Here at WIRED, we like Sonos audio system. We actually do. Throughout the previous decade, we’ve reviewed all the firm’s wirelessly connectable audio system, from its small shelf audio system to its TV soundbars, and we’ve really useful each certainly one of them. But turning your own home right into a Sonos-powered shrine to sound isn’t low cost. Like Apple merchandise, Sonos audio system promote at a premium, beginning at $120 for a primary mannequin. But which of them must you purchase? Read on for our suggestions.
Updated April 2023: We’ve added our impressions of the Sonos Era 100 and Sonos Era 300 and up to date pricing and retailers.
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Best Overall Sonos Speaker
The Sonos Era 100 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) replaces the Sonos One (Gen 2) as our favourite Sonos speaker, notably for its improved sound and options. It’s the identical form and dimension because the Sonos One, and it has a equally modern design, which implies it simply blends into most areas. The speaker now comes outfitted with a quantity slider (a reportedly highly-requested characteristic by many customers) and a play-pause button so that you don’t must take your telephone out everytime you wish to management it. It has a USB-C enter as effectively, together with a change on the again of the speaker to manually disable the built-in microphone for privateness.
The Era 100 has bigger woofers and angled tweeters that create actual stereo sound, together with a sooner processor that enables the speaker to obtain software program updates for longer. WIRED affiliate editor Parker Hall says the speaker sounds noticeably higher than the 2 generations of Sonos One speaker that got here earlier than it. It packs a punchier, extra outlined bass, crisp definition, and room-filling sound. There’s additionally a room-tuning characteristic that adjusts the audio based mostly on the place you place it (however this works higher on iOS units). We’re additionally pleased to see the addition of Bluetooth pairing, along with Wi-Fi, so you’ll be able to stream audio with out a Sonos account and additionally pair it with a Bluetooth turntable.
If you are in search of a cheaper speaker that is additionally freed from microphones, the Sonos One SL is a strong various. You can solely management it out of your telephone or the contact buttons on it (and you do not have to fret about somebody listening in to your home). The SL can be a great way so as to add extra satellite tv for pc audio system to your own home.
Best Speakers to Fill Out a Room
In 2022, Sonos reunited with Ikea to launch a second-generation model of its bookshelf speaker. At $130, it’s kind of pricier than its $99 predecessor, nevertheless it does include a couple of upgrades, together with a rise in reminiscence and a sooner processor. We have but to check this mannequin, however we did just like the first-generation model.
You can mount it proper to your wall or stand it upright on a bookshelf or desk. And if you wish to community a couple of audio system collectively for a bigger room, or related rooms, that is the most cost effective technique to do it. It does not immediately take audio instructions, as a result of it has no mic, so you will want a Sonos One, Sonos Era 100, Google speaker, or Alexa speaker that you could yell at if you wish to management it together with your voice. Other than that, it does all the things you’d desire a Sonos to do.
Photograph: IKEA
Sonos and Ikea additionally launched a brand new model of their distinctive desk lamp. There is a white version, a black version, and a $240 version with a textile light shade. It presents enhanced sound and is extra customizable this time round, with swappable shades. The first mannequin, which you’ll examine in our dual review, sounded nice. We have excessive hopes for the brand new model. Finally, if wall artwork is extra your fashion, Ikea presents the Symfonisk Picture Frame with a built-in Sonos Wi-Fi Speaker for $170. We are at present testing the desk lamp and will replace this information with our ideas quickly.
Best Large Speaker
The Sonos Era 300 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) has a quite awkward and startling look (we expect it appears to be like like a robotic’s butt), however the sound high quality makes up for it. Under the hood are six speaker drivers, 4 tweeters, and a few mid/bass drivers—all of which ship detailed, massive, and assured sound. The standout characteristic, nonetheless, is spatial audio. With sound that spreads in all instructions and for a considerable distance with out missing definition, we expect the Era 300 surpasses the Apple HomePod by a large margin when filling rooms. It’s price noting that it helps Amazon and Apple’s spatial audio catalog, however not Tidal’s library of Dolby Atmos content material.
