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The audio innovators at Sonos released the original Move portable speaker in 2019 to universally positive reviews, so I was excited to hear whether the design upgrades for the new Move 2 lived up to the hype. Yes, the Move 2 looks remarkably similar to the original Move, but the team at Sonos added slick touch controls, stereo sound, and double the battery life—all within its extremely durable exterior. After listening to all of my Spotify favorites in areas of all sizes, I can say this versatile device is my favorite mini-speaker for enjoying loud and rich audio everywhere.
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My Move 2 was provided by Sonos, and arrived in a well-packaged box with plenty of foam packing peanuts that my cat enjoyed very much. The Move 2 itself is boxed within completely recyclable materials, and it was a nice change of pace to open a new gadget via a simple pull tab instead of dealing with hand-cutting clamshell packaging, twist ties, and other garbage.
Inside was the Move 2, its slim ring-like charging base with integrated USB-C cable, AC adapter, and miniature quick start guide. From unboxing and setting the charging station up, to connecting the speaker to my Wi-Fi network, Bluetooth, and favorite music apps took only a few minutes.
No matter which color catches your eye, the Sonos Move 2 is $449. Sonos offers several money-saving bundles that include the Move 2, such as the 2 Room Set, which includes an Arc soundbar for $1,208 ($140 of savings), and the Portable Set, which includes a Roam 2 for $597 ($31 of savings), for anyone considering purchasing multiple speakers.
There are several notable improvements and innovations that set the Move 2 apart as a superior speaker compared to the original Move. These include twice the battery life at up to 24 hours per charge, pristine immersive stereo speakers that sound incredible at all volumes (as opposed to the Sonos Move’s single speaker), its automatic ability to note the immediate area’s acoustics to emit the best sound for your space, and how the Move 2 is dust-, drop-, and water-resistant, making it easy to recommend taking this tough speaker along on your adventures.
I had an absolute blast testing out my Move 2; setup was a snap, the Sonos app is streamlined and user-friendly, and best of all, I was impressed at how flawless this speaker sounds. My Spotify favorites never sounded better when blasted from the relatively small Move 2. I could note the subtle differences of how its audio profile shifted depending on where it was placed in the room and on the size of the space around it, and whether or not the device was outside. But my favorite thing is just how blaringly loud the Move 2 can be while retaining clarity and perfect pitch without the obnoxious harshness, distortion, or tinny effects of lesser speakers.
The Move 2 has the potential to be a beastly speaker that can cover your entire yard or poolside with tunes, but it’s a versatile device that simply sounds better than any other mini-speaker in my test lab. I found myself carrying it around my house for dependably rich audio long after I was done putting the Move 2 through its paces for my review.
I tested my Sonos Move 2 in many indoor and outdoor spaces with a range of familiar tracks from my extensive Spotify favorites list, and I have nothing but praise for this portable speaker’s premium sound quality. Its dual speakers project an immersive stereo surround sound effect, and while you can pair a second Move 2 to the device, there’s no reason to unless you need to blanket a massive space with audio.
It was impressive how the Move 2’s automatic Trueplay tuning feature adjusts acoustics via feedback from its microphones. It delivered reliably balanced audio with extra deep and rich bass, and crystal-clear sound at surprisingly loud volume, where lesser speakers sound weak and warbly. I’m happy to say that its crisp, clear audio enhanced the vocals and sharpened the sounds of instrumentals across all genres, and there was never a moment where the Move 2 sounded anything less than amazing—indoors or out. I should note that when the speaker indicates it’s outside (via Trueplay), the Move 2 noticeably ups the sound and bass, so it carries a bit further than you’d need it to if you were inside.
The Sonos Move 2 packs approximately 24 hours of playtime per charge—double the battery life of the original Move speaker. Between its extra-long battery life and how it automatically shuts down after 30 minutes of inactivity, it’s a top pick for camping, a full day at the beach, or an all-night party.
Don’t feel like you need to keep your smartphone right beside the Sonos Move 2 at all times, as the speaker sports a maximum Bluetooth range of about 330 feet. Of course this may fluctuate if you put obstacles or walls between your smartphone and the speaker, but I recommend a rock-solid Wi-Fi connection whenever possible. While Bluetooth was always great throughout my testing, the sound quality was always noticeably better with a stable Wi-Fi connection.
