The Sonos Play gives you big sound in a small package, at home and on the go

Sonos introduced its first speaker for indoor and outdoor use with the Sonos Move in 2019, followed by the Sonos Move 2 in 2023, and now the Sonos Play. This speaker is much smaller than the Sonos Move 2 and its output isn’t as powerful. But there are a few notable upgrades, including the ability to pair two for stereo sound not only over Wi-Fi in the home, but also outside via Bluetooth. In fact, you can group multiple Sonos Plays for a more expansive sound experience, indoors and out.

I had the chance to test both a single Sonos Play and two as a stereo pair. I was also able to compare its sound quality to the much bigger but also outdoor-friendly Sonos Move 2. If you’re wondering if you should upgrade from an old Sonos Move you have been hanging onto, switch from the Move 2, or add the Play to your collection, this review will help you decide.

Sonos Play vs Sonos Move 2 vs Sonos Move

Before getting into my take on the Sonos Play, let’s look at how it compares in specs to both the Sonos Move 2 and the Sonos Move.

Audio quality of the Sonos Play

With songs playing from Amazon Music over Wi-Fi, the sound is pleasant. The Sonos Play excels with bass. As I listen to bass heavy tunes like “Better Off Alone” from Alice DJ, it really pumps from this tiny speaker. At higher volumes, however, audio can sound slightly distorted and unbalanced, like in the opening of Michael Jackson’s “Billy Jean.” It gives me a night club from the early 2000s vibe. That’s a good thing if you’re looking for a speaker to use outdoors for a gathering, especially if you opt for two or more for an expansive system to cover an entire backyard. It’s especially suitable if you like bass-heavy music, like hip hop tunes, house music, electronic dance music (EDM), even some rock and heavy metal.

Another reason the speaker would be suitable for a small backyard party is that it’s pretty loud, even when barely reaching half volume. So, as much as you could play one low for background music, you can also link several Plays (or other Sonos speakers) for bigger sound. Even a single one provides pretty good volume in a small space; just be mindful, as noted, of some distortion if you really crank it. (Once again, those booming club vibes). Two as a stereo pair are pleasant for lower-level background tunes. I used this while listening to “elevator music” jazz tunes while I worked.

I played my reference track “Creep” by Radiohead from Apple Music as well. As expected, bass is wonderful, but the sound is slightly harsh and sibilant compared to other speakers I have tested, especially with certain instruments. Vocals are clear, but they don’t take centre stage as I know they should. I may be especially picky with this tune since I know exactly how it should and can sound. It’s worth noting that you can adjust EQ in the app, including bass, treble, and balance, to tweak sound to your liking. You can also turn loudness on or off. There’s no custom EQ mode, however.

Beyond music, I listened to a TV show streaming from my Apple MacBook Pro. I connected it to two Sonos Plays as a stereo pair. Sound was wonderfully immersive and beautifully balanced, offering a noticeable leg up compared to my MacBook’s built-in speakers. These would make great desktop speakers as well for Zoom work calls or presentations.

Audio compared to Sonos Move 2

I compared the Sonos Play to the Sonos Move 2, which purports to offer bigger sound with more output. At volume level 27 playing “Billie Jean,” The Move 2 offers a nicer balance of bass and vocals. Comparatively, vocals tend to fade to the background with the Play. Listening to Ed Sheeran’s “Azizam,” sound is less pronounced with the Play, the same slight sibilance in instruments as detected with “Creep,” the speaker delivering clear vocals but favouring bass above all else. It’s not as dynamic nor as full as with the Move 2.

The sound signature is the same with both speakers. While the Move 2 offers a step up in audio performance, it’s not enough that the average listener looking for something portable would notice nor mind. For many, the easier portability of the Play makes it a worthwhile trade-off. With the Move 2, it’s more likely to stay put in one location the majority of the time.  

Design and portability of the Sonos Play

The defining design feature of the Sonos Play is that it’s meant to easily move with you. You can use it indoors on its own, in pairs, or alongside other Sonos speakers. But then grab one (or two, or more) and take them outside to the back deck, even to the park. Use it to play tunes while tending to your front garden, or bring it out on the deck while at the cottage. The removable utility loop makes it easy to carry.

It’s not the smallest portable outdoor speaker and it’s rather heavy, sitting somewhere between a portable home Wi-Fi speaker and a truly portable outdoor speaker. But it’s compact enough. You won’t toss it in your backpack since it’s both larger and heavier than a typical portable Bluetooth speaker, weighing as much as a thin laptop. But you will carry it to the park or a neighbour’s house.

