Sonos Era 100 vs. Sonos Era 300: Which Speaker Is Best?

Torn between the Sonos Era 100 and Sonos Era 300? Find out which Sonos speaker is best for your home.

Sonos Releases - Updated 6th March 2025

Sonos Era 100 vs. Sonos Era 300: Which Speaker Is Best?

Written By

Elliott Peeters-Vanstone

Sonos Era 100 or Sonos Era 300? Which Should You Choose?

When it comes to premium smart speakers, Sonos has long been a market leader, and their Sonos Era range has set the bar even higher. The Sonos Era 100 and Sonos Era 300 are both feature-packed and deliver impressive sound, but they cater to slightly different needs and budgets.

In this comparison, we'll delve into everything you need to know about these two speakers, including design, audio performance, features, and which one is the best choice for your home setup.

RRP: £249 (See Latest Pricing)

RRP: £449 (See Latest Pricing)

Strengths
✓ Compact and versatile	✓ Immersive Dolby Atmos sound
✓ Affordable entry into Sonos	✓ Supports spatial audio
✓ Ideal for smaller spaces	✓ Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity
Weaknesses
✖ No Spatial Audio support	✖ Design may be divisive
✖ Less advanced driver setup than Era 300	✖ Requires space around the speaker

Sonos Era 100 vs. Sonos Era 300: Price & Value for Money

Being the entry-level wireless speaker in Sonos’ lineup, the Era 100 is the more budget-friendly option, making it an attractive choice for those looking to get into Sonos for the first time or expand their existing system without overspending. With an RRP of £249 it provides excellent value for everyday use, balancing quality and affordability extremely well.

With an RRP of £449, the Era 300 is definitely the pricier option of the two, but you do get what you pay for. Its upward-firing speakers and Spatial Audio capabilities offer something truly unique in the Sonos lineup. Whether you're watching a Dolby Atmos movie or listening to a spatial audio track, the Era 300 delivers a depth and immersion that other speakers just can't match.

🗣: You might notice that for a bit more than the price of a single Era 300, you could grab two Era 100s. If you're curious how they stack up against each other, watch our comparison review on YouTube!

Shop Sonos Era 100

Shop Sonos Era 300

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Sonos Era 100 vs. Sonos Era 300: Design & Build Quality

pair of Sonos Era 100s next to Sonos Era 300

Available in black and white, both the Sonos Era 100 and Sonos Era 300 feature the brand’s signature minimalist design and exceptional build quality; however, as you can probably tell already, they differ significantly in their form.

The cylindrical Era 100 is a compact and versatile speaker, perfect for smaller spaces like kitchens, offices, and bedrooms. Thanks to its compact dimensions, it blends seamlessly into any environment and offers flexible placement options, including shelves, desks, or countertops.

In contrast, the Era 300 is a larger speaker designed specifically for spatial audio. Its bold design and unique shape make it a standout piece in any room but it does require more space to avoid obstructing the sound output from its multi-directional drivers. This makes it ideal for living rooms or dedicated media spaces where you can take full advantage of its immersive audio performance.

Both speakers also share some great design features, like the updated top panel controls and volume slider that Sonos has introduced across a range of its newer products, including the Sonos Arc Ultra. We love this addition, as it makes adjusting the volume smooth and easy, adding a modern touch to the user experience.

Which Is Better? Ultimately, this is a matter of personal preference but if you need a versatile, space-saving speaker, the Era 100 is a smart choice. But if you have the room and want something more unique, the Era 300 could be well worth the investment.

Sonos Era 100 vs. Sonos Era 300: Internals

Inside the Sonos Era 100 and Era 300, both speakers are built with quality materials and clever technology to create clear, powerful sound. The Era 100 keeps things simple but effective with impressive stereo sound, while the Era 300 goes further with advanced audio components designed for immersive listening that comes at you from all angles.

