Our verdict on the Sonos Era 100
- Buy it if
- You care about music quality and want a compact speaker that can grow into a multiroom system.
- Skip it if
- You mainly want a cheap voice assistant.
- Best for
- Music lovers
- Key feature
- Rich stereo sound for any room
- Typical price
- £159–£199
Key specifications
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2 |
|---|---|
| Assistant | Alexa or Sonos Voice Control |
Who should buy it, and who should skip it
A good fit if you
- care about music quality and want a compact speaker that can grow into a multiroom system
- value excellent sound for its size
- can spend around £159–£199
Skip it if you
- mainly want a cheap voice assistant
- mind that sonos app has had reliability issues
Pros and cons
Pros
- Excellent sound for its size
- Stereo drivers
- Works with AirPlay 2 and Alexa
- Bluetooth and USB-C line in
Cons
- Sonos app has had reliability issues
- No Google Assistant
What it is
The Sonos Era 100 is a smart speaker from Sonos, typically £159–£199. Its headline feature is rich stereo sound for any room, and it is best for music lovers.
What stands out
- Excellent sound for its size
- Stereo drivers
- Works with AirPlay 2 and Alexa
- Bluetooth and USB-C line in
What to know
- Sonos app has had reliability issues
- No Google Assistant
Is it worth it?
If you care about music quality and want a compact speaker that can grow into a multiroom system, the Sonos Era 100 is a strong choice. If you mainly want a cheap voice assistant, look elsewhere. The Amazon Echo Dot (£29–£49) is the alternative for most people. The Amazon Echo Studio (£159–£199) is the alternative for big sound with Alexa.
Alternatives worth considering
Amazon · Smart speakers
Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen)
Buy it if You want an affordable smart speaker for timers, weather, music and controlling smart lights.
- Verdict
- Buy
- Best for
- Most people
- Typical price
- £29–£49
Pros
- Low price
- Clearer sound than older Dots
Cons
- Small sound
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
Frequently asked questions
Is the Sonos Era 100 worth it?
Yes. The Sonos Era 100 stands out for rich stereo sound for any room, and it suits you if you care about music quality and want a compact speaker that can grow into a multiroom system. Skip it if you mainly want a cheap voice assistant.
Who should skip it?
If you mainly want a cheap voice assistant, an alternative will suit you better.
Is the Sonos Era 100 worth it?
Yes. The Sonos Era 100 stands out for rich stereo sound for any room, and it suits you if you care about music quality and want a compact speaker that can grow into a multiroom system. Skip it if you mainly want a cheap voice assistant.
What are the downsides of the Sonos Era 100?
Sonos app has had reliability issues. No Google Assistant