Sonos is giving its popular Roam portable speaker a makeover with the second-generation Roam 2. While it might not be a complete overhaul, the new model addresses some key user frustrations and makes the Roam a more convenient choice for on-the-go listening.

Think of the Roam 2, priced at $179, as the Roam Sonos should have launched from the beginning. The biggest improvement? You can now use it straight out of the box, just like any other Bluetooth speaker. This might seem obvious, but the original Roam required a clunky setup process through the Sonos app on your home Wi-Fi network – not exactly ideal for a portable device. Thankfully, Sonos has listened to user feedback and streamlined the experience.

Another welcome change is the dedicated Bluetooth pairing button. The original Roam crammed multiple functions into its power button, requiring awkward holds for different actions. The Roam 2 keeps things simple with a dedicated button, making pairing a breeze.

But what about battery life, a concern for some original Roam owners? Unlike the Sonos Move speaker with its replaceable battery, the Roam (and Roam 2) has a built-in battery. While there have been reports of the original Roam losing charge capacity over time, Sonos CEO Patrick Spence assures us there have been optimizations in the Roam 2. The official battery life remains at 10 hours, but hopefully, these tweaks will translate to longer real-world usage.

The Roam 2 retains features like Sound Swap, allowing you to seamlessly switch music between it and other Sonos speakers. You can also pair any Bluetooth device to the speaker and share that audio across your entire Sonos system. However, the USB-C port remains for charging only, unlike the Move 2 which offers a line-in option.

Sonos acknowledges the incremental changes in the Roam 2. The speaker uses the same driver layout as its predecessor, and there are no claims of improved sound quality. So, if you’ve heard the original Roam, you know what to expect sonically.

The Roam 2 comes in a variety of colors – black, green, blue, orange, and white. A subtle design change helps differentiate it from the original: the Sonos logo now matches the body color instead of the white text on the first-gen model. The Roam 2 is available for purchase now at major retailers, with some Best Buy stores jumping the gun and displaying it even earlier.