In Wired magazine, We love Sonos speakers. We really do. We’ve reviewed all of the company’s wirelessly connected speakers over the past decade, from small shelf speakers to TV soundbars, and we recommend every single one. But turning your home into a Sonos-powered shrine doesn’t come cheap. Like Apple products, Sonos speakers are pricier, starting at $120 for a basic bookshelf speaker. But which ones should you buy? Read on for our recommendations.
Update December 2022: We added the Sonos Ray Soundbar and Sonos Sub Mini subwoofer, and updated pricing and retailers.
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Best Overall Sonos Speaker
The Sonos One (2nd Gen) is pretty much the smallest Sonos speaker yet, but it’s loud enough to fill most rooms. The 2nd generation model has a faster processor and more memory than its predecessor. So not only does it sound better, but it also lasts longer — meaning you won’t have to worry about upgrading just yet.
We recommend other Sonos speakers in this guide, but you can’t go wrong buying more Sonos Ones to fill your house with. Their hands-free Alexa and Google Assistant integration also makes them even more versatile. They can play music, tell you the weather, look up recipes and answer simple questions, just like our other favorite smart speakers. They also work with Siri via AirPlay 2. They’re also more affordable than other Sonos speakers, and their small size means you can hide them in almost any room.
It’s nearly identical to the One, but without a microphone, so you can only control it with your phone or the touch of a button on your phone (and you don’t have to worry about someone eavesdropping on your house). The SL is also a great way to add more satellite speakers to your home. If you want a speaker that can really blare, the Sonos Five ($549) sounds great without a mic.
The best speakers to fill a room
Earlier this year, Sonos reunited with IKEA to release a second-generation version of its bookshelf speaker. At $120, it’s a bit more expensive than its $99 predecessor, but it does feature some upgrades, including more memory and a faster processor. We haven’t tested this model yet, but we do like the first-gen version.
That aside, it sounds almost as good as the Sonos One. You can mount it directly on the wall or stand it on a bookshelf or table. This is the cheapest way to do this if you want to link several speakers together to create a larger room or connected room. It doesn’t take audio commands directly because it doesn’t have a microphone, so if you want to control it with your voice, you’ll need a Sonos One, Google speaker, or Alexa speaker, into which you can yell. Other than that, it can do anything you want a Sonos to do.
Sonos and IKEA also unveiled new versions of their unique table lamps. Available in white, black, and a $169 version with a fabric shade. It offers enhanced sound and is even more customizable this time around, with replaceable hues. The first model, which you can read about in our dual review, sounds great. We have high hopes for the new release. Finally, if wall art is more your style, IKEA offers the Symfonisk Picture Frame with built-in Sonos Wi-Fi speakers for $249. We are currently testing the table lamp and will update this guide with our thoughts soon.
The Best Portable Speakers with Bluetooth
The Sonos Roam (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is the company’s smallest and most portable speaker. With built-in Bluetooth connectivity (it’s one of our favorite Bluetooth speakers), you can easily slip it into your handbag and stream music on the go. Using the Sonos app for Android and iPhone, you can also stream from major services like Spotify, Apple Music (with AirPlay 2 support), Tidal, and more. You can control the speaker with voice commands using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.
It might not deliver audiophile-approved sound, but it’s still pretty impressive. The dual-driver system, subwoofer, and tweeter work together to deliver rich bass and clear highs—with zero distortion when the volume is turned up. With up to 10 hours of listening time, you’ll get through a full day at the beach—and more.
The Sonos Move is a larger portable speaker with better sound. It features Bluetooth connectivity, 11 hours of battery life, and an onboard microphone that adjusts the sound to the environment, plus it’s water resistant. Can’t decide between roaming and mobile? You can get them for $578 at Sonos.
Best Sonos Soundbar (Most)
Like the original Beam (8/10, WIRED Recommends), the second-generation Beam delivers impressive sound and has a sleek design. In terms of upgrades, it has a faster processor, support for Dolby Atmos (compatible with TVs and streaming apps) for enhanced sound, and an HDMI eARC port for higher-definition audio. You also get hands-free Alexa and Google Assistant, which works with Airplay 2. You can pair it with a Sonos Sub (an expensive subwoofer) and two other Sonos speakers for surround sound.
Sonos tweaked the design too, adding a polycarbonate grille to the front instead of the fabric cover seen on the Gen 1 model. This should make it easier to incorporate into your interior decor.It’s $50 more than the previous model, and it’s not That Much more expensive than an already expensive soundbar. For non-Sonos alternatives, read our guide to the best soundbars.
Sonos 3rd Generation Sub SpeakerPhotography: Sonos
The standard Sonos Sub is $749 at Sonos or Target. It’s great but expensive. If you have a smaller workspace, Sonos (Target) has the less-expensive Sonos Sub Mini for $429. Don’t bother buying surround speakers until you own the Sub, though. This will have far-reaching consequences.
best small soundbar
If you have an apartment or a smaller room, or are just getting started with soundbars, the Sonos Ray (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is a solid choice. The Ray has a compact frame, but don’t let that fool you. Soundbars produce clear, crisp sound that easily fills your space with amplification and buzz, quiet conversations, and any other moments from your favorite movies and shows you don’t want to miss. Plus, with adjustable settings in the Sonos app, you can configure the ideal listening experience for every song on your favorite album.
This compact soundbar fits easily on entertainment centers and dressers, or you can mount it on the wall to free up as much valuable real estate as possible.
Want to take it to the next level? You can pair the Ray with a Sonos Sub Mini to complete the sound of your room. The Sub Mini is wireless (except for the power cord), so it seamlessly connects to your current system through the Sonos app. The subwoofer sells for $429 at Sonos and Target.
Best for Large Home Theaters
Sound bars can make all the difference in a home theater, and they cost a lot less than a full surround sound setup. If you’re looking for something truly powerful, the Sonos Arc (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is the way to go. It has full Dolby Atmos support, and in many rooms it does a good job of bouncing sound off walls and ceilings, making it sound like you have a surround sound setup.
With three tweeters and eight mid-woofers, it delivers deep bass with more balance and depth than the Beam. It’s also longer, stretching 45 inches, or about the width of a 55-inch TV. Its design is elegant and understated, in true Sonos style—you don’t always notice the bar, but when you do, it’s not obtrusive at all.
