After the yr of self-induced tumult that Sonos has been by means of, I can perceive why some persons 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 cellular app is in a a lot better place right now 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 suitable path — and I took Sonos’ choice to cancel its video participant 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 — a minimum of not with out trouble. More often than not I’m streaming from Apple Music, Spotify, or YouTube Music. But when I’m watching a sports activities recreation on my TV, I can pipe the audio from my Sonos soundbar to a speaker in a special room to comply with the motion. Enjoying one thing over Bluetooth? With a lot of the firm’s latest audio system, it’s potential to do the identical factor and spread that music across your entire Sonos system.
Why you need to belief my Sonos suggestions
I’ve lined Sonos extensively for a number of years at The Verge. This has included reporting on the corporate’s newest information, reviewing a prolonged listing of Sonos merchandise, and bringing consideration to the app fiasco, which finally led to the ouster of former CEO Patrick Spence. Audio and residential theater are two of my major 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 understand that tariffs may finally result in worth will increase for a few of these merchandise. Placing the software program misstep apart, this firm makes some genuinely wonderful {hardware}, so in case you don’t need to threat paying extra, now could be the time to purchase. And in case you’re questioning that are the true standouts, I’ve acquired you lined.
What I’m on the lookout for
I put in lots of hours testing Sonos’ numerous audio system and soundbars of their meant environments. Meaning listening to a product just like the Transfer 2 each indoors and out of doors, 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 gadgets which are marketed as being waterproof, 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 parts.
Sonos has an intensive lineup of audio system spanning numerous type components: there are desk audio system, moveable Bluetooth audio system, soundbars, subwoofers, and, separate from all that, you will have the Ikea Symfonisk merchandise which are designed to mix into your property decor. The very best decide will depend upon what you want.
Some “audiophiles” may flip their nostril up on the concept of Sonos {hardware} being able to wonderful sound. However I feel most individuals might be lots pleased with the audio high quality. Even the corporate’s smaller merchandise persistently ship clear, nice audio.
A part of what makes the Sonos ecosystem so interesting is every thing you are able to do with it. Need to play your TV’s audio in different rooms? You are able to do that. For those who’ve acquired 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 in the marketplace right now.
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 appropriate with the corporate’s newest S2 platform and nonetheless obtain firmware releases.
The very best Sonos speaker to begin with
$199
The Good
- Improved sound (now in stereo)
- Bluetooth and line-in help
- Privateness-conscious microphone controls
The Dangerous
- No extra Google Assistant
- Rejiggered controls have a studying curve
- Line-in requires USB-C dongle
For those who’re on the lookout for a decent-sounding, compact speaker to place within the kitchen, workplace, or actually anyplace 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’ll be able to slide your finger throughout and, lastly, devoted monitor controls.
The speaker has a sublime design, and you should use hands-free voice controls to summon Amazon Alexa or Sonos Voice Management to skip tracks or change to a special playlist. Sonos just lately dropped the Period 100’s worth to $199, which is greater than truthful for what you’re getting. I’d purchase now and keep away from risking the price going up once more, because of tariffs.
Learn my full Sonos Period 100 evaluate.
The very best general 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 Dangerous
- 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 a good quantity of desk house. 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” in regards to 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 great turntable companion — particularly in case you spring for a stereo pair.
The very best moveable Sonos speaker
$449
The Good
- Improved stereo sound
- For much longer battery life
- Helps line-in playback
The Dangerous
- No extra Google Assistant
- Can’t be used as a speakerphone
- Hefty for a transportable speaker
In relation to moveable audio system, the Transfer 2 is in an entire completely different league than Sonos’ a lot smaller Roam 2. It’s greater and heavier, however a built-in deal with makes it simpler to lug the Transfer 2 round your property or out to the yard. There’s no comparability between the 2 on the subject of audio: the Transfer 2 smokes the much more compact Roam 2. Just like the Period 100, it has a stereo driver association, whereas the Roam mixes every thing all the way down to mono and sounds extra muffled.
The Transfer’s bigger dimension offers it a transparent benefit when it comes to bass punch, and other than enjoying music wirelessly, you’ve acquired the choice of plugging in different gadgets over USB-C for line-in audio. I additionally proceed to understand that the battery within the Transfer 2 is user-replaceable, which may’t be mentioned of many Bluetooth audio system. You’ll be capable of maintain having fun with your funding for lengthy, lengthy into the long run. And with a mud / water resistance ranking of IP56, it could actually deal with rain and splashes of water with out issues; simply don’t drop it right into a pool.
