Review · Audio
Sonos Era 100 review: the speaker that still earns the nightstand
Better voice options, AirPlay that just works, and a Matter-adjacent home story that is almost there.
Our pick: Best small speaker if music is the point
Sonos
Era 100
8.7$249
Buy it for music. Treat voice and announcements as extras that happen to be good.
Pros
- • Stereo image that embarrasses Echo and Nest
- • AirPlay 2 and Spotify Connect without drama
- • Trueplay still saves messy rooms
Cons
- • Not a Matter controller
- • Sonos app goodwill is still recovering
- • Line-in needs a dongle
Smart speakers optimized for shopping lists. The Era 100 still optimizes for records you actually play. In a bedroom or kitchen it is the small speaker we keep recommending, even after Sonos spent two years rebuilding trust in its app.
As a home device
Amazon Alexa is optional and better than it was. Apple users will live on AirPlay. Home Assistant can announce via the Sonos integration with low latency on the local network. What it will not do is replace a Thread border router or a tablet on the wall. That is fine. Speakers should speak.
The verdict
If you want a screen, buy an Echo Show or a wall tablet. If you want a room to sound like a room, buy the Era 100 — or a pair, which is how this product starts making sense.