We’ve tested over 100 Bluetooth speakers in the real world, from camping trips to patios to kitchens, and these are our favorites. The quick takes below outline what each top pick does best, and link to its full review. While we don’t use lab gear for frequency sweeps, we do plenty of listening in noisy and quiet spaces alike. That lets us evaluate sound quality, volume limits, and practical usability. We also consider build quality, durability, and useful extras like voice assistants or stereo pairing. The goal is simple: help you find a speaker that actually delivers when it counts.

The Quick Answer

Check out our top picks below for a quick guide to the best Bluetooth speakers that suit your needs and budget. Each has a link to our full review.

The best overall:

The best smart speaker:

The best Apple speaker:

The best sound quality:

The best speaker for bass:

The best party speaker:

The best clip-on speaker:

The best pocket-friendly pick:

The best Bose Bluetooth speaker:

The In-depth Answer

Below you’ll find our in-depth coverage of the best Bluetooth speakers. Each speaker has been rigorously tested, ensuring you can trust our recommendations.

Best Bluetooth speaker overall: JBL Charge 6

The JBL Charge 6 takes what worked with the Charge 5 and makes it better in all the right ways. It’s still built like a tank, but now has beefed-up rubber bumpers around the passive radiators and an IP68 rating—so it’s totally dustproof and waterproof. That makes it even more ready for whatever outdoor adventure you throw at it. In my experience, the Charge 6 delivers stronger bass than the Charge 5, and its upgraded 7-band customizable EQ in the JBL Portable app is a significant improvement, allowing you to really fine-tune the sound of this speaker.

It keeps the same general shape as the Charge 5, meaning it’s still backpack-friendly, but now there’s a detachable handle and a more stable base, which I find helps it stay put when out and about. Battery life jumps to 24 hours (up from 20), and you can still charge your phone via the USB-C port. JBL also added some nice extras like lossless audio over USB and Auracast support, though keep in mind that in our testing, we discovered it won’t connect with older JBL speakers that use Party Boost.

Read our full JBL Charge 6 review

Best smart Bluetooth speaker: Google Nest Audio

The Google Nest Audio stands out as a smart speaker that combines aesthetics, functionality, and affordability. Its pillow-inspired design allows it to blend seamlessly into your home’s decor while delivering decent audio performance and smart features.

We’re impressed with Nest Audio’s sound quality, thanks to its 75mm mid-woofer and 19mm tweeter. Although it lacks deep bass, it reproduces midrange and treble frequencies quite well, making it suitable for a wide range of music genres or listening to your favorite podcast while making dinner. The speaker’s Media EQ and Ambient IQ features can also dynamically adjust the sound based on the content and your environment.

In our testing, Google Assistant really shines on the Nest Audio. It responds quickly, and I found it super handy for controlling smart home devices, making calls, and setting reminders. The built-in machine learning chip is a nice touch, too. It gradually speeds things up as it learns your routines.

Read our full Google Nest Audio review

Best Bluetooth speaker from Apple: Beats Pill

The Beats Pill makes a strong comeback in the portable speaker market with its latest iteration. Along with seamless iOS integration, this compact pill-shaped speaker packs a punch with its bass-heavy sound profile, making it ideal for bass lovers who want a portable audio solution. Its IP67 rating ensures it can withstand dust, water splashes, and even brief submersion, making it a reliable companion for outdoor adventures.

While the Beats Pill offers a hearty bass response, it does have some limitations. In our testing, we found that the sound quality noticeably declines at higher volumes, with compression and distortion becoming apparent above 50% volume. This makes it less suitable for larger parties or outdoor events where you might need to crank up the volume. Still, its angled design tilts the drivers upward, which I found makes a noticeable difference when listening at a desk. Along with outdoor use, it’s also a solid choice for your home office or casual listening around the house.

Read our full Beats Pill review

Best Bluetooth speaker for sound quality: Anker Soundcore Motion X600

The Anker Soundcore Motion X600 stands out as a high-end portable speaker that doesn’t compromise on sound quality. We quickly discovered that its five-driver system, which includes an upward-firing driver, creates an immersive listening experience that’s uncommon in speakers of this size. The spatial audio mode also adds noticeable depth to your music, making it a great choice for audio enthusiasts who want a portable solution.

While it may not be the most rugged or portable option, I find the Motion X600 best suited for home environments. Its aluminum build and unique grille design make it a stylish addition to any living room, and its built-in handle makes it easy to tote to the basement or backyard. The speaker offers a good balance of features, including LDAC codec support for high-quality streaming and a 9-band customizable EQ through the Soundcore app.

Read our full Soundcore X600 review

Best Bluetooth speaker with bass: Brane X Smart Speaker

There’s no way around it—the Brane X is a beast of a portable Bluetooth speaker designed for those who want their music loud and their bass even louder. Seriously, this heavy-duty speaker packs a serious punch with its built-in 6.5″ x 9″ downward-firing subwoofer and offers stereo playback with two 2.5-inch mid-range drivers and two .75″ dome tweeters.

After testing hundreds of speakers, keeping its size in mind, I can confidently say Brane X easily provides the most low-end in a reasonably compact design. While it may be too bulky and heavy for casual outings, naturally, the Brane X shines in smaller to medium-sized party settings. Its IP57 water resistance also makes it suitable for poolside or beach use.

The companion app offers decent customization options, including a 5-band EQ for fine-tuning the sound to your liking. If you’re keen on using the Brane X around the house, it also offers Wi-Fi connection with voice assistant support for “Hey Alexa.” We’re also happy to let you know that the Brane X still offers a 3.5mm aux input for a wired connection.

Read our full Brane x review

The best clip-on Bluetooth speaker: JBL Clip 5

The JBL Clip 5 continues the legacy of its predecessors as the go-to speaker for outdoor enthusiasts and casual listeners on the move. This latest iteration brings some welcome upgrades while maintaining the compact, convenient, and rugged clip-on design that made the series popular.

The Clip 5 boasts a more premium look and feel compared to the Clip 4. It has a wider carabiner for more placement options and thicker silicone padding on the back for added protection. Additionally, we discovered it offers 7W of output compared to the 5W provided by the Clip 4,  which provides a bit more “oomph” for personal or small group listening in outdoor settings.

New features like companion app support from the JBL Portable app allow users to fine-tune their listening experience with preset and custom EQ options. Like the Charge 6, the Clip 5 now uses Auracast to pair with other compatible JBL speakers like the Xtreme 4 and Flip 7. However, our testing discovered that Auracast pairing limits you to mono sound and JBL’s default EQ settings.

Read our full JBL Clip 5 review

Best Bluetooth party speaker: JBL PartyBox Stage 320

The JBL PartyBox Stage 320 is the ultimate mobile party machine, designed to turn any gathering into an unforgettable event. This powerhouse speaker combines booming sound, a customizable light show, and improved mobility to bring the party vibes wherever you may be.

