Sonos One vs Sonos One SL: Which Smart Speaker Is Right for You?

When it comes to high-quality audio and seamless smart home integration, Sonos is a brand that consistently delivers. The Sonos One and Sonos One SL are two of the company’s most popular smart speakers, offering impressive sound and flexibility for modern homes. Both speakers provide top-notch performance and easy integration into the Sonos ecosystem, but they cater to slightly different needs. Whether you’re looking for voice-controlled convenience or a more budget-friendly option without the microphone, choosing between these two models can be a bit tricky. In this comparison, we’ll break down the key features, pros, and cons of the Sonos One and Sonos One SL to help you make an informed decision.

1. Sonos One Smart Speaker

The Sonos One is a powerful and versatile smart speaker that combines high-quality sound with the convenience of Amazon Alexa built in. Right out of the box, the setup is a breeze, and within minutes, you can connect the speaker to your Wi-Fi network, link it to the Sonos app, and start enjoying music through popular streaming services such as Amazon Music, Spotify, and Pandora. The voice control functionality works smoothly, allowing hands-free control to adjust volume, skip songs, or even request specific tracks. Its sleek design and compact size make it a great addition to any room, whether you’re cooking, cleaning, or relaxing.

The sound quality is one of the standout features of the Sonos One. It delivers clear and rich audio with a decent bass response, which makes it suitable for most listening environments. The ability to integrate with other Sonos speakers allows for multi-room music control, making it ideal for those who want to expand their sound system over time.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

1. Excellent sound quality with clear, balanced audio.
2. Easy setup and seamless integration with other Sonos speakers.
3. Amazon Alexa built-in for convenient voice control.
4. Supports a wide range of music streaming services.
5. Compact and sleek design that fits in various spaces.

Cons:

1. Occasional connectivity issues reported by some users.

2. Sonos One SL Smart Speaker

The Sonos One SL is a solid, microphone-free smart speaker that offers impressive sound quality and versatility. It provides rich, room-filling audio that’s perfect for any space, whether it’s the kitchen, bathroom, or living room. The compact design allows it to blend seamlessly into your home decor, and its humidity-resistant feature is a nice touch for use in more moisture-prone areas. The setup process is quick and straightforward, and it integrates well with Apple AirPlay 2 for easy streaming directly from your iPhone or iPad.

One of the standout features of the Sonos One SL is its ability to pair with another speaker to create stereo sound, providing a more immersive listening experience. Additionally, it can be part of a larger Sonos sound system, allowing you to stream music throughout the house. The sound quality is excellent, delivering clear highs and balanced lows, making it suitable for a variety of music genres.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

1. Excellent sound quality with rich, detailed audio.
2. Compact design fits easily into any space.
3. Apple AirPlay 2 compatibility for easy streaming.
4. Can pair with another speaker for stereo sound.
5. Humidity-resistant, ideal for use in bathrooms.

Cons:

1. Some users find the app interface less user-friendly.

Sonos One vs Sonos One SL Comparison

Both the Sonos One and Sonos One SL are premium smart speakers from the well-known audio brand Sonos. While they share many similarities in terms of sound quality, design, and integration with the Sonos ecosystem, they have key differences, primarily in the presence of voice control capabilities.

Feature	Sonos One	Sonos One SL
Sound Quality	Excellent, clear highs, balanced mids, decent bass	Excellent, clear highs, balanced lows
Voice Control	Amazon Alexa built-in (voice control)	No voice control (no microphone)
Design	Compact, sleek, modern design	Compact, sleek, modern design
Humidity Resistance	Yes (ideal for bathrooms)	Yes (ideal for bathrooms)
Apple AirPlay 2	Yes	Yes
Stereo Pairing	Yes, can pair with another Sonos One	Yes, can pair with another Sonos One SL
Price	Higher price (due to voice control)	More affordable (no voice control)
Integration with Sonos Ecosystem	Seamless integration for multi-room audio	Seamless integration for multi-room audio

Sound Quality

Both the Sonos One and Sonos One SL offer excellent sound performance with rich, room-filling audio. The Sonos One delivers clear highs, well-balanced mids, and a decent bass response that fills most rooms with sound. It’s perfect for listening to music, podcasts, and even watching movies when paired with other Sonos speakers. The One SL offers a similar level of audio quality with stereo sound options when paired with another Sonos One SL. Both speakers provide impressive sound for their compact size.

Voice Control and Smart Features

The primary difference between the Sonos One and Sonos One SL lies in voice control. The Sonos One comes with Amazon Alexa built-in, allowing for hands-free control. You can easily ask Alexa to play music, adjust the volume, or control your smart home devices. In contrast, the Sonos One SL lacks a microphone, meaning it does not support voice control. This might not be an issue for those who don’t need voice assistance but limits the functionality for those who prefer hands-free control.

Design and Build Quality

Both speakers share a similar compact design, making them easy to fit into any room, whether it’s your kitchen, living room, or bathroom. The Sonos One SL and Sonos One both have a sleek, minimalist look that blends well with any decor. The One SL has a slight edge in terms of its humidity-resistant feature, which makes it a suitable option for bathrooms. The One is also humidity-resistant but with the added advantage of having voice control.

Connectivity and Integration

Both speakers integrate seamlessly into the Sonos ecosystem. You can connect the Sonos One or Sonos One SL wirelessly to other Sonos devices for multi-room audio or home theater setups. They also both support Apple AirPlay 2, making it easy to stream music directly from Apple devices like iPhones and iPads. Additionally, both can be paired with other Sonos speakers to create a stereo setup or rear home theater channels, enhancing the listening experience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can I use the Sonos One and Sonos One SL in the same multi-room audio setup?

Yes, both the Sonos One and Sonos One SL can be used together in a multi-room audio setup. They integrate seamlessly into the Sonos ecosystem, allowing you to play music throughout your home.

2. Does the Sonos One support Google Assistant?

No, the Sonos One only supports Amazon Alexa for voice control. However, you can use voice control through Alexa to manage your music and smart home devices.

3. Are the Sonos One and Sonos One SL waterproof?

While both the Sonos One and Sonos One SL are humidity-resistant and suitable for use in areas like bathrooms, neither speaker is fully waterproof. It’s best to avoid placing them in areas where they could be submerged in water.

4. Can I pair the Sonos One SL with other Sonos speakers for surround sound?

Yes, the Sonos One SL can be paired with other Sonos speakers, including other Sonos One SL units, to create a stereo pair or even use them as rear speakers in a surround sound setup when paired with a Sonos soundbar like the Sonos Beam or Arc.

5. What streaming services can I use with the Sonos One and Sonos One SL?

Both speakers support a wide range of streaming services, including Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, Amazon Music, Tidal, and more. They can also be controlled via the Sonos app, Apple AirPlay 2, or voice commands with Alexa (on the Sonos One).

6. Does the Sonos One SL work with Apple HomeKit?

Yes, the Sonos One SL supports Apple AirPlay 2, which allows you to stream music directly from your Apple devices. However, it does not have built-in voice control through Siri, as the Sonos One does.

7. Can I control the Sonos One or Sonos One SL without using an app?

The Sonos One allows voice control through Alexa, while the Sonos One SL requires you to control it through the Sonos app or AirPlay 2 on Apple devices. Both can be controlled via physical buttons on the speakers as well.

Conclusion

In the end, both the Sonos One and Sonos One SL deliver exceptional audio quality and a great user experience. The Sonos One stands out with its built-in Amazon Alexa voice control, offering hands-free convenience for music management and smart home control. On the other hand, the Sonos One SL provides similar sound performance but at a more affordable price, making it an excellent choice for those who don’t require voice functionality.