What you need to know

• Philips Hue announces partnership with Sonos and its Voice Control feature, bringing hands-free assistance to users for their lighting needs.
• Users can turn lights on or off with their voice, activate scenes, and alter the brightness and color temperature of devices.
• Philips Hue also states this update, which will arrive in September, takes user privacy into account, meaning your voice never leaves the device.

Philips Hue is announcing a new partnership and future update that consumers can expect to improve their lighting experience.

In a press release by Philips Hue, the company announced that it has partnered with Sonos to bring its Voice Control to its selection of lighting devices. The post states this integration with Sonos Voice Control will give users the ability to "switch lights on or off, dim or brighten, and activate scenes with their voice." Regarding lights, the email to Android Central earlier today (Sep 4) states users can adjust the brightness and color temperature of their Philips Hue lights with Voice Control.

This update will also bring smart plug control capabilities via mic-enabled Sonos products.

Philips Hue highlights a privacy-focused update between it and Sonos. The company states your voice is "processed entirely on the device." It says what you're saying is not sent to the cloud for processing and that there's no "recording," nor is an internet connection required to utilize Voice Control. Nathan Hart, senior product manager at Sonos, adds, "We built Sonos Voice Control to make controlling your music with your voice faster and easier than ever before, all with the privacy of your data staying right on your speaker."

This update is looking at a September launch in U.S. English and French for users worldwide. However, Philips Hue states Voice Control will skip out on China, and it's unclear if users in the region will see it in the future.

Sonos & Philips Hue partner

Sonos had a huge update earlier this year, but for its Ace headphones for the home. The free update in June brought "dual listening" to users watching the same content at home on the TV. Sonos stated users could listen to the same broadcast as audio is "synced" for both parties, thanks to their Sonos Soundbar. Additionally, TrueCinema grabbed more "realism." The company stated its Ace headphones can "understand" your environment to "perfectly tune" your audio.

Elsewhere, the headphones also grabbed an update for its ANC (active noise cancellation). Now, the Ace headphones will consider the user's glasses, hair, and hat in "real-time" to better block out sounds that would take you out of your audio content.

I have a bunch of headphones at my disposal, but for the past year, two pairs stood out as the ones I grabbed most: Sonos Ace and AirPods Max.

The latter are exclusively used for travel, as Apple's ANC is unmatched for blocking out plane noise but AirPods Max are otherwise hefty and uncomfortable. On the other end of the spectrum, Sonos Ace are my favorite headphones to wear for comfort, although it feels like I'm compromising on sound quality and ANC at times.

I've been waiting for a pair of over-ear headphones to come along that strike a better balance between comfort, ANC, and sound quality. After about two weeks of testing the Sony WH-1000XM6, I think they finally fit the bill. They're more comfortable than AirPods Max, better sounding with stronger ANC than Sonos Ace, and have a best-in-class wired mode with a 3.5mm cable in the box.

Here's why the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones are streamlining my audio listening experience by replacing a few pairs with a universal solution.

Sonos Ace still beat the Sony's in design and comfort

First off, let's give Sonos its flowers. The Sonos Ace are still the most comfortable pair of over-ears I've ever used, and they may have the best design on the market today. The oval-shaped ear cups are clean, the memory foam ear cushions are comfy, and the metal accents are premium.

I don't think the Sony WH-1000XM6 feel as fancy, but Sony's choice to go with plastic parts helps with weight — they're significantly lighter at 254 grams than the 312-gram Sonos Ace.

I have no issue with Sony's use of plastic; in fact, I think Apple's avoidance of plastic is severely holding the AirPods Max back. However, the matte finish on the WH-1000XM6 and the questionable ear and headband cushions could use work. Fingerprints and skin oils will make the Sony headphones look gross, seemingly out of the box. The cushions seem to wear easily, retaining their shape less than my year-old Sonos Ace.

The Sony WH-1000XM6 have better ANC and sound quality than Sonos Ace

Sound quality and active noise-canceling (ANC) on the Sonos Ace are passable, but it won't blow you away for the price. The more I use Sonos' ANC, the more I become overwhelmed. On a recent flight, I noticed some distracting static noise in one of the Sonos Ace earcups — more distracting and painful than the airplane turbulence I was trying to block out. It turns out, I'm not alone, as this issue only popped up recently for me, but it is well-documented on Reddit.

While I have no issues with the sound of Sonos' 40mm drivers powering the Ace, the static problems occurring with ANC finally pushed me to consider a switch. Luckily, my Sony WH-1000XM6 review loaner came in shortly after, and the difference was stark. The Sony headphones block out noise better than the Sonos Ace, with no static or hissing sounds to boot.

Static sounds aside, which might go away after a firmware update, there are a few reasons why ANC might be stronger on the Sony WH-1000XM6 than the Sonos Ace. For one, Sony equipped the WH-1000XM6 with 12 microphones compared to eight on the Ace. There's also a new QN3 processor specifically tasked with ANC on the WH-1000XM6.

However, I think the most impactful factor might be the seal that Sony's WH-1000XM6 create with your head while listening to music. These headphones have a higher clamping force than the Sonos Ace, and the ear cushion material feels like it "sticks" to the side of your head to make a solid seal. Meanwhile, the vegan leather ear cushions on the Sonos Ace — while comfy — don't create the same experience.

All told, I like the sound quality of the Sony's a bit more than the Sonos Ace. Music sounds louder and fuller without losing crispness or clarity, and the out-of-the-box sound signature is excellent.

Sony's wired headphone mode is better than Sonos'

Sonos supports wired mode on the Ace using both the USB-C port and 3.5mm jack, whereas Sony only supports the latter. This doesn't tell the whole story. When you use the Sonos Ace with a cable, you're bypassing the headphones' internal DAC and using the one in your device. As it turns out, the Sonos Ace are quite difficult to drive, so your phone or media player will probably struggle to deliver great volume with a cable.

In my experience using Sonos Ace wired with various Android phones and an iPod, I'd get roughly half the volume that I would using Bluetooth.

The Sony WH-1000XM6 stands out in this area, producing an even louder music listening experience with a cable. I don't think they sound as good with the included 3.5mm cable as they do wirelessly, likely for the same reason that the Sonos Ace sound quiet in wired mode — both bypass the headphones' DACs. But the WH-1000XM6 seem to be easy to drive, making the Sony's a better fit for wired use.

Until we get a Sonos Ace 2, I'm sticking with Sony

Sonos Ace are starting to prove that the best headphones can't be great on design and comfort alone. I'd love to see a new model soon with improved sound and ANC, and it might even be worth picking up a current pair on sale. Being that the Sony WH-1000XM6 are better in almost every way, I'm sticking with them for now.

What you need to know

• Sonos says its Ace Bluetooth headphones are receiving a free update today (June 10) that updates several key features.
• Now, the Ace headphones lets two individuals watch the same synced audio from a Sonos Soundbar due to its TV Audio Swap feature.
• TrueCinema picks up more realism as the Sonos Ace "understands" your environment for perfectly tuned sound.

The home theater-esque Bluetooth headphones from Sonos are picking up a major update that'll boost your sound quality.

In a press release, Sonos announced that it's preparing to roll out an update for the Sonos Ace Bluetooth headphones. This patch is arriving globally today (June 10) for consumers and will feature a host of updated utilities. To start, Sonos says users should expect an update to its TV Audio Swap feature. Now, two individuals can enjoy audio from the same TV within their own Sonos Ace headphones.

The company states this is available when connecting to a Sonos Soundbar. In a statement by Sonos' vice president of product, Chris Kallai, they said, "We're pleased to deliver experiences we've heard our consumers ask for, like the ability for two people to watch TV with their Sonos Ace headphones at the same time." Kallai then teased the work done with the TrueCinema experience, which is the next updated feature.

This TrueCinema update brings a more realistic surround sound experience, thanks to improved "understanding." Sonos says the Ace headphones will now understand the "dynamics" of your space and "acoustically treats it" to simulate having a 3D sound system right with you.

Immersive & Natural

The Sonos Ace update continues with touchups to the headphone's active noise cancellation (ANC). The post states this feature has been upgraded to take into account your hair, glasses, and hat in "real-time." The headphone's sensors are put to work in order to create a more immersive, fulfilling audio experience, so your audio doesn't slip out into the world.

Lastly, anyone placing or taking calls with their Ace headphones is receiving "high resolution calls" and SideTone. Considering how ANC truly surrounds you in sound, both of these calling features are said to make speaking feel more natural. As a result, users who update will be able to hear a sliver of their voices while speaking, as a bit of a QoL update to its hands-free calling experience.

This update is rolling out today, and it will be free. Users who update will find these features readily available for their Sonos Ace headphones.

When the headphones launched in 2024, one thing stood out: Sonos was clearly making a push toward home theater-quality audio. Another key highlight was the comfortable fit and build quality of the Ace. In today's announcement, Sonos' vice president of design, Dana Krieger, said, "Sonos Ace was intentionally designed to deliver lasting value in both form and function."

While the build is said to be "timeless," Sonos also lets users replace the earcups. Essentially, if there's a little too much wear and tear or if the cups have become damaged, you can quickly replace them.

Sonos often takes a top-down approach to its speakers, engineering the latest and greatest features and performance for its larger models, and then trickling them down to the smaller ones.

They don't get much smaller than the Sonos Roam 2, especially when the company's only other portable option in the Move 2 is several times the size. Despite three years between the original Roam and this presumed sequel, the two share a lot in common.

Sonos Roam 2: Price and availability

Sonos launched the Roam 2 in May 2024 and it should be widely available until the company retires the speaker, which probably won't happen until a newer model comes along. It starts at $179, a modest $10 increase over what the original Roam cost when it came out in 2021. You'll be able to find it from a variety of retailers, including Sonos' own website. It comes in Black, White, Sunset, Wave, and Olive.

Sonos Roam 2: What's good

Sonos chose to stick to a familiar design with the Roam 2. So familiar, in fact, that you have to know the distinct differences to notice. The color options mirror those launched for the original Roam, only the second-gen speakers don't have the logo emblazoned in white on all colors (it is for the white variant, though).

You'll also notice a dedicated Bluetooth button in the rear. This solves a nagging issue where you had to hold down the power button on the previous model for an exact number of seconds to put it into pairing mode — invariably turning it off when you missed the mark. The Roam 2 only requires you to hold down the Bluetooth button to do that. And if you need to switch between Bluetooth and Wi-Fi mode, you just need to press it once.

Apart from that, there's not much else to separate the Roam 2 from a physical standpoint. It has the same chassis, layout, weight, and IP67 dust and water resistance as its predecessor. It supports wireless charging the same way when you place it upright and put the bottom of the speaker onto a Qi-enabled charger. Plus, any accessories made for the original Roam will fit right in with this one.

The Roam 2 launched with less fanfare, partly because Sonos also released its first pair of headphones in the Ace. Except, the Ace can't be part of a Sonos system the way the Roam 2 can. Adding the speaker to a Sonos system is easy and only takes minutes to confirm and complete. Indeed, the process is pretty much the same as it always was despite Sonos' redesigned app.

All the familiarity extends to the controls, which are situated in exactly the same spots. The play/pause button is flanked by volume buttons on either side, along with a microphone button up top. When the LED above it is on (and you've set up voice control in the Sonos app) you can use either Alexa or Sonos Voice Control. Missing in action is Google Assistant, a feature the original Roam still maintains. Until Sonos and Google resolve their legal issues after a judge threw out a judgment against Google in October 2023, its voice assistant won't be doing any talking. 

At least the speaker won't take issue with splashes of water. The Roam 2 doesn't look like a ruggedized speaker but its IP67 rating is pretty tough by speaker standards. Using this by the pool or tub shouldn't be a problem. Stay away from saltwater and remember that it's more water-resistant than waterproof. You can submerge it for up to 30 minutes.

Once the music plays, Sonos' tuning clearly focuses on clarity without skewing too far one way or the other in the audio spectrum. It's par for the course for Sonos at this point, and it offers Trueplay as a way to tune the audio based on where you're actually playing music through the Roam 2.

It's just that this speaker doesn't sound any different from the original, so there's no sonic improvement. The app's EQ only lets you adjust bass, treble, and loudness. Go too far with the bass or loudness, and you lose some of the clarity in the process. Finding the right mix in a certain setting can prove to be a challenge. Worse yet, Sonos still inexplicably doesn't let you save any presets under the false impression that Trueplay is good enough on its own.

On the bright side, you can stereo pair a Roam 2 with a Roam 1 to create true stereo sound with left and right channels. The app makes this fairly easy to pull off, and put together, two definitely sound better than one. If you use the Roam 1 as the primary of the two, you can retain Google Assistant as the prime voice assistant, but not if it's the other way around.

Sonos rates battery life at up to 10 hours per charge, but you likely won't get there. That's at default volume and it's unclear if Sonos means Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. You're more likely to hit the seven-to-eight-hour range if you regularly raise the volume higher either way. That's not great but also not bad considering the tech involved here.

The app lets you take some control in mitigating battery loss. You can choose how long it takes for the speaker to turn off due to inactivity, and a Wi-Fi Power Save toggle saves power whenever the Roam 2 is connected to Wi-Fi.

Sonos Roam 2: What's not good

When the first Roam launched in 2021, it stood out as a superb portable speaker that could extend Sonos' sonic presence beyond the home. Three years later, competitors manage to either offer better value relative to price or find ways to surpass the audio output available here. It's just odd Sonos chose not to at least try to make the Roam 2 sound better than its predecessor.

If you're into bass-heavy music, don't bother with this speaker because it will disappoint you that way. While highs and mids are pretty good for the size, they lose some of their resonance when you pump up the bass. You're then left with a choice to make if you're after a certain type of sound.

Not only that but SBC and AAC are your only Bluetooth codecs, so forget any hi-res audio playback outside of Wi-Fi connections at home. Not to mention it's Bluetooth 5.0, a fairly outdated standard for something that costs this much.

These drawbacks don't apply to a variety of portable speakers currently available, some of which very much undercut Sonos in price. Granted, those are Bluetooth speakers without any Wi-Fi compatibility, but it's still hard to ignore the comparisons.

As a smart speaker, certain roadblocks also pop up. You can use Alexa as the voice assistant, only it can't actually play music by request for you. This will feel strange when you encounter it because you can control smart home devices by voice. Ask it to play a song, album, or playlist, however, and it can't do it. Even if Amazon is partly to blame for that, it makes the absence of Google Assistant all the more glaring. Sonos Voice Control is terribly limited and not a true alternative.

Sonos doesn't enable multipoint connections, so two devices can't pair with it at once. When stereo pairing, you need Wi-Fi to facilitate the connection, making it all but impossible to do it away from home. Thus, if you want to use a stereo pair to serenade your group or BBQ at the park, your Roam 2 will have to fly solo.

Sonos Roam 2: Competition

The Roam 2 stands out among the best Sonos speakers because it's the smallest in the lineup, but when it comes to the best Bluetooth speakers, the Sonos Move 2 is the company's better option. It's much bigger, yet still mobile enough within a home, and delivers sound that trounces the Roam 2 in every audible form. If you're willing to take it to the park or host people in a backyard, it will have no problem handling a crowd.

For something closer to the Roam 2's own size, the Ultimate Ears Boom 3 packs a real punch, especially when it comes to bass response. For clearer sound with a real presence, the Marshall Emberton II frankly sounds better. Both of those come in cheaper on top of that. If you want bassy sound with a light show to go with it, the JBL Pulse 5 is unique in the category.

Sonos Roam 2: Should you buy it?

You should buy this if...

• You want a wireless speaker to take with you
• You are already in the Sonos ecosystem
• You like the convenience of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
• You already own a Roam speaker and want to stereo pair

You shouldn't buy this if...

• You want hi-res audio playback
• You want booming bass
• You want Google Assistant
• You prefer to spend less

The Sonos Roam 2 isn't a real sequel when it comes down to the sum of its parts. The upgrades, such as they are, feel more like incremental tweaks, giving me the impression this speaker was more like a Roam 1.5 than a 2. The biggest reason is that it doesn't sound any different and offers no credible improvement in Bluetooth range or quality.

This is a little confusing considering Sonos re-engineered its Era speakers to cut above the previous One and Play models. By contrast, the Move 2 feels like a much more substantial upgrade compared to its own predecessor. That doesn't all mean the Roam 2 is terrible. It's a solid, very portable speaker. It just doesn't stand out a whole lot from the one that came before it.

Now that the Sonos Ace are out, their existence probably doesn’t surprise most who pay attention to both the brand and the personal audio space. Headphones are an obvious foray for Sonos after building a coveted multiroom home audio system for the last two decades. It was time to spread that sound out and personalize it further.

Only the Ace take it personal in different ways, and that’s where things get divisive depending on who asks. Rather than introducing the Ace as a unique extension of the broader system, Sonos’ speakers sit this one out, leaving only its select soundbars to make these headphones part of the team.

Sonos Ace: Price and availability

The Sonos Ace launched in June 2024 and are available at a number of retailers, both brick-and-mortar and online. They start at $449 and are unlikely to see a price drop for a while as the company looks to sell them in greater numbers. Replaceable ear cups are available at Sonos.com for $49 a pair. Both the headphones and ear cups come in black and soft white. More colors may follow but Sonos hasn’t confirmed any such plans at this time.

Sonos Ace: What's good

I got hands-on time with the Ace prior to receiving my review unit, so I went into testing these with notes in hand. It’s a relief they continue to fit and feel as comfortable as they did when I first tried them on. I know fit and comfort for over-ear headphones are subjective, but Sonos found a good mix of spacious cups to envelop the ears while using padding that’s soft enough to recess and contort with your ears. In my case, they fully cover mine, sitting nicely in place with a headband that never feels constraining.

Maybe I’m lucky because I haven’t noticed any itching, heat, or pinching while wearing them for longer stretches, especially while working. I would wear them barbecuing, walking, traveling, commuting, and haven’t seen any issues come up that way.

Not that it matters for size, but replaceable ear cups also act like an insurance policy of sorts. Sonos may play up the vegan leather it's using for the cups but if they fall apart or wear down, at least they don’t have to affect the rest of the product. Magnets make them easy to pry out and set in yet secure enough not to wiggle at all when handling the headphones.

The design consequently plays a major role in how active noise cancelation (ANC) works. First, passive isolation is excellent, cocooning your ears from background noise. Second, the onboard microphones do a superb job blocking out a range of frequencies to deliver excellent ANC in a variety of conditions. Whether on a plane, train, bus, car, street, or busy environment, the Ace cut down a whole lot of that noise, keeping you from raising the volume or bearing the brunt of sounds that seep through.

These are Bluetooth headphones, after all, and as such, require a slightly different setup to get everything going. Pair them with your phone like any other Bluetooth device, then open the Sonos app (which will recognize the Ace) and run through the few steps to access the features and settings associated with it. Once ready to play, the Ace deliver a punchy and resonant sound, striking a nice balance. There’s definitely a healthy bass response to go with warm highs and decent mids, all easy to discern, no matter what genre you’re listening to. I’d be cautious to say they’re right on par with the Sony WH-1000XM5, but the Ace sound great right out of the box.

They can also shine with some of the variety involved. Want hi-res tunes? No problem—the Ace can do that either through the aptX Adaptive and Lossless Bluetooth codecs or wired playback. Want spatial audio? There’s plenty of that, too, including Dolby Atmos support with head tracking.

Hi-res tracks from the best music streaming services like Amazon Music, Tidal, and Qobuz sound clear and (to my ears) detailed compared to more compressed bitrates, though you may have to raise the volume more with wired playback. Spatial audio is entirely elective, so you can turn it on or off at will without the Sonos app when you go to the Ace in the Bluetooth menu on your Android phone or tablet. For head tracking, you’ll have to go to the Sonos app to toggle that on or off.

Looking at the Ace from a broader perspective, there’s a key distinction in that they’re not an equal part of your Sonos system because they don't link up with its speakers. The only exception, as of this review, is the Sonos Arc and Arc SL, with the company’s other soundbars—Beam 2, Beam, and Ray—all coming aboard the compatibility train later.

The Arc can transfer TV audio over to the Ace when you connect them together. The catch is you need to do it with an iOS device because Android support for the feature isn’t ready at launch. A pretty easy process in the Sonos app that should establish the connection within minutes, so long as both devices are updated to the latest software. This “TV Audio Swap” is a seamless transition, where you only need to hold the Content Key slider button on the right ear cup to switch between them. Once available on the Android app, you’ll also be able to toggle them there as well.

It’s impressive in both execution and audio quality, really giving you the feeling of a private cinema experience between your ears. Even better, it works regardless of what the Arc is playing, so whether you’re watching a game, streaming a show, or playing video games, all the audio patches through to the Ace. I can see it saving couples and families from arguments, especially in late-night situations or keeping a child asleep. 

