Sonos is a leading brand when it comes to premium smart speakers. The Sonos One is one of their most popular models, offering high-fidelity audio, seamless multi-room streaming, and built-in voice control. However, with a retail price of $219, it is also relatively expensive.
Fortunately, many alternatives provide similar functionality at more affordable price points without significantly sacrificing sound quality or features. This guide will cover six of the best options to consider across various usage scenarios and budgets.
Best Overall: Amazon Echo Studio
With powerful, immersive sound and extensive smart home capabilities, the Amazon Echo Studio is the best overall alternative to the Sonos One. Five built-in speakers deliver crisp vocals, dynamic midranges and deep bass suitable for all genres. Stream music from services like Amazon Music, Spotify, Pandora and TuneIn, or listen to audiobooks, podcasts and radio stations.
Alexa voice assistant integration enables hands-free convenience to get weather updates, control smart devices, set timers/reminders and more. Connectivity options like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth provide versatile wireless streaming, while the Zigbee hub eliminates the need for extra smart home bridges. At $199, the Echo Studio gives you premium features and audio performance at a wallet-friendly price.
Key Specs:
- Audio Components: 5-speaker array with tweeters and midrange drivers
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee hub
- Voice Assistant: Alexa built-in
- Dimensions: 8.1" x 6.9" diameter
Pros
- Deep, room-filling sound
- Alexa voice assistant onboard
- Doubles as a Zigbee smart home hub
- Competitive price point
Cons
- Large, somewhat industrial design
- No Apple AirPlay support
Best for Outdoors: Bose 251 Environmental Speakers
Engineered to withstand harsh outdoor environments, the Bose 251s are perfect for patios, pool areas and landscaping. Their durable construction and weatherproofing allow them to work in temperatures from -22° to 158°F while connected to an external amplifier. Custom drivers angled at 15°, 45° and 90° ensure balanced, uniform coverage up to 1800 square feet.
While pricier than indoor options at $399 per speaker, the investment pays dividends through clear audio and longevity. Streaming content or enjoying background music outside has never been simpler.
Key Specs:
- Audio Components: 3 proprietary drivers per unit
- Connectivity: Connects to external amplifier
- Voice Assistant: N/A
- Dimensions: 7.38”H x 11.94”W x 7.88”D
Pros:
- Weatherproof, durable construction
- Engineered for uniform outdoor coverage
- Produces clear sound even at high volumes
Cons:
- Very expensive
- Requires amp connection
- Limited streaming features
Best for Streaming: Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
The recently released second-generation Sonos Beam delivers expansive cinema-style sound in a compact soundbar ideal for music and home theater streaming. Four full-range woofers and three passive radiators team up to generate crisp dialogue plus deep, distortion-free bass. The angled design fires audio throughout the room.
This Sonos speaker includes built-in support for Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands. It also works seamlessly with popular services like Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, TuneIn and Sonos Radio. Stream everything you love with ease.
Key Specs:
- Audio Components: 4 woofers, 3 passive radiators, 1 tweeter
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Apple AirPlay 2, Ethernet
- Voice Assistant: Alexa and Google Assistant support
- Dimensions: 2.72” x 25.63” x 3.94”
Pros:
- Big, detailed sound in compact form
- Sleek, understated design
- Easy streaming integration
- Alexa + Google Assistant onboard
Cons:
- Expensive at $449
- No Bluetooth
Best for Home Theater: Vizio V21-H8 Soundbar
Featuring Dolby Audio processing, DTS Virtual:X surround sound and an integrated subwoofer, the affordable Vizio V21 provides an immersive home theater experience. The 36-inch soundbar pumps clear dialogue and deep bass from blockbuster action flicks while also filling rooms with detailed stereo separation during music playback.
This Sonos One alternative houses Chromecast built-in for fuss-free casting from smartphones and tables. Dual integrated Bluetooth streams from other devices simultaneously. Integrated voice assistants remain hands-free for total convenience.
Key Specs:
- Audio Components: 2 tweeters, 2 full-range drivers, integrated sub
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Chromecast, HDMI eARC
- Voice Assistant: Google Assistant, Alexa support
- Dimensions: 2.2” x 36” x 3.2”
Pros:
- Big, balanced sound
- Immersive Dolby/DTS audio
- Voice assistant and casting support
- Great price at $150
Cons:
- Large, somewhat basic design
Best for High-Quality Sound: KEF LS50 Wireless II Speakers
Hi-fi enthusiasts searching for elite-tier audio performance need look no further than the KEF LS50 Wireless II bookshelf speakers. Meticulously engineered using pioneering Uni-Q driver arrays, they output expansive sound with pinpoint imaging, insane clarity and lavish bass. Built-in streaming via Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2, Chromecast and Bluetooth removes all wires.
