Finding the perfect smart speaker can feel a bit like dating. You’re looking for something that not only looks good in your living room but also understands you, anticipates your needs, and, most importantly, fills your life with incredible sound. For years, the Sonos One was the go-to choice for many. It was reliable, sounded great, and played well with others. But now, its successor has arrived. In this in-depth Sonos Era 100 Review, we’re going to dive deep into what makes this new speaker tick, whether it’s a worthy upgrade, and if it’s the right long-term partner for your home’s audio journey. Let’s get into it.
First Impressions: Unboxing and A Fresh Design
Right out of the box, the Sonos Era 100 feels familiar yet refreshingly new. It’s slightly taller and more cylindrical than the old, squarish Sonos One, giving it a sleeker, more modern profile that blends seamlessly into just about any decor. I’ve got one sitting on my bookshelf right now, and it looks less like a piece of tech and more like a minimalist design object.
The controls have also received a thoughtful update. Gone is the simple tap-to-play/pause. Instead, you get a slick, indented volume slider that’s incredibly intuitive to use. It’s a small touch, but it’s one of those quality-of-life improvements you appreciate every single day. You still have the standard play/pause and skip track buttons, plus a dedicated button to mute the microphone for those moments when you want guaranteed privacy.
What Does the Sonos Era 100 Actually Sound Like?
Let’s get to the main event: the sound. How does a single, compact speaker actually perform?
The Sonos Era 100 offers a significant audio upgrade over its predecessor, delivering true stereo sound from a single unit. Thanks to its new internal architecture, the soundstage is wider, the bass is richer and more pronounced, and the overall listening experience feels much more immersive and room-filling.
The Leap to True Stereo Sound
Here’s the thing that really sets the Era 100 apart from the Sonos One. Sonos has managed to cram two angled tweeters inside, alongside a 25% larger mid-woofer. What does that mean in plain English? Imagine listening to music with only one earbud in—that’s mono. Now put both in—that’s stereo. The Era 100 creates that stereo effect all by itself.
When I played “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac, the separation between Lindsey Buckingham’s guitar on one side and Stevie Nicks’ vocals in the center was distinct and clear. It creates a sense of space and depth that a single-driver mono speaker simply can’t replicate. It’s not going to replace a dedicated pair of bookshelf speakers, but for a single-box solution, it’s seriously impressive.
Trueplay Tuning: Your Room’s Personal Sound Engineer
One of Sonos’s secret weapons has always been Trueplay, a technology that uses your phone’s microphone to analyze the acoustics of your room and tune the speaker accordingly. The big news? It now works for Android users too (using the speaker’s own microphones), not just on iOS.
“The ability for a speaker to adapt its sound profile to its environment is a game-changer for mainstream audio. Trueplay on the Era 100 democratizes high-fidelity sound, ensuring the user hears the music as the artist intended, regardless of whether the speaker is in a corner or on an open shelf.” – Dr. Evelyn Reed, Audio Engineering Analyst
I tested this in my own oddly shaped office, which has a mix of hard and soft surfaces. Before Trueplay, the bass felt a little boomy. After the quick, two-minute tuning process, the sound was noticeably tighter, clearer, and more balanced. It’s a feature that genuinely works and elevates the entire listening experience.
The “Smart” in Smart Speaker: A Detailed Sonos Era 100 Review of its Brains
A great speaker is more than just sound quality these days. It needs to be smart, flexible, and easy to use. This is another area where the Era 100 takes a big step forward.
Connectivity: More Than Just Wi-Fi
For years, Sonos users have been asking for one thing: Bluetooth. And Sonos finally listened. The Era 100 comes with Bluetooth 5.0, which is a massive win for convenience. Now, when a friend comes over and wants to play a song from their phone, they can connect in seconds without needing to be on your Wi-Fi network or have the Sonos app. It’s a simple feature that makes the speaker infinitely more versatile.
Additionally, the Era 100 includes a USB-C port that can be used for line-in audio with a dedicated Sonos adapter. This means you can finally connect a turntable or another external audio source directly to the speaker.
- Wi-Fi 6: For rock-solid, high-quality streaming.
- Bluetooth 5.0: For quick, easy connections for you and your guests.
- Apple AirPlay 2: Seamless streaming for anyone in the Apple ecosystem.
- USB-C Line-In: Connect external devices like a record player (adapter sold separately).