This is the only circumstance in which the Ace are on Wi-Fi, so you lose the Bluetooth connection with your phone or tablet. If a call or notification comes in, you won’t hear it, forcing you to swap back to the TV first and then pick up the call once the phone re-establishes contact. It’s not the smoothest transition, and the time it takes could lead to a missed call unless you pick up first and ask the caller to wait until the audio runs through the Ace.

Sonos wants to expand on this home theater setup with what it’s calling TrueCinema, technology that calibrates the Ace to emulate the acoustic response you get from the Arc. It’s also not ready yet but is coming soon, and when it does, Sonos says it will be similar to Trueplay, the current calibration for all Sonos speakers and soundbars emitting audio pulses to measure a room’s dimensions while the listener wears the headphones in the “sweet spot” dead center in front of the soundbar.

The result should be a more expansive spatial audio sound. As is, the Wi-Fi connection and Dolby Atmos can up-convert stereo sound into a virtual 5.1 or 7.1.4 surround equivalent. The Arc does the heavy lifting because it’s transferring that capability to the Ace, after all.

Plus, while the Ace can connect to multiple compatible Sonos soundbars in a home, you can’t use two Ace pairs on the same soundbar simultaneously. Moreover, it's an either-or situation, meaning either the Arc or Ace are playing audio, not both at the same time. This negates the possibility of two people watching the same content on the same TV hooked up to an Arc and Ace.

Sonos was smart to go with physical buttons for the onboard controls. All respond well and haven't caused me any problems. Slide the Content Key up or down for volume, press once to play/pause/answer calls, or hold to decline a call or activate TV Audio Swap. Double-click to skip a track, triple-click to go back. The Noise Control button below switches between ANC and Aware mode. Press and hold to access your device’s voice assistant. Wear sensors within the cups also automatically pause playback when you remove the headphones, resuming again when you put them back on.

With everything going on wearing the Ace, battery life comes with some trade-offs. Sonos rates it at 30 hours per charge based on default volume levels using Bluetooth. That largely holds up, though the Wi-Fi connection in the TV Audio Swap saps it at a faster rate. It’s hard for me to quantify exact numbers, but if you’re routinely watching TV with these on, you’ll go nowhere near 30 hours. Mix it up with Bluetooth music and phone calls, and I’d say you can expect north of 20 hours per charge, give or take, based on volume levels. A quick three-minute charge boosts the Ace to give you up to three hours of playback, which is huge when you need some juice before a commute.

Sonos Ace: What's not good

Sonos purists may feel robbed by the mere fact the Ace don’t integrate with the company’s speakers. On the one hand, I understand the decision because Wi-Fi demands more from a battery when you factor in all the other elements involved, like noise cancelation and volume. Bluetooth continues to improve in both range and power efficiency, which is why we’re seeing better battery figures in headphones and earbuds nowadays. Wi-Fi complicates that.

On the other hand, leaving the speakers out feels like the Ace are acquainted with the family rather than being part of it. Sonos is mum on what it has in mind going forward, and my own sense is the company is waiting to see what the mood is before figuring out how to approach this. 

The very idea of listening to tunes through the Ace and then switching them over to an Era 100 or 300 upon arriving home sounds so enticing. Indeed, the current integration with the Arc only applies to audio coming through the HDMI port, which is why it’s focused on TV. Stream audio to it from your phone, tablet, or computer, and the swap isn’t available. Thus, it’s more of a one-way connection that pushes audio sourced from the TV to the headphones, not audio playback from the headphones the other way around.

Technically, the Ace should be able to connect with Sonos speakers, especially the newer Era lineup, so it’s a question of whether Sonos sees it as an impractical solution right now. Could the company decide to flip the switch and enable that integration later through a software update? It's certainly possible, but we’ll have to see.

Speaking of speakers and soundbars, Sonos can get away with evading a multiband EQ for those units, but it’s a stark omission on the Ace. Forget expensive headphones, manufacturers making mid-range and affordable pairs routinely have EQs through their dedicated apps. Instead, you’re left with the usual sliders for bass, treble, and loudness, the latter of which chips away at clarity and detail the higher you go. Nothing specific to mids nor the tuning nuances of playing around with a 5- or 10-band EQ.

I get that Sonos wants to keep its own tuning close to the vest, but headphones differ from speakers and soundbars. The Ace feel considerably more personal because the sound isn’t bouncing off walls measured by room dimensions. These cans are up against stiff competitors who not only sound great but also offer loads of custom choices to make their headphones feel inherently personal.  

I should note that a nasty bug also crept up for me during testing that turned the Ace into a ghost on the Sonos app. For some reason, the headphones showed as “Not Connected” in the app even though I was listening to music from the same phone. TV Audio Swap worked perfectly fine—including after un-pairing the Ace from my phone. When I asked Sonos about this bizarre situation, company reps said a new update in time for launch would squash the bug. I’ll revise this review once I can confirm that’s indeed the case.

Sonos Ace: Competition

The Sonos Ace are good enough to compete against the best wireless headphones out there and stand out for the home theater integration others in the category have either neglected or can’t deliver. Even so, high-end headphones come in hot when it comes to quality. The Sony WH-1000XM5 have been a gold standard since they launched, continuing Sony’s pedigree for delivering top-class sound, noise cancelation, battery life, app support, and comfort. Equally hard to beat are the Bose QuietComfort Ultra for the same reasons. These headphones impress on so many levels, delivering ANC on par with the best in the business. 

Audio purists might lean more toward the likes of the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H95 or Sennheiser Momentum 4, both of which also crush the Ace on battery life. All of these options don’t come cheap, so if your budget allows for something this premium, consider all your options.

Sonos Ace: Should you buy them?

You should buy this if...

You're already familiar with Sonos products.

You want very good sound and noise cancelation.

You want home theater privacy with Sonos soundbars.

You want a comfortable fit.

You shouldn't buy this if...

You want them to work with Sonos speakers.

You want more personalized audio customization.

You prefer to spend less.

Despite their drawbacks, the Sonos Ace are a solid pair of headphones that open doors other brands simply haven’t gone through well enough, if at all. How often do you hear Sony, Bose, or Sennheiser talking about their headphones integrating with their soundbars or speakers? They may have technical solutions available to make it happen, but they usually involve Bluetooth and other prerequisites that are fraught with challenges. Limited as it may be right now, the Ace show what’s possible, and I can tell you from my experience they’re super convenient to use with the Arc to watch anything in peace.

Still, Sonos will upset some seeking a more invested integration with its products unless it charts a different path later on. As standalone headphones, however, the Ace are an impressive mix of audio quality and noise control, with reliable buttons and a comfortable fit. 

This is Android Central's News Weekly, your go-to source for a concise roundup of the week's most significant tech stories. This is where we delve into the top headlines that provide the latest developments and innovations contributing to the digital landscape. 

Sonos' new Ace looks familiar doesn't it?

Read more here.

Earlier this week, Sonos launched its first-ever headphones, "Ace," which look a bit like Apple's AirPods Max. However, as a unique feature, an in-house engineered design allows the ear cups to be removed, making them easier to clean or swap out for new colors. These Bluetooth wireless headphones offer wired playback through the lone USB-C port. Out of the box, users will get one USB-C-to-USB-C and a USB-C-to-3.5mm to accommodate accessories that can be connected to the headphones.

Each cup has 40mm drivers and four microphones, which deliver active noise cancellation (ANC) in the 'Aware mode.' The headphones come with Dolby Atmos support and can stream spatial audio content from supported services, including head tracking, wherever available. Later this year, Sonos says it will add "TrueCinema," a new tech that will map the space around you and create a virtual surround sound system to match your room.

The Sonos Ace comes in two colorways black or soft white, mirroring Sonos' more color with its Era speakers. The company claims that the battery lasts up to 30 hours and will be available for pre-order for $449 starting May 21, with general availability on June 5.

Shhh.. Samsung's cat is out of the bag

Read more here.

We may have a potential list detailing what consumers could expect from the upcoming Samsung Unpacked event this summer. According to Evan Blass on X, the Korean OEM is preparing to launch eight new products. 

The list mentions the obvious Galaxy Ring, which we saw multiple glimpses of this year, the Galaxy Buds 3 and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro—Samsung's next wave of TWS (true wireless earbuds), and three upcoming Samsung smartwatches: the Galaxy Watch 7, the recently leaked Watch 7 Ultra, and the Watch 7 FE. Blass briefly mentioned the Galaxy Book 4 Edge and the Book 4 Edge Pro; however, those laptops have already been launched.

We're only two months away from Samsung's summer reveal, and the lineup seems interesting to watch out for. But all our eyes are on the Galaxy Ring. Recently, the device's supposed price leaked, which pits it in a $300 to $350 range, similar to the Oura Ring 3 but will come with a subscription service for its Health app, which might be "under $10." 

Google quickly patches up Android 15 Beta 2 update

Read more here.

Google had to follow up on the Android 15 Beta 2 with another update as those who downloaded the Beta were experiencing major issues with the Private Space feature. 

When some users tried this for the first time, they saw it deleted app icons from the Home screen. Google's Issue Tracker website also details that this has been brought to their attention and that Beta 2.1, a "minor update," began rolling out to all eligible Pixels on Monday (May 20).

The new version initially came out with a 2.57GB file size on one of their devices before downloading. However, users who installed this update stated in a Reddit thread that the file size was between 11.30 MB and 12.12 MB when they restarted their devices. 

Google says that only Pixel devices that are enrolled in the beta program will automatically get offered an over-the-air (OTA) update, i.e.,  Pixel 8a, Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 7a, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7, Pixel 6a, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6, Pixel Fold, and Pixel Tablet. 

iFixit played the "it's not you it's me" card with Samsung

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On Thursday (May 23), iFixit announced that it will officially part ways with Samsung in June as the two companies' goals regarding device repairability "do not align."

iFixit said it will end its partnership through its Repair Hub, which started in 2022. It will no longer be a certified third-party partner for parts and tools to repair Samsung devices. The post states, "despite our best efforts" to deliver a high standard for self-repair, "we have not been able to deliver on that promise."

iFixit adds that it has tried to get the necessary parts to local shops with reasonable prices while "the design of Samsung's Galaxy devices remained frustratingly glued together," forcing it to "pre-glue" batteries and screens in bundles, which drove up the repair costs for the consumer.

The company said that its self-repair service will continue to sell Galaxy device parts when it can, but its in-house guides will no longer exist. Pre-existing information on repairing Samsung's devices will not be removed, meaning users can still return for help on past devices.

"Alexa, how would an AI upgrade sound?"

Read more here.

Amazon is reportedly dipping its toes into the AI pool to compete with OpenAI and Google. According to CNBC, Amazon is set to give Alexa a boost with generative AI features, but it will come with a monthly subscription fee to access.

Alexa has been a handy tool for answering questions, setting reminders, and managing smart home devices for a long time. However, with OpenAI and Google's Multimodal models stealing the show, it looks like Amazon is experiencing a bit of FOMO (fear of missing out).

CNBC states that the upcoming Alexa update will make it more conversational, incorporating cutting-edge generative AI. While Amazon hasn't set a price yet, it looks like this enhanced Alexa will require a separate monthly subscription beyond the annual $139 Amazon Prime fee. A source close to the company told the publication that each generative AI query could cost around 2 cents, and there's talk of a possible $20 monthly subscription that's being discussed internally.

Those are some of the biggest stories from this week. Meanwhile, here are some other stories that are worth catching up on:

• Galaxy Watch 7 Ultra leak reveals a very new design
• Meta ups AI game and brings Calm, Amazon Music, and more to Ray-Ban smartglasses
• One of Google’s best generative AI features is rolling out on older Pixel phones for free
• OpenAI trying to steal Scarlett Johansson's voice to make AI feel 'comfortable' is the reason why it's so worrying
• A cleaner Google Messages text field rolls out to more users
• Amazfit Helio Ring lands in the US at $299 with attractive bundle options
• You should play more video games with your kids
• Google made a mistake with YouTube Premium
• We need to stop letting companies double-dip with high upfront costs and required subscriptions
• Android 15's satellite messaging is already showing up for some T-Mobile users

What you need to know

• Sonos is launching its first-ever pair of headphones with Ace, Bluetooth wireless over-ear headphones designed to fit in its wider ecosystem.
• The Sonos Ace has active noise cancelation (ANC), supports hi-res audio, and features a battery life of up to 30 hours.
• They are compatible with Dolby Atmos, include head tracking, and can integrate with select Sonos soundbars to listen to TV audio through the Ace.

It only took two decades, but Sonos has finally branched out from making speakers. The Sonos Ace is the brand's first-ever pair of headphones, engineered in-house with its trademark penchant for resonant sound. Now, you'll be able to bring that sound into any room.

The Sonos Ace will ship in black or soft white, mirroring Sonos' more recent color choices with its Era speakers. In a unique design trait, the ear cups are removable, making them easier to clean or swap out for new colors or replacements.

These are Bluetooth wireless headphones but also offer wired playback through the lone USB-C port. Two cables — one a USB-C-to-USB-C, the other a USB-C-to-3.5mm — will come in the box to accommodate a wide range of playback devices when you want to go wired or prefer to listen to hi-res tunes at the highest quality.

Sonos is also throwing a bone at those wanting wireless hi-res playback by supporting Qualcomm's Snapdragon Sound through its aptX Lossless Bluetooth codec. With the right device and content source (think Tidal, Qobuz, Amazon Music, or Apple Music), you can get higher bit rates. It marks the first time Sonos is supporting any hi-res Bluetooth codec, as previous Sonos speakers like the Move, Move 2, and Roam haven't done the same.

There are 40mm dynamic drivers and four microphones arrayed on each cup, the latter to help deliver effective active noise cancelation (ANC) and a clearer Aware mode. Sonos says they're beamforming mics that will muffle background noise and ensure voices are clearer during phone calls as well. Built-in wear sensors will detect if you remove the headphones and auto-pause playback until you put the headset back on.

Swappable cups also explain why the Ace doesn't have any touch-based controls. A button on the right cup toggles between ANC and Aware mode. Holding it down awakens your phone's voice assistant. The Content Key slider button controls volume, playback, and phone calls.

The Sonos app isn't required to set up the Ace, though you will need it if you want to adjust the basic EQ (bass, treble, loudness) and connect to compatible Sonos speakers. 

At launch, the Ace will integrate with the Sonos Arc first, so you can swap TV audio from the soundbar to your headphones for more private listening. After setting it up in the app, you can hold down the Content Key to switch between them. This ad hoc connection happens over Wi-Fi without having to manually connect the Ace to a Wi-Fi network because the headphones piggyback onto the Arc's existing connection. 

Sonos says it will soon expand compatibility to its other current soundbars, like the Beam, Beam 2, and Ray.

The Sonos Ace comes with Dolby Atmos support and can stream spatial audio content from supported services, including head tracking, wherever available. Later in 2024, it'll add "TrueCinema," new tech that will map the space around you and create a virtual surround sound system meant to emulate the room you're in. This is slightly different from how Sonos' Trueplay adjusts sound by measuring a room's acoustics. It uses Ace's microphones to complete the virtual map and is specifically aimed at spatial audio.

Sonos will include a felt case made of 75% recycled plastic water bottles to fit the Ace (and all cables) inside snugly. Battery life is rated at 30 hours per charge with ANC on for audio playback, though Sonos didn't quantify how much it drops when using it in a home theater setting connected to a soundbar. A quick three-minute charge with the USB-C cable delivers up to three hours of playback.

They'll come at a premium for $449 and will be available for pre-order from Sonos starting May 21, with general availability on June 5.

What you need to know

• Google is celebrating a win against its multi-year patent dispute against Sonos, which sees its previous $32.5 million verdict tossed out.
• The judge deemed Sonos' patents "invalid" as the company waited far too long to speak up about a possible infringement after Google debuted its version.
• Google is now able to return several multi-room features back to its Nest speakers and Chromecast devices, which will arrive around Thursday for Android.

Sonos and Google have gone back and forth with a certain patent dispute for a few years. However, it looks like all the shouting is done as a federal judge sides with Google, granting it a win against the audio company, per a Keyword blog post.

The judge has rejected two more of Sonos' patents for being "invalid" which directly impacts Google's Nest Smart Speakers' ability to seamlessly group together. This essentially means that the previous verdict, which set Google on the path of upchucking $32.5 million, no longer matters.

Moreover, "this was not a case of an inventor leading the industry to something new," the court added. "This was a case of the industry-leading with something new and, only then, an inventor coming out of the woodwork to say that he had come up with the idea first — wringing fresh claims to read on a competitor’s products from an ancient application."

For the timeline's sake, it was discovered that Google started introducing its own multi-room technology for its devices in 2015, but Sonos waited until 2019 to pursue the infringement claim and waited an additional year to roll out the technology on its own speaker devices.

Throughout the dispute, Google faced an import ban for several of its products in 2022 following the ITC's decision to side with Sonos. The company also had to grapple with reducing the quality of its Nest speakers and Chromecast as a result.

Following Google's win, it was quick to begin bringing those features back to its consumers, according to a Nest community blog post. Google stated it was "happy to share" that it'll soon return the ability for its speakers to belong to multiple speaker groups. The update will roll out over the next 48 hours (so, Thursday) for the Google Home app on Android, and it'll arrive "soon" for iOS.

Despite a U.S. federal judge's reversal of a previous verdict, Sonos has appeared unhappy with the end result and, according to The Verge, will not let up in its fight against large tech companies like Google. The speaker-maker is interested in fighting for the smaller companies that are copied by "behemoths like Google."

The original Sonos Move will always hold the distinction of being the first Sonos speaker that cut the cord and went wireless. It marked the first time the company’s vaunted multi-room audio setup could expand beyond one’s home and virtually anywhere they wanted to take it.

Like a sequel that stays close to the source material, the Move 2 doesn’t veer too far away, though it does carve out its own identity in ways that count: better sound, better battery life, and more connectivity options. It’s just that you have to accept what counts as portability, given its bulky size and the matching heft of the price tag.

Sonos Move 2: Price and availability

Sonos launched the Move 2 in September 2023 and it should be very easy to find on major retailers such as Best Buy. The $449 price tag may drop at some point, but probably not until the speaker is in the market for a while. It comes in black, white, or olive color variants.

Sonos Move 2: What's good

Sonos largely stuck with the original Move’s overall design, for better or worse. Indeed, line up the Move 2 next to it (especially the black or white variants), and you could be initially confused as to which one is which. The Move 2 is easier to spot once you hone in, not just because the Sonos logo up front is monochrome with the grille but also because the top falls in line with the company’s more recent products like the Era 100 and Era 300. That means you'll find an indented touch-sensitive volume slider and a smaller LED indicator light, though the voice assistant one is a little more prominent in the middle.

The previous Move allowed users to connect via Bluetooth — a major concession for Sonos, given how little interest it showed in supporting it beforehand. Portability demands some versatility, so the company chose to take that a little further here by including a USB-C port in the rear for Aux-In connections through a separately sold adapter. It’s yet another move inspired by the Era 100 and Era 300, essentially opening the door to listen to hi-res audio content through a DAC (digital-to-analog converter) if you’re so inclined. In a pinch, you can also plug your phone in to charge by siphoning battery life from the speaker itself.

As is, to make the Move 2 sound different, Sonos had to change things on the inside, like the newer tweeters that give it stereo sound to go with a thumping woofer. It’s a noticeable difference from the start, producing more clarity at any volume than the first Move ever could. The previous Move had a certain rumble to it but lacked the kind of impressively detailed and boisterous soundstage the Move 2 pumps out. 

Having tested both Era speakers before, I can tell Sonos took a similar approach here, particularly with the convenience of automatic tuning from Trueplay for wherever you put the speaker and in utilizing the limited space inside to produce sound that feels louder in spite of the speaker's size. The Move 2 fits right in, regardless of whether you're listening to a podcast or audiobook in quieter solitude, or if you're entertaining a fairly large group with tunes they want to listen to.

You'll feel the bass the louder you go, much like the previous Move delivered, only the mids and highs are decidedly clearer, which is why the Move 2 sounds like a very different speaker in comparison. And it doesn't matter what genre you're listening to because you get a slick and punchy sound that makes pretty much anything sound rich and detailed. That's even more obvious when listening to how instruments, beats, and vocals emerge with their own distinct resonance.

You have the option of pairing two Move 2s together for separate left and right channels, or even as rears in a surround sound setup, although I would especially advise against doing the latter when two Era 100s will do just fine for far less money. And if you're thinking of pairing a Move 2 with an original Move to do the same, no such luck. 

The Sonos app handles all the setup, which you have to go through even if you plan to use it as a Bluetooth speaker. It needs a Wi-Fi network for setup and subsequent updates, meaning you can't just pick one up and pair it like any other Bluetooth speaker. Once it's ready, Bluetooth pairing is quick and seamless, partly owing to a significant jump from Bluetooth 4.1 to 5.0. 

