Top Sonos Alternatives: Best Multi-Room Audio Systems in 2025

Explore the best Sonos alternatives offering superior sound, design, and value for your multi-room audio setup.

Why Consider Sonos Alternatives in 2025?

2024 hasn't been the smoothest year for Sonos. A botched app update left many users frustrated, and their first wireless earbuds only scored three out of five stars. If you’re rethinking your multi-room audio setup, you’re not alone—there are plenty of great Sonos alternatives available now.

Don’t get us wrong: Sonos still makes excellent products like the Sonos Arc Ultra soundbar and remains a leader in multi-room systems. But if you’re tempted by other options, the market has a rich variety to choose from.

Our Expert Picks: Best Multi-Room Audio Systems

All the systems listed here excel beyond Sonos in at least one area, whether it's sound quality, design, flexibility, or price. Our expert team with over a century of combined audio experience has thoroughly tested each option to bring you honest, unbiased recommendations.

"For sound quality at this price, this system is currently unmatched."
– What Hi-Fi? Review on Audio Pro

Quick Overview

• Best Overall: Audio Pro
  
• Best for iOS Users: Apple HomePod 2
  
• Most Versatile: Denon HEOS
  
• Best Budget Option: Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen)
  
• Best with Display: Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen)
  

1. Audio Pro – Best Overall Sonos Alternative

Audio Pro stands out as the best value-for-money Sonos alternative we've tested. Their wireless speakers, such as the Addon C3, Addon C5A, and Addon C10 MkII, deliver outstanding sound quality that outshines many competitors in the same price range. The newer C20 model extends this tradition, offering powerful, detailed sound and solid build quality.

Pros:

• Insightful and expressive sound
• Can integrate older Addon speakers
• Excellent value for the price

Cons:

• App lacks polish and advanced features

Audio Pro has carved a niche quickly with its simple yet effective multi-room systems. While it lacks home theater components and a sophisticated app, the sound quality compensation is well worth it.

2. Apple HomePod 2 – Best for iOS Enthusiasts

A What Hi-Fi? Award winner, the Apple HomePod 2 is the best sounding wireless speaker for Apple fans.

Price: from $289

Pros:

• Natural, dense, and energetic sound
• Dolby Atmos adds spaciousness
• Superb build quality

Cons:

• Only for Apple users
• Siri can't control Spotify or Tidal
• Some competitors sound more direct

HomePod 2 is a significant upgrade from the original. It delivers precise bass and energetic playback without the sibilance common in its price range. Setup is seamless with iPhones, and it adapts sound to your room’s acoustics in real-time.

Keep in mind, its strength is also its limitation: if you’re not deep in Apple’s ecosystem, you won’t unlock its full potential.

3. Denon HEOS – Most Versatile Multi-Room System

Denon, well-known for AV receivers, also offers soundbars, subwoofers, amps, and wireless speakers powered by the HEOS platform. This system supports high-resolution audio and a broad range of streaming services.

Price: from $315

Pros:

• Smooth, expansive sound
• Supports high-resolution audio

Cons:

• Slightly behind Audio Pro in sound quality

The HEOS 7 model fills rooms with powerful, authoritative sound. While Audio Pro might edge it in pure sound quality, Denon offers more component options and flexibility. Recent additions like the Denon Home 150 NV bring strong competition to Sonos Era 100.

4. Amazon Echo Dot (5th Generation) – Best Budget Pick

With a price tag starting around $32, the Amazon Echo Dot 5th Generation is an incredibly affordable way to start a multi-room system at home.

Price: from $31.99

Pros:

• Surprisingly rich sound for the size
• Excellent Alexa integration
• Clean, understated design

Cons:

• Some distortion at high volumes

The 5th Gen Echo Dot keeps the familiar round shape but drops the 3.5mm audio out. It supports multiple streaming services beyond Amazon Music and offers deeper voice control. While bass isn’t as tight as pricier speakers and distortion appears at max volume, it's a remarkable value.

5. Google Nest Hub (2nd Generation) – Best with Display

Google offers a budget-friendly smart speaker with display, packed with smart features and decent sound.

Price: from $63.98

Pros:

• Great streaming support
• Display offers excellent value
• Sleep Sensing technology

Cons:

• Calls require an app
• Basic sound quality

The 7-inch touchscreen has nearly the same diagonal length as an iPhone 16 Pro Max. It lacks a camera but supports a slew of music and TV streaming platforms. The Sleep Sensing feature uses motion and light sensors to track your rest, a unique feature that adds value beyond audio.

Sound-wise, it fills rooms at moderate volumes but can sound tight and harsh at higher levels, making it more suited for kitchens or bedside tables.

Additional Recommendations

• Bluesound Generation 2i: Award-winning in its day but untested recently; sound quality varies within the line.
• Apple HomePod Mini: A budget-friendly alternative with surprisingly full sound and all core features. Check it out here.
• Amazon Echo (4th Gen): Larger than Echo Dot with improved sound, often available at discounts. See more.

How to Choose the Best Sonos Alternative

Before splurging on a Sonos replacement, remember the beauty of multi-room systems: you don’t have to buy everything at once. Start small, add rooms over time, and tailor your setup thoughtfully.

• App Usability: Some apps are easier and more intuitive than others.
• Voice Assistant Compatibility: Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant? Choose what fits your ecosystem.
• Streaming Services: Check if your favorite music platforms are supported.
• Physical Connections: Some systems like Audio Pro and Denon offer optical, RCA, and Ethernet ports for maximum flexibility.
• Budget: Most alternatives cost less than Sonos and often receive discounts.

How We Test Sonos Alternatives

We put every product through rigorous testing, comparing them with competitors, assessing sound quality, ease of setup, and overall performance both in our test labs and real homes. Our verdicts come from teams, not individuals, ensuring unbiased, trustworthy advice for over 50 years.

FAQs

• What are some good alternatives to Sonos?
  Major brands like Apple, Amazon, Google, and Bose offer wireless multi-room systems, alongside specialized brands like Audio Pro and Bluesound. Audio Pro generally ranks highest for value and quality.
• Why is Sonos so popular?
  Sonos gained reputation through longevity, a comprehensive ecosystem, and reliable, easy-to-use products spanning portable speakers to soundbars.
• Which is better: Bose or Sonos?
  Both deliver wireless multi-room options, but Sonos often leads in overall sound and ecosystem. Bose shines with headphones and select speakers.
• Can I expand my multi-room system over time?
  Absolutely! Most systems let you start small and add speakers room-by-room.
• Are voice assistants supported in these alternatives?
  Yes, most support Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant, depending on the brand.

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