Sonos Play and Mic-Less Era 100 SL Now Available

The Sonos Play is tailored for those who are always on the move, while the Era 100 SL reduces the price by removing the microphone. Sonos has introduced two new consumer speakers: the portable Sonos Play and the more affordable Era 100 SL, priced at $299 and $189, respectively. Both are available now. The Sonos Play features a utility loop and water-resistant design, making it suitable for home use or outdoor activities. It also supports Bluetooth grouping, allowing connection with other Play or Move 2 speakers without Wi-Fi. The Era 100 SL simplifies the existing Era 100 by omitting the microphone, appealing to those uninterested in voice controls. The Sonos Play can be purchased in black or white from Amazon, Best Buy, or Sonos for $299. Positioned between the Roam 2 and Move 2, it’s a great standalone speaker or an extension of an existing Sonos setup. It’s portable yet powerful, with a 24-hour battery life and IP67-rated water and dust resistance. Additionally, it features a removable loop, USB-C charging (bring your own wall adapter), and power bank capability. Its standout feature is Bluetooth grouping, which allows pairing with other Sonos speakers without Wi-Fi, although this doesn’t provide stereo separation like Wi-Fi. Sound quality emphasizes mids and highs but offers ample volume for most spaces. For a stationary setup, the original Era 100 remains superior, but the Play is a portable alternative. The Sonos Era 100 SL, priced at $189, is a budget-friendly version of the excellent Sonos Era 100. It’s available in black or white from Amazon, Best Buy, and Sonos. The SL version lacks a built-in microphone, thus no voice controls, but shares the same speaker setup, delivering rich bass across various genres. It retains intuitive physical controls, supports Bluetooth, and offers line-in audio via an optional USB-C adapter, as well as streaming through Apple’s AirPlay 2.