Wi-Fi is also a must to use the onboard voice assistant features, be it Alexa or Sonos Voice Control. Google Assistant still works fine on the previous Move but is absent here because of the legal spat between Sonos and Google. That's not the case with the multitude of streaming services you can access through the Sonos app. Several apps will recognize the Move 2 on their own, like AirPlay 2, which you can use to beam music over from an iPhone, or Spotify Connect, which will present the speaker as a streaming option, for example.

Sonos also did right by looking at overall sustainability for as long as the company will keep supporting the Move 2. The battery is much easier to replace in case of failure long-term, and Sonos even sells a do-it-yourself kit. Plus, the Move 2 also works with the first Move's charging stand. The speaker itself is more repairable in case something goes wrong, which aligns with Sonos' stated commitment to be more sustainable that way.

Speaking of which, you can expect more from the battery this time around. Sonos doubled it and then some, with the Move 2 lasting up to 24 hours per charge — a huge boost from the 11 the original Move musters at the best of times. Volume levels will determine if you make it to 24 hours, so the louder you go, the shorter the playtime, but you can always keep it topped up by just leaving it on its stand. 

Sonos Move 2: What's not good

Sonos says the Move 2 is fairly rugged despite its elegant look, and IP56 protection isn't anything to sneer at. While it's a speaker you can take to the park, pool, or beach, it's not what I would consider truly rugged, and given its price, you don't want to tempt fate too much. But if you're confident in taking care of it, it will play nice in those conditions. Any gathering in a backyard or patio will feel more alive with this speaker playing.

Moving the Move 2 to the backyard is the easy part. For everywhere else, you have to consider the overall size and 6.61-pound (3 kg) weight because it's not a speaker you toss in a bag and go on your merry way; it's more like a piece of gear you have to pack separately to ensure nothing scratches or breaks it. Granted, Sonos is in a unique spot because wireless speakers don't usually sound quite as good as the Move 2 does, but this version does little to advance overall portability.

It's also unclear why Sonos thinks the Move 2 is worth the same as the Era 300. It may not be wireless, but the Era 300 offers spatial audio and generally sounds deeper and more expansive than the Move 2. Even if you cut out spatial audio from the equation, the Era 300 is already a Sonos flagship product.

One of the reasons for that, among others, is because that speaker can more easily play hi-res audio and has Dolby Atmos support, whereas the Move 2 doesn't. You have a workaround if you use the USB-C port with an adapter and DAC, but that's not a solution for most. Moreover, Sonos sticks with standard Bluetooth codecs (AAC, SBC) and leaves out better ones (aptX, LDAC) that could present better fidelity when Wi-Fi isn't an option.

Sonos Move 2: Competition

The best smart speakers vary in size and power. The Move 2 would easily make such a list, much like it would most "best" wireless speaker lists. The best Sonos speakers are also a mix of how much ground the company can audibly cover. Hence, the original Sonos Move is always an option as an alternative, but its successor is worth the extra money for the better sound, longer battery life, and extra connectivity. 

When it comes to mixing great sound with portability, the JBL Authentics 200 comes to mind as a cheaper alternative that weighs the same. It also supports Dolby Atmos and Google Assistant but can't match the multi-room pedigree Sonos is known for. If you're just looking for Bluetooth and want big sound in a smaller package, the Marshall Middleton gets plenty loud and withstands more punishment.

Sonos Move 2: Should you buy it?

You should buy this if...

• You want a wireless speaker to take with you.
• You are already in the Sonos ecosystem.
• You like the convenience of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
• You want some of the best sound you can find.

You shouldn't buy this if...

• You want hi-res audio playback.
• You want something with more portability.
• You prefer to spend less.

There's no doubt the Sonos Move 2 is elite in its class, simply because most wireless speakers sacrifice some audio quality to shave down the overall size and weight. This speaker changes nothing on the latter side but does plenty to improve audio fidelity and battery life, which are both critical to any wireless speaker's longevity at this price.

If you're comfortable spending that kind of money, the Sonos Era 300 will be the better purchase, but if going wireless is a crucial element, then the Move 2 is easily among the best there is right now. Upgrading from the original Move is worth it if you dig the new features and don't mind that Google Assistant won't be talking on the Move 2 for the foreseeable future.

What you need to know

• Sonos announces the Move 2 with a revamped acoustic architecture and sub-woofer for deep bass.
• The Move 2 features a 24-hour battery that uses less energy when idle and contains a USB-C port for charging other devices.
• The Sonos Move 2 will arrive globally on September 20 for $449.

The next iteration of Sonos' portable speaker has finally arrived with attributes to make it last all day. According to a press release, the Sonos has "completely overhauled" the Move 2's acoustic architecture, packing dual-tweeters for spacious audio and crisp vocals. The speaker holds its own sub-woofer inside, which is said to produce deep, dynamic bass even through all the noise of outside parties.

Automatic Trueplay tuning helps the device optimize and balance the sound it produces to its environment so it remains heard.

To make sure the party keeps going, the Sonos Move 2 has been equipped with a 24-hour battery life. An aspect that doubles the capabilities of the original Move. The device also features its own USB-C port, giving users a chance to charge their phones and other compatible devices with the speaker.

The device's removable and replaceable battery uses 40% less energy when idle.

Sonos has revamped the design of the Move 2, bringing about a more "intuitive user interface." The post adds that, much like with its latest Era speakers, the Move 2 includes a volume slider and the option of using Sonos Voice Control instead. Similarly, users can voice their commands to their Move 2 using Amazon Alexa or with a few taps on the Sonos app.

Since the Move 2 is ready to go where you go — thanks to its easy-to-grab rear handle — its durable design has received an IP56 rating. Sonos states the portable speaker can withstand drops, splashes, dirt, and some resistance to fading in the sun.

Users listening in at home can connect a turntable, computer, or an alternate audio source to the Move 2 using its Sonos Line-In adapter. The speaker can connect using a user's home Wi-Fi or Bluetooth with their phone, but both forms of connectivity can also be activated simultaneously, offering "increased flexibility" for the Move 2.

For example, users can play music from their phones via Bluetooth while lumping the Move 2 in with other Sonos systems using Wi-Fi to bump up the sound.

The Sonos Move 2 is available in black, white, and an Olive colorway. The company states the portable speaker will be available globally starting September 20 for $449.

•  Speaker deals: Walmart | Best Buy | Amazon | Dell

What you need to know

• A wave of leaks suggests the Sonos Move 2 may not gain any design changes. However, it may feature dual-angled tweeters and a subwoofer.
• Connectivity switching is rumored, letting users cast music over Bluetooth to the speaker and letting it broadcast the audio over Wi-Fi to additional devices.
• Once again, the Sonos Move 2 is rumored to receive a $50 bump, possibly launching at $449.

Quite a bit of information has leaked surrounding the upcoming launch of the Sonos Move 2 portable speaker.

The leak stems from the collaboration of tipster OnLeaks and MediaPeanut, which gives us a clear look at its rumored design and audio capabilities. Beginning with its design, the Sonos Move 2 appears to retain the same ovular shape as the original from 2020. The cutout on its back also remains, ensuring consumers can continue to enjoy a portal speaker experience.

The publication adds that the Move 2 may land on the market in black, white, and olive. A notable difference as the original iteration was only offered in a black colorway.

In terms of sound, it appears as though Sonos has upgraded the audio capabilities of the Move 2, going from mono output to true stereo playback. This could be possible by the rumored upgrade to dual-angled tweeters instead of featuring only one like the first Move.

Moreover, consumers may find the Move 2 contains a subwoofer for deeper lows paired with "Automatic Trueplay" optimization for an enhanced sound experience.

We've heard some rumors previously about the Move 2's purported battery life of "up to 24 hours." The current leak doubles down on this but also adds the Move 2 will allegedly sport "improved standby endurance." This pushes us to believe the speaker will use even less power while sitting idle.

Furthermore, the device is said to include a wireless charging base with a removable adapter as well.

For connectivity, Sonos is apparently shifting the Move 2 in a much easier direction by letting the device switch streaming modes automatically, which may let users stream music from their phone to the Sonos speaker over Bluetooth, and the device would then broadcast the audio on additional devices in the house via Wi-Fi.

The previous Move 2 rumor stated the device would support "line-in audio over its USB-C port," as well as charging other devices through that same port.

The automatic connectivity switching will supposedly come into greater effect as the Move 2 lets users interact with streaming devices and platforms alongside music streaming services.

While Android Central spoke about the original Move's expensive pricing, previous and current rumors point to a $50 increase. This could potentially land the Sonos Move 2 at $449 once it launches sometime in late September.

•  Speaker deals: Walmart | Best Buy | Amazon | Dell 

What you need to know

• A new leak suggests that the Sonos Move 2 will debut sometime "around the end of September."
• Sonos is said to be bringing "up to 24 hours" of batery life, along with various other improvements.
• The original Move was released back in 2019, and is largely considered one of the best Bluetooth speakers.

When it comes to the world of smart speakers, Sonos has a pretty good grip on the high-end corner of the market. And for good reason, as these are easily some of the best speakers that money can buy. That being said, we could be close to seeing a popular Sonos speaker receiving its first successor.

The Sonos Move was released in September of 2019, and according to a new leak from The Verge, the Sonos Move 2 will arrive next month. Sonos is expected to improve everything from the battery life to audio quality, and even the charging base station, with the Move 2.

What helped the Sonos Move stand out from the crowd is that it's basically a supercharged Bluetooth speaker. It was the first of its kind from Sonos, opening the door for the likes of the Sonos Roam to be released later on. 

In our review of the Move, we stated that we said that "it's the Sonos speaker that does it all and asks for your understanding in paying $400 for the privilege." If this leak from The Verge is anything to go by, Sonos is making a lot of the expected improvements to one of the best Sonos speakers out there.

Along with supporting Bluetooth playback, the Move 2 is said to also include support for "line-in audio over its USB-C port" while also being able to "charge mobile devices using the same port." The Move 2 could also include Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0, along with "a new switch on the back of the product for disabling voice microphones." 

Unfortunately, it doesn't seem as though you'll be able to use Google Assistant with the Move 2. Instead, you'll be relegated to using either Amazon Alexa or Sonos Voice Control. This might not come as too much of a shock considering that the recently-released Era 100 and Era 300 do not include Assistant support. 

Lastly, if you were hoping for the Move 2 to be a bit more friendlier to your wallet, you're going to be disappointed. The Verge claims Sonos will price the Move 2 "at $449 in the United States," which is actually $50 more expensive than the original Move. We won't have to wait too much longer as the Move 2 is expected to be unveiled sometime near the end of September.

•  Speaker deals: Walmart | Best Buy | Amazon | Dell 

What you need to know

• Google has been found guilty of infringing on a Sonos smart speaker patent.
• A San Francisco jury has ordered the search giant to pay Sonos $32.5 million for the infringement.
• The patent in question involves Sonos' Zone Scene Management feature for smart speakers.

Sonos has won a patent infringement case it filed against Google for copying one of its smart speaker patents, with a San Francisco judge ordering Google to pay $32.5 million for the violation.

According to the jury's decision, Google will have to pay Sonos a per-unit royalty for each of the more than 14 million devices that Google sells that use Sonos' patented technology. The jury's decision orders Google to pay $2.30 for every device that uses the Sonos-owned patent (via The Verge).

The patent infringement dispute began in 2020 when Sonos accused Google of copying its patented technology for smart speakers. Later that same year, Google clapped back at Sonos with a countersuit alleging that the latter infringed on several of its patents and intellectual property, including mesh networking, echo cancellation, content notifications, and personalized search.

Meanwhile, Sonos claimed that Google had access to its technology after its 2013 partnership that led to the integration of Google Play Music into Sonos speakers. Sonos also said that Google had copied the technology and released cheaper products that it subsidized with revenue from search advertising. This includes technology that allows speakers to connect and sync wirelessly, which is a staple of many of the best Sonos speakers.

"This is a narrow dispute about some very specific features that are not commonly used," Google's communications team representative Peter Schottenfels said in a statement. "Of the six patents Sonos originally asserted, only one was found to be infringed, and the rest were dismissed as invalid or not infringed."

Google says it is considering its next move and reiterated that it has "always developed technology independently and competed on the merit of our ideas."

The lawsuit was filed with the Los Angeles Federal District Court and the U.S. International Trade Commission. Sonos notified Google of its infringement in 2016 and offered the search giant a licensing arrangement, but Mountain View's counter-offer meant a lower financial obligation on the part of Google for using Sonos' technology. Sonos’ case originally involved six patents, with four already dismissed as invalid. 

The patent dispute resulted in an import ban on some Google products in 2022 after the ITC ruled in Sonos' favor. Regulators found that Google had used Sonos-owned technologies in its Nest speakers, Chromecast devices, and Pixel products. As a result, Google was forced to make changes to some of its products in order to comply with the ITC's order.

What you need to know

• Sonos will take Google to court on May 8 over its patent dispute.
• Two patents, 966 and 885, will be dealt with in court while the 033 patent was thrown out by the federal judge for it being "moot."
• The judge stated Google's infringement of the 033 patent is set whether it is found guilty or not in the current case.

Sonos' ongoing battle with tech giant Google is not over, as the two now have a set trial date for the still-active patent dispute.

The set trial date is for the many smart home Google products, such as Nest and Chromecast devices, that infringed on Sonos-owned patents. According to Thurrott, a federal judge's final ruling, after a mixed verdict, states both companies must be in court on May 8. The trial will bring up two patents the judge saw as meaningful for the case.

U.S. District Judge William Alsup stated, "Google’s motion for summary judgment is granted in part, denied in part, and deferred in part." While two patents in Sonos' claim were already invalidated (via Reuters), the issues set to come up in this trial pertain to two other two patents (#10,469,966 and #10,848,885) along with Google's counterclaims.

Sonos stated, "We look forward to once again demonstrating Google’s widespread infringement."

As previously mentioned, the Sonos patent infringement ruling went against Google by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) in January 2022. That ruling came two years after Sonos' initial lawsuit against Google in 2020. The result of the January 2022 ruling required Google to stop selling imported products that infringe on the Sonos patents.

The problems didn't end there as Google clapped back with its own lawsuit against Sonos over voice control technology. At the time, Sonos had just launched Voice Control, a way users could control their music playback with their voice. In a statement, Google said this was in defense as Sonos "started an aggressive and misleading campaign against our products, at the expense of our shared customers." However, Sonos has maintained its stance, apparently confident it would win over Google once again in this case, as well.

Soundbars have come a long way in the last few years, offering excellent sound while taking up less space and costing far less. They've only been getting better at delivering fuller sound in thinner and smaller sizes, only making them more impressive additions to a home theater. Our criteria for the best soundbars start with: bars that won't bankrupt you, come with the best streaming devices or smart assistants built-in, and may sometimes come with subwoofers and rears, though won't always need them.

The Samsung HW-Q990C will blow you away with its massive sound as a complete system you can expand on, though it will come at a premium price. The good news is soundbars come at a variety of prices and feature sets, giving you great options to consider.

At a glance

Turn up the volume with the best soundbars

Best overall

The Samsung HW-Q990C pulls out all the stops to deliver one of the most immersive Dolby Atmos sound experiences you’ll find anywhere. It already borders on being ridiculous (in a good way) with 11.1.4 channels when combining the soundbar, subwoofer, and two rear speakers together — all of which come in the same box. If you want Dolby Atmos with real punch and effect for movies and music, your ears won’t be disappointed.

Samsung’s Q Symphony technology also plays an active role in that it allows the company’s compatible TVs to communicate with the HW-Q990C wired or wirelessly to blend together speakers from both for even more enveloping sound. It’s easy to set up however you want the system to work, and is ideal for medium-sized or larger rooms. You can also rely on stable wireless connections between the different components to keep sound flowing without hiccups or incidents.

You’ll have to pay a pretty penny to put all this in your home, as is, and may have to consider a different option if you have immersive gaming on your mind. The big hurdle is the lack of 4K 120Hz passthrough via HDMI, which is a downside if you’re a serious console or PC gamer, but otherwise shouldn’t be a problem for other content. It benefits more in playing movies and shows over music, but you can still hear Dolby Atmos tracks from the right sources.

Best smarts

The best Sonos speakers were limited to portable Bluetooth speakers paired to your phone; now, you can get them all over the house. Sonos has become a household name for TV audio after diving into the soundbar industry, with the Sonos Arc coming in as its flagship model. It offers the homeowner eight woofers, three tweeters, and a total of 11 amplifiers for incredible, immersive sound. This is paired with a far-field microphone to work alongside your voice assistant of choice.

The Arc requires only two cables to plug in before being ready to experience this soundbar's greatness, which is incredible if you don't want a complicated setup. As for connections, the Playbar offers one Ethernet port, an HDMI ARC port (with included cable), and an Optical Audio port. Plus, as part of the Sonos family, you can connect the Arc to other Sonos speakers for a surround-sound experience.

It's a fantastic option, and we had almost nothing but praise for it in our Sonos Arc review — mainly whenever it plays Dolby Atmos content, which sounds particularly incredible from a soundbar without rear speakers. But the Arc isn't without a couple of downfalls that may have you looking elsewhere. First is the size and weight: it measures more than 13 pounds and is 45 inches wide, so you'll need to have plenty of space and heavy-duty wall anchors. The other pitfall is that there is no subwoofer included, so you may not get as much "punch" during your movies as you might want.

Best splurge

The “Plus” in this Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar is notable because it lies in the middle of the company’s lineup of high-end models. While it may be smaller than the Ambeo Max, it hits many of the right notes as an alternative, especially when it comes to the outstanding audio quality and Dolby Atmos support. Not only that but DTS:X and Sony 360 Reality Audio are also in the mix here, covering a lot of ground when it comes to spatial audio content.

It can’t make up for the lack of rear speakers for surround sound but can prove surprisingly good at making you feel like the virtual effect works. But it’s the dynamic sound coming out of its relatively compact body that may be the bigger surprise. This soundbar isn’t for quiet rooms and is only worth getting if you want a booming home theater situation without committing to rears for a true surround effect.

You can add the Ambeo Sub to really take the bass to another level, but that will cost you extra, ballooning an already pricey proposition. You do get what you pay for, though, what with the Soundbar Plus’ integrations and port options, along with solid support from Sennheiser’s Smart Control app.

Best balance

Bose has been in the sound game for a long time, but its home theater audio options used to be priced out of many potential owners' budgets. Those times have changed, and the Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar carries on in the same vein as the previous Smart Soundbar 900. Priced to compete directly with the Sonos Beam, it has the premium Bose features we're used to from its more expensive models.

On its own merits, the Smart Ultra Soundbar has four full-range drivers and a central tweeter for compact, distortion-free sound. It also has a mic for built-in Alexa, which you can use to control your TV. If you want to go bigger on sound, there's also a port to connect a Bose subwoofer. Plus, it has several connectivity options: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, and Bose SimpleSync to use select Bose headphones for private listening.

For dedicated Bose fans, you can pair your Smart Ultra to other Bose Bluetooth speakers or buy a Bose Bass Module or Surround Speakers to build a total home theater system. These can add up in price, but it's great the Smart Ultra Soundbar maintains the same modular audio experience its predecessor does — if you can afford to augment it.

Best spatial audio

It’s not often you see a modular soundbar that literally comes apart at the seams with two extra speaker satellites you can set up as rears that wirelessly communicate with the main bar for a surround sound setup. They can last you a good 10 hours before you need to recharge them again, which only requires you to slide them back into their respective spots on the sides. You can also use them as Bluetooth speakers, either separately or together as a stereo pair, adding a nice perk to this unique setup.

For a home theater situation, you get an 11.1.4 system with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support, plus a subwoofer you can place anywhere you want to add some rumble to the whole experience. The JBL One app can be super helpful in figuring out the best way to set everything up based on the room you’re in, especially for where to place the rear speakers. Once you’re good to go, the Bar 1300X will delight you when making you feel whatever movie you’re watching in Dolby Atmos. Spatial audio for music may give you the same feeling when you want something immersive for tunes supporting it.

You won’t get Google Assistant or Alexa (at least not in full) with this system, but you do get AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, and a slew of features that feel integrative. It doesn’t come cheap to bring this into your home, but you may be set for years if you do.

Best mid-range

Best mid-size

With the Sonos Beam (Gen 2), you get the best soundbar with basic smarts. The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) connects to your TV with HDMI-ARC or with the included HDMI-to-Optical adapter. A recent update has brought the ability to integrate Sonos products and Google Assistant. You can control your TV with your voice if your TV supports HDMI-CEC, which most modern sets do. Controlling your TV with your voice isn't a replacement for a remote, but it's an excellent option.

Sonos' ecosystem is attractive because it's easy to add more speakers to create a surround system. And as for connections, you'll get a single HDMI port, a single Ethernet port, and the standard AC power input. So you can start with the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) and have a great soundbar. Then, a few months later, you can pick up a couple of Sonos One speakers to add more channels. Or, you can buy a Sonos 5.1 kit with everything you need and create one of the best soundbar systems you can find.

