The very best Sonos audio system to purchase proper now

Sonos has constructed out a big assortment of sensible audio system, soundbars, subwoofers, transportable units, and extra. And we are able to’t neglect in regards to the many Symfonisk audio system that the corporate has launched in partnership with Ikea. 2023 has seen the corporate introduce main new merchandise together with the Period 100 and Period 300, and extra are on the way in which.

With such a broad portfolio of {hardware} at costs ranging wherever from $120 to $899, selecting the perfect Sonos speaker in your wants isn’t all the time as easy because it might sound. You in all probability have some concept of the class of speaker you need — soundbar, desk speaker, or one thing transportable — however even then, it takes some narrowing all the way down to land on the suitable product.

I’m The Verge’s audio reviewer and have intently adopted Sonos over the past a number of years. I’ve additionally spent many, many hours listening to every of those units, so I’ve bought you lined relating to the suitable suggestions.

Sonos landed on a profitable formulation for a wise speaker with the Sonos One. And with the Period 100, the corporate has improved upon the One in quite a few methods. It’s very related in dimension — nonetheless excellent for any desk, bedside desk, or countertop — however the newer speaker is able to stereo playback, whereas the One may solely do mono (until you had two of them in a stereo pair). The improved bass response can be immediately noticeable. Regardless of its comparatively compact dimension, the Period 100 produces a full, properly balanced sound signature.

Apart from higher sound, the Period provides assist for Bluetooth playback and line-in audio. The previous makes it simpler for buddies to play music from their very own units when visiting, and the latter lets you run a turntable by your Sonos system. That was beforehand a a lot pricier proposition and required both the Sonos 5 or one thing just like the Amp. It’s nice to see it come to the entry-level tier.

The Period 100 retains the One’s hands-free voice controls and sensible assistant capabilities, however sadly, Google Assistant isn’t obtainable on this speaker. As an alternative you’re left with Amazon Alexa and Sonos Voice Management. Sonos revamped the topside controls, so that you get devoted observe controls and an indented bar for quantity changes. The brand new entry-level Sonos speaker is barely dearer than the Sonos One was, but it surely provides sufficient new performance to simply justify a value enhance.

Should you transfer round the home rather a lot all through the day or end up outdoors, it is likely to be price contemplating the Sonos Transfer transportable speaker as your place to begin. It doesn’t sound fairly as wealthy because the Period 100, but it surely packs loads of quantity and good general audio high quality right into a speaker that you would be able to carry wherever you want it.

Learn my full overview of the Sonos Period 100.

The Symfonisk lineup of audio system is collectively developed by Sonos and Ikea, and they could be a nice entry level to the world of Sonos. There’s maybe no higher deal in all the portfolio than the versatile bookshelf speaker, which sells for underneath $120. This trendy unit is nice for therefore many alternative use instances: it’s an incredible possibility for anybody getting began with Sonos, delivering sound high quality that’s mainly on par with a Sonos One in a distinct kind issue that some folks may desire. Keep in mind that you would be able to pair two bookshelf audio system collectively for stereo audio (or to make use of as encompass audio system). Ikea sells loads of equipment for it, together with a ground stand and wall bracket. 

What the Sonos 5 lacks in smarts (there are not any built-in mics on this product), it makes up for with pristine sound. Excluding soundbars, the Sonos 5 is Sonos’ largest, strongest speaker. Play a few of your favourite tracks by the 5, and also you’ll shortly come to grasp why it ranks above the remainder of the lineup in audio constancy, element, and general efficiency. It’s among the many highest standalone audio system available on the market at its value level and can outclass any HomePod, Echo, or Nest Audio speaker you take a look at alongside it. Pair two of them collectively in stereo, and your music will sound chic; a pair of Fives can be used as rear surrounds, although there are extra reasonably priced choices for that situation.

It additionally outperforms the Period 300 — a minimum of relating to stereo playback. The newer speaker has a singular benefit with spatial audio music; the 5 isn’t able to taking part in Atmos mixes because it’s a conventional, stereo unit. But it surely nonetheless sounds higher general and particularly if you crank the amount. Should you care about lossless audio and getting the very best degree of constancy out of your Sonos system, that is the corporate’s highest possibility.

Apart from its highly effective, enveloping sound, the 5 has one comparatively distinctive {hardware} function among the many Sonos lineup: there’s a 3.5mm aux enter that can be utilized for plugging in a document participant or one other audio machine of your selecting. The one different Sonos units with line-in performance are the Amp and Port. 

Sonos’ unique Bluetooth speaker isn’t “transportable” in the identical sense because the a lot smaller Roam, but it surely’s straightforward sufficient to lug round totally different rooms of your own home or haul out to the yard for a celebration. It’s a hefty little factor at 6.6 kilos, however a minimum of there’s a deal with molded into the again of the speaker for simpler carrying. 

