is a former senior reviewer who worked at The Verge from 2011 until May 2025. His coverage areas included audio, home theater, smartphones, and more.
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After the self-induced tumult Sonos went through last year, I can understand why some people are reluctant to spend money on the company’s products. But newly appointed CEO Tom Conrad has shown that he’s determined to get back on track and revitalize Sonos as the leading whole-home audio brand. The contentious mobile app is in a much better place now than it was a couple of years ago, though some customers still encounter bugs and the frustration of speakers randomly vanishing from their system. It’s not all roses, but the situation is moving in the right direction — and I took Sonos’ decision to cancel its video player as a promising sign of renewed focus.
I’m not about to sell any of my Sonos gear. For one, the company’s whole-home platform offers conveniences that competitors don’t match — at least not without hassle. Most of the time, I’m streaming from Apple Music, Spotify, or YouTube Music. But if I’m watching a sports game on my TV, I can pipe the audio from my Sonos soundbar to a speaker in a different room to follow the action. Playing something over Bluetooth? With most of the company’s latest speakers, you can do the same thing and spread that music across your entire Sonos system.
Why you should trust my Sonos recommendations I’ve covered Sonos extensively for several years at The Verge. This has included reporting on the company’s latest news, reviewing a lengthy list of Sonos products, and bringing attention to the app fiasco, which eventually led to the ouster of former CEO Patrick Spence. Audio and home theater are two of my primary focus areas in product reviews, so I’m well-versed when it comes to determining whether a speaker or soundbar is great — or just another also-ran product.
I wouldn’t fault anyone for waiting to see where Sonos and its app go from here, especially given that Sonos raised prices on a number of products last year — including soundbars and smart speakers — due to the ongoing tariff situation in the US. The company still makes some genuinely terrific hardware, however, so if you’re wondering which are the true standouts, I’ve got you covered.
What I’m looking for How I test Sonos speakers Collapse I put in many hours testing Sonos’ various speakers and soundbars in their intended environments. That means listening to a product like the Move 2 both indoors and outside, having movie marathons to test the capabilities of Sonos soundbars, and spending the bulk of full days gauging the audio performance of speakers like the Five. With devices that are advertised as being water resistant, I’ll often bring them to lake getaways or use them near the pool to ensure that they can handle splashes and everyday elements. The right speaker for the right scenario Collapse Sonos has an extensive lineup of speakers spanning various form factors: there are desk speakers, portable Bluetooth speakers, soundbars, subwoofers, and, separate from all that, you have a few lingering Ikea Symfonisk products that are designed to blend into your home decor. The best pick will depend on what you need. Good sound quality Collapse Some “audiophiles” might turn their noses up at the idea that Sonos hardware can deliver excellent sound. But I think most people will be plenty happy with the audio quality. Even the company’s smaller products consistently deliver clear, pleasant audio. Adaptability Collapse Part of what makes the Sonos ecosystem so appealing is everything you can do with it. Want to play your TV’s audio in other rooms? You can do that. If you’ve got a Bluetooth-capable record player, the tiny Sonos Roam can play your vinyl and link that audio to the rest of your system. Line-in allows for the same at higher fidelity. Most importantly, the Sonos controller app supports practically every music streaming service on the market today. Lengthy software support Collapse Few tech companies continue to provide software updates and new features for their products as long as Sonos does. Speakers introduced a decade ago are still compatible with the company’s latest S2 platform and continue to receive firmware updates.
The best Sonos speaker to start with
If you’re looking for a decent-sounding, compact speaker to put in the kitchen, office, or really anywhere in your home, the Era 100 is your best 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, along with line-in audio (via an optional dongle). And the Era 100 also has reworked physical controls, including a volume bar you can slide your finger across and, finally, dedicated track controls.
The Era 100’s built-in mics let you change the music when the physical controls are out of reach.
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