STEREO GUIDE test verdict
The Sonos Play is a true all-rounder. It performs just as impressively as part of a multi-room system at home as it does in the garden or on the patio, and when used as a stereo pair, it can even replace a small hi-fi system. Given its versatility, high-quality build, and excellent sound, the price is absolutely fair.
Pros
- Balanced Sound
- Excellent bass response for its size
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
- Voice control is also available in Bluetooth mode
Cons
- Sonos Control only supports English and French
- Power supply not included
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Tonal balance / transparency7.5
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Bass / Dynamics7.3
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Usability / Connectivity9.5
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Price/Performance8.9
With the Play, Sonos is expanding its portfolio with a compact speaker that deliberately blurs the lines between a stationary multi-room speaker and a portable Bluetooth speaker. While models like the Move 2 already excel at bridging the gap between home and on-the-go use, Sonos positions the Play as a particularly versatile all-rounder for everyday use.
Thanks to its built-in battery, rugged housing, and full integration into the Sonos ecosystem, the speaker is designed to serve both as an entry point into the world of multi-room audio and as a portable companion. What’s particularly interesting: For the first time, multiple compatible Sonos speakers can be paired with each other via a Bluetooth connection without requiring a Wi-Fi network. We’ll find out if this concept works in our in-depth review.
2 way concept
Despite its compact dimensions of 192 x 113 x 77 millimeters, Sonos has opted for a comparatively sophisticated driver design. Inside, three Class H digital amplifiers are at work, which have been specifically tuned to the speaker’s acoustic architecture.
Two tweeters angled outward are used for the high-frequency range. They are designed not only to enable precise reproduction of high frequencies, but also to provide a wider stereo image. A single speaker driver handles the midrange and bass frequencies.
In addition, Sonos incorporates two passive radiators that work in opposite directions. These are designed to deliver deep bass despite the compact enclosure size, while also minimizing unwanted enclosure vibrations.
For automatic room adaptation, the Play features a microphone array with beamforming technology and multi-channel echo cancellation. This enables the automatic Trueplay calibration, which is designed to continuously adjust the sound to the current environment. When activated, this feature ensures that the small wireless speaker calibrates itself to its new position every time it is moved.
Weighing just 1.3 kilograms, the speaker remains easy to carry. The enclosure is IP67-certified, meaning it is fully protected against dust and can withstand temporary submersion in water.
The trend toward sustainability is evident in the battery sector
A key feature of the Sonos Play is its built-in 35-Wh battery. According to the manufacturer, it can play music for up to 24 hours on a single charge. As usual, the actual battery life depends on volume, connection type, ambient temperature, and other factors. In our test, the battery lasted around 20 hours.
What’s interesting is the long-term approach behind the design: Sonos has opted for a replaceable battery, promising greater sustainability and a longer lifespan for the speaker. You can replace the battery yourself using a replacement battery kit and the special tool included with it.
The package includes a charging cradle that provides the Play with a designated spot for home use. It also serves as a convenient charging station. However, a compatible USB-C power adapter with at least 18 watts of power must be purchased separately.
Handy for on the go: Via the USB-C port, the speaker can also function as a power bank and, for example, charge a smartphone.
Connectivity for Various Applications
When it comes to connectivity options, the Sonos Play is exceptionally versatile. On a home network, the speaker connects via Wi-Fi and supports the latest Wi-Fi 6 networks in the 2.4- and 5-GHz bands.
Bluetooth 5.3 is available for mobile use. It allows you to stream music from virtually any Bluetooth-enabled smartphone, tablet, or computer.
In addition, the speaker supports Apple AirPlay 2 and Spotify Connect. You can control it either directly through the respective streaming app, the Sonos app, or via voice control.
The USB-C port performs several functions at once. In addition to charging external devices, it can also be used to connect a wired audio source via optional accessories. With an additional adapter, you can even establish an Ethernet connection.
