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Sonos is an excellent consumer-grade audio products manufacturer. There are many models available by the manufacturer so it can seem like a hard task to choose the perfect one for you.
For example, Sonos makes portable speakers such as the Roam SL which offer features such as Bluetooth connectivity and small size, but also multi-speaker systems designed for home theaters.
The important thing when deciding the best one is to put all of the specifications side by side and consider your expectations and preferences.
My name is Ian and I’m an audio enthusiast with 10 years of experience. In this article, I will review some of the best speaker models by Sonos and help you decide which one is the best for your use case. Let’s get into the article!
Table of Contents
Which Sonos Speaker Should I Buy?
Sonos Move
The Sonos Move has many smart features, is portable, and can be used both indoors and outdoors. The unit can be paired with other Sonos speakers as well so, in our opinion, it is the best option for most customers.
Of course, the brand has many different speaker models that may suit you best depending on your particular use case and situation, so we encourage you to take a look at our review list and consider the other ones as well.
How to Choose the Right Sonos Speaker for You
Now, let’s check some of the best Sonos speakers to decide which one is the best for you. Before we head into the reviews, it is important that we revise all of the features you should consider to help you find the perfect match.
1. Sound Quality
Of course, sound quality is one of the main factors anyone looks for when buying speakers.
Sonos is a renowned brand so you should expect most models to have decent audio quality. However, that doesn’t mean that there won’t be differences from one speaker to another
For example, a portable speaker will most likely have less powerful bass than a complete home theater set with a subwoofer. This doesn’t mean that one is better than the other; they are just aimed at different types of customers.
Certain numbers can help you decide whether or not a certain model of speaker has good sound quality, such as the frequency response, which tells us how the product behaves across the sound spectrum (how much bass presence it has, if the mids and highs are transparent, etc.).
With that being said, audio quality is still difficult to determine just by looking at the specifications. For that reason, we always recommend that you look at product reviews from other customers when deciding whether or not to buy a certain speaker.
2. Build Quality
Since some Sonos speakers can run for a couple of hundred dollars, they are an investment, and you want to make sure the product is durable and reliable.
Most speakers from Sonos are well-built, with high-quality materials, but you have to consider certain factors, such as what particular use you will make out of it, to decide its durability.
For example, some portable speakers from the manufacturer are intended for home use. If you’re going to take it outside and let it be exposed to weather elements, it can decrease the speaker’s durability.
Again, build quality is another factor that, just like sound quality, is complicated to determine without examining the products with your own hands, so we recommend you always check product reviews from other customers and check the speakers in a physical store if possible.
3. Design, Portability, and Features
As we mentioned before, Sonos has many different models of speakers, each one with its own features, so you must consider if the particular model you have your eyes on will fit your expectations.
Pay attention to the design of the speakers, their portability/how easily they can be moved around, and features such as Bluetooth connectivity and compatibility with AV receivers.
Talking about features, one great thing about Sonos is that most of their speakers have a number of smart technologies that improve quality of life and your listening experience overall.
For example, you can hook two or more units together with portable speakers to create a more powerful sound. When it comes to Sonos home theater speakers, the installation process is very easy since most of them can communicate via wi-fi with the other units.
4. Price
Most Sonos speakers are priced above $100 due to their quality, but keep your budget in mind when choosing the best one for you. In some cases, buying the most expensive model might not be necessary to meet your demands.
For example, the Sonos Roam is priced significantly lower than the Sonos Move, but consider that these two speakers cater to different situations, and one may be best for your use case than the other.
5. Application
Sonos has a wide range of products in its line; the most important thing to consider when picking one is what you’re going to use the unit for. If you want a portable speaker that can be used both indoors and outdoors, it doesn’t make sense to buy a soundbar, for example.
Keep in mind that some of the speakers we reviewed, such as the subwoofers, are meant to be used in a home theater with other units.
Now, we will review a few different models of Sonos speakers. We divided these into different categories for easier navigation: outdoor and portable speakers, soundbars, subwoofers, and ambient sound and outdoor speakers.
Best Sonos Speakers – In-Depth Review
- Outdoor and Portable Speakers
- Sonos Move
- Sonos One SL
- Sonos Roam
- Sonos Five
- Soundbars
- Sonos Ray
- Sonos Beam
- Sonos Arc
- Sonos Playbar
- Subwoofers
- Sonos Sub Mini
- Sonos Sub
- Ambient Sound and Outdoor Speakers
- Sonos In-Ceiling Speakers
- Sonos In-Wall Speakers
- Sonos Outdoor Speakers
Outdoor and Portable Speakers
#1 Sonos Move
The Sonos Move is a portable, battery-powered speaker and one of the most popular models from the brand. Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity allow the Move to be integrated into any home audio setup and controlled with the Sonos app or voice commands through Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.
