The most effective Sonos audio system to purchase in 2025

After the yr of self-induced tumult that Sonos has been by way of, I can perceive why some persons are reluctant to spend cash on the corporate’s merchandise. However interim CEO Tom Conrad has proven that he’s decided to get again on monitor and revitalize Sonos because the main whole-home audio model. The contentious cell app is in a significantly better place at the moment than just some months in the past, although some prospects nonetheless encounter bugs and the frustration of audio system randomly vanishing from their system. It’s not all roses, however the scenario is shifting in the correct course — and I took Sonos’ determination to cancel its video participant as a promising signal of renewed focus.

I’m not about to promote any of my Sonos gear. For one, the corporate’s whole-home platform gives conveniences that opponents don’t match — not less than not with out problem. More often than not I’m streaming from Apple Music, Spotify, or YouTube Music. But when I’m watching a sports activities sport on my TV, I can pipe the audio from my Sonos soundbar to a speaker in a special room to comply with the motion. Enjoying one thing over Bluetooth? With many of the firm’s current audio system, it’s attainable to do the identical factor and unfold that music throughout your complete Sonos system.

I wouldn’t fault anybody for ready to see the place Sonos and its app go from right here. However take into account that tariffs would possibly finally result in value will increase for a few of these merchandise. Placing the software program misstep apart, this firm makes some genuinely glorious {hardware}, so in the event you don’t need to threat paying extra, now could be the time to purchase. And in the event you’re questioning that are the true standouts, I’ve bought you lined.

The most effective Sonos speaker to start out with

If you happen to’re in search of a decent-sounding, compact speaker to place within the kitchen, workplace, or actually anyplace in your house, the Period 100 is the best choice. 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, together with line-in audio (with a separate dongle). And the Period 100 additionally has reworked bodily controls, together with a quantity bar you’ll be able to slide your finger throughout and, lastly, devoted monitor controls.

The speaker has a chic design, and you should utilize hands-free voice controls to summon Amazon Alexa or Sonos Voice Management to skip tracks or swap to a special playlist. Sonos just lately dropped the Period 100’s value to $199, which is greater than truthful for what you’re getting. I’d purchase now and keep away from risking the associated fee going up once more, due to tariffs.

The most effective total Sonos speaker

The Sonos 5 isn’t simply Sonos’ best-sounding speaker; it’s on the high of the pack in comparison with all opponents. From an audio high quality perspective, it beats the HomePod, Echo Studio, Nest Audio, and different mass market audio system — each these which might be sensible and never. Can you discover higher hi-fi bookshelf audio system? Completely, however these aren’t natively tied into music providers like Sonos gear is. The 5 is a hefty unit and takes up an honest quantity of desk house. However when you throw some music on, its highly effective stereo output is sufficient to deal with any ceremonial dinner or weekend get-together.

There’s nothing “sensible” concerning the 5. It lacks microphones and voice assistant performance. However that simplicity is interesting in its personal proper: you’re getting a rattling good speaker that ties into the Sonos platform. The 5 additionally includes a 3.5mm aux enter, making it a great turntable companion — particularly in the event you spring for a stereo pair.

The most effective transportable Sonos speaker

With regards to transportable audio system, the Transfer 2 is in an entire totally different league than Sonos’ a lot smaller Roam 2. It’s greater and heavier, however a built-in deal with makes it simpler to lug the Transfer 2 round your own home or out to the yard. There’s no comparability between the 2 with regards to audio: the Transfer 2 smokes the much more compact Roam 2. Just like the Period 100, it has a stereo driver association, whereas the Roam mixes every little thing right down to mono and sounds extra muffled.

The Transfer’s bigger measurement offers it a transparent benefit when it comes to bass punch, and other than taking part in music wirelessly, you’ve bought the choice of plugging in different units over USB-C for line-in audio. I additionally proceed to understand that the battery within the Transfer 2 is user-replaceable, which might’t be mentioned of many Bluetooth audio system. You’ll have the ability to maintain having fun with your funding for lengthy, lengthy into the longer term. And with a mud / water resistance score of IP56, it might deal with rain and splashes of water with out issues; simply don’t drop it right into a pool.

