Sonos One (Gen 2) vs Sonos One SL
By Linus Tan
Updated April 2023
The Sonos One (Gen 2) and Sonos One SL are both incredible home speakers with great features and sound quality. Though they look almost identical on the surface, they do bear some minor differences.
In this review, we compare the Sonos One (Gen 2) vs Sonos One SL in terms of price, design & specs, and sound & software to determine which is the better smart home speaker for you.
On our list
#1 Price
#2 Design & Specs
#3 Sound & Software
Sonos One (Gen 2)
Sonos One SL
#1 Price
Sonos One (Gen 2) vs Sonos One SL
The Apple Homepod Mini is priced at an affordable US$99, while the Sonos One (Gen 2) is slightly more expensive at US$219.
Naturally, the Sonos One (Gen 2) offers better hardware specs due to its higher price tag. However, if budget is a concern and you don't want to spend too much on a smart home speaker, the Apple Homepod Mini is definitely the more wallet-friendly option.
#2 Design & Specs
Sonos One (Gen 2) vs Sonos One SL
The Apple Homepod Mini takes on a small and stylish design in the shape of a ball that makes it a perfect fit for any room in your home. It features an illuminating touch surface for quick controls where its “+/-” buttons are found and comes in a range of vibrant colours for you to choose from. The Homepod Mini is equipped with a full-range driver and dual force-cancelling passive radiators, and is capable of multi-room audio.
The Sonos One (Gen 2) boasts a sleek and modern design that will complement any contemporary space. The speaker features a streamlined silhouette that is both elegant and functional, making it the perfect addition to any home. The speaker's minimalist design also allows it to blend seamlessly into any room without taking up too much space. In addition to its stylish design, the Sonos One (Gen 2) also comes equipped with two Class-D digital amplifiers, one tweeter and one midwoofer, and is also capable of a multi-room setup.
#3 Sound & Software
Sonos One (Gen 2) vs Sonos One SL
The Apple Homepod Mini is a compact yet powerful smart speaker that has been designed to deliver an immersive audio experience. The Mini utilises computational audio – a cutting-edge technology that combines advanced software algorithms with hardware to produce high-quality sound. This technology analyses the music in real-time, adjusting the audio output to optimise the listening experience. Additionally, the Mini is capable of connecting with other Apple devices, such as iPhones and iPads, allowing users to seamlessly transfer audio playback between devices.
The Sonos One (Gen 2) is an excellent speaker that provides unparalleled audio quality, capable of impressing even audiophiles. It offers Hi-Res Audio support with the new Sonos S2 application, allowing it to reproduce the full range of sound from recordings. This provides a pleasant audio experience that replicates the quality with which the musicians and engineers were working in the studio at the time of recording. The speaker also features Trueplay tuning, which automatically adjusts the sound based on your room's acoustics, ensuring that you always get the best possible sound quality.
That being said, when comparing audio quality between the two smart speakers, the Apple Homepod Mini struggles to surpass the Sonos One (Gen 2) and that is fairly understandable. As a smart speaker itself, the Apple Homepod Mini already punches above its weight for its extremely affordable price. The difference you pay more for the Sonos One (Gen 2) allows for superior sound quality thanks to its engineering.
Sonos One (Gen 2) vs Sonos One SL
When it comes to software, the Apple Homepod Mini is equipped with Siri, Apple's voice assistant. This allows you to control your smart home devices, play music, and perform other tasks using only your voice. In contrast, the Sonos One (Gen 2) is compatible with both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. This makes it easy to control your smart home devices and access your favourite music streaming services.
Compare Sonos One (Gen 2) vs Sonos One SL
Final Thoughts
Sonos One (Gen 2) vs Sonos One SL
If you’re getting your first Sonos speaker, it’s definitely worth it to fork out a little more for the Sonos One (Gen 2) to get the added benefit of smart home compatibility with Alexa or Google.
While if you’re simply looking to expand your Sonos sound ecosystem, getting the Sonos One SL will be more than enough as you will only need it to function as a speaker.
If you like to read more on smart home speakers, check out our other relevant guides here:
Best Smart Home Speakers
Apple Homepod Mini vs Sonos One (Gen 2)
Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) vs Google Nest Mini
Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) vs Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen)
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