Hello friend! Looking to upgrade your home audio system with a great-sounding Sonos speaker? The Sonos One and Sonos One SL are two of the company‘s most popular smart speaker options. They share a lot in common – like rich, detailed sound quality in a compact form factor.
However, the One model offers built-in voice control with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. The One SL skips the embedded microphones to save you some money. Let‘s closely compare these wireless speakers so you can determine the right choice for your needs and budget…
At a Glance: Sonos One vs One SL
Before we get into the nitty-gritty details, here is a high-level overview of how the Sonos One and Sonos One SL models stack up:
| Feature | Sonos One | Sonos One SL |
|---|---|---|
| Launch year | 2017 | 2019 |
| Voice assistants | Alexa & Google Assistant built-in | No built-in voice support |
| Microphones | 6 far-field mic array | None |
| Sound quality | Very good. Slightly better than One SL | Very good. Almost identical to One |
| Design | Identical compact size. Touch controls on top | Identical compact size. Touch controls on top |
| Wireless connectivity | Sonos net, AirPlay 2 | Sonos net, AirPlay 2 |
| Smart speaker features | More extensive w/Alexa & Google Assistant | Basic playback control only |
| Price (MSRP) | $219 | $199 |
The One and One SL are practically identical apart from the built-in voice assistant features on the One. You‘ll enjoy the same awesome Sonos sound quality, music streaming capabilities and elegant design with both speakers.
Now let‘s do a deeper dive on how these two great speakers compare…
Sound Quality Comparison
Crystal clear sound is what Sonos speakers are known for. Both the One and One SL deliver impressively rich, detailed audio that outperforms traditional Bluetooth speakers. Vocals sound crisp and natural while bass resonates at dance party levels without muddiness or distortion – even at high volumes.
Drivers consist of a tweeter for the highs and mid-woofer for mid-range sound plus deeper bass. Each model houses two Class D digital amplifiers perfectly matched to the speakers. Sophisticated software algorithms help minimize clipping or vibrations for smooth performance across the frequency curve.
Reviewers unanimously agree you‘ll be amazed at the bold, clear sound these little speakers are capable of producing. But does one model have an advantage in audio performance?
The Sonos One does rate slightly higher in expert reviews, likely owing to the more advanced components needed for built-in voice control functionality. However the average listener would have trouble detecting much difference between them under casual use conditions.
- Sonos One frequency response: 52 Hz – 20 kHz ± 3 dB
- Sonos One SL frequency response: 70 Hz – 20 kHz ± 3 dB
- Sonos One signal-to-noise ratio: >90 dB at maximum volume
- Sonos One total harmonic distortion: <1% from 200 Hz – 20 kHz
Overall the SL holds its own against the One as far as sound quality goes. Unless you‘re an Audiophile doing critical listening, I doubt you‘d even notice the One‘s marginal audio advantage in regular use.
Both speakers support Trueplay room calibration via the Sonos app for iOS devices. Trueplay analysis your room’s acoustics then fine-tunes the EQ profile tailored specifically to your space. This helps extract maximum audio performance for the speaker‘s positioning.
I recommend starting with one Sonos speaker, then gradually building a whole-home multi-room system over time. Add a second One or One SL for stereo separation or use them as rear surrounds paired with a Sonos soundbar. You‘ll be thrilled at the sound upgrade!
Voice Assistant Capabilities
One of the biggest differences between the One and One SL lies within the built-in voice control functionality. The Sonos One contains a 6-microphone array to detect voice commands even when music or other ambient noise is present.
During setup you choose either Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant as your preferred voice assistant. Say a wake word like “Hey Google” or "Alexa" and the speaker temporarily lowers audio volume so the mics can clearly pick up your voice.
You can request songs, playlists, podcasts, radio stations and more using natural voice commands. Ask questions, set timers/alarms, check weather, traffic, sports updates and even control other smart home devices. Voice assistant integration expands what you can do with the Sonos One.
Meanwhile the Sonos One SL lacks any embedded microphones used for hands-free voice interaction. However you still have options for controlling it with a voice assistant…
Use a separate Alexa/Google Assistant smart speaker – Pair your One SL with an Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, Echo Studio or Google Nest speaker. Then issue voice commands to that device to manage playback on your One SL.
Apple AirPlay 2 with Siri – The One SL supports AirPlay 2 allowing you to stream content from any iPhone, iPad or Mac. Use Siri commands on those Apple devices to control the One SL speaker.