The durable IP67 rated housing means you can confidently keep it outside since it can withstand dust as well as splashes of water. Nearby the pool, on the back deck, front yard, or park are ideal spots to enjoy outdoor audio with this speaker.  

You can control the Sonos Play by voice, the Sonos app, or your mobile device source app when connected via Bluetooth. Button controls are also smoothly built into the top of the speaker for play/pause, volume up/down, and to activate the microphone for voice assistance (unfortunately, the Sonos Play doesn’t work as a speakerphone for incoming calls from a connected smartphone). On the back is a power button, Bluetooth pairing button, a switch to turn the mic on and off, and a USB-C charging port if you want to plug it in direct versus using the included charging base.

Note that if you use your own cable and adapter, it requires a USB-C/PD compliant power supply that can provide at least 9V/2A (18W) power.

Connectivity options

I had some trouble initially connecting the Sonos Play to my network in the app, running into odd setup issues. You might need to exercise patience or run through troubleshooting steps if you have the same experience. Somehow, connecting the second Play unit worked without issue, after which the first suddenly worked. Once I solved the issue, it was smooth sailing.  

The Sonos Play works with Alexa and Sonos Voice, Spotify Connect, Apple AirPlay 2, and the Sonos app. I brought it to my basement to use for audio while AirPlaying a workout to my LG TV. I loved having the trainer in front of me while audio guided me from behind. It’s another example of a potential use case for the speaker.

As noted, you can group the Sonos Play with others and set two up as a stereo pair using Bluetooth as well as Wi-Fi. Connect one to your phone, press and hold the Play/Pause button, and connect up to three additional Sonos Play speakers. You can also pair them in the app, and likewise unpair them at any time (or turn only one on to use). You can technically pair two Move 2 speakers over Bluetooth as well. But not to act as a stereo pair, only to play the same source.

Additionally, I paired two Plays as left and right channels, placed on either side of my laptop to watch an episode of a show streaming on Amazon Prime Video. Set-up was a cinch.

The app still needs work

Sonos’ strength is in connectivity, voice control, and the ability to place speakers all throughout the house that you can easily control individually, grouped together, or everywhere. But the app isn’t as intuitive as others you might come across. You need to switch among several screens and/or menu options to do something as simple as select the speakers you want then find the music from the right streamer. It’s also sometimes slow to respond to commands, like switching playback from one speaker to another.

Sonos has some work to do with its app to make it simpler with better navigation, though this isn’t something specific to the Sonos Play. For now, if you already use Sonos, adding a Play speaker and using the app will be a familiar experience. If this is your first Sonos product, the app might take some getting used to.

Battery life of the Sonos Play

The Sonos Play offers excellent battery life. It’s rated for up to 24 hours use per charge and neatly recharges on the included charging base. You can dock the speaker on its base whenever you’re done and keep it fully charged for the next time you want to move it around. Through my weeks-long review period, listening to music, connecting to my laptop, and for workouts, the speakers lasted as promised.

I love that it also doubles as a power bank to keep your phone charged as well. Bring it to the beach and use your phone to play tunes while catching some rays without worry that the phone’s battery will deplete.

Along with optimized power management, the speaker comes with a replaceable battery. This provides assurances that it will last a long time.

Should you buy the Sonos Play speaker?

The Sonos Play is a lovely little speaker you can take with you around the house and use in so many ways. It packs a big punch when it comes to sound, particularly bass. Its minimal design makes it perfect as a desktop speaker, especially with two of them. It’s equally as good for the backyard, kitchen, nightstand, even to take with you to the park or on a car camping trip. The best part? You don’t need to choose one setup: the whole point of the Sonos Play is that where you go, it can go, too.

Whether it’s for music, movies, workouts, desktop computer audio, outdoor entertainment, or any other use case you can dream up, it works. It’s so much smaller and lighter than the Sonos Move 2. But keep in mind that it isn’t as portable as traditional portable Bluetooth speakers. If you want something really portable as a priority, go with the Sonos Roam 2 instead.

The best way to narrow it down: if you want a home speaker you can occasionally take outside, maybe bring with you to the cottage or campsite, the Sonos Move 2 offers bigger, bolder sound, but it’s also a bigger size. Looking for a portable Bluetooth speaker that you’ll use mostly on the go? The Sonos Roam 2 is the best fit. For something versatile you can use both indoors and outside while getting enhanced sound and long battery life, the Sonos Play is the Goldilocks choice.

Find the Sonos Play in either white or black finish at Best Buy Canada.