One of the main features of the Sonos Move is its portability. It is compact and very lightweight, making it easy to take with you on the go.
The speaker is also weather-resistant and durable, so that is a great pro since it can be used both inside the house and outside.
The battery life of the Move is ok, standing at an average of up to 11 hours on a single charge. Honestly, we expected more, given these speakers’ size and price. However, the speaker has a quick charge feature that can charge it to 50% battery in just 45 minutes.
The sound quality of the Sonos Move is impressive for its size, especially when it comes to the bass performance. The speaker also has an auto-tuning feature that adjusts the sound based on its surroundings, which is more than great.
The Sonos Move can also be easily integrated into your existing Sonos setup. If you already have a Sonos system in your home, you can easily add the Move as an additional speaker and control it through the Sonos app or with voice commands.
One potential downside of the Sonos Move is its price. It’s one of the more expensive portable speakers on the market when we compare it with models from other brands. However, considering the high-quality sound and durable design, it is still a great investment.
Overall, the Move is one of the best portable speakers from Sonos since it is so versatile and packed with many interesting features.
Features
- Portable Speaker
- Weatherproof and Drop-Resistant
- Voice-Control Enabled
- Compatible with the Sonos App and Apple AirPlay 2
- Automatic TruePlay Tuning
- Bluetooth Connectivity
- Wi-Fi Connectivity
- USB Connectivity
- IP56 Rating
- 10 Hours of Battery Life
#2 Sonos One SL
The Sonos One SL is one of the most affordable speakers from Sonos. It is still an amazing product and could be a great option if you’re on a budget.
One of the features that caught our attention in the first place was the fact that the brand heavily markets the Sonos One SL as a microphone-free speaker. Good for those concerned with privacy but renders the speaker incompatible with voice assistants and voice controls.
Compared with the Sonos Move, the Sonos One SL doesn’t have an IPX rating but is still resistant to humidity. You could use it outside depending on the climate, but this speaker is more geared toward home use.
The Sonos One SL also offers every feature you would expect from a high-quality modern compact speaker, such as compatibility with the Sonos app and Apple AirPlay 2, as well as Wi-Fi connectivity.
Just like the Sonos Move, the Sonos One SL can also be hooked to one or more speakers of the same model so as to create a surround or stereo listening experience, something which we find extremely interesting, as it makes you able to upgrade your system later.
Sound-wise, the Sonos One SL performs decently but doesn’t have the same bass presence as the Sonos Move. It still features a subwoofer, so it will certainly perform much better than most other portable speaker options on the market.
Overall, this is one of the best Sonos portable speakers if you’re on a budget.
Features
- Portable Speaker
- Humidity Resistant
- Microphone-Free
- Compatible with the Sonos App and Apple AirPlay 2
- Stereo Sound Capable (With Two Speakers)
- Wi-Fi Connectivity
#3 Sonos Roam
The Sonos Roam is another excellent option from the brand aimed at those on a budget but still would like to get a great listening experience.
Its features are similar to the Sonos Move, being waterproof and lightweight, voice-control enabled, compatible with technologies such as the Sonos app and Apple AirPlay 2, and Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and USB connectivity.
Another great feature of the Sonos Roam is the automatic TruePlay tuning, which automatically adjusts the sound based on your surroundings to give you the best listening experience possible.
Since this speaker is waterproof, it is more suitable for outdoor activities than the Sonos One SL, for example, but still great for indoor use, making it very versatile.
Sound-quality-wise, the Sonos Roam performs decently but is a bit smaller than the Move and the One SL. This causes the speaker to have a less powerful bass performance due to size limitations, which is something to consider.
Just like the other speakers from Sonos, the Sonos Roam can also be hooked to other speakers of the same model to create a surround or stereo listening experience.
The Sonos Roam has a battery life of 10 hours, but the brand doesn’t state if it is compatible with fast-charging or not.
Since the Sonos Roam and the Sonos One SL are priced similarly and aimed at similar customers (those looking for a budget portable speaker), we also recommend you take a look at the latter to decide which one is the best fit for your particular use case.
Overall, we recommend the Sonos Roam if you’re ok with sacrificing the bass performance a bit in favor of a more versatile speaker that can be used both indoors and outdoors.
