Sonos Roam - Battery drain

Because of all the issues I’ve seen reported with the Move, I decided to start checking my Roam as soon as I got it as my usage is probably a lot different to others - I will be using it for an hour or so whilst in the bath and then it will be completely turned off until the next time. Therefore I will be using it for maybe 1 or 2 hours per week. So far I’m not seeing any issues with my admittedly limited usage...

I just listen to Tunein radio stations on my Roam via wifi and I don’t use any voice control on any of my Sonos system.

Tuesday 20th Roam arrived and I charged to 100 %
Set it up and messed about with it for a bit

Then went in bath and had it on for just over an hour at well less than 50% volume
Switched off completely but forgot to take battery reading

Monday 26th turned it on and battery was 93%
Went in bath and had it on for about an hour at same volume as before. Afterwards checked the battery which was at 86%
Switched off completely.

Will continue this test the next time I turn it on.

Do this test.  Charge to 100% before you go to bed for the night, then let it go into sleep mode.    Check it 8 hours later (when you wake up).  See what the battery percentage is then.

That’s not the way that I’ll be using the Roam so I will continue my current tests first before trying something like this. I need to make sure it will be adequate for my use-case first :)

First off….What’s the difference in the pushing of the power button between sleep mode and just wanting it off?…...I was told by a Sonos rep to hold the power button for 7 seconds to get it to turn off.

Off Is off. Sleep is ‘waiting for a wireless signal to wake up fully”, so there is still some energy consumption. 

Sleep mode allows it to be awakened by use of the Sonos app (for any purpose, even if not using the Roam); or if you put it on a wireless charger or plugged it in to charge.  Power off means it’s totally off - dead to the world. 

I’ve almost had it with the Roam. This is sad because it will be the first Sonos product I haven’t absolutely loved and had to return. 
 

The latest issue is it consistently fails to appear on the list of airplay devices (despite appearing on the Sonos app) and when I can get it to appear, sound stutters through it when playing. 
 

it just seems riddled with issues and maybe rushed to market. 
 

Besides all the various tech reviewers in cahoots with the industry giving it glowing reviews, did anyone actually test this device out prior to launch? Like, normally, properly. 

Suggest those who worry about battery drains just simply power off the ROAM completely… I have got both of my ROAM (white and black) last week and charged them on Sunday, added them to my existing system and then powered them off completely… A bit busy last 2 days so I just played with them again last night (so it’s over 48 hours since powered off), and the battery level was 99% when I put them on again…

Of course it takes some seconds for the speakers to start up and get ready but I think it’s much better to place them into sleep mode.

I’m a bit confused(if you knew me you’d not be too surprised….Ha)…..

I play my system,which consists of 2 Play 5 gen 2’s and the Sub….and...ONLY use the Roam as a rear channel ambience speaker(placed about 6 feet behind my listening position)….

It sounds absolutely fantastic….but….I turn it off completely and in a 16 hour period of time it lost maybe 20% of it’s charge…...I am told(by Sonos) to charge it fully,then run a diagnostics and wait until the battery drains to a low condition again and run a second diagnostics report.

Believe me,I hope everything works out,because this little thing is a weapon in it’s own right.

My luck….I’ll have issues(which I know will be worked out by Sonos as they are a good outfit).

Still,stress is not fun.

Good luck to all

    Mark

Just adding my experience here. I too am disappointed with the battery life. Its advertised as 10 hours playtime. 

However, I want to use it on standby off the charger so appreciated it wouldn’t last the full 10 hours. 

I did a test with 100% charge on Sunday morning. Battery was dead this morning and in the three days of use was only used to play music/stream radio for a total of about 2hrs 40 mins.

Is anyone getting better results than that?

Steve, UK