It’s no secret that portable Bluetooth speakers have taken the world by storm in recent years. With their tiny size, incredible sound quality, and portability, it’s hard to resist picking one up for your next outdoor adventure or party. In this review, we’ll compare two of the most popular options on the market today: Bose SoundLink Flex vs Sonos Roam. We’ll take a look at their features, pricing, and what makes them stand out from the competition. By the end of this review, you’ll be able to decide which speaker is right for you.
Table of Contents
Bose SoundLink Flex vs Sonos Roam Comparison Chart
Model | ||
Dimensions | 7.9 x 2.1 x 2.9 inches | 6.6 x 2.4 x 2.4 inches |
Weight | 1.3lbs | 0.95lbs |
IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
Connectivity | Bluetooth | WiFi Bluetooth |
Speakerphone | Yes | No |
Voice Assistant | Siri Google Assistant | WiFi only Alexa Google Assistant |
Companion App | Bose Connect | Sonos S2 |
Battery | 12 hours 4 hours of charging time | 10 hours 3 hours charging time |
Colors | Black, Stone Blue, White Smoke | Shadow Black, Lunar White |
Design
You can take these speakers with you anywhere since they are lightweight and compact. The Bose SoundLink Flex is a durable, water-resistant speaker that can withstand drops. Made of silicone rubber and steel to help with its durability in any situation.
The Sonos Roam is a well-built speaker that can withstand accidental impacts. It also has IP67 ratings for dust and water resistance, making it durable enough to use in all sorts of environments without worry about damage or destruction. even though it’s made mostly of plastic and silicone rubber.
The Bose SoundLink Flex takes up more space than the Sonos Roam and is slightly heavier. It measures 7.9 x 2.1 x 2.9 inches. while its competitor has a measurement is at 6.6 x 2.4 x 2.4 inches and weighs 0.95lbs. While it is true that these two devices have some differences but not much, so they are both portable.
The Bose SoundLink Flex is available in three different color options including black, stone blue, and white smoke, while the Sonos Roam only comes with two are shadow black and lunar white.
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Features
They both integrate voice assistant technology in their products. but The companies have very different ways.
The Bose SoundLink Flex is a great choice for those who want to save space and weight from their portable audio device. This speaker has an internal microphone, but its voice assistant requires you to have your phone with them at all times. It works well with either Google Assistant or Siri on any Android phone as well as iPhones. With a speakerphone function, it offers one more feature that is not available on Sonos Roam.
The voice assistant on the Sonos Roam is built-in, meaning that you don’t need a smartphone in order to activate it. It has both voice activation and microphone mute functions which make using this product easier than ever before. It means you need a wifi connection to make it work.
The two speakers come with their own companion apps—the Bose Connect and Sonos S2. This means that you can easily control your home audio system via an app on any device, including smartphones or tablets.
The best thing about these apps is that they work on both Android and iOS devices. This means you can connect your speaker with other devices from other brands without any problem at all. But only the Sonos S2 has some form of equalization.
With its exclusive audio technologies, the Bose SoundLink Flex can detect where it is in relation to nearby objects and adjust the sound accordingly. With its Trueplay room correction feature, the Sonos Roam is able to optimize sound according to where it is located.
Bose’s PositionIQ Technology is a great option if you want the best sound from your phone or tablet that is running on Android or iOS, whereas Sonos Trueplay does not work with the android platform.
Performance
The sound quality is actually pretty good for what you would expect from a small speaker. They can’t produce bookshelf-quality sounds, but if your goal is a portable sounding system, they do the best work for your needs.
They have an even sound profile that produces clear mids. The highs are understated but you can still hear details in tracks where there’s a lot going on up top, like guitars or vocals for instance.
The Sonos Roam has an advantage in the low end because its app comes with equalization. You can also tweak bass and treble to get your desired sound. There’s no EQ option with the Bose SoundLink Flex app, so your music will come out sounding very dry.
The Bose SoundLink Flex has the advantage when it comes to battery life, as this speaker can last up to 12 hours. In comparison with Sonos Roam’s 10-hour runtime on a single charge. The Bose SoundLink Flex is a more powerful Bluetooth speaker, so it’ll take 4 hours to fully charge whereas the Sonos Roam only needs 3.
FAQs - Bose SoundLink Flex vs Sonos Roam (2023)
Is the Bose SoundLink Flex case worth getting?
The Bose SoundLink Flex has a tough exterior that can withstand the elements, so it really is your choice if you want an extra layer of protection for when things get wet or snowy. That’s why there’s no need for any case.
Is the Sonos Roam good for the outdoors?
The durable construction makes it suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.
Is the Sonos Roam sand proof?
Yes, the IP67 rating means it can withstand dust and water.
How many watts is Bose SoundLink Flex?
The 17-watt power rating means this product can be used in small areas without any problem.
Verdict
The Bose SoundLink Flex offers better value if you’re looking for a portable Bluetooth speaker. It has more features and lasts longer on the battery than its competitor, so we recommend this product. The Sonos Roam is a smart speaker with voice assistant and EQ settings that can be accessed through its app, but we don’t think these features make it worth paying more.
