When it comes to Wi-Fi-powered music, one of the best ways to indulge in your favorite tunes, albums, and playlists is with one or several Sonos speakers. Sonos products sound fantastic, extremely easy to use, and leverage the power of wire-free tech like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Alexa. You’ll also enjoy the many features and customizations that the Sonos app provides, even if its recent redesign hasn’t proved entirely popular.
The company has been around for a minute, with legacy devices going all the way back to 2009. From floor to ceiling, there are numerous Sonos speakers to choose from, not to mention its first headphones. To help you decide, this list includes the Sonos hardware that matters most.
Build your ideal Sonos system
Sonos Era 300
Big sound and Dolby Atmos
The Era 300 is an excellent smart speaker and Dolby Atmos support helps make it a versatile contender for both music and home theater duty. The Era 300 provides accurate, warm, and melodic sound that fills a space thanks to its four directional tweeters and two woofers. It has Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and line-in audio playback connectivity, helping it earn our nod for best overall, despite a relatively high price tag.
- Room-filling sound
- Dolby Atmos support
- Music over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
- Expensive
- Google Assistant not supported
- Line-in adapter not included
There is more than meets the eye here, with four tweeters and two woofers packed inside. Each is powered via its own class-D digital amplifier. One tweeter and one woofer point to each side for stereo imaging, while another provides a center image, and the last aims upwards for Dolby Atmos content. This makes it easy to get good performance without putting too much thought into speaker placement. The Era 300 offers enveloping, balanced, yet detailed sound.
Sonos Era 300 review: Room to breathe
Sonos takes some risks that pay off with its latest speaker
With Dolby Atmos support, you can use the Era 300 as a main for music and movies or as a surround sound speaker in a home theater array. The Era 300 allows audio playback over Bluetooth in addition to Wi-Fi, a convenient feature. While there’s not a lot to complain about here, the Era 300 isn’t cheap, especially if you plan to purchase a pair or more. While it supports Alexa, Google Assistant has been omitted.
Sonos Arc
More than home theater
The Sonos Arc is an amazing soundbar. It earns our premium pick by combining performance and versatility in a compelling package. You can stream music, watch movies and TV episodes, and do much more with the Arc. While its price is definitely premium, it’s a great choice among large soundbars.
- Rich, immersive sound
- Versatile
- Dolby Atmos support
- Expensive
- No Bluetooth audio
- Lacks HDMI pass-through
The Arc doesn’t mess around. For starters, it has 11 drivers (eight elliptical woofers and three angled silk-dome tweeters) each powered by its own class-D amplifier. A large soundbar that’s adept for both home theater and music, the Arc thumps with solid, well-controlled bass. On top of that, you’ll find smooth treble, articulate midrange response, and an overall immersive experience. Dolby Atmos capability means the Arc can take full advantage of content optimized for the codec.
Sonos Arc review: More than you need, exactly what you want
The Arc is the best soundbar around for big rooms where money doesn’t matter
Probably the biggest knock against the Arc is its high price, but it does compare favorably to other premium soundbars, which are generally more reliant on the presence of a subwoofer to offer decent bass. While the Arc can’t stream audio over Bluetooth, it does offer seamless integration with the Sonos ecosystem via Wi-Fi. The presence of only a single HDMI port could be a limitation, depending on your TV’s capabilities, but shouldn’t adversely impact most users.
Sonos Era 100
Affordable but awesome
The Era 100 is an affordable speaker that makes a great entry point into the Sonos ecosystem. With Bluetooth and line-in connectivity, it’s also well-suited to expanding your existing Sonos system into additional rooms. Successor to the ultra-popular Sonos Play:1 and Sonos One speakers, the Era 100 leverages two side-firing speakers and a woofer to help deliver enhanced performance over its predecessors.
