Posted by The modern smart home demands devices that seamlessly integrate superior sound, voice assistance, and intuitive control. After spending weeks testing the Sonos One Gen 2 Smart Speaker with Alexa, I’m convinced it is a near-perfect addition to any smart home setup.
This compact yet powerful speaker offers a balance of exceptional audio quality and smart features, all packed into a minimalist design. If you’re considering an upgrade to your audio or smart home ecosystem, here’s my in-depth review of the Sonos One Gen 2 that explains why it stands out.
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Unboxing and First Impressions
The first impression of the Sonos One Gen 2 Smart Speaker is its sleek and modern design. Available in matte black or white, it effortlessly blends into any home décor. The build quality feels premium, with its sturdy construction and smooth edges. Sonos has put thought into creating a device that looks as good as it performs.
Inside the box, you’ll find the speaker itself, a power cord, and a quick start guide. The setup process is straightforward, even for someone not particularly tech-savvy. Using the Sonos app, I had the speaker connected to my Wi-Fi and ready to use within minutes.
Sound Quality That Delivers
One of the most important aspects of any speaker is, of course, sound quality. The Sonos One Gen 2 does not disappoint. Despite its compact size, this speaker delivers a rich and balanced sound. Whether you’re playing soft jazz or bass-heavy hip-hop, the audio remains clear and distortion-free, even at higher volumes.
Key Highlights of the Sound Quality:
- Deep Bass: The bass is full and robust, perfect for music genres that thrive on low frequencies.
- Crisp Highs: Vocals and instruments shine with clarity, making it ideal for podcasts or acoustic music.
- Trueplay Tuning: Using the Sonos app, the speaker automatically adjusts its sound to fit the acoustics of your room, ensuring optimal listening.
Smart Features with Alexa Integration
The inclusion of Alexa voice assistant is where the Sonos One Gen 2 truly shines. Having Alexa built into the speaker means you can control your smart home devices, set timers, check the weather, and more—all hands-free.
My Favorite Alexa Use Cases with Sonos One Gen 2:
- Music Control: Simply say, “Alexa, play my morning playlist,” and the speaker responds instantly. It supports major streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.
- Smart Home Commands: From adjusting smart lights to controlling my thermostat, the integration was seamless.
- Multi-Room Audio: If you have other Sonos devices, you can group them for synchronized playback across your home.
Additionally, the Sonos One Gen 2 supports both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, giving you the flexibility to choose your preferred voice assistant.
Enhanced Hardware in Gen 2
Compared to its predecessor, the Sonos One Gen 2 introduces several hardware upgrades that enhance its performance and longevity. These improvements include:
- Increased Memory: Ensures faster processing and smoother multitasking.
- Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE): Simplifies the initial setup process, though this is only used temporarily during configuration.
- Updated Processor: Future-proofs the device for upcoming software updates, ensuring continued support.
These subtle but significant changes make the second-generation Sonos One more reliable and future-ready than the original.
The Sonos App: A Hub for Control
A standout feature of the Sonos ecosystem is its dedicated app. Available for both iOS and Android, the app offers intuitive control over your speaker. Through the app, you can:
- Browse Music Services: Integrate multiple accounts from Spotify, Tidal, or even local music libraries.
- Group Speakers: Easily create multi-room audio setups with other Sonos devices.
- Adjust Sound Settings: Fine-tune bass, treble, and balance to match your preferences.
While the app is feature-rich, it’s also user-friendly, ensuring that you don’t need to be a tech wizard to navigate it.
Seamless Smart Home Integration
The Sonos One Gen 2 Smart Speaker fits effortlessly into my smart home ecosystem. With its compatibility with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple AirPlay 2, it bridges the gap between different platforms. Whether I’m controlling my Philips Hue lights or streaming music via AirPlay, the experience feels unified and responsive.
Design and Portability
While the Sonos One Gen 2 isn’t designed to be portable, its compact footprint makes it easy to place almost anywhere in your home. It’s small enough to fit on a bookshelf but powerful enough to fill a large room with sound.
The touch-sensitive controls on the top of the speaker add to its elegance. You can play, pause, skip tracks, or adjust the volume with a simple tap.
What Could Be Improved
Although I’m thoroughly impressed with the Sonos One Gen 2, it’s not without its limitations:
- No Built-In Battery: Unlike the Sonos Move, the One Gen 2 needs to be plugged in at all times, limiting portability.
- Price: While the speaker is worth its premium price tag, it might be a stretch for budget-conscious buyers.
- No Bluetooth Playback: Direct Bluetooth streaming isn’t supported, though AirPlay and the Sonos app offer alternative solutions.
Why I’m Keeping the Sonos One Gen 2
After weeks of use, I’ve found that the Sonos One Gen 2 Smart Speaker with Alexa has elevated my daily routines. Its exceptional sound quality, robust smart features, and seamless integration with my existing devices make it a must-have for anyone invested in a smart home.
Whether you’re looking to upgrade your audio experience or enhance your home automation, the Sonos One Gen 2 strikes a perfect balance between functionality and performance. It’s not just a speaker—it’s an essential tool for modern living.
Final Verdict
The Sonos One Gen 2 Smart Speaker with Alexa is a worthwhile investment for anyone seeking high-quality sound and smart home capabilities. Its combination of rich audio, future-ready hardware, and intuitive controls makes it a standout choice in its category. While there are minor drawbacks, they pale in comparison to the overall experience this speaker provides.
If you’re on the fence about upgrading your smart home setup, the Sonos One Gen 2 might just be the missing piece you’ve been looking for.