Finding that one perfect speaker can feel like a never-ending quest. You want something that sounds incredible in your living room, but you also want to be able to grab it and go for a backyard barbecue without a second thought. This comprehensive Sonos Move 2 Review is for anyone who’s been searching for that do-it-all audio companion. Sonos has a reputation for premium, multi-room audio, but with the original Move, they proved they could cut the cord. Now, with its successor, the question is: have they finally nailed the formula for the ultimate portable smart speaker? Let’s dive in and find out if this is the upgrade we’ve all been waiting for.
First Impressions: Unboxing an Old Friend with New Tricks
Pulling the Sonos Move 2 out of its eco-friendly packaging feels familiar, and that’s a good thing. It retains the robust, elegant, and slightly hefty build of its predecessor. It has that reassuring weight that screams quality, not “I’m a burden to carry.” The integrated handle on the back is still one of the best design choices, making it genuinely easy to pick up and, well, move.
But look closer, and you’ll spot the refinements. The controls on top now mirror the newer Sonos Era 100 and Era 300 speakers, featuring a slick capacitive volume slider that’s just a joy to use. They’ve also introduced a new Olive green colorway alongside the classic Black and White, which looks fantastic outdoors. It’s an evolution, not a revolution, in design, but every change feels intentional and improves the user experience.
The Big Upgrade: How Good is the New Stereo Sound?
Let’s get to the main event: the sound. The single biggest upgrade in the Sonos Move 2 is the jump from mono to true stereo audio. Sonos achieved this by packing in two angled tweeters instead of one, creating a much wider, more expansive soundstage.
So, what does that actually mean when you’re listening? It means music feels more alive and immersive. Instead of sound coming from a single point, you get a real sense of separation between instruments. Listening to a track like “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac, you can distinctly place the shimmering cymbals and the dual vocal harmonies in the space around you. For a single portable speaker, the effect is genuinely impressive. The bass is still tight and punchy, thanks to a well-tuned woofer, delivering that signature warm Sonos sound without ever getting muddy.
“The transition to a dual-tweeter stereo architecture in the Move 2 isn’t just a marketing bullet point; it fundamentally changes the listening experience. It provides a spatial depth that was physically impossible in the original, bringing it much closer to a traditional bookshelf speaker setup.” – Dr. Evelyn Reed, Audio Engineering Consultant.
And of course, Automatic Trueplay is back. This is Sonos’s secret sauce. Using its built-in microphones, the Move 2 constantly analyzes its surroundings and adjusts the EQ on the fly. Take it from your acoustically-treated living room to the open air of your patio, and you can hear it subtly recalibrate to give you the best possible sound. It works seamlessly and is a key reason the Move 2 sounds consistently great everywhere.
A Deeper Look at the Sonos Move 2 Review Features
Beyond the headline stereo sound, several key improvements make the Move 2 a more versatile and user-friendly device.
Battery Life That Finally Keeps Up
One of the few gripes about the original Move was its 11-hour battery life. It was good, but not great. Sonos was clearly listening. The Move 2 more than doubles that with a claimed 24 hours of playback.
In my testing, this claim holds up remarkably well. For a weekend camping trip with moderate listening volumes, I never once had to worry about it dying. This marathon battery life transforms the Move 2 from a “take it to the garden” speaker to a genuine “take it on vacation” speaker. Plus, the battery is easily replaceable, a huge win for long-term sustainability and value.
Connectivity: The Best of All Worlds
Sonos has always been about Wi-Fi audio, but the Move 2 embraces flexibility like never before.
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: At home, it connects to your Wi-Fi and acts as a seamless part of your Sonos multi-room audio system. Step outside of Wi-Fi range, and it’s a top-tier Bluetooth speaker for your phone.
- Simultaneous Playback: A fantastic new feature allows you to stream audio via Bluetooth to the Move 2 and then re-broadcast that audio to the rest of your Sonos speakers over Wi-Fi. Imagine a friend wanting to play a song from their phone at a party—now they can, without needing your Wi-Fi password, and the music plays everywhere.
- Line-In Support: Using a USB-C adapter (sold separately), you can now connect a turntable or another audio source directly to the Move 2. This adds a level of versatility that will appeal to audiophiles and vinyl lovers.
Sonos Move 2 vs. The Original Move: A Quick Comparison
| Feature | Sonos Move 2 | Original Sonos Move |
|---|---|---|
| Audio Architecture | Stereo (2 tweeters, 1 woofer) | Mono (1 tweeter, 1 woofer) |
| Battery Life | Up to 24 hours | Up to 11 hours |
| Controls | Capacitive touch slider | Touch buttons |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0 | Wi-Fi 4, Bluetooth 4.2 |
| Line-In | Yes (via USB-C adapter) | No |
| Colors | Black, White, Olive | Black, White |
| Power Consumption | Reduced idle power usage | Standard idle power usage |
Living With the Move 2: Your Everyday Audio Hub?
So, after all the technical talk, what is it like to actually live with this speaker? In a word: effortless. Its IP56 rating means it’s resistant to dust and water splashes, so you don’t have to panic if it gets caught in a light drizzle or sits by the pool.
Setting it up is a breeze using the Sonos app, which remains the gold standard for controlling a multi-room audio system. You have access to virtually every streaming service imaginable. For voice control, you get the choice of Amazon Alexa for broad smart home commands or Sonos Voice Control for fast, private, music-focused requests.
This brings us back to the core of this Sonos Move 2 review: its role as a companion. It’s the speaker you use to listen to a podcast while making breakfast, then take to your home office for background music, and finally bring out to the porch to enjoy the evening. It fits into the rhythm of your day without demanding any special treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is the Sonos Move 2 fully waterproof?
No, it is not fully waterproof or submersible. It has an IP56 rating, which means it is highly resistant to dust and can withstand high-pressure water jets, like heavy rain or splashes from a pool. You can confidently use it outdoors without worry.
Can you use two Sonos Move 2 speakers as a stereo pair?
Yes, you absolutely can. When two Move 2 speakers are in the same room and connected to Wi-Fi, you can easily pair them in the Sonos app to create a dedicated left and right channel for an even more immersive, room-filling stereo sound.
Does the Sonos Move 2 work with Google Assistant?
Unlike the original Move, the Sonos Move 2 does not have Google Assistant built-in. Your options for onboard voice assistants are Amazon Alexa and Sonos Voice Control. However, you can still control it using a separate Google Assistant device.
Is the Sonos Move 2 worth upgrading from the original Move?
If you frequently wish your original Move had better battery life or a wider soundstage for outdoor listening, then yes, the upgrade is significant. The jump to 24 hours of battery and true stereo sound are compelling reasons to make the switch.
How heavy is the Sonos Move 2 to carry around?
The Sonos Move 2 weighs 6.61 lbs (3 kg). While it’s not feather-light like the smaller Sonos Roam, the built-in handle makes it very manageable to carry from room to room or out to the car for a trip to the park.
The Final Verdict on Our Sonos Move 2 Review
The Sonos Move 2 isn’t a radical reinvention, but it is a masterful refinement. Sonos took the solid foundation of the original, listened to user feedback, and systematically addressed every minor shortcoming. The result is a speaker that is almost without compromise.
The stereo sound is a significant, audible improvement that creates a richer listening experience. The monumental leap in battery life removes any lingering anxiety about taking it on the go. And the enhanced connectivity options make it more versatile than ever before. While the price is undeniably premium, you are paying for a product that excels as both a high-fidelity home speaker and a rugged, long-lasting portable powerhouse. For anyone serious about sound who wants one speaker that can truly do it all, our Sonos Move 2 review concludes that this is as close to perfect as it gets.