Same Sonos app, no Atmos
Sonos Era 100
- Big, open stereo sound
- Bluetooth and line-in
Cheaper alternatives to the Sonos Era 300
Three cheaper speakers: same Sonos app, retro knobs, or one you can carry.
Updated November 11, 2026
The only one with tone knobs
Marshall Acton III
- Bass and treble dials
- Powerful for its size
Cheapest, and runs on battery
Sonos Roam 2
- Waterproof, IP67
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
The original
Sonos Era 300
Worth it if: You stream a lot of Atmos music
- Dolby Atmos music that fills a room
- Wi-Fi multiroom with the Sonos app
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What are you actually paying extra for with the Era 300?
What the extra money buys
- Dolby Atmos music that fills a room
- Wi-Fi multiroom with the Sonos app
- Deep, detailed spatial sound
Worth it if
- You stream a lot of Atmos music
- You want the biggest Sonos speaker sound
Not worth it if
- You mostly play stereo playlists
- You need battery power
Good to know
Why each one made the list, and our final recommendation.
Sonos Era 100
What Hi-Fi? found its sound big, open and detailed, and praised the app. TechRadar heard far better bass than the old Sonos One, though it can be heavy-handed. You keep multiroom and the app, just not the height effects.
Marshall Acton III
T3 found it powerful for its size, with a classic amp look and handy bass and treble knobs. The Daily Beast says it stays clear at high volume. It's Bluetooth only, so no Wi-Fi multiroom or voice assistant.
Sonos Roam 2
TechRadar liked its rich, powerful audio and easy Bluetooth, but battery life is only about ten hours. What Hi-Fi? found it meaty for its size, though cheaper rivals sound clearer. It's a far smaller sound than the Era 300.
Final recommendation: Stay in the Sonos app for less with the Era 100. The Marshall Acton III suits Bluetooth listeners who like knobs and looks. For a speaker you can carry, the Roam 2 is the cheapest way in. Keep the Era 300 for Atmos music that fills the room.
Side by side
Specs from each maker. Price levels come from shop prices we checked recently; tap through for today's price.
| Model | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price level | Premium | Affordable | Affordable | Affordable |
| Battery per charge (claimed) | None | None | None | Up to 10 hours |
| Water and dust rating | – | – | – | IP67 |
| Weight | – | – | – | 0.44 kg |
| Power | Mains | Mains | Mains | Battery |
| Shop | Check price on Amazon ↗ | Check price on Amazon ↗ | Check price on Amazon ↗ | Check price on Amazon ↗ |
Questions people ask
Is the Sonos Era 100 worth it over the Era 300?
For stereo music, yes. It keeps the app, multiroom and Bluetooth for much less. You lose Dolby Atmos and the bigger, spatial sound.
Does the Marshall Acton III work with Sonos?
No. It's a Bluetooth speaker with no Wi-Fi, so it can't join a Sonos system or the Sonos app.
Can the Sonos Roam 2 replace an Era 300?
Not in a big room. It's portable and waterproof, but its sound is much smaller and its battery lasts about ten hours.
Related guides
How we reached this
We compared the Sonos Era 300 with the alternatives most often recommended by independent reviewers, then checked each against the makers' own specs and current prices.
We haven't tested these products ourselves. Our picks weigh independent expert reviews against each maker's published specs and the prices we checked. Opinions are ours; facts link to where they come from. How we choose.
Sources: Sonos: Era 300, What Hi-Fi?: Sonos Era 300 review, TechRadar: Sonos Era 300 review, Sonos: Era 100, What Hi-Fi?: Sonos Era 100 review, TechRadar: Sonos Era 100 review, Marshall: Acton III, T3: Marshall Acton III review, The Daily Beast: Marshall Acton III review, Sonos: Roam 2, What Hi-Fi?: Sonos Roam 2 review, TechRadar: Sonos Roam 2 review.