Flexible Approach
With the Play, Sonos is taking an interesting approach. Instead of developing a traditional Bluetooth speaker or a dedicated multiroom speaker, it blends both worlds—just as it did with the Roam 2 and the Move 2. With the Play’s practical rubber strap, Sonos has struck the right balance between portability for use on the go and a sophisticated presence when used in the living room.
When connected to your home Wi-Fi network, the speaker works just like any other Sonos model and can be integrated into existing multi-room setups. When you’re on the go, it switches to Bluetooth mode without having to completely forgo the typical Sonos convenience features.
Of particular note is the new ability to group multiple Sonos Play or Move 2 speakers together even when they’re not connected to the same Wi-Fi network. To do this, connect one speaker to your smartphone via Bluetooth; then, you can sync additional compatible speakers using the Play/Pause button. With this feature, Sonos is expanding its ecosystem beyond its own network boundaries for the first time.
The manufacturer therefore views the Play not just as a portable speaker, but as a flexible component of a growing audio system that can be used both at home and on the go. A listening test will reveal how well this concept works in practice and whether the sound quality lives up to the high expectations.
Operation and App
Following the much-discussed app crisis of 2024, Sonos has made significant efforts in recent months to regain lost trust. Numerous updates are said to have addressed the biggest vulnerabilities. Since it had been quite a while since I’d tested a Sonos product, I was very curious to see how the current app would perform in practice.
Aside from the fact that I personally haven’t had any issues with the Sonos app available for iOS and Android so far, everything worked flawlessly this time as well. And not just during the setup of the two speakers—yes, Sonos had sent us a pair of Plays—but also during regular use. While I had to enter the Wi-Fi password and perform a few additional setup steps with the first one, the process went even more smoothly and quickly with the second Play.
Even though, from what I’ve gathered, Sonos has revamped its app in every possible way, it seems that when it comes to voice control, things have remained the same for quite some time. Even more than three years after I tested the Era 100 and Era 300, Sonos’s proprietary on-board voice processing still supports only two languages: English and French. So if you value maximum data security or want to use your Sonos Play in mobile Bluetooth mode without an internet connection, you should have at least a basic command of one of those languages. Otherwise, you can skip installing the corresponding language packs. As an alternative, however, you can also connect the Sonos Play to your Amazon account and use Alexa for voice control.
Spotify Connect is supported
When it comes to streaming services, Sonos remains selective. Spotify Connect is supported, so you can start playing music directly from the Spotify app. Qobuz users like me, on the other hand, still have to go through the Sonos app or AirPlay 2. The Play does not currently offer native support for Qobuz Connect.
As for sound settings, the Sonos Play offers, as usual, simple bass and treble controls, as well as a dynamic loudness feature that can be enabled—though this is buried in the app’s submenus and, more importantly, is unnecessarily labeled “Volume.”
The controls on the rubber-like top surface of the portable wireless speaker are also less than ideal. Instead of integrating two skip buttons into the solid-color surface, the developers have loaded the Play/Pause button on the Play with multiple functions: Clicking it once during playback stops the music stream; pressing it twice skips to the next track; and pressing it three times skips to the previous one.
This appears to be the result of the designers’ free rein, as their minimalist approach led them to omit color-coding not only on the control buttons at the top of the sturdy-looking plastic housing but also on the back. There you’ll find the large power button, the pairing button for Bluetooth connections, and the slide switch to physically mute the microphone for voice control. However, you can quickly memorize the functions of the few buttons after just a short time of use and identify them accurately even without the generally desirable labeling.
Sound Test: The Little Sonos Play Packs a Big Punch
And with that, we’re already right in the middle of the sound test, which, of course, also serves as a real-world test. The Sonos app’s functionality and user interface are well-developed, and stability during operation isn’t an issue either. Since Sonos provided us with two Play speakers, I was able to try out both multi-room mode and stereo pairing. Here, too, everything worked perfectly, although I would have preferred to use Qobuz Connect instead of AirPlay 2 to stream our STEREO GUIDE playlists, given the lack of AirPlay 2 support.
