and floats. Compact, light, and simple to use.
Cons: Not stereo, barely any bass, recessed treble. Dip at 9khz. Low mid bass distortion. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear. Discontinued.
Full Ultimate Ears Wonderboom review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 1.6" active drivers + 2x 1.8" x 2.6" passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs / 425 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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