The 12 Best Sonos Speakers and Soundbars to Elevate Your Music and Movies
- 1/13
The 12 Best Sonos Speakers and Soundbars to Elevate Your Music and Movies
If you're in the market for a multiroom speaker set, you've probably heard of Sonos. The company has revolutionized the way millions of people consume audio by offering a truly intuitive and ubiquitous wireless system that delivers music to every room in your house. What's cool is that you can play the same track throughout your entire home, or split things up in zones. If you want, you could play jazz in the dining room, pop music in the kids' playroom, and rock music in the basement. The music can be controlled from your phone, laptop, and tablet — or with your voice via smart assistants like Alexa, Siri, and the Google Assistant.
Sonos has an extensive roster of products that vary in size, shape, and of course, price. Whether you want a new soundbar to go under your smart TV, a speaker to listen to podcasts in the kitchen, one to connect to a turntable, or a speaker that you can take with you on the go, there's sure to be a Sonos speaker for your needs and budget constraints.
I've been a Sonos user for five years and I've tried practically every multi-room audio solution in the book. I've used Google Nest, Amazon Echo, and Apple HomePod smart speakers and Sonos speakers seem like magic and are well worth the investment — especially if you're like me and always like to have music playing.
Best Sonos Speakers of 2022
What to Consider
Although every Sonos speaker delivers a detailed, well-balanced, and loud sound there are a few things to keep in mind before making a purchase.
Location
It may sound like a given, but before you purchase your first Sonos speaker(s), you'll want to consider where specifically you intend to use the speaker. Most Sonos speakers — with the exception of the Sonos Move and Sonos Roam — need to be plugged into an outlet 24/7 for power. Most Sonos speakers include a 6-foot-long power cable, but you can purchase longer (and even shorter) cables. If you plan to use your speakers outdoors, I recommend the Sonos Move and Sonos Roam speakers since they are battery-powered and were constructed to withstand the elements. Sonos even has wired outdoor speakers but I think most users will prefer the versatility of wireless Bluetooth-enabled speakers like that Roam and Move.
Budget
With a starting price of $159 and with some speakers costing as much as $900, Sonos speakers certainly don't run cheap — especially if you intend to purchase multiple of them together to play audio throughout your home. The good news is Sonos has partnered with the Scandinavian furniture giant IKEA to sell a line of more inexpensive speakers that still integrate with the company's pricier offerings. Sonos has also unveiled a few more budget-friendly speakers, as well. Its newest soundbar, the Sonos Ray comes in at less than $300, making it one of the company's more affordable options worth considering.
Use-Case
When crafting your Sonos setup, figure out many speakers you want in each room and what you intend to use them for. If you're using the speakers for your home theater, you can pair one of Sonos' soundbars with two rear surround sound speakers such as the Sonos One, Sonos One SL, Sonos Five, or two of the IKEA SYMFONISK speakers. If you go this route, know that whatever two rear speakers you purchase must be the same. Meaning, you can't mix and match different models of speakers to be paired up and used as rear surrounds. Most Sonos speakers, except Sonos Roam, Roam SL, Connect, Port, and Move can also be paired to a subwoofer such as the Sonos Sub or Sonos Sub Mini.
Sonos speakers are some of the best multiroom audio systems money can buy because they deliver outstanding audio quality, an easy-to-use setup and app, and support for a wide variety of music streaming services and high-resolution audio. You can also use them to play your local media library or stream from Sonos Radio, which includes curated playlists and a collection of more than 60,000 radio stations. Most Sonos speakers support Apple AirPlay 2 wireless playback, as well. Keep on reading to find out what Sonos speakers will work best for your needs and budget.
Best Products; Courtesy Sonos - 2/13
1) One (Gen 2) Smart Speaker
Sonos
amazon.com
$251.85
The Sonos One is Sonos' most compact home speaker so it'll work well on a nightstand, end table, or even a bathroom countertop. It can be used on its own or in tandem with a second Sonos One or One SL speaker for richer stereo playback. The speaker has a touch-sensitive panel at its top for adjusting volume, pausing or resuming playback, and muting the internal microphone.
During my tests with the Sonos One, I found the setup to be easy and appreciated how great the speaker sounded. Sonos managed to squeeze in two high-quality audio drivers, a woofer, and a tweeter that works in tandem to deliver an amazingly full and rich sound with deep bass — even at low volumes.
You can use the One as a surround speaker with a Sonos soundbar and subwoofer. It also features an integrated voice assistant or can be controlled using Alexa or the Google Assistant. Meaning you can skip tracks, adjust volume, set timers, get the news or weather, control smart home devices, and of course, request the speaker to play specific songs.
The speaker sounds incredible for its small shape and comes at a reasonable price point, making it the best Sonos speaker for most people. Sonos offers the product in black or white.
amazon.com - 3/13
2) Roam Bluetooth Smart Speaker
Sonos
amazon.com
$172.04
The Sonos Roam is an ultra-portable battery-powered smart speaker that allows you to play music, podcasts, and audiobooks anywhere. Thanks to its rugged design, the speaker can withstand submersion, drops, and the elements.