Let’s start with the sound of the Sonos Play as a one-box audio system. As I’ve experienced many times in reviews and also personally at a neighbor’s house with a Sonos multi-room network, the U.S. streaming specialist once again manages to produce a cohesive sound from a very compact speaker, with a rich and clean bass foundation. No matter what music I played through the Sonos Play, it always sounded very consistent, especially in the crucial midrange. As usual, the portable wireless speaker leaned toward the warm, pleasant side of natural sound. Here, a harmonious flow of sound takes precedence over harshly highlighted details or strikingly bright highs.
Bass is amazed
As is typical for Sonos, the bass performance exceeds the expectations one might have for such a compact speaker. This applies to both the depth of the bass and its punch and precision. Whether it’s plucked electric bass lines like in Thomas Dolby’s “Budapest By Blimp,” electronic bass beats on Depeche Mode’s “Remixes 81 > 04,” or acoustic drums in “Urgent” by Foreigner featuring the 21st Century Symphony Orchestra & Chorus: The Sonos Play handles all these genres with equal ease.
For example, the Denon Home 200 recently excelled in a test in the bass range as well, where it clearly outperformed the small Play—not least thanks to its larger enclosure and bigger driver. However, its harsh midrange reproduction made you want to skip ahead on many tracks very quickly.
The only areas where the Sonos Play might draw some mild criticism are transparency and maximum volume. The tried-and-true Sonos sound signature is perfect for hours of music listening across all genres—something not all speakers in this category can claim.
Pairing Advice: Here’s How Two Sonos Play Speakers Sound in Stereo
Given their sound quality and versatility, some might wonder whether a pair of Sonos Play speakers could possibly replace the stereo system in the living room. After connecting the two test units via Wi-Fi to form a stereo speaker pair and listening to them extensively, we can answer that question with a resounding “yes.” Pairing is very easy to set up in the Sonos app. Once paired via Wi-Fi, stereo playback through two Sonos Play speakers is also possible via Bluetooth. To do this, you simply establish a Bluetooth connection with one of the two speakers using your smart device, which then allows you to route the audio signal from the other channel to the second speaker.
The richness and spatial depth that the two Sonos Play speakers deliver in a stereo setup are likely to make a traditional hi-fi system unnecessary for many music listeners with small to medium-sized living rooms. And that includes the Bluetooth speaker for the patio, too. There is, however, one crucial trick: The speakers must be angled slightly toward the listening position. Only then do the soundstage and vocals come into precise focus. Without this alignment, the sound loses a significant amount of focus and depth, and the soundstage comes across as flat and diffuse. Anyone who follows this simple rule will hardly miss a traditional stereo system—provided, of course, that they can or must keep the volume somewhat in check at maximum levels due to their living situation.
Conclusion and Alternatives: Sonos Play
If you’re looking for a wireless speaker that can handle a wide range of uses, the Sonos Play is like a Swiss Army knife for audio. You can use it to listen to music or podcasts in different rooms, as well as in the garden or on the patio. Two Play speakers, when used as a stereo pair, can even replace a small hi-fi system. Given its capabilities and high-quality build, the price is reasonable. Speaking of price: The Denon Home 200 is also on the list at 350 euros. And it takes things up a notch in terms of bass—with more punch and depth—as well as clarity. But it can’t quite keep up when it comes to the natural sound of voices. And on the go, it won’t make a peep without a power outlet.
The real competition comes from within the company itself: If the Play is too expensive for you, the significantly smaller Sonos Roam 2 offers comparable flexibility, albeit with reduced richness, resolution, and clarity. And if you’re looking for even more volume and dynamic range, the larger Sonos Move 2 is probably the better choice.
More alternatives in our STEREO GUIDE Hi-Fi Top Picks list
Technical Specifications: Sonos Play
- Manufacturer’s suggested retail price: 350 Euro
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 19.2 x 11.3 x 7.7 cm
- Weight: 1.3 kg
- Special features: 2-way, stereo pairing, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, up to 24 hours of battery life, compatible with the Sonos S2 app, TruePlay room calibration, charging station with a 2-meter USB-C cable included
- More at www.sonos.com
