ReviewFinder Portable Bluetooth Speakers

Sonos Play 5

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16 Verified Hands-On Reviews

To combat fake reviews we only accept video reviews from verified channels. Each review must show the product and the face of the reviewer.

Expert reviews [16]

84
Total expert reviews: 16
  • with a score: 7
  • without a score: 9
Highest score by TechRadar
90
Average score based on 16 reviews
84
Lowest score by MacRumors
80

Score distribution:

80-100
60-80
40-60
20-40
0-20
ReviewFinder: authentic product reviews summarized by a powerful AI engine.

Expert consensus

The Sonos Play 5 is a high-end wireless smart speaker that offers exceptional sound quality and is best used indoors or in a covered outdoor area, making it ideal for large rooms.

The Sonos Play 5 is a high-end wireless smart speaker that offers exceptional sound quality with crystal clear vocals, deep and rich bass, and a wide-open soundstage. It is best used indoors or in a covered outdoor area, making it ideal for large rooms. The speaker is not designed for portability, as it weighs 14 pounds and has dimensions of 8.

03 by 14. 33 by 6. 06 inches. It is meant to be a stationary speaker for use in a home or office setting. The Sonos Play 5 is a well-built and durable speaker that is suitable for indoor use. It has Wi-Fi connectivity and can be connected directly to a router using an Ethernet cable or wireless connectivity.

The Sonos wireless mesh network technology allows users to connect multiple Sonos devices together to create a seamless audio experience throughout their home. The Play 5 is ideal for those who want a high-quality speaker for their home that can be controlled through multiple devices and can be paired with other Sonos products for a wider and more immersive soundstage.

Sound quality

The Sonos Play 5 is a high-end wireless smart speaker that offers exceptional sound quality with crystal clear vocals, deep and rich bass, and a wide-open soundstage, making it an excellent choice for those who value high-quality sound and immersive listening experiences.

The Sonos Play 5 is a high-end wireless smart speaker that offers exceptional sound quality with crystal clear vocals, deep and rich bass, and a wide-open soundstage. The mid-range is also praised for being soulful and attention-grabbing. The speaker is bass-biased, providing a dynamic, immersive sound that improves the listening experience across various musical genres and streaming audio formats.

The maximum volume output is impressive, with little to no distortion even at high volume levels. The Play 5 is best used indoors or in a covered outdoor area, as it is not waterproof or weather-resistant. It is ideal for large rooms and can be controlled from multiple devices, with the ability to play different songs in different rooms at the same time or pump one song perfectly synced throughout your home.

Overall, the Sonos Play 5 is an excellent choice for those who value high-quality sound and immersive listening experiences.

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Battery life

The Sonos Play 5 is a wired speaker that requires a constant power source and does not have a battery or power-saving features.

The Sonos Play 5 is a wired speaker that needs to be plugged into an electrical outlet at all times to function. Therefore, it does not have a battery or any power-saving features to extend battery life. The speaker can be used while charging, and according to the Sonos website, it can be used while plugged in and charging or unplugged and running on its rechargeable battery.

Overall, the battery life of the Sonos Play 5 is not applicable as it is not a portable speaker. It is designed for use in a fixed location where it can be plugged into a power source.

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Portability

The Sonos Play 5 is not designed for portability, but it does have a bass port that doubles as a carrying handle for easier movement within a home or office.

The Sonos Play 5 is not designed for portability, as it weighs 14 pounds and has dimensions of 8. 03 by 14. 33 by 6. 06 inches. It is meant to be a stationary speaker for use in a home or office setting. However, it does have a bass port on the back that doubles as a carrying handle, making it easier to move around within a home or office.

There are no official accessories from Sonos to make carrying the speaker easier. Overall, the Sonos Play 5 is a well-built and aesthetically pleasing speaker that is best suited for stationary use.

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Durability

The Sonos Play 5 is a well-built and durable speaker with a solid cabinet, engineered grille, and smart design, suitable for indoor use.

The Sonos Play 5 is a well-built and durable speaker that features a solid, tight cabinet and a specifically engineered grille that allows sound waves to pass through freely. The speaker is made from plastic, which is a better material choice for sound than metal, and has a smart, sophisticated, and simple design.

While the speaker is not marketed as being particularly impact-resistant, it should be able to withstand everyday use and minor bumps or knocks. To ensure the longevity and durability of the speaker, it is recommended to keep it away from extreme temperatures, moisture, and direct sunlight, regularly clean it with a soft, dry cloth, and update its software regularly.

Overall, the Sonos Play 5 is a high-quality and durable speaker that is suitable for indoor use.

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Connectivity

The Sonos Play 5 offers easy connectivity with Wi-Fi and Ethernet options, can connect to multiple devices simultaneously, and is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Home products.

The Sonos Play 5 has Wi-Fi connectivity and can be connected directly to a router using an Ethernet cable or wireless connectivity. It can connect to multiple devices simultaneously via Wi-Fi and can store up to 16 different Wi-Fi networks.

While it does not have built-in voice control capacity, it is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Home products. The setup process is straightforward using the Sonos app, taking only a few minutes. The Sonos wireless mesh network technology is also praised for its convenience.

Overall, the Sonos Play 5 is a great option for those looking for easy connectivity and the ability to connect to multiple devices.

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Additional features

The Sonos Play 5 is a high-quality speaker that can be controlled through multiple devices and paired with other Sonos products for a wider and more immersive soundstage, but is not water-resistant and needs to be connected to a home Wi-Fi network to work.

The Sonos Play 5 is a high-quality speaker that is not water-resistant and does not have built-in voice control, but can be controlled through an Amazon Echo, Google Home, or other Sonos devices. It is compatible with other Sonos products and can be controlled through the Sonos app, allowing for seamless music playback throughout the house.

The Play 5 cannot be used as a portable Bluetooth speaker and needs to be connected to a home Wi-Fi network to work. Unique features include six amplifiers with six dedicated speaker drivers, TruePlay tuning technology, wireless music streaming through Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2 compatibility, capacitive touch controls, and stereo pairing functionality.

The Sonos Play 5 is ideal for those who want a high-quality speaker for their home that can be controlled through multiple devices and can be paired with other Sonos products for a wider and more immersive soundstage.

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Position in ranking

We maintain a monthly ranking that sums up expert recommendations for all portable bluetooth speakers.

Rank Change Price Bluetooth Speaker
TechHive
PCMag
SoundGuys
WIRED
Tom's Guide
Popular Mechanics
Rtings.com
TechRadar
What Hi-Fi
Digital Trends
1
- $167
Sonos Roam 2
The Sonos Roam 2 is praised for its sound quality, durability, and versatility, but criticized for its battery life, connectivity issues, and high price point, especially for those not fully invested in the Sonos ecosystem.
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2
8
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1
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4
2
- $180
JBL Charge 5
The JBL Charge 5 is highly praised for its improved sound quality, robust design, and long battery life, though it faces criticism for lacking an AUX port and having connectivity issues with the JBL app.
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1
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6
1
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3
- $100
Beats Pill
The Beats Pill (2024) is praised for its portability, impressive battery life, and robust design, but criticized for sound quality issues at high volumes, lack of EQ settings, and its price point considering the features offered.
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8
3
13
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1
4
- $130
JBL Flip 6
The JBL Flip 6 is a durable and powerful portable Bluetooth speaker with a long battery life, PartyBoost feature, and water and dust resistance.
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6
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3
2
8
Show all rows
Sonos Play 5 did not receive any endorsements this month.