Should you get the Sonos Move or the Sonos One? Here’s the breakdown!
- aug
- 12
Sonos Move
Portable powerhouse
Pros
- Built-in rechargeable battery
- Supports AirPlay 2
- Alexa and Google Assistant on-board
- Bluetooth compatible
- Weather-resistant
Cons
- Expensive
- Large and heavy
The Sonos Move can go where other Sonos speakers can't, thanks to a built-in battery, Bluetooth, and IP56 weather resistance. While not on the go, the Move is just as capable as the Sonos One, with AirPlay2, grouping, stereo pairing, and voice controls. Only problem? Its portability comes at a steep price.
Sonos One
Affordable audio
Pros
- Affordable price
- Supports AirPlay 2
- Alexa and Google Assistant on-board
- Small, compact, form-factor
Cons
- Must be plugged in at all times
- Lacks Bluetooth
- For indoor use only
The One offers the signature Sonos sound in a compact form-factor, with a compact price. The latest generation One includes voice controls built-right-in, AirPlay 2, and of course, whole-home audio that stays in sync. It may not be portable, but the One is still the best way to jump into the world of whole-home audio with Sonos.
Declaring a winner between the Sonos Move vs. the Sonos One really comes down to whether or not you need a truly portable speaker or not. The Sonos Move is the only game in town when it comes to portability with its rechargeable battery that lasts up to 11 hours, so if you want your tunes on-the-go, then the Move is the right choice.
However, the smaller Sonos One is the best for those who just want to great sounding audio for inside the home at an affordable price. The One has just about everything, AirPlay 2 support, whole-home audio, stereo pairing, and voice controls through Alexa and the Google Assistant.
The same but different
Even though both the Move and One are designed for different use cases, they are similar when it comes to the connected features. Both speakers support whole-home audio, which keeps the music in-sync across speakers and different rooms, plus AirPlay 2, which can add in other non-Sonos speakers into the mix. Both speakers also sport two Class-D amplifiers, plus a single tweeter and mid-woofer for great sound that is automatically tuned depending on the environment that they are in.
Let's break it down
Where things differ, though, is that the Move is truly built-for-portability, and the One is meant for a more traditional, indoor setting. The Move includes a 36WH rechargeable battery inside that can keep it up and running for 11 hours between charges, plus it has IP56 weather resistance.
The Move can go anywhere that your travels take you, including out by the pool, or even as a temporary surround speaker for home theater on your next movie night. The one, while light and small, needs to be plugged-in constantly, but it does come with a bonus of not having to remember to charge it.
| Sonos Move | Sonos One | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 9.44-inch x 6.29-inch x 4.96-inch | 6.36-inch x 4.69-inch x 4.69-inch |
| Weight | 4.08lbs | 6.61lbs |
| Finishes | White, Black | White, Black |
| Weather Resistance | Yes (IP56) | No |
| Voice Control | Yes (Alexa, Google Assistant) | Yes (Alexa, Google Assistant) |
| AirPlay 2 | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | No |
| Built-in Battery | Yes (11 hours) | No |
| Drop Resistant | Yes | No |
| Ethernet | No | Yes |
| Power | USB-C | AC adapter |
| Amplifiers | 2 (Class-D) | 2 (Class-D) |
| Tweeters | 1 | 1 |
| Mid-Woofers | 1 | 1 |
| Wall Mountable | No | Yes |
Which should you buy?
As you can see, both speakers are indeed quite similar, so the choice ultimately comes down to price and portability. If you need a Sonos speaker that can tag along on your next camping trip, or just spend some time on the patio, the Move is a clear choice. The Move also comes with the bonus of being the only Sonos speaker that works with Bluetooth, so friends and family can stream their libraries to it with ease.
If price is a concern and you want the most bang for the buck, then go with the Sonos One. The small size still allows you to move it from room to room inside of the home, plus it has the same amount of amplifiers, tweeters, and mid-woofers as the Move. While it may lack an integrated battery, the One makes up for it with an Ethernet port for rooms with spotty Wi-Fi, and for the price, you can buy two for the price of a single Move.
Sonos Move
Portable powerhouse
$399 at Amazon$400 at Best Buy$399 at BH Photo
Sonos on the go
The Sonos Move is a portable powerhouse with 11 hours of battery life, weather resistance, and all of the connected goodness that Sonos is famous for. The Move is also a great speaker for the indoors, but all of that portability comes at a price.
Sonos One
Affordable audio
The best for most
$199 at Amazon$200 at Best Buy$200 at Newegg
The Sonos One, with its combination of great sound and affordable price, is simply the best option around for most. Whole-home audio, AirPlay 2, small size, and on-board voice controls make the One a good fit for just about everywhere, except outdoors.