Which Sonos Era speaker is right for me?
Sonos Era 100 SL vs Era 100 vs Era 300
Sonos makes three Era speakers. Era 100 SL and Era 100 sound identical; the only difference is that Era 100 has microphones for voice control. Era 300 is a bigger step up, with spatial audio and Dolby Atmos music.
This guide compares all three so you can choose the right one for your room, your music and your TV. All three are on demo in our showroom at 185 Fleet Road, Fleet, so you can hear the difference for yourself.
The quick answer
Best value · SRP £169
Era 100 SL
Rich stereo sound with no microphones.
Best for bedrooms, studies, children's rooms and affordable TV surrounds.
Best all-rounder · SRP £199
Era 100
The same sound as Era 100 SL, plus built-in microphones.
Best if you want voice control or quick Trueplay tuning on Android.
Most immersive · SRP £499
Era 300
Spatial audio with Dolby Atmos music, from six drivers.
Best for music lovers and immersive surrounds with a Dolby Atmos soundbar.
Sonos Era speakers compared
| Era 100 SL | Era 100 | Era 300 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SRP | £169 | £199 | £499 |
| Sound | Stereo | Stereo | Spatial audio with Dolby Atmos |
| Drivers | 2 angled tweeters, 1 mid-woofer | 2 angled tweeters, 1 mid-woofer | 4 tweeters (inc. 1 up-firing), 2 woofers |
| Amplifiers | 3 Class-D | 3 Class-D | 6 Class-D |
| Microphones | None | Yes | Yes |
| Voice control | No | Amazon Alexa, Sonos Voice Control | Amazon Alexa, Sonos Voice Control |
| Trueplay | Advanced (iPhone or iPad) | Quick and Advanced | Quick and Advanced |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| USB-C line-in | Yes (adapter sold separately) | Yes (adapter sold separately) | Yes (adapter sold separately) |
| Apple AirPlay 2 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Size (H×W×D) | 182.5 × 120 × 130.5 mm | 182.5 × 120 × 130.5 mm | 160 × 260 × 185 mm |
| Weight | 1.95 kg | 2.0 kg | 4.47 kg |
| Colours | Black, White | Black, White | Black, White |
Prices shown are SRP. See each product page for our current price.
Era 100 SL vs Era 100: what's the difference?
Inside, they're the same speaker: the same tweeters, mid-woofer and amplifiers, so they sound identical. Both have Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay 2 and a USB-C port for line-in.
The difference is the microphones. Era 100 has them, so you can use Amazon Alexa or Sonos Voice Control and run quick Trueplay tuning from any phone. Era 100 SL ("speechless") has none, costs £30 less, and needs an iPhone or iPad for Trueplay.
Choose Era 100 SL if you don't want a microphone in the room or don't use voice control. Choose Era 100 if you do. You can even stereo pair one of each.
Era 100 vs Era 300: is it worth stepping up?
Era 300 is Sonos' spatial audio speaker. Six drivers, including an up-firing tweeter, fire sound forwards, sideways and upwards, so Dolby Atmos music from Apple Music and Amazon Music surrounds you rather than coming from one point.
It's larger and heavier than Era 100, with deeper, room-filling bass. For everyday listening in a kitchen, bedroom or study, Era 100 or Era 100 SL is plenty. For a main living space, a music room, or the most immersive surrounds, Era 300 is worth hearing.
Which Era speakers work as TV surrounds?
A matching pair of Era speakers can be wireless rear surrounds for a Sonos soundbar. Each needs only a power socket. Here's what works with which soundbar:
| Soundbar | Era 100 SL | Era 100 | Era 300 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sonos Ray | Yes | Yes | No |
| Sonos Beam (Gen 2) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sonos Beam Ultra | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sonos Arc Ultra | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Era 100 SL and Era 100 make great-value surrounds for any Sonos soundbar. Era 300 adds height effects behind you with a Dolby Atmos soundbar, for the most immersive home cinema. Not sure which soundbar? Read our soundbar guide.
Hear all three in our Fleet showroom
The best way to choose is to listen. Era 100 SL, Era 100 and Era 300 are all on demo at 185 Fleet Road, Fleet, along with the Sonos soundbars and subs, so you can compare them side by side.
No appointment is needed: just walk in. If you'd like a member of the team free to give you our full attention, you can book a time.
Still not sure which Era speaker?
Talk to our team at Jennings Sound & Vision, an authorised Sonos dealer in Fleet since 1996.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between Sonos Era 100 SL and Era 100?
They sound identical and share the same drivers, amplifiers, Bluetooth and USB-C line-in. Era 100 has built-in microphones for voice control and quick Trueplay tuning. Era 100 SL has no microphones and costs £30 less (SRP £169 vs £199).
What's the difference between Sonos Era 100 and Era 300?
Era 100 is a compact stereo speaker. Era 300 (SRP £499) is larger, with six drivers including an up-firing tweeter, giving spatial audio with Dolby Atmos music and deeper bass. Era 300 is the more immersive choice; Era 100 suits most everyday rooms.
Which Sonos Era speaker is best for surrounds?
Era 100 SL and Era 100 make great-value rear surrounds for Sonos Ray, Beam (Gen 2), Beam Ultra and Arc Ultra. Era 300 gives the most immersive surrounds, with height effects, but works only with Dolby Atmos soundbars: Beam (Gen 2), Beam Ultra, Arc Ultra and Arc.
Do all Sonos Era speakers have Bluetooth?
Yes. Era 100 SL, Era 100 and Era 300 all have Bluetooth, Wi-Fi 6 and Apple AirPlay 2, plus a USB-C port for line-in using the Sonos Line-In Adapter (sold separately).
Can I stereo pair Era 100 SL with Era 100?
Yes. You can pair two of the same model, or one Era 100 SL with one Era 100. In a mixed pair, the Era 100 provides voice control for the room. Era 300 can only be paired with another Era 300.
Which Sonos Era speaker doesn't have a microphone?
Era 100 SL. SL stands for speechless: it has no microphones, so there's no voice assistant listening in.
Can I add a Sonos Sub to an Era speaker?
Yes. Sub Mini and Sub 4 work with Era 100 SL, Era 100 and Era 300, either with a single speaker or a stereo pair.
Where can I hear Sonos Era speakers near Fleet?
All three Era speakers are on demo in our showroom at 185 Fleet Road, Fleet GU51 3BL, serving Farnborough, Aldershot, Farnham, Camberley and the surrounding area. No appointment is needed, or you can book a time.