The Roam is shaped a bit like a Toblerone chocolate bar. The speaker has a matte finish and it comes in a shadow black or lunar white body. It's only about 6.5 inches tall and it weighs less than a pound. Thanks to its three-sided design, the Roam can fit in corners and tight spaces. I love using my Roam speaker at the pool, the park, and have even taken it in the shower.
During my tests with the Roam, I found the audio quality of the Roam to be absolutely superb. Vocals are crystal-clear, and no matter what genre of music I played or how loud the volume was, things never got muddy or distorted. I can't recommend the speaker enough for its price.
amazon.com - 4/13
3) Ray Soundbar
Sonos
amazon.com
$279.00
For those on a budget in search of a basic soundbar, consider the Sonos Ray. It’s the cheapest soundbar Sonos sells and is designed for people who still rely on their TV’s built-in speakers. The Ray pairs perfectly with a small TV and would work wonderfully in a bedroom. While it lacks the bells and whistles of Sonos’ pricier soundbars such as support for Dolby Atmos and built-in microphones for voice control, the Ray still surprisingly packs a punch and nails the most important characteristic of a soundbar: sound quality.
Measuring in at only 22 inches wide, physically, the Sonos Ray is a couple of inches smaller than the Sonos Beam. The soundbar has a perforated polycarbonate grill but on the inside, you’ll find a quartet of Class D amplifiers that power four forward-facing drivers. The Ray includes a pair of midwoofers and two tweeters that work in tandem to dish out audio at satisfying volumes.
However, if you’re someone who likes movies to be loud, you’d be better off spending extra on the Sonos Beam to really experience that theater-style sound with a wide soundstage and a heftier bass. For those who just want their TV (or even music) to sound a little better though, you won’t be disappointed.
amazon.com - 5/13
4) Beam (Gen 2) Smart TV Sound Bar
Sonos
sonos.com
$449.00
The Sonos Beam is a smart soundbar with a sleek, space-saving design. It sports a mostly plastic exterior, but on the inside, you'll find a center tweeter, three passive radiators, four midwoofers, and a five-microphone array. The latter is for interacting with the speaker hands-free using your voice.
The soundbar doesn't dish out the deep bass or Atmos sound effects like the much pricier Sonos Arc speaker, but it will still greatly enrich your entertainment experience over the built-in speakers that are on your TV. If you're a basshead, I recommend pairing the Beam with the Sonos Sub Mini.
I use the Sonos Beam with my bedroom TV and it offers a wide and highly expansive sound that's rich, deep, and perfect for Netflix binges and movie nights. Since the soundbar has an eARC port on its backside the Beam is compatible with Dolby Atmos which can simulate audio effects from any direction for a more immersive viewing experience.
As you'd expect, it supports AirPlay 2, and can pair with other Sonos speakers to complete your home theater's surround sound system.
sonos.com - 6/13
5) Sub Mini
Sonos
amazon.com
$429.00
For a decade now, the only official way to add some extra bass to your Sonos system was to drop $700+ on the Sonos Sub. That price — which is just a couple hundred dollars cheaper than Sonos’ premium Arc soundbar — is especially hard to stomach if you invested in two rear speakers for your home theater system. The Sub Mini is priced at a much more reasonable $429.
I’ve been testing the Sub Mini for a month now and was impressed by the ease of the subwoofer’s setup, its sleek design that blended perfectly in my bedroom, and its bold bass. I did a rewatch of Interstellar recently and I was pleasantly surprised at how much it elevated my movie-watching experience. It also was nice having a stronger bass presence on the low end for listening to music. I always fire up my Sonos speakers when I clean my home and was blown away at how much better this tiny footstool-looking speaker made everything sound.
Although both the full-sized Sonos Sub and the new Sonos Sub Mini both come in white and black, the Mini subwoofers sport a matte finish. The Sonos Sub’s glossy finish is a major dust- and fingerprint magnet, so I welcome the material change. Sonos says the Sub Mini is best for small- to mid-size rooms. I highly recommend pairing it with your Sonos Beam or Sonos One speakers if you want more chest-thumping bass but don’t want to break the bank.
amazon.com - 7/13
6) SYMFONISK Wi-Fi Bookshelf Speaker
IKEA
ikea.com
$119.99
Priced at $120 bucks a pop, these Sonos speakers from IKEA are a total bargain. Although the SYMFONISK's sound quality is not quite on par with the regular Sonos One speaker, it still sounds decent and seamlessly integrates with other products in the company's lineup.
Since you can buy two SYMFONISK speakers for $20 more than the price of one Sonos One, I recommend pairing two of them together for stereo sound. I sprung for two of the bookshelf speakers to use as rear speakers for my bedroom "theater" setup. Of course, you can buy multiple and use them in different rooms throughout your home.
