Sonos Era 100 Review: Truly Impressive Stereo Sound

Sonos Era 100 Review: The Most Versatile Smart Speaker Yet?

As the long-awaited successor to the award-winning Sonos One (Gen 2) the Sonos Era 100 arrived with some pretty high expectations. With a redesigned chassis, stereo sound, a 25% larger woofer for deeper bass, and new additions like WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.0 and USB-C line-in, this isn't just a minor refresh. It's a complete rethinking of what a compact Sonos speaker can do.

Sonos Era 100 Review: SHS 60-Second Summary: RRP: £199 (see latest pricing) The Sonos Era 100 is a worthy successor to the Sonos One (Gen 2), delivering a bigger, more immersive sound with excellent clarity and bass. What we really appreciate is how Sonos has managed to balance meaningful upgrades without overcomplicating the experience. Yes, you’ve now got Bluetooth and USB-C line-in alongside WiFi, but at its heart, the Era 100 is still very much that plug-and-play Sonos experience people love. It fits beautifully into an existing setup or works brilliantly on its own. Whether you’re upgrading or just starting your Sonos setup, the Era 100 is an easy recommendation.

Pros: + Powerful, room-filling stereo sound + Deep, agile bass performance + Bluetooth & USB-C line-in expand versatility + Easy setup, intuitive controls, sleek design

Cons: - No Google Assistant support - No Sonosnet - Bluetooth & Line-in disabled when used as rears

In this Sonos Era 100 review, we dive deep into its sound quality, design, connectivity, and real-world performance to help you decide if it's the best wireless speaker for your home, or whether rivals like the Apple HomePod 2 or even its bigger sibling, the Sonos Era 300, might be a better fit.

Reading not your thing? Watch our Sonos Era 100 Review on YouTube.

Sonos Era 100 Review: Price & Availability

The Sonos Era 100 arrived in March 2023 alongside the Sonos Era 300, Sonos’ first Dolby Atmos smart speaker. It originally launched at £249, which put it about £50 above the Sonos One (Gen 2) it replaced.

Since then, Sonos has repositioned the price, and you can now pick up the Era 100 on our website for £199. This price drop makes it an even more tempting choice. With its upgraded sound, added Bluetooth and line-in options, and sleek modern design, the Era 100 packs in a lot of value for anyone looking to upgrade their system or dive into the Sonos ecosystem for the first time.

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Sonos Era 100 Review: Design

Available in both black and white, the Sonos Era 100 is a stylish upgrade from the Sonos One (Gen 2), blending effortlessly into modern living spaces. Its front-facing logo reflects Sonos’ current design direction, and the overall look feels right at home alongside the brand’s latest lineup, including models like the Sonos Roam 2 and Sonos Sub Mini.

Side by side with the Sonos One (Gen 2), the Era 100 is a little taller and slimmer, but overall the size feels familiar. There are some key updates worth mentioning, though. Sonos has removed the Ethernet port on the back and added a USB-C line-in for connecting external audio sources. Just keep in mind you’ll need a separate Sonos line-in adapter for that. The top panel has also had a refresh, with controls that look sharper and feel more polished.

The touch controls for playback are still there, but the real highlight is the indented volume slider on top. It’s not just a nicer design detail, from our experiences using it day to day, it’s genuinely easier to use. A quick swipe across bumps the volume up by about 30 percent, making it feel much more intuitive when you want to turn things up.

Sonos Era 100 Review: Connectivity & Features

The Sonos Era 100 has all the right boxes ticked when it comes to staying connected. You get WiFi 6, which means fast and reliable streaming even when the home network is busy. It also works with AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, and supports voice control using Sonos Voice, Amazon Alexa, or Apple’s Siri.

One thing that’s missing is Google Assistant. Sonos and Google aren't currently playing ball, so if your smart home is powered by Google, that could be a downside.

The big new addition is Bluetooth 5.0, which a lot of Sonos users have been asking for. It's ideal for quick and easy connections without needing to hop on the WiFi. Handy when friends want to share a playlist or take over the music for a bit.

You might also notice that Sonosnet is no longer included. Sonos hasn’t officially explained why, but with WiFi 6 being more stable, chances are it’s just not needed anymore.

The Era 100 is also Matter-certified, which means it's already set up to work with the new smart home standard. It doesn’t act as a Matter Thread Radio just yet, but we wouldn’t be surprised if that gets added in the future.

Sonos Era 100 Review: Internals

Under the hood, the Sonos Era 100 packs a serious punch with a 25% larger woofer than its predecessor. Sonos has maxed out the woofer size for this compact form factor, so you can expect a big boost in bass performance.

