Sonos continues to dominate the audio market with a diverse range of products, from compact portable speakers to advanced home cinema soundbars and sophisticated wireless speaker systems. For newcomers to the brand, navigating this extensive product line can be challenging. This guide aims to simplify the selection process, offering insights into Sonos' capabilities and highlighting key considerations for potential buyers.
Our experts have rigorously tested nearly every Sonos speaker released, assessing each device on critical attributes such as audio performance, aesthetic design, build quality, ease of use, and overall value. These meticulous evaluations ensure that our recommendations are well-founded and provide a clear picture of what each product offers. Readers are encouraged to click on the provided review links for more detailed examinations of individual products.
Beyond Sonos-specific options, we also offer guidance on other portable audio solutions, including top-rated outdoor and Bluetooth speakers, as well as leading smart speakers and soundbars for indoor use. This holistic approach ensures that consumers can make informed decisions based on their specific needs and preferences, whether they are looking for versatile portable sound or a dedicated home audio setup.
The Sonos Arc Ultra represents a significant advancement in home theater audio. Building upon its predecessor, the original Arc, this second-generation soundbar delivers exceptional dialogue clarity and enhanced bass, thanks to innovative Sound Motion transducers. Our testing revealed that the Arc Ultra creates an immersive sound experience, with audio effects seemingly originating from various directions, enriching both movie watching and music listening across diverse genres. For an even more expansive surround sound experience, users can integrate the Sub 4 subwoofer and Era 300 or Era 100 speakers as rear channels, though the effectiveness of the subwoofer depends on room size. The Arc Ultra features an HDMI eARC port, necessitating a compatible eARC port on your television for optimal performance. It supports both AirPlay 2 and Bluetooth for flexible streaming. While the Sonos app faced initial issues in 2024, it has since improved, granting access to a wide array of music streaming services like Spotify, Tidal, Deezer, and Qobuz, alongside Sonos Radio. iPhone users can benefit from the Trueplay feature, which customizes audio output to the room's acoustics, while Android users can utilize the QuickTune function for rapid setup. Despite the persistent absence of comprehensive DTS support across Sonos products, making it more suitable for app-based streaming, the Arc Ultra is a notable upgrade from its forerunner.
The Era 300 marks a significant milestone as Sonos' inaugural non-soundbar speaker to incorporate Dolby Atmos technology. This speaker is considerably larger than its counterpart, the Era 100, enabling it to produce a richer and more expansive sound, largely due to its Atmos spatial audio capabilities. The unique driver configuration of the Era 300 directs audio both forward, upward, and sideways, creating a three-dimensional soundstage. Unlike the bass-heavy Era 100, the Era 300 offers a crisper, clearer, and more agile sound profile. While its approach to high frequencies is cautiously balanced, its treble performance remains distinct and lucid. When playing Dolby Atmos content, the speaker generates an impressively wide, deep, and tall soundstage that extends beyond its physical dimensions, though the precise effect is influenced by the audio track's mix. Users can fine-tune the height of the audio performance via the Sonos app for a more immersive experience. Similar to the Era 100, it lacks Google Assistant support but includes the Quick Tune version of Trueplay, enhancing accessibility for Android users. The rear panel features a USB-C port and a Bluetooth pairing button, and microphones can be fully deactivated for privacy. The Era 300 supports stereo pairing with another Era 300 unit or can function as a rear Atmos speaker within a Sonos surround sound setup. However, it's worth noting that adapters for connecting to external devices or routers are sold separately. Among the various Atmos wireless speakers evaluated, the Era 300 stands out as one of the finest, hinting at promising future developments for the Era series.
The Move 2, Sonos' largest portable speaker, offers impressive audio quality and a robust 24-hour battery life. While its portability is debatable given its size, it excels as an outdoor speaker for larger gatherings. Its IP56 rating provides solid resistance against water, dust, and liquids, though it is not designed for submersion. The speaker also boasts 'drop-resistant' durability, having survived several concrete drops with minor cosmetic damage. Available in Shadow Black, Lunar White, and green, these finishes help prevent overheating outdoors. Like the Roam, it seamlessly transitions between Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity with a dedicated button. When connected to Wi-Fi, it supports Alexa, Google Assistant, and Sonos Voice Control, and can integrate into a multi-room audio system with other Sonos speakers. The Auto Trueplay feature uses built-in microphones to continuously optimize audio based on its environment, a function now available on both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. While initially subtle, the tonal improvements from Auto Trueplay become noticeable over time. The significantly extended battery life, nearly double that of its predecessor, ensures prolonged outdoor use.
The Beam Gen 2, a slightly larger successor to Sonos' most affordable soundbar, now includes Dolby Atmos support. Despite its compact size, making it ideal for TVs up to 55 inches and smaller rooms, it achieves its Atmos effect through virtual processing rather than dedicated up-firing speakers. Unlike the Ray, it features an HDMI eARC input, allowing for high-quality Atmos playback with compatible TVs. The Beam Gen 2 also incorporates Trueplay, voice control, and HDMI CEC, enabling TV remote operation for functions like volume. Through the Sonos app, it can be integrated into a multi-room system or paired with rear speakers and a Sub Mini for a full home cinema surround sound setup. It supports streaming from popular music apps like Spotify, Tidal, and Qobuz, and offers Alexa, Google Assistant, and Sonos Voice Control. Its audio performance is characterized by excellent balance and range, providing impactful bass and a broad soundstage that directs effects towards the viewer. For music, it handles both subtle and bass-heavy tracks with minimal distortion. Sonos has announced the Beam Ultra, an upcoming model slated for late September 2026, which promises further enhancements, including up-firing speakers and improved bass within the same form factor, though it is not expected to replace the Gen 2.
