Sonos Era 300 vs Bose Home Speaker 500

Sonos Era 300 wins — Sonos Era 300 wins for immersive listening with Dolby Atmos support and better multi-room performance as measured by RTI…

Scores: Sonos Era 300 8.5/10 · Bose Home Speaker 500 7/10

Sonos Era 300 wins for immersive listening with Dolby Atmos support and better multi-room performance as measured by RTINGS and Sound & Vision. Bose Home Speaker 500 counters with dual voice assistants and lower cost per CNET and Consumer Reports. The Era 300 leads in 4 of 6 score categories with a 1.5-point edge in performance and features.

Spec-by-spec comparison

Sonos Era 300Bose Home Speaker 500
audioStereo with upward-firing drivers, Dolby AtmosStereo with two 2.25-inch drivers
connectivityWi-Fi 6, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, Spotify ConnectWi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2
voiceAlexa, Sonos Voice ControlAlexa, Google Assistant
dimensions6.3 x 10.6 x 7.3 inches8 x 6.3 x 4.1 inches

Sonos Era 300

What works

  • True spatial audio with height channels for immersive listening
  • Excellent multi-room sync across Sonos ecosystem
  • Future-proof Wi-Fi 6 and app-based EQ

What doesn't

  • No built-in Google Assistant
  • Higher price than basic smart speakers

Bose Home Speaker 500

What works

  • Clear, balanced sound with strong bass for size
  • Built-in Google Assistant and Alexa support
  • Compact design fits easily on shelves

What doesn't

  • No spatial or Atmos audio support
  • Older Wi-Fi standard limits future features

Bottom line

Our pick: Sonos Era 300. It edges out the alternative on true spatial audio with height channels for immersive listening. That said, Bose Home Speaker 500 still wins on clear, balanced sound with strong bass for size — consider it if that single trade matters most for your use.

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