But the upgrades don't stop there. The Era 100 now features a true stereo setup with two angled tweeters, delivering a more immersive audio experience. Three class-D amplifiers power the woofer and tweeters, ensuring rich, room-filling sound.

Sonos has also introduced custom waveguides that help spread sound waves more evenly, creating an impressively wide soundstage that fills every corner of the room.

Sonos Era 100 Review: Sound Performance

We’ve been living with the Sonos Era 100 for a while now, and it’s safe to say it’s made a big impression. The first thing that jumps out is the enhanced bass. It’s got way more depth and punch than we expected from something this size.

The dual tweeters also do a brilliant job opening up the soundstage and improving the separation, while vocals sound clear, natural, and, honestly, just more enjoyable to listen to.

It might be one of the smaller speakers in the Sonos range, but it doesn’t sound it. It'll easily fills a room with rich, detailed sound, and when you pair two together in a stereo pair, that experience is only amplified. The bass feels fuller and more controlled, the soundstage widens, and everything just feels more immersive overall.

We listened to “Human” by Rag’n’Bone Man a lot during testing, and it genuinely sounded like a different performance. The vocals had more presence, the details came through more clearly, and the track just felt bigger, more dynamic and almost like it had been remastered. That added space and separation between instruments makes a noticeable difference, especially compared to the Sonos One.

What really stands out with the Era 100, though, is how well it balances things. The bass has extra punch without overpowering the mids and highs, so vocals and instruments stay clear and natural.

It’s got the energy to pull you into the music when you turn it up, but it’s also just as enjoyable when you want something more subtle in the background.

Using the Sonos Era 100 as Surround Speakers with a Sonos Soundbar

The Sonos Era 100 isn't just impressive as a standalone speaker, it's also great as part of a Sonos home cinema setup. You can pair two Era 100s as rear surround speakers with most Sonos soundbars, as long as you are using the Sonos S2 app.

Compatible soundbars include:

• Sonos Arc Ultra (Or Sonos Arc)
• Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
• Sonos Ray

We tested the Era 100s as rears with the Sonos Arc Ultra, Sonos Arc, and Sonos Beam (Gen 2), and they definitely add another layer to your home cinema experience. Soundtracks feel more dynamic, action scenes have more impact, and the overall sound becomes more expansive compared to setups with Sonos One (Gen 2) or One SL rears.

One of the moments that really stood out was the intense car chase in 'No Time To Die (2021)'. With the Era 100s handling the rear surround, the gunshots had more weight and presence, making the scene feel that much more immersive.

That said, if you already own Sonos One or One SL rears, the upgrade to Era 100s might not be essential, especially if your setup includes a Sonos Sub 4, which already handles the low-end. But if you are building a new system or adding to a Sonos soundbar, the Era 100s are a fantastic choice for surround sound.

If you’re building a new system or adding to a Sonos soundbar, the Era 100s are a fantastic choice for surround sound. They are the most versatile rear speaker option in the Sonos lineup and work brilliantly with all the compatible soundbars. However, if you’re pairing with the flagship Sonos Arc Ultra and want to push for an even more immersive experience, you may want to step up to the Era 300s as rear surrounds.

And if you want some practical advice on getting the most out of your setup, check out our Adding Sonos Surround Sound Speakers: Our Top 3 Tips.

Sonos Era 100 vs. Sonos One (Gen 2)

We were always been big fans of the Sonos One (Gen 2). It’s been a solid performer over the years, but we often felt the bass could use a bit more oomph, and its sound could lean a little on the directional side.

With it now discontinued, the Era 100 steps in as its replacement and it’s a worthy upgrade. Not only does it deliver deeper bass and a wider soundstage as promised, but it also brings a richer, more lively sound overall. The bass is tight and punchy, and there’s noticeably better separation between vocals and instruments, making for a more immersive listen.

One of the biggest improvements we’ve noticed is how the vocals sit in the mix. On the Sonos One, they sometimes felt like they were pushed a little too far forward, but the Era 100 smooths this out beautifully, blending everything together in a more natural, balanced way.

After spending plenty of time with both, we’re confident the Era 100 is a worthwhile upgrade. With a price tag of £199, it’s a clear step up in performance and a great replacement for one of Sonos’s most-loved speakers.

Sonos Era 100 vs. Sonos Era 300

If you’re comparing the Sonos Era 100 vs Era 300, here’s the quick take.