Sonos Era 100:

Features two angled tweeters for crisp high frequencies
A 25% larger mid-woofer than its predecessor ensures balanced bass and mid-range
Powered by Class-D amplifiers that are tuned to match the speaker's architecture
Compact internal design helps maintain a small footprint without sacrificing sound quality

Sonos Era 300:

Equipped with six drivers, including four tweeters and two woofers
The drivers are strategically positioned to fire sound in multiple directions, enhancing spatial audio
Each driver is powered by its own Class-D amplifier, contributing to the speaker’s dynamic and powerful performance
Built for Dolby Atmos, the up-firing drivers add a new dimension to movies and music

Sonos Era 100 vs. Sonos Era 300: Features

Both speakers are packed with features that make them great additions to any smart home setup, but they do have some key differences.

	Sonos Era 100	Sonos Era 300
Connectivity	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Voice Control	Sonos Voice, Siri & Alexa	Sonos Voice, Siri & Alexa
Spatial Audio	No	Yes
Line-in Support	Yes (via line-in adapter)	Yes (via line-in adapter)
Trueplay Tuning	Yes (iOS & Android Quick Tuning)	Yes (iOS & Android Quick Tuning)
Use As Rear Surrounds	Yes	Yes (upwards-firing)

The Sonos Era 100 provides all the essential features you’d expect from a Sonos speaker, including voice control and Bluetooth streaming. However, the Era 300 stands out with its advanced Dolby Atmos support, delivering an unparalleled spatial audio experience.

Thanks to its multi-directional driver array, the Sonos Era 300 can produce sound that feels like it’s coming from all around you—even from above. This feature is particularly impressive when watching movies or listening to spatial audio tracks, where you can hear distinct sounds moving around the room, creating a true three-dimensional soundstage.

The Era 300 is the first non-Apple speaker to support Apple’s Spatial Audio, making it a fantastic choice for those who enjoy Apple Music’s growing library of immersive tracks. Whether you’re streaming a Dolby Atmos movie on Netflix or playing a spatial audio playlist on Apple Music, the Era 300 ensures every detail is heard with clarity and depth.

Both models also support Trueplay tuning, which automatically adjusts the sound to suit the room’s acoustics. This helps optimise the audio experience, whether you're using the speaker in a cosy bedroom or a large living room.

Sonos Era 100 vs. Sonos Era 300: Sound Performance

Standalone Performance:

The Era 100 offers clear and balanced stereo sound, making it a great choice for everyday listening in small to medium-sized rooms. Whether we were streaming podcasts, playing our favourite playlists, or just adding some background music while working, it performed really well.

While it might not have the same deep bass as some of its larger siblings like the Sonos Era 300 or Sonos Five, it's a definite step up from the Sonos One (Gen 2) and still packs enough punch to fill rooms with rich, lively, and satisfying sound.

The enlarged woofer adds extra depth to the bass, and the dual tweeter setup creates a wide soundstage with vocals that come through crisp and clear. Even at higher volumes, the Era 100 keeps its cool, delivering clarity without distortion and a soundstage that feels bigger than you’d expect from such a compact speaker.

Conversely, the Era 300 is all about immersion. We've had it since its release, and the 360º soundscape still impresses us every time. With its Dolby Atmos and Spatial Audio support, it brings a 3D-like listening experience that sets a new standard for standalone Sonos speakers.

Whether we were listening to a standard stereo mix or exploring the layers of a complex spatial audio track, the Era 300 made everything sound more dynamic and engaging. It's perfect if you love getting lost in tracks with a lot of depth and detail. The separation between vocals and instruments is outstanding, and its dynamic and textured performance really adds something special to tracks like 'Breathe' by Pink Floyd.

If you’re looking for out-and-out power, you will get more from something like the Sonos Five, but for those looking for something truly unique within the Sonos lineup, its hard to look beyond the Era 300.

