It’s been nearly five years since, but back then, I had no doubt that Sonos’s small Roam speaker was a stroke of technological genius. The brilliant concept of a reliable Wi-Fi home speaker that could effortlessly transform into a portable Bluetooth speaker for on-the-go use, complete with the appropriate IP certification, simply by flipping a switch.
I still stand by that assessment today, of course, but Sonos seemingly had only a fleeting interest in developing the Roam line further. Consequently, this unique blend of features has been conspicuously absent from the market – until now.
Enter the Sonos Play. Much like the Roam, it’s a relatively compact Wi-Fi home speaker that you place on its included charging pad. You set it up via the Sonos app, much like an Era 100, but it’s always ready with a full 100% charge for those spontaneous trips to the beach or when you simply want music in the garden. As a concept, it remains incredibly sharp, leaving us with a decidedly positive overall impression.
So, we’re talking about a relatively small speaker that weighs 1.3 kilograms. It’s barely noticeable, and I’d go as far as to say it’s a genuinely light and convenient speaker for any outing. It boasts an IP67 rating, meaning it can not only withstand a downpour but, in principle, can also be fully submerged in water. This robust certification is notable, especially considering the entire front is covered by the familiar perforated aluminum grille, which invariably collects every speck of dust in the room. However, there’s a pleasant soft-touch rubber surface on the back and bottom.
Internally, it features three Class H digital amplifiers, two angled tweeters, and a single mid-woofer. While it doesn’t directly compete with your average Google smart speaker and comes with a higher price tag, there’s a world of difference in performance, fortunately for Sonos. We configured it at home using automatic Trueplay, and the results – whether listening to Jungle’s latest single, Laura Mish’s delicate string arrangements, or the dreadful children’s music my two boys insist on playing from dawn till dusk – were nothing short of magical. It truly feels like an Era 100 that you can take anywhere.
And when you do, Sonos claims it delivers 24 hours of playback on a single charge (technically 35Wh). This claim I can largely corroborate, as an entire afternoon at a playground with friends only drained it to 18%. As mentioned, the wireless charging dock is included in the box, so simply place it there, and a few days later, you’ll have a fully charged Bluetooth speaker ready for your next adventure.
The transition from Wi-Fi to Bluetooth is completely automatic. If you need to charge it without the dock, it uses standard USB-C. There’s even room for an AUX input.
Beyond that, all the familiar Sonos features are present: the refined app interface, which cleverly integrates streaming services and user habits, alongside extensive support for Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, and Google Home functionality. All of this operates so effectively precisely because Sonos has had years to perfect these systems.
This brings us back to where our 2021 Roam review began. The Sonos Play isn’t exactly inexpensive – perhaps even a bit pricey – but in terms of technical sophistication, versatility, build quality, and overall experience, the Play is a much-needed and welcome return to a segment of the Sonos lineup that has been noticeably absent.