Finest Sonos 2022: the highest Sonos audio system and soundbars examined

Need candy beats all through your home? Sonos is the unique multi-room music maestro – and its speaker line-up has by no means seemed extra complete. Right here’s our information to selecting the very best Sonos gear for you.

From soundbars to subwoofers to moveable audio system, there’s now a Sonos for each area, indoors and out. Whether or not you sync a stereo pair or hook up a bunch through Wi-Fi, the Sonos system makes it a cinch to carry tunes to each room.

Undecided the place to start out? Bed room, lounge, backyard: we’ve examined the very best Sonos audio system in each place – and advisable our favourites within the listing under. So whether or not you need higher audio beneath your TV or a sensible resolution to usurp your Hello-Fi, you’ll discover your supreme Sonos speaker right here.

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Sonos One (Gen 2)

Styled just like the Play:1, the Sonos One (Gen 2) advantages from a key extra ability: voice assistant assist, which suggests you’ll be able to ask Alexa or Google Assistant to fireplace up your favorite playlist. And since Sonos now works with extra streaming companies, you’ll be able to supply your tunes from just about any platform – together with Spotify and Apple Music.

There’s excellent news for audiophiles, too: its sound high quality is mainly equivalent to the Play:1’s. Regardless of comparatively dinky dimensions, the One delivers loads of wealthy bass, with out drowning out the detailed mid-range. Vocals are clear and well-projected, whereas treble is clear and managed. All from a compact package deal that’s easy to manage and simple to place.

What’s new with Gen 2? Extra reminiscence, extra processing energy and Bluetooth Low Power on-board. That’s just about it. In any other case, it’s the identical excellent good speaker because it was earlier than. You’ll be able to nonetheless mix two Ones to create a stereo pair, and you may nonetheless ask your digital helper for help as you want.

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Sonos Roam

The Transfer (under) may need been the primary absolutely wi-fi Sonos, but it surely was a speaker to stay in your backpack for a weekend away. That honour goes to the Roam: mild at 430g and compact at 17cm tall, it’s a correctly moveable speaker that goes toe-to-toe with rivals like JBL.

Classically understated, the Transfer’s strong construct means it gained’t conk out on the seashore. Positioned vertically or horizontally, Auto TruePlay smarts alter the sonic output primarily based on the place you place it. For a speaker of this dimension, sound high quality is critically spectacular, simply matching its greatest rivals for bass affect and steadiness.

There’s Bluetooth for straightforward streaming, however the Transfer additionally options Wi-Fi connectivity for straightforward integration into your Sonos setup. While you’re utilizing the Roam at residence, Sound Swap can mechanically swap audio to the closest speaker. It additionally helps a bunch of streaming companies, plus Alexa and Google Assistant. Battery life isn’t world-beating at 10 hours, however its function set, sound high quality and connectivity choices make the Roam a correctly versatile choice for go-anywhere audio.

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Sonos Sub Mini

Just like the full-size Sub, the Mini is a wi-fi woofer which provides additional oomph to your Sonos setup. However as its compact moniker suggests, the Mini is a neater match for smaller rooms, making it the right companion for soundbars such because the Ray and Beam, plus Sonos’ One-series audio system.

A cylinder with a hollowed-out centre, the Sub Mini may very well be mistaken for a minimalist stool. Its one-colour matte end is Sonos to the core, whereas the scale – 305mm tall by 230mm throughout – imply it’s straightforward to place. Its 6.35kg weight can be rather a lot simpler to shift than the 16kg Sub.

In testing, we discovered setup as seamless as we’ve come to count on from Sonos equipment: merely faucet your smartphone on high to share Wi-Fi particulars through NFC. You’ll be able to fireplace up the app for Trueplay tuning, too.

Twin 6in drivers inside ship severe bass capabilities. There’s each punch and high quality to the output, bringing soundtracks alive with out drowning out dialogue. It’s properly balanced, including weight that doesn’t overwhelm. And we skilled zero rattle.

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Sonos Ray

Sonos isn’t recognized for reasonably priced audio gear, however the Ray is a convincing soundbar at a extra accessible value. And regardless of the price range standing, the Ray bears all of the hallmarks of Sonos construct high quality. At simply 56cm lengthy, it’s undeniably compact – and a few 10cm shorter than the Beam – that means it could simply match beneath smaller TV units. An optical port lets it hook up with cheaper, older units, however there’s no Bluetooth or HDMI.

Setup is easy: you’ll be able to scan a passcode on the gadget, or the Ray can emit a tone to be detected by your cellphone’s microphone. Voice assistant assist is simply out there in case you have a separate good speaker, however Trueplay tech is there for computerized sonic adjustment to fit your room. Contact controls imply you’ll be able to faucet to command it, although the Ray is primarily meant to hook up with the Sonos app through Wi-Fi or Ethernet.

For many properties, the forward-projecting array of two tweeters and two mid-woofers will do lots to fill the area. Sound high quality is excellent – higher than many greater bars – whereas modes reminiscent of Speech Enhancement can usefully enhance sure soundtracks. That mentioned, you could be higher off with the beefier Beam in case your cinema room is sizeable, or should you demand Dolby Atmos.

