The Roam 2 is designed for those who want seamless integration with their smart home, featuring Wi-Fi connectivity, multi-room audio, and voice assistant support. It’s lightweight, compact, and fits naturally into the Sonos ecosystem. The Bose SoundLink Flex, on the other hand, is all about durability and powerful sound. It delivers rich bass, uses PositionIQ technology to optimize sound based on its placement, and feels rugged enough to handle outdoor adventures. While both have IP67 water and dust resistance, making them reliable for various environments, they excel in different ways. The Roam 2 is more of a smart speaker that can travel, while the SoundLink Flex is a tough, bass-heavy portable speaker made for the outdoors.
Specs Comparison
At just under a pound, the Sonos Roam 2 is easy to carry, and its triangular shape makes it comfortable to hold or place on different surfaces. It measures around 6.6 inches in length, making it small enough to slip into a bag without taking up much space. It runs on both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.2, which makes it stand out from many other portable speakers. The ability to connect to the Sonos ecosystem means you can sync it with other Sonos speakers at home, and it supports voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant. The sound is powered by a tweeter and a mid-woofer, backed by two Class-H digital amplifiers. While the battery life maxes out at around 10 hours, its automatic Trueplay tuning adjusts the sound based on its surroundings, making it feel more refined in different environments.
The Bose SoundLink Flex is slightly bigger and heavier at 1.3 pounds and nearly 8 inches in length. It has a more rugged feel with its silicone-coated body and metal grille, making it feel more durable in hand. Unlike the Roam 2, it relies solely on Bluetooth 5.1, so it lacks Wi-Fi connectivity or smart features like voice assistant support. However, the trade-off is its strong and immersive sound, driven by a custom transducer and dual passive radiators. Bose’s PositionIQ technology detects how the speaker is placed—whether upright, hanging, or laid flat—and adjusts the sound accordingly. It delivers a deeper and fuller bass response than the Roam 2, and with up to 12 hours of battery life, it lasts longer on a single charge. It doesn’t have multi-room audio, but for a speaker focused purely on sound and portability, it delivers on its promise.
Table Comparison
| Specification | Sonos Roam 2 | Bose SoundLink Flex |
| Dimensions | 6.61 x 2.44 x 2.36 inches (168 x 62 x 60 mm) | 7.93 x 3.56 x 2.06 inches (201 x 90 x 52 mm) |
| Weight | 0.95 lbs (0.43 kg) | 1.3 lbs (0.6 kg) |
| Battery Life | Up to 10 hours | Up to 12 hours |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.1 |
| Audio Components | One tweeter, one mid-woofer, two Class-H digital amplifiers | One full-range transducer, dual passive radiators |
| Voice Assistant Support | Yes (Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant) | No |
| Water and Dust Resistance | IP67 (dustproof and waterproof; can be submerged in 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes) | IP67 (dustproof and waterproof; can be submerged in water and is designed to float) |
| Special Features | Automatic Trueplay tuning, Apple AirPlay 2, Sound Swap | PositionIQ technology (optimizes sound based on orientation) |
| Colors Available | Black, White | Black, Stone Blue, White Smoke, Carmine Red |
| Charging | USB-C, Qi wireless charging | USB-C |
| App Support | Sonos app (iOS and Android) | Bose Connect app (iOS and Android) |
Sound Comparison
The Sonos Roam 2 delivers clean and well-balanced sound with a focus on mids and highs. When I played Go Your Own Way by Fleetwood Mac, the vocals and guitars came through with impressive clarity. The sound felt natural and detailed, making it great for acoustic-heavy tracks and vocal performances. However, when the drums and bass kicked in, I noticed that the low-end didn’t have the same punch I expected. The bass was present but not deep or powerful, which became more apparent in songs with heavy bass lines. That said, the automatic Trueplay tuning helped optimize the sound depending on where I placed the speaker, making it sound more refined in different environments.
Switching to the Bose SoundLink Flex, the difference in bass response was immediately noticeable. When I played Blinding Lights by The Weeknd, the bass felt deeper and fuller, filling the space with more energy. The overall sound felt warmer and more immersive compared to the Roam 2. The PositionIQ technology seemed to make a difference, as the speaker maintained consistent sound quality whether it was lying flat or propped up. The mids and highs were still clear, though the extra emphasis on bass made some details in the midrange feel slightly less pronounced compared to the Roam 2. However, for genres like pop, hip-hop, and EDM, the added bass made the SoundLink Flex more enjoyable.
To test both speakers with something more cinematic, I played Time by Hans Zimmer. The Roam 2 delivered excellent clarity, making the soft piano notes feel crisp and precise. But as the song built up with deep, swelling bass, the SoundLink Flex handled it better. The lower frequencies had more depth, making the song feel more powerful and immersive. While the Roam 2’s tuning felt more balanced, the SoundLink Flex delivered a more impactful low-end experience.
Design Comparison
The Sonos Roam 2 has a sleek, minimalist design that feels modern and refined. The matte finish gives it a premium touch, and it’s compact enough to fit comfortably in one hand. Its slightly triangular shape means it can sit either vertically or horizontally, making it flexible for different placements. The buttons on top are easy to press, and the IP67 rating makes it resistant to dust and water, so I didn’t worry about using it outdoors. It feels durable but leans more toward an elegant design that fits seamlessly into a home setup.
The Bose SoundLink Flex feels more rugged and adventure-ready. The rubberized silicone exterior adds grip and durability, while the metal grille gives it a tough, industrial look. It also has a built-in loop, which is a nice touch for hanging it on a backpack or hook. The controls are raised and easy to use, even when wet. Like the Roam 2, it has an IP67 rating, so it can handle dust, splashes, and even submersion in water. If I were taking a speaker on a trip where it might get bumped around, the SoundLink Flex would feel like the safer choice.
The Verdict?
Personally, I would go with the Bose SoundLink Flex. I think that for a speaker meant to be portable, sound quality and durability matter most, and the SoundLink Flex delivers a richer and more immersive experience. The bass is deeper, the sound is warmer, and the PositionIQ technology helps maintain consistency no matter where I place it. With a longer 12-hour battery life, it also lasts longer on a single charge, making it a more practical option for extended use. While it doesn’t have Wi-Fi or smart assistant support, I didn’t find myself missing those features when all I wanted was great sound on the go.
That said, the Sonos Roam 2 is still a great choice for those who value smart functionality and ecosystem integration. If you already own other Sonos speakers and want something portable that fits seamlessly into your home setup, it makes a lot of sense. The sound is crisp and well-balanced, especially in the mids and highs, and its compact design makes it easy to carry. However, for pure listening enjoyment, I found the SoundLink Flex more satisfying. It delivers a more powerful, bass-driven experience, making it the better option for people who want a speaker that feels just as at home outdoors as it does inside.