The marketplace for multi-room speakers has grown considerably lately, however there are some manufacturers which have been doing the work for a few years, like Sonos. The corporate has been round for over twenty years and provides top-of-the-line app platforms on the market, with assist for lots of the huge streaming companies.
There are a number of audio system throughout the Sonos sound system vary, and there are three soundbars and two wi-fi subwoofers too. Allow us to aid you work out which is the perfect Sonos speaker(s) or soundbar for you.
We have reviewed – or seen and heard – your complete Sonos line up and these are the three merchandise we’d extremely suggest shopping for in case you’re out there for a Sonos speaker or soundbar.
The very best Sonos audio system: Our high picks
Sonos Period 100
1. Greatest Sonos speaker general
Nice start line
The Sonos Period 100 is likely one of the latest Sonos audio system out there, changing the superb Sonos One. It delivers glorious sound high quality for it dimension (from what we have now heard up to now), provides a stunning design and there are many options on board. The Period 100 is the proper beginning place to a Sonos system, in addition to an amazing addition to an current one.
- Pretty compact design
- New intuitive controls
- Nice efficiency
- No Google Assistant
- Dearer than Sonos One
The Sonos Era 100 is likely one of the latest audio system throughout the Sonos portfolio, changing the Sonos One and One SL. It is costlier than the outgoing One and One SL, however you get a variety of additional options, together with Bluetooth capabilities, stereo sound as an alternative of mono and a contemporary design that is extra trendy and seamless.
There is no Google Assistant on the Period 100 – with simply Alexa and Sonos Voice Management on board, and it does not assist spatial audio and Dolby Atmos just like the bigger Period 300, however the Period 100 sounds nice and provides sensible sound efficiency from its dimension. It additionally has all the usual Sonos options, like AirPlay 2, the flexibility to adapt EQ, assist for over 100 music streaming services, and Trueplay tuning.
Sonos Period 300
2. Greatest uniquely designed Sonos speaker
Nice Dolby Atmos assist
The Sonos Period 300 has a novel design. Some will adore it, others may not be so certain, however you’ll be able to’t deny it is totally different and we love a bit of various. It is not nearly what it seems like although. The Period 300 sounds nice and it is packed filled with options, together with Bluetooth and Dolby Atmos assist.
- Distinctive design
- Nice efficiency
- Bluetooth and USB-C line-in
- Fairly costly
- No Google Assistant
The Sonos Era 300 is the corporate’s all-singing, all-dancing speaker that launched alongside the smaller Period 100 a little bit increased up this listing. It contains a barely totally different design to your common speaker, although it has the identical management panel on the high because the Period 100 and there is a USB-C line-in port on the rear too, in addition to Bluetooth capabilities. It is smaller than the Sonos 5 under, but it surely provides assist for spatial audio and Dolby Atmos content material, designed to supply a extra immersive expertise when listening to appropriate content material.
The Period 300 additionally options AirPlay 2 assist, together with Alexa and Sonos Voice Control and it is available in black and white color choices. You’ll be able to stereo pair two collectively they usually can be utilized as rear surrounds with a Sonos Arc and a Sonos Sub for a 7.1.4 multi-channel setup.
Sonos 5
3. Greatest sturdy Sonos speaker
Function-rich and durable
The Sonos 5 does not have Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant assist like another Sonos audio system, however these are about the one downsides we will leverage at this in any other case very good speaker. The 5 reveals what twenty years of expertise can ship. It is a really perfect strategy to begin a Sonos multi-room system, or add a badass centrepiece to an current one.
- Glorious sound high quality
- Nice options
- Strong construct high quality
- Costly
- No Bluetooth
- No direct Amazon Alexa/Google Assistant assist
The Sonos Five is the most important speaker within the Sonos line-up. It options capacitive contact controls and will be positioned vertically or horizontally. There isn’t any built-in voice management from Alexa or Google Assistant, and there is no Bluetooth or Dolby Atmos assist just like the Period 300, however there’s Apple AirPlay 2 compatibility and very good sound efficiency.
As with different Sonos audio system, you get the identical choice to pair two 5 audio system collectively for a full-fledged stereo pair, have multi-room audio, mix it with Sonos soundbars for {surround} sound, place the speaker the place you select when linked to the Wi-Fi mesh community, in addition to the streaming choices and app options.
Sonos Ray
4. Greatest worth Sonos speaker
Smaller soundstage for a smaller worth
The Sonos Ray is a soundbar that provides a stunning design, nice sound high quality for its dimension and a variety of wonderful options, largely due to being a part of the broader Sonos system.You may make some compromises by choosing the Sonos Ray over its costlier siblings and there’s a smaller soundstage general, however the Ray continues to be nicely value contemplating in the best setup.