The Stage 320 quickly impressed us (and our neighbors) with its 240 watts of stereo power, delivered through dual 6.5″ woofers and 25mm dome tweeters. Not only will this speaker pump out the party jams, but we didn’t notice much distortion in our testing either, even at higher volumes. The redesigned light show adds a visual spectacle to match the audio performance, with customizable options available through the JBL PartyBox app.

Improvements in portability, including a telescoping handle and wider wheels, make it easier to transport this 16.5kg party machine compared to previous models. Its IPX4 water resistance rating means you don’t have to worry about light rain or splashes by the pool. While the ParyBox Stage 320 offers up to 18 hours of battery life, we were also happy to discover that it offers swappable battery packs, ensuring that your party will go all night long, off-grid or not.

Read our full JBL PartyBox Stage 320 review 

Best pocket-friendly Bluetooth speaker: Soundcore Select 4 Go

The Soundcore Select 4 Go is a solid pick for a budget-friendly Bluetooth speaker for personal use or small hangouts. It has an IP67 rating, so it’s good to go at the beach, in the shower, or wherever your day takes you. My favorite feature, though, has to be the 9-band EQ in the Soundcore app, which gives you more control over the sound than most speakers in this price range.

Battery life is impressive too, with up to 20 hours of playtime. That’s plenty for a few days of casual listening. There’s also a built-in loop for a carabiner and rubber feet on the bottom, so you can set it up to fire sound upward. It’s a nice bonus if you’re working with limited space.

Just keep in mind that while the sound and features are great for the price, the build is not quite as tough as something like the JBL Clip 5. The Select 4 Go feels decently sturdy, but it is not the most rugged option out there.

Read our full Soundcore Select 4 Go review

Best Bose Bluetooth speaker: Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen)

The SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) maintains the durability that made the original popular, with its IP67 rating ensuring protection against dust and water. While we discovered there weren’t any hardware upgrades from the 1st Gen, the updated Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity and support for the aptX codec (on compatible devices) provide a more stable connection and potentially higher audio quality for Android users.

Sound quality remains a strong point. Honestly, the SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) sounds great right out of the box. While the EQ options in the companion app are somewhat limited—you’re only supplied with Bass, Middle, and Treble sliders—they do allow for some sound customization to suit your preferences. It’s better than nothing!

Read our full Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) review

The best Bluetooth speakers: Notable mentions

• Anker Soundcore Boom 2 (): With plenty of bass on tap, customizable dual LED lights, and a floatable design, the Boom 2 brings a little something extra to your next outdoor gathering.
• Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus (): The Boom 2’s bigger sibling and our runner up for “Best Bluetooth speaker with bass”. If the Brane X is out of your price range, consider this less expensive alternative. It provides stereo playback with a hefty bass response, and of course, its built-in light show.
• Bose SoundLink Micro (): This is the perfect companion for bikers and picnic hosts; you can strap it onto your handlebars and or set it on the blanket and dig in.
• JBL Flip 7 (): While upgraded durability, new connection options, and extra carrying attachments aren’t exactly game-changers, the added sound customization is definitely a welcome upgrade to this popular water-bottle-shaped speaker.
• JBL Flip 6 (): The JBL Flip 6 is still a solid speaker, with an IP67 rating and JBL’s signature sound. It’s also just as easy as ever to sync this Bluetooth speaker with your devices. Snag two on sale and run them in stereo!
• JBL Xtreme 4 (): The larger sibling to the Charge 6, the Xtreme 4 offers stereo performance, a shoulder strap, and swappable battery packs.
• EarFun UBOOM X (): The UBOOM X is an affordable boombox-style speaker that sounds great and brings the vibes. With a variety of EQ options and a customizable light show, it delivers without breaking the bank.
• UE HYPERBOOM (): If you like UE but feel its previous offerings weren’t loud enough to power your parties, then the HYPERBOOM is perfect for you. Sure, it’s expensive, but it fills a niche that UE couldn’t previously fill.
• UE Wonderboom 4 (): The Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 is a great portable Bluetooth speaker for impromptu park hangs and on the go. It’s small, sturdy, well-built, and light enough to easily be thrown in a backpack. Unlike its predecessor, the Wonderboom 3, which relied on a micro-USB port, the Wonderboom 4 also now charges via USB-C.
• Sonos Roam 2 (): The Sonos Roam 2 doesn’t stray far from the original in terms of design, specs, and features. Frustrating app setup issues aside, it’s a great-sounding portable speaker. Existing Sonos users will benefit from their home smart setup reaching a little further. Still, with its new Bluetooth connection option, anyone can use it as a standalone Bluetooth speaker for your next adventure without relying on the finicky Sonos app.
• Sony ULT Field 7 (): If you are seeking the full party experience in a package that’s light enough to carry with one hand, the Sony ULT Field 7 is worth considering.

What you should know before you buy the best Bluetooth speaker for your needs

These days, Bluetooth speakers are a dime a dozen. After testing hundreds of speakers here at SoundGuys, here are a few things you should know before buying. What makes one speaker stand out from the next?

What is a Bluetooth codec?

Represented is the max transfer rate (kbps) of each respective Bluetooth codec (greater is better). Each waveform depicts a transfer rate of 100 kbps.

Just like wireless headphones, Bluetooth speakers support specific Bluetooth codecs. For those unfamiliar with the concept, a codec determines how a file is transmitted from a source (phone) to a receiver (speaker). If you want a lag-free experience, make sure to invest in something that supports aptX or AAC if you’re an iOS user. Not only does this reduce latency, but it also allows for better streaming quality (at least if you use AAC with iOS).

That said, casual listeners don’t worry too much about codec support. Bluetooth speakers are built to fuel the party, not for critical listening. For most people, including myself, the SBC codec sounds just fine. While speakers like the Charge 6 and Beats Pill advertise features like lossless audio, chances are you won’t notice a difference.

What is an IP rating?

The Boom 2 is outdoor-ready with its IPX7 protection rating.

Sometimes, a product’s specifications will plainly read “sweat-resistant” or something similar. However, if you know you’re going to take your speaker on a boat or to the beach, you should invest in something with an official IP rating. IP ratings denote a particular product’s dust and water resistance.

Often, a product is rated something like IPX4, and the X is just a placeholder for a dust-resistant rating. For a product to withstand full submersion, it must be at least IPX7 or higher. For example, the JBL Charge 6 is IP68 rated, meaning it’s fully dustproof and can handle submersion in water, up to 1.5m, for 30 minutes.

How we choose the best Bluetooth speakers

We test them all so you don’t have to.

There are thousands of Bluetooth speakers out there, and while we can’t test every single one, that doesn’t stop us from trying to get our grubby hands on as many as possible. If a speaker made it onto this list, you can be sure we’ve spent time with it and, in most cases, put it through our whole review process.