So while you lose the native voice functionality, there are workarounds for voice control if you purchase the Sonos One SL. You just need an additional smart device in the mix.
But if having a built-in voice assistant directly within the Sonos speaker itself appeals to you – the One model is likely the better pick. Voice control comes in handy if you want to change volume, skip tracks, turn off music or request different songs without grabbing your phone. It‘s a nice perk for just $20 more.
Design & Build Quality
You‘ll be equally impressed with the elegant aesthetics of both the One and One SL speakers. Featuring a sleek, minimalist design with smooth rounded corners, these speakers fit nicely into any décor. Their understated look lets your music take center stage rather than the hardware itself.
They share an identical compact footprint measuring just 6 inches tall by 4.7 inches wide and deep. Weighing in at a substantial 4 pounds each, build quality feels solid with a mix of durable plastic and aluminum materials. You can comfortably lift and carry them around in one hand.
The entire enclosure gets covered in a neutral-colored cloth grille fabric available in your choice of black or white. This allows the speakers to blend seamlessly into backgrounds without attracting much visual attention. Physical buttons across the very top control volume up/down, previous/next track and play/pause functionality.
Both models carry an IP56 rating making them resistant to dust ingress and surviving splashes from any direction. So feel free to use them in the bathroom or even outside on a covered patio area worry-free. Just don‘t submerge them underwater!
In terms of hardware design and build quality, the Sonos One and One SL are practically twin brothers. You can safely choose either model based on features or price rather than aesthetics or construction since they share so much DNA.
Music Streaming & Multi-Room Audio
You‘ll thoroughly enjoy unlimited music streaming from all major services thanks to the seamless access built into both the Sonos One and One SL.
Stream everything from Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Pandora, Tidal, YouTube Music, SiriusXM, Deezer and dozens more. Support for popular podcast/audiobook apps provides endless listening options.
The speakers smoothly handle the background technical details so all your music plays in perfect sync across various sources. This allows you to effortlessly create playlists crossing songs from multiple services for endless customization.
Use the intuitive Sonos app for iOS or Android devices to browse trending playlists, manage playback queues and stations or explore new music. Recent updates improved stability and made the interface very user-friendly.
Apple AirPlay 2 support lets you directly stream content from any iPhone, iPad, Mac or other AirPlay compatible device as well. Quickly send songs, podcasts or video soundtracks to your Sonos straight from another Apple gadget.
Where the Sonos ecosystem really shines is streaming different music to different rooms all completely in sync. Buy multiple Sonos speakers over time place them in areas like the kitchen, living room, office, bedroom etc.
Group them together dynamically to play the same perfectly synchronized audio everywhere. Then ungroup to send separate songs or podcasts to each room straight from your phone. It‘s an awesome whole-home audio solution!
Smart Home Integration
The built-in voice assistant capabilities of the Sonos One allow deep integration with other smart home gear. Use natural voice commands to activate lights, adjust thermostats, check security cameras, control robots vacuums and more.
For example say "Alexa, set living room temperature to 68 degrees" or "Hey Google, lock the front door". Voice assistant connectivity becomes especially helpful when your hands are full like when cooking or cleaning.
Even without mics, the Sonos One SL can still integrate into an existing smart home ecosystem thanks to the Sonos app plus AirPlay 2 support. Control playback on the One SL from Siri voice commands issued to nearby Apple devices.
My Verdict: Which One is Right For You?
In closing, I give major props to Sonos on these awesome wireless smart speakers – both the One and One SL knock it out of the park when it comes to stunning sound. And music lovers enjoy endless streaming possibilities from all major services.
Choose the Sonos One if having immediate hands-free voice assistant access directly from the speaker itself appeals to you. Voice control proves handy for music requests, smart home commands, weather updates etc without grabbing your phone. It earns my top recommendation for versatility with built-in Alexa/Google integration.
Opt for the less expensive Sonos One SL to save some money if you already own an Amazon Echo, Google Nest or Apple iPhone/iPad device for voice commands. You still enjoy virtually identical sound quality and music streaming to the One. The SL makes for an awesome expansion speaker as part of a whole-home setup.
Either way my friend, you‘re making a solid investment towards taking your audio enjoyment to the next level! Feel free to reach out if any other questions come up about these stellar Sonos smart speakers at any time. Enjoy your music!