However, if you want to experience better "lows" in your movies and video games, you'll want to pick up a subwoofer after the fact. This adds more of a punch to intense scenes and helps to immerse you in whatever you're watching or playing. Until then, the Beam creates a wide soundstage with an effective low-end sound all on its own, as we discovered during our Sonos Beam review.

Best small size

Polk is another one of those companies that prides itself on providing great audio experiences throughout your home. The Polk MagniFi Mini AX is no different and has a few tricks up its sleeves that other soundbars can't compete with. Kicking everything off, the MagniFi Mini AX sports a single ARC-compatible HDMI, along with a standard optical port for your television and an auxiliary cable.

Smart home integration is on board, with Google Assistant built right-in, and you'll have the added benefit of a built-in Chromecast (keep in mind this only lets you stream music over Wi-Fi, not stream video). The MagniFi Mini AX also includes a wireless subwoofer so that you can get that extra bass from your media without the need for any additional wires.

While controlling your TV and soundbar with a single remote is nifty, we would have liked to see a more robust remote from Polk. The included remote gives you basic controls without any shortcuts to Netflix or another streaming app. Those who want to have multiple devices connected directly to the MagniFi Mini AX will be disappointed as there's just a single HDMI port on this soundbar.

Best value

Give Yamaha credit; it finds ways to pack a lot into something that comes at a more agreeable price. If the Sonos Beam is too rich for you, the SR-B30A is a solid alternative that can also save you a few dollars, especially considering the Dolby Atmos support. At this price, that’s not always a guarantee for any soundbar, but here, you have connectivity that matters, including an HDMI eARC port and Bluetooth for wireless audio playback.

Impressive sound will help you feel like you have a bargain for the experience every time you watch a movie or play a game. You won’t get a subwoofer with this soundbar, though you have an option with the SR-B40A, but bear in mind that both soundbars sound the same otherwise. The sub will add the kind of depth you can’t get from the bar alone.

Yamaha’s Sound Bar Remote app offers an easy way to control and update the SR-B30A’s firmware but isn’t going to be quite as deep in granular features. It’s more about switching between the existing settings rather than setting up your own.

Best integration

A few different streaming box options are available now, including the Chromecast with Google TV, our favorite of all the best Android TV boxes. Whether you prefer Chromecasts, Fire Sticks, or Rokus, however, you'll end up using two HDMI ports for your streaming box and soundbar — one too many if you have a lot of gaming consoles, cable boxes, or Blu-Ray players to connect as well.

If this is you, the Roku Streambar Pro is the all-in-one soundbar solution you've been looking for. Connect it to an HDMI ARC-compatible port on your 4K TV, and you'll be able to enjoy 4K HDR content and upgraded audio thanks to its four 2.5-inch full-range drivers plus the streaming capabilities of a Roku Streaming Stick+. It's compact enough to easily slide under any TV, with side-firing drivers to fill a room with decent sound. You can also invest in a subwoofer and wireless speakers to upgrade to true surround sound.

And when it comes to smart home compatibility, the Streambar Pro checks off all of the boxes. It's compatible with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and even Apple's Siri with AirPlay 2 support. With this in tow, you'll be able to control Roku's impressive soundbar with the best Android phones, regardless of your smart home ecosystem.

Best for gaming

Razer proves its pedigree for gaming products every time out, and the Leviathan V2 Pro is easily the most ambitious attempt at a soundbar for the brand. The main reason is the AI-based features, like head-tracking that works via built-in cameras to deliver virtual surround sound that actually works as advertised. The THX Spatial Audio feature set includes different modes to bring out the sounds of every game you play depending on what kind of effect you want most.

Don’t let the size fool you, either. The Leviathan V2 Pro may be smaller than your average soundbar, but it holds real power, pumping out sound easily capable of filling a room, much less a gaming setup in a smaller space. Slick RGB lighting with 30 different zones adds some real flair across the bar, which you can control yourself to fit the kind of look or mood you have in mind.

You don’t have an HDMI port to work with, so using it with a TV comes with compromises, much like how there’s a headphone jack, but no microphone one. Despite the limitations, Razer threw a lot into this soundbar as an effective alternative to your standard fare.

Best budget

TCL’s S Class soundbars come in a few different configurations, and the S55H is the 2.1-channel setup you can get all in one package. The soundbar is a reasonable size to make it fit a wide variety of TV setups or rooms. So long as you have some space for the included subwoofer, you can some real 'boom' to a smaller room where space may be limited. The S Class don’t have the same room calibration features available in the Q Class, but it’s a worthy price to pay if you want to stay within a tighter budget.

You can expect 220W of power, so the S55H system can get loud when you want it to be, though you may find clarity suffers a little when you really crank it up. Take advantage of the Dolby Atmos support, plus DTS Virtual:X to offer something akin to a bigger surround sound system.

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The best soundbars come in small packages

Soundbars come in all shapes and sizes. Larger soundbars have more room for bigger drivers and built-in subwoofers but can get expensive for what they offer. Smaller soundbars may not have the same punch, but they often do a better job of side-firing audio that spreads rich sound across an entire room. You can't go wrong either way, but the powerful Samsung HW-Q990C brings it in so many ways that will make you feel like your home theater has been transformed.

It's our pick for the best soundbar for several reasons, not least of which is the superb audio quality and immersive surround sound experience, but also the connectivity options and the ability to integrate or expand the system further. That is a theme with a bunch of options on this, especially those from Sonos or JBL, and you have choices within different budget constraints to consider.

Dolby Atmos gets strong support across the list, though you may have to think about what kind of setup you want, which explains why some of the selections here come with subs and rears, whereas others don't. Whatever you choose to do within your own limits, your ears will probably appreciate everything they hear.

How to choose

Soundbars come in a variety of models for good reason. Sound can come cheaper or at a premium, depending on what you're looking for and what fits your budget. As TVs continue to get bigger — and thinner — their speakers actually get worse. Built-in sound quality has been the biggest casualty in the era of flatscreen TVs with newer screen technologies.

To make the right choice, you have to consider a few key variables. What room do you plan to put it in? Do you know what ports and connections you want, as well as which ones your TV offers? Do you want it for watching movies, sports, or gaming? Are you looking for ancillary features, like Bluetooth audio streaming, Chromecast, AirPlay, or support for wireless headphones?

To make things easier, you ideally want a soundbar with an HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) port, which means it acts as both an input and output. It's a far more common port than it used to be, but if your TV is old, you may find it's not available on that end. The advantage of the port is that it routes all audio to the soundbar, regardless of what component it's coming from through the TV, be it a streaming box, game console, or Chromecast.

You may also come across soundbars that are modular, meaning you can add a subwoofer or rear speakers for a surround sound experience. With Dolby Atmos support, you can take that to another level by feeling the audible sensation of a helicopter flying overhead or police siren from behind.

No matter which way you go, a soundbar is an upgrade over a TV's own speakers. Now that they come in different forms and price points, you have great odds of finding one that fits your own home entertainment vision.

Smart speakers range from small, puck-sized ones that are great for background tunes and smart assistance to larger ones for both at home and on the go. With Google upgrading its smart speakers, even older models, with Gemini to replace Google Assistant and Amazon upgrading its options with Alexa Plus, they have gotten even better. So, if you're looking for the best smart speakers, many of them are from these two brands. But there are others as well, from brands like Sonos, that are worth considering, especially if you want to easily integrate them into larger whole-home audio systems.

Our best overall pick is the Sonos Era 100 for its amazing sound quality, compact size, and support for Amazon Alexa and Sonos' own voice control system. Sonos has recently followed it up with the simplified Sonos Era 100 SL, which is worth considering, too. If you're looking for some with a Google flavor, you can't go wrong with the Google Nest Audio smart speaker. We have the full list of great smart speakers for your below, with options whether you want to keep it on your bedside table, living room, home office, or bring it with you on the go.

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At a glance

Best overall

Like most Sonos speakers, the Sonos Era 100 offers audiophile-quality sound at a compelling price. While $250 isn't cheap, for the quality and features, it offers good value. In particular, the Era 100 punches above its weight class in sound output, considering its relatively small size. This allows the speaker to fit in just about any space, from on a bookshelf to a fireplace mantel, to your kitchen counter.

The Era 100 packs three Class-D digital amplifiers, two tweeters, and one mid-woofer in that small-ish frame. You can combine it with other Sonos devices in multi-device groups, or create a stereo pair. The device has a far-field microphone array to enable it to hear your commands from across the room, and there is also a physical mute switch for when you don't want it to hear you.

Sonos Era 100 (and the family of Sonos products in general) work with popular smart voice assistants and the widest range of content providers. As a result, Sonos speakers support more music services than Amazon or Google/Nest and work with Alexa and AirPlay 2. You can also control the Era 100 and any other Sonos speakers you may have through the Sonos app.

The biggest downside to the Sonos Era 100 is that it does not support Google Assistant. It also isn't water resistant, so you won't want to leave it outside by the pool. While it puts out strong sound, it can't quite compete with bigger, more room-filling devices like the Echo Studio.

If you're looking to save a few bucks, the Sonos Era 100 SL is newer and slightly cheaper, but it does away with the built-in mic so there's no voice control. It's otherwise identical and naturally not as "smart," but worth it if you're looking for a secondary speaker or one to add to a room where you might need enhanced audio but not necessarily smart assistance by voice.

Conversely, there's also the new Sonos Play that offers powerful sound that you can take with you on the go. For the first time, this model allows you to group multiple speakers outside the home, making it great for using out on the deck (it isn't weather-resistant, so keep that in mind) or even at the park during a cookout.

Best Alexa speaker

Amazon introduced the original Echo to Prime users in late 2014. Since then, the product has spawned not only a whole line of Amazon smart speakers but an industry full of competition. The Echo, in particular, is now on its fifth iteration, with a completely new spherical design and enhanced functionality that has made it our pick for the best overall Alexa speaker.

The Amazon Echo (4th Gen) employs a rounded design and has front-firing speakers that contribute to richer overall sound. It's eye-catching for sure but doesn't stand out more than it needs to. The components are largely made from recycled materials, and Amazon has engineered the device to be more sustainable for energy usage. The speakers are still not as complex as the Sonos One's, but the Echo does come with a line-out 3.5mm cable and Bluetooth capability, so you can pair with other speakers or connect with other Echos.

As with smartphone iterations, the likes of Amazon and Google have distinguished minor outward upgrades to add new colors, and this year, the Echo brought back a fan favorite in Twilight Blue. I'm a big fan of this color palette and am happy that we're now seeing it come to more Echo speakers across the line.

Amazon has even gone so far as to introduce some new features to the Echo and Echo Dot. If you have one of the 4th-generation models or newer, you'll now enjoy motion detection. This enables the ability to create Occupancy Routines, meaning that your lights can automatically turn off if everyone leaves the room or turn on some music while you're cleaning the house. If you think you'd benefit from its upgrades, the Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) is worth considering, too, offering improved audio, a built-in temperature sensor, and eero mesh Wi-Fi support.

Best Google speaker

Google's understated yet impressive-sounding Nest Audio employs a look somewhere between the Nest Mini (2nd Gen) diminutive puck and the shelf-sized Google Home Max, the Nest Audio is more than capable of serving as your primary smart speaker or part of a stereo pair. The device is a huge improvement over the original Google Home smart speaker, which resembled a Glade scented air freshener. It's available in five soft colors, including Chalk, Charcoal, and our favorites, Sand, Sage, and Sky.

We've been so impressed by the Nest Audio's performance that we even called it the best Google Assistant speaker available. We think it can go toe-to-toe with the latest regular-sized Amazon Echo or even the Sonos One (2nd Gen). Where it beats those speakers is in its next-generation Google Assistant integration. It can get up to 75% louder than the original Google Home and features 50% more bass than that first-generation smart speaker.

Like the Nest Mini (2nd Gen) before it, the Nest Audio's fabric shell is made from 70% post-consumer recycled materials like plastic water bottles. We applaud these efforts and look forward to future designs incorporating even more recycled and recyclable materials.

The new Google Home speaker speaker, coming in Spring 2026, adds lots of upgrades in a small package, including virtual 360° audio support, pairing with the Google TV Streamer, and access to the Gemini assistant for conversational assistance. But since Gemini is compatible with older model speakers like the Nest Audio, too, you don't necessarily have to upgrade just yet.

Best sound quality

The Echo Studio is Amazon's big bet on big, room-filling sound. We loved the first generation, and now, there's a new Echo Studio (2025) that's more compact and attractive.

It has three full-range drivers, a 3.75-inch woofer, and Dolby Atmos technology support, making it more than capable of handling high bitrate music formats that have been mastered for 3D music.

The Echo Studio also works for smart home management and security, with a physical microphone mute switch and a built-in Zigbee smart hub, plus Matter and Thread border router support. Amazon's "Certified for Humans" program aims to help smart device partners make their setup and user experiences much easier for novices. In the interim (and for older smart devices), the Zigbee hub should help make that smart device setup and interoperability much easier.

Like all Echo devices, you can pair two Echo Studio speakers together for stereo sound, or group them with other speakers in multi-room set-ups. You can also pair them with your Fire TV for a richer TV viewing and listening experience.

Best for travel

The Sonos Roam 2 is a follow-up to the original Roam, and while it does have some upgrades, it largely sounds the same as before. That's a good thing because the original already sounded pretty great for a speaker of its size. But we expected more from a second-gen product, like what Sonos did with its Era series.

The Roam 2 does not have Google Assistant due to the ongoing legal battle between the two companies, but it does have Alexa and Sonos Voice Control. The speaker comes in five colors, which is nice.

There are some worthwhile upgrades, too. Sonos fixed the biggest issue we had with the first model by giving the Roam 2 a dedicated Bluetooth button. Pairing it with a phone is also simpler now as you can pair it directly, even before you set it up with the Sonos app on your home network.

Other than this big change, most of the other aspects are similar to the first model. It's IP67 rated for dust and water resistance, works with Apple's AirPlay 2, and the built-in battery can last for up to 10 hours on one charge. Our detailed review of the Sonos Roam 2 has all the info you need. The Roam 2 launched at a slightly higher price, but it's usually available at a discounted rate.

Best value

Amazon kept the spherical design from the Echo Dot with Clock (4th gen), down to the exact same dimensions. But managed to increase the speaker size, add a built-in temperature sensor, eero router compatibility, and more. Oh, and the LED display picked up new features too. Thank you, Amazon!

Amazon kept the fan-favorite LED clock from previous models but gave it more to do than just tell time. The Echo Dot with Clock (2022) can give visual feedback when responding to queries such as weather, showing artist and song that's playing, and more. It sounds simple, but this little adjustment makes it much more useful as a smart speaker and even better value for the money than before.

During our review of the smart speaker, it was clear that even the small bump in speaker size made a difference in overall audio quality. The added temperature sensor brings even more functionality to the smart home device. You can now use the room's temperature where the speaker is placed to trigger automation, like turning on a fan.

For those using one of the best mesh Wi-Fi routers on the market from eero, using this speaker makes your internet coverage even better. The Echo Dot with Clock can act as an extender to broaden your Wi-Fi coverage by up to 1,000 square feet! This new smart speaker is a great option for a small but mighty desktop companion.

Best smart display

The Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen) is the ultimate screened Alexa portal and just might be the best smart display overall right now. Yes, all that innovation comes at a price. But the features justify the cost for many people.

This Echo Show has a large screen and fabulous speaker array along with a great camera. The speakers take advantage of the 360-degree base to project a fuller sound, and the 13MP camera is twice as good as that on the Nest Hub Max (and better than the Google Pixel Tablet, too). Not only do those features make it the perfect home video calling device because they can keep you in the frame during calls, but they also make for a fantastic content consumption device.

The display uses advanced technology to track your movements when enabled, meaning you can always see that cooking video or Netflix show while you're moving around the kitchen preparing a meal.

The Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen) is built with privacy in mind, with a built-in, physical camera cover and microphone mute switch. So even though the tracking technology cannot identify you, nor does it save any image data, you can disable it at any time. But if you want to use the device to monitor your home while you're away, you can do that too with an Alexa Guard Plus subscription.

If you want to go even bigger, you can opt for the Amazon Echo Show 15 or even 21, which have 15-inch and 21-inch screens, respectively, perfect for mounting on the wall.

Best speaker for kids

Amazon has created parallel product lines for its Fire tablets and the Echo Dot that it calls Kids Edition devices. Generally speaking, these come in more playful colors and feature kid-friendly content, strong parental controls, and even stronger product warranties. Oh yeah, and they're more expensive than the "regular" versions of the products.

However, what you get for the increased price is value and peace of mind. The Echo Dot Kids Edition (2022) comes with one year of Amazon Kids+, Amazon's curated service of kid-friendly and age-appropriate content. In addition to tailored music, stories, and audiobooks, several kid-friendly skills are available on this Dot. Amazon Kids+ makes parental controls easy, allowing them to set time limits, content, and purchase restrictions.

Protecting the device is just as important as controlling what content your kids have access to. Let's face it. Kids destroy things. The Echo Dot Kids Edition comes with a two-year worry-free guarantee, which means that Amazon will replace the device if it breaks, no questions asked! So, if it falls off the table or your child gets a bit rough with it, Amazon will replace it should it break.

As for the device itself, it benefits from all the new features that are in the Echo Dot with Clock from above, aside from the LED display. With the "Hey, Disney" voice assistant, kids can enjoy magical worlds and Disney-specific features like trivia, soundscapes, and more.

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How to choose

Which smart speaker is best? 

If you want a good-sounding smart speaker with platform and assistant flexibility, we recommend going with the Sonos Era 100. While it doesn't work with Google Assistant, it works with Alexa and Sonos Voice Control, along with the most content partnerships, and sounds great. But if you want to look beyond our top pick, it's important to ask yourself the following questions.

1. Are you locked into a particular ecosystem?

Some, but not all, of the best smart speakers are made by Amazon, Apple, or Google. But even others are intertwined with those companies' software platforms, smart voice assistants, and overall ecosystems. Chances are, if you are an Alexa household, you're not going to be well served by considering an Apple or Google smart speaker.

Beyond platform and OS lock-in, however, you will also want to consider the third-party apps and connected home devices you want to pair with your smart speakers. Some speakers like the HomePod mini don't work with Spotify or YouTube Music, while Nest devices don't play well with Ring security products. And speakers from companies like Sonos and Bose have mixed results with smart home integrations. Before you purchase your smart speaker, take an inventory of your apps, devices, and services, and see which are compatible with what devices.

2. Do you need portability?

Many smart speakers are intended to be stationary, remaining plugged into the outlet somewhere in your home or office. You can indeed unplug and move them to another room, but unless they have a built-in battery, you're not going to be taking them to the beach or pool. So for those use cases, you're going to want to look away from Amazon, Apple, and Google and towards companies like Ultimate Ears and Sonos.

3. How much do privacy and security matter to you?

If you're concerned about always having connected microphones and/or cameras in your home, you'll want to look at devices that have built-in physical controls like mute switches and camera covers. The latest smart speakers from Amazon and Google/Nest have these features and even show indicator lights and play audio cues to let you know when they're not watching or listening.

Even the more basic smart speakers these days have a mute button to prevent voice assistants from accidentally hearing something they perhaps shouldn't. And Amazon, Apple, and Google all give you various degrees of control over your voice recordings and history, with some even offering the ability to delete voice records at a certain time automatically or to do so on-demand.

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Sonos has become synonymous with great audio quality in compact packages and is also known for being a bit expensive in its products. With that said, few have used a Sonos product and thought it didn't live up to the price. In the past few years, the company has been working on expanding its product offerings to include products at more price points — enter the Sonos Beam (Gen 2). 

Yes, this is the second generation, and it continues the push to provide products at more prices. The new Beam comes in at $50 more than its predecessor and only picks up a few upgrades. So, do the new features make up for the rise in cost? I've spent a few months using the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) in multiple setups to answer that question.

Sonos Beam (Gen 2): Price and availability

The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) launched in October 2021 at $449. The soundbar comes in two colors — black and white. The availability of the soundbar is broad as it can be found at many retailers such as Amazon, Best Buy, Target, Sonos, and more. The pricing has stayed relatively steady with very few discounts, and as of the publication of this review, the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) is selling for the launch price of $449.

Sonos Beam (Gen 2): What's good

Until I used the Sonos Beam (Gen 2), I had never used a Sonos device. I had heard them at friends' homes but never personally. So, my excitement was high because I knew that Sonos had made some of the best speakers for years, and the original Sonos Beam being so highly-regarded, I couldn't wait to implement it into my home theater setup.

Unboxing the Sonos Beam (Gen 2), which I'm going to refer to as the Sonos Beam moving forward, and should I compare it or reference the original, I will denote that it was obvious that it is a very well-built device. There is no creaking in the plastic, no rattling or hollow feeling. The box contains only the speaker, a six-foot power cord, a 4.9-foot HDMI cable, an optical audio adapter, and some paperwork.

