Sonos or Bose: Which Audio Giant Prevails in 2025 after More Than a Decade of Testing?
Sonos vs Bose: A Comparative Analysis of Home Audio Systems in 2025
In the world of home audio, two giants stand out - Sonos and Bose. Both brands have made a significant impact in the market, offering a diverse range of products that cater to various needs. As we delve into the comparison, let's focus on connectivity, pricing, and audio quality.
Connectivity
When it comes to connectivity, Sonos takes the lead in 2025. Its soundbars, such as the Beam Gen 2 and Arc Ultra, feature Ethernet LAN ports, Wi-Fi 6, Apple AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast, and Spotify Connect for versatile wireless streaming. Sonos also supports seamless integration with other Sonos products via its app ecosystem, and room calibration (TruePlay) is available on some models.
Bose, on the other hand, offers Wi-Fi and uniquely includes Bluetooth, a feature that Sonos soundbars generally lack. Bose soundbars support Apple AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast, and Spotify Connect, and feature built-in voice assistants such as Amazon Alexa. However, Bose soundbars lack an Ethernet port and do not support DTS codecs.
Pricing
Pricing for both brands is similar, with both sitting within the premium end of the market. Sonos offers the Era 100 at £199, the Bluetooth Move 2 at £399, and the Era 300 at £449. Bose's starting price for soundbars is lower, with the Solo Soundbar 2 priced at £179.95.
Audio Quality
Sonos speakers and soundbars are known for delivering balanced, natural, and engaging audio, while Bose is often praised for offering vibrant, punchy, and exciting sound delivery.
Product Range
Both Sonos and Bose offer a variety of products, including soundbars, surround sound systems, smart speakers with voice control, and Bluetooth speakers. Notable Sonos products include the Roam 2 portable Bluetooth speaker and the flagship Arc Ultra soundbar, priced at £179 and £999 respectively. Bose's offerings include the Smart Soundbar and SoundLink Max portable speaker.
New Releases
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. As of 2025, neither brand has announced new products.
Additional Features
Bose's Smart Soundbar and Smart Ultra offer Bluetooth Multi-Room, while Sonos's Wi-Fi 6 and Ethernet options provide an edge for those preferring wired or faster networking options. Bose also includes an optical port for legacy device compatibility, while Sonos is more focused on a wireless ecosystem strategy.
USB Media Playback
Neither brand supports USB media playback, with Bose’s USB ports used exclusively for service, not user media playback.
In summary, if wired connectivity and a wider network ecosystem with Wi-Fi 6 are priorities, Sonos leads. Bose’s inclusion of Bluetooth offers more casual wireless convenience. Both brands support major streaming protocols equally, but Sonos's Ethernet port and Wi-Fi 6 provide a connectivity advantage in 2025.
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- Car manufacturers collaborate with Sonos and Bose to create concert-like listening experiences for car audio systems.
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