Experts recommend JBL Authentics 500 more than Sonos Era 300
As of 3 Jan 2025, experts prefer JBL Authentics 500 over Sonos Era 300, but both Bluetooth Speakers have solid expert endorsements.
As per this month's meta ranking, JBL Authentics 500 received 2 recommendations: from TechHive (29 Dec 2023) and Rtings.com (18 Dec 2024). By contrast, Sonos Era 300 received only 1 recommendation from PCMag (17 Nov 2024).
| Rank | Change | Price | Bluetooth Speaker | TechHive
| PCMag | SoundGuys | WIRED | Tom's Guide | Popular Mechanics | Rtings.com | TechRadar | What Hi-Fi | Digital Trends |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 | - | $500 | JBL Authentics 500 | 7 | - | - | - | - | - |
6 | - | - | - |
| 47 | N/A | $426 | Sonos Era 300 The Sonos Era 300 is a high-quality indoor Bluetooth speaker that offers impressive sound quality, seamless connectivity options, and built-in voice control, making it a versatile and high-performing speaker for home use. | - | 7 |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Curious to see this month's entire Portable Bluetooth Speakers ranking? It's here
Endorsement summary:
- On 29 Dec 2023
TechHive ranked JBL Authentics 500 as #7 Rank Bluetooth Speaker Comment ... ... ... #7 out of 12 JBL Authentics 500 Best Bluetooth-capable smart speaker, runner-up... ... ... Source: www.techhive.com - On 18 Dec 2024
Rtings.com ranked JBL Authentics 500 as #6 Rank Bluetooth Speaker Comment ... ... ... #6 out of 7 JBL Authentics 500 Best Home Bluetooth Speaker... ... ... Source: www.rtings.com - On 17 Nov 2024
PCMag ranked Sonos Era 300 as #7 Rank Bluetooth Speaker Comment ... ... ... #7 out of 11 Sonos Era 300 Best for Spatial Audio / Editors' Choice... ... ... Source: www.pcmag.com
After counting and adding up the 108 expert endorsements of the January rankings, JBL Authentics 500 outranks Sonos Era 300. This is not to say that Sonos Era 300 is a bad option. Like JBL Authentics 500, it is recommended by experts, but less.
| 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. | - | - | - | 2 | 8 | - | - | 1 | - | 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. | - | - | 1 | - | - | - | - | 6 | 1 | - |
| 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. | - | 8 | 3 | 13 | - | - | - | - | - | 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. | - | - | - | - | 6 | - | - | 3 | 2 | 8 |
| Show all rows | |||||||||||||
Expert reviews [10]
- with a score: 6
- without a score: 4
| Highest score by Stereo Guide | 92 |
| Average score based on 10 reviews | 80 |
| Lowest score by PCMag | 70 |
Score distribution:
| 80-100 | |
| 60-80 | |
| 40-60 | |
| 20-40 | |
| 0-20 |
Expert reviews [26]
- with a score: 12
- without a score: 14
| Highest score by What Hi-Fi | 100 |
| Average score based on 26 reviews | 88 |
| Lowest score by The Verge | 70 |
Score distribution:
| 80-100 | |
| 60-80 | |
| 40-60 | |
| 20-40 | |
| 0-20 |
- Superb sound and performance: 270W of 3.1 channel sound creates an experience that makes you feel like you're hearing your music live. Three 1” tweeters and three 2.75" woofers provide such clarity that every detail of your favorite song sounds new.
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- Featuring six optimally positioned drivers all around the front, sides, and top to support Dolby Atmos Music, the breakthrough acoustic design projects sound from wall to wall and floor to ceiling, immersing you in every dimension of the song.
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