Speaker Reviews - The Verge

We can all do with more music and, thankfully, tech manufacturers couldn’t be more eager to sell you a speaker, whether it’s a multi-room setup from Sonos, a wireless Bluetooth option from Bose or JBL, or a smart speaker, like the HomePod, Google Home, or Alexa-powered Amazon Echo. Not all of them are good or reasonably priced, but we’ve cut through the overcrowded speaker market and offered a critique to the most popular speakers.

7

Verge Score

Ultimate Ears Everboom review: the right size

The smaller sibling to UE’s Epicboom offers plenty of punch for its size. But it’s a little thin on features to justify $250.

Jul 28|

8

Verge Score

Beats Pill review: much easier to swallow this time

More than just a lazy remaster, the new Pill includes unexpected features like lossless audio over USB-C. And like recent Beats products, it equally appeals to the iOS and Android crowds.

Jun 25|

7

Verge Score

Bose SoundLink Max review: size-defying sound isn’t cheap

As usual, Bose’s audio processing makes this speaker sound excellent. But for $400, it’s fair to expect more features and more smarts.

May 16|

JBL Authentics 300 smart speaker review: two assistants at once

Feb 8|

UE Epicboom review: an epic price for an ordinary speaker

Nov 1, 2023|

The best Sonos speakers to buy right now

Oct 9, 2023|

9

Verge Score

Sonos Move 2 review: a slam-dunk sequel

With stereo sound, twice the battery life, and line-in playback, the Move 2 improves upon the original at every turn — unless you need Google Assistant.

Sep 18, 2023|

Sony’s small but mighty XB100 speaker is cheerful and very cheap

May 31, 2023|

7

Verge Score

Sonos Era 300 review: too ahead of its time

When you find a good spatial audio song, Sonos’ new speaker can blow your mind and sounds like nothing else. But it trails the Sonos Five at stereo playback and suffers from the wildly inconsistent state of Atmos mixes.

Mar 27, 2023|

8

Verge Score

Sonos Era 100 review: the new default smart speaker

The more affordable Era speaker improves upon the Sonos One by nearly every measure and will likely find the same success and popularity among Sonos customers.

Mar 27, 2023|

The best Bluetooth speakers to buy right now

Mar 21, 2023|

Sennheiser’s Ambeo Soundbar Plus is a sonic marvel with compromises

Mar 3, 2023|

Apple’s new HomePod plays it safe

and Jennifer Pattison Tuohy

Jan 31, 2023|

Sonos Sub Mini review: low end for a lower price

Sep 29, 2022|

7

Verge Score

Devialet Dione soundbar review: brilliant bass for an exorbitant price

The $2,400 Dione is a luxury buy for people who don’t want to deal with surrounds or a subwoofer

Aug 15, 2022|

7

Verge Score

Sonos Ray review: a starter soundbar sort of stuck in the past

The Ray offers fantastic voice clarity and crisp sound, but this optical-only soundbar isn’t without frustrations

Jun 1, 2022|

Sony Glass Sound Speaker review: it’s not what it looks like

Dec 15, 2021|

7.5

Verge Score

Ikea’s latest Sonos lamp speaker is still an acquired taste

Better looks, easier bulbs, still niche

Oct 14, 2021|

Bose’s new SoundLink Flex speaker has a rugged design and ‘astonishing’ sound

Oct 13, 2021|

Sonos Beam (second-gen) review: Atmos(t) a minor upgrade

Sep 30, 2021|

Sony HT-A7000 review: a next-gen Atmos soundbar that’s (almost) perfect for gaming

Aug 13, 2021|

8

Verge Score

Ikea and Sonos picture frame speaker review: wall of sound

The latest Symfonisk collaboration is another attempt to camouflage tech in the home

Jul 13, 2021|

8

Verge Score

Sonos Roam review: portable potential

The tiny, lightweight speaker has a ton of functionality, but don’t expect sound quality miracles

Apr 6, 2021|

7.5

Verge Score

Sony RA5000 speaker review: extravagant sound at an unreasonable price

It’s a very Sony product, in ways both good and bad

Apr 1, 2021|

7.5

Verge Score

Apple HomePod Mini review: playing small ball

Apple’s newest smart speaker is way more affordable but still chasing Amazon and Google

Nov 13, 2020|

7.5

Verge Score

Google Nest Audio review: the sweet spot

Google’s latest smart speaker has good sound and an attractive price

Oct 5, 2020|

Marshall’s Emberton is a basic but brilliant Bluetooth speaker

Cameron Faulkner

Jul 1, 2020|

Ultimate Ears’ HyperBoom is my desert island Bluetooth speaker

Cameron Faulkner

Jun 3, 2020|

The Verge Guide to Amazon Alexa

Amazon Echo Studio review: finally, an Echo that sounds great

Nov 6, 2019|

8

Verge Score

Amazon Echo (2019) review: middle child syndrome

Amazon’s latest Echo speaker splits the difference between a high-end smart speaker and an entry-level model

Oct 29, 2019|

8.5

Verge Score

Amazon Echo Dot with clock review: time is on its side

A $59 clock that also comes with a pretty good speaker

Cameron Faulkner

Oct 22, 2019|

JBL Link Bar review: three devices rolled into one average soundbar

Oct 3, 2019|

8

Verge Score

Sonos Move review: house shaker, not road warrior

Sonos’ first portable speaker is more comfortable at home than on the go

Sep 18, 2019|

8

Verge Score

Ikea’s new speakers are the most affordable way to get Sonos in your home

The Symfonisk lamp and bookshelf speakers actually sound good, too

Jul 25, 2019|

Sonos Amp review: all kinds of power

Mar 7, 2019|

Roku TV Wireless Speakers review: easy listening

Nov 29, 2018|

Razer Nommo Pro speakers review: versatility comes at a price

Sep 27, 2018|

The best Bluetooth speaker to buy right now

Sep 21, 2018|

Polk Command Bar review: smarter than it sounds

Jul 3, 2018|

Sonos Beam review: living room upgrade

Jun 27, 2018|

Bose SoundWear Companion neck speaker review

May 4, 2018|

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