Sonos Move vs Sonos Roam: Picking the Best Outdoor Speaker

The Sonos Roam and the Sonos Move are two portable wireless speakers featuring some of the latest audio technologies. Both options deliver quality sound, but which works best for outdoor use?

Use the following Sonos Roam vs Sonos Move comparison to decide which is the best outdoor speaker.

Sonos Roam and Sonos Move Overview

The Sonos Roam and Move speakers share many features. You can connect either speaker to devices using Bluetooth or WIFI to start streaming audio.

The speakers are sleek and cylindrical. The front includes the Sonos logo and a small indicator light. The top has basic control buttons, including play, pause, skip, and volume.

After establishing a WIFI or Bluetooth connection, you can also control the speaker from another device. A WIFI connection allows you to use the Sonos Control App to control the speaker and stream music.

Both speakers include a mono setup with a single tweeter and a woofer. However, you can pair two or more speakers of the same model to achieve stereo sound.

WiFi Connectivity

When connected to your home WiFi network, you can send audio from subscription services, such as Apple Music, Spotify, TIDAL, Rhapsody, and more. Sonos Roam and Move also support voice control functions using Amazon Alex or Google Assistant.

Bluetooth Connectivity

Unlike other Sonos speakers, both the Move and Roam speakers use Bluetooth for connecting to smartphones, tablets, and Bluetooth-enabled devices when you are away from home. After pairing the speaker to a phone or another device, you can stream audio directly to the speaker.

Rechargeable Battery

The Roam and Move speakers also include built-in rechargeable batteries for portable use. You can get up to 10 hours of use with the Sonos Roam and 11 hours of use with the Sonos Move.

Auto Trueplay

Both options also include Auto Trueplay. This feature automatically optimizes the equalizer (EQ) settings to improve the sound based on your current surroundings.

The speaker uses a built-in microphone to measure the frequency response of your environment. It then adjusts the settings to deliver better sound.

Sonos Roam Main Features

The Sonos Roam is designed as a convenient portable Bluetooth speaker. It is small enough to fit in a jacket pocket or a backpack, making it easy to carry anywhere.

The Roam measures 2-3/8 x 6-5/8 x 2-1/2 inches and weighs less than a pound.

The inside of the speaker includes two drivers. It has a dome tweeter for handling the high frequencies and a cone woofer for the midrange/bass frequencies. The drivers are powered by two class-H amplifiers.

The Roam has an IP67 waterproof rating, which is slightly higher than the rating for the Move. It is less likely to be damaged when exposed to water.

 

Pros

• The compact design is highly portable
• Sound quality is incredibly clear, best in this price range.
• It weighs less than a pound
• Includes an IP67 waterproof rating
• Now available in multiple colours

Cons

• Slightly shorter battery life compared to the Move
• The amplifiers are not as powerful compared to the Move.
• Not as much bass due to small size.

Sonos Move Main Features

The Sonos Move is a larger device compared to the Sonos Roam. It measures 6-5/16 x 9-1/2 x 5 inches and weighs 6.6 pounds. However, it has a built-in handle for carrying the Move around.

As with the Roam, the Move has two speaker drivers. The tweeter and the woofer are powered by two Class-D amplifiers that can carry sound further compared to the amplifiers in the Roam. This is useful if you want to listen to music outdoors with a group of friends or in a large open area.

Pros

• Delivers more power compared to the Roam
• More bass/ low end than then Roam
• Offers longer battery life

Cons

• Not as portable compared to the Sonos Roam
• Costs about twice the price of the Roam

Conclusion

The Sonos Roam and the Sonos Move are quality speakers that deliver rich sound and multiple connection options for streaming audio. Both speakers include many of the same features, including Auto Trueplay, WIFI connectivity, Bluetooth audio streaming, and Apple AirPlay 2 support.

The main difference between the two is the size. The Sonos Roam is small enough to fit in your pocket but sounds best when listening to music within a few feet of the device.

If you want the music to carry further, the Sonos Move is a great option. While it may not fit in your pocket, it is still small enough to carry to a campsite, park, or backyard.

In the end, the Sonos Roam is more portable while the Sonos Move is more powerful.

Have any questions about the Sonos Roam or Sonos Move? Please contact us and we will be happy to help!