Sonos Era 100 SL review: A simpler way into Sonos
Sonos is best known for its Wi-Fi speakers, and the Era 100 SL is a simpler take on the Era 100. It drops the microphones and voice features while keeping the same sound at a lower price.
That sounds like an easy way to save money, but it also changes how you use the speaker day to day. So is this the better value, or just a stripped-down version that gives up too much? Let’s find out in this Sonos Era 100 SL review.
Editor’s note: This is the first version of the article. Updates will follow as the market changes.
Who is the Sonos Era 100 SL for?
The Sonos Era 100 SL is for people who want the Era 100’s sound without paying extra for microphones or voice features. It makes the most sense if you already use Sonos speakers or plan to build out a multi-room setup over time.
It’s less ideal if you just want a simple, plug-and-play speaker, since you’ll still need the app and Wi-Fi to get the most out of it.
What’s it like to use the Sonos Era 100 SL?
The Sonos Era 100 SL is compact enough to move around your home with ease.
The Era 100 SL is more of a stay-at-home speaker than something you move around often. It needs to stay plugged in, and while it’s compact enough to fit on a shelf or counter, it’s not really designed to be portable.
This is basically an Era 100 without the microphones, so everything runs through your phone instead of voice controls. If you care about privacy or just don’t use voice assistants, that actually makes the experience feel a bit more straightforward.
Touch controls on the top panel let you adjust volume, skip tracks, and control playback.
On top, you get simple touch controls for playback, along with a volume slider that responds as you drag your finger across it. It’s easy to adjust without pulling out your phone, and it works reliably once you get used to it. Around the back, there’s a physical button for Bluetooth pairing and a USB-C port. You can also add a 3.5mm connection if you want to hook up external audio gear, but you’ll need Sonos’ USB-C Line-In Adapter.
Once it’s up and running, it works best as part of a Sonos system. I mostly controlled everything from my phone, grouped it with other speakers, and let it play in the background while I went about my workday. Bluetooth is there if you need it, but this really feels like a speaker that makes the most sense on Wi-Fi.
What are the key features of the Sonos Era 100 SL?
Most of the Era 100 SL’s extra features live inside the Sonos app, and that’s where you’ll spend most of your time controlling the speaker. The interface pulls together your music services, recently played tracks, and system controls in one place, which is useful once everything is set up, but it can feel a little busy at first.
You can link services like Apple Music and YouTube Music directly in the app, along with a long list of others. There’s also Sonos Radio built in, which gives you access to curated stations and live broadcasts without needing another account. If you’re using an iPhone, Apple AirPlay 2 is also supported, so you can stream directly from your device without opening the Sonos app.
This is also where the speaker really starts to make sense. You can group the Era 100 SL with other Sonos speakers around your home, move music between rooms, and control everything from one place. The app also gives you access to features like EQ, volume limiting, and Trueplay room tuning, along with Line-In controls if you’re using Sonos’ USB-C adapter.
The EQ is still fairly limited, though, with just bass and treble sliders. I’d like to see at least a midrange slider, if not a full custom EQ, because there’s not a ton of room to really fine-tune the sound.
If you’re already in the Sonos ecosystem, all of this feels pretty natural. If not, it can take a little time to get used to, especially compared to a more straightforward Bluetooth speaker app.
How does the Sonos Era 100 SL connect?
The rear panel includes a Bluetooth pairing button and USB-C port.
The Era 100 SL supports both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, but it’s very much a Wi-Fi-first speaker. That’s how you access the full feature set, including multi-room playback, app control, and the entire Sonos ecosystem.
Bluetooth is available, but it feels more like a convenience feature than the main way to use the speaker. You still need to set it up over Wi-Fi first, and while Bluetooth works well for quickly playing something from your phone, it doesn’t offer the same flexibility as using the Sonos app. That’s especially true because the app itself still needs your phone to stay connected to Wi-Fi in order to work.
If you’re using an iPhone, Apple AirPlay 2 gives you another option. You can stream directly from your device without opening the Sonos app, which is often the quickest way to start playing music.
Overall, the Era 100 SL isn’t really designed to be a standalone Bluetooth speaker. It’s built to stay connected over Wi-Fi and work alongside other Sonos speakers, where it makes a lot more sense day to day.
Does the Sonos Era 100 SL have a battery?
The Sonos Era 100 SL doesn’t have a battery, so it needs to stay plugged in at all times. It’s designed to live in one place rather than move around like a portable speaker.
How does the Sonos Era 100 SL sound?
Reviewer’s notes
Editor’s note: this review uses a hover-enabled glossary to describe sound quality based on a consensus vocabulary. You can read about it here.
Can you use the Sonos Era 100 SL for phone calls?
No. The Sonos Era 100 SL doesn’t have built-in microphones, so it can’t be used for phone calls or speakerphone functions. If a call comes in, you’ll need to take it on your phone instead.
Should you buy the Sonos Era 100 SL?
Once connected, the power cable sits flush against the base of the speaker.
The Sonos Era 100 SL makes the most sense if you already use Sonos speakers or plan to build out a system over time. It delivers the same sound as the Era 100, and at $189, it’s one of the more affordable ways to get into the lineup. If you don’t care about voice assistants or built-in microphones, saving that extra money is an easy win.
If you’re just looking for a standalone speaker, though, it’s harder to recommend. You’re still dealing with app setup, Wi-Fi dependence, and less flexibility than similarly priced options. At that point, the value really depends on whether you actually want to buy into the Sonos ecosystem.
If you do, the Era 100 SL is a solid entry point. If not, there are plenty of Bluetooth speakers at this price that are easier to use on their own.
What should you get instead of the Sonos Era 100 SL?
The Sonos Play offers an IP67 protection rating.
If you want a Sonos speaker that feels a little more flexible, the Sonos Play () is worth considering. It costs more, but it has a built-in battery and can move more easily from room to room or out to the backyard when needed. The Era 100 SL makes more sense as a dedicated home speaker, while the Play is the better fit if you want something a little less tied to one spot.
If you want a stay-at-home smart speaker with built-in voice control, the Amazon Echo Studio (2nd Gen) () is a strong alternative. It’s larger than the Era 100 SL and works better as a standalone smart speaker, especially if you want Alexa built in without needing to buy into the Sonos ecosystem in the same way.
Frequently asked questions