I want the Transfer 2 over conventional transportable audio system since, not less than each time I’m residence, the Sonos lets me play music over Wi-Fi at the next constancy than Bluetooth can supply. Plus, the Transfer 2 additionally helps Apple AirPlay and Spotify Join, so it’s straightforward to only skip the Sonos app altogether if you want.

The most effective Sonos soundbar for residence theater fans

Launched in late 2024, the Arc Extremely improves on the unique Arc with considerably extra highly effective bass response. That’s largely due to the inclusion of Sonos’ new SoundMotion expertise, which manages to get a greater low-end wallop from a soundbar that’s not a lot bigger than the mannequin it replaces. This implies some patrons can get away with shopping for the Arc Extremely by itself with out including a subwoofer.

The Arc Extremely delivers Dolby Atmos encompass sound that’s extra convincing and immersive than another Sonos soundbar up to now, and it’s up there with the easiest you’ll find from a single-enclosure speaker. Vocal readability has additionally improved considerably thanks to raised heart channel efficiency. One other improve over the primary Arc is the addition of Bluetooth audio assist.

The most effective Sonos soundbar for smaller rooms

There are many situations and TV rooms the place the Arc Extremely could be too highly effective. If you happen to’re in a smaller house or don’t want the best possible encompass sound, the Beam (Gen 2) begins to make extra sense. It nonetheless has Atmos, however the impact is virtualized for the reason that Beam lacks the Arc Extremely’s upward-firing audio system. Even so, the house theater expertise you’ll get from the Beam will blow away any audio system constructed right into a TV.

The most effective Sonos subwoofer for most individuals

In the identical vein, until you’re hell bent on rumbling your partitions, the $429 Sub Mini subwoofer is greater than sufficient for layering some further oomph and growl onto Hollywood blockbusters and your favourite TV exhibits. The $799 Sub 4 is Sonos’ flagship subwoofer, however loads of folks have saved a whole lot of {dollars} by pairing the Sub Mini with any of the corporate’s soundbars — and so they’ve been ecstatic with the outcomes.

As its identify suggests, the Sub Mini is extra compact than the Sub 4, which makes it simpler to search out an not easily seen spot to put it. Even in the event you’re the sort to do a sub crawl and put it someplace in plain sight, I’d argue it seems extra fashionable than the blocky Sub 4.

The most effective finances Sonos speaker

Sonos and Ikea could be winding down their partnership, however that doesn’t imply you need to sleep on the present Symfonisk merchandise earlier than they’re fully phased out. The Symfonisk Bookshelf Speaker (Gen 2), particularly, stays essentially the most reasonably priced gateway into the Sonos ecosystem, even with its current value hike. Sound-wise, it’s not far off from the previous Sonos One / Play:1 and is a really pleasing speaker. Plus, the lower cost tag makes it simpler to persuade your self to scoop up two for a stereo pair. These — or the Symfonisk Image Body Speaker — make glorious rear encompass audio system in the event you’re on a finances.

The Sonos product worthy of a second probability

Boy oh boy, did Sonos’ wi-fi headphones come proper on the worst attainable second. The corporate’s app disaster fully sidelined the Ace headphones. Some prospects have been additionally disenchanted that the Ace can’t play music over Wi-Fi or be grouped with the corporate’s in-home audio system.

However right here’s the factor: the Ace headphones are nonetheless implausible. They’re comfy, have a beautiful design (with simply swappable ear pads), and sound detailed, highly effective, and expressive. They assist wired audio over USB-C along with Bluetooth. And the TV Audio Swap function is a helpful perk that I nonetheless usually use late at evening when my Arc Extremely would disturb others. You’ll be able to route any audio that might usually come by way of the soundbar — out of your TV, gaming console, or streaming system — by way of two pairs of headphones and pay attention privately (with spatial audio encompass sound). Sonos’ new TrueCinema mode even enables you to fine-tune the latter to raised mirror the acoustics of your house.

No, the Ace headphones aren’t what I’d take into account the best of a wearable product from Sonos. However they continue to be an entirely spectacular debut that fell sufferer to the corporate’s poor software program choices.

Pictures by Chris Welch / The Verge

Replace, June thirteenth: Adjusted pricing / availability and up to date the Sonos Ace part to say a number of new options, together with TrueCinema mode. Brandon Widder additionally contributed to this publish.