Sonos Era 100 Speaker Review: Top 5 Features in 2025

January 25, 2025

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The Sonos Era 100 Speaker has made waves in the audio world since its release, captivating users with its robust features and impressive sound quality. Designed for home use, this speaker offers a seamless blend of connectivity, design, and performance. Whether you’re looking for a speaker to enhance your music experience or need one for a multi-room setup, the Sonos Era 100 may be the perfect solution.

Quick Highlights

Release Date: March 13, 2023
Price: $242
Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB
Weight: 4.4 lbs (2.0 kg)
Power Source: AC Only
Voice Assistant: Built-in Alexa (Wi-Fi Only)
Multi-Room Support: Yes
Dimensions: 7″D x 5.1″W x 7.22″H
Maximum Output Power: 10W

See Full Specifications

Sonos Era 100 Speaker Release Date

The Sonos Era 100 was officially released on March 13, 2023, and quickly garnered attention from audiophiles and casual users alike. It brought innovative features that made it stand out from other products in the market. Sonos continues to enhance its reputation with each new release, and the Era 100 is no exception.

Sonos Era 100 Speaker Unboxing

Unboxing the Sonos Era 100 Speaker is an enjoyable experience. Inside the box, you’ll find:

The speaker itself
A quick start guide
A power cable.

The process is straightforward, and setting up the speaker is just as easy. The simple packaging ensures minimal waste while providing everything you need for a smooth setup process.

Quick Specs

Connectivity Technology: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB
Speaker Type: Home Speaker
Weight: 4.4 lbs (2.0 kg)
Dimensions: 7″D x 5.1″W x 7.22″H
Power Source: AC Only
Voice Assistant: Built-in Alexa
Multi-Room Support: Yes

Design and Display

The Sonos Era 100 features a sleek, compact design with clean lines and a modern aesthetic. Its minimalist approach blends well with most home decor. The speaker’s dimensions make it easy to place anywhere, whether on a shelf, desk, or countertop. Its neutral colors and solid build quality ensure that it is both visually appealing and durable.

Although the Era 100 doesn’t have RGB lights, its aesthetic is enhanced with a premium, matte finish. The tactile controls on the speaker, such as volume buttons and track selectors, ensure ease of use. Its overall design prioritizes practicality, combining form with functionality.

Sonos Era 100 Speaker Controls

The Sonos Era 100 comes with tactile buttons for volume control, track navigation, and music play/pause. These physical controls are highly responsive, providing an excellent user experience. In addition, the microphone on/off feature offers privacy and allows you to disable voice assistants when needed. The speaker’s simple interface ensures that you can easily operate it without needing advanced tech knowledge.

Differences Between Sizes and Variants

While the Sonos Era 100 is currently available in one standard size, other variants within the Sonos product range offer different sizes and features. The Sonos Era 300, for example, offers a larger form factor with more powerful sound capabilities, while the Era 100 is more compact and portable.

Each model serves a distinct purpose, with the Era 100 being perfect for smaller rooms and apartments, while the Era 300 might be more suitable for larger spaces. However, the Sonos Era 100 maintains impressive sound quality despite its smaller size.

Sonos Era 100 Speaker Colors

The Sonos Era 100 Speaker is available in a classic black and white colors, which suits a wide range of interiors. The neutral tones ensure that the speaker blends effortlessly into most living spaces without clashing with other decor. While there are currently no alternative color options, the timeless black finish remains a popular choice for many customers.

Features: The Sonos Era 100 Speaker

Excellent Sound Quality

The Sonos Era 100 offers clear, crisp sound quality, making it perfect for music lovers. The 10W output power may seem modest, but it delivers impressive audio performance for most listening environments. Thanks to the advanced bass and treble equalizer settings, users can adjust the sound to their liking.

Sonos Era 100 Speaker Connectivity

Another standout feature is its versatile connectivity. The Era 100 supports both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, providing users with flexible options for pairing. Whether you prefer streaming through Wi-Fi for better range or using Bluetooth for quick pairing, the Sonos Era 100 delivers seamless integration with most devices.

Built-In Voice Assistant

The Alexa voice assistant is built into the Sonos Era 100, allowing hands-free control via Wi-Fi. The far-field microphone performs excellently, even in noisy environments. The voice assistant enables you to control playback, adjust volume, and even control other smart home devices.

Sonos Era 100 Multi-Room Setup

If you’re looking for a multi-room setup, the Sonos Era 100 supports this feature. Using the Sonos S2 app, you can link multiple speakers for a synchronized audio experience across your home. This feature is perfect for those who want seamless sound throughout their living spaces.

Compact and Portable

At 4.4 lbs, the Sonos Era 100 is lightweight and portable. You can easily move it from room to room or even take it outside, though it’s not water-resistant. Its portability makes it ideal for those who want flexibility without sacrificing sound quality.