The Era 100 offers clear, balanced stereo sound with punchy bass and crisp vocals, perfect for everyday listening in small to medium rooms. It’s a solid upgrade over the Sonos One, and in a stereo pair, it really opens up, creating a wide, immersive soundstage that works brilliantly for both streaming and vinyl setups.

The Era 300, meanwhile, is all about immersion. With Dolby Atmos and Spatial Audio, it delivers a 360º soundstage that feels big and detailed, pulling you into the music. In a stereo pair, it’s even more impressive, with excellent separation and depth that makes tracks feel fresh and dynamic.

Both deliver fantastic performance for their price points, but if you want a more “wow factor” experience, the Era 300 is the clear standout. Just keep in mind it’s also a considerable step up in cost, so it’s worth weighing whether that extra immersion is something you’ll fully take advantage of in your space.

Want the full breakdown? Check out our full guide here: Sonos Era 100 vs. Sonos Era 300: Which Speaker is Best?  

Sonos Era 100 vs. Sonos Move 2

The Sonos Move 2 isn’t really a comparable speaker for the Sonos Era 100 as both have been designed for different use cases. In general, you do pay a premium for the portability of the Move 2 but it’s still a larger and more powerful speaker.

The Era 100 comes closer to the Move 2 than something like the Sonos One (Gen 2) but it still sits beneath it in the range. If you would like a full comparison then let us know and if enough of you ask for it then we’ll delve deeper on this topic in a video on our YouTube channel.

Sonos Era 100 Review: Our Verdict

So, after thoroughly testing the Sonos Era 100, what's the final verdict? In short, the Era 100 is a fantastic addition to Sonos' lineup and a solid upgrade from the Sonos One (Gen 2).

Its enhanced internals deliver impressive sound quality, keeping Sonos competitive in the ever-evolving smart speaker market. The added versatility with WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, and the USB-C line-in port gives the Era 100 an edge, especially as the most affordable way to integrate a turntable into your Sonos ecosystem.

For existing Sonos One (Gen 2) users, if you're looking to expand your audio setup with a new zone, the Era 100 is definitely worth considering. The improved sound performance and additional features make it a smart investment, whether you’re upgrading or adding to your home audio setup.

Sonos Era 100 Review: FAQs

Where should I place the Sonos Era 100?

The good news is the Era 100 is super versatile. Whether it’s on a shelf, sideboard, or desk, it fits in easily. Just leave about an inch of space behind it if you’re placing it near a wall to help the sound breathe. Bonus: it’s humidity resistant, so it’s a great option for kitchens or even a covered patio.

Can you connect a Sonos Era 100 to a turntable?

Yes! The Era 100 is now the most affordable solution for adding a turntable into your Sonos setup. You will need to purchase either the Sonos Line-In Adapter or Sonos Combo Adapter to connect your turntable to the USB-C line-in on the Era 100.

Can you connect the Sonos Era 100 to a desktop via Bluetooth?

Yes. We’ve tested pairing an Era 100 with a desktop via Bluetooth and found it works brilliantly. We’ve not experienced any lag when watching videos or on a call but you do need to use the microphone on your computer as it wouldn’t work with the microphones on the speaker itself.

How do you use Trueplay Tuning on the Sonos Era 100?

Trueplay is Sonos’ room tuning feature that optimises sound for your space. The Era 100 offers two options:

Quick Tuning (works on Android and iOS) uses the speaker’s built-in microphones.
Advanced Tuning: (iOS only) uses your iPhone or iPad’s mic and gives a more precise result.

In our tests, Quick Tuning made a subtle difference, but Advanced Tuning gave a more noticeable improvement.

How energy-efficient is the Sonos Era 100?

Sonos has made the Era 100 more sustainable, with less virgin plastic, more screws instead of glue, and fully recyclable packaging but energy-wise, it’s also more efficient:

Playing at 50% volume, both the Era 100 and Sonos One (Gen 2) use about 5–10 watts (around 7p for 24 hours of play).

When idle, the Era 100 uses about 1.76 watts (around 1p per day), compared to 3.47 watts (about 3p per day) for the Sonos One.

Over a year, that’s roughly £4 to run an Era 100 versus £10 for the Sonos One, based on 34p/kWh.

Other Useful Content

Blog: The Best Sonos Speakers to Buy in 2025

Blog: Sonos Arc Ultra Review: The Dolby Atmos Soundbar To Beat?

Blog: Sonos Era 100 vs Sonos Era 300: Which Speaker Is Best?

Blog: Best Dolby Atmos Soundbars 2025: The Complete Buyer's Guide

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