Sonos One vs Homepod: Which Smart Speaker Reigns Supreme?
Struggling to choose between the Sonos One and the Apple HomePod for your smart home setup? You’re not alone. Both speakers promise premium audio quality and seamless integration with your favorite voice assistants, but they cater to slightly different needs and ecosystems.
This in-depth comparison dives into the core features, performance, and overall value of the Sonos One and HomePod. We’ll explore their sound quality, smart home capabilities, and the ecosystems they thrive in to help you make an informed decision.
Whether you’re an Apple aficionado or a fan of multi-room audio, understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each speaker is crucial. Get ready to discover which smart speaker, the Sonos One or the HomePod, is the perfect fit for your listening preferences and lifestyle.
Specs at a Glance:
| Feature | Sonos One | HomePod |
|---|---|---|
| Voice Assistant | Alexa, Google Assistant | Siri |
| Multi-room Audio | Yes | Yes |
| AirPlay 2 | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes |
| Speaker Configuration | 1 x Tweeter, 1 x Mid-Woofer | 7 x Tweeters, 1 x Woofer |
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 6.36 x 4.69 x 4.69 in | 6.8 x 5.6 in |
| Weight | 4.08 lbs | 5.5 lbs |
| Stereo Pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Audio Formats Supported | MP3, AAC, FLAC, WAV, etc. | AAC, AIFF, Apple Lossless, MP3, WAV |
| Water Resistance | No | No |
| Connectivity | Ethernet, 3.5mm jack (with adapter) | None |
Feature-by-Feature Breakdown
Sound Quality
- Sonos One: The Sonos One delivers a balanced sound profile with clear highs and a decent amount of bass for its size. It utilizes a custom-designed acoustic architecture with two Class-D digital amplifiers. While good, it doesn’t quite reach the same depth or immersive quality as some larger speakers.
- Homepod: The HomePod excels in audio quality, offering rich, detailed sound and impressive bass. It uses a custom array of seven tweeters and a high-excursion woofer, along with spatial awareness to optimize sound for the room. It generally sounds fuller and more immersive.
- Winner: HomePod
Smart Assistant Integration
- Sonos One: The Sonos One seamlessly integrates with both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, giving users a choice of voice assistants. It allows for voice control of music, smart home devices, and access to information. Some may prefer the flexibility of choosing between the two assistants.
- Homepod: The HomePod primarily uses Siri as its voice assistant. While Siri has improved, it generally offers less functionality and integration with third-party services compared to Alexa and Google Assistant.
- Winner: sonos one
Multi-Room Audio
- Sonos One: Sonos is renowned for its excellent multi-room audio capabilities. You can easily group Sonos One speakers with other Sonos products throughout your home for synchronized music playback. This system is very user friendly.
- Homepod: HomePod excels in its own ecosystem. Setting up multi-room audio with other HomePods is straightforward through AirPlay 2. However, it’s limited to Apple’s ecosystem, and the support for non-Apple devices is not as seamless as Sonos.
- Winner: sonos one
Connectivity
- Sonos One: The Sonos One offers both Wi-Fi and Apple AirPlay 2 compatibility. It lacks a direct line-in input, which means it can only stream audio wirelessly.
- Homepod: HomePod also utilizes Wi-Fi and AirPlay 2. It also does not offer a direct line-in.
- Winner: Tie
Design and Aesthetics
- Sonos One: The Sonos One has a minimalist and compact design, available in black or white. It blends well with various decor styles. It is designed to be water resistant.
- Homepod: The HomePod features a sleek, cylindrical design with a mesh fabric covering. It is available in white and space gray. Its design is very modern.
- Winner: Tie
Price
- Sonos One: The Sonos One is typically more affordable, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious buyers.
- Homepod: The HomePod is generally more expensive than the Sonos One.
- Winner: sonos one
Ease of Use
- Sonos One: The Sonos app is user-friendly and intuitive, allowing for easy setup and control of the speaker and music.
- Homepod: The Home app makes setting up and managing HomePod simple, especially for Apple users.
- Winner: Tie
Ecosystem Lock-in
- Sonos One: Sonos has a more open ecosystem, allowing integration with many music services.
- Homepod: HomePod is more tightly integrated into the Apple ecosystem, which can be advantageous if you use other Apple products but limiting if you’re not invested in the ecosystem.
- Winner: sonos one
Winner by Category:
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Voice Assistant | Sonos One (for Alexa & Google Assistant) |
| Sound Quality | HomePod |
| Ecosystem Integration | HomePod (Apple) / Sonos One (Multi-platform) |
| Multi-Room Audio | Tie |
| Design | HomePod |
| Connectivity | Sonos One |
What They Have in Common:
- Multi-Room Audio: Both the Sonos One and HomePod excel in multi-room audio setups, allowing you to seamlessly stream music throughout your home. This feature allows for synchronized playback across multiple speakers.
- Airplay 2 Support: Both speakers support Apple’s AirPlay 2, enabling easy streaming from Apple devices and integration with other AirPlay 2 compatible speakers. This provides flexibility in how you listen to your music.
- Voice Control: Both devices offer voice control, though through different assistants. You can control playback, adjust volume, and more using your voice, enhancing the overall user experience.
- Wi-Fi Connectivity: Both speakers rely on Wi-Fi for their primary connectivity, ensuring a stable connection for streaming audio from various sources and accessing online services. This is crucial for their functionality.
- Stereo Pairing: Both the Sonos One and HomePod can be paired with another of the same model to create a stereo pair, enhancing the soundstage and providing a more immersive listening experience. This improves audio fidelity.
