After the yr of self-induced tumult that Sonos has been by way of, 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 observe and revitalize Sonos because the main whole-home audio model. The contentious cellular app is in a significantly better place at this time 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 scenario is shifting in the best route — and I took Sonos’ determination 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 rivals don’t match — at the very least 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 potential to do the identical factor and unfold that music throughout your complete Sonos system.
Why it’s 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 newest 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 major focus areas in product evaluations, so I’m well-versed with regards to 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 would possibly ultimately 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 for those who don’t wish to threat paying extra, now may be the time to purchase. And for those who’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 meant environments. Which means 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 carry 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 varied kind elements: there are desk audio system, moveable Bluetooth audio system, soundbars, subwoofers, and, separate from all that, you’ve the Ikea Symfonisk merchandise which can be designed to mix into your private home decor. The perfect decide 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 feel most individuals can be lots proud of 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 all the pieces you are able to do with it. Need to play your TV’s audio in different rooms? You are able to do that. In the event you’ve bought a Bluetooth-capable file 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 greater constancy. Most necessary of all, the Sonos controller app helps virtually each music streaming service available on the market at this time.
Few tech corporations 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 perfect Sonos speaker to start out 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
In the event you’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 may slide your finger throughout and, lastly, devoted observe 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 not too long ago 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, due to tariffs.
The perfect 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 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 prime 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 a good quantity of desk house. However when you throw some music on, its highly effective stereo output is sufficient to deal with any ceremonial dinner or weekend get-together.
There’s nothing “good” 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 encompasses a 3.5mm aux enter, making it a superb turntable companion — particularly for those who spring for a stereo pair.
The perfect moveable Sonos speaker
$336
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 terms of moveable audio system, the Transfer 2 is in a complete totally 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 private home or out to the yard. There’s no comparability between the 2 with regards to 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 all the pieces all the way down to mono and sounds extra muffled.
The Transfer’s bigger measurement offers it a transparent benefit by way of bass punch, and apart from 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 might’t be stated of many Bluetooth audio system. You’ll have the ability to maintain having fun with your funding for lengthy, lengthy into the long run. And with a mud / water resistance ranking of IP56, it will probably 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, at the very least at any time when I’m residence, 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 perfect 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 possibility
- Now helps Bluetooth audio
The Unhealthy
- Sonos app stays buggy for some
- Play:1 and Play:3 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 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 to this point, and it’s up there with the easiest yow will discover 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 assist.
The perfect Sonos soundbar for smaller rooms
$499
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 may be too highly effective. In the event you’re in a smaller house 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 for the reason that 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 perfect Sonos subwoofer for most individuals
$425
The Good
- Modern, 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, except 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 tons of of {dollars} by pairing the Sub Mini with any of the corporate’s soundbars — they usually’ve been ecstatic with the outcomes.
As its identify 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 for those who’re the kind to do a sub crawl and put it someplace in plain sight, I’d argue it appears to be like extra trendy than the blocky Sub 4.
The perfect funds Sonos speaker
$120
The Good
- Reasonably priced manner into Sonos ecosystem
- Will be mounted as a shelf
- Passable sound for the scale
- 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
Sonos and Ikea may be ending their partnership, however that doesn’t imply it’s best to sleep on the prevailing Symfonisk merchandise earlier than they’re utterly phased out. Particularly, the Symfonisk Bookshelf Speaker (Gen 2) is probably the most inexpensive gateway into the Sonos ecosystem — particularly for those who 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 pleasing 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 for those who’re on a funds.
The Sonos product worthy of a second probability
$416
The Good
- Trendy 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 could be glitchy
- 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 utterly sidelined the Ace headphones. Some prospects have been additionally disillusioned 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 comfy, 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 evening when my Arc Extremely would disturb others. You possibly can route any audio that may usually come by way of the soundbar — out of your TV, gaming console, or streaming gadget — by way of the headphones and hear 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
Replace, Could twenty second: Up to date pricing / availability for a number of merchandise and famous that Sonos will not be making new merchandise in collaboration with Ikea.
