Sonos Roam 2 vs JBL Flip 6: How smart should your speaker be?

We can’t deny that the JBL Flip 6 has been one of the most popular portable Bluetooth speakers for years. However, the future is now, and consumers can buy a portable smart Bluetooth speaker that functions as part of an entire home stereo ecosystem. Enter Sonos and its recently refreshed Roam 2. But do all its technological advances make it the superior speaker? In this article, I’m comparing the new Sonos Roam 2 to the tried-and-true JBL Flip 6.

Editor’s note: this article was published on July 25, 2024, and is the first version of the article. Updates will follow as the market changes.

What’s it like to use the Sonos Roam 2 compared to the JBL Flip 6?

While the Sonos Roam 2 and the JBL Flip 6 are similar in size and share some of the same features, they are very different speakers. The Roam 2 is a smart speaker that can be integrated into an existing Sonos home system and offers features like voice control, while the Flip 6 is a dead simple portable Bluetooth speaker designed to take on the great outdoors.

That said, the Roam 2 can now be used as a stand-alone Bluetooth speaker without using the Sonos app, just like the Flip 6. However, while both these speakers are IP67 rated, making them dustproof and waterproof, the Flip 6 has the more robust build if you’re not in the habit of babying your gear.

The Roam 2 has the task of looking good at home with the rest of your Sonos speakers while remaining portable; you can’t help but notice its sleek and minimalist design. The Flip 6 has the advantage of being the rough and ready adventure speaker. It sports some hearty silicon bumpers to protect its passive radiators, and the entire unit is wrapped in a durable fabric.

How do you control the Sonos Roam 2 and JBL Flip 6?

The Roam 2’s tactile buttons are located on the side of the unit, and its power and Bluetooth buttons are on the back. The Flip 6 contains some raised playback buttons along the top of the enclosure, and like the Roam 2, its power and Bluetooth buttons are also on the back.

You can also control a variety of the Roam 2’s features via the Sonos app.

Should you use the apps of either Sonos Roam 2 or JBL Flip 6?

You’ll need to download and install the Sonos app to take advantage of all its smart features, such as Wi-Fi connection, integration with other Sonos speakers, and voice command settings. The Roam 2 supports both Sonos Voice Command and Amazon Alexa. While you can also use it to pair a second Rome speaker for stereo performance when connected over Wi-Fi, the app doesn’t offer many EQ options. You’re only supplied with Bass and Treble sliders.

Regarding the Flip 6, you can easily get away without using the JBL Portable app. Still, it offers some advantages: a 3-band EQ, pairing a second Flip 6 for stereo performance, and easily linking up to any other PartyBoost-supported JBL speakers.

How do the Sonos Roam 2 and JBL Flip 6 connect?

The Roam 2 takes the clear win when it comes to connection. You can connect over Wi-Fi, which allows you to stream higher-quality audio, or via Apple Airplay 2. It also can connect to your device via the slightly outdated Bluetooth 5.2 and offers SBC and AAC codec support.

The Flip 6, showing its age, connects to your device via the even older Bluetooth 5.1 and is SBC only. It does not offer any options for higher bitrate listening. Neither speaker offers a 3.5mm wired connection.

Does the Sonos Roam 2 sound better than the JBL Flip 6?

Regarding sound, there are some hardware differences between these two speakers. The Flip 6’s main advantage over the Roam 2 is its dual passive radiators. Cueing up On The Run by TimeCop1983 and listening to these speakers side by side, the Flip 6 produces much more low-end than the Roam 2, which only contains a tweeter and a mid-woofer. It also gets significantly louder than the Roam 2.

However, the Roam 2 still offers decent clarity in the mid and treble frequencies, especially on acoustic guitar-heavy tracks like Ventura Highway by America. It makes for a great speaker for personal listening around the house or a small Sunday picnic, but it’s not the get-up out of your-chair party starter the Flip 6 is.

If you plan on using your speaker in a group setting, especially outdoors, you and your guests will appreciate the extra output and low-end provided by the Flip 6.

Should you get the Sonos Roam 2 or JBL Flip 6?

If you’re looking to dip your toes into the world of smart speakers or extend the reach of your existing home Sonos setup a little further, the Roam 2 is the ideal choice. It has decent sound, good connectivity options, and a sleek yet durable design.

On the other hand, if you don’t want to spend time messing around with an app and want a straight-ahead, rugged Bluetooth speaker with a hearty bass response you can toss in your backpack for your next weekend getaway, you can save yourself a few bucks, and snag the JBL Flip 6.

What should you get instead of the Sonos Roam 2 and JBL Flip 6?

If you’re after something a little larger for your next outdoor gathering, you can go up a step and check out the JBL Charge 5 ($149 at Amazon). It can provide more output than the Roam 2 or the Flip 6 while remaining reasonably portable and offering an IP67 protection rating. It even has a courtesy USB-A outlet for charging your device in the field.

If budget is a concern, consider the Anker Soundcore Motion 300. ($79.99 at Amazon) This speaker provides stereo playback, a solid companion app with EQ options, and is designed to perform in 3 different positions. Standing, laying, and hanging. Changing the speaker’s orientation will trigger an EQ change for an optimal listening experience no matter where it ends up around camp.

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