When it comes to wireless speakers, there's no denying the options are overwhelming. I feel for you if you're looking for one, I really do, because even I think the market is hard to navigate and I know it well having tested and reviewed technology for over a decade.
The problem is that there aren't just different brands to consider – many of which are well-known and well-respected – but those brands also have a range of wireless speaker options within their portfolios, all varying in design, sound performance and features. Do you need a smart speaker, a portable Bluetooth speaker, or a multi-room audio system?
I promise choosing a mains-powered wireless speaker doesn't need to be as complicated as choosing a Farrow & Ball paint colour though (that's a hard enough decision on its own).
There are several excellent options out there, some of which don't cost the earth while still delivering an excellent blend of form and function, and the Sonos Era 100 is one of those.
I have reviewed Sonos speakers since 2015 so I've listened to everything from the top-of-the-range Sonos Five, to the portable Sonos Roam (recently replaced by the Roam 2).
I've also experienced a huge range of other wireless speakers, from Apple's HomePod 2 to Bang & Olufsen's Beosound Emerge, but it's the Era 100 that always comes out on top for me.
The main reason for that is I find it offers everything most would need in a wireless speaker, from smart assistant support to excellent multi-room capabilities, while also delivering superb sound performance.
It's not cheap, despite being the entry point for Sonos home speakers, but the price is fair for what it provides.
Sure, the Era 100 doesn't execute Dolby Atmos and spatial audio tracks quite like the Sonos Era 300, Apple's HomePod 2 or Amazon's Echo Studio, but it offers crisp and clear detail, a healthy dose of bass and a spacious sound stage to make sure all tracks sound great.
There's decent volume too so if you are relying on the Era 100 for a gathering, it won't let you down if you turn it up and quality is retained even at the higher volumes.
An impressive speaker isn't just about sound quality these days though, of course. They take up valuable worktop space or sideboard real estate and I don't know about you, but if I'm going to have something on my kitchen worktop, it wants to be doing a lot more than playing my favourite Ed Sheeran track – or worse, my children's favourite pop song of the moment. And this is where the Era 100 comes into its own.
It doesn't disappoint when it comes to additional features, from Alexa support if you want to control compatible smart home devices, set a reminder or ask when the sunshine is coming back, to Sonos Voice Control which will help you find something to listen to, group the Era 100 with other Sonos speakers and deliver hands-free volume control.
There's also Bluetooth on board if you want to bypass the Sonos app, as well as Apple AirPlay 2 which makes it very easy to play whatever you want directly from your iPhone or iPad, again bypassing the Sonos app.
Sonos used to offer Google Assistant as an option alongside Alexa but that's no longer the case in the Era 100, marking one of the only things this excellent speaker lacks, along with the ability to use the Sonos mobile app when you are out and about and not on your home wifi network.
This latter omission is irritating if you want to start a calming jazz playlist for your dog if you're away from home longer than you expected, for example. In reality, however, neither of those are deal breakers, nor is the lack of Dolby Atmos support I mentioned earlier because the stereo sound delivered here is more than adequate. There's also support for over 100 music streaming services and line-in with an adapter so there are multiple ways to access content.
In terms of design, the Era 100 is simple and sophisticated with easy-to-use controls. I've seen both the white and black options and while white is my preference, that's likely to be somewhat determined by your home décor and what Farrow and Ball colour you've chosen for those living room walls.
Whatever colour you pick, the Sonos Era 100 is a superb wireless speaker that's easy to set up, lovely to use and delivers in abundance when it comes to extra features. It's one I'd recommend time and time again, with my only other recommendation being to buy two so you can experience the marvel that is Sonos' multi-room system.
Pros
- Sleek and sophisticated design
- Great range of features
- Bluetooth and AirPlay 2 support
- Superb sound performance
- Excellent multi-room capabilities
- Very easy to use and set up
- Support for range of streaming options
Cons
- No Dolby Atmos or spatial audio support
- You can’t use the Sonos mobile app when not on your home wifi network
- No Google Assistant option
Key specifications
| Connections | Wifi, Bluetooth, USB-C line-in |
|---|---|
| Weight | 2.02kg |
| Dimensions | 18.25 x 12 x 13.05cm |
| Colours | Black, White |
| Special features | Amazon Alexa, Sonos Voice Control, Multi-room audio, Trueplay tuning, Touch controls, Apple AirPlay 2 |
Britta O'Boyle has been a technology journalist since 2003. She's covered everything from phones, tablets and fitness devices, to smart home, and beauty tech. You’ll find her name on reviews, explainers, roundups and expert tips, covering Apple, Google, Samsung, Sonos, Dyson and many more.
She’s always tried to take a more simplified approach to products, focusing on what she thinks actually matters in use, rather than getting caught up in the jargon. She was one of the first journalists in the world to try Apple's Vision Pro headset, she's gone behind the scenes at Peloton and she can give you more than 40 fun facts about Mac.
Britta has a First Class Honours degree in Fashion Journalism from the University of the Arts London and prior to a 10-year stint as deputy editor of Pocket-lint from 2013 to 2023, she wrote about interiors for 3 years, covering the rise in technology in the home.
As a freelance journalist, she co-founded The Disconnekt and she’s Editor-at-Large for The Ambient. You’ll also find her byline on several prestigious titles including The Telegraph, British GQ, The Express, The Mirror, TechRadar, T3, Stuff, TechAdvisor, Trusted Reviews, Expert Reviews, Wareable and iMore.
She’s also been a guest on several radio stations, including BBC Radio, Siren FM and Academy FM, discussing features to implement on devices to keep children safer online. You'll never find her without her Apple Watch on (usually alongside another fitness tracker she’s testing), aiming to complete her rings so she can justify the extra bar of chocolate. When she’s not recording the dog walk as an Outdoor Walk, she’s trying to keep up with her two young children.
