The new Sonos Era 100 SL keeps costs down by dropping the mics, but if you’d rather keep hands-free voice controls, picking up a refurbished, non-SL model is the way to go. Thankfully, Sonos is taking up to 25 percent off a range of refurbished gear through April 24th, dropping the price of the Sonos Era 100 to $134 with a one-year warranty. That’s $85 cheaper than buying a new model, and still $55 less than the mic-less SL. If you want bigger, more immersive sound, the Era 300 is also available for $329, which is $150 less than buying it new.
Equipped with dual tweeters and a larger midwoofer, Sonos’ midrange smart speaker produces rich, detailed sound that handles bass surprisingly well. It also supports Bluetooth and line-in audio via an optional USB-C adapter, so you can connect external sources such as turntables. You can also use the Era 100 as a reliable assistant, thanks to built-in mics that let you play music, adjust the volume, and perform other hands-free actions via Amazon Alexa or Sonos Voice Control (there’s also a switch on the back to disable the mics entirely).
Like other Sonos speakers, the Era 100 also integrates well with the broader Sonos ecosystem. You can pair two Era 100s for stereo sound, or pair them with a Sonos soundbar. It also supports Apple’s AirPlay 2 and Sonos’ Trueplay tuning, which optimizes sound based on your space.
The Era 300, meanwhile, offers many of the same features — including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and line-in support — but is a larger, more powerful speaker designed for spatial audio. It delivers more robust sound than the Era 100 thanks to its six drivers and support for Dolby Atmos, making it a better choice if you want a more immersive listening experience, especially in larger rooms or as part of a home theater setup.