The Era 100, a replacement for the Sonos One, features a taller, sleeker design and an upgraded driver configuration. It includes two angled tweeters for superior high-frequency dispersion and a woofer that delivers more robust bass than its predecessors, the One or One SL. While the Era 100 offers increased power, some listeners may find it lacks the midrange clarity and detail of the One models, with its pronounced bass sometimes influencing the overall tonal balance. Bluetooth performance is adequate, though higher volume settings are often needed to match Wi-Fi audio quality. Notable changes from the One series include the replacement of the Ethernet port with a USB-C port, the addition of Bluetooth connectivity, and a physical switch to disable microphones for privacy. Although Google Assistant is not supported, Amazon Alexa and Sonos Voice Control are available. The Era 100 introduces a simplified Trueplay version, allowing for quick acoustic optimization via the Sonos app's built-in microphones. This Quick Tune Trueplay also extends its benefits to Android users. With an official price drop to £199 / $199, the Era 100 stands as a strong contender for a desktop speaker. For those concerned about integrated microphones, the Era 100 SL variant is available without them.
The Sonos Roam 2 offers an accessible entry point into the Sonos speaker ecosystem. Essentially an updated version of the original Roam, its primary enhancement is a dedicated Bluetooth button, resolving previous user confusion regarding Bluetooth activation. This portable, Toblerone-shaped speaker supports both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, allowing for indoor use within the Sonos ecosystem and outdoor use via Bluetooth. For a larger portable option with similar features, the Sonos Move 2 is available, though its size impacts its portability. Indoors, the Roam 2 functions as a smart speaker, providing access to Amazon Alexa and Sonos Voice Control, as well as a wide range of music streaming services through the Sonos app. Voice assistance and the Sonos app are not available over Bluetooth. The Roam 2 boasts a 10-hour battery life on a single charge and an IP67 rating, ensuring dust and water resistance for outdoor adventures. Its Auto Trueplay feature dynamically optimizes sound regardless of orientation (vertical or horizontal). While its audio quality is commendable for a portable speaker of its size, offering a balanced and neutral performance with clear vocals, natural midrange, and detailed treble, it lacks significant bass depth compared to competitors like the JBL Charge 5 Wi-Fi. Ultimately, it offers a solid portable audio experience without drastic changes from its predecessor.
The Sonos Play positions itself as a versatile audio solution, bridging the gap between the portability of the Roam 2 and the robust features of the Move 2. It offers a more compact and manageable design than the Move 2, making it easier to transport around the home or outdoors. The device carries an IP67 rating, ensuring resilience against rain and dust. When used indoors, the Play functions like a standard Sonos speaker, integrating seamlessly into the Sonos ecosystem and providing access to various music streaming services. Outdoors, it delivers an impressive 24 hours of battery life and includes a swivel handle for convenient carrying, along with Bluetooth connectivity for off-network use. While it may not be the best-sounding or most portable speaker in the Sonos lineup, it excels at providing a balanced solution for both indoor and outdoor audio needs. For users seeking a single speaker that competently handles diverse listening environments without significant compromises, the Play presents a compelling option, making it an excellent choice for general use.
The Sub Mini is a compact subwoofer specifically engineered to complement smaller soundbars such as the Ray and Beam Gen 2, and is optimized for use in smaller rooms. This subwoofer significantly enhances the dynamic range of any Sonos system it integrates with, elevating the audio performance of existing speakers without introducing the overpowering bass that might be associated with the larger Sonos Sub. When used with music, it imbues tracks with a pleasant warmth, delivering greater impact and clarity than a standalone speaker could achieve. Like other Sonos speakers in this collection, it seamlessly connects with other non-portable Sonos devices, allowing for fine-tuning of bass frequency crossovers via the app to optimize bass integration within the room. Additionally, Trueplay correction can be applied to automatically adjust the subwoofer's output. From a design perspective, the Sub Mini is a cylindrical unit designed for upright placement, meaning it cannot be laid horizontally, which might limit placement options for those looking to conceal it. Despite its compact size, it is a substantial unit, weighing 6.35kg, and while aesthetically pleasing, users should anticipate it occupying a modest amount of space.
Sonos continues to innovate across its product categories, offering a wide array of audio solutions tailored to various user needs. From the immersive home theater experience delivered by the Arc Ultra and Beam Gen 2, to the versatile portability of the Move 2 and Roam 2, and the sophisticated sound of the Era 300 and Era 100, the brand consistently prioritizes sound quality, design, and user experience. Each product is meticulously crafted to integrate seamlessly within the Sonos ecosystem, providing access to extensive music streaming services and smart functionalities. While some products like the Arc Ultra and Beam Gen 2 shine in their home theater applications, others, such as the Move 2 and Roam 2, offer excellent flexibility for both indoor and outdoor listening. The Era series introduces advanced spatial audio capabilities and refined sound profiles, catering to audiophiles seeking a more nuanced listening experience. Despite minor limitations like the lack of comprehensive DTS support or the separate purchase of certain adapters, Sonos speakers remain a top choice for consumers looking for reliable, high-performing audio devices that enhance both entertainment and everyday life.
