Sonos Roam SL: the same Roam, but without a microphone

Following last year’s launch of the Roam portable smart speaker, Sonos announced the Roam SL. The novelty will end up costing $20 less than the original Sonos Roam, which has risen in price by $10 in the fall due to a global shortage of chips. And the only difference is in the microphone: the Roam SL does not have one.

Otherwise, everything is the same: a 1.4GHz quad-core processor, IP67 waterproof certification and Apple AirPlay 2 compatibility. The battery is capable of providing 10 hours of continuous playback, you can charge the speaker with any Qi-compatible wireless charger, and a proprietary one is also available .

Sonos Roam SL

In the absence of a microphone, the future owner of the Sonos Roam SL will lose not only the capabilities of Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. The novelty also does not have Trueplay automatic sound settings and the Sound Swap function, an analogue of an intercom that broadcasts sound from Roam to the nearest Sonos system if you hold down the play button.

But Sonos Roam SL can still be organized into a stereo pair with another of the same, or with the original Roam column. Although Roam speakers do not support Bluetooth pairing, they do use Wi-Fi. Sonos is already accepting pre-orders for the Roam SL and will be available physically from mid-March.

Sonos Roam SL

Availability and price

In the US, Sonos Roam SL already available for pre-order. Price – $159, an additional branded wireless charger will cost another $50.


Sonos Roam SL Specifications

  • Two Class-H digital amplifiers
  • One tweeter
  • One midwoofer 
  • IP67
  • Connect to WiFi with any 802.11a/b/g/n/ac 2.4 or 5 GHz broadcast-capable router.
  • Bluetooth 5.0
  • 18Wh battery provides up to 10 hours of continuous playback on a single charge at moderate volumes.
  • USB-C Port 15W, 5V/3A
  • CPU: Quad Core 1.4 GHz A-53
  • Memory: 1GB SDRAM 4GB NV
  • Dimensions: Height: 6.61 in (168 mm) Width: 2.44 in (62 mm) Depth: 2.36 in (60 mm)
  • Weight: 0.95 lb (0.43 kg)