Sonos is a leading audio equipment brand famous for its high-quality portable speakers. Their amazing speakers support multiroom music playback. You can stream music from Spotify, Pandora, and Audible and use voice assistance to play music or control your speakers. Unfortunately, some of their speakers come with a relatively high price tag that puts them out of reach of many audiophiles.
We have done some sleuthing to find decent alternatives with pretty good features and audio quality but at more budget-friendly prices. If you’re looking for the best Sonos One alternative, here are six amazing options.
- Best Overall: Amazon Echo Studio
- Best for Outdoors: Bose 251 Environmental Outdoor Speakers
- Best for Streaming: Denon Home Soundbar
- Best for Home Theater: Yamaha Audio YAS-209BL Soundbar
- Best for High-Quality Sound: Google Nest Audio Speaker
- Best for Portability: JBL Flip 5 Waterproof Portable Speaker
Best Overall: Amazon Echo Studio
- Five powerful speakers with immersive sound
- Use voice to control your music
- Stream music from Spotify, Pandora, Tidal and Amazon Music HD
- Fine-tune playback for optimal sound
One of the best-sounding speakers in the market, the Amazon Echo Studio delivers clear, crisp sound.
Tech-savvy users will be amazed by the Amazon Echo Studio’s unlimited options. The built-in Zigbee smart home standard eliminates the need for a separate bridge. You can even add an Echo sub for a more powerful stereo system. Moreover, its stylish design blends in beautifully with other interiors, and you can use it as an intercom throughout your house — which isn’t available on Sonos speakers!
Although Airplay won’t be supported like on the Sonos One, there are still excellent Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity levels to enjoy. And being able to control all your home entertainment needs from one place gives unparalleled convenience too. With an Echo Studio, say goodbye to mediocre sound quality and hello to a world of premium audio enjoyment!
Specs
| Audio Quality | High-quality, immersive sound |
| Speaker Configuration | 3D audio with five speakers |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa |
| Wireless Connectivity | Wi-Fi & Bluetooth |
| Multi-room Audio | Yes |
| Music Streaming | Compatible with major services |
| Smart Home Integration | Works with various devices |
| Audio Input/Output | 1x 3.5mm audio line-in |
| Size | Larger and more robust |
Check out the Amazon Echo Studio on Amazon.
Best for Outdoors: Bose 251 Environmental Outdoor Speakers
- Refined design for outdoor spaces
- Water-resistant and extra durable
- Articulated area design for clearer sounds
- Balanced stereo sounds over a wide area
- Perfect for the patio, pool, and garden
The Bose 251 Environmental Outdoor Speakers are the perfect choice for outdoor audiophiles looking to enjoy rich, full-fidelity sound in any environment.
With their robust IPX5 rating, the Bose 251 Environmental Outdoor Speakers are completely weatherproof and capable of withstanding even the harshest elements. The unique acoustic design provides a warm yet accurate balanced tone that can project up to 50 feet away. So, your music will always reach someone far off in the distance. These speakers come with a bracket that allows you to place them on walls or ceilings while also providing a suitable mounting position for amplified speakers as well. All in all, Bose 251 is a great way to set the mood outdoors no matter what setting you find yourself in!
Specs
| Waterproof | Weather-resistant design |
| Bluetooth range | Up to 30ft |
| Audio Quality | High-fidelity |
| Installation | Wall and ceiling mountable |
| Multi-Room Audio | Yes |
| Stereo Pairing | Yes |
| Durability | Double enclosure construction |
| Portability | Heavy-duty ABS plastic cabinet |
Check out the Bose 251 Environmental Outdoor Speakers on Amazon.
Best for Streaming: Denon Home Soundbar
- A compact soundbar with powerful audio
- Impressive 3D surround sound
- Pleasant cinematic experience on 4K HF TV
- Deep, thunderous bass for your music, movies
- Personalize your home theater experience
- Fantastic wireless home audio option for a multi-room experience.
A mid-range soundbar with fantastic features, the Denon Home Soundbar is another best Sonos One alternative, allowing you to enjoy rich, dynamic audio and an immersive listening experience.
The advanced driver array comprises dual tweeters, mid-woofers, and a passive radiator that offers crisp highs, detailed midrange, and deep bass. It’s also seamlessly compatible with Spotify, Pandora, and Apple Music. So, you can connect wirelessly and stream your favorite content without any hassle. Plus, it looks great thanks to its sleek minimalist design and premium materials.
