Best Sonos Alternatives for a Multi-Room Speaker Experience
Not everyone can afford the Sonos speakers or setups, considering their high prices. Also, Sonos is no longer the only company that brings multi-room speaker experience as the advent of voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant and smart speakers have made multi-room audio more accessible to consumers. It means that you as a customer have a lot more control over the prices and the features that you want. Keeping this core aspect in mind, we have listed out speakers similar to Sonos One, Sonos Play, Sonos Play 3, Sonos Fiver, and Sonos Play 5. Thus, you can easily find the right alternative for Sonos smart speakers. So, let’s get started!
Sonos One and Sonos Play:1 Alternative
Sonos One and Play:1 are the cheapest multi-room audio speakers that you can get from Sonos. Here are the best alternatives that you can get:
1. Google Nest Audio
Google has launched several new speakers under its smart home brand Nest, and the Nest Audio speaker system is winning a lot of hearts. Not only it features a clean and minimalist design language, but the speaker also has an affordable price, coming at just $99. With this new speaker, Google also allows users to connect multiple speakers to get a multi-room speaker experience. The speaker comes with a 19mm tweeter and a 75mm mid-woofer for clear highs and deeper bass. Google claims the new Nest Audio is 75% louder than the Google Home and has 50% better bass response. So you are getting a far better speaker for the same price.
Google Assistant is baked-in here, so you can call on the Google Assistant to enquire about the weather, play songs, and even control your smart home devices. My favorite feature of the new Nest speakers is built-in privacy. You can now ask the Assistant to delete your voice recording. And there’s a physical mute switch for the microphone so you can be sure that it’s not recording anything. If you are looking for an affordable Sonos alternative, this is the speaker to get. You can get it in one of five colors: Sage, Sand, Sky, Charcoal, and Chalk. Pros: Cons:
Bass could have been better
Buy from Google: $99
Pros: Cons:
The sound tends to distort at the top volume
3. Bose SoundTouch 10
Bose has always boasted of great speakers and its SoundTouch multi-room speaker line-up is no different. The SoundTouch 10 speaker competes with the Sonos Play:1 and Sonos One. It offers some unique features including Bluetooth support, a physical remote control, and the ability to set six different custom presets for buttons with the app. You can set these buttons to start a particular music offering or even radio stations so that you can quickly start listening to your favorite music.
The Bose SoundTouch 10 also comes with Alexa support so you can connect it to an Alexa-enabled speaker (like the Echo, or the Echo Dot), and you can do all sort of things such as playing and pausing music, skipping a song, changing the radio station you are listening to and more just with your voice. When it comes to music sources, you can use any of the music streaming services (Apple Music support is coming soon), internet radio services, or the music stored on your phone. Apart from that, the Bose SoundTouch 10 offers massive sound, considering its small size, thanks to its full-range driver. One speaker is enough to fill the room however you can also pair two of them in stereo to enhance the experience even more. Like Sonos, Bose offers the SoundTouch app for all the platforms including Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac allowing you to control music with the device in your hands. Pros:
Good-looking design High-quality sound Supports a ton of Alexa skills Companion app supports Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS
Cons:
The companion app doesn’t offer much customization
Sonos Play: 3 Alternatives
Since Sonos itself ended its Play:3 line of speakers, there was a huge gap in the market which thankfully other speaker manufacturers were able to competently fill. Here are the best Sonos Play:3 alternatives that you can buy
1. Bluesound Pulse Flex 2i
Unlike Sonos Play:3 which sported a considerable size, the Bluesound Pulse Flex 2i comes in quite a small package which is something that I really like. Despite being an ultra-compact speaker, the Bluesound Pulse Flex 2i delivers crystal-clear sound quality with a very good dynamic range thanks to its direct digital amplifier and custom-tuned drivers. One of the unique things about this speaker is that it comes with a detachable battery pack that you can attach to use it without any input power. Another unique thing about this speaker is that while most other speakers only offer wireless options, the Bluesound Pulse Flex 2i brings a whole assortment of connections including aux input, USB-A connector, micro-USB connector, and more.
Moreover, thanks to aptX technology, you can stream audio in CD quality from your devices via Bluetooth. In a nutshell, Bluesound Pulse Flex 2i is a highly rated substitute for Sonos Play: 3. Pros: Cons:
Price is a bit on the higher side
2. Bose SoundTouch 20 – Series III
Like the SoundTouch 10, the Bose SoundTouch 20 is an excellent multi-room speaker system which can act as a worthy alternative to now-defunct Sonos Play:3. The SoundTouch 20 is basically the bigger and better brother of SoundTouch 10. So you will get everything that you got with the SoundTouch 10 with even better sound quality. The speaker gets very loud and can fill even the biggest of rooms in your home. Thanks to its casing design, it produces some great bass and the sound quality here is exceptional too.