That includes cranking up the volume to check for distortion, listening across various genres from EDM to heavy metal, running standardized battery tests in the infamous “Booth of Doom” at SoundGuys HQ, checking out all the features its companion app has to offer, and, of course, testing them in real-world conditions. Whether it’s a Charge 6 strapped to a paddleboard for a day on the lake or a Clip 5 hooked to a backpack for a city bike ride, if a speaker can’t hold up and deliver, you’ll hear about it.

We want you to be happy with your purchase, so we’ve narrowed down what it means to be the best Bluetooth speaker. In short, it needs to sound good, be reasonably priced, and handle wear and tear. If it’s designed for outdoor use, we make sure it has an official IP rating, and we’ll be sure to drop it in a tank of water while we’re at it.

After all our in-house (and outdoor) testing, one thing holds true: if a speaker performs well, there’s no reason to spend more than necessary.

Why you should trust SoundGuys

The Soundcore Boom 2 holds its own against the Charge 6.

Every writer follows a strict ethics policy and works to make the research process easier for you. We know spending a ton of money chasing the absolute best gear is possible, but most people aren’t looking to break the bank. Our goal is simple: help you find something you’ll love. We don’t profit from pushing you toward or away from any specific product.

Frequently asked questions about Bluetooth speakers

The Quick Answer

Explore our top recommendations below for the best Sonos alternatives tailored to your needs and budget. Each option includes a link to our in-depth review.

The best overall:

The best Google pick:

The best sound quality:

The best Apple pick:

The best value pick:

The In-depth Answer

Below is our comprehensive breakdown of the best Sonos alternatives, each thoroughly tested so you can trust our recommendations.

Why is the Bose Home Speaker 500 the best Sonos alternative?

If you’re new to the Bose ecosystem, the Home Speaker 500 is a fantastic place to start.

In my experience, what makes the Home Speaker 500 stand out is how well it holds up at any volume. Some compact speakers get harsh or distorted when cranked up, but the 500 can get pretty loud and still sound good. The dual 2.5-inch drivers on opposite sides give you decent stereo separation, enough to fill your living room.

Connecting it to your preferred device is easy. Whether you’re streaming over Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, or plugging in via 3.5mm, the Home Speaker 500 offers a variety of ways to listen. I found the Bose Music app easy to use for playback control, though I often relied on the handy touch presets on top of the unit. You can also link it with other Bose gear using SimpleSync.

Voice control is another strong point here. The Speaker 500 supports both Alexa and Google Assistant, giving it more flexibility than a device locked into a single ecosystem. That said, calling features are limited to Alexa, which could be a downside depending on your setup.

A small LCD screen on the front displays album art and track info. It’s not the sharpest display, but it adds a nice touch for anyone who likes a visual cue while listening. All in all, the Bose Home Speaker 500 punches above its weight. It’s compact, powerful, and packed with thoughtful features that make it easy to use daily.

Read our full Bose Home Speaker 500 review 

Best for Google fans: Google Nest Audio

The Google Nest Audio makes a strong case as a smart speaker that balances style, smarts, and a friendly price point. Its soft, pillow-like shape helps it blend effortlessly into just about any room while offering surprisingly capable audio and voice control features for its size.

During testing, we were genuinely impressed by the sound. The 75mm mid-woofer and 19mm tweeter work together to deliver clear mids and detailed highs, even if the bass does not hit especially deep. Still, it easily handled everything from casual playlists to spoken word content. It is well-suited for background music during chores or catching up on a podcast. Features like Media EQ and Ambient IQ subtly adapt the sound to what you are listening to and where you are in the room, which adds a nice bit of polish to the experience.

Google Assistant felt especially sharp here. Commands fired off quickly, and I found myself using it constantly to control smart lights, send messages, or just check my calendar. The on-device machine learning chip deserves credit too, as I noticed the speaker responding even faster over time as it learned my daily patterns.

Read our full Google Nest Audio review

Best for sound quality: Denon Home 150 Wireless

Denon has a solid track record in home audio, and the Home 150 Wireless brings that expertise into the smart speaker category. This compact single-unit speaker houses both a mid-woofer and a tweeter that produce surprisingly full sound. Around the back, it includes a USB port that lets you plug in a flash drive and enjoy your personal music library without relying on streaming services.

Streaming options are plentiful. The Home 150 supports AirPlay 2 and works with all the usual platforms like Spotify, Tidal, and Pandora. The top-panel shortcut controls especially convenient for jumping straight into a playlist or favorite station. It shares that user-friendly quality with speakers like the Bose Home Speaker 500.

There is one limitation worth noting. To use voice commands with Alexa, you will need to pair the Home 150 with a separate Alexa-enabled device. While it is not a major setback, it may be a consideration if you want a speaker with built-in voice control. Even so, the Home 150 delivers on both sound and functionality, making it a strong option for anyone looking to build out their home audio setup.

Best for Apple fans: Apple HomePod mini

Best value: Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen)

What if you are not looking to spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on a multi-room audio setup? You can still get a similar experience by picking up a few Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) speakers and grouping them together. While they will not match the sound quality of the more premium options on this list, they offer one of the most affordable ways to bring audio to every room. Plus, with Alexa built into so many devices, you can easily expand or upgrade your setup later.

In daily use, the Echo Dot (5th Gen) is surprisingly capable for such a compact speaker. It handles voice commands quickly and reliably, whether you are setting timers, checking the weather, or controlling smart home devices. The sound is clear enough for podcasts, audiobooks, and background music, and the new temperature sensor adds a bit more utility for smart home routines. It is not going to wow you with deep bass or rich stereo imaging, but for casual listening and hands-free convenience, the Echo Dot gets the job done at a very approachable price.

Best Sonos alternatives: Notable mentions

• Amazon Echo Pop (): The Amazon Echo Pop is a great affordable smart speaker option. With Alexa integration, a modern design, and decent sound, the Echo Pop is a nice addition to any small room.
• Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) (): is a larger, louder version of the mini, designed for seamless use with iPhones, offering rich sound from its woofer and five tweeters, but limited functionality for Android users.
• Bluesound Pulse Mini 2i: This smart speaker costs quite a few pretty pennies, and it’s compatible with Alexa and Siri. You can stream over your Wi-Fi network or over Bluetooth. If you choose the latter, it supports aptX HD playback.
• Bose Portable Smart Speaker (): The Bose Portable Smart Speaker works well and has impressive bass for such a small speaker. It works with both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Plus, full access to every smart function is dependent on your region of the world.
• Bose 251 Environmental Speakers: This wireless outdoor speaker set is a great add-on to your multi-room Bose ecosystem – multi-room includes outside! Keep in mind you’ll need a compatible amplifier to power these and connect them to multi-room wireless playback. They’re weather-resistant and produce booming sound.

