---
layout: post
title: "Sonos Speakers Are Still Worth It, Despite Everything"
description: "Sonos has stumbled with app issues, but their speakers remain excellent. Here's what's actually worth buying in 2026."
date: 2026-03-08 18:00:21 +0530
author: adam
image: 'https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1768697581060-52e2edbee7fa?q=80&w=2070'
video_embed:
tags: [news, tech]
tags_color: '#ff5722'
---
Let's get this out of the way first: yes, Sonos had a terrible year in 2024. Their app update was a disaster, speakers dropped off networks, and the whole thing became a PR nightmare. I get it. The company's CEO even admitted it was "a profound mistake."
But here's the thing nobody wants to hear. The speakers still sound great.
I've been testing Sonos gear for years, from ancient models like the Play:1 to the latest Era 100 and Era 300. Apart from those app troubles, my experience has been genuinely positive. I use an old IKEA Symfonisk Lamp every single night to put my daughter to bed. It works. It sounds good. It does its job.
The thing that makes Sonos different from other wireless speaker companies is that they've actually invested in making their products work together seamlessly. When you want to build a multi-room audio system or set up surround sound, Sonos makes it stupidly easy. That's not hype. That's just how it works.
## Why Sonos Still Matters
The setup process is genuinely painless. The app walks you through everything step by step, and adding speakers to an existing system feels natural. Google Assistant speakers can do similar things, but it's nowhere near as smooth. Even Wiim, which makes some genuinely incredible amplifiers, doesn't have the same breadth of standalone products.
Streaming is handled beautifully too. Support for basically every major service means you're not locked into anything. Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Apple Music with AirPlay 2, and a bunch of services I don't even use regularly. The soundbars like the Arc Ultra will pump TV audio to speakers throughout your home, which is weirdly useful when you're cooking and want to keep up with the plot.
Then there's the sound quality itself. I toured their Santa Barbara facility before the Era speakers launched, and I was struck by how obsessively focused they are on audio architecture. Not in an annoying way. Just real attention to detail. Every speaker I've tested sounds above average, and most sound truly excellent. They're also using more replaceable parts now, which means these things are built to last.
## The Real Problems
Price is the first one. Sonos speakers are expensive, and they rarely get deep discounts. If you're shopping on a budget, you'll find cheaper options that sound acceptable. Sonos isn't really for that crowd.
The app situation, while improved, still lingers in people's minds. And honestly, that's fair. When a company tells you they made a massive mistake and are working on fixing it again in 2026, it understandably shakes confidence. I've noticed few issues lately, but others have had rougher experiences.
There's also the limiting factor of fewer inputs and accessories compared to competitors. The Arc Ultra has only one HDMI input and no remote, while Samsung's HW-Q990F offers multiple inputs and a dedicated remote. Older speakers like the Sonos One don't even have Bluetooth, though thankfully the newer models have corrected that.
## What You Should Actually Buy
The Era 100 is where most people should start. It's the entry-level smart speaker, but it's a full redesign from previous models. Three drivers inside, two wave-guided tweeters for actual stereo separation, and a woofer that handles bass without feeling bloated. The control panel has a volume slider that feels natural. USB-C input for digital audio. Wi-Fi 6. You get the idea. It's loaded.
The Era 300 is the same philosophy but for people who want 3D audio and more presence. Four tweeters, including one pointing straight up, plus two aiming at the sides to bounce sound around. Two woofers for commanding bass. Hook two of these up to the Arc Ultra as rear surrounds and you've got something genuinely immersive. Not cheap, but worth considering if you're building out a serious setup.
If portability matters, the Roam is Sonos's smallest speaker and honestly one of the better Bluetooth speakers out there. You can throw it in a bag, use it at the beach, and it'll last 10 hours on a charge. It's dunkable too with IP67 certification, which is handy.
The Move 2 sits in this weird space between portable and stationary. It's heavier, sounds bigger than its size suggests, and has up to 24 hours of battery life. Better for backyard barbecues than daily portability, but if that's your use case, it works.
The Arc Ultra is Sonos's soundbar, and it's probably the most important piece of their lineup. Fourteen speakers inside, including dual upfiring tweeters for Dolby Atmos support. The clarity is refined, the bass is punchy, and the soundstage is expansive. It's expensive, and it doesn't have a remote or multiple HDMI inputs, but the performance puts it in a class of its own. I tested it with a Sub 4 and dual Era 300s and it was the most immersive setup I've experienced.
## The Headphones That Surprised Me
The Sonos Ace arrived with a lot of hype about whole-home Wi-Fi integration that never quite materialized. Strip away those expectations and what you're left with is a legitimately good first attempt at wireless noise-canceling headphones.
The noise cancellation is competitive. The transparency mode sounds natural. There's a TV Swap feature that lets them take over audio from compatible soundbars, which is actually clever for home theater. The sound signature is understated but detailed, with a softer touch to the midrange that still picks up instrumental nuance.
But here's the real sell: they're absurdly comfortable. I've worn a lot of headphones for extended periods. These ones just disappear on your head. Removable earpads mean they'll last longer too.
## What's Coming
Nobody knows for certain, but Sonos is planning another app update designed to simplify controls and bring some iOS-specific features. Honestly, that's the thing I'm most interested in watching. The company needs this one to go smoothly.
There's also speculation about a new Beam replacement. The current Beam Gen 2 is pricey for what it offers, especially since it lacks Dolby Atmos support. Given that Sonos went all-in on 3D audio with the Era and Arc Ultra, a new Beam with Atmos support would make sense.
## Finding Your Own Balance
The core question isn't whether Sonos speakers are good. They are. The question is whether you can forgive a company for a catastrophic software mistake and trust them enough to buy their hardware anyway.
That's something only you can answer.
