Sonos Play vs Apple HomePod 2: how do their specs compare?
Sonos has long been the multi-room king, but in recent years its position has shaken up a bit. Not only is it threatened by cheaper alternatives such as the Amazon Echo range, but also by well-specified competitors such as the Apple HomePod 2.
So when Sonos announced a new speaker that’s exactly the same price as Apple’s, our interest was piqued.
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Sonos Play vs Apple HomePod 2: price
This is killer heat, in the UK and US at least. The Sonos Play costs £299 / $299 / AU$499, while the HomePod 2 is £299 / $299 / AU$479.
The HomePod 2 may have been around since 2023, but it hasn’t seen much of a drop in its three-year lifespan. Apart from the occasional small discount during major sales events, it is guaranteed at its RRP. Sonos is also not known for its big discounts, so expect to pay full price for both speakers.
** Winner: Draw **
Sonos Play vs Apple HomePod 2: build and design
Despite some similarities, the Play and HomePod 2 are very different propositions. The Play is a portable speaker with a rechargeable battery (24-hour battery life), and is designed to be taken outside and function as part of your multi-room home setup. Although the HomePod 2 is a smart speaker for staying at home.
Surprisingly, the Play is smaller and lighter than the HomePod 2, measuring 19.2 x 11.3 x 7.7cm and weighing 1.3kg (compared to the HomePod 2’s 16.8 x 14.2 x 14.2cm and 2.3kg). Although it’s worth noting that while the Play is more compact, it’s slightly taller than Apple’s speaker.
The Play also has a detachable accessory loop, which attaches to your finger for easy portability. And when you’re at home, it comes with a wireless charging base to keep it juiced up (the HomePod 2 connects to mains via a detachable cable if you want to use a longer one).
The Play is also highly resistant to the elements, with a water and dust protection rating of IP67. HomePod 2 does not have an official IP rating, so it should be kept away from water in any situation (no bathroom listening).
HomePod 2 has Apple’s high build quality. It feels solid and well-made, and looks stylish in both its white and black styles (those are the same finishes as the Sonos Play).
Both speakers have a mesh grille, but on the HomePod this extends all the way around it in 360 degrees. Play has a break in the background. We’ll have to wait for our review to see if – or if – this affects sound quality.
Both speakers have their own controls on top, but they have very different control methods. The HomePod responds to sequential taps anywhere on its control surface – a single tap to play/pause, a double tap to skip to the next track and so on. It’s the same with the control method on the earbuds. Google Play’s controls, on the other hand, are more traditional, with designated buttons made to be more tactile.
** Winner: Draw **
Sonos Play vs Apple HomePod 2: features
Both of these are smart speakers, so communication is the name of the game.
Typically an Apple product, the HomePod connects seamlessly to Apple users, but less so if you’re outside the Cupertino ecosystem. It won’t play music with Siri on Spotify, Tidal, Amazon Music or even BBC radio, for example – instead you have to play these services on your phone and send music to the speaker via AirPlay 2. Which seems like an unnecessary extra step.
Sonos Play, by contrast, supports Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect to play directly through the speaker, as well as Qobuz and more through its app.
Both speakers support 24-bit/48kHz high resolution. But while both have Bluetooth, only the Play lets you play music on your phone using Bluetooth. HomePod 2 uses Bluetooth only for initial setup and other communication functions.
You can also pair up to four Play or Sonos Move 2 speakers together while you’re out and about to create more impactful sound.
Inside the HomePod is a 4-inch high-excursion woofer and five horn-loaded tweeters. The Sonos Play has three class-H amplifiers, two angled tweeters and one midwoofer, and passive radiators to allow for deep bass.
Both speakers adjust their sound output depending on their surroundings. Apple’s technology is very impressive, but it is on par with Sonos, which we have experienced in other speakers.
Both support surround sound, although the HomePod is limited to Apple Music and Dolby Atmos with Apple TV 4K, while the Sonos Play supports both Apple Music and Amazon Music. HomePod works well for Apple users, but for greater flexibility, this round goes to Sonos.
** Winner: Sonos Play **
Sonos Play vs Apple HomePod 2: sound
As for the sound, we’ll have to wait and see what the Sonos Play can do. We’re updating it as we speak, and will update this once our testing is complete. One thing to note: while it has the same configuration of amplifiers / tweeters / midwoofer as the Sonos Move 2, Sonos has confirmed that the components themselves are different. So don’t expect the same sound from the four-star Move 2.
The Play will be judged by its work to sound better than the HomePod 2. Apple’s smart speaker wins many awards, and much of that depends on its sound quality.
In our review of the HomePod 2, we found that the speaker offers a version of Apple Music Dolby Atmos 1 by Taylor Swift more clarity and warmth in the words. “Swift’s voice is soulful and focused, and the breathy quality of the delivery is well-resolved,” we wrote.
It does a good job with other aspects of the track, too. “There’s enough weight and texture to the bassline and a satisfying feel to the rhythmic clapping, both engaging the ear in the right way, complementing the vocals but never overshadowing them.”
There is none of the usual uniformity and brightness that most speakers give SBTRKTs Trials of the Past, however it still maintains levels of happiness. Its bass has more weight and presence than you’d expect from a speaker of this size.
Of course, the frequencies are very low in James Blake’s Limit Your Love it makes a little movement in the bass performance, but the HomePod still does well with such a challenging track. “This isn’t a lump of isolated bass, but a bottom-end that’s seamlessly integrated and shimmering, otherwise the song’s more energetic second half wouldn’t have the impact it has,” we wrote.
The unlimited power of HomePod 2 translates into all genres, and always reflects the music, rather than the speaker itself. Which is exactly the way it should be.
As we say, Play has its work cut out for it. Check back soon to see how it goes.
** Winner: TBC **
Sonos Play vs Apple HomePod 2: first verdict
There are many similarities between the two speakers, but there are also many differences.
The HomePod is a smart home speaker, designed for those who are already deep into – or willing to jump wholeheartedly – into the Apple ecosystem. Although Sonos Play is platform agnostic, it also has a portable design to take with you to the park, the beach, or just out in the garden.
The Play is the more versatile of the two, but what really succeeds comes down to the sound. We will update this article once we have completed the review – stay tuned.
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