Sonos Just Unveiled the “Spiritual Successor” to Its Original Entry-Level Speaker

Sonos has introduced its first consumer-focused speakers since 2024. That’s right. After both were leaked in the last few weeks, the company has officially announced the Play and Era 100 SL.

Both are priced under $300, making them among Sonos’s most affordable offerings.

Introducing Sonos Play

Sonos

Sonos’s “most versatile” speaker

The Sonos Play is the most interesting of the new speakers, mostly because it feels genuinely new. It’s a portable speaker that’s sized (and priced) between the company’s Roam 2 and Move 2, and it works quite similarly to both.

The Play is a portable speaker with both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi streaming capabilities, meaning you can integrate it with your home’s existing Sonos system or take it outside and use it as a standalone Bluetooth speaker.

Sonos

Sonos

Interestingly, Sonos claims that for the first time, you can group multiple Sonos speakers together over Bluetooth; specifically, you can group up to three additional Sonos Play or Move 2 speakers. All you have to do is press and hold the Play/Pause on the top of each of those speakers.

According to the press release, Sonos is calling the Play its “most versatile speaker.”

Sonos

Sonos

Like the Roam 2 or Move 2, the Play can be integrated with a built-in voice assistant (either Amazon Alexa or Sonos Voice Control). There’s a switch on the back that can disable this voice assistant, too, if you’re concerned about it always listening. And it comes with a wireless charging base.

Also, like the Move 2, the USB-C port on the back of the Play supports charging and line-in audio, so you can connect it directly to your computer or turntable (with a built-in preamplifier) and use it as a wired speaker.

Sonos

Sonos

As for size, the Sonos Play is roughly the size of the company’s One (discontinued) or Play:1 (discontinued) speakers, and promises to deliver similar sound, too.

In fact, in an exclusive interview with Bloomberg‘s Chris Welch, Sonos’s current CEO, Tom Conrad, claims that the new Play is a “spiritual successor” to the Play:1, its original entry-level speaker.

Now, the Era 100 SL

Sonos

Less smarts, same sound

The Sonos Era 100 SL is the most straightforward of the company’s new offerings. It’s an “SL” or “Speechless” version of the company’s current entry-level smart speaker, the Era 100. (In the past, Sonos has released similar SL versions of its Roam and One speakers.)

Basically, it looks and works just like the Era 100, but lacks a built-in microphone and therefore doesn’t function as a smart speaker. It’s designed as a more affordable alternative.

Sonos

Sonos

The Era 100 SL promises to deliver the same sound, as well as the same Wi-Fi and Bluetooth streaming capabilities as the 2023-released Era 100. It has the same USB-C line-in connection, so it can be used as a wired speaker with a turntable or computer, too.

Primarily, the Era 100 SL is designed for people who already have numerous Sonos speakers in their home and just want an affordable addition to their system. Two can be used as a stereo pair or configured with a Sonos soundbar and used as rear-channel speakers.

Sonos

Sonos

Availability and pricing

Both of Sonos’s newest speakers are available for preorder now and will ship at the end of the month, starting on March 31st.

The Play costs $299, which falls nicely between the $179 Roam 2 and $499 Move 2. It comes in two colors: black or white.

The Era 100 SL costs $189, which is the $30 less expensive than the Era 100. It also comes in two finishes: black or white.

Sonos

Sonos Play

• $299 at Sonos

Sonos

Sonos Era 100 SL

• $189 at Sonos

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