After the yr of self-induced tumult that Sonos has been through, I can perceive why some individuals are reluctant to spend cash on the corporate’s merchandise. However interim CEO Tom Conrad has proven that he’s decided to get again on monitor and revitalize Sonos because the main whole-home audio model. The contentious cell app is in a a lot better place right this moment than just some months in the past, although some prospects nonetheless encounter bugs and the frustration of audio system randomly vanishing from their system. It’s not all roses, however the state of affairs is shifting in the precise route — and I took Sonos’ determination to cancel its video player as a promising signal of renewed focus.
I’m not about to promote any of my Sonos gear. For one, the corporate’s whole-home platform affords conveniences that opponents don’t match — at the least not with out problem. More often than not, I’m streaming from Apple Music, Spotify, or YouTube Music. But when I’m watching a sports activities sport on my TV, I can pipe the audio from my Sonos soundbar to a speaker in a special room to comply with the motion. Taking part in one thing over Bluetooth? With a lot of the firm’s current audio system, it’s doable to do the identical factor and spread that music across your entire Sonos system.
Why it is best to belief my Sonos suggestions
I’ve coated Sonos extensively for a number of years at The Verge. This has included reporting on the corporate’s online series information, reviewing a prolonged record of Sonos merchandise, and bringing consideration to the app fiasco, which ultimately led to the ouster of former CEO Patrick Spence. Audio and residential theater are two of my main focus areas in product critiques, so I’m well-versed on the subject of figuring out whether or not a speaker or soundbar is nice — or simply one other also-ran product.
I wouldn’t fault anybody for ready to see the place Sonos and its app go from right here. However needless to say tariffs would possibly ultimately result in value will increase for a few of these merchandise. Placing the software program misstep apart, this firm makes some genuinely wonderful {hardware}, so should you don’t wish to danger paying extra, now is likely to be the time to purchase. And should you’re questioning that are the true standouts, I’ve bought you coated.
What I’m in search of
I put in lots of hours testing Sonos’ varied audio system and soundbars of their supposed environments. Which means listening to a product just like the Transfer 2 each indoors and outdoors, having film marathons to check the capabilities of Sonos soundbars, and spending the majority of full days gauging the audio efficiency of audio system just like the 5. With units which are marketed as being water-resistant, I’ll usually convey them to lake getaways or use them close to the pool to make sure that they will deal with splashes and on a regular basis components.
Sonos has an intensive lineup of audio system spanning varied type components: there are desk audio system, moveable Bluetooth audio system, soundbars, subwoofers, and, separate from all that, you’ve the Ikea Symfonisk merchandise which are designed to mix into your house decor. The most effective choose will rely on what you want.
Some “audiophiles” would possibly flip their nostril up on the concept of Sonos {hardware} being able to wonderful sound. However I believe most individuals will probably be loads pleased with the audio high quality. Even the corporate’s smaller merchandise constantly ship clear, nice audio.
A part of what makes the Sonos ecosystem so interesting is every little thing you are able to do with it. Need to play your TV’s audio in different rooms? You are able to do that. If you happen to’ve bought a Bluetooth-capable document participant, the tiny Sonos Roam can play your vinyl and hyperlink that audio to the remainder of your system. Line-in permits for a similar at larger constancy. Most necessary of all, the Sonos controller app helps virtually each music streaming service available on the market right this moment.
Few tech firms proceed to offer software program updates and new options for his or her merchandise so long as Sonos. Audio system launched a decade in the past are nonetheless suitable with the corporate’s online series S2 platform and nonetheless obtain firmware releases.
The most effective Sonos speaker to begin with
$199
The Good
- Improved sound (now in stereo)
- Bluetooth and line-in assist
- Privateness-conscious microphone controls
The Unhealthy
- No extra Google Assistant
- Rejiggered controls have a studying curve
- Line-in requires USB-C dongle
If you happen to’re in search of a decent-sounding, compact speaker to place within the kitchen, workplace, or actually wherever in your house, the Period 100 is your only option. Sonos improved upon this speaker’s predecessors, the Play:1 and Sonos One, by upgrading to stereo drivers for richer, wider audio. Bluetooth playback is now supported, together with line-in audio (with a separate dongle). And the Period 100 additionally has reworked bodily controls, together with a quantity bar you possibly can slide your finger throughout and, lastly, devoted monitor controls.