Between its simple and straightforward top-mounted touch controls, streamlined app, and how simple it is to connect your favorite music apps to the speaker, Sonos made the Move 2 a notably versatile speaker. While whoever holds the paired smartphone has the most control, anyone can adjust the volume, turn it on or off, pause, play, and skip tracks with a tap of the device.
I appreciated the clarity and crisp sound of my Spotify favorites, but the Move 2 supports a variety of other popular music apps as well, including Pandora, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music. It takes less than a minute to connect them directly to the smooth and intuitive Sonos app. While I preferred controlling the speaker via its companion app (iOS, Android), Sonos made it easy for users to choose between Amazon Alexa voice controls, Apple AirPlay 2, and the onboard Sonos Voice Control.
The Sonos Move 2 is a durable speaker that requires almost no maintenance. Simply wipe off the dust- and water-resistant device as needed, update its software whenever prompted for the best listening experience possible, and keep the speaker nestled on its wireless charger so it’ll be fully charged whenever you need it.
Its sleek minimalist style reminds me of Microsoft’s Xbox Series X/S consoles, as its modern designs mesh well with most home decor. The stark white and matte black options will appeal to many, and the new olive tone is perfect for anyone considering a minimalist outdoor speaker.
Its cozy ergonomic rear handle held up well for short distances in one hand despite it weighing over six pounds. I like how its unique shape melts into the Move 2 to maintain a smooth and modern aesthetic. The touch controls are intuitively designed as well, allowing anyone nearby to adjust the device at a moment’s notice without having to bother the smartphone owner synced to the Move 2.
The Move 2 isn’t the lightest, slimmest, or most compact portable speaker Sonos makes, (that honor goes to the Roam 2) but its comfortable handle, ultra-durable design, and powerful speakers make it your best bet for covering large backyards, campsites, and parties with loud and crisp audio. I found it funny that Sonos highlights the durability of a Move 2 by knocking it on the ground in one of their promotional video ads, as it has a particularly wide and stable base that isn’t going anywhere unless you’re throwing a pool party during a hurricane. It’s dust-resistant, easily shrugs off splashes, and its thick plastic shell will absorb a nasty drop, so don’t worry about bringing this model outside or around your rowdier guests.
There are plenty of noticeable differences between these two speakers. For instance, the Move 2 features a much longer battery life, the ability to wirelessly pair with a second Move 2 for a stereo effect, connectivity with both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth at the same time, and the brand-new olive color option.
Yes, you can connect a Move 2 directly to any audio device with a 3.5 mm port like a record player or CD player, but with the help of a Sonos Line-In Adapter. It’s sold separately for $19.
Yes! The Sonos Move 2 works just as well as a portable speaker as it does sitting in your office or living room 24/7. Its advanced wireless charging base automatically stops charging once it’s fully charged so there’s no wear on the battery, and it was designed to pair with other indoor Sonos speakers for a richer listening experience in your home.
If you use your older Sonos Move primarily as an outdoor speaker, absolutely. The Move 2 offers an impressive all-day, 24-hour battery life compared to the original’s 11 hours per charge, and the Move 2’s stereo sound is all-around greater than the Move’s mono speaker.
If you frequently use a portable speaker for taking your tunes room-to-room or for outdoor listening, and your older model doesn’t fill your space with premium, immersive, and loud, yet clear audio, the Sonos Move 2 is absolutely worth the $449 price of admission. The high-end sound quality alone validates the investment, but its extra-long 24-hour battery life, durable design, and just how reliably simple it is for connecting to whatever audio source you need seals the deal for me.
It only takes a second to carry it from its charging dock to your backyard, another room in your home, or into the car on your way to the beach, but you’ll really feel the heft of the 6.61-pound speaker if you needed to toss it in your bag for an extended hike. Although the Move 2 doesn’t feature Google Assistant voice controls, it offers your choice of Amazon Alexa and its own Sonos Voice Control, so even the biggest Android fans won’t miss it.
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