Denon Bluetooth speaker also works well with other HEOS devices. The multi-room setup capability allows users to enjoy their music throughout the house. All this combined makes the this soundbar the best solution for anyone who wants flexibility and convenience when streaming content!
Specs
| Wireless Streaming | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Ethernet |
| Voice Control | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant |
| Music Services | Spotify, Pandora, TuneIn, iHeartRadio |
| Multi-Room Audio | Yes |
| Audio Quality | Hi-Fi, rich and detailed sound |
| Amplifier Power Output | 4 x Class-D amplifiers (4x 50W) |
| Connectivity | Aux input, USB port, Ethernet |
| Trueplay Tuning | No |
| Water Resistance | No |
| Dimensions (inches) | 11.61 x 6.5 x 6.5 |
| Weight (lbs) | 8.16 |
Check out the Denon Home Soundbar on Amazon.
Best for Home Theater: Yamaha Audio YAS-209BL Soundbar
- Easy setup with HDMI or Optical cable and automatic subwoofer connection
- Wireless subwoofer for deep bass and flexible placement. Center unit-36-5/8 × 2-1/2 × 4-1/4 inches, Subwoofer-7-1/2 × 16-1/2 × 16 inches
- Clear voice for enhanced dialogue clarity
- Alexa built-in for voice control of your sound bar, playing music, listening to news, setting alarms and timers, asking questions, controlling smart home devices, and more
- With Alexa, playing music is as simple as asking for a song, artist, or genre from Amazon music and more
The Yamaha Audio YAS-209BL Soundbar is a powerful speaker with a wide array of soundscapes that will mesmerize you.
The Yamaha Audio YAS-209BL Soundbar delivers crisp highs and rumbling lows so you can enjoy an immersive experience like never before. It is almost as if your personal DJ tailor-made the audio exactly for you, customizing any mood or genre in real time.
Functional features like voice control let you simplify home entertainment with simple commands, while clutter-free wireless connectivity makes installation painless and straightforward. To top it off, allow us to emphasize that the YAS-209BL provides the best possible quality when it comes to enjoying music, movies, and other content at home!
Specs
| Audio Quality | Clear, immersive audio |
| Speaker Configuration | Soundbar with built-in subwoofer |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet, HDMI ARC, Optical, Analog |
| Voice Assistant | Built-in Amazon Alexa |
| Multi-room Audio | Yes |
| Streaming Services | Spotify, Pandora, and more |
| Additional Speakers | Can be paired with other MusicCast speakers for multi-room audio |
| App Control | MusicCast app for iOS and Android |
| HDMI Support | Yes |
| Dimensions (inches) | 38.6 x 2.4 x 4.5 |
Check out the Yamaha Audio YAS-209BL Soundbar on Amazon.
Best for High-Quality Sound: Google Nest Audio Speaker
- Elegant design. neat cord management
- Easy to install, stable stand, and safe
- Impressive sound experience at any location
- Perfect for kitchens, bathrooms, offices, and outdoors
Equipped with the most recent smart home technology, the Google Nest Audio Speaker provides a revolutionary user experience.
This device’s powerful speech recognition system can easily recognize an array of voices and preferences, so using it is effortless for everyone. Additionally, compatibility concerns won’t arise as you can pair it many existing appliances, such as security cameras, thermostats, and lights. To control all your devices without a hassle, you have several options – voice commands or the Google Home app; both work perfectly here.
When evaluating speakers, sound quality stands above appearance. You no longer need to put with Home speakers with unpalatable noise. Google has evolved its audio production in Nest Audio so you can enjoy crystal clear sound at any moment. A meticulous architectural design sends sound in the right direction.
Specs
| Audio Quality | “Room-filling” sound with balanced audio |
| Voice Assistant | Built-in Google Assistant |
| Music Streaming | Google Play Music, YouTube Music, Spotify, Pandora |
| Multi-room Audio | Yes |
| Wireless Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Chromecast, Chromecast Audio |
| Smart Home Integration | Google Assistant |
| Dimensions | 6.9″ x 4.9″ x 3.1″ (H x W x D) |
Check out the Google Nest Audio Speaker on Amazon.