Sonos advertises as much as 10 hours of steady playback when the Transfer is off its wi-fi charging base. Like the corporate’s different audio system, you may stream music over Wi-Fi utilizing the Sonos app. However with the Transfer, you can too flip the change on the again to Bluetooth mode and pair a cellphone, laptop computer, or some other audio supply to hear that method. 

Sound-wise, the Transfer may very nicely be Sonos’ greatest speaker greenback for greenback. It’s fuller and bassier than the outgoing Sonos One, which may’t be used unplugged, and is greater than highly effective sufficient to fill an out of doors patio space with sound. The Period 100’s change to stereo places it above the Transfer for me; it’s bought better readability and sounds extra dynamic consequently. However with the Transfer, you’re nonetheless getting superb audio and whole freedom for the place you set it. And better of all, Sonos’ transportable audio system have computerized Trueplay, that means they use their very own built-in mics to supply the very best audio for no matter setting you’re utilizing them in. At any time when the Transfer (or Roam) is picked up and put someplace new, this course of mechanically occurs within the background whilst you hear. One last item: Sonos has made efforts to assist the Transfer final lengthy into the long run by providing a battery alternative equipment that may be bought when the included battery not holds a passable cost.

Learn my full overview of the Sonos Transfer.

The Sonos Roam is a small, light-weight Bluetooth speaker that’s straightforward to toss into your bag and convey wherever or journey with. It additionally makes for an incredible rest room speaker and might be positioned all through the house in areas that is likely to be missing audio protection out of your different Sonos units. When used round the home, the Roam will play music over Wi-Fi similar to your different Sonos audio system — and it has built-in mics for voice controls. Take it on the highway, and it really works like several Bluetooth speaker. And when you occur to personal a turntable that helps Bluetooth, you may play your vinyl assortment throughout your complete Sonos system by pairing the turntable with the Roam.

You possibly can solely anticipate a lot from the tiny Roam when it comes to sound high quality. It outputs clear, detailed audio and might fill small rooms, however the bass and general presence are not any match for one thing just like the Sonos Transfer or the Period 100. You possibly can all the time hyperlink two Roams collectively for a extra immersive stereo listening expertise. 

Learn my full overview of the Sonos Roam.

The Sonos Period 300 is a promising glimpse into the way forward for music. With six drivers inside (together with an upward-firing speaker), it’s constructed to showcase spatial audio. Discover the suitable Dolby Atmos observe from Apple Music or Amazon Music and it may be a mind-blowing expertise: you’ll actually really feel like music is coming from past the speaker’s comparatively small footprint. The Period 300 bounces pontificate your partitions and ceiling to intensify immersion and provides songs extra dimensionality.

The Period 300 can be the one Sonos speaker that may ship full Dolby Atmos audio — together with top results — if you use a stereo pair as rear surrounds for an Arc or Beam (Gen 2) soundbar. Should you’re a house theater fanatic, that perk alone may very well be sufficient to decide on this speaker over the Sonos One SL, which might in any other case be my suggestion for rear surrounds.

However we’re nonetheless within the early days of spatial audio from streaming music providers, and the standard of Atmos mixes can fluctuate wildly from album to album. If you wish to expertise the perfect of what’s on the market, the Period 300 is a worthwhile funding. However when you’re nonetheless principally listening to stereo in 2023, the 5 stays the way in which to go.

Learn my full overview of the Sonos Period 300.

At $899, the Sonos Arc soundbar doesn’t come low cost. However this Dolby Atmos soundbar is a real powerhouse that can carry out essentially the most from the most recent Hollywood blockbusters or your Netflix streams. With 11 drivers in all (together with two up-firing top audio system), the Arc delivers actually immersive residence theater audio. The corporate has continued to enhance its flagship soundbar with firmware updates which have centered on clearer dialogue and different enhancements. 

The Arc consists of mics for voice assistants and sensible speaker performance, however you may optionally buy the Arc SL from Costco when you’d desire to go with out them. Should you’re critical about your own home theater system and wish the perfect, strongest soundbar that Sonos provides, the Arc is the transfer. You’ll shortly recover from the steep value when you hear it.

Learn my full overview of the Sonos Arc.

Stepping all the way down to the mid-level Sonos Beam doesn’t imply you’ll be settling for lackluster sound. Whereas it lacks correct up-firing top audio system for Dolby Atmos content material, the second-gen Beam does a powerful job of virtualizing these channels in a method that’s convincing to your ears — particularly in small- to mid-size rooms. The inclusion of eARC means you don’t have to fret about any lip sync points when watching films or audio delay whereas gaming.

