The Sonos Play is a portable speaker with smart features. Positioned between the Sonos Roam 2 and the Sonos Move 2 in both size and price, it promises to deliver the best of both worlds, with an advertised 24 hours of battery life and an IP67 rating to complement its Wi-Fi connectivity and voice assistant integration. Its compact, cylindrical shape means it can easily be stowed in backpacks and tote bags for weekend trips, but its charging dock means it could be a good option for your kitchen or living room, too.
Our Verdict
The Sonos Play is decent for music. It has a balanced default sound, with a deft mid-range presentation and a slightly dark treble range. As with other speakers of its size, its low-frequency extension isn't the best, but there's enough low-end for kicks and basslines to carry some weight in the mix, even if they won't shake the kitchen counter. There are a number of sound-shaping features that can enhance your listening experience too, like Trueplay room correction and loudness-dependent EQ, though there's no graphic EQ for granular tweaks. The speaker's cylindrical design means it has great directivity, and it can play back stereo content without downmixing, too. While it can get loud enough to fill a small room, there's quite a bit of compression as you crank the volume, especially in the bass range.
12 hours of continuous battery life.
Plays back stereo audio without downmixing.
Some bass-range compression at higher volumes.
No graphic EQ.
The Sonos Play is satisfactory for videos and movies. Its balanced mid-range renders vocals and dialogue accurately, though the lack of low bass can rob some action sequences of their intensity. Its great directivity and ability to play back stereo content without downmixing is a boon for movie-watching, though the proximity of the drivers to each other doesn't allow for much separation within the stereo field. There's some compression as you approach max volume, too, which can impact the dynamic range of movie audio. Still, latency with iOS devices over Bluetooth and AirPlay is among the lowest we've tested (Android latency isn't bad either), which helps mitigate lip-sync errors between your audio and video. Different apps and devices compensate for latency differently, though.
Very low latency with iOS devices.
Plays back stereo audio without downmixing.
Some bass-range compression at higher volumes.
No graphic EQ.
The Sonos Play is very good for podcasts. The balanced mid-range reproduction helps render your favorite hosts' voices in a smooth, natural way, and the speaker can get loud enough to fill most rooms in your house with sound. While there's some compression as you approach max volume, it's confined to the bass range and won't alter the dynamics of dialogue. Its compact size and 12-hour battery life, coupled with its convenient charging dock, make it a versatile choice: keep it parked in the kitchen for podcasts while cooking, or bring your favorite show on the road with you. Its great directivity ensures that most listening angles around the speaker yield similar-sounding audio reproduction.
12 hours of continuous battery life.
Very low latency with iOS devices.
No graphic EQ.
The Sonos Play is outstanding for use with voice assistants. When connected to Wi-Fi, it has built-in Alexa functionality for integration with your Amazon devices, but there's also some limited support for Siri, though you're confined to music-related commands, and you'll need an iOS device. The built-in mic does a fantastic job of picking up voice commands, even in crowded rooms when you're far away. You can also use Sonos Voice Control if you lack a compatible voice assistant setup, which gives you hands-free control over many music playback-related functions.
Built-in mic picks up commands very easily.
The Sonos Play is a good choice for outdoor use. It's IP67 rated for protection against dust damage and water submersion, though the manufacturer advises you not to play audio while the speaker is in the water. Still, the speaker's construction is very sturdy, and the 12 hours of battery life should get you through a day trip without needing a recharge. It's got a balanced sound overall, though it lacks the low-bass presence needed to get a dance floor moving, and there's some compression in the bass range as you crank the volume. The portable design means that it can easily be stowed in a hiking backpack or weekend bag, too, though it's not as compact as some speakers specifically designed for on-the-go use.
12 hours of continuous battery life.
IP67 rating.
Some bass-range compression at higher volumes.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Sonos Play comes in two color variants: 'Black' and 'White.' We tested the 'Black' variant (and took a photo of its label), but we expect other variants to perform similarly.
If you encounter another variant of this speaker, please let us know in the comments, and we'll update our review.
Popular Speaker Comparisons
The Sonos Play is a wireless speaker that bridges the gap between hyper-portable speakers, like the Sonos Roam 2, and the more home-oriented features and performance of larger speakers, like the Sonos Move 2. As a result, it boasts a 12-hour battery life for all-day use, and it comes with a dedicated charging dock that can keep it perpetually charged if you plan on keeping it parked in one place. The dock doesn't come with a wall adapter, though, so you'll need to provide your own. That said, it's not as feather-light as the Roam 2 and lacks the room-filling top volume of the Move 2. If you're looking for something in the same weight class but need a bit more battery life and top-notch directivity, the Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 4 gives you around 20 hours without needing a recharge. This comes at the expense of the Sonos' voice assistant support and Wi-Fi compatibility, though, which is common with cheaper speakers and limits their use as home speakers.
Looking for more options? Check out our recommendations for the best Bluetooth speakers, the best small Bluetooth speakers, and the best waterproof Bluetooth speakers.
The Sonos Play is the Sonos Move 2's more portable sibling. Though the two have similar battery life performances, the Play's more lightweight design makes it easier to stow in a bag for a weekend trip and features a more resilient IP67 rating against dust and water damage. If volume and bass output are the priority, the Move 2 is likely a better option: it can get louder, and there's less compression in the bass-range as you crank the volume. Both speakers are excellent choices for home use, with built-in Alexa support and Wi-Fi compatibility. But if there's a chance you'll also want to take your speaker around with you on the go, the Play is the better choice.
The Sonos Roam 2 is a more portable option compared to the Sonos Play, but comes up short in terms of battery life and sound. Both speakers are IP67 rated for protection against dust damage and water submersion but the Play uses slightly more premium materials. It also has a more balanced default sound, can get much louder, and has double the continuous battery life. That said, if you're looking for a speaker that can be slung in a pocket or attached to your bike, the Roam 2 is one of the most portable speakers out there. It's a fair bit cheaper, too, and can be a great gateway into the Sonos ecosystem.
The Sonos Play and the Marshall Emberton II are both portable speakers, but apart from the Battery's much longer battery life and better directivity, the Sonos is the better choice for most use cases. Both speakers are rated IP67, though the Sonos has a better build quality overall. The Sonos also has a more balanced default sound, a louder top volume, and it comes with Wi-Fi and built-in Alexa support, making it a more versatile choice for most people. That said, the difference in battery life is quite large: the Sonos clocks in at around 12 hours, while the Marshall almost doubles this at 22 hours, so the Marshall is worth considering if battery life is your top priority.
The Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 4 boasts a longer, 20-hour battery life and better directivity than the Sonos Play, though the Sonos is a better choice if you need voice assistant and Wi-Fi support. Both speakers are very portable and can easily be carried around in one hand. The Ultimate Ears is a bit lighter though and can float in water. That said, the Sonos performs better in our sound tests, with a more balanced default frequency response, TruePlay room correction, and a louder top volume.
Test Results
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