3 hours ago
5
Sonos speakers are still great. There, I said it. Though the app issues that began in 2024 have put the company in quite the consumer-confidence hole, my reference models have worked fine for over a year now. I use an old (now discontinued) Sonos Symfonisk Lamp from IKEA every night to put my daughter to bed, and speakers like the Sonos Era 100 and Era 300 are among the most accessible and best-sounding wireless speakers in my library.
While new challengers like Wiim have won my heart (their amps are incredible for the money), Sonos remains the easiest, most versatile way to set up a multi-room audio system or plug-and-play surround sound system. For anyone looking to spread the sound around in a variety of speaker shapes and sizes, these are the best Sonos speakers worth grabbing (and why).
Updated March 2026: We've updated this guide with long-term testing of the Sonos app and speakers, removed discontinued models, added specs, and refreshed our tips and advice with the latest products and information.
What’s WIRED About Sonos Speakers
I've tested every major Sonos product, from the ancient Play:1 and Play:5 to the latest Era 100, Era 300 speakers, and flagship Arc Ultra soundbar. Apart from their recent app troubles, my experience over the years has always been overwhelmingly positive. Here are my favorite aspects of Sonos:
Simple setup, loads of options: The Sonos app guides you through setting up a new system or adding speakers to an existing one. Some Google Assistant speakers offer similar setup and features, but it's not as seamless to group them. My favorite Sonos competitor is Wiim, which offers similarly intuitive products, but only two standalone speakers (testing to come). Wiim focuses more on streaming amplifiers like the Wiim Amp Pro for connecting traditional speakers. Sonos has many more product models for different use cases, from soundbars to headphones.
Easy streaming: The Sonos app supports almost every major streaming service, and Sonos gear supports in-app services like Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect for direct streaming. Sonos soundbars like the Arc Ultra provide impressive home theater support, while also letting you stream TV audio to other speakers throughout the home, or as part of a surround sound system.
In-house Voice Control: Sonos once provided support for both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, but the brand dropped Google support in newer speakers like the Era 100, Era 300, and Sonos Arc Ultra. In its place, Sonos added its own in-house voice assistant, Sonos Voice Control (SVC), voiced by actor Ginacarlo Esposito. Apart from solid perfomance, SVC provides better privacy protection. SVC touts multiple measures to protect your privacy, including using AI data instead of customer data and local processing that doesn't reach the cloud.
Top-tier sound and build quality: Every Sonos speaker I've tested rises above average, and most sound truly excellent. This is no accident, as the brand has always been deeply focused on sound quality, and things have only improved with the latest Era speakers. I toured Sonos' Santa Barbara, CA, facility ahead of the Eras release, and was struck by the company's commitment to improving the audio architecture, as well as using more replaceable parts (like screws in place of glue) so its speakers are more repareable than most rivals. Sonos speakers are built to last and sound good doing it.
What’s TIRED About Sonos Speakers
While I've always enjoyed Sonos products, there are some drawbacks, mainly around the new software.
They live and die by the app: The Sonos app was an oak for years, but in 2024 the company updated the entire system and problems ensued. From dropping speakers off the network to basic control issues, the app update was confirmed by the new CEO as a profound mistake. After multiple updates, I've noticed few issues with the app, and others have reported improvement. Sonos is also reportedly working on another app update for 2026, including new features and a focus on simplified control.
They're pricey: Apart from their app issues, Sonos products are roundly among the most expensive options in their class. I think they mostly make up for this with their sound and build quality, but they're rarely offered at large discounts and there are few options for budget shoppers.
A lack of inputs and accessories: This is mostly a complaint about older speakers and the soundbar, but Sonos devices don't always include as many playback options as rivals. The Arc Ultra, for example, offers no remote and only one HDMI input for connection, when competitors like the Samsung HW-Q990F offer multiple HDMI inputs and a dedicated remote. Older speakers, like the Sonos One, omit Bluetooth, but thankfully newer options like the Era 100 have adopted it.
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