Customer Ratings & Reviews

Too cumbersome to pair as a set of speakers via Sonos app.

Love the flexibility. It’s a great Bluetooth speaker but the ability and flexibility to tie it into an existing Sonos system is great. Hanging a party - take it on the patio. Working in the garage - no problem.

Did not connect to App returned it to BestBuy. Wasted 2 full days in attempt to make it work

The device was difficult to Pair with my home Sonos system the battery life is less than an hour. Not super happy with this one

Impossible to pair the speaker. I may be a millenial but ive connected plently of blluetooth and wifi devices in my time and after 15 minutes it frustration i looked up the issue and apparently im not the only one. Cant review any other aspect of the speaker bc it it currently completely useless. Sonos i expect better.

INITIAL SET-UP I found the initial set-up of the Roam a bit frustrating. Following the directions to the letter, I could not get the product to pair with any of my Android phones or iPads. The same applies to the included wireless charging base. The base wouldn’t charge the speaker no matter what I tried. I found it undeniably frustrating. All I wanted to try was the Bluetooth streaming quality. How could it not connect to anything I own? That’s when I figured out that you must first add it to your Sonos system and get it activated prior to using, regardless of the protocol. While the instructions did not mention the need to set-up with the Sonos app, you must go in and set it up via app. After set-up, I found I could easily connect to the Roam SL whether it was via Bluetooth or its built-in Wi-Fi, even if I didn’t have the Sonos app installed on the device I was trying to use. A clearer explanation would be much appreciated. Same with the included wireless charger. It will not function without prior set-up via the app. A charger. USE I like that the Roam can be incorporated into your Sonos environment just like any of their other products. The Roam can easily be used as an additional speaker, perfectly in time with any other Sonos speakers and/or soundbars. The whole Sonos ecosystem is wonderfully easy to set-up and use. A user can link their existing music services to Sonos’ app or choose to pay for the Sonos music service. Either way, music selection and playback are intuitive, simple to use, and reliable. I have never had a single instance of the app locking up or failing to select music from any streaming service I linked to it. Sonos needs to be commended for a thoughtful, well-designed app. The Roam is very versatile for a mini speaker. It includes the ability to connect to it via Bluetooth, as I’m sure most do and are used to, as well as via Wi-Fi. The ability to connect to the product in 2 different ways is a game changer in a small, portable speaker. Ultimately, I don’t really find the need for Wi-Fi, but it is a nice addition and helps to future proof the little speaker. Should you not like the mono audio of the Roam or need more room filling sound, you can easily pair it with a 2nd Roam speaker for a true stereo pair. The stereo performance is a much more pleasant and enjoyable experience, making the diminutive speaker feel much larger and power than it really is. The Sonos acoustics are well thought out. SOUND QUALITY The Roam is quite capable despite its small size. While not much bigger than a can of V-8, the Roam sports a dedicated mid bass driver and tweeter, each being driven by its own class H digital amplifier. The Roam will play quite loud and for the most part, distortion free. I did notice it getting a little thin at the very upper part of its volume limits, but comparatively speaking, the Roam was able to play louder and cleaner than many of its competitors in its weight class. NEGATIVES The first and already most obvious negative, at least for me, is the overly complicated initial set-up process. I don’t like that you are required connect to the Sonos app just to get the speaker going for Bluetooth operation. This eliminates the ability to pick up the speaker on the way to a party, pool, or beach and bring your tunes with you. Nope, you must spend about 20 minutes to get it set-up and updated just to stream music to it via Bluetooth. Second is the awkward choice to eliminate the microphone and voice capabilities of the speaker. While it does save the consumer $20 over the Roam, those would be the best $20 spent on this speaker. The ability to stash your phone and just talk to the speaker via the Alexa or Google voice assistant is worth the extra $20 in my book. Not to mention, with the elimination of the microphone input, Sonos also had to eliminate their True Play tuning. The Sonos True Play tuning is much like the equivalent of acoustical magic. Using your iPad or iPhone, True Play can easily fine-tune your product’s audio output based on the listening environment. It is a super simple, fool-proof tool to help get the best audio from your Sonos product. I’ve used it with my Sonos Amp and speakers, as well as my Arc soundbar and found each time that the True Play tuning was game changing in terms of their products’ performance. The microphone input on the normal Roam allows for real-time True Play tuning. Without it, the Roam SL has awkwardly loud and powerful bass passages. It isn’t with every song or audio source, but in my mixed testing that included movies, music, and podcasts, I found the True Play tuning would most likely have made a noticeable benefit. Those awkwardly loud, random, and unpleasant changes really detracted from an overall good product. I would be listening to a movie at a pleasant volume, when the something on screen would blare out of the speaker, enough to startle me and turn it down, only to have to turn it back up 2 seconds later to hear the dialog again. Lastly, the SL just needs an extra button. Sonos tried to make the SL as simple as possible. 3 buttons work on top. Play, Rewind, and Skip. Then a single, multi-function button on the main body of the SL. That sole button just has too many things its supposed to do. Hold it this number of seconds for this function, this number of seconds for that function, so on and so on. How about just give me 1 more button and eliminate the need to count how long I hold the button down for? CONCLUSION For me, this product is a miss. If this product was significantly cheaper than the normal Roam, I might consider it. But with it being only $20 less than Roam, I wouldn’t even consider it. The Roam is easily worth the extra $20 over the SL. Money well spent. As a portable speaker, I don’t really understand the necessity to incorporate the SL into your existing Sonos infrastructure. I have not found any instance to where I would want to put my Roam to use while listening to my other Sonos products inside the house. With that being the case, I don’t see buying the SL when I could easily get the Roam or an even better sounding and performing product from Sonos’ competitors for similar money.