Support for Tidal Connect opens new high-res streaming possibilities, while compatibility with Roon unlocks more advanced multi-room setups. Of course, all this acoustic excellence commands a lofty price – $2,299.99 per pair. But for well-heeled audiophiles, they deliver a heavenly listening experience.
Key Specs:
- Audio Components: Uni-Q driver array, LF driver, HF tweeter
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Chromecast, AirPlay 2, Tidal Connect
- Voice Assistant: No
- Dimensions: 12” x 7.9” x 10.9” each
Pros:
- Stunning, audiophile-level sound
- Slick connectivity options
- Comprehensive streaming app
Cons:
- Astronomical price
- No voice assistant support
Best for Portability: JBL Charge 5
The rugged, durable JBL Charge 5 delivers thunderous sound and intense bass in a fully waterproof form factor that goes anywhere. Braided straps, protective bumpers and an IP67 rating allow it to shrug off pool splashes, beach trips and hiking excursions while looking cool. The 7500mAh battery keeps parties rocking all day or night between charges.
Robust wireless connectivity options abound, including Bluetooth 5.1 for quick pairing alongside JBL’s useful PartyBoost mode for combining speakers together. Pick a color and start your portable audio adventure!
Key Specs:
- Audio Components: Separate tweeter + 2 radiators
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.1, USB-C charging
- Voice Assistant: No
- Dimensions: 3.43” x 8.66” x 3.58”
Pros:
- Loud, punchy signature sound
- Rugged design
- 20+ hour battery life
- PartyBoost mode
Cons:
- No Wi-Fi or smart features
- Controls are basic
What To Look For In a Sonos One Alternative
When evaluating alternatives to compare with the Sonos One‘s blend of sound quality, connectivity and smart assistance, keep the following characteristics in mind:
- Audio fidelity: Quality drivers, amplifiers and advanced tuning will get the best results.
- Seamless streaming: Convenient multi-room audio, voice control and access to music services for endless listening.
- Connectivity: Robust wireless options like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth remove clutter.
- Voice assistant support: Hands-free Alexa/Google Assistant makes speakers more useful daily hubs.
- Design: Compact form factors maximize placement flexibility while slick aesthetics complement home décor.
- Weatherproofing: Water/dust resistance ensures outdoor speakers work in harsh external environments.
- Price: Getting great sound at the right budget relieves upgrade regret down the road.
Prioritizing these aspects during your search will help identify the ideal blend of features and performance tailored to your listening preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Sonos One speaker so popular?
The Sonos One stands out through its seamless melding of premium HiFi sound, extensive streaming source compatibility and smart features. Its audio fidelity captures subtle sonic details while providing thunderous bass, thanks to class-D amplifiers and custom-designed drivers. Music services like Spotify, Pandora and Apple Music integrate natively, removing the need to manually select playback. Capacitive buttons offer tactile physical control alongside Alexa/Google Assistant voice commands.
Why should someone consider a Sonos One alternative?
For some buyers, the Sonos One’s $219 price tag may simply exceed their speaker budget. Compelling cheaper alternatives from brands like Amazon, Google and Vizio now provide similar core functionality – expansive sound, voice assistance, multi-room audio streaming – often with unique advantages like better smart home hub support. Testing different models can uncover the ideal blend of features and value without breaking the bank.
What features do Sonos One alternatives lack compared to the real thing?
Since Sonos focuses so heavily on the end-to-end user experience, their speakers often set the standard that more affordable competitors fail to match. Common shortfalls include higher-resolution streaming codec support, the breadth of music services on offer, mature multi-room audio syncing and polished touch controls. Missing convenience features like Sonos’ TruePlay room tuning can also degrade real-world listening over alternatives.
How much cheaper are Sonos One alternative speakers?
Pricing varies widely based on included connectivity options, sound hardware, smart features and brand prestige. For example, the 2nd gen Amazon Echo can be regularly found for $99 and Google‘s Nest Audio hovers around $75. Higher-performance Sonos alternatives like Bose‘s $399 Smart Soundbar 300 undercut the One by $100+. Meanwhile, brands like Klipsch sell comparable speakers at significantly steeper costs. Testing different models firsthand best reveals whether cheaper options make performance compromises versus Sonos.
