Sonos is one of the most revered brands in the smart speaker world, so it's fair to say we're pretty excited that a new affordable speaker has joined the ranks of the Sonos One SL.

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Revealed on Tuesday 9th March, the Sonos Roam is the brand's smallest and most affordable smart speaker to date.

With IP67-rated waterproofing, a 10-hour battery life and voice control via Google Assistant or Alexa, the Sonos Roam has a lot to offer. In fact, it has all the makings to be this year's perfect summer companion to join us for BBQs in the garden or out on an adventure for a picnic in the park.

This new portable speaker joins the likes of the original Sonos One, the brand's first portable speaker, the Sonos Move, and what was their affordable option in the Sonos One SL.

Available to buy now, here is everything you need to know about the new Sonos portable speaker, including price, sound quality and how it compares to other Sonos models.

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Head to our best smart speaker round-up for our pick of the top-notch speakers we've put to the test. Or, if you know you want Alexa, try our selection of the best Alexa speakers.

Sonos Roam release date

The Sonos Roam was revealed at a launch event on Tuesday 9th March, but was officially released on 20th April.

Buy the Sonos Roam for £159 at Sonos

How much does the Sonos Roam cost?

The Sonos Roam costs £159 and is available in two colours; black and white.

This makes the Sonos Roam the brand's cheapest speaker, taking that spot from the Sonos One SL, which is currently on sale for £179.

Where to buy the Sonos Roam

The Sonos Roam is available to purchase at a number of retailers, including:

Sonos Roam specs: what does the Sonos portable speaker look like?

Size

Sonos Roam vs Sonos Move

One of the first things you'll notice about the Sonos Roam is how small it is. It is smaller and thinner than any Sonos speaker, including its original portable speaker, the Sonos Move. It actually looks more akin to other Bluetooth speakers such as the Ultimate Ears Boom or Bose Soundlink Revolve II.

In measurements, it is just under 7-inches tall and just 2.5-inches wide. It can be laid on its side or vertically for a smaller footprint.

Battery life

To enable you to get the most out of its portability, it is waterproof with an IP67 rating and offers up to 10 hours of music from a full charge. This should mean you can be out in the garden for most of the day without any concerns about running out of juice.

When it comes to charging, it's supplied with a USB charging cable and works with a wireless charging dock. A Sonos Roam and Wireless Charger set is available for £203 or can be bought separately for £44.

Buy the Sonos Roam and Wireless Charger set for £203 at Sonos

Features

However, the smaller size and price tag doesn't seem to mean that Sonos is cutting down on its features. Just like the Sonos Move, the Sonos Roam also has built-in microphones to give you hands-free control via Google Assistant or Alexa.

These microphones will also be used for the Auto Trueplay function that will allow the speaker to automatically adjust the music to best fill the room it is situated in. It sounds simple, but it can make a big difference if you're trying to fill a big room and want to avoid any echo.

All Sonos speakers can also be connected to make a multi-room system so that they can play in sync and follow you around the house. They also work with both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

Overall, it sounds like Sonos is fitting a lot of its highly-praised smart features into a new, smaller package. This, combined with the more affordable price tag, makes for a very exciting new addition to the Sonos range.

Buy the Sonos Roam for £159 at Sonos

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Not sure if the Sonos Roam is for you? Read our Sonos Arc review to compare.

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