And while it’s a little pricey, the speaker trumps Play:3 with added features like Bluetooth support, bundled remote control, ability to set six preset music services for the buttons in the speaker, and an OLED display, that displays info about the music. Pros:
Attractive OLED display An excellent multi-room speaker system Robust sound Ability to set six preset music services
Cons:
Lacks compact design
3. Bang & Olufsen Beoplay M3
Another great Sonos Play:3 alternative is the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay M3 which brings a great audio experience thanks to its Signature Sound technology which brings authentic sound quality. The speaker uses quality materials including aluminum, wool, and polymer which not only make the speaker durable but also play a part in its sound delivery system.
The speaker brings a 3.75″ woofer and 0.25″ tweeter which can fill a small to medium-sized room. When it comes to connectivity the speaker supports Apple AirPlay technology along with Bluetooth audio streaming, built-in Chromecast, 3.5 mm jack, 1 micro USB, and a Mains connection. It also brings direct music streaming integration with services like TuneIn Radio, QPlay, and Deezer. Of course, you can use your iPhone or Android device to cast songs to the speaker using any music streaming app or on device songs that you want to. The biggest missing feature here is the missing voice assistant which means you can’t use your voice to control the playback. Pros:
3.75″ woofer and 0.25″ tweeter Built-in Chromecast Supports Apple AirPlay technology 3.5 mm jack
Cons:
Lacks voice assistant
4. Marshall Acton II
One of my favorite speakers on this list is Marshall acton II. First of all, it sports a unique retro look which I am a big fan of. Secondly, it sounds great with balanced audio delivery and offers physical dials to control the different elements including bass, treble, and volume so you don’t have to fiddle with settings buried deep inside an app.
In short, Marshall Acton II has everything that you can desire from a Sonos Play:3 alternative and you will be really happy with it. With Marshall Acton II you can create a multi-room system and listen to different songs in different rooms or blast your favorite song across all speakers at once. Notably, you can also connect to the speaker using WiFi, Bluetooth, RCA, or 3.5 mm headphone jack, which is a big plus from a productivity point of view. Pros: Cons:
Activating Alexa doesn’t seem straightforward
5. Libratone ZIPP MINI 2
Libratone ZIPP MINI cannot be farther from Sonos Play:3 when it comes to the looks, however, don’t be fooled by its small size. The speaker packs a punch and can deliver deep bass, full midrange, along with very clear lows. While the speaker doesn’t bring any smart voice assistant, it does support AirPlay 2, DLNA, and Spotify Connect. It means you can use both iPhone and Android devices to cast your favorite music to the speaker.
One of the biggest benefits of Libratone ZIPP MINI is that it comes with a built-in rechargeable battery which can last for 10+ hours on a full charge. That means you can take the speaker out for a trip when you want to so that you have the best audio experience wherever you go. You should also download the Libratone app on your smartphone as the company issues frequent firmware updates which improve its functionality and enhance new features. Pros:
Modern-looking design Supports AirPlay 2, DLNA, and Spotify Connect Deliver deep bass Offers very clear lows.
Cons:
Support for music streaming services is quite limited May not deliver over 10 hours of battery life consistently
6. Libratone Zipp
Just in case you are fond of Libratone Zipp MINI 2 but you want to have its slightly more capable variant, Libratone Zipp could be the right answer to your needs. The smart speaker is known to offer 360° loud stereo sound which makes it a direct competitor to Sonos Play:3.
With a 15W woofer, it offers deep bass. Even at the high volume, its sound doesn’t distort, which is a big plus if you don’t want to compromise with the sound quality. Featuring a dual mic, it allows you to make calls hands-free. Based on your taste, you can preset 5 internet radio and playlists for a more personalized listening experience. Using AirPlay 2 or Spotify Connect, you also have the freedom to stream anything you want. That’s not all, Libratone Zipp can last up to 12 hours on a single, which I think should be more than enough to last a long party. Pros:
Preset 5 internet radio and playlists 15W woofer Offer 360° loud stereo sound Last up to 12 hours
Cons:
The low-end sound is not as impressive as the high-end
7. Bose Home Speaker 300
There is a lot to like in Bose Home Speaker 300. First and foremost, the smart speaker is lightweight and compact. So, you can comfortably carry it anywhere. Design-wise, it looks just as good-looking as Sonos Play: 3, though it has a different form-factor.
The ability to deliver 360° sound makes Home Speaker 300 sort of flagship. Besides, it has six microphone array which plays a key role in offering clear and crisp audio. So, you can expect your hands-free calls to be clear. Furthermore, the support for Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2 as well as the ability to stream music from several music-streaming services make Home Speaker 300 alternative to Home Speaker 300. Pros: Cons:
Alexa doesn’t work at its best
Sonos Five and Sonos Play:5 Alternatives
Sonos Play:5 is the company’s most premium line of multi-room audio system speakers. Here are some of the alternatives that you should look at:
1. Marshall Stanmore II
The Marshall Stanmore II is to Marshall Acton II what Sonos Play:5 is to Sonos Play:3. What this means is that you will be getting the same overall experience, it would be just better and more refined. The benefits of buying the Marshall Stanmore II are that it produces clean and precise audio, even at the highest levels, thanks to its advanced components which include two 15 Watt Class D amplifiers powering its tweeters and a 50 Watt class D amplifier driving its subwoofer.
