Sonos Roam vs Sonos Roam SL – Check Which One Is Best & Why?

Why Do I Recommend The Sonos Roam? 

• The Sonos Roam offers built-in microphones for voice assistant support, enabling hands-free control with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, unlike the Sonos Roam SL which lacks this feature.
• The Sonos Roam features Automatic Trueplay™, which uses built-in microphones to automatically optimize sound based on its environment, providing superior audio performance compared to the Roam SL, which requires manual tuning.
• The Sonos Roam includes a microphone mute button, giving users control over their privacy while still retaining voice assistant functionality, a feature missing on the Roam SL.
• The Sonos Roam offers faster control options with voice command integration, making it more convenient for hands-free use compared to the Roam SL, which only supports app-based control.
• The Sonos Roam supports audio notifications for voice assistants, enhancing user awareness of battery levels, pairing status, and connectivity issues, a feature unavailable in the Roam SL.
• The Sonos Roam offers better sound tuning flexibility with both Automatic Trueplay™ and Manual Trueplay™ options, ensuring optimal audio in any setting, while the Roam SL relies only on manual tuning.
• The Sonos Roam has a slightly more robust build with added components for its voice control functionality, resulting in improved internal design, while the Roam SL is simplified for cost efficiency.
• The Sonos Roam provides more versatile control methods, supporting both voice commands and physical controls for convenience, while the Roam SL limits users to app-only controls.

Maybe the Sonos Roam SL price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the Sonos Roam. But you have to compromise all the above-mentioned features. Now the Decision is Yours. I hope it was helpful to choose the right one.

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What Common Both Can Do?

• Design & Build: Both speakers feature an identical triangular design with a durable, shock-resistant build, ensuring they are portable, rugged, and ideal for both indoor and outdoor use.
• Dimensions & Weight: Each model has compact dimensions of 6.61 x 2.44 x 2.36 inches, making them equally easy to carry. The weight difference is minimal, with the Roam at 0.95 lbs and the Roam SL at 0.93 lbs.
• Battery Life: Both speakers provide up to 10 hours of continuous playback on a full charge, ensuring ample battery performance for day trips, outdoor activities, or casual indoor listening.
• Waterproof & Durability: Both models boast an IP67 rating, making them fully dustproof and capable of surviving submersion in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes — ideal for poolside lounging, beach outings, or rugged outdoor conditions.
• Connectivity: Both devices offer Wi-Fi 5 for high-quality streaming and seamless integration into the Sonos ecosystem, as well as Bluetooth 5.0 for reliable wireless connections during outdoor use or travel.
• Charging Options: Each speaker supports USB-C charging for fast power-ups and Qi wireless charging for added convenience, enabling simple placement on wireless charging pads.
• Sound Quality: Both the Sonos Roam and Roam SL deliver rich bass, clear vocals, and crisp highs, ensuring an immersive listening experience for various audio genres. While the Roam has Automatic Trueplay™, the Roam SL still allows for Manual Trueplay™ tuning through the Sonos app to optimize audio performance.
• Multi-room Audio Support: Both speakers integrate seamlessly into the Sonos ecosystem, allowing users to sync them with other Sonos devices for a whole-home audio experience.
• Stereo Pairing: Each model supports stereo pairing with an identical speaker — Roam pairs with another Roam, and Roam SL pairs with another Roam SL — to create a richer, more immersive stereo sound experience.
• Voice Notifications: While the Roam SL lacks voice assistant functionality, both models provide helpful audio cues for key functions such as power status, battery alerts, and Bluetooth pairing.