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…

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.