Best for Portability: JBL Flip 5 Waterproof Portable Speaker
- Wireless Bluetooth streaming
- 12 hours of playtime
- IPX7 waterproof
- Pair multiple speakers with party boost
- Premium JBL sound quality
Another best Sonos One alternative is the JBL Flip 5 Waterproof Portable Speaker which is an impressive wireless speaker with a compact design that makes it easy to take on the go.
Flip 5 allows you to enjoy great sound everywhere. What truly sets this device apart is its incredible audio quality which offers deep bass, crystal clear highs, and precise mid-tempos for an immersive listening experience.
For increased durability, the speaker features an IPX7 waterproof rating making it impervious to water damage. It can withstand submersion up to one meter! You can take it outdoors in harsh weather conditions or near pools. With a battery life of twelve hours, the JBL Flip 5 supports long listening sessions! Overall, the JBL Flip 5 delivers unbeatable strength and endurance with excellent audio performance — providing listeners with a powerful combination they can’t ignore!
Specs
| Size and Weight | 7.1″ x 2.7″ x 2.9″, 1.19 lbs |
| Battery Life | Up to 12 hours |
| Wireless Connectivity | Bluetooth |
| Waterproof Rating | IPX7 (waterproof) |
| Sound Quality | Powerful bass, clear sound |
| Voice Assistant | N/A |
| Portability | Portable with a carrying handle |
| Durability | Rugged design |
Check out the JBL Flip 5 Waterproof Portable Speaker on Amazon.
How to Choose the Best Sonos One Alternative: Step by Step
No doubt, we are huge admirers of Sonos speakers. The whole range, from the tiny shelf speakers to the stupendous TV soundbars, never fails to amaze us. But all these excellent features come at a premium. If you’re looking for cheaper options with probably similar levels of quality as Sonos, our comprehensive guide here could surely help:
Sound Quality
A soundbar’s audio quality should be at the top of your priority list when searching for a Sonos One alternative. Go for a speaker that functions as a high-quality home theatre system with surround sound, bass enhancement, and noise-canceling features. Additionally, check if the device supports popular streaming services like Apple Music or Spotify. This way, you can instantly access all your favorite songs without switching gadgets or applications.
Connectivity Options
Most soundbars support wireless connectivity options such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Beyond these, you want to ensure the alternative is versatile and easily upgradeable, like AirPlay 2, which supports multiroom audio streaming across multiple speakers.
Price
More often than not, choosing a cost-effective Sonos alternative means giving up something in exchange. The cheapest alternatives would, of course, have fewer features and may compromise sound quality or connectivity options. For example, good Bluetooth speakers are typically cheaper than Wi-Fi ones with multiroom audio streaming capabilities. Consider cheaper models without physical buttons and other fancy extras, as these won’t affect your listening experience much.
Design
Everyone wants a user-friendly speaker. So, go for ergonomic designs with easy-access control buttons. Different manufacturers also have their own design aesthetics. Choose a model that matches your décor and appeals aesthetically too! Also, check out materials used in construction: plastic or aluminum? Lastly, a durable body ensures you get enough life from your purchase — making an investment worth every penny!
Portability
Another important factor to consider when looking for Sonos alternatives is portability. Indeed, not all speakers are meant for outdoor use. This could be a significant drawback if you move around, or travel a lot. However, some models offer built-in rechargeable batteries, cases, and straps. So, carry them isn’t a problem.
App & Voice Integration
Don’t forgot smart features as they play an integral role in music setup nowadays. Does the alternative offer app integration? How robust is its voice control? Answering these questions will help you find alternatives with similar sound quality and better ease of use than the flagship speaker brands like Sonos One.
Using a Sonos One Alternative: What It’s Like
Sonos One is a popular WiFi-enabled smart speaker with impressive audio performance. But if you’re looking for an alternative to the Sonos One, plenty of options exist. Many other speakers offer similar features and sound quality at a fraction of the cost of Sonos One.
A good example is the Denon HEOS 550 Bluetooth Speaker that offers clear and powerful sound while being easy to use. Plus, it supports Bluetooth and NFC wireless connection. It’s also ultra-portable, making it ideal for taking you on the go. Plus, Amazon Alexa integration means you can ask questions or request music from your home assistant without lifting a finger!
On the less expensive end of things, there are options like Google Home Mini or JBL Flip 5, which feature amazing sound in an incredibly compact package — perfect for those living in smaller spaces or who want to save money on their purchase. As with any audio equipment purchases, be sure to test them first, as they may not have the same capabilities as costlier speakers like the Sonos One.
