Side-by-side comparison based on expert reviews and community consensus.
Sonos Era 100
Best Smart SpeakerSonos Era 300
Best Premium Home SpeakerPrice
$197-$219
$459
Summary
The Era 100 is the smart speaker that audiophiles and casual listeners agree on. Stereo sound, Alexa built-in, AirPlay 2, and Bluetooth in a compact package make it the most versatile home speaker at its price.
The Era 300 is the best-sounding single speaker you can put in a room, full stop. Dolby Atmos spatial audio, room-filling bass, and seamless multi-room integration justify the premium price for serious listeners.
Pros
- True stereo sound playback — a major upgrade over the Sonos One
- Works with Alexa, AirPlay 2, and Bluetooth simultaneously
- Compact design fits any room without dominating it
- Wide streaming service support including Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal
- Expandable into a full Sonos multi-room system
- Dolby Atmos spatial audio support — sounds like nothing else at this price
- Room-filling sound with strong bass depth and bright highs
- Works with Alexa and Sonos voice commands
- Terrific companion app with room analysis and adjustable EQ
- Wide streaming service support and easy multi-room expansion
Cons
- No Google Assistant or Google Cast support
- $219 is pricier than Amazon Echo alternatives
- Sonos app has had reliability issues in recent years
- Expensive at $459
- No Google Assistant or Google Cast support
- Spatial audio content is still limited on most streaming services
- Trails the Sonos Five at standard stereo playback
Our take
The Era 100 is CNET's top overall speaker pick and the one Sonos model that earns universal praise — it sounds better than any Amazon Echo and integrates with more services than any Apple HomePod.
If you care about sound quality above all else and want a speaker that will genuinely impress guests, the Era 300 is the one to get. PCMag, CNET, and The Verge all give it top marks — it's the rare speaker that lives up to its hype.
Buy