Additional Important Features

The Sonos S2 app enhances the overall experience, offering full control over settings such as equalizer adjustments, multi-room setup, and more. The speaker is compatible with both iOS and Android, allowing you to control playback with ease. Although the Sonos Era 100 lacks certain features such as USB audio or aux input, it excels in the areas that matter most, like sound quality and connectivity.

Price and Availability

At $242, the Sonos Era 100 is positioned as an affordable mid-range option for those seeking premium sound without breaking the bank. It is readily available from retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and the official Sonos website. Given its feature set, the price is competitive when compared to similar products in the market.

Comparison: Sonos Era 100 vs. Sonos Era 300

Price:

The Sonos Era 100 is significantly more affordable at $242, making it ideal for those looking for good sound quality without a high-end price. In contrast, the Sonos Era 300 costs $499, reflecting its advanced features like Dolby Atmos and high-power output.
Design and Size:

The Sonos Era 100 has a compact design measuring 7″D x 5.1″W x 7.22″H and weighing only 4.4 lbs, making it easy to place anywhere and move around. This makes it perfect for smaller rooms or portable use. The Sonos Era 300, on the other hand, has a larger, more robust design (10″D x 8.5″W x 9.5″H) and weighs significantly more at 14.3 lbs. It is better suited for larger spaces that need a more powerful audio experience.
Sound Performance:

The Sonos Era 100 delivers clear, balanced sound with a 10W output power, which is great for smaller areas. It offers adjustable bass and treble EQ to personalize sound. In contrast, the Sonos Era 300 provides superior sound output, with 25W power and Dolby Atmos support for a more immersive listening experience. The Era 300 offers richer bass, a wider stereo field, and better overall sound depth, making it the preferred option for audiophiles or home theater setups.
Connectivity:

Both speakers offer Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi, and USB connectivity, ensuring seamless connection with your devices. They also both feature multi-room setup via the Sonos S2 app, allowing users to sync multiple Sonos speakers for a whole-home audio experience. The connectivity options in both are highly versatile, allowing for easy control and playback.
Voice Assistant:

Both the Sonos Era 100 and Sonos Era 300 come with a built-in Alexa voice assistant for hands-free control, though the Era 300 offers more advanced control for better sound management. Both models support smart home integration, but the Era 300 might appeal more to users seeking higher customization and features in their smart speaker setup.
Portability and Setup:

The Sonos Era 100 is much more portable, weighing just 4.4 lbs, and designed to fit easily into smaller spaces, making it ideal for users who may want to move the speaker between rooms. The Sonos Era 300, while it offers superior sound, is heavier and less portable due to its larger design.
Control Features:

The Sonos Era 100 uses physical tactile buttons for volume control, track navigation, and play/pause, offering a simple and intuitive user experience. The Sonos Era 300, however, features touch-sensitive controls and offers more advanced customization features, including better sound management options through its app and voice assistant.
Ideal Use Cases:

The Sonos Era 100 is perfect for users who have smaller spaces, need a portable speaker, or are looking for affordable sound without sacrificing performance. It’s ideal for listening to music or podcasts and for use in apartments or smaller homes. On the other hand, the Sonos Era 300 is better suited for larger rooms, home theater setups, or audiophiles who need high-end sound with deep bass, immersive effects, and superior sound processing.

Verdict: Which Speaker is Better for You?

Sonos Era 100: The best choice for small rooms, portable audio, and affordability. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly, compact speaker that still offers great sound and smart features like Alexa integration, the Sonos Era 100 is your go-to option. It’s a solid performer at a great price.
Sonos Era 300: For those who want premium sound, deeper bass, Dolby Atmos, and a larger speaker that fills up bigger rooms or homes, the Sonos Era 300 is the better choice. While it comes at a higher price, it offers unparalleled audio quality for home theaters or audiophiles.

Ultimately, the Sonos Era 100 provides value for money, while the Sonos Era 300 is a premium choice for more demanding audio setups.

Should You Buy the Sonos Era 100 Speaker?

The Sonos Era 100 Speaker is a fantastic choice for anyone seeking premium sound, voice assistant integration, and multi-room support at a competitive price. Its compact design, ease of use, and excellent connectivity make it a versatile option for various listening environments. However, if you’re looking for a speaker with more advanced features like water resistance or battery power, you might want to consider other models.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Sonos Era 100 Bluetooth Speaker is an excellent mid-range option that delivers on all fronts. It offers superb sound quality, impressive connectivity, and user-friendly controls. Whether you’re using it for casual listening or integrating it into a multi-room setup, the Era 100 provides a solid, reliable experience. At its price point of $242, it’s an excellent value for those who want high-quality audio in a compact, affordable package. For users who prioritize integration with Alexa and seamless connectivity options, this speaker is a must-have.