- Compact design
- Good vary of options
- Fast setup
- Not as robust at decrease volumes
- No HDMI ARC or eARC
The Sonos Ray is the corporate’s price range soundbar and whereas it misses out on some features compared to the Sonos Beam, it is an amazing improve to your TV sound for a superb worth. It makes use of optical as an alternative of HDMI so it is appropriate with older TVs and it may be a standalone Sonos speaker when not in use, providing quite a lot of Sonos options.
There are not any sensible assistants on board and the soundstage is not as huge because the Beam, nor are there options like Atmos, however the Ray is a implausible soundbar for its dimension.
Sonos Beam (2nd Gen)
5. Greatest compact Sonos soundbar
Nice efficiency, compact design
The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) is not as totally fledged because the Sonos Arc soundbar, but it surely provides digital Dolby Atmos, a stunning compact design and it is available in two color choices of white or black like most Sonos audio system. There are additionally loads of options on board, like Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa, and it is an amazing worth.
- Compact dimension and glorious sound
- Digital Dolby Atmos assist enhances immersion
- A number of voice assistants supported
- Not nearly as good when at decrease volumes
- Dearer than unique Beam
- Including extra audio system for true {surround} is costly
The Sonos Beam (2nd Gen) is an improve to the unique Beam compact soundbar, including assist for digital Dolby Atmos, a speaker grille that matches the Arc and assist for not simply HDMI ARC however HDMI eARC too, just like the Arc. It provides all of the options of a Sonos speaker however TV smarts too, like the unique Beam and Ray, whereas there’s built-in Alexa and Google Assistant voice management, in addition to AirPlay 2 assist too.
The Sonos Beam (2nd Gen) works with all different Sonos merchandise in a multi-room setup and will also be paired with the Sub and different audio system – besides Transfer and Roam – for a 5.1 {surround} sound setup, however maybe essentially the most engaging ingredient is that it is less expensive than the Arc.
Sonos Arc
6. Greatest Sonos speaker for Alexa integration
Nice for Dolby Atmos
The Sonos Arc presents an exemplary sound expertise even with out Dolby Atmos. With Alexa and Google Assistant built-in, plus AirPlay 2 and Sonos’ personal feature-filled music platform, you have got your self a really compelling speaker system to raise your leisure no finish, even whether it is on the expensive aspect.
- Glorious Atmos expertise
- Alexa and Google Assistant on board
- Straightforward to setup and combine with Sonos multiroom resolution
- Requires appropriate TV for Dolby Atmos assist
- No supply enter
- Solely single-band (2.4GHz) Wi-Fi
The Sonos Arc is a 5.0.2 bar with HDMI eARC and a totally re-tuned expertise over the Playbar, which it changed within the line-up. It comes with a more moderen design aesthetic, with smooth, curved edges and rounded ends that look just like the Sonos Transfer speaker in case you have a look at that from above, tying it in with the remainder of the Sonos household.
Moreover, there is a stack of speaker drivers inside, with centre, left and proper channels, plus a pair angled for a wider {surround} impact than the Beam (for instance). Two extra drivers are angled upwards to ship Dolby Atmos additional channels to your ceiling and all the way down to the seating place to envelope you in immersive audio. You’ll be able to add two Sonos Period 300 audio system as surrounds for a 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos expertise.
Sonos Sub Mini
7. Greatest mini Sonos speaker
Good for additional punch
The Sonos Sub Mini is a stunning wanting subwoofer, with an announcement design that makes it stand out from the group of conventional black bins for one thing a little bit totally different. It provides nice efficiency, delivering additional depth to music when required and enhancing motion scenes in motion pictures with added punch, to supply a extra lifelike and immersive expertise.
- Nice design
- Glorious options
- Strong efficiency
- Restricted to Sonos system
- Not the most cost effective
- Not needed for all
The Sonos Sub Mini is designed to be paired with the smaller audio system within the Sonos portfolio, or the smaller soundbars. It is not as highly effective because the bigger Sonos Sub, but it surely nonetheless provides a frequency response all the way down to 25Hz, it is lighter than the larger Sub and it has a stunning neat design.
The Sub Mini can solely be positioned upright, but it surely is available in black and white, and it makes a superb distinction in relation to watching motion pictures.
Sonos Sub (Gen 3)
8. Greatest Sonos speaker for bass
Large and bass-heavy
$649 $749 Save $100
The Sonos Sub is not for everybody, nor will or not it’s needed for everybody, however it’s a gadget that’s all about sound and it is a wonderful addition to the Sonos system in case you can afford it. For these intrigued sufficient to pay double what you’ll an everyday sub-woofer, you will not be dissatisfied.
