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9 of the Best Wireless Speakers for the Home in 2023

Yes, it’s time for an upgrade

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Esquire UK

Look, we’ve got nothing against portable Bluetooth speakers. They’ve got their time and place. But we also think discerning listeners deserve better when they’re at home. Of course, a powerful soundbar could work if you’re short on space, but dedicated wireless speakers for the home make a massive difference.

Whether you’re after a statement centrepiece for your living room, clever smart speakers to answer your every question, a pair of stereo speakers for your office, or a whizzy multi-room system of interconnected units, we’ve rounded up some of the best options to level up your at-home music experience.

Best Wireless Speakers For The Home

  • Sonos Era 300

    Best multi-room wireless speaker

    Sonos Era 300

    £445 at Amazon
    Read more
  • Apple HomePod

    Best wireless speaker for iPhone users

    Apple HomePod

    Read more
  • Amazon Echo Studio

    Best wireless Alexa speaker

    Amazon Echo Studio

    Read more
  • Bang & Olufsen Beosound Level

    Best looking wireless speaker

    Bang & Olufsen Beosound Level

    Read more
  • Sonos Roam

    Best portable wireless Bluetooth speaker

    Sonos Roam

    Read more

How Esquire Tests Wireless Speakers

For this roundup, we set up speakers in our own homes and use them just like you would. Basically, we play music and podcasts while we go about our daily lives. We evaluate as many of the advertised features as we can, setting up relevant mobile apps, wifi connections, Bluetooth pairings and linking up our favourite music streaming services.

We test out the built-in controls and compatible voice assistants to get a feel for how these fit into your life, and we make sure to play tunes from a wide variety of genres, including pop, rock, classical, electronic and rap. This list is a combination of hands-on testing and rigorous research, and we’ve tested the majority of models below ourselves.

Best multi-room wireless speaker

Sonos Era 300

Sonos Era 300
Best multi-room wireless speaker

Sonos Era 300

£445 at Amazon
Pros
  • Seamless multi-room setup
  • Expandable system
Cons
  • Better in a larger space

Sonos is the first name in multi-room audio with very good reason. Founded in 2002, the American brand has developed excellent audio products in addition to relationships with key players in the music industry.

In practice, this means there’s a wide range of speakers available and that, through the Sonos app, you can set up connectivity with Amazon Music, Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal and more. All Sonos products work with the major voice assistants (Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple’s Siri) as well as with the built-in voice-controlled Sonos Radio. It’s a lot – and it makes for an ideal all-in-one home audio solution.

We’d start with the high-end Era 300 and expand your system from there into more rooms, or opt for one of the many Sonos sets to get going with a couple of models. The newest ones are this and the Era 100, but we like the oomph of the 300 and its support for spatial audio via Apple Music and Amazon Music Unlimited.

The bottom line for the Era 300 is that it sounds outstanding, delivering a terrific and powerful sound that raises the bar for all rivals. We tested it by listening to a wide range of tracks and it turned the whole thing into a transcendent experience.

ConnectivityWifi, Bluetooth
Dimensions16 x 26 x 18.5cm
Weight4.47kg
Best wireless speaker for iPhone users

Apple HomePod

Apple HomePod
Best wireless speaker for iPhone users

Apple HomePod

Pros
  • Fantastic for Apple Music
  • All-encompassing sound experience
Cons
  • Useless for Android fans

Android users, move along, but the Apple faithful should consider the second-gen HomePod along with its little counterpart, the HomePod mini, as a way to build a Siri-driven multi-room music ecosystem.

These discreet fabric-covered units pack some serious tech into a compact package, offering expansive spatial audio effects to those with an Apple Music subscription, as well as straightforward voice control and a straightforward “handoff” feature that’ll pass along the audio from your iPhone to the HomePod when you bring your handset close to a speaker.

Sure, the ​​Sonos Era 300 has more scale and is more versatile but the HomePod is a more affordable and better buy for Apple Music devotees. If you’re committed to levelling up your home audio, you’ll want to grab a pair of these and link them together in Apple’s Home app as a stereo pair. One sounds great, but two together sound spectacular.