- Great combo of performance and price
- Better sound than predecessor
- Bluetooth included
- Some will crave more bass
- Lacks Google Assistant
- Dongle purchase required for line-in
Featuring dual tweeters and one woofer, the Era 100’s overall sonic presentation is full and open. Bass is noticeably present and punchy, while the instruments have good separation and detail without harshness. If you happen to be an EDM fan or someone who really craves a ton of bass, you might want to add a Sonos subwoofer to the mix, but most people will be satisfied without one.
Sonos Era 100 review: Room-filling sound meets thoughtful improvements
If this speaker proves anything, it’s that the new ‘era’ of Sonos is going to be a good one
The Era 100 is easily capable of serving as a single-speaker solution or as the cornerstone of a multi-speaker Sonos setup sprinkled throughout your house. It offers Sonos and Alexa voice assistant support, but unfortunately, it again omits Google Assistant. Unlike its predecessor, the Era 100 offers audio playback over Bluetooth in addition to Wi-Fi.
Sonos Roam Portable Speaker
Bluetooth and Wi-Fi in one
If you’re in the market for a portable Bluetooth speaker, the Sonos Roam is worth a hard look. In addition to Bluetooth, it offers Wi-Fi connectivity. Around 10 hours of playtime is on tap from a single charge. Multiple control methods, including the Sonos app, AirPlay 2, Alexa, and Google Assistant make the Roam exceptionally versatile.
- Generally good sound
- Music via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
- IP67 dust and water resistance
- Limited bass response
- Can’t use mic for calls
- Short battery life
Take a portable Bluetooth speaker, add Wi-Fi and Sonos integration to it, and you get the Sonos Roam. While it can’t rival the bass presence or control of Sonos’ larger and costlier speakers, the Roam sounds fairly big and is competitive-sounding among comparably-sized Bluetooth speakers. It’s an obvious choice if you’re already invested in the Sonos ecosystem and need a portable speaker for music.
Sonos Roam review: Out of the study, onto the beach
The best portable speaker I've ever heard
Despite a rated 10-hour battery life, the Roam’s actual performance is significantly lower and may clock in at just over 5 hours, depending on your volume levels. That’s a bit of a bummer, as it diminishes the Roam’s appeal for extended outings off the grid, such as camping trips, counter to the laudable presence of IP67 dust and water resistance. The Roam can be controlled via the Sonos app and offers Sonos Voice Assistant, Google Voice and Alexa support, but the integrated mics cannot be used for phone calls, oddly enough.
Sonos has since unveiled the Roam 2, which comes with redesigned controls and an easier setup process, but otherwise almost exactly the same hardware. We’ll be reviewing the Roam 2 when we get the chance, but for now know that it’s not hugely different to the first-gen Roam.
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
A worthy update
An update to the original Beam, the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) is a very good smart speaker that resides at the mid-price point in Sonos’s current lineup of soundbars. Designed for movies, games, and music, the Beam 2 boasts many upgrades over its predecessor, including Dolby Atmos and enhanced sound quality. While it can’t rival the performance of the Arc, the Beam 2 costs hundreds less and will do the trick for midsize home theater setups.
- Nice balance of performance and price
- Dolby Atmos support
- Sounds better than 1st gen Beam
- Lacks up-firing tweeter
- No Bluetooth
- Limited bass
The Beam (Gen 2) offers a solid combination of features and performance at a mid-level price point. Dedicated class-D amplifiers drive a center tweeter, four midwoofers, and accompanying passive radiators, providing noticeably better sound than the first-generation Beam. The Beam offers clear sound with an enveloping sound stage and includes Dolby Atmos to provide enhanced experiences with content mastered for the codec. That said, it lacks an up-firing tweeter to take full advantage of 3D audio. It does not provide as much bass as the Arc, and it may be a good idea to add a Sub or Sub Mini for more impactful home theater and music performance.
Of course, the Beam easily integrates with your Sonos whole-home audio system via Wi-Fi, and can be centrally controlled via the Sonos app. However, you will not get Bluetooth audio here. In addition to Sonos’s own voice assistant, the Beam (Gen 2) supports Amazon Alexa and Google’s assistant. Although imperfect, the Beam (Gen 2) surpasses its predecessor and strikes a good balance between performance and price for most applications.
