#Sonos roam Bluetooth

Unfortunately, this didn’t work with my iPhone 11, but after two failed attempts, the Sonos app provided a different solution: It caused the Roam to emit an audible chime, which was picked up by the iPhone’s mic, and the setup automatically completed, including the addition of the Roam to my Wi-Fi network. This should trigger the speaker’s NFC sensor to recognize your phone so it can complete the process. The next step is to tap the back of your phone against the back of the Roam. It’s a lot like the way Apple’s AirPods will prompt you when you open their charging case for the first time. Setup and configurationĮvery tech product should be this easy to configure.Īfter connecting the Roam to a power source using the included USB-C cable (or a wireless charger) and opening the Sonos S2 app, you are automatically prompted by the app to set up the speaker. Not that it matters - any Qi charging mat will do the job, and I found it very easy to just leave the Roam sitting on one when I wasn’t carting it around. Sonos sells a $50 custom Qi charger that is shaped to match the bottom of the Roam and can stay magnetically latched until you need it, but I didn’t get one to test. When you’re home, you’ll want to leave the Roam continuously plugged in to power so it’s always ready to play your tunes, but if you’re likely to move it about a lot, you’ll want to take advantage of its wireless charging feature.

#Sonos roam Bluetooth

Simon Cohen / Digital TrendsĪround the back, you’ll find the USB-C charging port and a tiny power button that is also used for Bluetooth pairing. A third light next to the microphone button lets you know when the mic is active - Sonos says this is hard-wired to the mic circuitry so when the light is off, you can be assured that no one is listening. Two tiny LED lights hidden behind the grille tell you the speaker’s status: One light that shows whether you’re in Wi-Fi or Bluetooth mode and one that indicates the battery’s charge level. It looks like it could end up getting badly dented, but behind that thin layer is a much more robust hexagonal lattice, which gives the grille an impressive amount of rigidity. The speaker grille, with its thousands of tiny perforations, smoothly integrates into the Roam’s body. From a distance of a few feet, they disappear completely. The physical controls are also very stealthy - a set of four buttons that are hidden behind a layer of rubber on the top panel, barely hinted at by their slightly raised icons. Sonos Roam (front) and Sonos Move Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

You can stand the Roam up vertically or lay it down horizontally using the four built-in rubber feet to keep it securely anchored to whatever surface you choose.Įither way, the Roam’s simple elegance lets it blend invisibly with almost any decor. The only thing missing is an integrated lanyard option for times when you need your hands free. Where the Move’s integrated carry handle always feels a little risky when you grab it, the Roam’s shape practically begs you to scoop it up and take it with you. Angle any of its three sides toward your palm, and your fingers naturally curl around the curved edges, along the other two sides. Its Toblerone-esque triangular shape isn’t just for looks it makes the Roam supremely grabbable. The Roam’s shape practically begs you to scoop it up and take it with you.ĭespite its diminutive size, the Roam’s minimalist design is pure Sonos, whether clad in matte black or matte white like our review unit. It’s not just the smallest Sonos speaker by a huge margin, at a hair over 6.5 inches tall, but it’s also a bit smaller and lighter than many of the Bluetooth speakers it will be competing with, like the $120 JBL Flip 5 and the $150 Marshall Emberton. The first thing that strikes you when you unbox the Sonos Roam is just how small it is. Inside the small, plainly printed cardboard box, you’ll find the Roam, a USB-C charging cable, a printed quick-start guide, and not a hint of plastic or foam. It even includes a handy label to help determine which parts can be recycled. Sonos has long been a leader in sustainably packaged products, but the Roam is its best effort yet. What’s in the box? Simon Cohen / Digital Trends Does this make the Roam a no-brainer purchase for Sonos fans? Let’s check it out.

It’s got all of the Move’s capabilities (and then some), but it’s a fraction of the Move’s size, weight, and price. Going from the patio to the park? That’s a different story.īut now we have the $169 Sonos Roam. Going from the living room to the patio? Grab the Move. In truth, as good as the Move is, it’s never going to be a grab-and-go speaker because it’s simply too big and too heavy.