Sonos Move 2 vs Era 300: Portable vs Home Speakers
By Naila Syifa
Updated September 2023
Both Move 2 and Era 300 are great smart speakers from Sonos, but they have some key differences that set them apart. Move 2 is primarily designed for portability, while Era 300 is meant to be a stationary home speaker. What are some other key differences between the two? Let's take a look at these 5 aspects!
| Specs | Sonos Move 2 | Sonos Era 300 |
|---|---|---|
| Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon | |
| Price | $449 | $449 |
| Dimensions | 242 x 160 x 126 mm | 160 x 260 x 185 mm |
| Weight | 3 kg | 4.47 kg |
| Colors | Black, white, olive | Black, white |
| IP Rating | IP56 | None |
| Automatic Trueplay | Yes | Yes |
| Spatial Sound | No | Yes |
| Voice Control | Sonos, Alexa | Sonos, Alexa |
| Battery Life | 24 hours | None |
| Line-In Adapter | Yes | Yes |
Key Takeaways
Sonos Move 2 has an IP56 rating for dust and water resistance while Era 300 is not weather-rated. Move 2 is portable with a built-in handle and 24 hours of battery life, while Era 300 is not designed for portability and needs to be plugged in. However, Era 300 supports spatial audio while Move 2 doesn't. Era 300 also delivers a more powerful audio performance than Move 2.
Sonos Move 2
Portable Speaker for Indoor and Outdoor
✓ Stereo sound
✓ IP56 dust and water-resistant
✓ Up to 24 hours of playback
✓ Automatic Trueplay
Sonos Era 300
Powerful Speaker for Home
✓ Spatial audio
✓ Home theater support
✓ Voice-enabled
✓ Automatic Trueplay
#1 Price
Sonos Era 300
Even though designed for different purposes with different features and capabilities, the Move 2 and Era 300 are both priced at US$449. Such a price point puts them in the premium category of smart speakers, but their quality and features may justify the cost. Keep reading to learn more!
#2 Design & Durability
Sonos Move 2
Sonos Move 2 and Era 300 are quite different in terms of design. The Move 2 is taller but slimmer, while the Era 300 is shorter but wider. Era 300 is heavier at 4.47 kg, while the Move 2 weighs only 3 kg. Sonos Move 2 also features a built-in handle, making it much more portable and easier to carry around, while the Era 300 is a more stationary home speaker.
Sonos Move 2 is also great for outdoor uses like picnics and camping trips, as it is weather-resistant with an IP56 rating that makes it able to withstand dust, spills, splashes, rain, dirt, humidity, and sun. It is also made from shock-absorbent materials, making it drop-resistant. On the other hand, the Era 300 is designed only for indoor use and is not weather-rated.
Despite their differences, both smart speakers feature a similar touch control panel that allows you to play, pause, skip, and control the volume. You can also disable voice assistants or disable microphones altogether to ensure privacy when not in use.
#3 Sound & Performance
Sonos Era 300
In terms of sound quality, both Sonos Move 2 and Era 300 produce excellent audio. Both speakers feature Automatic Trueplay, which adjusts the sound based on the surrounding environment and content for optimal audio performance. With the Sonos app, you can also customize the sound profile to your liking with the equalizer.
However, Era 300 produces more powerful audio due to its exhaustive acoustic architecture consisting of four optimally-positioned tweeters, six class-D digital amplifiers, two woofers, and a microphone array. Sonos Move 2, on the other hand, features only two tweeters, three class-D digital amplifiers, one mid-woofer, and a microphone array.
Sonos Move 2
Era 300 also supports Dolby Atmos spatial audio, which provides a more immersive listening experience by creating a three-dimensional sound environment. The Move 2, on the other hand, only supports stereo audio, which divides the sound into two channels within a horizontal plane: left and right.
This spatial audio capability makes Era 300 a great choice for home theater systems, allowing for an immersive surround sound when you pair two Era 300 speakers with Sonos Arc or Beam.
#4 Connectivity
Sonos Era 300
In terms of connectivity, both the Move 2 and Era 300 don't have any major differences. Both smart speakers connect to WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0. WiFi connectivity allows for streaming high-quality audio without any interruptions, while Bluetooth connectivity allows for easy pairing within a limited range.
Both speakers also work with AirPlay 2, allowing you to stream audio from Apple devices with iOS 11.4 and higher. You can also connect a turntable, computer, CD player, or other audio sources to both speakers using a separate Sonos Line-In adapter.
Both Sonos Move 2 and Era 300 are also voice-enabled. You can use Sonos Voice Control or Amazon Alexa to control the smart speakers hands-free with just your voice.
#5 Battery & Power
Sonos Move 2
Sonos Move 2 is equipped with an impressive 44 Wh battery that can last up to 24 hours on a single charge, making it ideal for outdoor use where there's no power source. Era 300, on the other hand, is not battery-powered. You have to plug it into a power source to use it, making it less portable than the Move 2.
Sonos Move 2 vs Sonos Era 300
Final Thoughts
Sonos Era 300
At the same price tag of US$449, Sonos Move 2 and Era 300 offer different features for different purposes. Sonos Move 2 is most suitable for portable uses indoors and outdoors, boasting an IP56 rating, a long-lasting battery, and a built-in handle. Era 300 is most suitable for home uses like home theater, supported by powerful acoustic architecture and Dolby Atmos spatial audio for a more immersive listening experience.
If you like to read more about Smart Home Speakers, check out our other relevant guides here:
The Best Smart Home Speakers 2023
Apple HomePod Mini Review
Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) Review
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