What you should know about the best Sonos alternatives

A lot of speakers have companion apps

Making sure the app is available on your OS of choice is important.

One thing to keep in mind with multi-room audio is that no matter which ecosystem you choose, you will need an app. Unless you are using Bluetooth, nearly all wireless speakers that support synchronized playback across multiple rooms rely on a dedicated app to manage your setup. It is also important to check whether the app is available on your preferred operating system and what features it offers. For example, the Sonos app works on both Android and iOS, but its Trueplay speaker tuning feature is exclusive to iOS.

Look out for music streaming compatibility

As you can see from this list, there are plenty of choices for multi-room audio, but there are even more options when it comes to music streaming services. In a perfect world, everything would work everywhere, but that isn’t the case here. Some services work on some platforms, while others do not.

Make sure your music-streaming app of choice is supported.

So if you have your entire collection in the Google Play Music library, you should make sure that whatever you’re investing in is compatible. If you’re strictly a streamer through a service like Spotify, you’ll probably be fine in most cases, but it’s still worth double-checking just for good measure.

There are specialized speakers for different uses

This is something that might be more important for some people than others. If you’re only playing music, then you’ll probably be fine with any of these options. But if you want to use speakers for home entertainment like gaming or watching movies, it matters what kind of speakers you choose.

For example, if you are setting up surround sound in your living room, it is a good idea to make sure the ecosystem you choose offers more than just small satellite speakers, since you will also need a subwoofer. If you want something simple like the Sonos Playbase for a single TV, you should check that the brand you are considering has a product that fits your specific needs. Sonos does a great job of offering speakers for a variety of use cases, but they are not the only company with that level of versatility.

What is a 5.1 or 7.1 channel setup?

If you are exploring different home audio speakers, you might come across terms like 5.1 or 7.1 compatible. What do these numbers actually mean? While they might seem confusing at first, they are easier to understand than you might think. These numbers refer to how many speakers are connected in your setup, with the “.1” representing a subwoofer. So, a 5.1 system means you have five speakers and one subwoofer. A 7.1 system means seven speakers and a subwoofer. Simple enough.

Kamina/Wikipedia Commons

It gets a little more complicated when considering the different kinds of speakers. In a 5.1 speaker setup, you’ll have left and right channel speakers, a center channel speaker, left and right surround speakers (usually next to or behind the seating area), and the subwoofer. A 7.1 setup is the same setup but with two additional surround speakers behind you.

Why you should trust SoundGuys

The ULT Field 5 offers an impressive bass response with ULT 2 engaged.

You can read our ethics policy on how we use affiliate links, but basically, our writers aren’t incentivized to pick one option over another because that’s not how we get paid. We make our money per piece, not per unit sold. Our team has years of experience testing, reviewing, and using audio products, so if we put something on a list, it’s because we did our homework while researching a topic or because we’ve used it ourselves — never because we were paid to.

Frequently asked questions about the best Sonos alternatives

At the time of writing, there has been no official confirmation of the Sonos Move 3. Here is everything I want to see while we wait for concrete details.

A cheaper price tag

The Sonos Move 2 costs $50 more than its predecessor.

Sonos manufactures many different speakers. For example, the Sonos Five brings a loud output volume and Ethernet connectivity to expand your pre-existing Sonos setup. On the other hand, the Sonos Roam 2 features a lightweight IP67-rated design that’s perfect for taking on the move. Both vary in price, with the former costing $549 and the latter costing $179 at launch. However, you don’t have to spend vast quantities to receive industry-leading sound and features.

For example, the Anker Soundcore Motion X600 costs $199 and has excellent sound quality, Bluetooth 5.3 with LDAC, and spatial audio capabilities. Similarly, smart home enthusiasts can bag the popular Google Nest Audio for $79. This speaker brings Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, integrated Chromecast, and Google’s Media EQ and Ambient IQ features. Sure, neither the Anker Soundcore Motion X600 nor the Google Nest Audio is as versatile as the Sonos Move 2. However, the Sonos Move 3 will need a cheaper price tag to convince price-conscious consumers who know what they want.

A lightweight design

To use the Sonos Move 2, stand the speaker upright. Unlike most portable speakers, it has a single standing orientation.

The Sonos Move 2 wears an IP56-rated exterior to protect it from the elements. This should guard it against a soaking from powerful water guns and resist damage from small solid particles. However, while this is handy for taking the speaker out and about, its 3kg build makes it less portable than rival Bluetooth speakers. The lip on the back panel is also less desirable and maneuverable than a dedicated carrying handle.

Truth be told, there are many alternatives better suited for the great outdoors than the Sonos Move 2. For example, the JBL Charge 6 costs less than half the price and enjoys a superior IP68 rating. It also lasts over 24 hours on a single charge, has a detachable handle, and supports Auracast connectivity. The speaker’s USB-C port even doubles as an in/out to charge your phone on the move. All of this is packed into a 988g frame — that’s less than a third of the weight of the Sonos Move 2. The Sonos Move 3 must showcase a lightweight design.

Google Assistant

The Sonos Move 2 supports wireless connectivity over Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Apple’s AirPlay 2 protocol.

Sonos has no shame in supporting Apple over Android. This is evidenced by the Move 2 opting for Siri over Google Assistant. Unfortunately, this means Google fans cannot seamlessly control their Google smart home devices directly from the speaker. Others may also find that the Move 2’s Sonos VoiceControl feature is less capable when conducting complex commands or integrating with Google services.

Adding insult to injury, the Sonos Move 2 relies heavily on the Sonos app for most of its functionality. This requires users to sign up and create an account, exchanging a significant amount of their details. Sure, downloading the app benefits a loudness toggle, Sonos’s room-tuning Trueplay function, and a very basic EQ. However, Sonos could pull support for the app on your source device at any moment, making the Sonos VoiceControl feature inaccessible on Android and iOS. Google isn’t going anywhere, so it makes sense for the Sonos Move 3 to support the Google Assistant.

A speakerphone

The Sonos Move 2 does not feature an integrated speakerphone. This is surprising, given that the speaker uses built-in microphones to detect your voice for the Alexa, Sonos VoiceControl, and Siri voice assistants. Without one, fans cannot use the Move 2 to make hands-free calls. This is a misstep and will likely encourage those who frequently take calls to seek out more appropriate alternatives.

For example, the Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) features an IP67-rated exterior, weighs one-fifth the weight of the Sonos Move 2, and has a built-in microphone for phone calls. Similarly, the Sony ULT Field 3‘s play/pause button can be pressed to answer and end calls when connected to your smartphone. Sure, Bluetooth speaker microphones cannot compete with smartphones and headphones. However, they are handy when out and about if you don’t want to fumble around with your phone.

More accessories

Slide your finger along the indented strip to control your volume.

