Best WiFi Speakers
While the classic wireless speaker is a familiar concept, even though Wi-Fi speakers have come into the spotlight recently. They offer far more features than wireless speakers, But, which are the best WiFi speakers on the market today?
What We Use
Sonos Play 3
In the few years I’ve the Sonos Play 3, it’s provided nothing but outstanding quality.
 Amazon.com | $234.99 6 used from $234.99 | Buy Now |
Best WiFi Speaker
Sonos Move
It’s the speaker that every Sonos fan has been waiting for, and it’s pretty impressive.
| Amazon.com | $399.00 18 new from $329.00 1 used from $399.99 | Buy Now |
 Bestbuy.com | $399.99 | Buy Now |
 Walmart.com | $478.99 | Buy Now |
 Ebay.com | $399.00 out of stock | Buy Now |
Best Budget Option
Sonos One SL
If you’re looking a no thrills WiFi speaker, then it doesn’t get better than this.
| Bestbuy.com | $179.99 | Buy Now |
| Amazon.com | $199.00 14 new from $194.00 | Buy Now |
| Ebay.com | $199.00 | Buy Now |
| Walmart.com | $179.00 out of stock | Buy Now |
The Buyers Guide To The Best WiFi Speaker
Wi-Fi speakers can end up getting pretty expensive, so it’s a good idea to know what you’re looking for. Below you’ll find a list of features I look out for before purchasing a Wi-Fi Speaker:
Size
Not everyone has room for prominent speakers, which is why it's a good idea to check out the dimensions. This way you'll know the smart speaker is the perfect size for your home.
Connections
Obviously, we're looking for a Wi-Fi connection, but other connection possibilities can come in just as handy—for example, Bluetooth, Aux, and AirPlay.
Streaming Services
The beauty of Wi-Fi speakers is the ability to connect to your favorite streaming service; the thing is, you'll need to check the compatibility beforehand.
Multi-Room
Multi-room speakers allow you to pair multiple speakers throughout the house in groups; this is achieved via Wi-Fi/Bluetooth connection. Build the system you've always dreamed of.
Controls
How people like to control the devices is usually down to personal preference and accessibility. Look out for things like app control, manual control, voice control.
Weight
If you're looking for a portable speaker, it's essential to check the weight; you'll be carrying it around after all. And if you plan on placing it on a shelf, it's a good idea to check the shelf can hold the weight.
Built-in Voice Control
If you don't want to purchase a secondary device like Echo or Google Home, then finding a speaker that has voice control built-in will be very beneficial, and it will save you money.
Sound
Think about what you want from the speaker; not all of them offer stereo sound. Mono speakers would have to be paired before it could reach stereo status.
Portable
Unfortunately, not all Wi-Fi speakers are portable; many of the best ones need to plugged into the mains. Luckily, there are a couple of speakers around that are portable.
Warranty
I've already mentioned it a couple of times, but some Wi-Fi/Bluetooth speakers can get pretty expensive. Checking the warranty beforehand to see how they cover you.
Table of Contents
The Best WiFi Speakers
I’ve been using wireless speakers for quite some time now, and I’ve used, tested, and owned more than my fair share. But these are some of the best Wi-Fi Speakers on the market right now:
| Sonos Play 3 | Sonos Move | Sonos One SL | Bose Home 300 | Echo Sub | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Size (Inches) | 5.2″ x 10.5″ x 6.3″ | 4.96″ x 6.29″ x 9.44″ | 4.69″ x 4.69″ x 6.36″ | 6.3″ x 5.5″ x 4″ | 8″ x 8.3″ |
| Weight (Pounds) | 7.7 | 6.61 | 3.88 | 2.09 | 9.3 |
| Connections | WiFi | WiFi, Bluetooth | WiFi | WiFi, Bluetooth | WiFi, Bluetooth |
| Built-in Voice Control | No | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Streaming Services | Amazon Music, Pandora, Apple Music, Spotify | Amazon Music, Pandora, Apple Music, Spotify | Amazon Music, Pandora, Apple Music, Spotify | Bose Music App | Works With Echo |
| Sound | Stereo | Mono (Unless paired with a second device) | Mono (Unless paired with a second device) | Mono | Bass |
| Multi-Room | Yes | Can be added to Alexa group | Yes | Yes | No |
| Portable | No | Yes | No | No | No |
| Controls | App, Voice, Manual | App, Voice, Manul, Airplay 2 | App, Manual, Airplay 2 | App, Voice, Manul, Airplay 2 | Voice, App |
| Warranty | 1-Year | 1-Year | 1-Year | 1-Year | 1-Year |
| Buy | Find Best Price | Find Best Price | Find Best Price | Find Best Price | Find Best Price |
#1 – Sonos Play 3
WHAT WE USE
| Amazon.com | $234.99 6 used from $234.99 | Buy Now |
The Sonos Play 3 is available in two different colors, Black or White. Although the speaker doesn’t come with Amazon Alexa built-in, it does work hand in hand with an Echo device.
