Beats Pill Vs. Sonos Roam 2: best portable speaker?

With the return of the Beats Pill, we can’t help but wonder how it compares to other current options on the portable Bluetooth speaker market. Is its fresh redesign enough to sway potential buyers? After all, you could spend a little more money and get a smart speaker. The Sonos Roam 2 offers multiple connectivity options, including Wi-Fi, not to mention voice commands. But does its technology make it the better buy? Let’s dive in and get busy in this SoundGuys Beats Pill vs Sonos Rome 2 article.

Editor’s note: this article was published on July 26th, 2024, and is the first version. Updates will follow as the market changes.

What’s it like to use the Beats Pill compared to the Sonos Roam 2?

The Beats Pill and Sonos Roam 2 are competent but different portable Bluetooth speakers. The Pill is a bit larger, weighing 680g, while Roam 2 is much lighter at 430g. Both speakers feature a relatively sleek and packable design and an IP67 protection rating, making them dust and waterproof.

Of course, the big difference lies in the tech. While the bigger Beats Pill is a beach party starter with straightforward operation, the Sono Roam 2 is a smart speaker capable of starting or integrating into an entire Sonos ecosystem. It also offers voice commands via Sonos Voice Control or Amazon Alexa, and its slender size makes it easy to move from room to room around the house.

With its updated Bluetooth connectivity, the Roam 2 can function as a dead simple stand-alone Bluetooth speaker without relying on the Sonos app. A welcome update, but if you’re shelling out for a smart speaker, you’ll likely want to take advantage of the available tech.

How do you control the Beats Pill and Sonos Roam 2?

Both units feature tactile controls that offer a satisfying click when pushed. The Beats Pill has recessed buttons along the top, and the Roam 2 has a control panel integrated into one of its rubberized end caps. Of course, you can also control some of the Roam 2’s features via the Sonos app or voice commands.

Should you use the apps of either the Beats Pill or Sonos Roam 2?

The Beats Pill only offers an app for Android users and doesn’t even contain an equalizer. If you’re an iPhone user, the software is conveniently baked into the Setting app on iOS, but you still don’t get an equalizer.

While the new Sonos Roam 2 can be used as a standalone Bluetooth speaker without the app, you will need to download and install it to take advantage of all its smart features, such as Wi-Fi connection, configure your voice control, and integration into an existing Sonos setup. You can also take advantage of and personalize your sound a bit with the better-than-nothing Bass and Treble sliders.

How do the Beats Pill and Sonos Roam 2 connect?

The Beats Pill connects to your device via Bluetooth 5.3 and is SBC and AAC, but supports lossless listening over USB-C connection. It’s a cool feature, but portable Bluetooth speakers aren’t exactly ideal for critical listening.

The Sonos Roam 2 connects to your device via Bluetooth 5.2 and is also SBC and AAC only. However, as a smart speaker, it also offers a Wi-Fi connection for higher-quality audio streams and supports Apple Airplay 2.

Does the Beats Pill sound better than the Sonos Roam 2?

Getting down to the brass tacks, if you’re looking for a party speaker for the backyard or the beach, the Beats Pill annihilates the Roam 2 when it comes to low-end bass response. Listening to Night Train by Code Elektro, there is clearly no contest. The Pill provides a steady pulse of the synthesized bass on this track, even at lower volumes. It has enough output to keep a medium-sized gathering going, but you’ll start hearing some distortion past 80% volume. If your friends are known to get a little rowdy, consider buying a second Pill and running them in stereo for more party-filling power.

While the Pill wins regarding bass response, the Roam 2 does a much better job reproducing mid-range frequencies. This is apparent when changing the genre and listening to Sun Goddess by Ramsay Lewis. While the groove is there, the percussive strumming of the rhythm guitar cuts through with better clarity, not to mention the vocals sound much more present in the mix. If you’re not concerned with a thumping bass response while casually listening to music in the kitchen while making dinner, the Roam 2 is still a decent-sounding speaker with good instrument separation.

Should you get the Beats Pill or Sonos Roam 2?

If you’re an existing Sonos user, snagging a Roam 2 is a no-brainer. It will easily integrate into your home system, and you’ll have a decent-sounding speaker to extend its reach around the house or into your backyard. If you’re considering getting into the world of smart speakers, the Sonos Roam 2 makes a great choice to get your toes wet without going overboard.

However, the Beats Pill is an undeniable choice if you’re looking to start your party. It’s durable, has excellent battery life, and has tons of bass. What else do you need? You won’t have to deal with a buggy companion app either, so you can focus on having a good time with your pals.

What should you get instead of the Beats Pill and Sonos Roam 2?

If you like the size and packability of the Roam 2 but aren’t interested in its smart features, consider the JBL Flip 6 ($99 at Amazon) and save a few bucks. It’s IP67, has a robust build, and has a decent bass response. That said, the Beats Pill puts out way more low-end than the Flip 6.

If you like the Beats Pill’s more prominent size and sound, you’ll want to size up and look at the JBL Charge 5 ($149 at Amazon). It also features an IP67 protection rating and is closer in battery life to the Pill, advertising 20 hours of playback. It also features a courtesy outlet for charging any devices in the field.

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