Sonos Era 100 vs Sonos One: which Sonos smart speaker should you buy?

The Era 100 supersedes Sonos’s One, but the One is not done yet. Hold tight for our One vs 100 head to head…

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The new Sonos Era 100 replaces the Sonos One in the company’s product range, but the One is still available, and you can still nab a deal while stocks last. So what is the difference between these speakers? And should you opt for the new model over the five-star original?

Price

The Sonos One launched back in 2017, and the Gen 2 model you can currently buy dates from 2019. Because the Era 100 will replace the One, retailers are discounting the One to get rid of stock – in the UK, you can pick one up for as little as £159.

At £249, the Sonos Era 100 is a fair bit more expensive. Discounts? You’ll be lucky. Sonos kit is rarely discounted, especially when new.
WINNER: SONOS ONE

Design

After the unique design of the Sonos Era 300, the Era 100 looks a touch unexciting – though it has moved on from the Sonos One. Gone is the One’s rounded-off square design, in favour of a more oval shape. The Era 100 is a little bigger (about 2cm taller) and heavier than the One, though it is still compact enough for any shelf, desk or table (with a plug socket nearby).

The change in shape isn’t just for show. The larger body accommodates some new drivers – the Era 100 now delivers stereo sound, whereas the One is just mono. Inside are two angled tweeters with custom waveguides, alongside a woofer that is 25 per cent bigger than before, all powered by their own Class D amplifier.

The Era 100 comes in a matt black or matt white finish, and the wraparound grille now stretches to the edges more than before for a seamless look.

Like the Era 300, the 100 also has a new control panel on the top, complete with an enhanced volume slider that is recessed like a trough.