Once connected, you can ask Alexa to turn on whatever music you’d like.
The speaker’s dimensions are 5.2″ x 10.5″ x 6.3″ so it’s not on the large size and can fit nicely into the room.
You can mount the speaker on the wall or place it down with multiple orientations.
The speaker delivers a rich and vibrant stereo sound to the room and throughout the house.
The whole set takes around five minutes; if you know how to work your way around the App.
Once everything is set up and ready to go, you can start using streaming apps like Amazon Music, Pandora, and Apple Music. You can also pair it with multiple Sonos speakers.
Key Features
- Available in Black or White
- 1-Year warranty
- Dimensions: 5.2” x 10.5” x 6.3”
- Connects to Alexa
- Multiple orientations
- Works with Amazon Music, Pandora, Apple Music, and Spotify
What Other People Say
They really enjoyed how easy it was to set the speaker up; they had it running within 5 minutes of opening the box. The speaker volume was exceptional and filled their living area of 1,000 sq. Ft. It performed every task they needed, and more.
Another customer was just as happy, they loved their Sonos Play 3 and felt it was an excellent investment. The biggest complaint was the price, but they also mentioned the tech was out of this world. They also felt the setup could be challenging, depending on your Wi-Fi setting.
Final Verdict
I’ve owned a Sonos Play 3 for a while now, and I have to say it really is exceptional. It links up with my Echo device with ease. This enables me to ask Alexa to play my favorite playlist from Spotify straight to the speaker I have placed in the living room.
The sound quality is perfect, and the range of volume was pretty l mind-blowing also, you could hear the music clearly from any part of my house, and even in the garden. Yes, it is expensive, but if I’m honest, it’s been worth every penny since the day I got it.
What We Liked
- Easy to set Up
- Great sound quality
- Amazon Echo compatible
- Easy to move around
What We Didn’t Like
- Expensive
#2 – Sonos Move
BEST WIFI SPEAKER
| Amazon.com | $399.00 18 new from $329.00 1 used from $399.99 | Buy Now |
| Bestbuy.com | $399.99 | Buy Now |
| Walmart.com | $478.99 | Buy Now |
| Ebay.com | $399.00 out of stock | Buy Now |
It’s probably the most eagerly awaited speaker in the Sonos family.
This is the first portable speaker in the Sonos range, making it a very welcome addition.
The battery-powered Sonos speaker comes with Alexa built-in and is super easy to set up and configure the settings.
You can control the device using the Sonos App, AirPlay 2, and your voice.
It’s powered by Wi-Fi, but if Wi-Fi is not available at that time, you can switch to Bluetooth.
The wireless speaker can connect with another speaker to add more dynamics to your smart home.
The speaker comes with a magnetic charging station that can stylishly hold the speaker while charging.
The Battery will last for 10 hours of continuous music depending on volume level being over 50%, Skip, play/pause, and voice command usage.
Key Features
- Portable
- Compatible with Apple AirPlay 2
- Alexa built-in
- Wi-Fi/Bluetooth connection
- 10-hour playtime
- IP56 weather-resistant
What Other People Say
This Sonos fan had been waiting for this speaker for a very long time, and they felt this speaker fits perfectly into there lineup. The biggest downside was the weight and size, it’s about twice the size of the Play 1. It could be paired with another Move Speaker to bring a stereo effect.