The speaker has a chic design, and you need to use hands-free voice controls to summon Amazon Alexa or Sonos Voice Management to skip tracks or swap to a special playlist. Sonos not too long ago dropped the Era 100’s price to $199, which is greater than truthful for what you’re getting. I’d purchase now and keep away from risking the fee going up once more, due to tariffs.
The most effective total Sonos speaker
$549
The Good
- Highly effective audio with spectacular stereo separation
- Can crank loud with out distorting
- Common 3.5mm line-in: no adapter required
The Unhealthy
- Lacks sensible speaker performance
- Simply collects mud
- You’ll find yourself wanting two, which will get very costly
The Sonos 5 isn’t simply Sonos’ best-sounding speaker; it’s on the prime of the pack in comparison with all opponents. From an audio high quality perspective, it beats the HomePod, Echo Studio, Nest Audio, and different mass market audio system — each these which are sensible and never. Can you discover higher hi-fi bookshelf audio system? Completely, however these aren’t natively tied into music companies like Sonos gear is. The 5 is a hefty unit and takes up an honest quantity of desk area. However when you throw some music on, its highly effective stereo output is sufficient to deal with any feast or weekend get-together.
There’s nothing “sensible” concerning the 5. It lacks microphones and voice assistant performance. However that simplicity is interesting in its personal proper: you’re getting a rattling good speaker that ties into the Sonos platform. The 5 additionally includes a 3.5mm aux enter, making it a superb turntable companion — particularly should you spring for a stereo pair.
The most effective moveable Sonos speaker
$44
The Good
- Improved stereo sound
- For much longer battery life
- Helps line-in playback
The Unhealthy
- No extra Google Assistant
- Can’t be used as a speakerphone
- Hefty for a conveyable speaker
With regards to moveable audio system, the Transfer 2 is in an entire completely different league than Sonos’ a lot smaller Roam 2. It’s larger and heavier, however a built-in deal with makes it simpler to lug the Transfer 2 round your house or out to the yard. There’s no comparability between the 2 on the subject of audio: the Transfer 2 smokes the way more compact Roam 2. Just like the Period 100, it has a stereo driver association, whereas the Roam mixes every little thing all the way down to mono and sounds extra muffled.
The Transfer’s bigger dimension provides it a transparent benefit when it comes to bass punch, and apart from enjoying music wirelessly, you’ve bought the choice of plugging in different units over USB-C for line-in audio. I additionally proceed to understand that the battery within the Transfer 2 is user-replaceable, which might’t be stated of many Bluetooth audio system. You’ll be capable of preserve having fun with your funding for lengthy, lengthy into the longer term. And with a mud / water resistance ranking of IP56, it could deal with rain and splashes of water with out issues; simply don’t drop it right into a pool.
I desire the Transfer 2 over conventional moveable audio system since, at the least at any time when I’m dwelling, the Sonos lets me play music over Wi-Fi at the next constancy than Bluetooth can provide. Plus, the Transfer 2 additionally helps Apple AirPlay and Spotify Join, so it’s simple to simply skip the Sonos app altogether if you want.
The most effective Sonos soundbar for dwelling theater lovers
$999
The Good
- Extra immersive sound than unique Arc
- Bass beneficial properties are substantial sufficient to make this a viable standalone possibility
- Now helps Bluetooth audio
The Unhealthy
- Sonos app stays buggy for some
- Play:1 and Play:3 now not supported as surrounds
- Nonetheless no DTS:X
- Full encompass setup skyrockets the fee
Launched in late 2024, the Arc Extremely improves on the unique Arc with considerably extra highly effective bass response. That’s largely due to the inclusion of Sonos’ new SoundMotion expertise, which manages to get a greater low-end wallop from a soundbar that’s not a lot bigger than the mannequin it replaces. This implies some patrons can get away with shopping for the Arc Extremely by itself with out including a subwoofer.
The Arc Extremely delivers Dolby Atmos encompass sound that’s extra convincing and immersive than another Sonos soundbar so far, and it’s up there with the easiest you’ll find from a single-enclosure speaker. Vocal readability has additionally improved considerably thanks to raised middle channel efficiency. One other improve over the primary Arc is the addition of Bluetooth audio assist.