On top of the Beam are the same capacitive buttons found on the original soundbar. Around the back are the ports for connecting the power cable, an Ethernet cord, a new eARC HDMI port, and the Sonos Join button. Along with updating the HDMI port for the second-gen Beam, the cloth that served as the speaker grill on the first generation is now plastic.

Setup for the Sonos Beam is so easy. Simply download the Sonos app, connect the speaker to your TV using the HDMI cable, plug the speaker into power, and follow the steps in the app. Sonos' app is very clean and does a great job walking through the setup process. Once you connect the app to the speaker, you can adjust it to best fit your room and sound preferences. 

As for those adjustments, there are not many advanced tuning options in the app, as Sonos puts a great deal of effort into ensuring all of its excellent speakers sound great right out of the box. So, if you are someone who likes to tweak every bit of how a speaker sounds — Sonos may not be for you.

What Sonos allows you to adjust are the treble and bass with sliders, loudness with a toggle, the audio's height, and the maximum volume. The Height Audio setting only applies to Dolby Atmos-enabled speakers. According to Sonos, "Dolby Atmos provides two height audio channels that provide sound above the listening area to expand the sound stage beyond the horizontal plane."

The app also lets you connect your Sonos Beam to music providers and voice assistants outside the Sonos-branded options. In June 2022, the company launched its own voice assistant, Sonos Voice Control. In using the voice assistant, I was very impressed with the processing speed and accuracy of what it hears. I've used the best Google Assistant and Alexa speakers, and Sonos Voice Control is by far the fastest in its response.

While the Sonos Voice Control won't be controlling your smart home, it does do a great job of answering basic questions and controlling all of your Sonos devices. If you want more of a complete voice assistant to manage music and your smart home, then you'll want to add Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa. 

With all of that said, we are talking about a speaker here — how does it sound? Well, pretty great. I was truly impressed the first time I fired up a movie with the way Sonos is able to create virtual surround sound. Not only does the sound seem as though it is coming from all sides, but it is a very full sound. 

While the original Sonos Beam does a great job of separating sounds to give the impression of surround sound, the addition of Dolby Atmos support in the Gen 2 makes a big difference. This is made possible because of the new eARC HDMI port and a more robust processor in the soundbar.

The bulk of the Gen 2 components are the same as the prior generation Beam, but the new HDMI port and better processor allow for improved sound and new features. Keep in mind that just because the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) supports Dolby Atmos and the movie you are watching offers the feature, if your TV doesn't support the sound profile — you won't get Dolby Atmos.

I anticipated the Sonos Beam to have great mid and high tones, and it did, but what really surprised me aside from the virtual surround sound was the amount of bass the soundbar produces. When watching movies with explosions or the rumbling of a vehicle rolling past, I was met with solid low-range sounds from the Beam.

Now, don't expect the Beam alone to shake your home. But, by complementing the soundbar with a subwoofer like the new Sonos Sub Mini, you can. Then add a couple of Sonos One speakers to improve the surround sound experience even further.

Sonos Beam (Gen 2): What's not good

Ok, with so many good things going for the Sonos Beam (Gen 2), could there possibly be anything bad about the soundbar? Well, of course, but the issues are the kind where we say "nothing is perfect" and we look for negatives. Right off the bat, the first thing that most people will point to as a drawback of the soundbar is the price. 

As with Sonos' other devices, the Beam is priced well above similar devices in the soundbar segment. At $449, it will be a tough pill to swallow for some consumers, considering it is only the soundbar with no satellite speakers or subwoofer. There are plenty of options to get a complete set for the same or less money. They may not offer Dolby Atmos or have the richness of the Beam, but they'll still sound better than your TV's built-in speakers, and you'll have a more complete experience.

For years, I have been using a Vizio soundbar with two satellite speakers connecting to the wireless subwoofer. Would beat out the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with its companion speakers, no. But the Vizio system offers a better experience for me in my home because of my living room's shape — which leads to the next issue.

I have a long rectangular living room with average ceiling height and width. The issue the Sonos Beam faces in larger rooms is that it struggles to give the same virtual surround sound experience because of how much space it has to cover. The soundbar alone is far better than if I were to use my Vizio system's soundbar alone. But, that's where utilizing additional speakers to stretch the sound stage provides a better overall audio experience than the Beam can offer on its own in a larger room.

One trick that Sonos has to adjust and tune its speakers to work best in space is Trueplay. This feature takes advantage of a smartphone's microphones and specific sounds emitted from the speaker to adjust where the sound comes from and at what levels from the soundbar. It's easy to do, and theoretically, you only have to do this once after you set the speaker up. However, the problem is that it's only available for iOS.

Would Trueplay on Android make a significant difference in how the speaker sounds in a larger room, maybe? If the Sonos Beam better knew the size and shape of the room, it might be able to adjust to it and offer a better experience. I mean, that is the goal of Trueplay. But, at some point, the software can only do so much to compensate for physical hardware. Unfortunately, Android users can't find out since the feature isn't available for us.

Finally, it's a bit annoying that you can't have Google Assistant and Sonos Voice Control active simultaneously. I like using the native voice assistant for Sonos-related things, but I still want to use the Beam as a smart speaker to control smart home devices. 

At least Sonos does allow users to link the many of the best music streaming services to the speaker at once. So, you can ask Sonos to play audio from Sonos Radio and Spotify or YouTube Music. I don't think this issue takes away from all the positives the Sonos Beam offers, but it is disappointing.

Sonos Beam (Gen 2): Competition

Though Sonos makes some of the best soundbars you can buy today, as I mentioned above, they might not be the best for your room size or budget. If you want a complete surround sound system but don't want to spend more than $500, something like the VIZIO M51ax-J6 as part of the M-Series for $328 on Amazon might do the trick.

The VIZIO M51ax-J6 offers a 5.1 sound system from the soundbar, two satellite speakers, and a subwoofer for an immersive sound stage. It supports Dolby Atmos from the eARC HDMI port to level up your movie-watching experience. It even works with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa so that you can stream your favorite audio through your home theater system. But you won't get the same level of audio quality as you would from a complete Sonos system, but if your budget and room size calls for another option, this is one to consider.

If you are are really on a budget but still want a soundbar that offers Dolby Atmos support and enough bass to rattle the windows, the Polk Audio Signa S4 is worth a look. It has a 7-speaker soundbar with True 3D Surround Sound and Dolby Atmos. Taking it a step further, it also comes with a subwoofer to better fill your entertainment space with bass.

Polk has a few software tricks in its speaker to enhance the experience with its VoiceAdjust feature. It tries to ensure that vocals are enhanced so you can clearly understand what is being said. Sonos offers a similar feature, higher-quality speakers drivers, voice assistant integration, and wireless connectivity to stream music. But, depending on your budget, at $349, the Signa S4 could be a better fit for you.

Sonos Beam (Gen 2): Should you buy it?

You should buy this if...

• You are already in the Sonos ecosystem.
• You have a small to medium-sized room.
• You don't want to mess with setting up multiple speakers for surround sound. 
• You want to use your soundbar as a smart speaker.

You shouldn't buy this if...

• You want to tune your speaker manually.
• You want a cheap soundbar.
• You plan on using it in a large room and don't want to buy extra speakers.

The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) is a fantastic choice for most people looking for a premium soundbar. It won't come cheap, but it is a case of you getting what you pay for. The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) produces accurate and warm sounds with an impressive amount of bass for a soundbar. The addition of the eARC HDMI port brings support for Dolby Atmos, which was missing from the first Beam. Then add in the improved processor, and the overall surround sound experience gets elevated further.

But for those who enjoy tweaking every bit of how a speaker sounds, the Sonos Beam won't be for you. Because of the limited set of adjustments allowed, you are left with trusting the Sonos sound engineers for the most part. Then there is the issue of room size. Putting the Sonos Beam into a large room will negate much of the impressive virtual surround sound features. So, keep in mind that if you have such a situation, you will likely want to spring for additional Sonos speakers if you don't already have them.

Let me be clear. It doesn't sound bad in a large room. If you are trying to get into the Sonos ecosystem, need a soundbar, and it's in your budget, then get it. Then down the line, add more Sonos speakers to fill the gaps. Ultimately, the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) is a very impressive soundbar that will sound fantastic in most rooms and will likely surprise you at how great it sounds.

What you need to know

• Sonos announced its new compact subwoofer, the Sub Mini.
• The Sub Mini is said to pair well with other Sonos products for "cinematic" sound quality and incredible lows while streaming content.
• The Sub Mini begins preorders today for $429 and €499 respectively, with its expected shipping date of October 6.

The Sonos Sub Mini has been a highly-anticipated device from the audio company, with rumors about it possibly being delayed only heightening the anticipation for its arrival. The wait is now over as Sonos finally launched the Sub Mini on Tuesday, bringing a small, curvy subwoofer with the ability to provide powerful bass.

Sonos' new one-foot tall Sub Mini is here to finally bring you the lowest lows with bass that'll pit you in the midst of the action of whatever you're streaming or listening to. The Sub Mini will enhance your streamed content and music  "with surprisingly rich, clear, and balanced low end."

The Sonos Sub Mini features dual custom woofers along with advanced processing with generates deep, dynamic low sound while eliminating buzz, rattle, and distortion. The Sub Mini, due to this advanced processing, has the capability of producing sound as if it were a larger subwoofer by enhancing its acoustics and by offering fully-tuned low frequencies.

The new curvy subwoofer's balanced sound feature ensures the Sub Mini can produce its higher-quality lows while understanding the abilities of the devices you may pair it with. 

According to Sonos, the advanced digital signal processing will maximize the bass response and will handle those lower frequencies when paired with the likes of the Sonos Ray or Beam. In the process, those paired devices will focus on their mid-range and high-frequency sounds to bring about a richer sound experience alongside the Sub Mini.

Sonos says that sound everywhere is improving, from creators and platforms looking for more premium sound to video streaming services focusing on "bigger, better" content.

With the Sub Mini, you can enjoy streaming your music, podcasts, radio, and even audiobooks. Through Sonos Radio in the Sonos app, users can find free curated playlists, original shows, and live radio stations. You're also to stream music from Spotify, Pandora, Amazon Music, and iHeartRadio, along with several others.

Sonos' new compact, powerful subwoofer is easily set up with a sole cable and a few taps on the mobile app. Sonos explains that users simply need to plug in its power cable, open the app, and follow some quick instructions to get the Sub Mini connected via Wi-Fi for a wireless experience, along with pairing it with any other product.

The volume of your entire sound system has also been streamlined. When the Sub Mini is paired with a Sonos soundbar or speaker, the volume is automatically adjusted for you. Users can open the app and manually adjust the bass levels and EQ to their own taste. Sonos encourages mixing and matching the Sub Mini with some of the best Sonos speakers to find the perfect sound system for your home.

The Sonos Sub Mini, designed for small to medium-sized rooms, begins preorders today for $429 and €499 in North America and Europe. The estimated shipping date for the latest compact subwoofer is set for October 6.

What you need to know

• Sonos appears to be developing a new high-end speaker called the "Optimo 2."
• This new speaker would feature Dolby Atmos sound and built-in microphones, with more RAM and flash memory when compared to other Sonos speakers.
• The Optimo 2 is also one of three products Sonos is working on, including the "Optimo 1" and "Optimo SL."

Sonos seems to be working on a new high-end speaker codenamed "Optimo 2."

Apparently, The Verge was able to view in-progress images of Sonos' next potential flagship speaker. From the images, the new speaker is apparently designed with a dual-angled shell and, based on some details The Verge was able to obtain, could end up being Sonos' best-sounding speaker.

The 3D mockup of the proposed Optimo 2 shows its current design. The image is of the front of the device. It's also being speculated that the device will stick to Sonos' classic white and black coloring for speakers.

It goes without saying that this new high-end speaker's design looks quite similar to the Sonos Play:5. The Verge cites people closer to the project in saying that the Optimo 2 comes with "twice as much RAM and as much as eight times more flash memory than any previous Sonos speaker." It also appears as though Sonos is looking to support the speaker long-term with consistent software updates.

The Optimo 2 is said to include Dolby Atmos and sport drivers that fire in several different directions for all-around sound. In addition to music playback over Wi-Fi, the speaker may also support Bluetooth playback availability, something normally included in the company's portable speakers like the Sonos Move and Roam. The device could also take things a step further by including in-line USB-C support for music playback.

According to the in-progress build, the Optimo 2 comes with built-in microphones, which could assist the speaker in sound optimization and bring support for Sonos Voice Control. Notably, the company was recently sued by Google over its voice control technology. However, Sonos did not seem troubled by the move, saying that Google's suit is "an intimidation tactic designed to retaliate against Sonos for speaking out against Google's monopolistic practices."

The Verge reports that the Optimo 2 will take the lead among other products being produced by the company. The two other speakers currently in the works are reportedly the "Optimo 1" and "Optimo SL," the latter of which will follow products like the Roam SL by omitting microphones, likely making it a cheaper option among the three.

Meanwhile, we're still waiting on the Sonos Sub-Mini to be fully revealed, although it was reportedly pushed back following the company's troubling quarter.

What you need to know

• Sonos is delaying a product launch and it's rumored to be its Sub Mini subwoofer.
• Sonos announced it would be delaying a product launch from Q4 2022, setting it up for a likely Q1 2023 launch.
• The company could be in for a difficult Q4 2022 as Sonos places some blame on the lackluster interest level for its Ray soundbar.

Sonos appears to be pushing back the launch of a long-awaited audio accessory, according to the company's latest earnings report.

According to The Verge, the product in question is speculated to be the rumored Sonos Sub Mini. This new product would be the audio company's smaller, cheaper subwoofer that could be used alongside other home theater setups. 

The Sub Mini had apparently appeared at the FCC in June, which would usually signal an upcoming launch date for a product. However, Sonos is now saying that it is delaying the release of an unnamed product until Q1 2023, at the latest.

The Verge received confirmation via a spokesperson who told the publication that Sonos "decided to push an anticipated product launch from Q4 ’22 into Q1 ’23." Thus, we could be waiting quite a few months for this new device, although it could arrive as early as October if we're lucky.

As speculated by the FCC documents discovered by The Verge, the rumored Sonos Sub Mini will sport a cylindrical design and will apparently come in black and white color options. It would join some of the best Sonos speakers to launch this year like the Sonos Roam and Sonos Ray, as the company attempts to minimize the size (and price tags) of its devices. That said, considering the high price tag of the much more expensive Sonos Sub, it remains to be seen just how much cheaper this miniature version will be. Unfortunately, we'll have to wait a bit longer to get an answer.

Meanwhile, Sonos is currently locked in an ongoing battle with Google over patents, with the search giant filing a new suit of its own just this week. Given the company's already troubling quarter, the last thing Sonos needs is an import ban.

What you need to know

• Google has filed a lawsuit against Sonos over its use of voice control technology.
• Sonos Voice Control launched earlier this year, letting users control music playback with their voice.
• Sonos was previously granted an injunction against Google products infringing on its patents.

There's a new twist in the troubled tale between Google and Sonos as the former files a lawsuit against the latter for patent infringement. The culprit: a new feature Sonos recently introduced onto its speakers.

The lawsuit was filed on Monday, with the complaint alleging that Sonos infringed on a collection of patents related to voice recognition and voice control:

"Google has patented inventions on innovative technologies for enabling voice assistant technology and providing improvements to the efficiency, reliability, and durability of voice-controlled and battery-powered devices. Sonos is using, without permission, these technologies in its products to enable multiple commercially-desirable features."

Google points out the new Sonos Voice Control feature that was just launched in June, which allows some of the company's best speakers to listen for a "hotword" to quickly and "efficiently" respond to a user's command. Google says that Sonos is not licensed to use the search giant's intellectual property for this purpose. It also alleges that products like the portable Sonos Roam infringe on its wireless charging technology.

In a statement to The Verge, a Google spokesperson said that the company plans to defend its technology against Sonos, saying that Sonos "started an aggressive and misleading campaign against our products, at the expense of our shared customers."

This is, of course, about the ongoing patent dispute between the companies, which came to a head earlier this year when Sonos was granted an injunction against several Google products infringing on its patents. However, to avoid the import ban, Google made several changes to how its smart speakers handle audio.

However, Google says it, too, can play that game, and plans to file with the US International Trade Commission in an attempt to have an import ban placed on Sonos products.

In response, Sonos Chief Legal Officer Eddie Lazarus issued a statement suggesting that Google's lawsuit would get it nowhere.

"Google previously sued us all over the world and Sonos has prevailed in every decided case. By contrast, the courts have repeatedly validated Sonos' claims that Google is infringing its core patented smart speaker technology. Google's new lawsuits are an intimidation tactic designed to retaliate against Sonos for speaking out against Google's monopolistic practices, avoid paying Sonos a fair royalty for the roughly 200 patents it is currently infringing, and grind down a smaller competitor whose innovations it has misappropriated. It will not succeed."

What you need to know

• Google says some Pixel phones in the U.S. and Canada are temporarily unable to set up new smart home products.
• The company says the disruption was caused by Sonos, although it does not go into detail.
• This is likely related to the recent import ban Sonos won against Google and the ongoing patent case between the two.
• Sonos maintains that Google is wrongly blaming them and that the search giant should take responsibility for infringing on its patents.

The drama between Google and Sonos continues as the search giant addresses a temporary disruption that some Pixel users are experiencing when setting up new smart home devices with Google Home.

Google issued a blog post on Monday, saying that a small number of Pixel users cannot set up new smart home products "because of an interruption caused by Sonos." The company does not detail the exact cause of the interruption but says that it likely affects a small number of Pixel users in both countries. Google is "hopeful that this is a temporary decision."

Google says that users trying to set up devices in the Google Home app may experience a "Device needs to be activated before setup" message, whether it's an older device they haven't set up in a while or one they're setting up for the first time.

Android/Google TV devices can still be activated through the regular TV flow. Meanwhile, anyone outside the U.S. and Canada can set up any of the best smart speakers, displays, or other smart devices using the Device Utility app. Users residing in the U.S. and Canada are encouraged to contact Google for support.

The problem likely stems from the drama between Google and Sonos, which came to a head earlier this year when the audio company was granted an import ban on Google smart home products infringing on its patents. In response, Google had to make changes to how Google Home handled its smart devices and required some users to use the Device Utility app for setup.

While the ruling from that case is being appealed, a second patent case between the two companies is currently underway.

"Google's Pixel disruption is the direct result of its decision to infringe Sonos' patents rather than license them, as the International Trade Commission ruled, a Sonos spokesperson tells Android Central. "It is entirely Google's decision to inflict further harm to its customers rather than behave responsibly, and it's the height of arrogance to try to blame the company whose innovations it's misappropriating."

Meanwhile, a Google spokesperson gave the following statement to 9to5Google, maintaining that Sonos is causing usability problems for consumers in its ecosystem:

"This decision temporarily impacts a small number of Pixel users who set up a speaker or display for the first time with the Device Utility App. We will work with them to minimize disruption. Our support teams are on hand to fix any issues they have and if needed, we will send replacement devices or offer a Google store credit. Over the years, we have worked hard to make sure that our shared customers would have a positive experience and are disappointed that Sonos continues to use the legal system in a way that deliberately creates issues for these users."

Meanwhile, Sonos recently launched its own smart voice assistant for devices such as the Sonos Roam, which will be used to handle audio-related requests.

What you need to know

• Sonos has launched its new Sonos Voice Control on its lineup of speakers.
• Sonos Voice Control is a voice assistant that can control your speakers and various music streaming services.
• Voice requests are processed on-device for added privacy.
• The new voice assistant is available in the U.S. as of June 1 and will launch in France later in the year.

Google Assistant and Alexa may be the most popular options for voice assistants on the best smart speakers, but now Sonos has launched its own assistant for its lineup of speakers.

The new Sonos Voice Control (SVC) is a new voice assistant that will arrive on select Sonos speakers. Sonos clarifies that SVC is not a general-purpose assistant like some others and was designed to give you the best experience with your music. It enables you to control the playback of your favorite tunes from a variety of streaming services like Spotify, Deezer, Apple Music, Pandora, Amazon Music, and of course, Sonos Radio.

Additionally, you can transfer music around the house or create new groups just with your voice. The assistant is smart enough to continue listening to multiple requests without needing the "Hey Sonos" wake word every time. You can even stack requests by saying something like, "Hey Sonos, play The Midnight very loudly," or "Hey Sonos, stop playing in the kitchen and play in the living room instead." The assistant should be able to understand everyday language to better handle queries.

Sonos says that it's limiting responses and chimes so users won't have to wait to listen to their music after a request. This is probably one pain point that many Google Assistant users have when asking to play music, having to wait for the assistant to repeat (often rather loudly) your song request. However, when it does issue responses, Sonos users in the United States will receive a "familiar voice experience" thanks to the warm tones of actor Giancarlo Esposito.