For such an expensive all-in-one speaker, the Sonos Move 2 is missing some vital accessories. For starters, those using an audio device with a 3.5mm port must purchase a separate $20 3.5mm-to-USB-C adapter. Also, anyone wanting to take the speaker into the wild must spend roughly $80 on a purpose-built carry case. Adding these expenses together, the final price you’re likely to pay for full functionality well exceeds the $500 mark.

Many cheaper alternatives require fewer accessories. For example, the Anker Soundcore Motion X600 has USB-C and 3.5mm ports for audio playback from multiple devices. A soft rubber flap protects the ports from water damage. While the IPX7 rating doesn’t protect against dust, the speaker features a large handle for easier transport. The Sonos Move 3 must include more accessories out of the box when it comes to market.

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Will there be a Sonos Move 3?

The Move 2 features a handle lip towards the top of the speaker above the power button.

Sonos remains invested in the portable Bluetooth speaker category. For example, the Sono Roam 2 launched on May 21, 2024, and is an excellent introductory smart speaker. Despite its tiny 168 x 62 x 60mm frame, it produces a loud output volume and connects seamlessly via Bluetooth. However, setting up the Sonos app is a finicky process, and the speaker has virtually the same design, specs, and features as its predecessor.

Sono has not mentioned the Move 3 yet, and rumors are sparse at the time of writing. However, Sonos’s previous release schedule reveals much about when we can expect its next-gen speaker to materialize.

• Sonos Move — September 24, 2019
• Sonos Move 2 — September 20, 2023

For example, the original Sonos Move launched on September 24, 2019. Almost four years to the day, the updated Sonos Move 2 launched on September 20, 2023. If the company sticks to its previous release schedule, we should expect the Sonos Move 3 to launch in the fall of 2027. However, we must wait for confirmation from Sonos for concrete details.

Should you wait for the Sonos Move 3?

The Sonos Roam is small and portable, living up to the “roam” in its name.

The Sonos Move 2 is for those who want a catch-them-all speaker that tries its hand at everything. Given that we are likely still a couple of years away from seeing the Sonos Move 3, interested parties should probably purchase the current model. This is available from major retailers, including Amazon and Best Buy.

The Sonos Move 2 () is a competent multi-purpose Bluetooth speaker. With an IP56-rated exterior, 24 hours of battery life, and simple controls, the speaker is suitable for the great outdoors. However, its support for Alexa, Sonos VoiceControl, and the Siri voice assistant makes it an equally capable companion at home. Those willing to take the Sonos Move 2 outside can fully charge the speaker in three hours. Sonos also states that the Move 2 can be left in the charging cradle without degrading the battery life. However, you can swap the battery if you notice it is not holding a charge. Smartphone owners can connect via Bluetooth 5.0 or Wi-Fi, while those with iOS devices can use Apple’s AirPlay 2. The sound quality is decent, and the speaker can be grouped with other Sonos speakers to create a multi-speaker system.

If you’re invested in the Sonos ecosystem and want portable audio, grab the original Sonos Roam (). Like its successor, the Sonos Roam wears a robust IP67-rated exterior. It’s also small and lightweight enough to easily stow away in a backpack without taking up too much space. The Sonos Roam connects to devices via Bluetooth 5.0 over the SBC and AAC codecs. However, it can also be grouped with other Sonos speakers over Wi-Fi and supports the Sonos app. Downloading the app lets you select your preferred voice assistant, download firmware updates, and enable stereo playback with two compatible Sonos speakers. The Sonos Roam also ships with Sonos Radio for music streaming. Unfortunately, the battery life only endured five hours and 23 minutes during our testing period. Setting up the speaker is also a pain, and the EQ only works with Sonos Radio. Phone callers should also keep looking.

The JBL Charge 6 () is a premium and rugged portable Bluetooth speaker. Fans receive 24 hours of playback time and the ability to sacrifice bass with JBL’s “Playtime Boost” to achieve an additional four hours of playtime. Those in a bind can fast charge 150 minutes of juice from a 10-minute top-up. Sound quality is decent, with more prominent bass reproduction than its predecessor. Tinkerers can use the upgraded seven-band custom EQ in the JBL Portable app to hone the speaker’s sound profile. Downloading the app also unlocks Auracast audio sharing, four EQ presets, and vital firmware updates. The speaker connects to your source device wirelessly over Bluetooth 5.4 or USB-C for wired, lossless-quality audio. The USB-C port can also be used to charge your device on the move. The IP68-rated housing is handy for taking the JBL Charge 6 out in the elements.

The Google Nest Audio () is the reigning champion smart speaker. The speaker does not have an ingress protection rating, but it has a pleasing pillow-like aesthetic. Those embedded in the Google ecosystem with multiple Nest Audio or Google Home products can enjoy multiroom and stereo playback. Unlike the Sonos Move 2, the Google Nest Audio supports the industry-leading Google Assistant. This can be used to make calls, set reminders, ask questions, and much more. Likewise, music and podcast fans can enjoy Google’s music service support and Chromecast for Google TVs. You can even broadcast to Nest Audio from your phone when away from home. Google’s Media EQ is handy for automatically tuning the sound signature of your speaker depending on the type of media you are streaming. Likewise, Ambient IQ changes the speaker volume according to your environment.

Sonos Move 3 FAQs

More than 5,100 people voted in our poll, and the results confirm what many have suspected: Sonos has a serious problem on its hands.

• 29% said the app barely works with your music or audio system
• 44% reported some issues, but mostly functioning
• 21% claimed no problems at all
• 6% don’t own Sonos products

A clear majority of users are experiencing problems

When nearly three-quarters of your customer base reports issues with your product, you’re facing a crisis. While 21% of respondents have completely functional systems, a combined 73% of Sonos owners are dealing with some level of dysfunction—ranging from minor inconveniences to completely unusable systems.

What makes these numbers particularly damning is the investment these customers have made. Sonos systems typically represent thousands of dollars of premium audio equipment—not the kind of purchase most people can easily abandon or replace.

