The Best Sonos Speakers to Buy in 2026

Following a period of significant self-induced turmoil, the future of Sonos is being redefined under new leadership. The company's reputation was tested by a contentious mobile app and strategic missteps, leaving many loyal users hesitant about future investments. However, a shift is underway.

Newly appointed CEO Tom Conrad has signaled a clear determination to steer the company back to its position as the leading whole-home audio brand. The decision to cancel the company's video player venture has been interpreted as a promising sign of this renewed focus on core audio competencies. While the mobile app is in a much-improved state over its previous version, some customers still report occasional bugs and speakers disappearing from their systems. The path forward isn't entirely without obstacles, but the trajectory is pointed firmly in the right direction.

Despite the challenges, the fundamental value proposition of the Sonos ecosystem remains a powerful draw. The platform offers a level of convenience for whole-home audio that competitors have struggled to replicate without significant hassle. This seamless integration is what keeps users invested in the system.

For instance, the ability to pipe audio from a TV soundbar to speakers in other rooms allows you to follow a sports game as you move around your home. Similarly, music played via Bluetooth on a compatible speaker can be broadcast across the entire Sonos system. As one observer noted:

"I’m not about to sell any of my Sonos gear. For one, the company’s whole-home platform offers conveniences that competitors don’t match — at least not without hassle."

This ecosystem strength is a critical factor for anyone considering the platform.

For those entering the Sonos world or looking to expand, the Era 100 is presented as the ideal starting point. This compact speaker, perfect for a kitchen or office, significantly improves upon its predecessors, the Play:1 and Sonos One, by upgrading to stereo drivers for a richer, wider audio experience. It now supports both Bluetooth and line-in audio (requiring an optional dongle) and features redesigned physical controls, including a slideable volume bar and dedicated track buttons. Priced at $219, it offers a compelling blend of features and performance.

When it comes to pure audio quality, the Sonos Five stands alone. It is described as being at the top of the pack compared to all competitors, including the HomePod and Echo Studio. This hefty unit delivers powerful stereo separation that can fill a room for a dinner party or gathering. It forgoes smart speaker functionality—lacking microphones and voice assistants—in favor of being, simply, a damn good speaker. Its 3.5mm aux input also makes it an excellent companion for a turntable, especially when paired for stereo sound.

In the portable category, the Move 2 is in a different league than its smaller sibling, the Roam 2. While heavier, its built-in handle makes it easy to transport. Its audio performance is vastly superior, utilizing a stereo driver arrangement for crisp sound and a bass punch that the mono Roam cannot match. Key features include a user-replaceable battery, ensuring longevity, and an IP56 rating for dust and water resistance. Priced at $499, it supports line-in playback via USB-C and offers higher fidelity over Wi-Fi than standard Bluetooth speakers.

For home theater enthusiasts, the Arc Ultra is the flagship choice. This soundbar delivers more immersive Dolby Atmos surround sound and substantially better bass than the original Arc, thanks to new SoundMotion technology. Its improved bass response means some users may not even need a separate subwoofer. For smaller rooms, the Beam (Gen 2) provides a more compact but still impressive Atmos experience. While its effect is virtualized, it dramatically outperforms built-in TV speakers. To complete the setup, the Sub Mini offers a stylish and more affordable way to add deep bass without the size and price of the flagship Sub 4.

For those on a budget, the Ikea Symfonisk Bookshelf Speaker (Gen 2) remains one of the most affordable entry points into the Sonos ecosystem. Though the partnership between Sonos and Ikea has ended, these speakers offer satisfactory sound and can be mounted on a wall, making them excellent options for rear surrounds in a home theater setup.

Finally, the Sonos Ace headphones arrived at a difficult time, coinciding with the company's app crisis. Despite this, they are a wholly impressive debut. They are praised for their stylish design, excellent comfort, and detailed sound. The standout feature is TV Audio Swap, which allows the user to route all audio from a soundbar directly to the headphones for private listening with spatial audio. While they cannot be grouped with Sonos speakers, they remain a fantastic product that fell victim to poor software timing.

Despite a history of recent stumbles, Sonos continues to produce genuinely terrific hardware. The company's renewed focus under its new leadership, combined with a commitment to its core audio platform, suggests a more stable future. For consumers, the decision to invest in Sonos now comes down to a choice between exceptional hardware and a software experience that is improving but not yet perfect.

The standout products—the Era 100, Five, Move 2, and Arc Ultra—demonstrate that Sonos's engineering and design prowess remain intact. For those willing to look past the lingering software issues, the Sonos ecosystem still offers a premium, convenient, and high-fidelity audio experience that is hard to beat.