The voice assistant was also built with privacy in mind. SVC processes your voice locally and now over the cloud, which should give users some peace of mind.

Sonos Voice Control is available as of June first in the U.S. You can set it up via the Sonos app on all Sonos voice-enabled speakers running its S2 software, including the portable Sonos Roam. SVC will come to France later this year with plans to expand to other markets.

What you need to know

• The Sonos Ray is the company's latest soundbar offering. 
• It's positioned as a more budget-friendly alternative, while still offering the same great audio experience.
• This soundbar is priced at $279 and will be released on June 7. 

Over the course of the past month or so, we’ve been hearing more and more about a budget-friendly Sonos soundbar being close to launch. The leaks started with a rather detailed breakdown, followed by a retailer spilling the beans. And now, the Sonos Ray has officially been announced, set to be released on June 7. 

This is easily the cheapest soundbar in the Sonos lineup, with the Ray coming in at $279. If you move one step up, you’ll find the Beam with its eye-watering $449 price point, and that’s without even thinking about the Sonos Arc. But in order to get make Ray so affordable, Sonos had to cut some corners and remove some features. 

One of the biggest omissions with this new soundbar is that you won’t find an HDMI port anywhere. Instead, you’ll only have the option for an optical connection, which should be fine for most users who just want better sound than what their TVs produce. But it’s also important to note that if you plan on connecting the Ray directly to your PS5 or Xbox Series S/X, you could run into a bit of audio lag from time to time. 

The decision to use an optical connection over HDMI means that Ray potentially takes a hit in audio quality. Unlike other soundbars in this price range (and below), the Ray does not support Dolby Atmos. It still supports Dolby Digital and DTS Digital Surround, but you might be better served elsewhere if you really want the Atmos support.

Under the minimal case shell, Sonos packs four Class-D amplifiers, two tweeters for high-response, two high-efficiency mid-woofers, and a “Bass Reflex System.” All of which have been tuned using Sonos’ Truplay tuning technology that adapts to the space around the soundbar. 

The usual features are also on board with this new soundbar, as Sonos is making it possible to seamlessly pair the Ray with other Sonos speakers and soundbars. You’ll still be able to enjoy your favorite music streaming services, via AirPlay 2 or the Sonos app. But this leads us to another surprising omission as the Ray does not include a built-in microphone. This means that you’ll need to enlist the help of the best smart speakers if you want to take advantage of voice controls.

Along with the lower price tag, a big benefit to getting this new soundbar is for those who want a compact, yet powerful, soundbar. The Ray is less than 3-inches tall and is 22-inches wide while weighing just 4.29 pounds. Sonos is also offering a new wall mount and the soundbar has been designed to be used horizontally or mounted vertically. This opens the door to improving the audio quality for your home theater even more since you can pair it with pretty much every other speaker or soundbar in the Sonos lineup. 

You can pre-order the Sonos Ray directly from the Sonos website, with the release date set for June 7. While this new soundbar won’t be able to compete with some of the best budget soundbars, it definitely is an intriguing option for under $300.

What you need to know

• Sonos' supposed $250 soundbar has appeared on a Columbian online retailer.
• The product listing seems to confirm the Sonos Ray as the name of the next soundbar.
• According to the listing, Sonos will keep the cost down by omitting a few features.

Back in April, an upcoming Sonos soundbar was leaked with a codename of "Fury" and an internal model name of "S36." According to the leak, Sonos is nearing the launch of its first sub-$300 soundbar, coming in at a price of around $250. 

As spotted by The Verge, this previously-leaked soundbar made an appearance on Columbian retailer Ktronix. While the online landing page is no longer available, we now have some official-looking renders that match up with previous renders. According to the listing, the Sonos "Fury" will actually be released as the Sonos Ray. As this retailer is based in the country of Columbia, the ~$323 price tag doesn't exactly match up with previous claims. But overseas pricing rarely matches up with what we see here in the States compared to countries abroad.

Along with the pricing and name, this listing also provided some indication as to what features would be available, along with where Sonos plans to cut corners. Thanks to these renders, we can see that there are three touch-sensitive controls at the top, along with an LED status light above the Sonos branding. 

Moving to the back, you won't find much in the way of connectivity, as the renders reveal only a single optical audio input port and an Ethernet jack. This means that you won't be able to connect the Ray to your TV using an HDMI cable, as you would with some of the best soundbars. Other missing features include the lack of built-in microphones for voice control, along with making use of just a pair of tweeters and a pair of woofers.

While it may seem like a bad thing for Sonos to ditch the built-in microphones, the listing did reveal that Sonos still plans to provide voice assistant support through the likes of Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Doing so still provides users the ability to use their favorite smart speakers in conjunction with this upcoming soundbar once released.

The final major missing feature is the lack of Dolby Atmos support when using the Sonos Ray as a standalone soundbar. But it appears as though Sonos could allow owners of the Arc and Beam to use the Ray as rear-mounted surround speakers. As noted by The Verge:

We're still awaiting an official announcement or confirmation from Sonos in regards to the Ray. But this is shaping up to be one of the more impressive and versatile soundbar releases that we've seen. Previous rumors point to an early June announcement, giving us just over a month until the next best soundbar could be unveiled.

What you need to know

• A new leak suggests the Sonos "Fury" soundbar will debut in early June. 
• This soundbar is said to be priced around $249 and will be the cheapest Sonos soundbar to date.
• The leak claims that it will lack Dolby Atmos support and built-in microphones.

For years, we've know Sonos to be at the top of the tower for those looking at the best soundbars. While options like the Beam and Arc are specifically aimed at the higher-end market, Sonos has decided to stay out of the more budget-friendly market. But it seems that won't be the case for too much longer.

A new leak from The Verge describes the Sonos "Fury," which is internally known as "model S36." Pricing for the Fury is said to come in at $249, which is at least $200 cheaper than the ultra-popular Sonos Beam lineup and even cheaper than the Sonos Move. Coming in at this price point allows Sonos to better compete with the likes of Vizio and Yamaha while leaving others like Roku to clean up the sub-$200 market.

The Verge also provided a couple of in-house created renders that are based on the dimensions and available in the leak. These show a rather muted design on the whole, and it seems that there won't even be any physical buttons on the top to control the audio playback.

Of course, releasing a new soundbar at this much-lower price point means that we're in store for some compromises. According to The Verge, the Sonos Fury will not include Dolby Atmos support, nor will it include any built-in microphones for voice assistant commands. Another surprising omission seems to be the lack of an HDMI eARC port, instead leaving the Fury to only be connected using an optical cable. 

As noted in this leak, Sonos is set to also release a new soundbar mount that will allow the Fury to be mounted either vertically or horizontally. It's said that "Sonos anticipates that a fair number of customers will use the new soundbar as paired surrounds for the high-end Sonos Arc." This will provide a Dolby Digital surround sound 5.1 system with the audio quality you would expect from a Sonos soundbar while allowing the Arc to provide all of the power and smart home features you would want.

Finally, The Verge claims that Sonos is likely to formally introduce its next soundbar on June 7, a little more than a month away. Sonos also responded to The Verge, stating that it "don’t comment on rumor or speculation."

What you need to know

• Sonos appears to be dabbling in TV streaming with a couple of new recruitment efforts.
• The company is looking for people with experience in streaming media.
• A Sonos executive confirmed that it is developing a new home theater project.

Sonos makes some of the best soundbars on the market, but it appears the company is branching out into video streaming. Protocol reports that the company is looking to fill a variety of new positions in its home theater project.

The latest round of recruitment marks Sonos' growing effort in the TV streaming business. According to a recent Fortune Business Insights report, the video streaming market will be worth $932.29 billion by 2028.

Sonos is dabbling in this growing segment with a new "home theater OS" project. In a LinkedIn post, Sonos Chief Innovation Officer Nick Millington confirmed that he is working on the project and is looking for an executive with streaming media experience.

One job posting is for a head of partnerships with a focus on home theater. That person "will play a pivotal role in connecting users to the content and services they love with [the] Sonos quality experiences they’ve come to expect."

Sonos is also looking for a UX lead to oversee its next-generation home theater experience. Applicants must have multiple years of experience "designing UX for consumer-facing products across mobile (both iOS and Android) and/or TV that have successfully shipped." This role entails working "across device surfaces (mobile, television, tablet, and HW remote) to deliver a next-generation content delivery experience."

Another job listing is for a principal platform product manager. The role requires someone with experience in platform or OS product management, among other requirements, in order to "develop and evolve an OS and media platform roadmap."

Sonos' current focus is on soundbars and smart speakers that customers can control with a standard TV remote, a mobile device, or digital assistants like the Sonos Beam.

The new effort could signify a shift in strategy for Sonos, which explored the idea of turning soundbars into media players that could run TV apps, according to Protocol. It also tried to partner with TV manufacturers several years ago to integrate its speakers into TVs.

What you need to know

• Sonos has introduced a cheaper version of its Roam portable speaker.
• The Sonos Roam SL retains generally the same hardware specs as the original version, except for the microphone.
• It costs $159/€179, but it doesn't support any digital assistant.

Sonos launched the Sonos Roam last year as its cheapest portable speaker yet, complete with a bunch of smart capabilities such as support for voice assistants and automatic tuning. However, the speaker got pricier a few months later after Sonos raised the prices of several of its products, presumably due to the global chip shortage.

The company has now dropped some of those features to produce a more affordable version of one of the best Bluetooth speakers. The Sonos Roam SL costs $159 (€179), but without the microphone.

Sonos' latest speaker is $20 cheaper than the original model, although it lacks a few smart functionalities, including support for Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa.

Those aren't the only compromises you'll have to deal with: the Roam SL also foregoes automatic Trueplay tuning based on your surroundings, as well as the Sound Swap feature for switching audio between Roam and a nearby Sonos speaker.

Apart from those trade-offs, the Roam SL resembles the original model in many ways. It has the same triangular body and matte finish as the Roam, and you can place it upright to save some space or horizontally for stability. Sonos says the speaker provides the "best listening experience" in either position by enabling sound to adapt to the speaker's orientation.

The Roam SL is also IP67 rated for dust resistance and waterproof, with a battery that can last up to 10 hours, depending on usage. It's powered by a quad-core 1.4GHz CPU.

The speaker can also connect to Wi-Fi, making it a part of your Sonos home theater system. Meanwhile, you can take it with you outside and pair it directly with your smartphone via Bluetooth.

Sonos also allows stereo pairing between the Roam SL and two other Roam speakers when you're on Wi-Fi for a wider soundstage.

It's not the first time Sonos has removed the mic from its speakers. The Sonos One SL debuted in 2019 without a mic, so it's not surprising that the company has done the same with the Roam.

The Roam SL is available for preorder through Sonos' online store in Shadow Black and Lunar White color variants. Shipping will begin on March 15.

What you need to know

• Sonos has reportedly acquired Bluetooth audio startup T2 Software.
• The move suggests Sonos could soon enter the wireless headphones market.
• T2 Software has been working on implementations of Bluetooth LC3, which delivers high-quality audio at significantly lower data rates than current codecs used in Bluetooth audio devices.

Smart speaker maker Sonos has purchased Bluetooth audio startup T2 Software, according to Protocol. T2 Software, which is based in Louisville, Kentucky, had been working on implementations of Bluetooth LC3, an audio codec for the Bluetooth LE audio standard.

The Bluetooth LC3 codec enables streaming of high-quality audio at significantly lower data rates than codecs used in Bluetooth audio products today, resulting in lower power consumption.

Bluetooth LC3 is described as a "new high-quality, low-power audio codec" on the Bluetooth SIG website. It is claimed to offer superior audio quality over the SBC codec, even at a 50% lower bit rate.

The Bluetooth LC3 codec also allows multiple synchronized audio streams to be sent to headphones at the same time, enabling better stereo pairing. Broadcasting audio signals to multiple endpoints is supported as well, which means users can stream the same song to multiple headphones. A similar feature is also available on the best Sonos speakers.

Sonos VP of global marketing and communications, Pete Pederson, recently posted on LinkedIn that the company is looking to partner with an ad agency for one of its "most ambitious projects."

The post also mentioned that the agency must have previous experience in "launching a new brand/product/service in an established category" and "creating a new category for an established brand." Even though there's no mention of headphones in the post, it does suggest Sonos' rumored pair of headphones could finally be announced soon.

Sonos has been rumored to be working on a pair of wireless headphones since 2019. A Bloomberg report published in early 2019 claimed the headphones would be priced over $300 and support both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.

What you need to know

• Google announced new changes to its smart speaker group volume controls after a legal ruling.
• Customers will have to adjust the volume on each Nest and Cast-enabled speaker instead of using the group volume controller.
• The changes are in response to the International Trade Commission's recent patent infringement ruling in favor of Sonos.

Google's feature that lets you control the volume of multiple smart speakers in your house at the same time is coming to an end. Following the U.S. International Trade Commission's patent ruling in favor of Sonos, the search giant announced that it's changing how you can adjust the volume of Nest and Cast-enabled speakers.

If you own multiple models of Google's best smart speakers at home such as the Nest Audio or Nest Mini, controlling their volume is getting a bit cumbersome. Google said in a Nest community blog post that you'll no longer be able to use the group volume controller to adjust the volume on your speaker groups. Instead, you'll have to do it one at a time for each speaker.

These changes apply when "you're using the Speaker Group feature to control the volume in the Google Home app, by voice with the Google Assistant, or directly on your Nest Hub display," the Google Nest team said in the post.

The new workaround comes after the ITC ruled that Google technology infringed on Sonos-owned patents in Nest and Chromecast devices. This affects Nest speakers, Chromecast devices, and Google Pixel smartphones.

In addition, the ruling bars users from adjusting a speaker group's volume using their phone's volume rocker. Google also warned users that if their speaker group includes products from other brands such as JBL and Lenovo, they must update to the latest Cast firmware version 1.52.272222 or higher. Otherwise, the speaker groups will carry on as usual.

Setting up your speakers will also get a little more unwieldy, as Google will require users to "use the 'Device Utility app' (DUA) to complete product installation and updates."

Google promised to "minimize any additional changes," but the new announcement is already a major disappointment for people who used to sync their speakers together using the multi-room audio adjustment feature.

Nest Audio

The new Nest Audio, a sleek successor to a much-loved device, offers better sound and more color than the Nest Mini.

• $75 at Walmart
• $75 at Best Buy

What you need to know

• The U.S. International Trade Commission has ruled against Google in a patent infringement case.
• The ruling posits that technology in Google is infringing on Sonos-owned patents in Nest and Chromecast devices.
• Google will have to stop selling imported products that infringe on the Sonos patents.

Many of Google's products are facing an import ban following a ruling by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) that the company has infringed on Sonos patents. The ruling, reported by The New York Times, follows a lengthy two-year battle with Sonos and affects products such as Nest speakers, Chromecast devices, and Pixel smartphones.

Sonos first sued Google in 2020, claiming that the company used their partnership to undercut Sonos and use the company's intellectual property its own products. This includes technology allowing speakers to connect and sync up wirelessly, something that many of the best Sonos speakers are known for.

Google, of course, denied the claim and countersued, claiming that Sonos infringed on several of its patents.

In August, the USITC gave a preliminary ruling in favor of Sonos, and Thursday's ruling sees the end of a long battle between the two companies. However, Google is likely to make changes to its software in order to get around the import ban.

In response to the ruling, a Sonos spokesperson provided Android Central with the following statement:

As a result of the ruling, the USITC is ordering a cease and desist on imports of Nest, Chromecast, and Pixel device products made outside the U.S. that contain the infringed Sonos patents, a ban which will go into effect in 60 days. This is, of course, pending a presidential review that could result in a potential veto of the ruling, although that's unlikely to occur.

Google spokesperson, José Castañeda, gave the following statement to Android Central:

Soundbars have come a long way in the last few years. While full-sized speakers will still sound better — sound needs space, after all — soundbars sound great for their size. That size also requires a smaller footprint in your living room and with something like the Sonos Beam, you will get great sound without a head-scratching installation process, and more. There are other great soundbars available, and we have detailed some of the best options for your home.

Best Overall: Sonos Beam Smart TV Sound Bar

With the Sonos Beam, you get a superb TV soundbar with some basic smarts. The Sonos Beam connects to your TV with HDMI-ARC, or with the included HDMI-to-Optical adapter. It only supports Alexa right now, but Google Assistant integration is coming at some point. You can control your TV with your voice if your TV supports HDMI-CEC, which most modern sets do. Controlling your TV with your voice isn't a replacement for a remote, but it's an excellent option.

Sonos' ecosystem is attractive because of how easy it is to add more of their speakers and create a surround system. You can start with the Sonos Beam and have a great soundbar. A few months later, you can pick up a couple of Sonos One speakers to add more channels. Or, you can buy a Sonos 5.1 kit with everything you need.

3D Surround Sound: Yamaha YAS-207BL Soundbar

There is surround sound, and then there is a 3-dimensional surround sound, and the Yamaha 207BL Soundbar was the first of its kind to offer 3D surround sound. With DTS Virtual:X, the 207BL will fill every inch of your room to entrench you in the action and make you feel like you are part of the movie.

Yamaha also includes the ability to stream music over Bluetooth, along with using either the included remote or the accompanying smartphone app. Plus, there is a wireless subwoofer packaged in the bundle so you can get just the right amount of bass for your favourite movie, TV show, or music playlist.

Unfortunately, while the 207BL is excellent in many facets, there are a few frustrating omissions. The first of these is the lack of integration with smart assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant. Additionally, you won't be able to pair this soundbar with other speakers, leaving you to only rely on the 207BL and subwoofer for your audio needs.

Best for small spaces: Polk Audio MagniFi Mini Soundbar

Polk is another one of those companies that prides itself on providing great audio experiences throughout your home. The MagniFi Mini Soundbar is no different and has a few tricks up its sleeves that other soundbars can't compete with.

Smart home integration is on board, as Polk has included Google Assistant with the built-in Chromecast for Google Cast. This allows you to play content directly from your smartphone, tablet, or Chromebook without having to deal with the frustrating pairing system of Bluetooth. The MagniFi Mini also includes a wireless subwoofer so that you can get that extra bass from your media, without the need for any additional wires.

As the MagniFi Mini is exceptionally compact, there is no way to mount this to your wall without installing a shelf underneath your TV. Plus, Polk has not included the ability to sync this with other speakers, even those made by Polk, so you will have to hope that this speaker gives you the desired output.

Bottom line

Soundbars come in all shapes and sizes, and there are a lot of different considerations to be taken when selecting the best one. The Sonos Beam is our favourite option with its combination of superb sound quality and ability to be paired with other Sonos speakers. This will allow you to create a genuinely immersive, surround audio experience for your home, providing the ultimate movie night.

There are some downfalls, as there is no wireless subwoofer available so the sound may not "punch" as hard as you would like. Although there is a smart assistant available with Amazon's Alexa, you may run into problems if you have to use the Optical connection, as voice commands are not accessible.

Credits — The team that worked on this guide

Andrew Myrick is a regular freelancer at Android Central and iMore. He has been a tech enthusiast ever since the original iPhone was released and continues to flip-flop between devices. You might as well hook him up to an IV filled with coffee to get him through the day. If you have any questions, you can find him on Twitter, and he'll get back to you.

What you need to know

• Sonos and Ikea have announced the follow-up to their first smart lamp speaker from 2019.
• The Symfonisk speaker ships with multiple base and shade options.
• Its lamp base alone will retail for $140 starting on October 12 in the United States and select European markets.

In 2019, Sonos and Ikea released their first Wi-Fi speaker that also functioned as a table lamp. Two years later, and perhaps with some lessons learned, the companies are back with the second-generation Symfonisk table lamp speaker.

The refreshed Symfonisk lamp speaker has an improved design and hardware for better aesthetics and sound quality. The Wi-Fi speaker has been updated with a new acoustic architecture that employs a "custom waveguide" to produce high-quality audio.

Ikea and Sonos have also come up with a variety of lampshade options with the new Symfonisk, taking into account some lessons from the previous generation. Stjepan Begic, product owner at IKEA of Sweden, said:

You can customize the lamp base with a couple of shades, but you can't purchase them as a single unit. Instead, the Symfonisk speaker is sold separately from the lampshade, which comes in white or black. The lampshades are also available in textile or glass, with black or white variants.

The new lamp also supports E26/E27 bulbs, so it should work with various light bulbs. It is mainly designed to be a standalone speaker, but you can pair it with some of the best Sonos speakers and other Symfonisk speakers such as the $199 picture frame Wi-Fi speaker.

The new lamp speaker will be available from Ikea in the United States and select European markets starting on October 12. The lamp base alone retails for $140, while the textile shade is priced at $29 and the glass shade at $39 (via The Verge).