IKEA even sells nifty mounts for hanging the speakers on furniture or mounting them to your wall horizontally to create a floating shelf. The speakers can also be mounted vertically, as well.
ikea.com - 8/13
7) One SL
Sonos
sonos.com
$917.00
The Sonos One SL (the SL stands for speechless) is a microphone-free version of the Sonos One, so it's slightly cheaper. A pair of One SL speakers serve as the perfect rear speakers to help you enjoy a cinematic listening experience for your home theater.
I recommend placing them to the left and right of your couch. The speakers can be attached to a floor stand, or wall-mounted with the right accessories. They deliver ambient and surround effects that'll make your movie-watching experience much more immersive.
sonos.com - 9/13
8) Sub (Gen 3) Wireless Subwoofer
Sonos
amazon.com
$797.88
The sleek and slim Sonos Sub is a solid addition to any Sonos setup, but with a steep $700 asking price, it's definitely a splurge. The Sub wirelessly adds some additional bass to your setup for a more dramatic effect.
I like that the sub is easy on the eyes and isn't something you'll want to hide in the corner behind an end table. It pumps out clear, thunderous audio that's so loud it's probably too extreme for folks who have downstairs neighbors.
For those who want the most bass possible, you can purchase two subwoofers and pair them with a Sonos soundbar like the Sonos Arc or Sonos Beam. The Sonos Sub comes in glossy black and white finishes and it can sit vertically or be laid flat.
amazon.com - 10/13
9) SYMFONISK Speaker Lamp With Wi-Fi Speaker
IKEA
ikea.com
$229.99
This hybrid gadget is the result of a collaboration between IKEA and Sonos. The SYMFONISK is a speaker and lamp all in one single package. It'll help you save space, add some extra ambiance, and fill your entire room with sound.
As you'd expect from an IKEA product, it has a modern design on the outside, but on the inside, it's all Sonos. It integrates with other products from Sonos and delivers a rich, vibrant sound.
It's worth mentioning that the bulb on the lamp isn't powerful enough to light a full room. Instead, it's designed to be used for accent lighting. The product doesn't have a microphone or support for Alexa, or Google Assistant, either. Regardless, it's a unique speaker with a nice-looking glass shade that's unlike anything else I've seen.
If the SYMFONISK table lamp doesn't fit your decor due to its more modern-looking design, it's worth mentioning that IKEA also sells a "picture frame" speaker that will likely blend in much better with your furniture, but has a higher price point of $249.
ikea.com - 11/13
10) Move Battery-powered Smart Speaker
Sonos
sonos.com
$399.00
The Sonos Move is a 10-inch speaker that weighs about 7 pounds — making it a lot heftier than the Bluetooth speaker you're probably used to traveling with. It's weatherproof, has a 10-hour rechargeable battery, and comes with a convenient charging base. The Move can also be recharged with a USB-C cable and charger when you're on the go.
The speaker is compatible with Amazon Alexa, the Google Assistant, AirPlay 2, and Bluetooth. It pairs with the existing Sonos speakers in your setup, meaning, you can take the party music outdoors and not be limited to the speakers that are inside.
The Sonos Move gets a hair louder than the Sonos One, and thanks to its omnidirectional soundstage you can hear the music all around you. I appreciate its punchy bass and convenient carrying handle, and was glad to see that the battery can be replaced.
sonos.com - 12/13
11) Five High-Fidelity Speaker
Sonos
sonos.com
$549.00
The Sonos Five is a larger, more capable Sonos speaker that operates on its own or paired with other Sonos speakers. The speaker has six Class-D digital amplifiers, a trio of tweeters, and three mid-woofers. It delivers a much fuller sound than the Sonos One, but it costs twice as much.
The Five sounds stellar across a wide variety of music genres and has a strong, punchy bass that’s more impressive than every other speaker in Sonos’ lineup — with the exception of the subwoofer, of course! It also has more inputs on its backside and you can even connect a turntable directly to it. However, this speaker does not have a microphone for voice control.
If you want the most immersive home theater Sonos setup, pair two of them together and use them for your rear speakers in conjunction with a Sonos soundbar and subwoofer.
sonos.com - 13/13
12) Arc Smart Soundbar
Sonos
amazon.com
$719.00
The Sonos Arc, which is available in black or white and stretches 45 inches end to end, is packed with 11 drivers (three tweeters and eight mid-woofers) that fire audio all throughout your room. The Arc manages to create an ultra-wide soundstage and immersive sonic experience that no other soundbar can offer. The Arc makes my movie-watching experience so much more immersive and I can't recommend the soundbar enough if you have the budget for it. I can even hear the faintest of details while playing video games, which gives me an edge when I'm playing online.
It supports playback of PCM stereo, Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital Plus, and Dolby Atmos audio. It’s worth mentioning that in order to make full use of the Sonos Arc’s capabilities, you’ll want a TV that has an eARC HDMI port.
I highly recommend pairing the Arc with two Sonos One speakers and a Sonos Sub for true all-around-you surround sound. If you're searching for the most powerful soundbar money can buy and want to be blown away, the Sonos Arc is the soundbar you're looking for.
amazon.com
