Adds Wi-Fi and multiroom
Sonos Era 100
- Big, detailed stereo
- Bluetooth as well
Cheaper alternatives to the Marshall Acton III
Swap retro looks for Wi-Fi, a battery or a waterproof build.
Updated 11 November 2026
Wi-Fi and a battery
Sonos Roam 2
- Portable and waterproof
- Sonos multiroom
Cheapest of the three
Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen)
- Waterproof, rugged
- EQ in the app
The original
Marshall Acton III
Worth it if: You want a speaker that's also decor
- The look of a Marshall amp
- Bass and treble on dials
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What are you actually paying extra for with the Acton III?
What the extra money buys
- The look of a Marshall amp
- Bass and treble on dials
- Deep, rich sound for a shelf
Worth it if
- You want a speaker that's also decor
- You only play from your phone
Not worth it if
- Multiroom or voice control matters
- It has to work unplugged
Good to know
Why each one made the list, and our final recommendation.
Sonos Era 100
TechRadar found excellent detail and far better bass than the old Sonos One, if a touch heavy at times. What Hi-Fi? praised its open sound and app. It streams over Wi-Fi and grows into a multiroom system.
Sonos Roam 2
Carry it from kitchen to garden and it still joins Sonos at home. TechRadar liked its powerful audio for the size but not the ten-hour battery. What Hi-Fi? found the sound meaty, if less clear than some rivals.
Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen)
Tom's Guide liked its deep bass and adjustable EQ but found the soundstage a little narrow. T3 calls it rugged with clean sound, though barely changed from the original and short on battery. It suits trips and the garden more than a living room.
Final recommendation: Choose the Sonos Era 100 to add Wi-Fi and multiroom. The Roam 2 adds a battery too, for less sound. The Bose SoundLink Flex 2 is the cheapest, and built for outdoors. Stick with the Acton III if the Marshall look and dials are what you want.
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 | Affordable | Affordable | Affordable | Budget |
| Battery per charge (claimed) | None | None | Up to 10 hours | Up to 12 hours |
| Water and dust rating | – | – | IP67 | IP67 |
| Weight | – | – | 0.44 kg | About 540 g |
| Power | Mains | Mains | Battery | Battery |
| Shop | Check price on Amazon ↗ | Check price on Amazon ↗ | Check price on Amazon ↗ | Check price on Amazon ↗ |
Questions people ask
Can the Marshall Acton III join a multiroom system?
Not over Wi-Fi. It's a Bluetooth speaker. For multiroom, Sonos speakers like the Era 100 or Roam 2 are the cheaper route.
Which Acton III alternative works without mains power?
The Roam 2 and the Bose SoundLink Flex 2 both run on battery. The Era 100, like the Acton III, needs a plug.
Does the Sonos Era 100 have bass and treble controls?
Yes, in the Sonos app rather than on physical dials.
Related guides
How we reached this
We compared the Marshall Acton III 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: Marshall: Acton III, T3: Marshall Acton III review, The Daily Beast: Marshall Acton III review, Sonos: Era 100, What Hi-Fi?: Sonos Era 100 review, TechRadar: Sonos Era 100 review, Sonos: Roam 2, What Hi-Fi?: Sonos Roam 2 review, TechRadar: Sonos Roam 2 review, Bose: SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen), Tom's Guide: Bose SoundLink Flex 2 review, T3: Bose SoundLink Flex 2 review.