We can all do with more music and, thankfully, tech manufacturers couldn’t be more eager to sell you a speaker, whether it’s a multi-room setup from Sonos, a wireless Bluetooth option from Bose or JBL, or a smart speaker, like the HomePod, Google Home, or Alexa-powered Amazon Echo. Not all of them are good or reasonably priced, but we’ve cut through the overcrowded speaker market and offered a critique to the most popular speakers.
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9
Verge Score
Sonos Move 2 review: a slam-dunk sequel
With stereo sound, twice the battery life, and line-in playback, the Move 2 improves upon the original at every turn — unless you need Google Assistant.
8
Verge Score
Sony’s small but mighty XB100 speaker is cheerful and very cheap
There are smarter and much bigger speakers to choose from, but this tiny little thing offers surprisingly crisp sound for its low price.
7
Verge Score
Sonos Era 300 review: too ahead of its time
When you find a good spatial audio song, Sonos’ new speaker can blow your mind and sounds like nothing else. But it trails the Sonos Five at stereo playback and suffers from the wildly inconsistent state of Atmos mixes.
8
Verge Score
Sonos Era 100 review: the new default smart speaker
The more affordable Era speaker improves upon the Sonos One by nearly every measure and will likely find the same success and popularity among Sonos customers.
7
Verge Score
Devialet Dione soundbar review: brilliant bass for an exorbitant price
The $2,400 Dione is a luxury buy for people who don’t want to deal with surrounds or a subwoofer
7
Verge Score
Sonos Ray review: a starter soundbar sort of stuck in the past
The Ray offers fantastic voice clarity and crisp sound, but this optical-only soundbar isn’t without frustrations
7.5
Verge Score
Ikea’s latest Sonos lamp speaker is still an acquired taste
Better looks, easier bulbs, still niche
8
Verge Score
Ikea and Sonos picture frame speaker review: wall of sound
The latest Symfonisk collaboration is another attempt to camouflage tech in the home
8
Verge Score
Sonos Roam review: portable potential
The tiny, lightweight speaker has a ton of functionality, but don’t expect sound quality miracles
7.5
Verge Score
Sony RA5000 speaker review: extravagant sound at an unreasonable price
It’s a very Sony product, in ways both good and bad
7.5
Verge Score
Apple HomePod mini review: playing small ball
Apple’s newest smart speaker is way more affordable but still chasing Amazon and Google
7.5
Verge Score
Google Nest Audio review: the sweet spot
Google’s latest smart speaker has good sound and an attractive price
8
Verge Score
Amazon Echo (2019) review: middle child syndrome
Amazon’s latest Echo speaker splits the difference between a high-end smart speaker and an entry-level model
8.5
Verge Score
Amazon Echo Dot with clock review: time is on its side
A $59 clock that also comes with a pretty good speaker
8
Verge Score
Sonos Move review: house shaker, not road warrior
Sonos’ first portable speaker is more comfortable at home than on the go
8
Verge Score
Ikea’s new speakers are the most affordable way to get Sonos in your home
The Symfonisk lamp and bookshelf speakers actually sound good, too
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