After the 12 months 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 cellular app is in a significantly better place immediately than just some months in the past, although some clients nonetheless encounter bugs and the frustration of audio system randomly vanishing from their system. It’s not all roses, however the scenario is transferring in the proper route — and I took Sonos’ choice 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 gives conveniences that rivals don’t match — not less than 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 sport on my TV, I can pipe the audio from my Sonos soundbar to a speaker in a special room to observe the motion. Enjoying one thing over Bluetooth? With many of the firm’s current audio system, it’s attainable to do the identical factor and spread that music across your entire Sonos system.
Why it’s best 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 record 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 main focus areas in product opinions, so I’m well-versed in terms 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 remember that tariffs would possibly finally result in value will increase for a few of these merchandise. Placing the software program misstep apart, this firm makes some genuinely glorious {hardware}, so in the event you don’t need to threat paying extra, now is likely to be the time to purchase. And in the event you’re questioning that are the true standouts, I’ve bought you lined.
What I’m searching for
I put in lots of hours testing Sonos’ numerous audio system and soundbars of their supposed 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 can be marketed as being water-proof, I’ll usually deliver them to lake getaways or use them close to the pool to make sure that they’ll deal with splashes and on a regular basis components.
Sonos has an intensive lineup of audio system spanning numerous kind elements: there are desk audio system, moveable Bluetooth audio system, soundbars, subwoofers, and, separate from all that, you have got the Ikea Symfonisk merchandise which can be designed to mix into your house decor. The most effective decide will rely on what you want.
Some “audiophiles” would possibly flip their nostril up on the concept of Sonos {hardware} being able to glorious sound. However I feel 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 the whole lot 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 report 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 increased constancy. Most vital of all, the Sonos controller app helps virtually each music streaming service available on the market immediately.
Few tech firms proceed to supply 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 newest S2 platform and nonetheless obtain firmware releases.
The most effective Sonos speaker to start out with
If you happen to’re searching for 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 honest for what you’re getting. I’d purchase now and keep away from risking the associated 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 good 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 high of the pack in comparison with all rivals. From an audio high quality perspective, it beats the HomePod, Echo Studio, Nest Audio, and different mass market audio system — each these which can be good and never. Can you discover higher hi-fi bookshelf audio system? Completely, however these aren’t natively tied into music providers 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 “good” 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 encompasses a 3.5mm aux enter, making it a great turntable companion — particularly in the event you spring for a stereo pair.
The most effective moveable Sonos speaker
$449
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 transportable speaker
In the case of moveable audio system, the Transfer 2 is in a complete 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 house or out to the yard. There’s no comparability between the 2 in terms 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 the whole lot right down to mono and sounds extra muffled.
The Transfer’s bigger measurement provides it a transparent benefit by way of bass punch, and other than taking part in music wirelessly, you’ve bought 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 to hold having fun with your funding for lengthy, lengthy into the longer term. And with a mud / water resistance ranking of IP56, it may well 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, not less than every time I’m residence, the Sonos lets me play music over Wi-Fi at the next constancy than Bluetooth can supply. Plus, the Transfer 2 additionally helps Apple AirPlay and Spotify Join, so it’s straightforward to simply skip the Sonos app altogether if you want.
The most effective Sonos soundbar for residence theater fans
$999
The Good
- Extra immersive sound than authentic Arc
- Bass positive aspects 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 associated 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 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 some other Sonos soundbar up to now, and it’s up there with the easiest you will discover from a single-enclosure speaker. Vocal readability has additionally improved considerably thanks to raised heart channel efficiency. One other improve over the primary Arc is the addition of Bluetooth audio assist.
The most effective Sonos soundbar for smaller rooms
$470
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 computerized Trueplay
- Similar acoustic structure as prior mannequin
There are many eventualities 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
- Smooth, distinctive design
- Good bass presence for its measurement
- Simple setup course of
The Unhealthy
- Not appropriate for big 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 additional 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 — 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 search out an not easily seen spot to position it. Even in the event you’re the sort 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.
The most effective funds Sonos speaker
$120
The Good
- Reasonably priced manner into Sonos ecosystem
- Could 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 the perfect 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 it’s best to sleep on the prevailing ones. Specifically, the Symfonisk Bookshelf Speaker (Gen 2) is essentially the most reasonably priced gateway into the Sonos ecosystem — particularly in the event 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 pleasurable speaker. Plus, the low value makes it simpler to persuade your self to scoop up two for a stereo pair. These — or the Symfonisk Picture Frame Speaker — make glorious rear encompass audio system in the event you’re on a funds.
The Sonos product worthy of a second probability
$399
The Good
- Fashionable design and glorious consolation
- Sound, ANC, and transparency are all good
- TV Audio Swap is handy, versatile, and appropriate for gaming
The Unhealthy
- TV Audio Swap handoff may 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 attainable second. The corporate’s app disaster utterly sidelined the Ace headphones. Some clients 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 beautiful 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 evening when my Arc Extremely would disturb others. You possibly can route any audio that may usually come via the soundbar — out of your TV, gaming console, or streaming machine — via the headphones and pay attention privately (with spatial audio encompass sound).
No, the Ace headphones aren’t what I’d contemplate the best 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 choices.
Images by Chris Welch / The Verge