- Nice bass
- Straightforward setup
- Glorious addition to Sonos system
- Large and heavy
- Will probably be too loud for some
- Costly
Just like the Sonos Sub Mini, the Sonos Sub is an extension of Sonos audio system and soundbars and its intention is so as to add extra depth to every part you hear by introducing extra bass, providing a frequency response all the way down to 25Hz. You’ll be able to stand the Sonos Sub upright or lay it flat giving it extra flexibility than the Sub Mini, and it options built-in rubber ft, in addition to optionally available ft.
Audio settings are routinely adjusted to steadiness the Sub and the paired Sonos element and like the remainder of the Sonos system, the Sub will be managed utilizing the Sonos app, and it’ll join wirelessly to your property community so you’ll be able to place it wherever you select. It is extra highly effective than the Sub Mini, but it surely’s much more cash too, so it’s a must to actually need that additional bass.
Sonos
Sonos Roam SL
9. Greatest price range Sonos speaker
Nice worth
The Sonos Roam SL is a good transportable Bluetooth speaker that’s excellent for these trying to begin a Sonos system however who nonetheless need the flexibleness to take their speaker out of the house.
- Pretty design
- Nice sound efficiency
- Good worth
- Some options lacking
- No sensible assistants
- Fewer color choices than Roam
The Sonos Roam SL has the identical design and sound structure because the Sonos Roam, but it surely does not supply a microphone and subsequently misses out on a couple of features. There are not any sensible assistants on board, and the Sonos Roam SL does not have Sound Swap or computerized Trueplay tuning, but it surely nonetheless switches routinely between Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and it delivers nice sound in a small bundle.
There’s AirPlay 2 on board, waterproofing, and it’ll swap seamlessly between being a part of your Sonos system and being a Bluetooth speaker as you progress round.
Pocket-lint
Sonos Roam
10. Greatest transportable Sonos speaker
Moveable, however packs a punch
For these already invested in Sonos, the Roam is a no brainer as an addition. It means that you can convey your Sonos system with you wherever you go. For these contemplating a Bluetooth speaker and questioning if the Roam is well worth the funding – it delivers every part a Bluetooth speaker ought to, plus a lot extra.
- Light-weight and really transportable
- Glorious sound high quality for dimension
- Water-proof
- Rubber ends dent
- No accompanying case
- Battery life a little bit under claimed
The Sonos Roam is the smaller of the transportable, Bluetooth audio system from Sonos and the smallest Sonos speaker out there (alongside the Roam SL), in addition to one of many smartest. It provides computerized switching between Wi-Fi and Bluetooth – which the larger Move doesn’t – permitting for a extra seamless listening expertise when transferring from outdoors to inside, and vice versa.
Together with all the usual Sonos options, the Roam additionally has a function known as Sound Swap and it comes with each Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, in addition to AirPlay 2 and Automatic TruePlay. It could possibly’t be used as surrounds or paired to a Sub, however it’s small, mild, very transportable and sounds nice.
Sonos Transfer
11. Greatest feature-rich Sonos speaker
Glorious options and efficiency
There are different nice transportable Bluetooth audio system on the market – together with Sonos’ personal Roam that’s far smaller and higher designed for fixed portability – however there are none fairly just like the Sonos Transfer by way of sound output and options, particularly not for these already invested within the Sonos system.
- Glorious sound high quality
- Sturdy and water-resistant design
- Loads of options
- Heavy so not that transportable
- Cannot use as surrounds
- Not the most cost effective
The Sonos Move is the bigger of the 2 transportable audio system from Sonos, providing Bluetooth audio capabilities alongside Wi-Fi. When in Bluetooth mode – there is a toggle swap on the rear – the Sonos Transfer means that you can pair your gadget to it and stream audio, as you’ll every other Bluetooth speaker. When in Wi-Fi mode, the Sonos Transfer provides all the identical options you’ll count on from a Sonos speaker, managed utilizing the Sonos app.
It provides computerized Trueplay tuning so in case you transfer the Transfer, it’s going to routinely tune itself to its environment, and there’s Apple AirPlay 2 on board too. Moreover, the Sonos Transfer has built-in Google Assistant and Alexa voice management, it’s IP56 water and dust resistant so you’ll be able to convey it wherever you are going and the battery lasts round 10 hours.
Sonos Transfer 2
12. Greatest new Sonos speaker
Bettering on perfection
The Sonos Transfer 2 refines the already premium options of the unique Transfer, and delivers upgraded efficiency throughout sound, options and battery life. Moreover, it is versatile and rugged design provides each indoor and out of doors use.
- Nice design refinements
- Glorious efficiency general
- Lengthy lasting battery
- No Google Assistant
- Expensive
Bettering on the primary iteration ‘Transfer’ mannequin, the Sonos Move 2 speaker makes delicate refinements that lead to a giant sound distinction, and has shortly change into a favorite.