What you need to know

• Sonos Roam has received a new update that fixes a bunch of power management and connectivity issues.
• The update should extend its battery life a bit longer when the speaker is left idle.
• Android phones running Android Oreo and up are picking up the new batch of fixes.

Sonos has pushed a new update to its Sonos S2 operating system that addresses major power management and connectivity issues with the Roam portable speaker.

The latest update includes four fixes, the most notable of which is an improvement in Roam's battery life. After installing the Sonos S2 13.3 update, the Bluetooth speaker should now last longer in standby mode.

Previously, the Sonos Roam was plagued with a pre-launch bug that caused its battery to drain much faster than expected when in idle mode. This was a major bummer for a speaker that promises up to 10 days of battery life when it goes into a low-power standby mode.

According to Sonos, the battery issue was caused by a bug in Google Assistant. As per Android Central's Daniel Bader, a factory reset did not resolve the issue, even when Assistant was disabled. At the time, the only solution was to turn off the speaker when not in use.

Sonos did not specify how much battery life the new update adds to Roam on standby, but the improvement is welcome nonetheless. Even more so after the speaker's price was raised from $169 to $179 last week, along with many of the best Sonos speakers.

In addition, the Sonos app will now notify you when "Roam is connected to a charger that isn't providing enough power to charge the battery." You can also wake up the speaker by pressing any of the playback buttons on top. Before the update, you could only use the power button on the back.

The other fix addresses some speaker connectivity issues. Now, when two Roam speakers are suddenly disconnected while in a stereo pair, they will automatically reconnect.

You can get the new update if you have the latest version of the Sonos app installed on your phone running Android Oreo and higher. It's also available on other platforms, including iOS, macOS, Windows, and Fire OS.

Sonos Roam

The Sonos Roam is one of the best Bluetooth speakers available in the market right now. You can carry the Bluetooth speaker with you anywhere, and the best part is it should now last longer on standby mode than before, thanks to a new update.

• $180 at Best Buy

It's been over three years since Sonos debuted its first modern soundbar aimed at small-to-medium sized rooms, and the industry has changed considerably since then. The Sonos Beam outperformed many competitors twice its size thanks to top-notch componentry and ample amplification, but it lacked the nascent Dolby Atmos support that has since become standard when connecting speakers to a television.

Now Sonos is correcting that with the Beam Gen 2, a modest upgrade that brings, in addition to Dolby Atmos (and therefore eARC compatibility), a faster processor, a slightly updated exterior, and a price bump to $449 USD over the original's $399. Last week, Sonos announced price hikes for all of its products as a result of the ongoing chip shortage.

In a conversation with Android Central, Sonos said that though the speaker array inside the enclosure is unchanged — there are still four mid-woofers, a center tweeter, and three passive radiators — the design has been updated to promote the two height channels that Dolby Atmos enables. The mesh enclosure that covers the original Beam, and collected a not-insignificant amount of dust, has also been swapped for a plastic one that should withstand long-term wear and tear a little more gracefully.

The actual dimensions of the second-gen Beam, which is still available in white and black, are basically identical to the original, and should accommodate most small televisions or wall-mounting situations (the company sells a separate mounting plate that's also been updated for the newer model).

While the Beam has since been supplanted by the Arc as Sonos's flagship soundbar, the second-gen model is picking up a couple of the Arc's other features, including NFC support for fast pairing, and a slightly updated design. eARC support brings true Dolby Atmos and TrueHD support through the port's wider bandwidth channel (Atmos is supported through ARC but does so by downsampling the signal, which diminishes quality).

The second-gen Beam also shares the same beamforming microphone setup as its predecessor, which means you can use Google Assistant or Alexa to play tracks from one of the many, many supported services.

As part of the Beam Gen 2's debut, Sonos is also announcing support for Amazon Music's Ultra HD Lossless tier, which offers streaming content at up to 24-bit/48Hz, and for the Arc and newest Beam (since they support eARC), support for Amazon's Atmos-powered spatial audio mixes. All products that support Sonos's S2 platform will offer Amazon Ultra HD support when it debuts later this year.

The Beam Gen 2 is coming October 5 for $449 USD / $559 CAD / £449 GBP/ €499 EUR/ $699 AUD.

What you need to know

• Sonos is reportedly raising the prices of several of its products.
• Some products won't see a price increase, while others will go up as much as $100.
• The company hinted at the price increase during its earnings call in August.
• Prices will go up on September 12.

Sonos makes some of the best Bluetooth speakers around, but many of them are about to become more expensive as the company raises the prices of more than a few devices in its product lineup.

The company has announced (via The Verge) that it will raise prices across its lineup on September 12. This includes the newly launched Sonos Roam, which is already expensive, to begin with.

The price hike will affect plenty of the company's speakers, although some will be safe from the increase, such as the Sonos Move, Port, and Boost.

While September 12 doesn't give prospective customers much time to process the changes, the move wasn't exactly out of nowhere. The company plainly stated during its Q3 earnings report in August that it would raise prices ahead of its next fiscal year.

A Sonos representative told Android Central that the company is "always assessing market dynamics including demand, supply chain and component costs and the competitive landscape, and making pricing decisions accordingly."

It's possible that the "supply chain and component costs" Sonos cites could be related to the ongoing chip shortage that's affecting various industries. However, it's unfortunate that the company has taken to raising its prices as a response.

Here are the products that will see an increase on September 12:

As noted before, a few products aren't seeing the price increase. That said, while some products are only seeing small increases, others are being hiked up as much as $100, and these speakers already aren't cheap.

September 12 is literally just around the corner, so if you've been eyeing a Sonos speaker, you should buy it now.

What you need to know

• Ikea and Sonos' latest Symfonisk speaker delivers room-filling sound and serves as a piece of art.
• It will go on sale in North America and Europe from July 15.
• The Symfonisk picture frame Wi-Fi speaker comes in two versions: Black and White.

Ikea and Sonos have announced a new addition to their Symfonisk line of products that serve a dual purpose. The new Symfonisk picture frame Wi-Fi speaker combines "IKEA's home furnishing knowledge with Sonos' expertise in creating high-quality sound experiences."

While most people are likely to hang the picture frame speaker on the wall, it does include flip-out feet to help it sit on top of any furniture. The front artwork panel can be removed and swapped out for additional pieces that will be available a few weeks after the speaker goes on sale.

Stjepan Begic, product developer at IKEA of Sweden, said in a statement:

The Symfonisk picture frame speaker can easily be paired with other Symfonisk and Sonos products. Like Sonos' best smart speakers, you can even pair two frames together for stereo sound. Since it is part of the Sonos system, the speaker can also connect to over 100 streaming services using the Sonos app. Unfortunately, the Symfonisk picture frame speaker doesn't come with Google Assistant built-in. However, it does offer AirPlay 2 support.

According to The Verge, Ikea and Sonos are also working on a new table lamp speaker. It is tipped to launch sometime later this year at the same $179 price point as the original Symfonisk table lamp.

You will be able to purchase the Symfonisk picture frame Wi-Fi speaker from IKEA stores and IKEA.com in North and Europe starting July 15. The frame has been priced at $199, while additional artwork panels will be available from August for $20.

What you need to know

• A patent filing suggests Sonos is preparing to launch a pair of wireless earbuds.
• The Sonos earbuds would feature a fairly unique design and charging methods.
• There's no indication on when or if they will announce the near earbuds.

Sonos is reportedly working on a pair of wireless earbuds, according to a patent spotted by Zatz Not Funny. The earbuds appear to feature a very flat and angular design, not too far off from the Sony WF-1000XM3, and there's also a unique case that will house the earbuds on either side instead of right next to each other. But the real story is apparently how Sonos wants these buds will charge.

The patents aren't exactly easy to discern, but one case could feature some type of removable battery plate that would attach to each earbud from the looks of it. This could provide the earbuds with more juice if they're in use and you don't have time to put them through a charge cycle.

This has the potential to one-up even the best wireless earbuds, which are usually charged by being placed in a case, rendering them unusable for a period of time. Even if wireless charging is present, like on the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro, it usually only refers to the case and not the buds themselves.

Sonos has been working on shrinking its products, which can be seen in devices like the recently launched Sonos Roam. Since 2019, the company has been rumored to be working on a pair of wireless over-ear headphones, although nothing has come to fruition. That said, the headphones are also hinted at in the patent filing.

The filing shows off a few potential case designs and charging methods. While it doesn't necessarily indicate that the company plans to launch earbuds any time soon, the Sonos Roam was also spotted in patent filings not long before becoming official. Although with Sony reportedly preparing to launch the WF-1000XM4, Sonos could have quite the challenge on its hands.

The Sonos website has a limited quantity of Sonos Play:1 smart speakers on sale for $99.99 in refurbished condition. These are older Sonos speakers that have since been replaced by the Sonos One, but the latter speaker sells for $159 refurbished and for as much as $200 new. Despite the Play:1 being discontinued, it's still very similar to the newer speaker with the biggest difference being the Sonos One actually has voice assistants built in while the Play:1 has to rely on external devices for voice control.

This is a great deal made all the better by the fact that you can sync two Play:1 speakers together for a stereo audio experience. Get two of them for the price of one of the newer speakers and get a much more robust sound. In addition to that, the Play:1 can also join the rest of your Sonos speakers to create a whole home multi-room surround sound speaker system. Play music throughout your home, let individuals play to their specific tastes, and do basically whatever you can think of with these speakers all paired together. Keep an eye on our page tracking all the Sonos deals we can find so you can continue building your speaker system empire.

As mentioned above, the Play:1 does not have Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant built in like its successor does, but that doesn't mean it's not capable of smart functions. If you use an external device like an Echo Dot you can still control the speaker with your voice. You can stream all of your favorite music from your favorite sites like Spotify or Pandora. Download the Sonos app on your smartphone and control the speaker from there.

The speaker is super easy to set up and you'll be able to get it working basically as soon as you pull it out of the box with many of the extra features coming once it's hooked up to your Wi-Fi. Sonos covers the Play:1 with a one-year warranty.

Have a Sonos One, Sonos Roam, Sonos Move, Sonos Beam, or Sonos Arc? Here's how to add Alexa to any of those speakers to control smart home devices, ask about the weather, stream music, and more with just your voice.

How to set up Alexa on a Sonos system

1. Open the Sonos S2 app on your phone.
2. Tap the Settings gear icon on the bottom navigation bar.
3. Tap Services & Voice.
4. Tap Add a Voice Assistant (if you don't see Alexa).
5. Tap Amazon Alexa.Source: Android Central

1. Tap Add Amazon Alexa.
2. Tap Sign in to Amazon.Source: Android Central

1. Enter your Amazon email address and password.
2. Tap Sign in.
3. Tap Allow.Source: Android Central

1. Tap Continue on the next couple of pages.
2. Tap on Turn chime on if you want to hear a sound when Alexa wakes.Source: Android Central

1. Tap Continue to set default music service for Alexa.
2. Tap I've downloaded the Alexa app. (If you still need it, tap Download Alexa app).
3. Tap Go to Alexa app.Source: Android Central

1. Select your music service of choice in the Alexa app.
2. Go back to the Sonos app and tap Done at the top right of your screen.

Source: Android Central

Going through all those steps, you should successfully link Alexa to your Sonos speaker and start listening to one of the best Alexa speakers available. You can check on the weather, how long your commute will be, get the latest news, and so much more. Just say "Alexa," and then ask whatever it is you want to know.

Our top equipment picks

Sonos Move

The Move has become one of Sonos' signature speakers because it blends the dependability of sitting still with the convenience of moving around. It's a portable speaker supporting both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, but its mobility is contingent on its size and weight.

Sonos Roam

The Roam is Sonos' smallest speaker, and by default, it makes it the most portable and versatile in the company's lineup. Nimble and easy to carry anywhere, it packs a punch in a small package, though you have to sacrifice some things on the audio side to get there.

Sonos has been around for almost 20 years, and only in the last two years did it venture into portable sound with the two speakers pitted here. After establishing itself as a credible multi-room sound system for well over a decade, the next obvious foray had to be speakers you can actually carry and take with you. The central purpose between these two is the same, except the feel for the execution isn't necessarily the same. There are clear reasons for that, and the nuances set these two apart a little further.

Sonos Move vs. Sonos Roam: Weighing the details

There's no confusing who made either of these speakers. The Sonos logo stands out, but their respective designs also stay well within its design philosophy. The black and white variants, grille design, and general materials are all very much the same. The Sonos Move is something of a hybrid in that it can play in one place for as long as you need it to until you decide to actually move it somewhere else. That's not so much the case with the Sonos Roam, which is too small and lightweight to want to keep in one spot.

The biggest difference between them is the sheer size and weight disparity. By comparison, the Roam feels feathery next to the Move, which can hardly be considered 'lightweight' at over six pounds. This discrepancy only reinforces one of the criticisms behind the Move when it first launched. While it was nice to see Sonos commit to something truly wireless, true portability would have to wait until something like the Roam came along.

They do share much in common otherwise, save for some key differences that stand out. The Roam is obviously the more ruggedized of the two in that it can stay submerged in up to one meter of (clear) water for 30 minutes. Don't attempt that with the Move, which can only handle splashes or rain, not getting doused or dunked.

The battery life difference has plenty of contexts to attach to it. First, the Move uses Class D amplifiers, which take up more power. Second, Sonos offers a replaceable battery for that speaker to extend its lifespan, which the company estimates to be 900 power cycles or an average of three years. There's no word on whether the Roam will get that same treatment, but it wouldn't be surprising. While they both charge wirelessly, they don't do it the same way. The Move comes with a proprietary charging cradle, whereas the Roam can charge on any Qi-enabled wireless charging pad or surface.

Sonos Move vs. Sonos Roam: Where size matters

The size disparity also has other caveats to take into account. What made the Move so convenient from the start was that it made the Sonos listening experience more mobile within the home. You weren't stuck in a room or even forced to buy a new speaker to listen to what you wanted with the wireless elegance Sonos provides. The issue was that beyond the porch, backyard, garage — basically any spot on your property outside the doors — taking it somewhere else wasn't so easy.

It was a shame because the speaker sounds so good and would fit right in at a BBQ or gathering with others, be it outdoors or indoors. I imagine those who didn't care brought it with them anyway, given the convenience of Bluetooth connectivity. Still, it's a bit of a stretch to consider this a fully mobile speaker.

That's clearly what the Roam is supposed to be. Smaller than a standard water bottle and a mere fraction of the Move's weight, it's the kind of speaker you can hold onto or throw into a bag to go wherever you want. It won't get as loud or thunderous as the Move does, but that's understandable. Sonos never intended the Roam to be super loud, just super clear, and that's where the two speakers are the most alike. The focus is on fidelity over drowning out the noise, and the speaker is better for it. You could always adjust that with the basic EQ in the Sonos S2 app, where sliders for bass, treble, and loudness are there to work with.

To add to the convenience, Sonos made the Roam a little more versatile. For example, it will automatically switch from Wi-Fi to Bluetooth, depending on the device or connection. For instance, take it with you when leaving home, and it will switch to Bluetooth once out of Wi-Fi range (provided you already paired it via Bluetooth). The Sound Swap feature lets you transfer audio playback over to the nearest Sonos speaker in your system. Just hold the play/pause button, and it does it automatically. The one catch is that the music also continues to play on the Roam too.

The Move doesn't feel as seamless, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. If you were to pick a speaker to fill a room, the Move would win that battle all day long. It's even bigger sound than the Sonos One, so we're not talking about pedestrian audio performance here. It's one of Sonos's signature speakers because it can play loud and clear, making it among the first choices for a home's mobile speaker.

For that reason alone, the Roam isn't really competing against the Move, but rather similar speakers from other brands. Sonos did right by them both in how good they sound. They don't sound exactly the same because they physically can't. The Move can get louder and pump out deeper bass, so if you want a speaker you can use for those purposes, it's a good way to go. The Roam is that speaker you take with you to an outdoor excursion or when you want to bring the tunes with you wherever you go.

Sonos Move vs. Sonos Roam: Which should you choose?

It's an easy choice if your needs are simple. Naturally, lugging around a speaker that weighs over six pounds isn't going to feel convenient if you have to do it all the time. Doing it with one that feels about as small as a water bottle comes off as effortless by comparison. That's the real contrast between the Move and Roam. They each have the same DNA within them, albeit with power differences that you should expect.

You will likely switch between Wi-Fi/AirPlay 2 and Bluetooth more often with the Roam because your home Wi-Fi makes the Move easier to play content to if it doesn't venture out of your place. It helps when a portable speaker is versatile, like the Roam is, which could also fit right in with the best Bluetooth speakers available. And while both are smart speakers, the Move is among the best smart speakers you can buy.

Which leads to price. Both are expensive, but there's a big gap between them. What you're paying extra for with the Move is the size, power, and upgrade in audio performance. Sonos priced the Roam to be higher than some comparable portable speakers, and the rationale is partly brand-driven and part of a system. Either speaker is a good entry point into the world of Sonos products.

Best answer: No, the rechargeable battery in the Sonos Roam is not removable. By sealing the battery into the speaker, it helps with the device's water- and dust-resistance.

What happens when the Sonos Roam's battery is drained?

As one of the best smart speaker manufacturers, it was time for Sonos to break into the small portable speaker arena — enter the Sonos Roam. Sonos released the Move in late 2019 and recently announced a battery replacement kit for it but is the Sonos Roam battery removable too? Unfortunately, when the 18Wh battery dies, you won't be able to swap it out for a fresh one.

While the battery does offer up to 10-hours of playback time, just because the battery has lost its juice doesn't mean that you can't keep the music going. Sonos included multiple ways to power up your Roam either via USB-C, a yet-to-be-released magnetic dock, or by using one of the best Qi wireless chargers. When using a 10W USB-C charger, not only will it power the speaker so you can keep listening, it will charge it up so you can be ready to go in no time.

Though it can be a bit of a bummer that the battery is sealed into the Sonos Roam, there are some benefits. One is that there are small cost savings associated with not making the battery swappable. A removable battery would require additional parts for making a slot or door to open as well as casing for the battery itself — amongst other engineering and material costs. Another benefit is that sealing up the battery compartment makes the Roam more water-resistant.

How water-resistant is the Sonos Roam?

The Roam isn't the first speaker that Sonos has made that carried a water-resistance rating. The Sonos Move and its IP56-certification hold that honor. For the Roam, Sonos took the speaker's ability to withstand dust and water even further with an IP67-certification. Doing so makes the Roam a better companion to go places with you for reasons more than just its smaller size compared to the Move.

These IP ratings may look similar, but each has its own bit of separation from the other. While the Move can handle a bit of dust and a splash of water here and there, its lower certification means that you wouldn't want to subject it to much more. The Sonos Roam, however, can take on more of the elements thanks to its IP67 rating. To better clarify what these numbers mean, here's what you can expect the Roam to be able to withstand:

• First digit 6: Dust-tight. No ingress of dust.
• Second digit 7: * Protection against the effects of immersion in water between 1cm and 1 m for 30 minutes.*

So, while you can remove the Roam from your home and take it with you to even more places than you've been able to with previous Sonos speakers, you won't be removing the battery.

Best answer: Yes, the Sonos Roam is waterproof up to 3 feet of submersion for as long as 30 minutes and dust-proof thanks to an official IP67-certification.

How waterproof is the Sonos Roam?

Sonos has been making some of the best smart speakers for a while now, and with the Sonos Roam being the first easily portable speaker the company has made, it begs the question — is the Sonos Roam waterproof? Ok, technically, the Sonos Move is portable, but it is heavy and on the bulky side. For the Move, Sonos went with an IP56-certification that means the speaker can handle some dust and being splashed by water.

For the Roam, Sonos opted to get the portable speaker a more robust certification at an IP67 level. Since the Roam is far more simple to haul around due to the smaller overall package, it makes sense to have a higher tolerance for the elements. If you're unsure what this rating means, here's a bit of clarification:

• First digit 6: Dust-tight. No ingress of dust.
• Second digit 7: * Protection against immersion effects in water between 1cm and 1m for 30 minutes.*

So, though you can't take the Sonos Roam to your next underwater pool party — it would be hard to hear anyways — it can hang out poolside. Should it get splashed or knocked into the shallow end, the Roam will survive. Just be sure that you don't let the speaker get too close to water deeper than it is rated to survive because it doesn't float.

What's the difference between the Sonos Roam and Move?

As I said earlier, the Sonos Roam isn't the first portable speaker that the company has released. However, it may be the first one that you'll take with you on the go. The Sonos Move weighs 6.5 pounds and has a built-in battery that recharges either via a USB-C cable or while it sits in a specially designed dock. On a full battery, the Move will net you 10 hours of playback over a Wi-Fi connection and a bit less when using Bluetooth.

