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Sonos has cemented itself as the king of multiroom audio, but more companies are joining in on the trend, some offering features that Sonos doesn't.
Also: Forget the soundbar: How I upgraded my TV audio with spare Bluetooth speakers
Bose recently joined in on the fun, unveiling its Lifestyle Ultra Speaker, which operates in a way that's familiar to Sonos' smart speakers. Both companies offer separately sold smart speakers that can stand on their own around the house, group together for left/right audio, or pair with a compatible soundbar to perform as rear speakers.
Yet, aside from a hard-to-miss $130 price difference, there are other differences to consider regarding ecosystem integration, smart features, and voice assistants. Let's break them down.
You should buy the Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker if...
Jada Jones/ZDNET
1. You have Android devices
Bose fitted the Lifestyle Ultra Speaker with native Google Cast, which is a plus for people with Android devices or a mixed-device ecosystem. I've tested several new smart speakers this year, and few are equipped with Google Cast built-in.
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