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Sonos Transfer

Sonos took its candy time to make a battery-powered wi-fi speaker. But it surely was definitely worth the wait: movable and constructed to final, the Transfer is a lovely package deal that’s splash-resistant and topped by useful contact controls. It additionally has the very best wi-fi vary of any Sonos speaker, so that you shift it to the backyard and preserve the tunes coming.

And people tunes sound candy certainly. Geared up with a forward-facing mid/bass driver and downward-facing tweeter, the Transfer is greater than punchy sufficient to ship the beats open air. However regardless of how arduous it hits, there’s actual management and authority to the bass – and loads of texture too, matched by poise and element within the mids. In actual fact, the Transfer excels in each respect: it’s snug with huge dynamic variation and presents a sizeable soundstage.

Auto Trueplay smarts imply the Transfer can detect when it’s been moved and alter its audio output to go well with the brand new environment. It’s also possible to tweak the EQ within the wonderful companion app. It’s tremendous straightforward to combine into your Sonos setup – and if you add numerous streaming companies and voice assistant assist into the combo, it shapes up as a no brainer.

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2)

Not the most important nor most superior Sonos soundbar, the Beam remains to be a successful package deal. Sonos has managed to squeeze some severe tech right into a streamlined slab that’s sufficiently small to take a seat beneath screens of just about any dimension.

With equivalent proportions to its predecessor, the second-gen Beam is simply set aside by its polycarbonate grille, changing the material end which fronted the primary version. Flip it round and also you’ll discover a minimal array of inputs and outputs, together with a single HDMI port – now an eARC quantity.

Why’s that important? As a result of it has the bandwidth to hold greater high quality streams, together with Dolby Atmos. The second-gen Beam options the identical acoustic structure as the primary, however Sonos now employs psychoacoustic methods throughout 5 speaker arrays (versus three on the unique Beam) to trick your ears into believing sound is round and above you.

With out upward-firing audio system, it’ll by no means ship as a lot immersion as a full Atmos speaker setup. However the Gen 2 does a surprisingly efficient job of replicating overhead results – and the soundstage is impressively expansive for a compact soundbar. It’s a easy, efficient resolution for superior sound – and you may at all times add a Sub if you would like extra oomph.

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Sonos 5

Principally a re-branded Play:5 with additional processing energy, the Sonos 5 is the least clever speaker on this line-up. It has the identical design, the identical six drivers inside and nonetheless no voice assistant assist. So what does it have? Sound high quality in spades. Designed to ship excellent audio over Wi-Fi, the Sonos 5 serves up huge, authoritative sound. If you happen to’re changing a full Hello-Fi system with a Sonos speaker, that is the one to do it with.

Its clear, streamlined chassis may be stood up or laid flat: the 5 will cleverly detect the way it’s positioned and alter output to go well with. If tinkering is your factor and also you’ve received an iOS gadget, you may as well deploy Trueplay tuning tech to tweak the listening expertise.

Money to spare? You’ll be able to mix two Fives to create a particularly succesful stereo system, or use the pair as left-right encompass separates to accompany a Sonos soundbar and Sub. The 5 additionally options that uncommon factor amongst Sonos audio system: a 3.5mm aux-in – so you’ll be able to hook up a turntable, tape deck or just about another analogue supply.

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Sonos Sub (Gen 3)

On the planet of subwoofers, the Sonos Sub is a murals. Not a rumbling behemoth to cover to the aspect of the TV, it is a bass field you’ll be proud to show. Regardless of its 16kg heft, the Sub advantages from comparatively slim dimensions. And since it may be oriented vertically or horizontally, it’s simpler to tuck away than most rivals – particularly as wi-fi connectivity means it solely wants an influence cable.

However what does the Sub really do? Add nice huge dollops of additional bass to any Sonos speaker system, that’s what. It makes most sense as a sidekick to the Beam or Arc, giving cinematic soundtracks correct punch – however it could additionally complement Sonos’ music packing containers.

Sure, it’s an costly improve. And no, it’s not precisely delicate. Whereas the Gen 3 advantages from extra reminiscence and an upgraded processor inside, it’s sonic supply is hardly nuanced. However should you’re in search of loud, proud and highly effective, that is the accent your Sonos setup wants. Nicely-heeled and able to rumble? The third-gen additionally helps pairing two Subs in the identical room, should you actually need to annoy the neighbours.

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Sonos Arc

Including Dolby Atmos to a soundbar wasn’t a brand new concept. However Sonos discovered a technique to make it sound groundbreaking. Successor to the Playbar, the Arc is designed to stay beneath your TV and add superior audio to your viewing expertise – with out a full encompass setup.

It appears to be like like a soundbar, but in addition like a Sonos speaker – largely because of its matte end, acoustic grille and impeccable construct high quality. It’s prolonged at 114cm, however the restricted peak and depth give it a comparatively low profile. Inside are 11 drivers: two firing upwards, one at every finish and eight fastidiously angled alongside the entrance of the bar.

It makes a convincing go of delivering that fabled Atmos immersion. Each factor of an Atmos soundtrack is given loads of respiration area, separate from different parts. There’s no scarcity of element or dynamism, plus the Arc does an honest job bringing in encompass results. It may be delicate, too – and whereas bass is substantial, it’s additionally nuanced.

Paired with a wonderful companion app, alongside the entire smarts and connectivity choices we’ve come to count on from a Sonos speaker, the Arc completely delivers.