Sonos One Vs Homepod Buying Guide
Sound Quality
The Sonos One delivers a rich and balanced sound profile, excelling in clarity and detail across a wide range of frequencies. Its compact design doesn’t compromise on audio performance, providing surprisingly deep bass and crisp highs. The HomePod, while also offering excellent sound, tends to emphasize bass, which can sometimes overshadow the mids and highs depending on the music genre. The Sonos One’s versatility makes it a better fit for various listening preferences and room sizes, offering a more neutral and adaptable sound experience. The Sonos One also supports Trueplay tuning.
Smart Home Integration
Both speakers boast robust smart home integration capabilities, but with different strengths. The Sonos One provides seamless integration with both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, offering users the flexibility to choose their preferred voice assistant. The HomePod, on the other hand, is primarily focused on Siri integration, making it ideal for users already invested in the Apple ecosystem. While the HomePod offers a more streamlined experience within Apple’s environment, the Sonos One’s dual-assistant support provides broader compatibility and voice control options.
Multi-Room Audio
Sonos has long been a leader in multi-room audio, and the Sonos One fits perfectly into this ecosystem. Users can easily group multiple Sonos speakers together to play synchronized music throughout their home. The HomePod also supports multi-room audio, but its capabilities are more limited when not paired with other Apple devices. Building a multi-room setup with Sonos is generally more straightforward and offers a wider range of speaker options. Sonos’s robust app and easy setup make it a breeze.
Design and Aesthetics
Both the Sonos One and HomePod boast sleek and modern designs, but they cater to different aesthetic preferences. The Sonos One offers a more understated and minimalist look, blending seamlessly into various home decor styles. The HomePod’s cylindrical shape and mesh fabric give it a more distinct and visually appealing design. The choice between the two often comes down to personal taste, with the Sonos One offering greater versatility and the HomePod making a bold statement. Consider where the speaker will be placed for best results.
Price and Value
When considering price and value, both speakers offer compelling propositions. The Sonos One is generally more affordable than the HomePod, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious consumers. Despite its lower price, the Sonos One delivers impressive sound quality and features. The HomePod’s higher price tag reflects its premium design and exclusive features, such as advanced spatial awareness. The value ultimately depends on individual priorities, with the Sonos One providing a better balance of price and performance for most users.
Connectivity and Features
The Sonos One offers wider compatibility with streaming services, including support for Spotify, Apple Music, and many others. It also provides AirPlay 2 support, allowing for easy streaming from Apple devices. The HomePod is primarily designed for Apple Music and offers a more integrated experience within the Apple ecosystem. The Sonos One’s broader streaming service compatibility and dual voice assistant support give it an edge in terms of flexibility and feature set, catering to a wider audience. Both offer excellent connectivity options.
Who Should Buy What?
Buy Sonos One If…
- You want broader voice assistant compatibility, including both Alexa and Google Assistant.
- You prefer a more open ecosystem with wider support for streaming services.
- You desire a compact speaker that can easily fit into various rooms.
- You’re looking for a speaker that can connect to other Sonos speakers you might own.
Buy HomePod If…
- You are deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem and prefer Siri.
- You prioritize superior audio quality with a wider soundstage.
- You value a sleek and minimalist design that complements Apple devices.
- You want seamless integration with Apple Music and other Apple services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which speaker sounds better?
The HomePod tends to emphasize bass, which some users may prefer, while the Sonos One offers a more balanced sound profile. The “better” sound is subjective and depends on your listening preferences. For those who enjoy a neutral sound, the Sonos One is the better option. The HomePod excels with its spatial awareness capabilities, enhancing the overall audio experience.
Which speaker offers better smart home integration?
The Sonos One supports both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, providing a wider range of voice control options. The HomePod is primarily designed for Siri and Apple’s ecosystem. If you are already invested in the Apple ecosystem, the HomePod’s integration will be more seamless. For broader compatibility and flexibility, the Sonos One is the better choice.
Can I use these speakers in a multi-room setup?
Yes, both speakers support multi-room audio. Sonos excels in this area with its dedicated multi-room system and extensive speaker options. The HomePod also supports multi-room, but its capabilities are more limited when not paired with other Apple devices. Sonos’s easy setup and app makes it a breeze to build a multi-room system.
What streaming services are supported?
The Sonos One supports a wider range of streaming services, including Spotify, Apple Music, and many more. The HomePod primarily focuses on Apple Music integration, making it the most seamless experience. While the HomePod does support some other services, the Sonos One offers greater flexibility and compatibility with your existing music library.
How do the speakers compare in terms of design?
The Sonos One has a minimalist design, blending into various home decor styles. The HomePod has a more distinct cylindrical shape and mesh fabric. The choice is based on personal preference. The HomePod is more visually striking. The Sonos One’s design gives it greater versatility and adaptability.
Is the Sonos One or HomePod better for voice control?
The Sonos One’s support for both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant gives it an edge in voice control. You can choose your preferred assistant, whereas the HomePod is limited to Siri. The Sonos One provides more options. The HomePod’s Siri integration is seamless within the Apple ecosystem. The Sonos One’s flexibility makes it a more versatile option.
What is the price difference between the two?
The Sonos One is typically more affordable than the HomePod. This makes it an attractive option for budget-conscious consumers. Despite its lower price, the Sonos One delivers impressive sound and features. The HomePod’s higher price reflects its premium design and exclusive features. The overall value depends on your budget.
Final Verdict
Both the Sonos One and HomePod are excellent smart speakers, each with its own strengths. The Sonos One offers greater versatility with its dual voice assistant support, wider streaming service compatibility, and a more neutral sound profile. While the HomePod excels in its seamless integration within the Apple ecosystem and its premium design, the Sonos One’s flexibility and value proposition make it the better choice for most users.
Winner: Sonos One