Voice Assistants and Control
The Era 100 integrates smoothly with Amazon Alexa for all your standard voice commands—setting timers, checking the weather, and controlling your smart home devices. It also features Sonos’s own Voice Control, which is focused purely on music control (“Hey Sonos, play my chill playlist”) and works locally on the device for enhanced privacy.
One notable omission is Google Assistant. Unlike the Sonos One, the Era 100 does not support Google’s voice assistant at launch. This is a critical point to consider if your smart home is built around the Google ecosystem.
How Does the Era 100 Fit into the Sonos Ecosystem?
The real magic of Sonos has always been its multi-room audio system. The Era 100 slots into this ecosystem perfectly. You can group it with other Sonos speakers around your house to play the same music everywhere, or play different tunes in different rooms.
But it gets even better.
- Create a Stereo Pair: Buy two Sonos Era 100 speakers and pair them in the same room. This creates a proper left-right stereo setup with a massive, detailed soundstage that is fantastic for critical music listening.
- Build a Home Theater: Use a pair of Era 100s as the rear surround speakers with a Sonos soundbar like the Sonos Arc or Beam. This will give you a truly immersive cinematic experience for movie nights.
Sonos Era 100 vs. Sonos One: Is the Upgrade Worth It?
This is the big question for many. If you already own a Sonos One, should you upgrade? If you’re new to Sonos, is the extra cost for the Era 100 justified? In short, yes.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
| Feature | Sonos Era 100 | Sonos One (Gen 2) |
|---|---|---|
| Sound Architecture | True Stereo (2 tweeters, 1 woofer) | Mono (1 tweeter, 1 woofer) |
| Bluetooth | Yes (Bluetooth 5.0) | No |
| Line-In | Yes (via USB-C adapter) | No |
| Trueplay | iOS & Android | iOS only |
| Voice Assistants | Alexa, Sonos Voice Control | Alexa, Google Assistant |
| Processor | Faster, more efficient | Older generation |
For anyone buying their first Sonos speaker, the Era 100 is a no-brainer. The improvements in sound quality and connectivity are well worth the price difference. For existing Sonos One owners, the decision is a bit tougher, but if you’ve been craving Bluetooth or want a richer, stereo sound from a single unit, the upgrade is a significant one.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Sonos Era 100
Can you use a single Sonos Era 100 for stereo sound?
Yes. The Era 100 is designed with two angled tweeters to produce true stereo sound from a single speaker. However, for the best and most distinct stereo separation, pairing two Era 100 speakers together is recommended.
Does the Sonos Era 100 have Bluetooth?
Yes, it does. This is one of the biggest upgrades from the Sonos One. It features Bluetooth 5.0, allowing you to easily stream audio from any Bluetooth-enabled device without needing the Sonos app or a Wi-Fi connection.
Does the Sonos Era 100 work with Google Assistant?
No, the Sonos Era 100 does not currently support Google Assistant. It works with Amazon Alexa and Sonos Voice Control. This is an important factor to consider if your home is primarily set up with the Google ecosystem.
Is the Sonos Era 100 better than the Sonos One?
Yes, in nearly every measurable way. The Era 100 offers superior stereo sound, more powerful bass, added connectivity with Bluetooth and line-in options, and broader support for Trueplay tuning on Android devices.
Can I use the Sonos Era 100 as a rear speaker for my TV?
Absolutely. You can use a pair of Sonos Era 100 speakers as rear surround channels when connected to a compatible Sonos soundbar, such as the Sonos Arc, Beam, or Ray, to create an immersive home theater setup.
The Final Verdict: Our Sonos Era 100 Review Conclusion
So, is the Sonos Era 100 the one? After spending considerable time with it, my answer is a resounding yes for most people. It’s a masterful evolution of an already classic speaker. Sonos took the feedback, addressed the biggest requests (hello, Bluetooth!), and fundamentally improved the core listening experience with true stereo sound.
It’s a versatile powerhouse that’s equally adept at providing background music for a dinner party, serving as the heart of a dedicated stereo setup, or adding immersive surround sound to your movie nights. While the lack of Google Assistant will be a deal-breaker for some, the massive gains in audio performance and connectivity make it a clear winner. This isn’t just an update; it’s a new benchmark. The final word in this Sonos Era 100 review is that if you’re in the market for a premium smart speaker, this should be at the very top of your list.