What users are saying

The comments section of our original article further illustrates just how varied the Sonos experience has become since last May’s update:

• “I have (3) play fives and (12) play ones. I’ve updated the app to its most current version. I still have issues; my play 5 won’t work as stereo pairs, and volume control continues to be an issue.” — niketown1414
• “I’m 65, retired, living on just social security. I purchased Sonos with the little I had saved up. 2 arcs, 4 Sonos ones, 1 sub, 2 Era 100s, and 2 Era 300s… It’s been sitting silent for almost a year. I wish I bought a system that just had cable hookups. This really hurt me financially.” — Joseph Ritter
• “It’s not fixed. It’s just barely usable. But too many $$ invested to move away from Sonos. But I won’t make any future investments until it actually works as promised.” — Michael Brown
• “App is a disaster. Tired of Sonos. Thinking of moving to another brand for future purchases.” — Conorachi H

Not everyone is experiencing the same level of frustration, though. Some readers reported recent improvements:

• “I have 12 Sonos devices on our network and they’re all working great since the late 2024 update. Everything with the app is at least 90% fixed.” — Doug Zbikowski
• “This has come a bit late. The app was in a bad way, not quite stopping me from using my Sonos, but bad experience for months. But now it’s ok for me. Not perfect, but decent.” — Francis Gilbert
• “It’s fine now, go back to using them… We have loads of speakers, no issues at all.” — Jon Wilde

Third-party solutions emerging

Interestingly, some users have found workarounds that bypass Sonos’ troubled official app entirely:

• “I use SonoPhone, cost $5 and works just like the old app used to, well worth checking out.” — Colin Lowe

This highlights a market opportunity that wouldn’t exist if Sonos had maintained its traditionally reliable software experience.

A company at a crossroads

With an interim CEO and a significantly restructured executive team, Sonos faces a critical juncture. Our poll results indicate that while the company has made some progress since the initial app disaster, it still has a long way to go before regaining the confidence of its user base.

For many, the decision isn’t whether to fix their existing systems—it’s whether to continue investing in the Sonos ecosystem at all. As one reader poignantly put it:

• “I have lost faith or the finance to replace; all I have are memories of a beautiful sound.” — Rod Himsley

The sentiment among commenters aligns closely with our poll data: while some users are seeing improvements, many remain frustrated or have given up entirely. The path forward for Sonos is clear: fix the app completely, rebuild trust, and remember that even the best hardware is only as good as the software that controls it.

Have your Sonos issues improved since the initial app overhaul last May? Are you sticking with the ecosystem or looking elsewhere for your next audio purchase? Let us know in the comments below.

You know, you’d think a billion-dollar company famous for its sleek, premium hardware would have a simple, elegant app to match. Alas, Sonos proves that even the best hardware can’t outrun a frustrating user experience.

Sonos’ deaf ear to user feedback

This might as well be a close-up of Sonos’ ear properly plugged so as not to hear any complaints over the past few years.

Sonos’ apps have plagued users for years. Even before the May 2024 redesign, app issues were very present. Users reported lagginess when skipping or pausing songs and a barely functioning party mode. Of course, no one wants to troubleshoot clunky software mid-party, talk about ruining a vibe. Some users, including me, have also had to factory reset the speaker at random intervals to reconnect it to the network. This happened to me without any network changes or outages. I don’t have many devices on my network and have 1GB speeds. Yet, factory resetting my Sonos One (Gen 1) became such a frequent frustration that I ended up parting with the speaker in favor of a standard Bluetooth speaker.

Sonos heard plenty of canaries in the Sonos app coalmine and didn't respond.

This title on the Sonos community board speaks for itself, “Why is Sonos App so bad and why won’t Sonos fix the problems?” Likewise, Sonos users banded together on the r/Sonos subreddit to discuss Sonos’ app issues back in 2023. Earlier in 2024, we saw different users discussing the app’s slow, non-responsive nature. Heck, during different reviews, we came across this as well.

When reviewing the Sonos One (Gen 2), former SoundGuys writer Sara Carbone and I spent two hours troubleshooting. The Sonos app couldn’t recognize her home Wi-Fi, even when other smart speakers were able to connect. Most recently, colleague David Carr performed multiple hard resets of the speaker and his phone to get the app to connect. He also dealt with unresponsive in-app buttons and functionality issues within the app.

A predictable flop

At least with the Roam 2, you can bypass the app and just connect via Bluetooth.

On May 7, 2024, Sonos released a new version of its app, which received backlash, leading to a cacophony of upset voices. To over 15 million users’ horror, the app release led to missing system setups and removed features (which Sonos says it will reintroduce … later). People could no longer set alarms, configure the volume properly, add songs to a queue, or add new speakers. This doesn’t even cover all of the issues, for that, you’d need to scan through the megathread on r/Sonos. Sonos’ chief product officer told The Verge that the redesign took courage. This is not a good look when one of the app’s most damning issues includes broken accessibility for blind users.

As upsetting as this is for any Sonos fan, many of us saw this coming. The company prioritizes hardware and marketing over the overall user experience. Though unsurprising, this is unsettling for anyone watching the company closely. Like some undergrads in a lecture hall, the app was half-baked. Either Sonos didn’t rigorously test the new app version before its release, or it knew about the issues and didn’t care. Frankly, both scenarios are grim and make me concerned about the company’s decision-making.

Is the curtain falling on Sonos?

The Sonos Ace look eerily similar to the AirPods Max.

It’s too soon to declare the grand state of Sonos. However, this is Sonos’ highest hurdle to date. It’s also a major symptom of a chronic condition: years of customer unrest and unresolved grievances. While I am no clairvoyant, I can say this is an excellent reason to hear others’ experiences before going whole hog into an ecosystem. Whether you visit SoundGuys, another publication, your favorite public forum, or all of the above, please do your research before buying an expensive product. If a company has a history of going silent on user concerns, you may want to consider whether the sleek hardware justifies potential known issues or malfunctions.

If not Sonos, what smart speakers are worth buying?

Don’t worry: there are plenty of smart speaker manufacturers who want your dollar.

The smart speaker market is alive and well, with many companies vying for your attention. If you like the Sonos system for its Alexa integration, the Amazon Echo series is a great alternative. Amazon’s speakers are more affordable, have good sound quality, and support Alexa (of course). The Echo (4th Gen) () is a great smart speaker with good bass output for its size. A big downfall: it won’t support YouTube by default. There are some workarounds for this, but you’re better off with a different streaming service for Amazon’s speaker system.

Of course, if you’re in the Apple or Google ecosystem, both companies have their respective speakers with good software support. The Apple Homepod mini () shares a similar rounded shape to the Echo series, and comes with Siri built in. The Google Nest Audio () has a rounded rectangular design with great sound quality and Chromecast integration. You aren’t just limited to the big three. Bose, JBL, Denon, and Bang & Olufsen have excellent hardware and software too.

Please note, that with any smart product, you’re signing away a bit of privacy.

Frequently asked questions about the Sonos app

The best moments in life are always improved by music, which is why I can’t live without a speaker. The best Bluetooth speakers can get pricey, though, so finding good deals is always nice. Today, we’ve found a couple of good deals many of you will love. The Sony SRS-XE200 is $61 off, bringing the cost down to just $69. If you want an upgrade, the Sonos Roam 2 has a 20% sale right now, slashing the price to $143.

Get the Sony SRS-XE200 X-Series Speaker for $69

Get the Sonos Roam 2 Speaker for $143

Both offers are available from Amazon and are labeled as “limited time deals.” The Sony SRS-XE200 discount only applies to the Light Gray and Orange color models. In the case of the Sonos Roam 2, the discounted price is applied to both color versions: Black and White.