Stereo Pair Performance:

In our opinion, stereo pairing is when both of these Sonos speakers come alive. In a stereo setup, the Era 100 offers improved separation and a wider soundstage, making it a strong choice for creating a dynamic audio experience that’s particularly impressive when paired with a turntable like the Pro-Ject T1 EVO Phono. Vinyl tracks sounded full and warm, with the Era 100s creating a sense of space that makes live recordings feel especially engaging.

If you're simply looking to stream music, you won't be disappointed either. A pair of Era 100s is a fantastic option in the Sonos lineup for achieving impressive stereo sound without breaking the bank. It delivers a well-rounded audio experience that's hard to fault.

That said, when paired as a stereo set, the Era 300 takes things even further. The already impressive audio capabilities are amplified, creating a sense of three-dimensional sound that extends far beyond the physical boundaries of the speakers.

You can really hear where each instrument is placed; the vocals are super clear and it almost feels like you can pick out details you might have missed before in certain tracks. It’s a big step up from just using one speaker, and it really shows what the Era 300 can do.

Again, something like a pair of Sonos Five will deliver more volume and power but if you’re someone who prefers a more nuanced listening experience, a pair of Era 300’s will be tough to beat.

We’ve genuinely been impressed with both sets of speakers in a stereo pair. They are priced differently, and the performance reflects that. But what's appealing is that Sonos offers a variety of options. If you want reliable stereo for everyday listening, the Era 100s are excellent. However, if you're seeking a 'wow' factor, where the music surrounds you, the Era 300s will be a great solution.

Shop Sonos Era 100 Stereo Pair

Shop Sonos Era 300 Stereo Pair

As Surround Sound Rears:

One of the standout features of Sonos speakers is their incredible versatility. Whether you're using them as standalone speakers, pairing them for stereo sound, or integrating a pair into a home cinema setup with a Sonos soundbar, they adapt seamlessly to your needs.

Since replacing the popular Sonos One, the Sonos Era 100 has quickly become a top choice for surround sound rears in a Sonos home cinema. Whether you're looking to add rear speakers or build a full Dolby Atmos home theatre with a soundbar and compatible Sonos Subwoofer, the Era 100 offers one of the most cost-effective solutions available.

With a balanced and expansive performance, a pair of Era 100s adds an extra layer of immersion to your movies and TV shows. They help to envelope you in sound. enhance clarity in ambient sounds and dialogue, boosting the overall surround effect without requiring a hefty investment.

However, for those seeking an even more immersive experience, the Sonos Era 300 takes things up a notch. As the only upward-firing rear option in the Sonos lineup, nothing compares to the cinema-like immersion the Era 300 delivers. Its Dolby Atmos handling is superior, offering more precise sound placement and an enhanced sense of space.

While the Era 300 is a pricier option than the Era 100, if your budget allows, it’s a worthwhile investment—you won’t regret it. We'd recommend these for the Sonos Arc Ultra, Sonos Arc, and the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) but it's worth taking a look at all of the Sonos Surround Sound Bundles on our website before making your final decision.

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Sonos Era 100 vs. Sonos Era 300: Our Verdict

When it comes to quality, both the Sonos Era 100 and Era 300 deliver in their own ways. The Era 100 is a solid all-rounder—it's affordable, versatile, and perfect for everyday use. It’s a great pick if you want reliable sound without stretching your budget.

On the other hand, the Era 300 is built for those who really want to push the boundaries of home audio. Its immersive, high-quality sound and advanced features make it a standout choice for audiophiles and home cinema enthusiasts.

At the end of the day, it all comes down to your budget, how much space you have, and how important those advanced audio features are to you.

For more details, check out our in-depth reviews: Sonos Era 100 Review and Sonos Era 300 Review.

🛍 Which One Should You Buy?

Buy the Sonos Era 100 if: You want a high-quality smart speaker for everyday listening, have limited space, or are on a budget.

Buy the Sonos Era 300 if: You are after a more involved listening experience, love immersive Dolby Atmos content, or want to create a home cinema setup with advanced audio technology.

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