The most effective Sonos soundbar for smaller rooms
$443
The Good
- Wider, extra expansive sound
- HDMI eARC brings higher efficiency
- Sleeker design than first Beam
The Unhealthy
- No up-facing Atmos audio system
- Doesn’t have automated Trueplay
- Identical acoustic structure as prior mannequin
There are many situations and TV rooms the place the Arc Extremely is likely to be too highly effective. If you happen to’re in a smaller area or don’t want the best possible encompass sound, the Beam (Gen 2) begins to make extra sense. It nonetheless has Atmos, however the impact is virtualized because the Beam lacks the Arc Extremely’s upward-firing audio system. Even so, the house theater expertise you’ll get from the Beam will blow away any audio system constructed right into a TV.
The most effective Sonos subwoofer for most individuals
$429
The Good
- Glossy, distinctive design
- Good bass presence for its dimension
- Simple setup course of
The Unhealthy
- Not appropriate for big residing rooms
- Nonetheless not low-cost
- Trueplay tuning solely works on iOS
In the identical vein, until you’re hell bent on rumbling your partitions, the $429 Sub Mini subwoofer is greater than sufficient for layering some additional oomph and growl onto Hollywood blockbusters and your favourite TV exhibits. The $799 Sub 4 is Sonos’ flagship subwoofer, however loads of individuals have saved lots of of {dollars} by pairing the Sub Mini with any of the corporate’s soundbars — and so they’ve been ecstatic with the outcomes.
As its title suggests, the Sub Mini is extra compact than the Sub 4, which makes it simpler to seek out an not noticeable spot to position it. Even should you’re the sort to do a sub crawl and put it someplace in plain sight, I’d argue it seems extra fashionable than the blocky Sub 4.
The most effective finances Sonos speaker
$180
The Good
- Inexpensive approach into Sonos ecosystem
- Will be mounted as a shelf
- Passable sound for the dimensions
- Good possibility for Sonos encompass sound
The Unhealthy
- No built-in mic for voice assistants
- You’ll need two for one of the best audio expertise
- No 3.5mm aux enter
Sonos and Ikea is likely to be winding down their partnership, however that doesn’t imply it is best to sleep on the present Symfonisk merchandise earlier than they’re utterly phased out. The Symfonisk Bookshelf Speaker (Gen 2), particularly, stays essentially the most inexpensive gateway into the Sonos ecosystem, even with its current value hike. Sound-wise, it’s not far off from the outdated Sonos One / Play:1 and is a really satisfying speaker. Plus, the lower cost tag makes it simpler to persuade your self to scoop up two for a stereo pair. These — or the Symfonisk Picture Frame Speaker — make wonderful rear encompass audio system should you’re on a finances.
The Sonos product worthy of a second likelihood
$299
The Good
- Fashionable design and wonderful consolation
- Sound, ANC, and transparency are all good
- TV Audio Swap is handy, versatile, and appropriate for gaming
The Unhealthy
- TV Audio Swap handoff might be glitchy
- Headphones can’t be grouped with Sonos audio system
Boy oh boy, did Sonos’ wi-fi headphones come proper on the worst doable second. The corporate’s app disaster utterly sidelined the Ace headphones. Some prospects have been additionally dissatisfied that the Ace can’t play music over Wi-Fi or be grouped with the corporate’s in-home audio system.
However right here’s the factor: the Ace headphones are nonetheless unbelievable. They’re snug, have a stunning design (with simply swappable ear pads), and sound detailed, highly effective, and expressive. They assist wired audio over USB-C along with Bluetooth. And the TV Audio Swap function is a helpful perk that I nonetheless usually use late at night time when my Arc Extremely would disturb others. You’ll be able to route any audio that might usually come by means of the soundbar — out of your TV, gaming console, or streaming machine — by means of two pairs of headphones and pay attention privately (with spatial audio encompass sound). Sonos’ new TrueCinema mode even helps you to fine-tune the latter to raised replicate the acoustics of your area.
No, the Ace headphones aren’t what I’d contemplate the perfect of a wearable product from Sonos. However they continue to be a completely spectacular debut that fell sufferer to the corporate’s poor software program choices.
Pictures by Chris Welch / The Verge
Replace, July 18th: Adjusted pricing and availability. Brandon Widder additionally contributed to this put up.