Besides, you also have the flexibility to connect to the speaker using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, RCA, or the 3.5 mm input. Pros:
Include two 15 Watt Class D amplifiers 50 Watt Class D amplifier Physical dials for controlling bass Flexibility to connect to the speaker using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, RCA, or the 3.5 mm input
Cons:
Lacks a portable design
2. HomePod
Apple’s HomePod in many ways is the most restricted speaker on this list. I mean, you have to have an iPhone for this speaker to work and you can only use Apple Music to listen to songs. However, if you are someone who is already involved in Apple’s ecosystem then this is one of the best if not the best speaker system that you can buy. Apart from its clean and compact design which still blows my mind, boy do these speakers sound good. I mean, you really have to experience this to understand why I was blown away by its audio quality.
Since Apple is a technology company first, it’s surprising how they made one of the best sounding speakers in the world. Apart from the sound, you get all the benefits of buying an Apple product which means it works great within the ecosystem, the set-up is seamless, and it packs a ton of technology. For example, with spatial awareness, it automatically analyzes the acoustics, adjusts the sound based on the speaker’s location, and separates the music into direct and ambient sound. If you are in Apple’s ecosystem, Sonos Play:5 won’t even stand a chance against it. Pros:
Seamless set-up Excellent sound quality Spatial awareness Works perfectly with iDevices
Cons:
Siri is below par
Buy From Apple: $299
3. Denon HEOS 5
If you are someone who loves bass then this is the Sonos Play:5 / Sonos Five alternative that you should look at. The Denon HEOS 5 brings a powerful audio delivery system that produces a heart-thumping bass experience. Denon HEOS 5 also offers the most versatile connectivity experience as the speaker supports all the major connectivity options including WiFi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, USB port, Aux Port, and Ethernet.
The speaker even supports multiple voice assistants including Alexa, Google Assistant, SIRI, and JOSH.AI, thus allowing the consumers to use the voice assistant of their choice. Pros:
Play your music either through popular services The powerful audio delivery system Ability to cast offline music Supports all the major connectivity options
Cons:
Old-fashioned design
4. Audio Pro Addon C10
When it comes to delivering top-notch sound quality, Audio Pro Addon C10 has got the ability to live up to the expectation. Addon C10 sports a little different design than many of its counterparts. However, it’s well-built and can comfortably make a decent match with any home decor.
Beyond design, Addon C10 is known to deliver a rich and clear sound which is pretty much in the same league as that of Sonos Play:5. Thanks to the support for the multi-room feature, you can fine-tune it to play different songs in different rooms. Everything considered; you can bank on Addon C10 to be a more than capable Sonos replacement. Pros:
Deliver a rich and clear sound Four personalized presets Works with Alexa Compatible with many music-streaming services like Tidal, Spotify, and Deezer
Cons:
The design doesn’t look attractive A touch expensive
5. Bose Home Speaker 500
Yet another smart speaker from bose that deserves a mention is the robust Home Speaker 500. It features a nice-looking design that can go head-to-head against Sonos Play:5. With the eight microphone array, it’s fully equipped to offer loud and clear sound.
It offers multiple ways to control what you hear. For instance, you can use voice commands, use the tap controls, or take advantage of the Bose Music app to manage what you hear. Notably, it’s compatible with not only Alexa but also Google Assistant. So, whether you find Alexa smarter or prefer to use Assistant, you can use a desired virtual assistant to carry out a variety of tasks Design aside, Home Speaker 500 has the support for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Apple AirPlay 2. That means you have a bit more flexibility to stream music to your heart’s liking. Priced at $300, Home Speaker 500 is a solid Sonos competitor. Pros:
Compatible with both Alexa and Google Assistant Support for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Apple AirPlay 2 Eight microphone array Multiple ways to control
Cons:
The sound quality on the low-end isn’t as impressive
What is the best alternative to Sonos?
What is better Sonos or Bose?
Though both Sonos and Bose smart speakers are great. Bose is slightly ahead in the face-to-face battle.
Is Bluesound better than Sonos?
No. Sonos has a clear edge when put head-to-head against Bluesound.
Do audiophiles like Sonos?
Yes. Audiophiles like Sonos thanks largely to its ability to deliver top-notch sound quality.
Are Sonos worth the money?
Well, the straightforward answer to this question is “Yes”. Sonos’ offerings have lived up to the mark more often than not. So, you can bank on it to deliver the goods.
Try these Sonos Alternatives for Amazing Multi-Room Audio Experience
Let’s get this straight, Sonos multi-room speakers are one of the best on the market right now, however, they are not the only ones. Also, since Sonos killed its Sonos Play:3 speaker line, it has not released any replacement for it. To the people who are looking for Sonos alternatives, the above speakers are the best in the market as of now. Do check them out and let us know which is your favorite Sonos alternative on the market right now.