Terrible software “update/release” at time of purchasing that prevented the device from connecting and were unable to use it.

Pain in but to get it paired. Was on phone for 90 mins with Sonos no luck. Reviews tell you it all.

Open box purchase. Could not connect due to battery dead. Spent two hours with Sonos support and was told to return it back to Best Buy.

Honestly i was so happy to use this speaker and it turn out it wouldnt work. It wouldnt connect to my internet at all no matter how many things i try…just find anthee one beacuse this isnt worth the money.

I returned it because I could not pair it with my Sonos system. It appears there is a problem with the new Sonos app. Would like to purchase it or another portable wireless speaker when problem is solved. Please check status with Sonos.

I bought these speakers because I thought they would work well as the base that we bought a few years ago but after days of trying I went to the best buy geek squad spent two hours with them and they still dont work. exoensive paper weights.

I have owned a number of other Sonos products, and they have all been great. This however does not live up to the Sonos brand.

Bought an open box “Excellent” Roam SL that was doa upon arrival. Don’t trust open box electronics, they were returned for a reason.

This is my first Sonos speaker but I can see how 1 or 2 more linked together through WIFI will ensure great wireless sound everywhere in the house. Better yet link it with a Sonos sound bar and get a surround type rear speaker. The unpacking of this speaker is straight forward. The packaging comes with the speaker, a USB to USB-C cord for charging. A wireless charger is also available and fits the Sonos - Roam SL perfectly so you can leave the unit on the charger and have endless battery life. All you need to do is download the Sonos app and setup is a breeze. Just allow the app to discover and setup your Sonos - Roam SL. Enter your WIFI password and you are ready to go. Using the app if fine. You can add all downloaded music from your phone as well as music services and play it through the app. There are some EQ settings you can play with on the app as well. Adjust the Bass and Treble and turn on loudness for full sound coming out of the speaker. When you take the Sonos - Roam SL on the go it also has Bluetooth capability to connect to your phone to play media. Just hold down the power button to put in discovery mode and look on your Bluetooth list to find Sonos Roam and hit connect. You now have portable sound to take on the go. Now for the sound. The sound output from the little speaker compares to that of larger not so portable speakers. I have a suitcase size "portable" speaker and except for the bass boost it has, this Sonos - Roam SL puts out as good a sound if not better. The lows hit hard without distortion and vocals and instrumentals are very clear. This would be perfect for camping or taking to the beach. The function buttons on the Sonos - Roam SL are very simple. If sitting upright the top has a play/pause button, volume control and forward and back capability with a few presses of the play button. The Sonos - Roam SL is a great little portable speaker that has opportunity for expansion.

Very hard to connect and very poor sound quality shipping was good

I cannot sink it to my existing system, and Best Buy did not help me . They sent me to a company to connect the speaker to my system and they wanted to charge me over $200 . I only paid $138 for the speaker. I have an item that I cannot use I am discussed with Best Buy .

Absolute garbage product. Doesn’t maintain steady connection via WiFi or Bluetooth. Sonos support is worthless. Do not buy.

Probably a great little speaker but didn't work for what I needed it for. I bought for surround sound and was told that they would work great by the best buy employee. I waited for a week to get in and was so excited, but they didn't work for surround-sound. I had to return them and get a more expensive speaker.

Here is another fantastic speaker from Sonos. They have a knack for getting a much larger sound than should be possible for the speaker size. The Roam SL is no exception. The convenience and power of this little guy is a great combo. Owning several Sonos products, and some from others, I can say this speaker packs a big sound for its size. The sound is crisp and clean with excellent bass, considering the small form factor. It is a great speaker to take with you when you travel. I work from home and the office, so it is perfect for my situation. I also like the magnetic charging base (sold separately for $49). The Roam SL snaps into it, much like a MagSafe device, and charges while you listen. I leave the base at home and take the speaker to the office when I go. I easily get an entire workday of battery life - I don't listen all day. The Roam SL integrates well with all my other Sonos speakers and the Sonos app. The speaker connects via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. I much prefer Wi-Fi if I can use it but Bluetooth works if you are on the go. The Wi-Fi connection is so much better than Bluetooth overall though. With Wi-Fi, you don't fight connections like Bluetooth. The speaker has some heft to it. It has to be stout to get that big sound out of the little speaker. The buttons push easily. The speaker can stand upright or lie down without blocking sound. Sonos just makes it easy!