Sonos Play Review: A Versatile Portable Speaker Marks Company's Comeback
The Sonos Play represents a significant return to form for the audio brand, delivering exceptional sound quality in a battery-powered speaker that seamlessly blends home and portable use. This new model aims to reset Sonos's trajectory following recent challenges, including an app redesign that initially alienated users and led to executive changes. As the first truly new music speaker since the app launch in May 2024, the Play signals Sonos's renewed focus on its core strengths: creating expansive, high-quality audio devices that integrate effortlessly into any environment.
Design and Build: Rugged Yet Refined
Priced at £299 (€349/$299/A$499), the Sonos Play is not your average portable speaker. It sits above the compact Roam 2 in both price and size, positioning itself as a versatile solution for all listening scenarios. The speaker features an oval shape with rubberized top and bottom sections to absorb impacts, while its IP67 water resistance rating ensures it can withstand submersion up to one meter deep. Weighing 1.3kg, it is lighter than the Move 2 but still substantial enough to feel durable, making it ideal for moving around the home, garden, or taking on car trips rather than long hikes.
The design includes a detachable carry loop that doubles as a stand for horizontal placement, along with intuitive playback controls on the top surface. Users can also command the speaker through Sonos's local voice control system or Amazon Alexa, enhancing its smart home compatibility.
Connectivity and Features: Seamless Integration
The Play's greatest strength lies in its deep integration with the Sonos ecosystem. It connects via wifi 6 for direct streaming from the internet, controlled through the Sonos app, Spotify Connect, or Apple AirPlay 2. This allows for multi-room audio grouping with other Sonos speakers and support for virtually all major streaming services. Additionally, Bluetooth 5.3 enables use away from home, with a unique party trick: it can group with up to four other Play or Move 2 speakers from a single Bluetooth source.
A 35Wh battery provides up to 24 hours of playback on Bluetooth and over a day on wifi at moderate volumes. The battery is user-replaceable, costing £49, and charges via a USB-C port or included docking base. Note that the speaker does not come with a charger, requiring an 18W or higher USB-C adaptor for optimal performance.
Sound Quality: Powerful and Detailed
Despite its compact size, the Play delivers impressive audio performance. It features one forward-facing woofer and two angled tweeters, creating a wide soundstage with excellent tone separation, detailed highs, and punchy mids. Vocals are particularly clear, though bass response, while powerful, doesn't reach the deepest notes compared to larger models like the Move 2.
The speaker sounds best at around 60% volume, filling most rooms effectively, but audio quality can diminish above 80% volume. For enhanced performance, two Plays can be paired for stereo sound, boosting overall output. The Sonos app includes an equalizer and Trueplay tuning, which automatically adjusts sound based on room acoustics.
App Improvements and Sustainability
Sonos has made substantial improvements to its app, addressing previous issues with stability and missing features. Core functionalities like wake-up alarms, local music library playback, and playlist editing have been restored, making the system more reliable. While some interface quirks remain, the app now serves as a robust controller for streaming services and speaker management.
From a sustainability perspective, the Play contains 26% renewable plastic, recycled aluminium, and steel. Sonos offers at least five years of software support, with a history of extending this for legacy devices, and provides trade-in and recycling programs. The replaceable battery design further extends the product's lifespan, aligning with eco-friendly practices.
Verdict: A Jack-of-All-Trades Masterpiece
The Sonos Play excels as a versatile speaker that performs admirably both at home and on the go. It combines rugged durability with sophisticated design, offering long battery life and seamless connectivity. While it may not match specialized Bluetooth speakers in loudness or deep bass, it stands out as an ideal choice for those invested in the Sonos ecosystem seeking a high-quality, adaptable audio solution.
Pros: Excellent sound quality, long battery life, IP67 water resistance, durable build, wifi and Bluetooth connectivity, wide music service support, replaceable battery, improved app functionality.
Cons: Higher price point, no spatial audio support, relatively heavy for portability, no included charger, limited volume for large parties.