I choose the Transfer 2 over conventional moveable audio system since, a minimum of at any time when I’m residence, the Sonos lets me play music over Wi-Fi at a better constancy than Bluetooth can provide. Plus, the Transfer 2 additionally helps Apple AirPlay and Spotify Join, so it’s straightforward to only skip the Sonos app altogether if you want.
Learn my full Sonos Transfer 2 evaluate.
The very best Sonos soundbar for residence theater lovers
$999
The Good
- Extra immersive sound than unique Arc
- Bass positive aspects are substantial sufficient to make this a viable standalone choice
- Now helps Bluetooth audio
The Dangerous
- 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 price
Launched in late 2024, the Arc Extremely improves on the unique Arc with considerably extra highly effective bass response. That’s largely because of 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 consumers 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 perfect you could find from a single-enclosure speaker. Vocal readability has additionally improved considerably thanks to higher heart channel efficiency. One other improve over the primary Arc is the addition of Bluetooth audio help.
Learn my full evaluate of the Sonos Arc Extremely.
The very best Sonos soundbar for smaller rooms
$470
The Good
- Wider, extra expansive sound
- HDMI eARC brings higher efficiency
- Sleeker design than first Beam
The Dangerous
- No up-facing Atmos audio system
- Doesn’t have automated Trueplay
- Similar acoustic structure as prior mannequin
There are many eventualities and TV rooms the place the Arc Extremely could be too highly effective. For those who’re in a smaller house or don’t want the very best 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.
Learn my full Sonos Beam (Gen 2) evaluate.
The very best Sonos subwoofer for most individuals
$429
The Good
- Glossy, distinctive design
- Good bass presence for its dimension
- Straightforward setup course of
The Dangerous
- Not appropriate for giant dwelling 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 further oomph and growl onto Hollywood blockbusters and your favourite TV reveals. The $799 Sub 4 is Sonos’ flagship subwoofer, however loads of folks have saved a whole lot of {dollars} by pairing the Sub Mini with any of the corporate’s soundbars — they usually’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 search out an not noticeable spot to position it. Even in case you’re the kind to do a sub crawl and put it someplace in plain sight, I’d argue it seems to be extra fashionable than the blocky Sub 4.
Learn my full Sonos Sub Mini evaluate.
The very best funds Sonos speaker
$120
The Good
- Reasonably priced method into Sonos ecosystem
- Could be mounted as a shelf
- Passable sound for the dimensions
- Good choice for Sonos encompass sound
The Dangerous
- No built-in mic for voice assistants
- You’ll need two for the most effective audio expertise
- No 3.5mm aux enter
It’s been years since Sonos and Ikea launched new merchandise as a part of their joint effort, however that doesn’t imply you need to sleep on the prevailing ones. Specifically, the Symfonisk Bookshelf Speaker (Gen 2) is probably the most reasonably priced gateway into the Sonos ecosystem — particularly in case you can catch it at a reduction throughout Ikea’s routine gross sales. Sound-wise, it’s not far off from the previous Sonos One / Play:1 and is a really gratifying speaker. Plus, the low worth makes it simpler to persuade your self to scoop up two for a stereo pair. These — or the Symfonisk Image Body Speaker — make wonderful rear encompass audio system in case you’re on a funds.
Learn my full Ikea Symfonisk Bookshelf Speaker evaluate.
The Sonos product worthy of a second likelihood
$399
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 Dangerous
- TV Audio Swap handoff could be glitchy
- Beam and Ray soundbars unsupported for now
- Headphones can’t be grouped with Sonos audio system
Boy oh boy, did Sonos’ wi-fi headphones come proper on the worst potential second. The corporate’s app disaster fully sidelined the Ace headphones. Some prospects had been additionally disenchanted 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 improbable. They’re comfy, have a stunning design (with simply swappable ear pads), and sound detailed, highly effective, and expressive. They help wired audio over USB-C along with Bluetooth. And the TV Audio Swap characteristic is a helpful perk that I nonetheless usually use late at night time when my Arc Extremely would disturb others. You may route any audio that may usually come by means of the soundbar — out of your TV, gaming console, or streaming machine — by means of the headphones and hear privately (with spatial audio encompass sound).
No, the Ace headphones aren’t what I’d take into account the perfect of a wearable product from Sonos. However they continue to be an entirely spectacular debut that fell sufferer to the corporate’s poor software program selections.
Learn my full Sonos Ace evaluate.
Pictures by Chris Welch / The Verge