Why Sonos Still Matters

After a rocky year that saw its app stumble and a former CEO depart, Sonos has a new leader, Tom Conrad, who is steering the brand back to its roots: seamless whole‑home audio. The app is more stable, the product line has been trimmed, and the company has stopped chasing video‑player ambitions. All of this means the speakers you buy today are built on a platform that finally feels reliable.

My Credibility

I’ve spent years covering Sonos for The Verge, testing everything from its flagship soundbars to the smallest bookshelf models. That hands‑on experience lets me cut through the hype and point out which devices truly deliver value and which are merely flashy add‑ons.

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The Best Starter Speaker – Sonos Era 100

Price: $219 (Amazon, Best Buy, Sonos) The Era 100 is the most versatile entry‑level unit. It moves from a mono Play:1‑style driver to true stereo, adds Bluetooth and a USB‑C line‑in dongle, and features a slide‑type volume bar. While it no longer includes Google Assistant, it still works with Alexa and Sonos Voice Control. The design is sleek, and the mic privacy switch gives peace of mind. If you want a compact speaker for a kitchen, office, or bedroom, the Era 100 hits the sweet spot between price and performance.

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The Best Overall Speaker – Sonos Five

Price: $599 (Amazon, Best Buy, Sonos) When you crave concert‑hall sound without leaving the living room, the Five delivers. Its three woofers and three tweeters produce deep bass and crystal‑clear stereo separation that outshines most smart speakers, including Apple’s HomePod and Amazon’s Echo Studio. It lacks a built‑in mic, which some see as a drawback, but that simplicity means fewer software bugs and a pure hi‑fi experience. The 3.5 mm line‑in lets you hook up turntables or CD players, making it a perfect hub for any audiophile.

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The Best Portable Speaker – Sonos Move 2

Price: $499 (Amazon, Best Buy, Sonos) The Move 2 upgrades its predecessor with stronger bass, a longer‑lasting battery, and a USB‑C line‑in port. Its rugged IP56 rating protects against rain and dust, and the handle makes it easy to carry from the living room to the backyard. Unlike the tiny Roam 2, the Move 2 plays in true stereo, giving you a richer soundscape wherever you go. It also supports AirPlay 2 and Spotify Connect, so you can bypass the Sonos app when you want.

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The Best Soundbar for Home‑Theater Fans – Sonos Arc Ultra

Price: $1,099 (Amazon, Best Buy, Sonos) The Arc Ultra builds on the original Arc with bigger drivers, Sonos’ new SoundMotion tech, and full‑blown Dolby Atmos. Bass is strong enough that many users skip a separate subwoofer, and Bluetooth audio adds flexibility for occasional streaming from phones. The downsides are the still‑buggy app for some users and the high cost of a full surround setup, but for a premium theater experience, it’s hard to beat.

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The Best Compact Soundbar – Sonos Beam (Gen 2)

Price: $469.99 (Amazon, Best Buy) – $499 (Sonos) If your TV room is modest, the Beam Gen 2 offers a balanced soundstage with virtualized Atmos. It’s slimmer than the Arc Ultra and costs considerably less, though it doesn’t have upward‑firing drivers. Still, it easily outperforms built‑in TV speakers and plugs straight into your Sonos ecosystem.

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The Best Subwoofer for Most Setups – Sonos Sub Mini

Price: $499 (Amazon, Best Buy, Sonos) The Sub Mini packs a respectable low‑end punch in a compact chassis that fits under a bookshelf or beside a console. It’s not meant for massive living rooms, but paired with any Sonos soundbar or speaker, it adds the rumble movies demand without breaking the bank like the $899 Sub 4.

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The Best Budget Way In – IKEA Symfonisk Bookshelf (Gen 2)

Price: $179.99 (IKEA) Even though IKEA ended its partnership with Sonos in 2025, the Gen 2 Symfonisk speaker remains a cheap gateway into the Sonos network. It delivers decent sound for its size, can be wall‑mounted, and works as a rear surround when you add more speakers. No mic or aux input, but the low price makes buying a stereo pair very affordable.

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A Second‑Chance Product – Sonos Ace Headphones

Price: $372 (Amazon) – $399 (Best Buy, Sonos) The Ace headphones launched amid the app controversy, which hurt their initial reception. Still, they boast excellent comfort, active‑noise‑cancellation, and a handy TV Audio Swap feature that routes TV sound directly to the headphones—a lifesaver for late‑night movie sessions. They can’t join a Sonos speaker group, but they shine as a standalone listening device.

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Bottom Line

Sonos has weathered a storm and emerged with a lineup that balances high‑end performance and everyday practicality. Whether you’re buying your first smart speaker, upgrading to a full‑blown home‑theater system, or looking for a portable party‑starter, there’s a Sonos device that fits your budget and space.