Sony SRS-XE200

We reviewed the Sony SRS-XE200 X-Series Speaker last year, and found plenty to love. We found it gets pretty loud for its size, and while sound quality isn’t perfect, it’s pretty good for the price, especially at just $69.

The SRS-XE200 is an excellent option in other departments, too. It is easy to use and very portable. The built-in mic is a nice addition, and makes it possible to make calls with the speaker. The inclusion of an IP67 rating means you won’t have to baby it too much during your adventures. Not to mention, it has a 16-hour battery life, which is outstanding.

Sonos Roam 2

If you want an upgrade at a discounted price, the Sonos Roam 2 is a great contender, and it is also a much newer model. We also praised it for its loud sound, which is spectacular for a speaker of this size. Of course, it also has an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, and the design is lovely.

Battery life tops off at about 12 hours, which is pretty good. Not to mention, it will integrate seamlessly into your smart home audio system setup. This gives it access to features like Wi-Fi streaming, Apple AirPlay 2, Trueplay, and Sonos Voice Control.

You should probably make up your mind before these deals go back to normal. These are “limited time deals,” after all. If these deals don’t convince you, though, you can always take a look at our list of the best Bluetooth speakers under $200 to check other affordable alternatives.

It’s been a couple of months since Sonos released the big update to its app, which launched shortly before the Sonos Ace. Not long after its rollout, users quickly pointed out issues ranging from missing features to general bugginess. Although the company begrudgingly acknowledged the issues initially, it is now coming forward to apologize for the mess.

The CEO of Sonos, Patrick Spence, has published an apology letter to customers in regard to the Sonos app. In the blog, Spence states:

We know that too many of you have experienced significant problems with our new app which rolled out on May 7, and I want to begin by personally apologizing for disappointing you. There isn’t an employee at Sonos who isn’t pained by having let you down, and I assure you that fixing the app for all of our customers and partners has been and continues to be our number one priority.

When users started noticing the problems with the app, the Sonos subreddit quickly became a place to vent frustrations. Some of the issues included an inability to search for your local music library, no volume level details, no mute button on Android, and so on.

Since the rocky release, the company has fixed a lot of these issues, jotting down every change on the official release notes page. In addition, the apology letter includes a roadmap for fixes to come.

Here’s the roadmap Spence attached to his blog:

July and August:

• Improving the stability when adding new products
• Implementing Music Library configuration, browse, search, and play

August and September:

• Improving Volume responsiveness
• User interface improvements based on customer feedback
• Improving overall system stability and error handling

September:

• Improving Alarm consistency and reliability

September and October:

• Restoring edit mode for Playlists and the Queue
• Improving functionality in settings

According to the CEO, Sonos plans to “continue releasing new software updates on a bi-weekly cadence.” As it did before, it will keep a record of these fixes in its release notes.

Editor’s note: this article was published on July 18, 2024, and is the first version of the article. Updates will follow as the market changes.

What’s it like to use the Sonos Ace compared to the Sony WH-1000XM5?

The Sonos Ace have a similar design to the Sony WH-1000XM5, especially when comparing the ear cups and headbands side by side. The ear cups and headband are wrapped in a soft matte coating that looks and feels similar to the finish on Sony’s headphones. Both come with a case for storing your headphones and charging cable.

We can award some style and durability points to the Sonos Ace thanks to its stainless steel frame and accents around the microphones and vents. At the same time, those accents come at the cost of some added weight. The Sonos Ace weighs 320g, whereas the Sony WH-1000XM5 is a lighter 250g. That said, we didn’t have major comfort issues with either set of headphones.

The Sony WH-1000XM5 use capacitive touch controls, whereas the Sonos Ace use tactile buttons and sliders. Both allow you to adjust music playback and activate ANC without needing to reach for your phone. While touch controls may have more wow factor, tactile controls are more reliable, especially if you are wearing gloves.

Should you use the apps of either the Sonos Ace or Sony WH-1000XM5?

If you want to get the most out of the Sonos Ace, you need to download the Sonos app. Similarly, the Sony WH-1000XM5 utilize the Sony Headphones Connect app. You get most of the same features and functionality with either companion app.

While the Sonos app has an equalizer to adjust sound quality, it is very limited. You only get simple bass and treble controls. If you like tinkering with how your headphones sound, you will definitely prefer the Sony offering.

Remember, you must accept the end user license agreement to access the Sony Headphones Connect app.

The Sony app takes photos of your ears to implement 360 Reality Audio. On the other hand, you can enable head tracking from within the Sonos app, a feature not found on the Sony headphones.

If you have a compatible Sonos soundbar, you can use the Sonos app to enable the TV Audio Swap feature. This unique Sonos feature allows you to transfer the audio from your soundbar to your Ace headphones with the touch of a button. While this feature is currently only available on iOS, Sonos plans to add support for Android devices soon.

How do the Sonos Ace and Sony WH-1000XM5 connect?

The Sonos Ace and Sony WH-1000XM5 both support wireless and wired playback, but differ in their approach to the latter. While the Sonos Ace support wired listening via USB-C, the Sony WH-1000XM5 have a 3.5mm aux input. For wireless listening, the Sonos Ace have Bluetooth 5.4 with support for SBC, AAC, and aptX Lossless via Snapdragon Sound. On the other hand, the Sony WH-1000XM5 support Bluetooth Bluetooth 5.2 with SBC, AAC, and LDAC.

Despite Sonos being well known for its Wifi-enabled speakers, the Sonos Ace do not support Wifi playback. We didn’t experience connection issues with either the Sonos Ace or Sony WH-1000XM5 in day-to-day use.

Is battery life better on the Sonos Ace or Sony WH-1000XM5?

Battery life is a close tie. According to our standardized battery testing, the Sony Ace last 32 hours and 13 minutes, whereas the Sony WH-1000XM5 last 31 hours, 53 minutes. Fast charging either headphones will get you 3 hours of playback from only 3 minutes of charging.

Do the Sony Ace or Sony WH-1000XM5 block noise better?

The Sony Ace and Sony WH-1000XM5 each do a great job of blocking out noise. That said, the Sony WH-1000XM5 take the win here. On average, the Sony WH-1000XM5 reduce the loudness of ambient sounds by 84%, whereas the Sonos Ace reduce the loudness of ambient sounds by an average of 74%.

While the Sony cans block out noise, I still find the Sonos Ace block out most distractions. Both headphones are able to block out my noisy coworkers without a problem.

If you are interested in staying aware of your surroundings, both headphones have a good pass-through transparency mode. Sony lets you adjust the amount of outside noise heard through the headphones, whereas Sonos does not.

Do the Sonos Ace sound better than the Sony WH-1000XM5?