Whereas the second-gen Beam is analogous in dimension and weight to the primary, it includes a perforated plastic grille as an alternative of the hard-to-clean cloth of the unique mannequin. And priced at $449, it’s actually simpler in your pockets than the flagship Arc.

Learn my full overview of the Sonos Beam (Gen 2).

With its optical-only design and no HDMI connection, the entry-level Sonos Ray is greatest suited to smaller rooms or secondary TVs. You don’t get any Dolby Atmos assist with this $279 soundbar, and it doesn’t have a devoted middle channel for dialogue. Nonetheless, the Ray offers balanced, crisp audio and surprisingly massive sound for its comparatively small dimension.

Bass output is restricted in comparison with Sonos’ pricier soundbars, however when you’re searching for a easy resolution that sounds good for each films and music, the Ray isn’t a foul buy. I’d suggest saving a bit extra for the Beam if in case you have any plans to construct out your own home theater system with further Sonos audio system, nonetheless. 

Learn my full overview of the Sonos Ray.

If you wish to unleash the total potential of any Sonos residence theater setup, the Sub is a necessary piece of equipment. It’s bought loads of growth and floor-shaking energy (if you’d like it) for these blockbuster motion sequences, and the Sub additionally provides one other layer of depth if you’re taking part in music by your system. 

The Sub can both be positioned upright or laid flat on the ground; you may conveniently conceal it underneath a sofa, which may’t be mentioned of the cylindrical Sub Mini. However there’s no denying that the perfect low-end rumble that Sonos provides comes at a stiff premium: the Sub prices $799, and gross sales on the subwoofer are uncommon to return by. 

The Sub Mini can’t absolutely match the loudness of the full-size Sub, but it surely will get you surprisingly shut — and for considerably much less cash. It’s additionally arguably extra trendy, buying and selling the dust-magnet shiny end for a matte design. The Sub Mini’s decreased dimension makes it straightforward to put discreetly someplace close to your TV with out calling a lot consideration to the {hardware} itself.

Learn my full overview of the Sonos Sub Mini.

The Symfonisk bookshelf speaker is a superb deal, but it surely nonetheless appears to be like like a speaker. Should you’re seeking to camouflage tech in your house in order that it blends in with different decor, that’s the place the Symfonisk image body speaker shines. When mounted in your wall, it appears to be like like a bit of paintings — albeit with an influence wire popping out of the underside. Should you don’t love the default sample, Ikea sells a rotating number of alternative artwork panels, together with these colourful limited-edition ones.

Behind the entrance piece of artwork are Sonos drivers and waveguides that assist distribute sound from the image body speaker all through a room. There are a lot of prospects and potential use instances for this factor: you may mount two image body audio system collectively on the identical wall for encompass sound with any Sonos soundbar. And when the TV’s off, they match into the room higher than any conventional speaker can.

Learn my full overview of the Symfonisk Image Body speaker.

One unlucky factor about Sonos gear is that it not often goes on sale. Often the corporate will low cost some merchandise, however if you wish to lower your expenses, your greatest wager is to buy the Sonos licensed refurbished retailer. I additionally suggest checking your closest Greatest Purchase(s) for open field audio system; you may land some glorious offers this manner, and the merchandise usually look model new.

Basically, I counsel folks to stay to the present lineup of Sonos {hardware}. However there are exceptions. For instance, the second-generation Play:5 and Sonos 5 sound an identical and supply the very same options. The newer mannequin has extra processing energy, however that’s not going to matter to your ears, is it? If you could find the older speaker for the suitable value, go for it. You may also need to seek out previous merchandise when you’re making an attempt to kind a stereo pair. However relating to different units just like the Beam soundbar, the second-gen mannequin provides considerably higher sound. There’s ample motive to select the most recent revision.

If you wish to retrofit your present passive audio system and convey them into your whole-home Sonos system, that’s the place the $699 Amp is available in. Sonos additionally sells the cheaper $449 Port that you would be able to hyperlink to a receiver or different audio tools for a similar finish outcome. The massive distinction between them is energy: the Amp provides 125 watts per channel, so it’s in a position to energy floor-standing or bookshelf audio system that lack their very own amplification.

Whereas Sonos provides a number of voice-enabled sensible audio system, the corporate could be very privateness aware. The brand new Period 300 and 100 each embody two methods of turning off the built-in microphones: there’s a button on prime that briefly mutes them, and if you wish to absolutely disable the mics, there’s a bodily change on the again of every speaker for doing so. Sonos additionally sells “SL” fashions of its Arc soundbar (a Costco unique), Sonos One, and Roam that don’t embody microphones. When utilizing Sonos Voice Management, all requests are processed regionally on-device and never despatched to the cloud.