Sonos One vs Sonos Era 100
By Linus Tan
Updated Aug 2023
Sonos has recently released new speakers that aim to redefine the listening experience. The Era 100 is an upgrade to the Sonos One, offering improved features and performance. Meanwhile, the Era 300 is a higher-end option that focuses on delivering spatial audio for an even more immersive sound experience.
In this review, we compare the Sonos One vs Sonos Era 100 on price, design, and sound quality to help you decide which model is ideal for you.
On our list
#1 Price
#2 Design & Specs
#3 Sound & Performance
Sonos One
✓ Unparalleled audio quality
✓ Built-in microphone
✓ Compatible with Alexa & Google
Sonos Era 100
✓ Deep bass & excellent clarity
✓ Two angled tweeters
✓ Wi-Fi, Bluetooth & Line-in connectivity
#1 Price
Sonos One vs Sonos Era 100
When it comes to price, the Sonos One is generally more affordable than the Sonos Era 100. At the time of writing, the Sonos One retails for around US$219 while the Era 100 is priced at US$249. However, it's worth noting that the Sonos One will likely stay on sale until it sells out, so you might get a good deal for yourself.
If you're on a tight budget or don't require some of the extra features offered by the Era 100, then the Sonos One might be the better choice for you. Otherwise, for the upgrades you will get in the Era 100, we feel that it is well worth the extra money spent.
#2 Design & Specs
Sonos One vs Sonos Era 100
The Sonos Era 100 boasts a more modern oval design that's larger than its predecessor, the Sonos One. Measuring 7.18H x 4.72W x 5.14D inches, the Era 100 is about 2cm taller than the Sonos One. Despite its bigger size, the Era 100 remains compact enough to fit in most places around the home.
The Era 100's new shape enables it to offer improved sound quality, with stereo sound from two angled tweeters and a larger woofer that's powered by its own Class D amplifier. This is a step up from the Sonos One which only had one tweeter and was only capable of delivering mono sound.
Both the Sonos Era 100 and Sonos One are available in matte black or matte white, and share a wraparound grille body design that gives them a sleek and modern look. They both also feature top control panels that allow you to adjust your listening experience, but the Era 100 stands out with its enhanced volume slider that's recessed for a more tactile and intuitive feel.
Another notable difference between the Sonos Era 100 and Sonos One is their connectivity options. While the Sonos One is limited to Wi-Fi, the Era 100 offers more versatility with its Bluetooth and Line-in capabilities. With Bluetooth, you can easily stream audio from your phone or tablet, while Line-in allows you to connect and play music from a range of sources including turntables and computers. These options make the Era 100 an ideal choice over the Sonos One for those who want flexibility in their speakers.
#3 Sound & Performance
Sonos One vs Sonos Era 100
The Sonos Era 100 is a high-quality speaker that offers impressive sound performance with deep bass and excellent clarity. It takes the already impressive sound quality of the Sonos One to the next level. Its sound dispersion is remarkable for its compact size, creating a room-filling experience that allows each instrument and voice to be heard distinctly while blending together seamlessly.
While turning up the volume too much can result in some distortion, the overall sound quality is outstanding, even when streaming music over Bluetooth. Although the sound may be slightly less crisp than when using Wi-Fi, it remains open and engaging.
In contrast, the Sonos One produces a full-bodied sound with a spacious and well-organised soundstage that highlights vocals and adds depth to the music, albeit slightly less refined than the Era 100.
If you're in the market for a high-quality speaker that delivers exceptional sound performance, the Sonos Era 100 is an excellent choice that provides superior performance compared to the Sonos One.
Compare Sonos One vs Sonos Era 100
Final Thoughts
Sonos One vs Sonos Era 100
Ultimately, the Sonos One and the Sonos Era 100 both offer excellent sound quality and great design. While the Sonos One is more affordable and provides a great listening experience, the Sonos Era 100 takes that experience to a whole new level with its larger woofer, stereo tweeters, and enhanced volume control. It's also more versatile with its Bluetooth and Line-in connections, allowing you to stream audio from multiple sources.
For those seeking a premium speaker that will enhance their music listening experience, the Sonos Era 100 is undoubtedly the superior option. However, if you're in search of a good deal on a high-quality speaker, the Sonos One may be a more suitable choice - especially before it sells out.
If you like to read more on smart home speakers, check out our other relevant guides here:
Best Smart Home Speakers
Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) vs Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen)
Amazon Echo Dot vs Echo Pop
Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) vs Google Nest Mini
Apple Homepod Mini vs Sonos One (Gen 2)
Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) vs HomePod Mini
Sonos One (Gen 2) vs Sonos One SL
Sonos Era 100 vs Sonos Era 300
Sonos Era 300 vs Sonos Five
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