As with the Era 100, the Era 300 has bodily controls together with a quantity slider, play/pause, skip ahead/backward, and voice-assistant interplay (with a alternative between Amazon Alexa and Sonos Voice Control). In the again, you will discover a socket for energy, a change to mute the mics, a USB-C auxiliary enter, and a button for Bluetooth pairing (which implies you do not have to make use of the Sonos app to regulate it). If you go for the Sonos companion app, you’ll be able to alter EQ, tune the audio system to your surroundings by way of the TruePlay characteristic, and pair different Sonos audio system collectively.
Best Portable Speaker With Bluetooth
The Sonos Roam (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is the corporate’s smallest and most transportable speaker. With built-in Bluetooth connectivity (it is certainly one of our favorite Bluetooth speakers), you’ll be able to simply throw it right into a tote bag and play music on the go. Using the Sonos app, obtainable for Android and iPhone, you even have the flexibility to stream from main providers like Spotify, Apple Music (with help for AirPlay 2), Tidal, and extra. And you’ll be able to management the speaker by way of voice instructions utilizing Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.
It could not supply audiophile-approved sound for its stature, nevertheless it’s nonetheless pretty spectacular. The dual-driver system, subwoofer, and tweeter work in tandem to offer a daring bass and clear highs—with zero distortion when the amount is cranked up. And with as much as 10 hours of listening, it will final you a full seashore day—and then some.
The Sonos Move is a much bigger transportable speaker with higher sound. It packs Bluetooth connectivity, 11 hours of battery life, and onboard microphones that adapt its sound to the surroundings, plus it is waterproof. Can’t resolve between the Roam and Move? You can purchase both of them for $548 at Sonos.
Best Sonos Soundbar (for Most)
As with the unique Beam (8/10, WIRED Recommends), the second-generation Beam delivers spectacular sound and has a modern design. In phrases of upgrades, it has a sooner processor, help for Dolby Atmos (with appropriate TVs and streaming apps) for enhanced sound, and an HDMI eARC port for higher-definition audio. You’ll additionally get hands-free Alexa and Google Assistant, and it really works with Airplay 2. You can pair it with a Sonos Sub (an costly subwoofer) and two different Sonos audio system for {surround}.
Sonos tweaked the design too, including a polycarbonate grille to the entrance as a substitute of a material cowl as seen on the Gen 1 mannequin. That’s alleged to make it simpler to mix in together with your inside decor. It’s $50 greater than the earlier mannequin, which is not that way more costly than the already costly soundbar. For non-Sonos options, learn our Best Soundbars information.
Sonos sub speaker gen 3Photograph: Sonos
The normal Sonos Sub will price you $799 at Sonos or Target. It’s very good however costly. If you’re working with a smaller area, the less expensive Sonos Sub Mini is $429 at Sonos (Target). Don’t trouble shopping for {surround} audio system till you personal a Sub, although. It will make a profound distinction.
Best Small Soundbar
If you’ve gotten an house or a smaller room, or are simply getting began within the soundbar division, the Sonos Ray (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is a strong choice for you. The Ray is available in a compact body, however don’t let that idiot you. The soundbar produces clear, crisp sound that simply fills your area with zooms and booms, quiet conversations, and every other moments you wouldn’t wish to miss in your favourite motion pictures and reveals. Plus, with adjustable settings within the Sonos app, you’ll be able to configure your perfect listening expertise for each tune in your favourite album.
This small soundbar simply suits on leisure facilities and dressers, or you’ll be able to mount it in your wall to release as a lot treasured area as potential.
Wanna take it to the subsequent stage? You can pair the Ray with the Sonos Sub Mini to spherical out the sound in your room. The Sub Mini is wi-fi (other than an influence twine), so it connects seamlessly to your present system by the Sonos app. This subwoofer is $429 at Sonos and Target.
Best for Big Home Theaters
A soundbar could make all of the distinction in a house theater, and they price loads lower than a full surround-sound setup. And in case you’re in search of one which’s actually highly effective, the Sonos Arc (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is the best way to go. It has full Dolby Atmos help, and in lots of rooms, it will possibly bounce pontificate your partitions and ceiling effectively sufficient that it seems like you’ve gotten a {surround} setup.
With three tweeters and eight mid-woofers, it delivers deep bass and has extra stability and depth than the Beam. It’s additionally loads longer, stretching 45 inches, or concerning the width of a 55-inch TV. Its design is elegant and understated within the regular Sonos method—you will not all the time discover the bar, however whenever you do, it is not an eyesore in any respect.
