A smart speaker with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity for the price of the second-gen Sonos Beam and Arc: a comparison
If you are in the market for a device that can also be used as a smart speaker, the second-gen Sonos Beam and the larger Sonos Arc are both on sale. The second-gen Sonos Beam is on sale from Best Buy for $349, while the Arc is on sale from Best Buy for $719.
We recommend this version of the Sonos Move even if it isn’t the latest version. The cost is about half that of the Move 2. The first-gen Move packs Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, 11 hours of battery life, built-in microphones with support for Google Assistant or Alexa, and Automatic Trueplay (which equalizes audio to suit the environment). It’s dipped low before and it’s still a good deal.
The Sonos Ray ($9)/10, WIRED Recommends): A Superbsound Soundbar for Small Spaces and Entertainment Centers
The Arc (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is our favorite soundbar for big home theaters. It comes equipped with three tweeters and eight mid-woofers to deliver deep bass, along with full Dolby Atmos support that can bounce sound off walls and ceilings in a way that mimics a surround-sound setup. It is simple and discreet so it doesn’t get in your way of your interior aesthetic. The lowest price we’ve tracked for this piece of electronics is the one that was on sale during Black Friday last year.
The Amp is a great option for those looking for an amplifier to power their turntable, TV, outdoor speakers, and more at higher volumes. The front control panel is touch sensitive so you can do things like adjust the volume or pause music. Support for AirPlay 2 is also available for the Amp. It doesn’t come with built-in mics, but you’ll have voice control if you pair it with another Sonos voice-enabled speaker like the Sonos One or Sonos Move.
If you are looking to add more bass, we recommend the Sonos Sub. The third-gen model has more memory and better processing power. It’s also meant to be paired with Sonos’ nonportable options—like soundbars, speakers, and amplifiers. (It won’t pair with the Move, Roam, Port, or Connect.) It’s top-notch, but expensive. This is the lowest price we’ve seen so far.
The Sonos Ray (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is an excellent soundbar for an apartment or small room. It’s compact, allowing you to place it on your entertainment center or dresser. You can put it on the wall to free up space. It delivers clear, crisp sound that will easily fill your space. You can adjust the settings via the Sonos app for the best listening experience.
Source: 11 Best Black Friday Sonos Deals (2023): Soundbars, Subwoofers, Bluetooth Speakers
WIRED: Towards a World Wide Low-Loss Electronics System for Consumers with Multiple Emission Sensitive Values
WIRED tests products year-round and handpicked these deals based on the actual discounts, not just the discounts retailers claim to offer. Products that are sold out or no longer discounted as of publishing will be crossed out. The guide will be updated through November.
