Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen)
Best for Most people
Typically £29–£49
Check Price on Amazon Paid linkQuick comparison
| Feature | Sonos Era 100 | Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict | Buy | Buy |
| Typical price | £159–£199 | £29–£49 |
| Best for | Music lovers | Most people |
| Key feature | Rich stereo sound for any room | Cheapest way to get Alexa in every room |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2 | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
| Assistant | Alexa or Sonos Voice Control | Alexa |
| Where to buy | Check Price Paid link | Check Price Paid link |
Main differences
Typical price
Sonos Era 100: £159–£199; Amazon Echo Dot: £29–£49.
Best for
Sonos Era 100: music lovers; Amazon Echo Dot: most people.
Standout
Sonos Era 100: rich stereo sound for any room; Amazon Echo Dot: cheapest way to get Alexa in every room.
Connectivity
Sonos Era 100: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2; Amazon Echo Dot: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth.
Assistant
Sonos Era 100: Alexa or Sonos Voice Control; Amazon Echo Dot: Alexa.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Sonos Era 100 if you
- care about music quality and want a compact speaker that can grow into a multiroom system
- care most about excellent sound for its size
Choose the Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) if you
- want an affordable smart speaker for timers, weather, music and controlling smart lights
- care most about low price
Which specifications matter?
Focus on the differences above rather than headline numbers. For more options, see our list of the best smart speakers in the uk.
Not sure about either? Consider these
Amazon · Smart speakers
Amazon Echo Studio
Buy it if You want a powerful Alexa speaker with spatial audio that can also control Zigbee and Matter devices.
- Verdict
- Buy
- Best for
- Big sound with Alexa
- Typical price
- £159–£199
Pros
- Big, room-filling sound
- Spatial audio with Dolby Atmos
Cons
- Large
Apple · Smart speakers
Apple HomePod mini
Buy it if You use an iPhone and Apple Home and want an easy speaker for AirPlay and Siri.
- Verdict
- Consider
- Best for
- iPhone households
- Typical price
- £79–£89
Pros
- Great with iPhone and Apple Music
- Thread border router for Apple Home
Cons
- Needs an Apple device
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, the Sonos Era 100 or the Amazon Echo Dot?
Choose the Sonos Era 100 if you care about music quality and want a compact speaker that can grow into a multiroom system. Choose the Amazon Echo Dot if you want an affordable smart speaker for timers, weather, music and controlling smart lights.
Which is better value?
The Sonos Era 100 typically costs £159–£199 and the Amazon Echo Dot typically costs £29–£49. The better value depends on which differences above matter to you.