Testing the Sonos Play – the speaker that almost does it all
1.6.2026
Translation: Katherine Martin
Pictures: Florian Bodoky
The Sonos Play aims to be a speaker for both indoor and outdoor use – a balancing act it pulls off astoundingly well. I was impressed by its powerful sound, long battery life and varied mix of features.
Some speakers are well suited to your garden patio. Others are better off in the living room. And then there are devices like the new Sonos Play, which aim to be both. While this approach certainly makes the speaker interesting, it’s also risky for the manufacturer. After all, products that try to do everything often miss the mark.
Design and finish: maintaining old strengths
After using the Sonos Play for several weeks, however, I don’t get a «this has fallen short» vibe. The speaker is big enough to deliver great sound, small enough to carry around, smart enough for multi-room use and durable enough for a garden or balcony. However, it’s too heavy to take on long hikes.
As soon as I unbox the Play, it dawns on me that Sonos has created a hybrid between its portable Roam speaker and its weighty Move speaker. The Sonos Play isn’t some baby speaker you’ll be able to slip into your jacket pocket. At the same time, it’s not the kind of hefty, brick-like thing you’d grimace at the thought of schlepping from room to room. Tipping the scales at around 1.3 kilogrammes, it falls into that nice «Sure, I’ll bring a speaker» category.
Looks-wise, Sonos has kept the Play firmly on brand. With its predominantly matt finish, sturdy metal grid, rounded edges and inconspicuous shape, you could pop it on a bookshelf without it drawing too much attention. I especially like the little carrying strap on the back of the speaker. As trivial as that may sound, this addition makes a big difference when using the device day to day.
The speaker appears to be well made. None of the parts creak or look cheap. The rubberised edges protect the casing without turning it into one of those boxy, offensively loud Bluetooth speakers. The Play is IP67-rated for water and dust resistance, so it easily withstands rain, splashes or even mishaps by the pool. Sonos has stuck with physical buttons for the Play – a godsend in an era of overly sensitive, touch-based controls. You can use the volume, play/pause and Bluetooth buttons without looking at them.
App and multi-room continue to be Sonos’s strong suit
You can’t talk about Sonos without talking about apps. The company’s failed 2024 app redesign cost it a great deal of trust, making it all the more important that the Play’s app would work smoothly. And you know what? When I tested the app, the setup process went seamlessly. Once connected to the Wi-Fi, the speaker immediately becomes part of the Sonos system.
Although the Play is a decent speaker in Bluetooth mode, it reaches its full potential when you connect it to Wi-Fi and use the Sonos app. It brings streaming platforms together, offers convenient multi-room control (if you have multiple Sonos speakers) and clearly displays sound settings. And yes, AirPlay 2 works seamlessly. Not a fan of multi-room systems but love stereo sound? That setup works well too. Using two Play speakers creates a wide soundstage that easily fills small rooms or gardens with sound. There’s also Auto Trueplay, which makes the speaker analyse its surroundings and adjust its sound accordingly. You can really hear the difference. Using this feature makes the Play sound more controlled, especially in small rooms or on resonant surfaces.
Connectivity and features: external audio
In addition to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.3, the speaker also has a USB-C port. You can use this both to charge the speaker itself and use the speaker to charge other devices, such as your mobile phone. Basically, the Play also doubles as a little power bank. Plus, you can connect a wired audio source via the USB-C port. However, that’s only possible with a Sonos Line-in Adapter – and only with an analogue audio source. In other words, you need to play the MP3 file on your phone (or another device). The speaker also comes with voice controls, which work through Alexa or Sonos Voice Control.
Generally speaking, voice control works consistently through either of those assistants. I like that even with all its features, the Play never feels like it’s doing too much. While the speaker offers plenty for tech enthusiasts, the controls are still straightforward. Not every manufacturer is able to strike this balance.