Sonos Ray
A lower-cost option
The most affordable among Sonos’ current soundbar lineup, the Ray is a compact solution suited for small and midsize home theaters. It’s an attractive entry point into the Sonos ecosystem, offering good performance for music, movies, and games. Front-firing drivers make the Ray a good choice for enclosed spaces like a TV stand, but it lacks a center channel driver and doesn’t support Dolby Atmos.
- Compact
- Clear dialog and vocals
- Affordable
- No Atmos
- No Bluetooth
- Limited bass
If you’re wondering if Sonos’s least expensive soundbar is any good, the answer is yes. The Ray offers a respectably open sound stage for its size and has balanced midrange and treble performance that makes it an easy listen. Despite the absence of a center channel driver, it handles dialog well, and music vocals are notably clear. Unsurprisingly, the Ray can’t produce chest-thumping bass, and it’s Sonos’s only soundbar without Dolby Atmos.
The Ray offers Wi-Fi connectivity and control via the Sonos app but lacks Bluetooth. At 56cm wide, the Ray is Sonos’s most compact soundbar. Combined with its accessible price, that makes the Ray a good choice for small to midsize home theater setups.
Sonos Sub Mini
Pump up the jams
Sometimes all you need is a little more bass to get the party started. That’s where the Sonos Sub Mini comes in with dual 6-inch drivers and 60W RMS active power. The Sub Mini works with any combination of Sonos speakers and gives that extra kick to movies, TV, and music.
- Least expensive Sonos subwoofer
- Sleek and compact
- Produces good quality bass
- Still somewhat expensive
- Not for large spaces
- Locked into Sonos ecosystem
The Sub Mini is Sonos’s most affordable subwoofer at just over half the cost of the company’s Sub (Gen 3). While it’s still not inexpensive compared to comparable subwoofers, the Sub Mini is a good option if you need to add a little extra oomph to a Sonos system. It generally provides clean, punchy bass, but can get a little loose on very low, sustained frequencies. The Mini is suitable for small and midsize spaces but can’t push enough air for large rooms.
The Sub Mini connects to the Sonos ecosystem via Wi-Fi or Ethernet. It does not have standard audio ports and thus cannot be used with non-Sonos home theater systems. While that’s a limitation, it’s not really a problem if you’re fully bought into Sonos and plan to stay that way.
Sonos Move 2
A serious portable speaker
The Sonos Move 2 is the best portable Wi-Fi speaker on the market, but there’s a catch. It’s relatively big and heavy. If you can get past that, there’s a lot to love here, including great sound, simultaneous Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, and 24-hour battery life on a single charge.
- Good sound
- Great battery life
- Bluetooth and Wi-Fi included
- Inconveniently bulky
- Lacks Google Assistant
- Dongle purchase required for line-in
Our reviewer praised the Sonos Move 2 for its “excellent sound quality with smooth mids, satisfying lows, and under-control treble,” qualities that help the speaker earn our recommendation. Although the Move 2 adds a second, angled tweeter compared to its predecessor, it still doesn’t manage to deliver a stereo image with noticeably discrete left and right channels. However, that’s not a huge knock on a portable speaker.
Sonos Move 2 review: Worth the weight
Sonos has nailed the execution — and the sound quality — with its updated portable smart speaker
Battery life is notably long, at 24 hours per charge. Assuming you don’t mind its bulk, that makes the Move 2 a good option for events like cookouts and camping trips. With an IP56 dust and water-resistance rating, the Move 2 is ready for whatever rain and dust nature throws its way, though we wouldn’t recommend it for uncovered, permanent outdoor installation. Notably, the Move 2 supports simultaneous Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections, a really great user experience feature.
Sonos Outdoor Speakers
See you at the pool
Sonos and Sonance have partnered to deliver a set of wired outdoor speakers. While you will not find Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity here, what you do get is a great-sounding premium set of all-weather speakers optimized for the Sonos Amp. Paired with the Amp, these passive speakers extend your whole-home Sonos system to the pool or the patio, for example.
