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Speaker Reviews

We can all do with more music and, thankfully, tech manufacturers couldn’t be more eager to sell you a speaker, whether it’s a multi-room setup from Sonos, a wireless Bluetooth option from Bose or JBL, or a smart speaker, like the HomePod, Google Home, or Alexa-powered Amazon Echo. Not all of them are good or reasonably priced, but we’ve cut through the overcrowded speaker market and offered a critique to the most popular speakers.

Bose SoundLink Home review: a speaker that’s all about looks

This Bluetooth speaker’s design is a breath of fresh air, but Bose skimped on some features that are usually standard at this price.

Chris Welch
Sonos Arc Ultra review: don’t call it a comeback (yet)

The company closes out a difficult year with this terrific soundbar that proves Sonos still knows how to do hardware. Software, though...

Chris Welch

Latest In Speaker Reviews

Ultimate Ears Everboom review: the right size

7

Verge Score

The smaller sibling to UE’s Epicboom offers plenty of punch for its size. But it’s a little thin on features to justify $250.

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Beats Pill review: much easier to swallow this time

8

Verge Score

More than just a lazy remaster, the new Pill includes unexpected features like lossless audio over USB-C. And like recent Beats products, it equally appeals to the iOS and Android crowds.

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Bose SoundLink Max review: size-defying sound isn’t cheap

7

Verge Score

As usual, Bose’s audio processing makes this speaker sound excellent. But for $400, it’s fair to expect more features and more smarts.

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JBL Authentics 300 smart speaker review: two assistants at once

7

Verge Score

JBL is the first to make Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant coexist on the same speaker, and it works quite well. But the price you pay for that convenience feels a little uneven.

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UE Epicboom review: an epic price for an ordinary speaker

6

Verge Score

It’s 2023. If Ultimate Ears is going to charge this much, there needs to be more to its speaker than just Bluetooth.

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The best Sonos speakers to buy right now

Sonos has an ever-growing lineup, and after you’ve bought your first speaker, you’ll likely want to put one in every room.

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Sonos Move 2 review: a slam-dunk sequel

9

Verge Score

With stereo sound, twice the battery life, and line-in playback, the Move 2 improves upon the original at every turn — unless you need Google Assistant.

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Sony’s small but mighty XB100 speaker is cheerful and very cheap

There are smarter and much bigger speakers to choose from, but this tiny little thing offers surprisingly crisp sound for its low price.

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Sonos Era 300 review: too ahead of its time

When you find a good spatial audio song, Sonos’ new speaker can blow your mind and sounds like nothing else. But it trails the Sonos Five at stereo playback and suffers from the wildly inconsistent state of Atmos mixes.

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Sonos Era 100 review: the new default smart speaker

The more affordable Era speaker improves upon the Sonos One by nearly every measure and will likely find the same success and popularity among Sonos customers.

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The best Bluetooth speakers to buy right now

Water resistance and lengthy battery life are now standard

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Sennheiser’s Ambeo Soundbar Plus is a sonic marvel with compromises

It’s a luxury purchase through and through, but Sennheiser’s new soundbar carries forward many of the original Ambeo’s strengths. Unfortunately, it also suffers from short-sighted missteps.

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Apple’s new HomePod plays it safe

Apple’s second take on the HomePod doesn’t stray far from the original, but it’s better all around.

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Sonos Sub Mini review: low end for a lower price

The long-awaited $429 Sub Mini doesn’t disappoint, but there are still reasons to opt for the standard Sub

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Devialet Dione soundbar review: brilliant bass for an exorbitant price

The $2,400 Dione is a luxury buy for people who don’t want to deal with surrounds or a subwoofer

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Sonos Ray review: a starter soundbar sort of stuck in the past

The Ray offers fantastic voice clarity and crisp sound, but this optical-only soundbar isn’t without frustrations

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Sony Glass Sound Speaker review: it’s not what it looks like

A mood-setting novelty speaker that doesn’t slouch on sound

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Ikea’s latest Sonos lamp speaker is still an acquired taste

Better looks, easier bulbs, still niche

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Sonos Beam (second-gen) review: Atmos(t) a minor upgrade

Dolby Atmos isn’t the reason you should buy it

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Sony HT-A7000 review: a next-gen Atmos soundbar that’s (almost) perfect for gaming

For those who can afford to throw cash at something that sounds great

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Ikea and Sonos picture frame speaker review: wall of sound

The latest Symfonisk collaboration is another attempt to camouflage tech in the home

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Sonos Roam review: portable potential

The tiny, lightweight speaker has a ton of functionality, but don’t expect sound quality miracles

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Sony RA5000 speaker review: extravagant sound at an unreasonable price

It’s a very Sony product, in ways both good and bad

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Apple HomePod Mini review: playing small ball

Apple’s newest smart speaker is way more affordable but still chasing Amazon and Google

Dan SeifertCommentsComment Icon Bubble
Google Nest Audio review: the sweet spot

7.5

Verge Score

Google’s latest smart speaker has good sound and an attractive price

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Amazon Echo Studio review: finally, an Echo that sounds great

The Studio is a great-sounding smart speaker that has some silly gimmicks you can thankfully ignore

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Sonos Move review: house shaker, not road warrior

Sonos’ first portable speaker is more comfortable at home than on the go

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Ikea’s new speakers are the most affordable way to get Sonos in your home

The Symfonisk lamp and bookshelf speakers actually sound good, too

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Sonos Amp review: all kinds of power

Sonos reminds us that it can do almost anything

Nilay PatelCommentsComment Icon Bubble
Roku TV Wireless Speakers review: easy listening

A simple solution for Roku TV owners who want better sound

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Polk Command Bar review: smarter than it sounds

Another take on Alexa in a soundbar

Dieter BohnCommentsComment Icon Bubble
Sonos Beam review: living room upgrade

Exactly what it says it’ll do

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Bose SoundWear Companion neck speaker review

A $300 neck speaker was always going to be niche, but Bose made a good one

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