The HomePods are dynamic, vibrant, powerful, and more than worth the £299 asking price. Of course, they’re nothing more than a chunky paperweight if you’re on Android but anyone in the Apple world will find these “just work” with existing iPhones, iPads and Apple TVs at home.

ConnectivityWifi
Dimensions6.8 x 6.8 x 14.2cm
Weight2.3kg
Best wireless Alexa speaker

Amazon Echo Studio

Amazon Echo Studio
Best wireless Alexa speaker

Amazon Echo Studio

Pros
  • Alexa support
  • Full-bodied and powerful
Cons
  • Getting a little outdated

If you’ve already made a start on filling up your pad with smart home gadgets like security cameras and connected plugs, you may already have an Alexa-enabled speaker or two dotted around the place. Now, most of these aren’t exactly renowned for audio prowess and go for pocket money prices (or mere pennies in Amazon’s sales) but they’re not the end of the story when it comes to Alexa-powered audio at home.

What you’ll want to look for is Amazon’s high-end Echo Studio, which launched in 2019 and looks suspiciously like Apple’s HomePod if it was missing a chunk at the bottom.

When it launched, Apple was keen to differentiate itself as the only smart speaker championing audio fidelity. The empire of Bezos, of course, swooped in to deliver crisp and powerful for your living room at a lower price. You’re getting built-in Alexa support, spatial audio via supported sources like Amazon Music and connectivity with loads of music streaming platforms.

Just like rivals from Sonos and Apple, the Amazon speaker adapts the music to suit your room and can be set up for inclusion in “Alexa Routines”, allowing you to get the music playing at certain times of day, and it’ll be there to read the news to you, turn on your smart lights, answer questions and deliver a weather report.

ConnectivityWifi, Bluetooth
Dimensions21 x 18 x 18cm
Weight3.5kg
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Best looking wireless speaker

Bang & Olufsen Beosound Level

Bang & Olufsen Beosound Level
Best looking wireless speaker

Bang & Olufsen Beosound Level

Pros
  • Long-lasting
  • Exceptional style
  • Rich sound
Cons
  • You can get better sound for less

This one’s a serious investment, but if you’re looking for an eye-catching model to make your mates jealous, this is it. The gorgeous Beosound Level looks like no other speaker on this list. It’s sleek and minimal, offering a sturdy aluminium construction and the choice of an oak wood or knitted fabric cover over the speakers. It’s also built with a long life in mind. Bang & Olufsen boasts about its “Cradle to Cradle” certification, and it has user-replaceable batteries, speaker covers, and serviceable and replaceable parts to keep it working for the long haul.

This is a speaker that you can use while plugged in, when standing upright, laid down flat, mounted on a wall or powered by its battery and moved from room to room. And it’s flexible for connectivity too – you can set it up for Bluetooth and wifi streaming with the Bang & Olufsen app, in addition to Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Chromecast, Tidal Connect and internet radio stations.

We appreciate the customisable sound from this model, but we would say that you don’t have to drop a grand for this kind of audio quality. It’s rich and entertaining, but not as balanced as we’d hope for. In our home, at least, we prefer the sound performance from our HomePods, but we’re aware Apple’s rival is not designed to last as many years as this is. Also, unless you know where it’s going or plan to put it on a wall, it can be tricky to find a home for the Level. This is a much bigger speaker than portable competitors, and it’s worth measuring out some space in advance.

The real allure of the Beosound Level, though, is threefold. We recommend it for its versatility, its style and its longevity. If those are the boxes you’re looking to tick, this is a tremendous choice.