They used the wireless audio device in the same manner as their Play 3 expect with this one, they could take it out with them when they need too. One person took it to the beer garden when the first day it arrived, they had some very positive reviews from their friends.
Final Verdict
This is one of the next items I’m planning on adding to my Sonos system. I’ve been in love with the sound quality and innovation provided by Sonos for years. Many wireless speakers don’t hold up with quality sound or battery life, but Sonos seems to be excelling in both areas.
Another nice touch is the water-resistant qualities; you didn’t have to worry about a little bit of water reaching the system. Overall, the speaker looks like a fantastic piece of kit, but by the sounds of it is quite heavy to lug around. But if that’s the only complaint you have got much to worry about.
What We Liked
- Great quality sound
- Portable
- 10-hour battery life
- Charging station it convenient
What We Didn’t Like
- High price tag
- Heavy to carry
#3 – Sonos One SL
BEST BUDGET OPTION
| Bestbuy.com | $179.99 | Buy Now |
| Amazon.com | $199.00 14 new from $194.00 | Buy Now |
| Ebay.com | $199.00 | Buy Now |
| Walmart.com | $179.00 out of stock | Buy Now |
You have a couple of buying options with the Sonos one SL smart speaker.
You can take your pick from a Black or White coloring, or a multi-buy option of up to four speakers.
The Sonos One provides users with a rich room-filling sound anyone can enjoy.
You can control the Sonos one in three ways: The App, Airplay 2, or from the manual buttons at the top of the wireless speaker.
It has a compact design, so you don’t have to worry about where you’re going to put it. It’s even humidity resistant so it can go in the bathroom for your shower sing along session .
The Sonos One allows you to pair two speakers together to provide stereo sound; you can even use them for your home cinema system.
With the Sonos One SL, you have the chance to build a sound system that suits your needs; the best bit is, it only takes a couple of minutes.
Key Features
- Dimensions: 4.69” x 4.69” x 6.36
- Audio: Mono
- Works with AirPlay 2
- Humidity resistant
- Can be used for a home theater system
- Connects with Wi-Fi
What Other People Say
They were so impressed with their first Sonos speaker that they brought two more not long after. Originally, they brought the wireless speaker because it contacted to the Wi-Fi. The setup was a breeze, and linking them together was just as simple.
Another customer was “Bowled over” by the Sonos One, it was great being able to connect to AirPlay 2. The speaker was so loud at 70% they could hear there Spotify connect music throughout the house. They said it did a great job of integrating streaming services into one place.
Final Verdict
It’s the cheapest Sonos speaker on the market, which is due to missing a few features like no Bluetooth or built-in Alexa. But, if you can get past these minor details, then you actually get great value for money. The thing is the sound doesn’t lack any quality, yet the speaker is a third of the price tag to other Sonos speakers.
All in all, if you’re on a budget, this is definitely a top contender. It can still be paired with another Sonos speaker to help make complex systems. The only thing you miss out on is the voice control, which let’s face it isn’t that big a deal.
What We Liked
- Multi-room audio
- Works with Alexa
- Great range of sound
- Works With third-party streaming applications
What We Didn’t Like
- No built-in Alexa
- No Bluetooth
#4 – Bose Home Speaker 300
| Walmart.com | $199.00 | Buy Now |
| Bestbuy.com | $199.99 | Buy Now |
| Amazon.com | $306.00 5 used from $306.00 | Buy Now |
| Ebay.com | $199.00 out of stock | Buy Now |
The Bose 300 speaker provides 360° sound and a “Room Rocking Bass” that fills the room with beautiful sounding music.
The smart speaker comes in Black or White and features a compact design to ensure it blends into any style room.
It comes with a few notable brands of voice assistant, which opens up voice commands with Alexa and Google Assistant.
To make sure the speaker picks up your voice every time.
The voice assistant speaker uses six noise rejecting microphones to cancel out background noise.
This wireless speaker gives you a couple of connection options, including Bluetooth and Apple Airplay 2.
This allows you to play music from all of your favorite music streaming services. Set up is easy, it’s a case of downloading the App, which can also be used to control the speaker.
