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Cheaper alternatives to the Sonos Roam 2

Three cheaper Bluetooth speakers with longer battery. None joins a Sonos system.

Updated November 13, 2026

Well under half the price
Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 speaker in blue

Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4

  • 14 hours
  • Floats in water

Catch: No app

About half the price

The original
Sonos Roam 2 portable speaker in black

Sonos Roam 2

Worth it if: You already own Sonos speakers

  • Works on Wi-Fi with Sonos
  • Meaty sound for its size

Not worth it if: You need all-day battery

Fairly priced

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What are you actually paying extra for with the Roam 2?

What the extra money buys

  • Works on Wi-Fi with Sonos
  • Meaty sound for its size
  • IP67 waterproof

Worth it if

  • You already own Sonos speakers
  • You want AirPlay at home

Not worth it if

  • You need all-day battery
  • It's only for Bluetooth outdoors

Good to know

Why each one made the list, and our final recommendation.

Beats Pill

What Hi-Fi? liked its clean, clear sound and rich bass, though it's less dynamic than the very best. TechRadar praised the detail and stamina but found no adjustable EQ and fiddly buttons. It suits travellers.

Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen)

Tom's Guide found deep, quality bass and a useful EQ, with a slightly narrow soundstage. T3 liked the rugged build and clean sound but found battery disappointing for a new model. It suits outdoor use more than the living room.

Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4

TechRadar found surprisingly rich, clear sound and solid battery in a tough body, and T3 liked the move to USB-C. Both say it's a small step from the Wonderboom 3. It suits someone who wants a cheap speaker to throw in a bag.

Final recommendation: For travel, the Beats Pill runs longest. The Bose SoundLink Flex 2 is tougher with deep bass, and the UE Wonderboom 4 is the bargain. Keep the Sonos Roam 2 if you already have Sonos at home and want it to join in.

Side by side

Specs from each maker. Price levels come from shop prices we checked recently; tap through for today's price.
Side by side
Model
Sonos Roam 2 portable speaker in black
OriginalSonos Roam 2
Beats Pill speakers in black, champagne and red
Longest batteryBeats Pill
Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) speaker in mint green
Deep bass, works any way upBose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen)
Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 speaker in blue
Well under half the priceUltimate Ears Wonderboom 4
Price levelAffordableBudgetAffordableBudget
Battery per charge (claimed)Up to 10 hoursUp to 24 hoursUp to 12 hours14 hours
Water and dust ratingIP67IP67IP67IP67
Weight0.44 kg680 gAbout 540 g420 g
PowerBatteryBatteryBatteryBattery
ShopCheck price on Amazon ↗Check price on Amazon ↗Check price on Amazon ↗Check price on Amazon ↗

Questions people ask

Can these Roam 2 alternatives join a Sonos system?

No. They're Bluetooth only. Only Sonos speakers group with the Roam 2 over Wi-Fi.

Which Roam 2 alternative has the longest battery?

The Beats Pill, at up to 24 hours by Beats' figure. The Roam 2 is rated for about 10.

Is the UE Wonderboom 4 waterproof?

Yes, it's rated IP67 like the Roam 2.

How we reached this

We compared the Sonos Roam 2 with the alternatives most often recommended by independent reviewers, then checked each against the makers' own specs and current prices.

We haven't tested these products ourselves. Our picks weigh independent expert reviews against each maker's published specs and the prices we checked. Opinions are ours; facts link to where they come from. How we choose.

Sources: Sonos: Roam 2, What Hi-Fi?: Sonos Roam 2 review, TechRadar: Sonos Roam 2 review, Beats: Beats Pill, What Hi-Fi?: Beats Pill review, TechRadar: Beats Pill review, Bose: SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen), Tom's Guide: Bose SoundLink Flex 2 review, T3: Bose SoundLink Flex 2 review, Ultimate Ears: Wonderboom 4, TechRadar: Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 review, T3: Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 review.