Best Sonos speakers 2022: Which one to buy

Sonos has never had more speaker options than it does now. Once known primarily for multi-room audio systems, Sonos has branched out into soundbars and mobile devices so you can spread sound throughout your home and beyond.

But more options mean it’s harder to make a decision when buying a Sonos speaker. Which should you start with if you’re new to Sonos? Which would be the next addition to your existing system? We’ll break it all down for you.

Best portable Sonos speakers

The Roam produces big sound from a small package, and it’s easy to take outside of your Sonos system, thanks to its 10-hour battery and Bluetooth connectivity.

The $219 Sonos One is a great fit for first-time Sonos buyers or as an addition to an existing Sonos system because it can do so many things. A single one delivers a wide sound with good bass and clear vocals, which is impressive for a device just over 6 inches tall.

But pair two Ones together and you’ll be amazed by the breadth of stereo they produce. You can even use the Ones with Sonos Arc or Beam soundbars to create realistic surround sound while watching TV.

In addition to sound quality, the One has many features. It comes with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant inside (though you can only activate one at a time), so you can use your voice to play music and control smart devices. his own. If you don’t want voice control, you can save a few bucks by getting $199 Sonos One SL. The speaker also includes room-correcting software, called TruePlay, which helps get the most out of the speaker by adjusting its output so that it sounds best in the space you’re using.

$179 Sonos Roamthat’s our upgrade pick for Best Bluetooth speaker, delivers the sound quality you expect from Sonos with the benefits of a carry-on package. It is waterproof and can handle bumps without breaking. Its 10-hour battery life is not as good as some Bluetooth speakers, such as Ultimate Ears Boom 3 (15 hours), but it should be enough to get you through the party.

Roam’s versatility is what sets it apart. You can connect via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, so when you’re at home it can be part of your larger Sonos system, but you’re not limited to venturing out. Its ruggedness makes it suitable as a bathroom or kitchen speaker, which you can then take with you on the go.

Like the One, it works with Alexa or the Google Assistant (Sonos recently released a version without voice control, $159 Roam SL). And it has automatic TruePlay, so it adjusts the sound to your surroundings without you having to do anything.

Arc Sonos $899 is already one of the best soundbars since it was released and it is our top recommendation for those willing to spend. It delivers wide and loud sound that fills the room when you’re watching movies or shows, and produces impressive bass even though it doesn’t come with a subwoofer (if you want more sound, you can. can add a wireless sub for $749). With Dolby Atmos support, Arc provides accurate surround sound even without separate rear speakers. Or you can add two Ones and a Sub for true 5.1 sound.

Arc makes music sound as good as when you’re watching TV, adding another option when you’re playing tunes around the house.

But in order to achieve big sound and accommodate its 11 drivers, the Arc comes with a big mark. At 45 inches by 4.5 inches by 3.4 inches, not everyone has the space for it. That’s where the smaller Beam fits into the Sonos lineup (see other Sonos speakers for review below).

Sonos speakers deliver great sound quality throughout the entire lineup, and they’re easier to set up and use than most multiroom systems. But they’re not cheap – $159 Roam SL is the cheapest Sonos model (Ikea earns $119 Symfonisk cooperation with Sonos).

You’ll need the free Sonos app to set up and control the devices. The app allows you to create groups of speakers, play the same music in different rooms, or you can play different songs on each device. The app also allows you to adjust the sound to best suit what you want to hear. If you want, you can use Apple’s AirPlay 2 or Spotify Connect to play tunes on the speaker instead of using the Sonos app.

All the speakers we recommend here use the Sonos S2 app. If you have older Sonos devices, they may only support Sonos S1, its native app. You can’t mix the S1 and S2 speakers in one group – a source of controversy among longtime Sonos fans.

In addition to the speakers, Sonos also offers $449 portcan connect to a receiver to make it part of your Sonos system and $699 Ampwhich you can use with unpowered speakers.

One flaw in the Sonos lineup is the lack of outdoor speakers, although it has partnered with Sonance to fill that void.

If the Arc is too big or expensive, Sonos Beam The soundbar delivers very good sound in a slimmer package. Measuring 25.6 inches by 3.9 inches by 2.7 inches, it will fit almost any size TV or room. The sound isn’t as loud as what you’ll get from the Arc, but you might be surprised at what the small device can produce. The latest version adds Atmos support to improve an already impressive soundbar.

This is Sonos’ first portable speaker that focuses on sound quality rather than portability. $399 Sonos Move like a super big one that you can take with you. At 9.4 inches by 6.3 inches by 5 inches and 6.6 pounds, you won’t want to do the Move while hiking, but it offers versatility when it comes to traveling with you. It has an 11-hour battery and is water resistant. Like the Roam, it has automatic Bluetooth and TruePlay, but thanks to its size, the Move produces a more punchy sound than its smaller sibling.

If you want a center speaker but don’t want a soundbar, the $549 Sonos Five is your best bet. It produces rich bass and wide sound, with crisp trebles and rich vocals. It also has a 3.5mm input so you can connect a turntable or other wired source. However, it does not offer voice control capabilities.