In 2022, Ikea released an updated version of the bookshelf speaker. The latest model boasts a faster processor, more memory and lower power consumption when in standby mode. IKEA has also added a longer power cable and streamlined the button layout. when the physical surrounds are bonded, then the side firing woofers will be used to help with the left and right channels. It has the crucial feature of being able to use Alexa to control Spotify, and it even supports AirPlay 2 and Siri, with Google Assistant support offering an alternative means for voice control. The One is easily one of the most well-specified and versatile smart speakers around, and a great way for existing Sonos users to affordably expand their multi-room set-up around the house. It's certainly far more fully-featured than its similar-looking Bluetooth speaker rivals. While most speakers this size are simple devices you simply connect to your smartphone using Bluetooth, the Sonos Roam offers full compatibility with the Sonos app and multi-room ecosystem the brand is known for.

The Sonos Five is a hefty beast with a smart, slightly curved grille on the front. (Image credit: TechRadar) We're not used to seeing Sonos compete at the budget end of the market, and unfortunately, its inexperience shows. Because while the Ray is an assertive, punchy soundbar, it did struggle with an annoying bass buzz at the lower end of the frequency range. It's a shame, but it has since been rectified via a firmware update. Physical controls are located on the left side of the frame, but most users will likely opt to control the speaker with the Sonos S2 app. AirPlay 2support is also included and two picture frame speakers can be stereo paired. Like the Sonos One, it's a smart speaker, though here there's only support for Alexa and Sonos' own Voice Control system (which only controls music, and doesn't send anything to the cloud). Google Assistant has been dropped from the list.

Sonos' biggest wireless speaker is kind of a big deal generally

So the Sonos Era 100 features a new oval woofer for bass and mid-range, and two angled tweeters above it, one facing left, and one facing right. The tweeters have a 100-degree angle between them, and each has a waveguide frame in front of it that disperses sound across 180 degrees per tweeter. That means the tweeters have a total sound spread of 270 degrees between them, according to Sonos. And the addition of Bluetooth only adds to its value, though it's worth noting that unlike the Sonos Five, you need to buy an extra cable to attach a 3.5mm source. You’re not going to get a better-sounding multi-room speaker with Sonos’ sonic signature for less than three figures – not to mention one that you can use as a floating bookshelf. Again, if you prioritise sound quality over Sonos and wi-fi features, the best Bluetooth speakers at this price, such as the JBL Flip 5, can offer more refinement and generally slightly better overall performance. One significant problem I've experienced is when someone doesn't understand the 5ghz vs 2.4ghz connections. If they try to force a 5ghz connection by deleting the 2.4ghz connection from the app's network, this causes a catch 22 problem between the speaker and the app. The speaker will fail to connect to the 5ghz and cause the "manage network" wizard to error out, and the manager network wizard will continue to error because it sees the 5ghz network still on its list and thinks it's setup correctly. Let's start with the speakers in the Sonos Era 300. Interestingly, Sonos has gone for compression drivers for the most part, which are much harder to integrate well into small home-friendly speakers than standard dynamic drivers (because they require an extra structure to shape and amplify their sound) – but they can be more efficient, easier to steer for directional sound, and lower-distortion when done right.

The new five-star Era 100 replaces the five-star Sonos One, and shares many of the same abilities as the Era 300 (above). It too has Bluetooth 5.0, wi-fi 6, AirPlay 2, Sonos voice control and Alexa support, as well as a USB-C line-in. Also like the Era 300, it can handle audio files up to 24-bit/48kHz, and has the same new top panel interface with touch capacitive controls. IKEA and Sonos's second-generation Symfonisk table lamp is official. This time round, you can snap up the base separately, pairing it with two different types of shades – a glass offering, or a softer fabric shade.In traditional Sonos style, the Five is not interested in a shy, retiring sound – it's here to bring the bass and make you feel it, and we're not complaining. However (and we've said this before) it's important to note that we like it more if you can use TruePlay tuning, and not everyone is granted that privilege. Sonos' first wireless subwoofer is a solid addition to a Sonos music or cinema system. It's 16kg, and fairly large, but its novel design allows it to stand upright or be laid flat. Connections are minimal. There’s a power supply, an ethernet input should you prefer to make a wired connection, and that’s your lot. You should also consider the newer Sub Mini (below).

Though it's got a bit more heft than the Sonos One, the Era 100 still manages to maintain a compact frame overall – it can sit on a shelf without dominating it in any way. The oval design very much follows Sonos' current design language, with a hard grille all around that is mercifully easy to dust. The difference from the Sonos One in this area is the width – upgrading to two tweeters angled away from each other has indeed created a wider soundstage, though Sonos One wasn't exactly bad at this anyway. However, when moving off-center, I did find the Sonos Era 100 to hold onto the quality of the mix more strongly for longer than in a comparison with the Sonos One, so we'll give it to Sonos for that, no question. If you want convincing surround sound performance from one of the finest soundbars on the market, but you're not bothered about built-in voice controls, the Arc SL is a smart buy over the standard Arc.Here, there's a forward-firing compression driver, then one upfiring driver at roughly a 10-degree angle, and two side-firing drivers (one left, one right) also at around 10 degrees.

We'll have to reserve judgement until we've run the rule over every aspect of the Sonos Roam SL, but on paper, it's a tempting proposition for those who want to dive into the Sonos ecosystem at the lowest price point. Sonos describes this as a 7.1.4 system, whereas every previous Sonos surround system has been 5.1.2 at most – but I think that undersells it. I use a Sonos Arc with Sonos One rear speakers regularly, and the transformation here compared to that is just astounding. The thing about this speaker array and design, though, is that you can't be putting this on a set of shelves where it's covered above and to the sides, like many of the best stereo speakers can. It needs to be out on the open, with room to blast soundwaves up and to the sides. If you want a light, portable, Bluetooth Sonos speaker, you'll want to consider the smaller, smarter Roam. However, while the Move 2 is heavier and more expensive, it also delivers a sense of scale and weight that the Roam cannot match.

With stereo or spatial audio, the Era 300 is more expansive than any other single-box speaker for the price

All of that effort paid off: the Sonos Arc delivers one of the most convincing Atmos presentations of any soundbar we’ve heard. Height junkies can turn up the volume of the Arc's upward-firing drivers using a separate control, but we don't find it necessary to overly boost the vertical channel to enjoy the Arc's immersive delivery. It looks like a soundbar, but also like a Sonos speaker – largely thanks to its matte finish, acoustic grille and impeccable build quality. It’s lengthy at 114cm, but the limited height and depth give it a relatively low profile. Inside are 11 drivers: two firing upwards, one at each end and eight carefully angled along the front of the bar. Auto Trueplay smarts mean the Move 2 can detect when it’s been moved and adjust its audio output to suit the new surroundings. You can also tweak the EQ in the excellent partner app. It’s super easy to integrate into your Sonos setup – and when you add countless streaming services and voice assistant support into the mix, it shapes up as a no-brainer. Premium rival simple Bluetooth speakers like the new JBL Charge 5 can be similarly-priced to the Sonos Roam too, despite offering far fewer features, as the table below shows.