Features
- Portable Speaker
- Weatherproof and Lightweight
- Voice-Control Enabled
- Compatible with the Sonos App and Apple AirPlay 2
- Automatic TruePlay Tuning
- Bluetooth Connectivity
- Wi-Fi Connectivity
- USB Connectivity
- 10 Hours of Battery Life
#4 Sonos Five
The Sonos Five is one of the most expensive portable speakers from the brand, but sound quality-wise, it is one of the best models.
This speaker features three tweeters for the high frequencies and three midwoofers for the lows and mids, which gives it a considerable advantage if compared to the One SL or Roam, for example.
However, it is a portable speaker designed for home use only. It doesn’t have a battery, so you will have to connect it to an electrical outlet. Certainly a disadvantage and, considering the high price, we expected the product to feature an alternative power supply.
The Sonos Five has similar features to other models from the brand, such as compatibility with the Sonos App and Apple AirPlay 2 and automatic TruePlay tuning, but no Bluetooth connectivity.
Overall, this is a great choice if you’re only going to use your portable speaker at home and are ok with sacrificing portability and a few other features in trade for audiophile sound quality.
Features
- Portable Speaker
- Weatherproof and Lightweight
- Voice-Control Enabled
- Compatible with the Sonos App and Apple AirPlay 2
- Automatic TruePlay Tuning
- Ethernet Connectivity
- Wi-Fi Connectivity
- USB Connectivity
– – –
Soundbars
#1 Sonos Ray
The Sonos Ray is the entry-level soundbar from the brand. It is very simple but looks great. It’s the best option for those on a budget.
One of the best features of the Sonos Ray, in our opinion, is its design. It is sleek and minimalist, unlike similar products at the same price range as other brands.
The Sonos Ray has all of the basic features one should expect, including ethernet and wi-fi connectivity, plus an optical input so you can connect it to an AV receiver.
If you’re not interested in setting up a home theater system, the Sonos Ray can be used on its own. However, the bass performance is not that great, and we recommend you use it in conjunction with a subwoofer.
When it comes to the mids and highs, though, the soundbar performs well; the dialogues especially sound loud and clear.
It is also compatible with many apps, such as Spotify and Audible, so you don’t need extra equipment, such as an AV receiver, for it to work.
Overall, we recommend the Sonos Ray if you already have a home theater or plan on building one. It works better as an addition to a surround system than by itself.
Features
- Soundbar
- Ethernet Connectivity
- Wi-Fi Connectivity
- Optical Input
- Compatible with the Sonos App and Apple AirPlay 2
- Compatible with Spotify Connect
- TruePlay Tuning
- Speech Enhancement
- Night Sound Mode
- Easy Setup
#2 Sonos Beam
Moving up the price tag a bit, the Sonos Beam is a little more expensive and has a similar design to the Sonos Ray but has a few upgrades and more features than the more affordable model.
Starting with sound quality, the Beam performs quite well across all of the frequency spectrum and can be used standalone, thanks to its single tweeter and four midwoofers, but the model definitely gives you a better listening experience when paired with a subwoofer.
The features are mostly the same as you will find on the Sonos Ray, with the exception that the Sonos Beam also features an HDMI input and microphones for controlling voice assistants.
The soundbar also has some interesting extras, such as TruePlay tuning, speech enhancement, and night sound mode, a feature that will reduce the intensity of loud sounds and increase the level of quieter sounds.
Overall, the Sonos Beam is very similar to the Sonos Ray, except for a few extras. The Sonos Beam really does shine when it comes to sound quality and is a decent upgrade from the previous-reviewed model, but it might be overkill to some audio setups to spend that much on a soundbar.
Features
- Soundbar
- Compatible with Dolby Atmos
- Ethernet Connectivity
- Wi-Fi Connectivity
- HDMI Input
- Optical Input
- Compatible with the Sonos App and Apple AirPlay 2
- Compatible with Spotify Connect
- TruePlay Tuning
- Speech Enhancement
- Night Sound Mode
#3 Sonos Arc
The Sonos Arc is, as stated by the brand, a premium smart soundbar. It is one of Sonos’s most expensive speaker models, priced at around $900, and has a slightly larger size.
To be honest, the features you will find on the Sonos Arc are mostly the same present on the Ray and the Beam, including compatibility with multiple smartphone apps and the same types of inputs and connectivity.
The real upgrade that the Sonos Arc offers is regarding the audio quality. Since it features three tweeters for the high frequencies and eight midwoofers for the lows and mids, it is definitely one of the best-sounding soundbars on the market. Another premium feature that you will find on the Sonos Arc is compatibility with Dolby Atmos.
