Simple setup, lots of options: The Sonos app guides you in setting up a new system or adding speakers to an existing system. Some Google Assistant speakers offer similar setup and features, but grouping them isn’t as intuitive. My favorite Sonos competitor is YIM, which offers a similarly intuitive product, but with only two standalone speakers (tests to come). Wiim focuses more on streaming amplifiers like the Wiim Amp Pro to connect traditional speakers. Sonos has many more product models ranging from soundbars to headphones for different use cases.
Easy Streaming: The Sonos app supports nearly every major streaming service, and the Sonos Gear supports in-app services like Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect for direct streaming. Sonos soundbars like the Arc Ultra offer impressive home theater support, while also letting you stream TV audio throughout your home or as part of a surround sound system.
In-house voice control: Sonos once provided support for both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, but the brand removed Google support in newer speakers like the Era 100, Era 300, and Sonos Arc Ultra. In its place, Sonos added its own in-house voice assistant, Sonos Voice Control (SVC), voiced by actor Giancarlo Esposito. In addition to solid performance, SVC offers superior privacy protection. SVC takes a number of measures to protect your privacy, including using AI data instead of customer data and local processing that doesn’t reach the cloud.
Top-tier sound and build quality: Every Sonos speaker I’ve tested is above average, and most actually sound excellent. This is no accident, as the brand has always focused deeply on sound quality, and things have improved with the latest Era speakers. I visited Sonos’ Santa Barbara, CA, facility ahead of the Eras release, and was surprised by the company’s commitment to improving audio architecture, as well as using more replaceable parts (like screws in place of glue), so that its speakers are more reusable than most rivals. Sonos speakers are built to last and sound great.
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