Sure design changes, like an easier quantity adjustment interface and transferring the play/ pause buttons the buttons make the UI extra intuitive, and the loud sound on traditional seems like Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody show the improved aucostic structure was value it. Whereas not as capable as the Era 300 by way of sound efficiency, however it’s extra versatile, while nonetheless providing lots of the identical options, like USB-C line-in and Bluetooth.
The underside line: What’s the greatest Sonos speaker?
Primarily based on our years of listening and testing, we have discovered that the perfect Sonos speaker general is the Sonos Period 100, due to its nice sound and ease. This speaker is definitely the perfect for Sonos novices to start out constructing their final residence surround-sound system.
Sonos Period 100
Editor’s Alternative
Nice start line
The Sonos Period 100 is likely one of the latest Sonos audio system out there, changing the superb Sonos One. It delivers glorious sound high quality for it dimension (from what we have now heard up to now), provides a stunning design and there are many options on board. The Period 100 is the proper beginning place to a Sonos system, in addition to an amazing addition to an current one.
What are the various kinds of Sonos audio system?
Conventional Sonos audio system: The non-portable audio system throughout the Sonos line up embody the Sonos Period 100, Period 300 and the Sonos 5. The Period 100 replaces the Sonos One and One SL and brings Bluetooth capabilities, whereas the Period 300 sits under the bigger Sonos 5, however provides a number of additional tips like Dolby Atmos and spatial audio assist. You’ll be able to read how the Era 100 and Era 300 compare in our separate function and we have additionally coated how the Era 100 compares to the Sonos One elsewhere. Should you’re thinking about the usual Sonos Wi-Fi audio system, you’ll be able to leap straight to extra about them by clicking here.
Sonos soundbars: Sonos has three soundbars in its providing, together with the price range Sonos Ray, designed for smaller TVs, the Sonos Beam (2021, Gen 2) that has digital Dolby Atmos assist and the all-singing, all-dancing Sonos Arc with full Dolby Atmos assist. Inside the residence theatre line-up, there’s additionally the Sonos Sub and the Sonos Sub Mini, with the latter providing the identical low frequency response however a bit much less energy than the bigger Sub. Should you’re within the Sonos residence theatre merchandise, you’ll be able to leap straight to extra about them by clicking here.
Moveable Sonos audio system: There are three transportable audio system within the Sonos line up. These embody the Sonos Transfer, the Sonos Roam and the Sonos Roam SL. We have a function evaluating the differences between the Sonos Roam and Sonos Move, however in a nutshell, the Roam is an ultra-portable Bluetooth and Wi-Fi speaker that’s smaller and cheaper than Transfer, and the Roam SL is a Roam with out the built-in microphones and sensible assistants. Should you’re within the Sonos transportable audio system, you’ll be able to leap straight to extra about them by clicking here.
Sonos Ikea Symfonisk audio system: Along with the transportable Sonos audio system and the usual Sonos audio system, the corporate additionally collaborated with Ikea to supply the Symfonisk vary of audio system. There’s the Wi-Fi Bookshelf Speaker, which is a speaker that doubles up as a bookshelf and the most cost effective strategy to enter the Sonos system. In the meantime, the Desk Lamp Speaker doubles up as a desk lamp and the Image Body Speaker doubles up as a bit of artwork. All of the Symfonisk audio system work as conventional Sonos audio system. Should you’re within the Sonos Ikea Symfonisk audio system, you’ll be able to leap straight to the line-up by clicking here.
Does Ikea have a Sonos line?
Sure. Sonos and Ikea teamed up collectively to supply the Symfonisk vary of audio system, of which there are a number of choices. There’s the Symfonisk Wi-Fi Guide Shelf Speaker, the Symfonisk Desk Lamp Speaker and the Symfonisk Image Body Speaker too.
All supply all the identical options as lots of the different Sonos audio system, together with Trueplay tuning, multi-room audio, compatibility with over 100 music companies, the flexibility to stereo pair two of the identical and voice management by way of an Alexa or Google Assistant-enabled gadget.
The Sonos Ikea Symfonisk audio system are managed by way of the Sonos app however they’ve twin capabilities in that the Guide Shelf speaker generally is a bookshelf too, in addition to positioned vertically or horizontally, the Symfonisk Desk Lamp Speaker is a lamp in addition to a speaker and the Image Body is a bit of artwork and a speaker. All are AirPlay 2 appropriate.
The Symfonisk Wi-Fi Guide Shelf Speaker is the most cost effective strategy to begin a Sonos system, providing an honest sound for the value and dimension. The Symfonisk Desk Lamp Speaker is costlier, as is the Symfonisk Image Body Speaker, however they each supply good sound and useful designs.
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