Sonos Era 100 vs Sonos One - Is the upgrade worth it?
BIKMAN TECHWelcome to the BIKMAN TECH blog, your go-to source for the latest in tech. Today, we're diving into a comparison that many of you have been asking for: the 🟨 Sonos Era 100 vs 🟦 Sonos One. If you're in the market for a smart speaker, you know that Sonos is a top contender. But which of these two speakers is the right choice for you? In this post, we'll break down the key differences to help you make an informed decision. We'll explore everything from sound quality and design to connectivity and features, ensuring you have all the information you need.
A New Era of Sound
The 🟨 Sonos Era 100 is positioned as the next generation of smart speakers from Sonos, and it brings a host of upgrades compared to the older 🟦 Sonos One. While both speakers offer the premium sound quality that Sonos is known for, the Era 100 takes it a step further. Let's explore the key differences that set these two speakers apart.
Sound Quality: Stereo vs Mono
The most significant upgrade in the 🟨 Era 100 is its ability to produce stereo sound from a single speaker. This is thanks to its dual-tweeter setup, with two angled tweeters that deliver a wide, immersive soundstage. In contrast, the 🟦 One is a mono speaker, which means it has a single tweeter. While you can pair two One speakers for stereo sound, the Era 100 provides a stereo experience right out of the box.
Deeper Bass
Bass lovers will appreciate the 🟨 Era 100's larger mid-woofer, which is 25% bigger than the one in the 🟦 One. This results in deeper, richer bass that adds more punch to your music. The One still delivers impressive bass for its size, but the Era 100 has a clear advantage in this department.
Design and Build
At first glance, the 🟨 Era 100 and 🟦 One share a similar design aesthetic, with a compact, cylindrical shape that blends seamlessly into any decor. However, there are some subtle differences. The Era 100 is slightly taller and deeper than the One, with a more modern, curved design. Both speakers are available in black and white and are humidity-resistant, making them suitable for use in kitchens and bathrooms.
Updated Controls
The 🟨 Era 100 features a redesigned top panel with a new capacitive volume slider. This makes it easier to adjust the volume with a simple swipe of your finger. The 🟦 One has touch-sensitive buttons for volume control, which are still intuitive but lack the finesse of the Era 100's slider.
Connectivity and Features
The 🟨 Sonos Era 100 offers more versatile connectivity options than the 🟦 Sonos One. The biggest addition is Bluetooth 5.0, which allows you to stream audio directly from your phone or tablet without needing to be on the same Wi-Fi network. The One, on the other hand, relies solely on Wi-Fi for streaming.
Line-In and Voice Assistants
Another key feature of the 🟨 Era 100 is the addition of a USB-C line-in port, which lets you connect external audio sources like a turntable or computer (with an adapter). When it comes to voice assistants, both speakers support Amazon Alexa and Sonos Voice Control. However, the Era 100 does not support Google Assistant, while the One does.
Technical Specifications
| Feature | 🟨 Sonos Era 100 | 🟦 Sonos One |
|---|---|---|
| Sound | Stereo | Mono |
| Tweeters | Two angled tweeters | One tweeter |
| Mid-Woofer | One (25% larger) | One |
| Bluetooth | Yes (5.0) | No |
| Line-In | Yes (USB-C with adapter) | No |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa, Sonos Voice Control | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant |
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 182.5 x 120 x 130.5 mm (7.18 x 4.72 x 5.14 in) | 161.45 x 119.7 x 119.7 mm (6.36 x 4.69 x 4.69 in) |
| Weight | 2.02 kg (4.44 lbs) | 1.85 kg (4.08 lbs) |
Which One is Right for You?
So, which speaker should you choose? If you're looking for the best possible sound quality from a single speaker, with the added flexibility of Bluetooth and a line-in option, the 🟨 Sonos Era 100 is the clear winner. The stereo sound and deeper bass make a noticeable difference, and the updated design and controls are a welcome improvement.
However, the 🟦 Sonos One is still an excellent smart speaker, especially if you can find it at a lower price. If you're already invested in the Google Assistant ecosystem, the One is the better choice. And if you're planning to create a stereo pair, two One speakers can still deliver a fantastic listening experience.
Ultimately, the choice between the 🟨 Sonos Era 100 and 🟦 Sonos One comes down to your priorities. Do you value the latest features and the best sound quality, or are you looking for a more budget-friendly option that still delivers great performance? Here at BIKMAN TECH, we hope this comparison has made your decision a little easier. Let us know in the comments which one you'd choose!