The Sonos Ace and Sony WH-1000XM5 have very similar sound quality performance. Any differences here will come down to personal preference.

Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (MDAQS)

The chart below shows how the sound of the Sonos Ace and Sony WH-1000XM5 was assessed by the Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Score (MDAQS) algorithm from HEAD acoustics.

This battle is a toss-up.

While the Sonos Ace score slightly higher in Timbre, the Sony WH-1000XM5 score better when it comes to Distortion. They have a very close Overall score, so there’s a good chance most people will appreciate the sound quality of these headphones equally.

Reviewer’s notes

The Sonos Ace and Sony WH-1000XM5 each have strengths and weaknesses when it comes to sound quality. The Sonos Ace have a very poor app equalizer, which makes it difficult to fine-tune the sound. Out of the box, we found the headphones under-emphasize mids, and there’s no way to rectify this within the app. On the flip side, we found the Sonos Ace do an excellent job with stereo imaging. In an orchestral track like “Can You Hear The Music” by Ludwig Göransson, the strings and synths are easy to distinguish within the orchestra.

Dolby Atmos content also sounds very good on the Sonos Ace, making for a very immersive listening experience. The head tracking is fun for both listening to music and watching movies. This contrasts with the spatial audio features of the Sony WH-1000XM, which use Sony 360 audio. While 360 audio performs well, it is very hard to find supported content compared to Dolby Atmos.

We tested the Sony WH-1000XM5 and Sonos Ace in the lab using state-of-the-art equipment, including our B&K 5128 artificial head.

The Sony WH-1000XM5 have a bass emphasis out of the box, but it is fairly easy to equalize this away within the companion app. After some equalization, we enjoy the sound quality of the Sony WH-1000XM5. Keep in mind that the sound quality of both headphones is impacted when listening wired vs wireless, as well as listening with ANC on vs ANC off.

Objective Measurements

In a direct comparison, we can see a lot of similarities between the default frequency response of the Sonos Ace and that of the Sony WH-1000XM5. Both amplify lows and highs more than our headphone preference curve. That said, there are a lot of irregularities in the Sonos Ace frequency response, and you can’t equalize these using the very simple EQ found inside the Sonos app.

Do the Sonos Ace or the Sony WH-1000XM5 have a better microphone?

The Sonos Ace and Sony WH-1000XM5 each have eight onboard microphones. Based on our tests, both are able to reproduce voices clearly. The Sony microphones seem slightly better at reducing background noise such as keyboard clatter, which might them the better choice for taking Zoom calls in a noisy office.

Sonos Ace microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Sony WH-1000XM5 microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Sonos Ace microphone demo (Office conditions):

Sony WH-1000XM5 microphone demo (Office conditions):

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Sonos Ace vs Sony WH-1000XM5: Price and availability

If it’s been close to equal so far in our comparison, this is where the Sony WH-1000XM5 gain an advantage. The Sonos Ace have a starting price of $449, whereas the Sony WH-1000XM5 have a starting price of $399. Moreover, the Sony headphones are a few years older, so you’re more likely to find them on sale.

Should you get the Sonos Ace or Sony WH-1000XM5?

Sonos have made a very admirable effort with their first headphones. That said, it’s not quite enough to warrant our recommendation over the Sony WH-1000XM5. The Sony headphones have better noise canceling, a more refined app experience, and a cheaper starting price tag.

If you are already deeply integrated to the Sonos ecosystem, or you can find the Sonos Ace on sale, they are still very worthy headphones. That said, it’s also worthwhile to check out some alternatives on our list of the best headphones before making your decision.

How do the Sonos Ace and Sony WH-1000XM5 compare to the Apple AirPods Max?

The Sonos Ace and AirPods Max look very similar in white.

Time to talk about the elephant in the room, the Apple AirPods Max, . If you have an iPhone and are already deeply integrated into the Apple ecosystem, you’d be remiss to not consider the AirPods Max. That said, the Apple AirPods Max are extremely expensive, so you better be sure the Apple integrations are worth it to you. We have detailed breakdowns of the Apple AirPods Max vs Sonos Ace as well as the Apple AirPods vs Sony WH-1000XM5 that go over every feature in depth.

In terms of pure performance, the Apple AirPods Max are on par with the Sonos Ace and Sony WH-1000XM5. The AirPods Max deliver great sound quality with spatial audio and head tracking, but you don’t get native equalizer support to tweak the sound to your liking. There’s also no easy way to use the AirPods Max with a wired connection, which should concern content creators who need low-latency listening. On the other hand, the AirPods Max have exceptional noise canceling and transparency modes.

What should you get instead of the Sonos Ace or Sony WH-1000XM5?

The Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless are very comfortable for hours on end.

The Sonos Ace and Sony WH-1000XM5 are both very expensive, and you may not need to spend that much money to meet your headphone needs. The Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless are a slightly cheaper alternative that deliver excellent sound quality, . At the ultra-budget end of the spectrum are the JLab JBuds Lux ANC, . Despite their budget price, you still get noise canceling and good sound quality.

On the other hand, you can’t discuss premium noise-canceling headphones without mentioning Bose – they created the category in the first place. Their latest offering the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones cost a pretty penny, . With aptX Lossless and Snapdragon Sound support, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra deliver exceptional sound quality to supported Android devices. As expected, you also get great noise canceling with these cans.

Frequently asked questions

Sonos is best known for its premium speakers and soundbars, which provide some of the best holistic experiences in the living room. The company is now marking its entry into the personal audio category with the launch of the Sonos Ace headphones.

The new Sonos Ace are premium over-ear headphones with a 40mm dynamic driver in each cup. They also have eight beamforming microphones for noise control and voice targeting. The headphones have a fold-flat design and come with a travel case, making them easy to travel with.

The Ace headphones feature lossless audio through either USB-C or over Bluetooth 5.4 with a supported device that features Qualcomm Snapdragon Sound AptX for Lossless.

There’s also spatial audio here for a Dolby Atmos experience, ANC, and an Ambient sound mode. You can also adjust the EQ and tune bass, treble, and loudness through the Sonos app.

The Sonos Ace has a 1,060mAh battery that promises up to 30 hours of listening time with ANC. When the device runs out of juice, you can get up to 3 hours of listening time with just three minutes of charge.

One of the highlights of the Sonos Ace is the ability to swap sound from a compatible Sonos soundbar to the Sonos Ace headphones. So, if you have an existing Sonos speaker around, you’d benefit from this ecosystem feature.

Further, Sonos is promising an “all-new” TrueCinema technology that will precisely map your space and render a complete surround sound system. This feature is promised to arrive later this year.

Sonos Ace pricing and availability

The Sonos Ace will be available from June 5, 2024, in the US, Canada, and several other global markets, including the EU. These headphones will cost $449 in the US and €499 in the EU. The headphones are available in Black and Soft White.