This soundbar is quite expensive, and you really do have to consider if it is a great choice, especially since the Sonos Beam, which costs half of the price, isn’t too behind in terms of sound quality and features and will attend most customers’ expectations.
Overall, we only recommend the Sonos Arc if you’re really interested in audiophile-grade sounding and wouldn’t mind spending that much on a soundbar. Keep in mind that you must also have other high-quality components in your home theater system for the Sonos Arc to really shine.
Features
- Soundbar
- Compatible with Dolby Atmos
- Ethernet Connectivity
- Wi-Fi Connectivity
- HDMI Input
- Optical Input
- Compatible with the Sonos App and Apple AirPlay 2
- Compatible with Spotify Connect
- TruePlay Tuning
- Speech Enhancement
- Night Sound Mode
#4 Sonos Playbar
The Sonos Playbar doesn’t have as many features compared to other brand soundbars. It is not marketed as a smart soundbar. Instead, the focus is on the audio quality.
It is, however, compatible with the Sonos app and can be easily synced with other speakers from the brand without much hassle.
Just like the Sonos Arc, it is quite expensive, considering it is not a smart soundbar.
The sound quality of the Sonos Playbar is amazing, and it can even be used without a subwoofer thanks to its multiple drivers, but honestly, we feel like the Sonos Arc is a better choice for most customers due to its extra features.
Overall, we recommend the Sonos Playbar if you don’t mind the lack of features, such as compatibility with Apple AirPlay 2 and Spotify Connect, and would like a professional audiophile-grade soundbar.
Features
- Soundbar
- Compatible with Dolby Atmos
- Ethernet Connectivity
- Wi-Fi Connectivity
- Optical Input
- Compatible with the Sonos App
– – –
Subwoofers
#1 Sonos Sub Mini
The Sonos Sub Mini is a subwoofer with a compact design. The idea behind the product is quite interesting, as it delivers a solid bass response without taking up too much space in your system and is easy to set up with the Sonos App.
Subwoofers tend to require some planning and experimentation to deliver the best listening experience, but one of the best features of the Sonos Sub Mini is the TruePlay tuning technology, which will make the process of getting a solid sound much easier if you compare it to more traditional subwoofers.
Despite its smaller size, the Sub Mini sounds quite strong and has this big advantage of being easy to set up that we just mentioned. Most of the time, a well-setup smaller subwoofer will sound superior to a poorly-setup larger one.
One drawback of the Sonos Sub Mini is that it doesn’t feature an optical input, so you’re limited to ethernet and wi-fi. This could be a problem if you’re planning on hooking it to an AV receiver or other speakers that aren’t from Sonos.
Regardless, the Sonos Sub Mini is still an amazing product with one of the best designs we’ve seen on a subwoofer and could be a great addition to any small to mid-sized home theater setup.
Features
- Mini Subwoofer
- Dual-Force Canceling Woofers
- TruePlay Tuning
- Ethernet Connectivity
- Wi-Fi Connectivity
- Compatible with the Sonos App
#2 Sonos Sub
The Sonos Sub is the standard-size subwoofer option from Sonos. One of the best features of this model is certainly its design, which caught our eye when we first saw it, and the fact that it is smaller than most subs from other brands.
The Sonos Sub is priced at around $800, almost double the price of the Sonos Sub Mini. However, it brings mostly the same features as the latter, including TruePlay tuning and ethernet and wi-fi connectivity.
Just like its smaller brother Sub Mini, this model can also be easily set up with the help of the Sonos App. You can even use a pair of these in your home theater system.
The Sonos Sub, however, has the disadvantage of not featuring an optical input. It is, in theory, possible to use this sub with speakers that aren’t from Sonos, but you would have to spend some money on additional equipment for it to work.
We recommend the Sonos Sub if you have a larger room. If your home theater setup is in a smaller space, it might be overkill, so consider taking a look at the Sonos Sub Mini model as well.
Features
- Standard Subwoofer
- Dual Acoustic Ports
- TruePlay Tuning
- Ethernet Connectivity
- Wi-Fi Connectivity
- Compatible with the Sonos App
– – –
Ambient Sound and Outdoor Speakers
#1 Sonos In-Ceiling Speakers
The Sonos In-Ceiling speakers is one of the most advanced mountable ceiling speakers on the market, as it has a significantly easier installation process and several smart features.
One great thing about these ceiling speakers is that they can be connected to a Sonos soundbar via wi-fi so that you can use them not only for ambient sound but as surround sound speakers in your home theater system.
