Which Audio Powerhouse comes out on Top for 2025: Sonos or Bose? After Testing Them for More Than a Decade, Here's the Verdict
News Article: Sonos vs. Bose Audio Products: Key Differences in 2025
In the realm of premium home audio, two brands stand out - Sonos and Bose. Both companies offer a range of products, including soundbars, smart speakers, and Bluetooth speakers, catering to different preferences and budgets.
Design
Sonos is recognised for its sleek, modern designs that blend seamlessly with home decor. Products like the Sonos Era 300 offer a stylish and understated appearance, although some might find the angular shape divisive. The Sonos Move 2, on the other hand, boasts a compact design, making it portable and suitable for indoor or outdoor use.
Bose, meanwhile, offers a range of designs, often with a focus on portability and durability. For instance, the Bose SoundLink Max is lightweight and easy to carry, making it a good choice for those who need a compact speaker.
Audio Quality
Sonos is generally praised for delivering strong audio quality with detailed sound and excellent multi-room support. The Sonos Era 300 is noted for its exceptional audio prowess, including pinpoint stereo and Atmos positioning. The Sonos Roam is appreciated for its balanced sound and versatility.
Bose, on the other hand, is known for delivering powerful and balanced sound. The Bose SoundLink Max provides epic stereo sound with strong bass, using passive radiators to enhance the audio experience. Bose products often emphasise a warmer sound, which might appeal to those seeking a more traditional audio experience.
Price
Both brands are positioned in the mid-to-high-end market. Sonos, for example, offers the Sonos Era 100 at $179, making it accessible for those seeking compact, high-quality sound. The Sonos Era 300, with its advanced features and superior sound quality, is priced higher.
Bose also has products priced competitively with Sonos offerings, often emphasising portability and versatility over pure home integration. For instance, the Bose SoundLink Max is priced similarly to the Sonos Roam.
Connectivity Options
Sonos offers comprehensive connectivity options including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and AirPlay 2 for seamless integration with smart home systems and streaming services. Products like the Sonos Move 2 support both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, providing full Sonos system integration.
Bose typically supports Bluetooth connectivity, sometimes with additional features like SimpleSync for pairing with Bose TVs. However, Bose products often lack Wi-Fi connectivity, limiting smart home integration compared to Sonos.
In 2025, both Sonos and Bose offer high-quality audio products with distinct design and connectivity options. Sonos is often preferred for its robust smart home integration and comprehensive connectivity, while Bose is favoured for its portable designs and powerful sound profiles. Pricing can vary based on the specific features and models chosen.
It's worth noting that Bose offers more options in the budget range for speakers compared to Sonos. For example, the Bose SoundLink Micro, priced at £119.95, is a more affordable option compared to the cheapest Sonos speaker, the Sonos Roam 2, priced at £179.
In 2024, Sonos announced the Roam 2 portable Bluetooth speaker and the flagship Arc Ultra soundbar, while Bose released its smaller Smart Soundbar and SoundLink Max portable speaker. Bose also offers a pair of surround speakers for £350 and another pair for £550. The Bose TV Speaker is priced at £269.95, and the Bose Smart Soundbar is priced at £499.95. Sonos does not have a speaker under £150 as Bose does in the SoundLink Micro. The Sonos Bluetooth Move 2 is priced at £399.
In conclusion, when choosing between Sonos and Bose, consumers should consider their specific needs, budget, and preferences in terms of design, audio quality, and connectivity options. Both brands offer a wide range of products to cater to different tastes and requirements.
- In the realm of art and interior design, Sonos' audio products, such as the Sonos Era 300 and Sonos Move 2, are recognized for their sleek, modern designs that blend seamlessly with living room decor, while Bose offers a variety of designs that prioritize portability and durability.
- Technology enthusiasts might appreciate the wearables and smart-home devices offered by both Sonos and Bose. For instance, the Sonos One SL smart speaker can be integrated with a smartphone or other gadgets for hands-free control, and the Bose Home Speaker 500 includes Amazon Alexa voice control.
- The color choices for Sonos products, like the Sonos Era 300 and Sonos Roam, are limited to white and black, whereas Bose offers multiple color options for speakers like the Bose SoundLink Max and the Bose SoundLink Micro.
- In the realm of sound, while both Sonos and Bose deliver high-quality audio, they cater to different preferences. Sonos is generally praised for providing detailed sound with exceptional multi-room capabilities, while Bose is known for its powerful and balanced sound, often emphasizing a warmer tone. Different smartphones can influence the pairing and connectivity experience with these devices.
