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If you've ever thought about kitting out your home with a sound system, you've definitely had Sonos cross your mind. Sonos speakers combine superb sound quality, beautiful aesthetics, and simple setup, which makes it easy to see why so many people have thought about equipping their home with them. Plus, there's a breadth of speaker options depending on your audio desires and budget. Hell, the brand even has a line of speakers built specifically for Ikea, dubbed the Symfonisk line, which brings Sonos' audio quality to the Swedish brand's funky furniture designs—think: a lamp that also doubles as a speaker.
Because there are so many options from Sonos, you might wonder which speakers are right for you and your needs. And since Sonos speakers work in tandem to create fully immersive sound experiences, finding which speakers go with which isn't as easy as two plus two. We put together this handy little guide to find out which speakers are right for you, and because we really want you to enjoy yourselves, we'll explain which speaker configurations will offer you exactly what you need.
The Best Overall Sonos Speaker: Sonos One
If you're going to add just one Sonos speaker to your home, make it this One. No, seriously: The Sonos One is the brand's do-everything speaker. The bookshelf speaker offers room-filling sound despite its deceptively compact size, and adding more Ones to your sound system will just make every listening experience—whether it's for music, movies, or television—sound so much better. Plus, voice assistant-compatibility (as long as it's with Amazon or Google), makes the One a handy companion for asking for simple things like “How's the weather?” Its humidity resistance makes it work perfectly fine in a steamy bathroom if you just need to listen to music in the shower, but don't try to use this speakers outside where the elements might put it on mute forever.
For the Person Who’s Always on the Go: Sonos Roam
The Sonos Roam is the brand's smallest and most portable speaker, offering Bluetooth connectivity and 10 hours of battery life. When it first came out, we called it the “best sounding portable speaker [we've] tested," and that statement still holds today. The Roam is IP67 rated, which means it can withstand being submerged into water up to three feet (or one meter), so it's safe to keep it poolside for bringing the tunes outside without having to worry about it taking a quick dip in the water. Integrated voice control gives you the option to command the Roam with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, but for $20 less you can opt for the Roam SL, which nixes the voice control (as well as Sonos TruePlay, which automatically adjusts the speaker's sound mixing for optimal sound quality depending on its placement and surroundings).
And while it has nothing to do with sound quality, Roam is available in a wider range of colors than the standard black and white for those looking for something a little more fun.
For Improving Your Television's Built-in Speakers: Sonos Beam
The best thing you can do to boost your TV's subpar speakers is to hook it up to a quality soundbar. Say hello to the Beam, Sonos' mid-level soundbar, and despite its Malcolm-in-the-Middle status, we think it might be the best bang for you buck. In its second generation of life, the reasonably affordable Beam is jam-packed with audio goodness for its price, including the support of Dolby Atmos that'll make this relatively small soundbar sound larger than life. If you don't want to piss off the neighbors, the soundbar also offers a great night mode, which scales down the booms, but raises dialogue and quieter elements to sound more crispier.
You can't go wrong with the entry-level Sonos Ray, but what the Beam lacks in cheaper pricing, makes up for with its Dolby Atmos inclusion, voice control features, and overall better sound quality. The Ray is still the perfect starter soundbar, but we advise you go bigger with the Beam if you're looking for a next-level audio experience.
For the Person Who's All About That Bass: Sonos Sub
To understand the necessity of adding a Sub to your sound system means needing to understand a subwoofer is not just about adding an extra dose of bass. Yes, a subwoofer will help you experience lower lows (think the pounding of drums or the sound of a Michael Bay-esque explosion), but it'll also take the pressure off of your other speakers to try to keep up with those low frequencies, which means your overall listening experience is improved. This all is to say that the Sonos Sub is an excellent addition to your Sonos setup. Its unique design—y'know, that gap in the middle—is meant to reduce any unwanted vibrations because the drivers housed inside cancel each other's rattling. The Sub is expensive, but the recently released Sub Mini, a much more affordable ($429), makes an excellent alternative although it can't be paired to another Mini in the same way a Sub can be paired with an additional Sub.
For the Cinema Buff: Sonos Arc
We've already talked about the Sonos Beam, and for double the price of the Beam, you get the impressive Sonos Arc. The Arc is Sonos' premium soundbar, offering Dolby Atmos, three tweeters (for high frequencies), and midwoofers for some serious cinematic sound quality. Dolby Atmos basically helps sounds bounce of the ceiling, floor, and walls to create a 3D effect, so if you're watching a horror movie, don't be afraid to turn around when you hear footsteps approaching. For the full cinema experience, connect the Arc to a Sub for a truly immersive experience.
The Best Sonos Speaker for a Backyard Party: Sonos Move
We love the Sonos Roam, but that speaker is meant more for traveling. The Move, Sonos' bigger Bluetooth speaker, is a great option for those who have an outdoor space that could use some tunes. The sound quality is comparable to the Sonos One, expect the Move has a downward-firing tweeter for better sound projection, making it an excellent outdoor speaker. The Move is built to take a beating, and its IP56 rating means it can withstand humidity, precipitation, and extreme temperatures, and it has a shock-absorbing design.
Sonos Speaker Configurations
The fun of buying Sonos speakers is largely in part to having them connect to each other for an excellent sound system. Sonos takes the guesswork out of having to mix and match the brand's speakers on your own by offering bundles—which also nets you a nice little discount at the same time. Here are three Sonos speaker bundles worth checking out.
The Best Entry-Level Sonos Sound System
A pair of Sonos One SLs and a Beam is all it takes to make every audio experience improve exponentially. The compact Beam, our favorite Sonos soundbar, pairs perfectly with a couple of excellent bookshelf speakers, and it all comes in at under a grand.
The Best Mid-Tier Sonos Sound System
Alone, the Arc is an exceptional speaker to add. Working in tandem with the Sonos Arc, it feels like your own living room is a movie theater with thundering bass and crispy Dolby Atmos audio.
The Best High-End Sonos Sound System
What Sonos thinks will truly creative an immersive sound system is an Arc, Sub, and two One SLs. With sound coming at you from all sides and angles, you'll feel like you're at the recording studio with your favorite artist or taking part in the movie you're watching.
