The best Sonos speakers to buy in 2026

After the self-induced tumult Sonos went through last year, I can understand why some people are reluctant to spend money on the company’s products. But newly appointed CEO Tom Conrad has shown that he’s determined to get back on track and revitalize Sonos as the leading whole-home audio brand. The contentious mobile app is in a much better place now than it was a couple of years ago, though some customers still encounter bugs and the frustration of speakers randomly vanishing from their system. It’s not all roses, but the situation is moving in the right direction — and I took Sonos’ decision to cancel its video player as a promising sign of renewed focus. I’m not about to sell any of my Sonos gear. For one, the company’s whole-home platform offers conveniences that competitors don’t match — at least not without hassle. Most of the time, I’m streaming from Apple Music, Spotify, or YouTube Music. But if I’m watching a sports game on my TV, I can pipe the audio from my Sonos soundbar to a speaker in a different room to follow the action. Playing something over Bluetooth? With most of the company’s latest speakers, you can do the same thing and spread that music across your entire Sonos system. Why you should trust my Sonos recommendations I’ve covered Sonos extensively for several years at The Verge. This has included reporting on the company’s latest news, reviewing a lengthy list of Sonos products, and bringing attention to the app fiasco, which eventually led to the ouster of former CEO Patrick Spence. Audio and home theater are two of my primary focus areas in product reviews, so I’m well-versed when it comes to determining whether a speaker or soundbar is great — or just another also-ran product. I wouldn’t fault anyone for waiting to see where Sonos and its app go from here, especially given that Sonos raised prices on a number of products last year — including soundbars and smart speakers — due to the ongoing tariff situation in the US. The company still makes some genuinely terrific hardware, however, so if you’re wondering which are the true standouts, I’ve got you covered. The best Sonos speaker to start with Sonos Era 100 Score: 8ProsConsImproved sound (now in stereo)Bluetooth and line-in supportPrivacy-conscious microphone controlsNo more Google AssistantRejiggered controls have a learning curveLine-in requires USB-C dongle Where to Buy: $219 at Amazon $219 at Best Buy $219 at Sonos If you’re looking for a decent-sounding, compact speaker to put in the kitchen, office, or really anywhere in your home, the Era 100 is your best option. 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, along with line-in audio (via an optional dongle). And the Era 100 also has reworked physical controls, including a volume bar you can slide your finger across and, finally, dedicated track controls. The speaker has an elegant design, and you can use hands-free voice controls to summon Amazon Alexa or Sonos Voice Control to skip tracks or switch to a different playlist. Sonos dropped the Era 100’s price to $199 in April and then raised it again in September, though we’d argue that $219 is still fair for what you’re getting. Read our full Sonos Era 100 review. The best overall Sonos speaker Sonos Five ProsConsPowerful audio with impressive stereo separationCan crank loud without distortingRegular 3.5mm line-in: no adapter requiredLacks smart speaker functionalityEasily collects dustYou’ll end up wanting two, which gets very expensive Where to Buy: $599 at Amazon $599 at Sonos $599 at Best Buy The Sonos Five isn’t just Sonos’ best-sounding speaker; it’s at the top of the pack compared to all competitors. From an audio quality perspective, it beats the HomePod, the latest Echo Studio, and other mass market speakers — both those that are smart and not. Can you find better hi-fi bookshelf speakers? Absolutely, but those aren’t natively tied into music services like Sonos gear is. The Five is a hefty unit and takes up a decent amount of desk space. But once you throw some music on, its powerful stereo output is enough to handle any dinner party or weekend get-together. There’s nothing “smart” about the Five. It lacks microphones and voice assistant functionality. But that simplicity is appealing in its own right: you’re getting a damn good speaker that ties into the Sonos platform. The Five also features a 3.5mm aux input, making it a good turntable companion — especially if you spring for a stereo pair. The best portable Sonos speaker Sonos Move 2 Score: 9ProsConsImproved stereo soundMuch longer battery lifeSupports line-in playbackNo more Google AssistantCan’t be used as a speakerphoneHefty for a portable speaker Where to Buy: $499 at Amazon $499 at Best Buy $499 at Sonos When it comes to portable speakers, the Move 2 is in a whole different league than Sonos’ smaller Roam 2. It’s bigger and heavier, but a