The Roam, however, has a much smaller footprint and weighs less than a pound. When it comes to charging the speaker's battery, that can be done by either USB-C, a yet-to-be-released magnetic dock, or by using any of the best Qi wireless chargers. While both the Roam and Move each work over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, the Roam actually gets better playback time on Bluetooth at around 10 hours compared to closer to 9-hours using Wi-Fi.

As these speakers are both Sonos branded, you'll get the great sound quality that the company is known for. Of course, the Move will have a fuller sound with deeper bass due to its physically larger size; the Roam is no slouch. Just keep in mind that you likely won't want to toss the heavier Sonos Move into your bag, especially if you will be doing something where the elements could be a likely factor in your activities.

The Sonos Roam sounds like the perfect product to release right now. A portable speaker that pulls double-duty as an honest-to-goodness member of the Sonos ecosystem and a run-and-tumble rugged Bluetooth thumper is exactly what the masses, most of whom have been stuck inside for a year, need for their hikes, park visits, and newly-vaccinated backyard BBQs.

At $169, the Sonos Roam is an affordable and attractive addition to the Sonos lineup, but middling battery life limits its outdoor appeal, while its small size makes it hard to fit into existing homes with other Sonos speakers.

Sonos Roam: Price and availability

The Sonos Roam is available from April 20, 2021, in a number of countries, including the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the UK, and most of Europe for USD $169 USD / $229 CAD / £159 / €179. Sonos products rarely go on sale except on Black Friday, so expect to be paying full price on the Roam for the foreseeable future.

It's available in two colors, Lunar White and Shadow Black.

Sonos Roam: Hardware and design

Sonos has established enough of a design continuity that, upon looking at the Roam, you immediately recognize it as kin to the Move, Arc, Beam, and many other recently-updated numbered speakers from the company. Maybe it's the solidity of the build or the perfectly-spaced perforated holes, but despite being only six inches tall and weighing under a pound, the Roam exudes quality.

Designed to stand vertically or laid on one of its three sides (one of them has four rubber feet to prevent scratches), the Roam has physical controls on its top inset in rubber, which is stretched on top of a hard plastic shell. An embossed Sonos logo runs vertically down the front (love that symmetry), while a lone power/pairing button buttresses a USB-C charging port on the back. The speaker's bottom, also covered with rubber, belies a wireless charging coil that tops up the Roam's internal battery with any of the best Qi chargers, though the company plans to sell a $49 magnetic dock that I haven't played with yet. There are also a few LEDs built-in that indicate connectivity and battery levels.

I was genuinely surprised at the Roam's diminutive size when I first saw it. The company's other Bluetooth-enabled speaker, the Move, dwarfs this one in every dimension, and it even comes in smaller than many of the long-neglected Bluetooth speakers have scattered around my house. Sonos told me that the Roam's primary purpose is to act like a real Wi-Fi speaker in any housebound situation while quickly converting to a Bluetooth one when the backpack comes out. Even the promo images can't prepare you for how portable this thing actually is.

This is also Sonos's first IP67-certified speaker, which means you can fully submerge it in water or blight it with dust without risking its internals. To test this new achievement, I took the Roam with me to the local playground, encouraged my daughter to throw the speaker into the muddy sandbox, and then helped her wash it in the sink when we got home. As expected, the hardy little thing survived her torment and continues playing on my desk next to me as I write this.

Sonos Roam: Features and sound quality

Last year was interesting for Sonos. After successfully launching the not-so-portable portable Move speaker at the end of 2019, it hit a rough patch at the beginning of 2020 that involved obsoleting some of its aging products, awkwardly moving to a new software platform, suing Google for a second time, and hitting an all-time stock low.

As people were forced to stay home throughout the spring and summer of last year, Sonos saw its products — especially that newly launched Move — sell in huge numbers as people discovered the benefits of connecting speakers over a mesh Wi-Fi network. In June, it launched the $699 Sonos Arc, timed perfectly for lockdowns and Hamilton on Disney+.

Why is this important? Because the company appears to have a knack for releasing products at just the right time. The Roam is the ideal portable speaker — it's easy to use, easy to charge, durable without looking overtly rugged, and, most importantly, it sounds pretty good.

Even if you don't have existing Sonos speakers at home — and the company hopes the Roam will be a gateway of sorts — the Roam is easy to set up with the new S2 app. After charging and following some prompts, you're able to connect it to various streaming services, including Spotify, Apple Music, and dozens of other options, along with Sonos's own underrated hosted radio product that runs some excellent programming hosted by musicians like Thom Yorke and Brittany Howard.

Like other Sonos speakers, you can choose to play audio through the Roam alone or grouped in any combination you so which, including a stereo pair with another Roam speaker. The only thing you can't do is use a pair of Roams as rear channels in a home theater setup, which is completely understandable.

I generally eschew the Sonos app entirely to control the half-dozen speakers strewn about my house; instead, I use Spotify Connect, which detects each individual speaker or grouping as long as they're on the same Wi-Fi network. There's also AirPlay 2 support for iPhone users too. I actually found the Roam to have the strongest Wi-Fi signal of any Sonos speaker to date, likely due to the upgraded 802.11ac-compatible chip inside it.

That same part enables the Roam to maintain a Bluetooth connection to a phone while it's connected to a Wi-Fi network, allowing seamless handoffs and enabling a neat passthrough feature I'll talk about later. While the Move needed to be explicitly connected to either Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, the Roam makes no distinction, which is just as nice as it sounds.

Speaking of, how does this little thing perform? Well, it won't change your life, but the two drivers, a tweeter and a midwoofer combine to create a fairly robust sound, a little boomy in the low-end but nothing too egregious. What really struck me, though, was the clarity in the highs and mids. Voices come through beautifully, speckled with warmth and full of life that I didn't expect from a speaker this size.

Part of the success has to be laid at the encoding itself: this is the only portable speaker of this size I own that can play back high-bandwidth audio of Wi-Fi. Even the best Bluetooth speakers are limited by the standard itself, whereas you can blast lossless FLAC files through here if you want to, and they won't be downsampled at all.

Playing back the same audio over Bluetooth reinforces the standard's limitations, but even then, audio sounds full and clear.

In either mode, I'm astonished at the volume levels this little speaker can reach. Sonos has always put high-quality amplifiers in its products, and the two H-class variants here enable the Roam to reproduce sound accurately in as efficient a manner as possible. At maximum volume, there's very little distortion with most pieces of music, and it's far too loud for most rooms. Because the Roam employs Auto Trueplay, which debuted on the Move, the speaker automatically equalizes itself using its built-in microphones, so even at high volumes, output avoids the boominess and sibilance of most small Bluetooth speakers.

If you think about the scenarios Sonos is envisioning for the Roam — picnics in the park, maintaining energy during a hike or lounging by the pool — it's only the larger open spaces, at maximum volume, where the Roam struggles. It doesn't quite have the power to project across a wide-open area and falls prey to the falloff you'd expect from any directional speaker at this size.

Along with its regular retinue of platform-specific features, the Roam has a couple of interesting tricks up its sleeve, both of which are olive branches to existing Sonos users. The first, Sound Swap, allows you to "throw" whatever's playing on the Roam to the closest Sonos speaker or group, which in most of my testing meant beginning to play something on the small speaker before sending it to my paired Sonos Ones on my office desk.

It works surprisingly well, and I imagine it will be useful for those moments where, after jamming to some tunes in the backyard, it's time to bring the party inside to a living doom decked out with big Sonos speakers (in this dream scenario, alternate me owns a house with huge backyard and a pool and a living room big enough to host a party).

On the opposite side of the spectrum, I got way more use from the ability to throw a Bluetooth signal to any Sonos speaker throughout my network. The feature lets you blast any audio source from your phone to a nearby Sonos speaker, with the caveat that whatever you're playing needs to continue on the Roam itself (since it's acting as passthrough).

While not essential to the enjoyment of the Roam, both of these features underscore the versatility of the speaker and take advantage of the network effect that Sonos has built for itself over the past few years.

Finally, the Roam supports both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa (though, like all Sonos products, not at the same time) in hands-free mode, but after enabling each to briefly test whether the company's microphones have improved over the previous generation, I just as quickly disabled them. With Google and Sonos still deadlocked in a years-long patent dispute, I doubt the Roam's smart assistant integration is anything more than a checkbox on a spec list and will be little-used, especially in homes that already have a dedicated smart speaker or display from Google or Amazon themselves.

Sonos Roam: Battery life

Sonos promises 10 hours of playback for the Roam, which isn't particularly impressive for a Bluetooth speaker on its own, but my own experience was considerably more inconsistent.

Over the course of a week, I used the Sonos Roam every day to play back any number of audio sources, from podcasts to Spotify playlists to Sonos Radio and achieved around nine hours over Wi-Fi and a bit more over Bluetooth, which is close to the 10 hours the company promises out of the box. But that number is still fairly unimpressive compared to equivalent-sized speakers from companies like Bose, JBL, and Ultimate Ears.

More concern was the battery drain during standby. Sonos says that the Roam goes into a low-power sleep mode after a few minutes without playback, and the battery should last 10 days in that holding pattern, but I regularly woke up to the Roam completely drained after leaving it hibernating overnight during my testing period. Sonos acknowledges a pre-launch bug with Google Assistant that causes battery drain, but I factory reset the Roam and left Assistant disabled with no alleviation of the battery drain issue. I've reached out to Sonos, and they're actively troubleshooting the issue, so I'll update this review if I get some resolution, either through a software update or another review unit.

The good news is that charging the Roam isn't particularly onerous. Using a 10-watt USB charger, the Roam charges in roughly 90 minutes and in just over two hours using a wireless charger of equal power. I'm also waiting to try the company's $50 magnetic charging add-on for the Roam since placing a couple of those around the house will likely alleviate any battery anxieties, though in reality, any great, flat wireless charger should do the trick.

Sonos Roam: Competition

There really isn't anything like the Sonos Roam available on the market right now, which makes the product so appealing.

The closest I've found is Ultimate Ears' $180 Blast, which can connect to Wi-Fi and works with Spotify, Amazon, and a bunch of other cast-friendly streaming services. It's also water-and dustproof, has built-in Alexa support and tactile controls, and lets you pair other Blast speakers together. It does sound a bit better than the Roam, but it's also significantly taller and a bit wider and, vexingly, charges over Micro-USB.

Sonos Roam: Should you buy it?

You should buy this if ...

• You're looking for an inexpensive way to get into the Sonos ecosystem
• You want a high-quality, great-sounding portable speaker
• You want the benefits of a rugged speaker without the traditional look

You shouldn't buy this if...

• You want room-filling, bass-heavy sound
• You want a multi-day speaker

4 out of 5

With the Roam, Sonos deftly navigates the tension between product categories, just as it did in 2019 with the Move. This time around, though, the company is on a much firmer footing, having successfully transitioned to a new underlying software platform that lets it play around with combining Wi-Fi and Bluetooth audio and has a growing customer base that's excited about getting back outside after a long hibernation.

The Roam isn't a perfect product — I actually would have preferred something a little larger so it could get closer to that traditional Sonos sound — with middling battery life and a price that's going to turn off someone who's unclear of the ecosystem's value proposition. But if you'd asked me a few months ago what I wanted from a portable Sonos speaker, the Roam's feature set is pretty much exactly what I would have listed.

Sonos Roam

Bottom line: The Roam is the perfect entry into the Sonos ecosystem and a great Bluetooth speaker to boot. While battery life could be better, it's one of the most versatile portable speakers you can buy today.

The Good

• Great sound for the size
• Seamless transition from Wi-Fi to Bluetooth
• Well-built and rugged
• Has wireless charging

The Bad

• Expensive
• Middling battery life for a Bluetooth speaker
• Some standby battery issues at launch

• $169 at Best Buy
• $169 at B&H
• $169 at Sonos

What you need to know

• New images and information about the Sonos Roam have just leaked days before its official launch.
• The Sonos Roam will come in two colors, weigh roughly one pound, and have an optional wireless charging dock.
• The new speaker will be announced on March 9th, with an official release set for April 20th.

The cat is out of the bag. The Verge has just received images and information on the upcoming Sonos Roam just days before it's set to be officially announced. The new speaker will be the company's first attempt at a truly portable Bluetooth speaker after the Sonos Move, which was one of the best smart speakers, but frankly too big and heavy to be truly portable.

The image shows a device small enough to be confused with similar speakers like the UE Blast. According to The Verge, it measures 6.5 x 2.5 x 2.5 inches and weighs roughly 1lbs. The speaker audio appears to be more directional, as opposed to the 360° spatial sound that's found in products like the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2. Like other Sonos speakers, controls are placed on the "top" of the device.

The Roam will have 10-hour battery life and charge via a USB-C cable, but the device will also be capable of wireless charging thanks to a $49 dock. This was expected thanks to leaked FCC documents that suggested wireless charging capabilities.

The Sonos Roam will be able to play music over Bluetooth and WiFi and also be "fully waterproof," which is par for the course for many of the best Bluetooth speakers. The $169 retail price is fairly middle-of-the-road for similar speakers and could be very worth it, given the Sonos branding.

The Sonos Roam's official announcement is set for March 9th, but the device will reportedly not hit the market until April 20th. Sonos is also expected to announce a pair of noise-canceling headphones at the same time, but little is known about this product.

What you need to know

• Sonos will be announcing a new product on March 9.
• The invite for the launch event suggests the device could be a portable speaker.
• Sonos is also working on a pair of noise-canceling headphones.

Sonos today sent out invites to a "special event" that will begin at 1 PM PT on March 9. While the company hasn't revealed any details about the product that will be launched at the event, the invite suggests it could be a new battery-powered portable speaker.

An unannounced portable Sonos speaker was spotted at the FCC earlier this month, carrying the model number S27. The FCC documents revealed that the device uses lower power than the Sonos Move, which means the upcoming speaker will be a lot more compact. While the Sonos Move is among the best smart speakers on the market, it isn't truly portable. In addition to Bluetooth connectivity, the upcoming Sonos speaker will have Wi-Fi 5 support as well. It is also expected to have a cylindrical design, similar to the UE Boom and many other popular Bluetooth speakers.

Aside from the portable battery-powered speaker, rumors suggest the company is also working on a pair of noise-canceling headphones. The headphones will apparently be capable of handing off music to a Sonos audio system, which will help differentiate it from its rivals. You will also be able to hand off music from your Sonos audio system to the headphones.

While little else is known about the headphones at this point, Bloomberg claims they will be priced around $300. However, the headphones aren't expected to make an appearance at Sonos' special event next month. Instead, they are likely to be unveiled at a separate event later this year.

What you need to know

• FCC filings hint that a portable Sonos speaker could be on the way.
• The filings describe a device that could feature a design similar to that of the UE Boom.
• The device features a rechargeable battery and wireless charging dock.

The Sonos Move is easily one of the best smart speakers on the market right now, with a slick, waterproof design, great sound, and support for Google Assistant and Alexa. But as great as the Sonos Move is, the Bluetooth speaker isn't exactly portable, as noted in our Sonos Move review, and unfortunately, Sonos' lineup doesn't include any portable Bluetooth speakers. That could soon change though, as indicated by a recent FCC filing.

A device with the model number S27 was listed at the FCC (via The Verge), which is highly likely to represent a speaker. Besides the model number, which is similar to the S17 model number of the Sonos Move, a diagram was found on the filing that shows an image of a device that looks similarly shaped to the popular UE Boom portable speaker.

The device in the image appears to work with a wireless charging stand, and apparently, the device looks to be less powerful than the Sonos Move, which could indicate a smaller form factor. The FCC filing also shows a circular label that will be placed on the bottom of the speaker, which furthers the theory that this is could be a cylindrically-shaped speaker.

It's also noted that the device features WiFi 5, as opposed to the newer WiFi 6. This would make the new speaker the first in Sonos' lineup to offer anything above WiFi 4, so it's at least a step up in that regard. It also suggests the speaker could come with support for Google Assistant, similar to other Sonos speakers.

For now, much of this is just conjecture, so we'll have to wait and see what Sonos comes up with. Based on previous Sonos speakers, this one potentially could give Ultimate Ears a run for its money.

Sonos is having a sale on a couple of speakers in its lineup. Grab the Sonos One SL speaker on sale for $139 or the Sonos One (Gen 2) speaker for $159 at Amazon. The One SL is only available in White at this price as the Black one is sold out, but the regular Sonos One is available in both colors.

This is a sale being passed down from Sonos. That means you can find both speakers this low at several other retailers including B&H and Best Buy among others.

We did see these speakers drop to about $10 less than today's sale during Black Friday. Of course, with all the craziness happening over that weekend it's perfectly possible you missed it. If so, today's your lucky day because Sonos does not discount its gear very often. In fact, outside of today and Black Friday you'd have to go all the way to April for the last time they dropped in price.

The One SL is the least expensive option here, and it still has plenty of great features you can only get from a Sonos speaker. For one thing, it has sound that's powerful enough to fill a room. Plus the compact design lets you put it just about anywhere. It's easy to set up and easy to control, and you can even download the Sonos app to easily do all of that and much more.

In addition to using the app to connect to the speaker, you can also use Apple AirPlay 2 to easily play music from your favorite apps or even ask Siri to play from Apple Music. The speaker can also connect to other Sonos speakers, either setting up stereo sound with two One SL speakers connected together or by syncing your music throughout your home with a full Sonos setup.

Update, December 2 @ 4:30pm ET: Sonos has confirmed that it will begin selling the Sonos Arc SL in Costco locations across the US and Canada later this month.

What you need to know

• Sonos' upcoming Arc SL soundbar has been spotted at Costco before its formal announcement.
• The Arc SL is a microphone-free version of the Arc soundbar.
• It will be priced at $750 in the U.S.

The Sonos Arc, which came out earlier this year, is among the best soundbars with Dolby Atmos under $1,000. Sonos is soon expected to unveil a microphone-free SL variant of the Arc. While the soundbar hasn't been officially announced yet, it has been spotted at a Costco store by a Reddit user.

Like Sonos' other "SL" products, the Sonos Arc SL will not come equipped with a microphone, which means it won't have built-in voice control. However, you will still be able to control the Arc SL with your voice using Sonos, Amazon Echo, or Google Assistant smart speakers.

As can be seen in the image above, the Sonos Arc SL soundbar will retail for $750 in the U.S., $50 less than the standard Arc. Since the soundbar has already started hitting some store shelves, it shouldn't be along before it is officially announced.

Update, December 2 @ 4:30pm ET — Sonos confirms Arc SL Shadow Edition will begin selling soon

A Sonos representative has confirmed that the Sonos Arc SL Shadow Edition, which is its official name, will be a Costco exclusive in the US and Canada.

Sonos Beam

The Sonos Beam is a great compact soundbar that offers nearly all the features of the more expensive Arc soundbar. It also works with both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

• $400 at Amazon
• $400 at Best Buy
• $400 at B&H

I went into Cyber Monday 2020 with a clear and simple goal: don't buy anything I don't need. With so many deals being thrown at your face one after another, it can be easy to overspend and buy stuff that isn't an absolute necessity.

Here's the thing, though. Some deals that pop up are just too good to be true, and if you miss out on them, you'll end up kicking yourself for not taking advantage of it. That's exactly the case with the Sonos One SL this year, which is currently available for $129 (down from its retail price of $179).

I didn't plan on buying a Sonos One SL at all going into Cyber Monday — I don't even have room in my apartment for it — but I ended up buying one anyway. And honestly, you should get one, too.

If you're a Sonos user yourself, you probably understand why this is such a good deal. If you aren't, here's the elevator pitch.

When it comes to home audio systems, Sonos is one of the best in the business. All of the company's speakers sound amazing, they seamlessly connect to one another for multi-room playback, and you manage everything from the excellent Sonos mobile app. They also work with virtually every music/radio/podcast streaming service under the sun, meaning you can take full advantage of Sonos whether you use Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, or something else.

With the Sonos One SL, in particular, it's Sonos's smallest and most affordable speaker. Even so, it still sounds downright incredible. Speakers like the Amazon Echo (4th Gen) and Nest Audio have delivered very good audio for smart speakers in the $100 price range this year, but they just don't compare to what you get with the Sonos One SL. Music playback is on another level here, and when you pair two of them together for stereo audio, you'll seriously be blown away by how good everything sounds.

You get that fantastic audio in a very compact footprint, making it easy to place the Sonos One SL in virtually any room. It's also available in black or white, so you should be able to match it with any decor. I personally prefer the black, which is super stealthy and blends nicely into the background. Also, for our iPhone readers, the Sonos One SL supports AirPlay 2 for seamless music control from your iPhone's quick settings.

You won't find another speaker that sounds anywhere this good for $129, so whether you buy it as a standalone speaker, your first of many Sonos speakers, or an addition to your already-present collection, this is one of those deals that's too good to miss.

I still have no idea where the Sonos One SL is going to go once it arrives, but I'll figure that out in due time. What matters right now is that I was able to get this deal while it's still active, and if you act fast, you can too.