Sonos is well-known for its excellent smart speakers that let you stream music wirelessly throughout your home. However, Sonos products don‘t come cheap. If you‘re looking for more budget-friendly options that offer similar functionality, here are 6 of the top Sonos One alternatives worth considering.
1. Amazon Echo Studio – Best Overall
The Amazon Echo Studio is my pick for the best overall Sonos One alternative. It delivers powerful, room-filling sound thanks to its 5-speaker array with tweeters, mid-range speakers, and a subwoofer.
While it doesn‘t support AirPlay like Sonos, the Echo Studio has WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity to play audio from just about any device. It works seamlessly with Amazon Music, Spotify, Apple Music and more. Plus, built-in Alexa lets you control your music with just your voice.
The Echo Studio really shines when it comes to smart home integration. It connects easily to Zigbee compatible devices without needing a separate hub. You can even pair it with an Echo Sub for more bass and use it as an intercom system around your house.
Key Features:
- Room-filling 3D audio
- Works with Alexa
- Spotify, Pandora, Amazon Music support
- WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity
- Zigbee smart home integration
2. Sonos Move – Most Versatile
If you want Sonos-quality sound in a battery-powered speaker, look no further than the Sonos Move. It delivers rich, detailed audio indoors and outdoors for up to 10 hours on a charge.
The Move is extremely durable with an IP56 rating making it immune to dust, dirt and moisture. You can drop it or knock it over outside without worrying about damage. It also has integrated voice control with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Like all Sonos speakers, it supports AirPlay 2 and popular music services. Plus, you can easily link it up with your Sonos system at home for whole-home audio.
Key Features:
- Indoor/outdoor use
- 10 hour battery life
- Dust/water resistant rating
- Alexa and Google Assistant support
- Works with other Sonos speakers
3. Bose Smart Soundbar 300 – Top Soundbar Pick
The Bose Smart Soundbar 300 is a compact yet powerful Sonos One alternative. It produces an immersive listening experience with detailed audio across a wide soundstage.
For voice control, it has Alexa built-in so you can request songs, look up info, and adjust volume completely hands-free. There‘s also Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity for wireless streaming.
While a little pricier than other options, the Bose Smart Soundbar 300 looks fantastic and takes just minutes to set up. It‘s the perfect choice for upgrading TV and music audio in smaller spaces.
Key Features:
- Wide, detailed soundstage
- Integrated Alexa voice assistant
- Bluetooth and WiFi streaming
- Elegant modern design
- Simple setup
4. Sonos Beam (Gen 2) – Best Soundbar Under $500
The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is the best Sonos One alternative for those seeking a premium yet affordable soundbar. It produces big, rich audio that belies its compact size.
New upgrades include support for virtual surround sound formats like Dolby Atmos for more immersive listening. You also get built-in Alexa and Google Assistant for handy voice commands.
Like other Sonos devices, the Beam Gen 2 has rock-solid connectivity with WiFi, Apple AirPlay 2, Bluetooth, and streaming service integration. It‘s extremely versatile for music, movies, gaming, and more.
Key Features:
- Big bold sound in a compact form
- Virtual surround sound support
- Voice control via Alexa and Google Assistant
- AirPlay 2, WiFi, Bluetooth connectivity
- Works as part of a Sonos multi-room system
5. JBL Flip 6 – Best Portable Speaker
For Sonos One buyers seeking a portable Bluetooth speaker, the JBL Flip 6 is a top choice that punches way above its size.
It pumps out surprisingly powerful bass and clear mids/highs thanks to a redesigned racetrack-shaped driver. Battery life is also excellent at up to 12 hours for all-day listening.
The Flip 6 has a durable, waterproof design perfect for outdoor use. You can also wirelessly connect two Flip 6 speakers together for room-filling stereo sound using JBL‘s PartyBoost mode.
Key Features:
- Big bass and crisp audio
- 12 hour battery life
- IP67 dust/waterproof rating
- PartyBoost stereo pairing
- Durable, portable design
6. Jamo S 809 – Best Bookshelf Speakers Under $250
If you want an alternative to the Sonos One for your turntable or computer desktop setup, the Jamo S 809s are fantastic. These compact bookshelf speakers deliver astonishingly good, detailed sound given their small size and budget price.
An oversized woofer and soft dome tweeter give you thumping bass along with crisp highs that sound great whether you‘re playing vinyl records or streaming digital tunes. The classic bookshelf design is also attractive for desktops and media consoles.
For connectivity, the two RCA inputs provide plenty of options for hooking up audio sources like record players, TVs and computers.
Key Features:
- Big bass and clear treble
- RCA inputs for turntables/TVs
- Beautiful classic bookshelf design
- Amazing sound quality for the money
What To Consider in a Sonos One Alternative
When shopping for a Sonos One alternative, there are a few key factors to keep in mind:
Sound Quality – Good audio with clear treble/mids and decent bass response should be a top priority. Make sure any speaker you choose offers balanced, distortion-free sound at various volumes.
Smart Features – Many Sonos alternatives now include integrated voice assistants like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant for handy voice control. If you want voice commands, prioritize speakers with this.
Wireless Connectivity – Convenient connectivity like WiFi, Bluetooth, and Apple AirPlay allows for easy wireless streaming from your phone, tablet or computer.
Multi-Room Audio – Can the speaker be linked up with other speakers in different rooms for synchronized whole-home audio like Sonos? If so, that‘s a nice added bonus.
Design Aesthetic – Choose an alternative with a style that fits your home decor – bookshelf, soundbar, portable etc. Materials used can impact durability.
Budget – Sonos One alternatives run the gamut from $100 portable Bluetooth speakers to $500+ home theater soundbars. Set a target budget and look for highest quality sound/features possible at that price.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common use cases for a Sonos One or alternative smart speaker?
The most popular uses for Sonos One or similar speakers are wirelessly streaming music services like Spotify or Apple Music, adding voice control to your home via Alexa/Google Assistant, enhancing TV/movie audio with a soundbar, and creating whole-home multi-room audio.
Should I choose a Sonos One alternative from Sonos or a different brand?
It depends on your budget and desired features. Other brands like Amazon, Google and JBL offer more affordable Sonos alternatives. But Sonos speakers integrate seamlessly with existing Sonos systems. Both options have pros and cons to weigh.
What features do I sacrifice by choosing a cheaper Sonos One alternative?
More affordable alternatives may lack certain Sonos perks like AirPlay 2 support, Trueplay room tuning/optimization and seamless integration with existing Sonos speaker systems. You may also sacrifice some audio richness and clarity. But cheaper options can still provide very good, room-filling sound.
What connectivity options should I look for in a Sonos One alternative?
Key connectivity to have includes WiFi/wireless streaming (allows for multi-room audio), Bluetooth (connect directly from your phone/tablet), and ports like RCA, optical or HDMI (to hook up TVs, computers etc.)