- Great sound for a small speaker
- Weatherized for outdoors
- Optimized for Sonos Amp
- Expensive
- Not for large spaces
- Limited bass
Unlike the other Sonos products on our list, the Sonos Outdoor Speakers are a wired solution that requires a direct connection to an amplifier, such as the Sonos Amp. Developed with Sonance for premium quality sound, the Sonos Outdoor Speakers feature treble and midrange performance that’s clear and pleasing to the ear, and albeit limited in its largeness, the bass is surprisingly punchy for a 2-way speaker with a 6.5-inch woofer.
The Sonos Outdoor Speakers can be installed outdoors and left there year-round. While they’re rated to withstand the elements including UV, it’s still advisable to install the speakers with some cover, such as under the eaves, if possible. Because of their compact size, a pair can only provide limited coverage. A large backyard, for example, may need more speakers or larger ones.
Sonos Symfonisk Speaker Lamp
Hybrid speaker and lamp
If you’re searching for the perfect sound solution for a bedside table, or to place on an end table next to the sofa, the Sonos Symfonisk Speaker Lamp, developed in partnership with Ikea, might be the perfect choice. With Wi-Fi connectivity (no Bluetooth), it provides full integration with the Sonos ecosystem for whole-home audio. What’s more, it’s an attractive lamp with Ikea’s signature style. There is some trade-off in sound quality compared to other Sonos speakers, but it’s still cool if you prioritize style.
- Improved design
- Hybrid functionality
- Uses common E26/E27 bulbs
- Some trade-off of sound quality
- No mics or voice assistants
- A niche product
To put things in context, the Symfonisk falls within the price range of entry-level Sonos products. Its music performance is pretty good, but definitely lags a bit behind other Sonos speakers in terms of clarity, bass and openness. But at the end of the day, you should be buying the Symfonisk because it’s a cool hybrid design that meets your needs for light, sound, and style, not for top audio performance. While it easily integrates with whole-home Sonos systems or can be used as a single piece, the Symfonisk unfortunately omits voice assistant support.
Created in partnership with Swedish furniture giant Ikea, the Symfonisk is available at the retailer’s stores and online. The second-gen Symfonisk looks much sleeker and more premium than the first-gen model, an important improvement for a home decor product. It also uses common E26/E27 bulbs, unlike its predecessor. The Symfonisk is currently available in four color combinations with a glass shade: black base and black shade, black base and white shade, white base and black shade, and white base and white shade.
Create the perfect Sonos system for your home
There’s no shortage of Sonos speakers to choose from, and the exciting part about owning even just one of these devices is the limitless opportunities you’ll have to expand your system down the road. If you’re completely new to Sonos, one of the best devices you can buy is the Sonos Era 300.
Right now, this is Sonos’ signature music speaker, and it supports both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. It sounds fantastic and will have no trouble filling small to medium-sized rooms with audio. You’ll also be able to control the Era 300 with Alexa and can even use it as part of a larger Dolby Atmos surround configuration.
For a complete home theater experience, we highly recommend the Sonos Arc. This premium soundbar is far more than a bunch of speakers lassoed together, it’s an 11-speaker Atmos virtualization guru that does a dang good job at making you think you have speakers in every square inch of your room.
But the Sonos Arc is fairly expensive. If you need your Sonos purchase to cost even less than the Era 300, we suggest going for the Sonos Era 100. For only $250, Sonos’ smallest bookshelf-style speaker is easy to place just about anywhere, and it certainly doesn’t leave you hanging in the sound quality department.
Sonos Era 300
Big sound and Dolby Atmos
The Sonos Era 300 is the perfect first Sonos speaker. The sound quality is terrific, and it’s plenty powerful. You’ll be able to listen to tunes using Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or the line-in port, and can even control the Sonos peripheral using Alexa.