If you pair them with the Sonos Amp, you can use the TruePlay tuning technology, which will definitely help to easily achieve a better listening experience since positioning ambient speakers for the best performance can be tricky.
These speakers can be an excellent addition if you already have other Sonos products in your system, but keep in mind you will have to buy the Sonos amp separately in some cases.
Features
- Mountable Ceiling Speakers
- Round and Square Grilles
- Compatible with the Sonos App and Apple AirPlay 2
- TruePlay Tuning with the Sonos Amp
- Wi-Fi Connectivity
#2 Sonos In-Wall Speakers
The Sonos In-Wall speakers are a great addition to any setup and can be used as standalone ambient speakers or paired with a home theater for surround sound.
Most of the features present in this model are similar to the ones you will find on the ceiling speakers. However, it doesn’t feature wi-fi connectivity, meaning these only support a wired connection, and the installation process will be a bit more complex.
However, the fact that these have a wired connection makes them compatible with most amplifiers on the market, not only with the Sonos amp. With the Sonos Amp, though, you get access to the TruePlay tuning technology.
Featuring a tweeter and a 6 ½ woofer on each unit, these speakers sound decent but don’t have a strong bass response. Pairing them with a subwoofer would give you the best listening experience.
Features
- Mountable Wall Speakers
- Square Grilles
- TruePlay Tuning with the Sonos Amp
- Wired Connection
#3 Sonos Outdoor Speakers
The Sonos outdoor speakers are quite simple when it comes to features, but one thing that impressed us is the build quality.
According to Sonos, this unit is resistant to humidity, water, salt spray, heat, UV rays, and freezing temperatures, so you can install them on a backyard, patio, or even a boat without any worries.
As we said, these are very simple and can only be installed with a wired connection. This is to be expected, but we wish the unit had wi-fi connectivity, which would be a great differentiator against the competition.
Just like the in-ceiling and in-wall speakers, you can also pair these with other Sonos speakers for a better listening experience, and we feel like they sound better when paired with a subwoofer for an improved bass response.
The company doesn’t state if these speakers are compatible with the TruePlay tuning technology when using a Sonos amp.
Features
- Mountable Outdoor Speakers
- Resistant to Humidity, Water, Salt Spray, Heat, UV Rays, and Freezing Temperatures
- Wired Connection
– – –
FAQs
Both speakers are quite similar in terms of sound quality, but the Sonos One is more portable and can be used outdoors, thanks to its humidity-resistant design. It also features a battery life of 10 hours.
The Sonos Play is designed for home use and can only be powered by the supplied AC cord. It is also a bit more expensive than the One but largely has the same smart features.
It largely depends on what speaker model we are talking about and your personal preferences. Both brands are well-renowned and have products of excellent quality, so there is no way to answer that question objectively.
It will depend on your particular sound system and your application. Wired Sonos speakers have a larger compatibility with units from other brands, but wireless Sonos speakers are much easier to set up, and you won’t have to conceal any cables.
Conclusion
As you can see in the article, Sonos has so many excellent speaker models. It was really hard for us to pick a favorite since each speaker will cater to a different type of customer with different needs and preferences.
For that reason, we advise you to look at the whole product line to decide which model is the best for you. Especially consider whether you need a portable speaker, a home theater unit, etc.
With that being said, we chose one speaker model that we think might be the best solution for most customers looking for a unit for casual music listening: the Sonos Move.
Sonos Move – Best Sonos Speakers in 2023
The Sonos Move has many smart features, is portable, and can be used both indoors and outdoors. The unit can be paired with other Sonos speakers as well, so, in our opinion, it is the best option for most customers.
We hope our article was helpful. You can find the link to the Amazon product page for each speaker at their respective titles on the list. Please share this guide, and feel free to contact us if you have any questions!
Hello, I’m Ian.
I’m a music producer, musician, and writer for the AudioReputation website. I’ve been involved with making music and the processes revolving around audio technology for longer than I can recall, so I find it amusing to share my knowledge with fellow enthusiasts worldwide when I’m not working with artists or creating new songs.
Along my path as a music maker, I discovered the ability to write informative content, and I decided to embrace it. I’ve written for a few websites about audio and music, including a digital magazine.
I’m particularly passionate about any sort of audio gear: guitar pedals, amplifiers, headphones, and even home speakers. That makes it really joyful for me to review any product related to the subject and give my honest opinion about them. I also frequently write tips and guides for consumer and professional-grade audio.