When it comes to high-quality, wireless speakers, two names that often pop up in conversation are the Sonos One and the Sonos Era 100. Both speakers have a reputation for delivering impressive sound quality, but how do they compare when it comes to music streaming? As a music lover and tech enthusiast, I’ve had the opportunity to try both of these speakers.
In this Sonos One vs Era 100 comparison, I’ll break down the key reasons why I believe the Sonos One takes the edge, including sound quality, integration with other devices, design, and overall user experience.
Sonos One vs Era 100
After spending time with each, I’ve concluded: that I prefer the Sonos One over the Era 100 for music streaming.
Sound Quality: Richer and More Balanced Sound
One of the most important factors in choosing a speaker is, of course, sound quality. The Sonos One and the Era 100 are both designed to fill your room with clear, powerful audio. However, when it comes to pure sound performance, the Sonos One is the winner for me.
The Sonos One delivers a crisp, balanced sound profile with impressive bass for its size. The speaker features two Class-D amplifiers, a tweeter, and a woofer, which helps produce a rich sound experience. It delivers clear vocals, warm midrange tones, and deep bass, making it great for all kinds of music genres.
Whether you’re listening to soft acoustic tunes or bass-heavy electronic tracks, the Sonos One maintains its clarity and fullness, which makes it ideal for music lovers who want to experience their tracks in full detail. In contrast, the Sonos Era 100, while still an excellent speaker, focuses more on broadening its appeal with a focus on the spatial sound experience and a broader soundstage.
This makes it great for creating an immersive, more encompassing audio feel. However, some users may find it lacks the richness and depth that the Sonos One offers when listening to music that demands more precision and detail, such as classical music or jazz. The Era 100’s sound can feel a bit more hollow and less punchy, especially in the lower frequencies.
While it excels in filling a larger space with sound, the Sonos One’s sound feels more intimate and detailed, making it a better fit for music-focused listening.
Voice Control and Smart Features: Alexa and Google Assistant Integration
Another area where the Sonos One stands out is its seamless integration with smart assistants. The Sonos One supports both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, giving users more flexibility when it comes to voice control. You can ask it to play specific songs, change the volume, or control your smart home devices without lifting a finger.
This level of convenience is especially useful when you’re in the middle of cooking or lounging on the couch, and it significantly enhances the listening experience. The Sonos Era 100, on the other hand, does not have built-in voice assistant support at the time of writing.
While the Era 100 does support the Sonos app and has Bluetooth connectivity, its lack of built-in voice control limits its appeal for users who rely on Alexa or Google Assistant to manage their smart home setups. While you can still control music via the app or pair the Era 100 with an external Alexa or Google Assistant-enabled device, the Sonos One’s all-in-one voice control capability is a big win for those who want a fully integrated music experience.
Design and Size: Compact Yet Powerful
The Sonos One is compact yet powerful, which is one of the reasons I appreciate it so much. Its sleek, minimalistic design allows it to fit seamlessly into almost any room or environment. With a simple cylindrical shape, the Sonos One looks great on bookshelves, counters, and side tables, while its all-black or all-white color options help it blend in without drawing too much attention.
This design choice also works well in smaller spaces where you don’t want the speaker to dominate the room but still need great sound. The Sonos Era 100 is slightly larger and bulkier than the Sonos One, which may be an advantage if you’re looking for a speaker that can fill a larger room with sound.
However, the extra size does make it more noticeable, and for people who prioritize minimalism, the Era 100’s larger form factor may be a dealbreaker. It’s a personal preference, but for those who like subtlety in their speaker setups, the Sonos One’s compact design is an attractive feature.
Connectivity: Flexibility for Streaming and Multi-Room Setups
Both the Sonos One and the Era 100 are part of Sonos’ excellent ecosystem, which means you can group them with other Sonos speakers and enjoy multi-room audio. However, the Sonos One has a slight edge when it comes to versatility in terms of connectivity.
It supports both Wi-Fi and Ethernet, giving you the flexibility to choose the best option for your setup. Additionally, it works with Apple AirPlay 2, which allows you to stream audio directly from your Apple devices without needing to open the Sonos app.
While the Sonos Era 100 also supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, its lack of AirPlay 2 support limits its integration with Apple devices. If you’re an iPhone or iPad user who loves the convenience of streaming audio via AirPlay, the Sonos One may be a better fit for you.
Furthermore, the Sonos One’s ability to integrate with a wider range of smart home systems adds another layer of versatility to the device, making it a more future-proof investment for those looking to create a fully connected home.
App Control: Smooth and Intuitive Experience
Both the Sonos One and Era 100 can be controlled via the Sonos app, which provides users with an intuitive and seamless way to manage their music. The app allows you to easily connect to streaming services, control volume and set up multi-room audio.
That being said, the Sonos One offers an edge in terms of being more user-friendly. Due to its established presence in the Sonos ecosystem, the Sonos One has had more time to refine the app interface, making it feel faster and more responsive.
The app allows for customization, from adjusting the EQ to saving favorite playlists or stations. Plus, because the Sonos One has been around longer, users report fewer issues with app connectivity or setup.
For the Sonos Era 100, the app experience is still solid, but the slightly more recent release means it may occasionally have minor hiccups or require additional updates to work flawlessly with the Sonos app.
While I don’t consider this to be a dealbreaker, users who prefer a rock-solid, tried-and-true experience might find the Sonos One more dependable in the long run.
Price: Which One Offers Better Value?
When it comes to pricing, the Sonos Era 100 is generally priced higher than the Sonos One. Given the similarities in overall performance and sound quality, I feel that the Sonos One offers better value for those primarily interested in music. It provides a more balanced sound, better smart home integration, and a sleek design at a slightly lower cost.
The Era 100’s higher price point may be justified if you’re looking for a more immersive, space-filling sound experience, but for those on a budget who still want great music streaming, the Sonos One is a more economical option.
Conclusion: Why I Prefer the Sonos One
While both the Sonos One and the Sonos Era 100 are fantastic speakers in their own right, I find the Sonos One to be the better choice for music lovers. The combination of its rich, balanced sound, excellent Alexa integration, compact design, and price makes it a perfect choice for those looking for a reliable, high-quality audio experience.
The Era 100 has its advantages, particularly for those looking for a broader soundstage, but for music-focused listeners who value clarity and detail, the Sonos One simply delivers more. Ultimately, it all comes down to your specific needs and how you plan to use your speaker.
If you’re looking for a more immersive sound for larger spaces or an updated design, the Era 100 might be the right choice for you. However, if your priority is music quality, seamless voice control, and a sleek design that fits easily into your home, the Sonos One stands out as the clear winner.
Disclaimer: This review is based on my personal experience with the Sonos One and Era 100, as well as my extensive use of both products. My preferences and experiences may vary from those of other users, but I stand by my evaluation based on what I find most important for high-quality audio streaming.