Key Features
- Dimensions: 6.3” x 5.5” x 4”
- 360° sound
- Audio: mono
- Alexa built-in
- Works with other Bose speakers
- Six preset settings
What Other People Say
One customer had brought the Bose 300 due to the lack of space for a larger system in their room. The thing is there were concerned about losing sound quality. They were happy this was not the case at all; so far, they were delighted with the speaker’s class.
Upon the first impression, people could tell the speaker was well made and had great construction. The speaker had fantastic range, and the bass was strong and deep. They didn’t even have to tune the settings up; it sounded perfect already.
Final Verdict
The Bose 300 series, in the scale of things, is actually pretty cheap. It provides all the features of the Sonos Play 3 with a few added connection possibilities. The built-in assistant worked excellently and saved having to go through the effort of adding new devices.
It also provides crisp wireless audio to any room it’s placed in. Due to the Bluetooth and line-in connection, you could listen to Spotify connect. Overall it’s a great speaker, but the sound quality doesn’t quite match up to the Sonos family.
What We Liked
- Looks great
- Works with AirPlay 2
- Powerful audio
- Alexa and Google Assistant Ready
What We Didn’t Like
- Distorts with deep bass
#5 – Echo Sub
| Amazon.com | $129.99 1 new from $129.99 | Buy Now |
| Bestbuy.com | $129.99 | Buy Now |
The Echo Sub comes in the same charcoal color you see the newer Echo devices in.
The Echo Sub was designed for people that wanted to add to their amazon system.
It delivers a 100 Watt deep bass that rattles the music through your home.
The Echo sub must be used in conjunction with the Either the Standard Echo or Echo Plus.
When everything is connected, you can enjoy dynamic music that fills every room.
The setup of the devices is effortless and can be achieved using the Alexa app.
It features a heavy yet compact design of 8″ x 8.8″ and uses a 6″ subwoofer within the speaker. The frequency range is equally as impressive at 30-200Hz.
Key Features
- Can pair with two Echo devices
- 100 Watt Base
- 6" subwoofer
- Easy to install
- Dimensions: 8.0” x 8.3”
- 30-200Hz frequency
What Other People Say
The first thing they noticed out of the box was the weight, but they realized that it was due to the technology and speaker within. They said when teamed up with their previous Echo Plus, it made a mighty team. The bass was great, but the low price was even better.
One person wanted to warn you not to listen to all the naysayers; they loved the quality of the sounds. The best part was it’s three times cheaper than anything in a similar quality range. They loved being able to ask Alexa to play a song and get a bassy response.
Final Verdict
Although the Echo Sub performs excellently, I really wouldn’t suggest it unless you’re already heavily invested in an Amazon setup. This is for a couple of reasons, one you can only connect two speakers to the system, which takes away multiroom stereos systems.
The other reason is, you can only use it with amazon products. That being said, you can’t take anything away from the quality and the low price. So, if your smart home relies upon Echo devices, the sub will for sure be a welcome addition to your family.
What We Liked
- Adds great bass to the system
- Compact
- Very cheap
What We Didn’t Like
- Only works with Echo speakers
- No Bluetooth
But This Is The Best WiFi Speaker
For me, it has to be the new Sonos Move, and it’s all down to the portability and exceptional battery life.
It really has to be the best wireless speaker on the market. You can use services like Spotify Connet, AirPlay, and so much more, but from anywhere now.
But I do understand that it might be too expensive for everyone, which in that case the Sonos One SL or the Bose 300 are both great speakers for people on a budget.
Whichever speaker you choice you guarantee to enjoy it.
If you have any questions or think I’ve missed something off the list, feel free to leave it in the comment section below. And in the meantime why not check out this article on the Sonos One Vs Play 1, they’re a couple more options for you to check out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Power Requirements
The majority of wireless speakers operate on batteries, but some still require an outlet connection to transmit audio wirelessly. It’s important to remember speakers will need either continuous plugging in, periodic recharging, or even occasional battery replacement. While these speakers offer excellent qualities, it’s essential to be aware of their power limitations before making a purchase.