Which Sonos Products Are Worth Buying in 2024? A Breakdown of Their Best Options
Sonos makes three standout products worth considering: the Sonos Ace wireless headphones (£399), the premium Sonos Ace pairing option (£758 for matched pairs), and the Sonos Roam 2 portable speakers (£338 for a 2-pack, or £169 each). The choice depends on whether you prioritise personal audio with active noise cancellation or portable multi-room listening.
Why Sonos?
Founded in 2002, Sonos built its reputation on wireless multi-room audio systems that work seamlessly across your home via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. The brand specialises in uncompromising audio quality — most Sonos products use premium drivers and tuning that prioritise clarity over bass-heavy convenience. Unlike competitors who chase the widest product range, Sonos focuses on a curated selection: headphones designed for both music and ambient listening, plus portable speakers engineered for outdoor durability. Their ecosystem advantage means any Sonos product can integrate with others if you already own speakers or a soundbar, though each product works standalone too.
Top Picks
Sonos Ace: Wireless Over Ear Headphones With Noise Cancellation — £399
Best for professionals and frequent travellers who need both noise cancellation and all-day comfort. The Ace delivers active noise cancellation rated to block ambient noise effectively, with a claimed 24-hour battery life per charge. Touch controls and a built-in microphone mean you can take calls without removing them. The headphones pair instantly with any Sonos product you own, making them part of a broader ecosystem if you upgrade later. At this price point, they compete directly with Sony WH-1000XM5 (£379–£399) and Bose QuietComfort 45 (£329–£349), but Sonos prioritises clarity in podcasts and voice calls over bass extension.
Sonos Ace Wireless Over Ear Headphones (Pair) — £758
Best for households where two people want matching headphones with simultaneous Bluetooth pairing. This bundle gives you two Ace units at a marginal saving compared to buying separately (roughly £40 discount per pair). Useful if you share a listening space or want backup headphones, though most buyers will be better served by a single unit.
Sonos Roam 2 Portable Wireless Speaker (2-pack, Black) — £338
Best for outdoor entertaining and multi-room coverage on a budget. Each Roam 2 weighs 430g and fits easily into a backpack or bag. They're rated IP67 dust and water-resistant (survive submersion to 1 metre for 30 minutes), so they handle poolside and beach use without worry. Bluetooth range reaches approximately 10 metres in open space; Wi-Fi connectivity lets you stream from Sonos apps or AirPlay 2 sources. The 2-pack makes sense if you want one for the garden and one for the kitchen, or to gift a friend. At £169 per unit individually, they're competitively priced against UE Boom 3 (£199) and JBL Flip 6 (£119–£149), though Sonos prioritises mid-range clarity where others focus on portability alone.
Quick Comparison
| Product | Price | Best For | Standout Feature | |---------|-------|----------|------------------| | Sonos Ace Headphones | £399 | Noise cancellation & all-day wear | 24-hour battery, ANC, touch controls | | Sonos Ace Pair | £758 | Matching dual headphones | Two units with £40 bundle saving | | Sonos Roam 2 (2-pack) | £338 (£169 each) | Outdoor portability | IP67 water resistance, 430g weight |
What to Look For
- Battery life vs. charging convenience: Ace headphones last 24 hours between charges; Roam 2 speakers claim 11 hours of playback per charge. If you travel frequently or spend full days outdoors, the Ace's longer battery is the deciding factor.
- Connectivity type: Ace headphones use Bluetooth 5.3 with a claimed 10-metre range; Roam 2 speakers add Wi-Fi connectivity for home streaming. Choose Wi-Fi capability if your space includes dead zones Bluetooth can't reach.
- Water resistance rating: Only the Roam 2 offers IP67 dust and water protection. If you plan poolside or beach use, the Ace headphones are best kept away from splash zones.
- Audio profile: Sonos products prioritise clarity in mids and voices over bass extension. If you expect heavy bass, other brands (JBL, UE) offer more aggressive tuning at similar prices.
The Bottom Line
The Sonos Ace at £399 is the standout product here — it offers professional-grade noise cancellation and 24-hour battery life that justifies the premium over cheaper alternatives. Choose the Roam 2 2-pack at £338 if you need two portable speakers for different rooms or outdoor spaces; individually they're good value at £169 each, though they're not waterproof and battery life drops to 11 hours. Skip the £758 Ace pair bundle unless you specifically need two matching units.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sonos good value for money?
Yes, but only if you prioritise audio clarity and ecosystem integration. The Ace headphones at £399 are mid-range priced — they cost less than premium Sony and Bose models (£379–£449) but deliver similar noise cancellation and longer battery life. The Roam 2 at £169 per speaker is fairly priced against JBL Flip 6 (£119–£149) and UE Boom 3 (£199), though Sonos skews toward clarity where competitors emphasise portability or bass. You're paying slightly more for Sonos's tuning philosophy, not for flashy features.
Can Sonos Ace headphones connect to non-Sonos devices?
Yes. The Ace headphones use standard Bluetooth 5.3, so they pair with any smartphone, laptop, or tablet. They also support AirPlay 2 on Apple devices for seamless switching between calls and music. Sonos app integration is optional — it adds features like automatic switching between devices and access to Sonos's streaming library, but isn't required for basic operation.
Are Sonos Roam 2 speakers good for swimming pools?
Roam 2 speakers are IP67 rated, meaning they survive full submersion to 1 metre for up to 30 minutes. They're safe for pool surrounds and brief dunks, but they're designed to float if dropped in water, not to be submerged intentionally. For genuine waterproof underwater listening, specialist action camera speakers (GoPro Volta, DJI Mic) are better bets.
Do I need multiple Sonos products to make them work?
No. Each product — the Ace headphones and Roam 2 speakers — functions independently via Bluetooth. Sonos ecosystem benefits (multi-room audio syncing, seamless handoff between devices) only activate if you own multiple Sonos products. A single Ace or single Roam 2 needs no integration and works as a standalone device.