Sound: warm, soothing, gentle
The Play produces warm, full, controlled sound, more suited to long listening sessions than flashy effects. In my experience, it meets the standards set by Sonos to a tee. The Play doesn’t try to impress you with over-the-top bass in the first few seconds of a song. Instead, its sound evolves over time, coming across as balanced. The wide soundstage contributes to this too. For a compact speaker, the Play sounds really open. Instruments are distinct from one another, voices project clearly throughout the room and the sound remains well balanced, even at higher volumes.
Trebles: clear and rarely sharp
To check out the trebles, I listened to Dreams by Fleetwood Mac. It’s a good test song because the cymbals, guitars and vocals can quickly sound harsh if a speaker is too sharply calibrated. The Sonos Play handles it with ease, the hi-hats sounding clean and hiss-free. Even at higher volumes, the treble remains controlled. Stevie Nicks’ voice really gets to shine. Initially, speakers from competing manufacturers seem to have a brighter sound. As time goes on, I enjoy the way the Play has been calibrated. Mids only sound harsh at really high volumes. This is particularly noticeable in guitar-heavy songs, but overall it’s not too extreme.
Mids: structured, don’t melt into each other
For my next test, I put on Someone Like You by Adele. And yet again, the Sonos Play impresses me. Adele’s voice is rich and powerful, with the piano notes retaining their substance. Podcasts, vocals on songs and acoustic sessions all benefit from this calibration. Mid-range notes are produced robustly in complex songs too. Instead of becoming muddled together, instruments keep their structure. As a result, the Play comes across as much more sophisticated than typical party speakers. It focuses on balance and naturalness.
Bass: more punch than expected
To test the bass, I listened to Humble by Kendrick Lamar. A track that quickly reveals whether a compact speaker can handle low notes. The Sonos Play delivers a lot of bass for its size. Its passive radiators get the most out of the casing. Kick drums have punch, and bass sounds powerful. Depending on where you place the speaker, the bass might sound a bit boomy. On a wooden table, extra pressure builds up quickly in the upper bass range. However, thanks to the EQ in the app, you can adjust that. The speaker’s powerful enough for electronic music or hip-hop. You’ll only be better off getting a large party speaker if you want to physically feel ultra-deep sub-bass.
Battery: no more power-outlet anxiety
Sonos promises up to 24 hours of battery life – and the Play really does come close to that figure. Realistically, you get 18 to 20 hours when listening at varying volume levels. That’s impressive for a product in this price range. Plus, it means you can use the speaker for several days without having to worry about recharging it. The speaker’s charging setup is convenient. You simply pop it on its charging dock, so it’s always ready to go. While the charging station has a USB-C port, Sonos doesn’t supply a power adapter.
In a nutshell
Has the potential to become my new favourite speaker
If you’re planning on partying in your garden, the Play is no substitute for a boom box. So if it’s maximum volume you want, other brands might give you more bang for your buck. The Sonos Play’s strengths lie elsewhere, with the Sonos system really allowing it to reach its potential. Multi-room, AirPlay and other features make the speaker more versatile than many Bluetooth-only models. That said, you should bear in mind that it’ll cost you. You could, of course, buy a cheaper Sonos speaker. If you want one for your bathroom, a smaller model might do the job. The same goes for the kitchen, where a big beast of a speaker would most likely get in the way. Priced at 329 francs or 349 euros, the Play is expensive.
Rather than a technological beast, Sonos has come up with a speaker designed for a wide range of situations. It sounds great for its size, looks high-quality, has a long-lasting battery and integrates seamlessly into a smart home setup. Most importantly, though, the Play feels like the portable Sonos speaker that many have been clamouring for; it’s not too small and, for the most part, not too heavy.
Again, the price tag is pretty hefty. And if you only want to use Bluetooth, you’ll find cheaper alternatives out there. However, if you use Wi-Fi, multi-room and the Sonos system, you should consider the Sonos Play.
Pro
- High-quality finish
- Well-balanced sound
- Significantly improved app
Contra
- Heavy
- Fairly expensive
Header image: Florian Bodoky
I've been tinkering with digital networks ever since I found out how to activate both telephone channels on the ISDN card for greater bandwidth. As for the analogue variety, I've been doing that since I learned to talk. Though Winterthur is my adoptive home city, my heart still bleeds red and blue.
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