ConnectivityWifi, Bluetooth
Dimensions34.29 x 23.11 x 5.59cm
Weight3.3kg
Best portable wireless Bluetooth speaker

Sonos Roam

Sonos Roam
Best portable wireless Bluetooth speaker

Sonos Roam

Now 11% Off
Pros
  • Brilliant connectivity
  • Great sound for the form factor
Cons
  • Not the longest battery life

We like a lot of Bluetooth speakers, but most are basic when it comes to app control and connectivity. Sonos changes things with the Roam, a portable unit that offers Alexa, Google and Sonos voice control as well as excellent sound for its mini size and the ability to link up Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music and more directly in the Sonos app.

It’s a highly versatile outdoor companion that’s just as much of a good pick if you need something for a dinner party or balcony-based shindig this summer. It’s also waterproof and drop-resistant, and works well as the mobile part of a multi-room system, whether that’s set up with other Sonos speakers or via AirPlay 2. In the past, we’ve linked up a system with a HomePod mini playing in the bedroom, a Roku soundbar in the living room and Sonos Roam on the balcony, with all perfectly in sync together.

It’s also worth looking at the Sonos Move, a much chunkier version of the Roam that weighs 3kg and isn’t quite destined for a hike as much as it is a short trip to your back garden. It’s just as durable and has around the same battery life, but it delivers a much more full-bodied and rich reproduction of your playlists.

ConnectivityWifi, Bluetooth
Dimensions16.8 x 6 x 6.2cm
Weight430g
Best wireless speaker for a unique style

Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin

Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin
Best wireless speaker for a unique style

Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin

Now 21% Off
Pros
  • Standout style
  • Excellent sound quality
Cons
  • Look won’t be for everyone

So, we know this isn’t going to suit everyone’s home. It’s unique, to say the least. Remember the origins of this iconic design? We certainly do. It was made to complement classic iPods as an all-in-one charging station and speaker setup. And, back in 2007, it set the standard for premium iPod docks.

The latest iteration has all the same DNA but is full of extra wireless superpowers including high-res music support via the Bowers & Wilkins Music app, AirPlay 2 to connect it to an Apple-based multi-room music system, and convenient Bluetooth playback.

It’s a bit of a beast, and the ideal living room centrepiece to fill your mates with envy. The sound is powerful, booming and dynamic, with an expansive soundstage that handles crisp highs as well as it does the rumbling low end. If you need a full-on hifi experience you’ll probably still prefer separate speakers to handle the left and right channels, but this is about as expansive as you’ll get from a single unit. It sounds marvellous, no matter what we throw at it.

This gets plenty loud enough too, so you’ll want to keep it somewhere between 40 to 50% volume if you don’t want to end up with a noise complaint. You can also organise multiple B&W speakers into groups through the app, which is another way this could work as part of a multi-room setup.

ConnectivityWifi, Bluetooth
Dimensions19 x 65 x 21cm
Weight7kg
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Best value wireless speakers

Sonos One (Gen 2)

Sonos One (Gen 2)
Best value wireless speakers

Sonos One (Gen 2)

Pros
  • Sensibly priced entryway into Sonos ecosystem
  • Excellent sound quality
Cons
  • Newer Era 100 is much better

The world of Sonos is excellent, but we totally understand wanting to dip into it without committing to a full-on suite of speakers and soundbars. How about if you just want one to get started? Well, in that case, we’d probably recommend the newest Sonos Era 100, which is the updated version of the Sonos One that adds more powerful sound and more versatility for a higher cost. If you’d rather not spend over £200, though, there’s nothing wrong with the second-generation Sonos One.

Despite dating back to 2017, it’s still a brilliant home speaker and if you don’t absolutely need Bluetooth, the updated design and the more full-bodied sound of the Era 100, you won’t be disappointed. It still sounds terrific, connects to other Sonos gear through the app, and we appreciate the straightforward boxy design.

The One (Gen 2) isn’t lacking smart features either, with Google Assistant and Alexa built-in, along with the “Hey Sonos” feature for controlling playback and firing up certain radio stations or streaming services. If you want an even more basic entryway into the Sonos ecosystem, check out a refurbished Sonos Play:1 for under £100. These don’t feature voice control but still offer the punchy and engaging sound and simple setup. It’s worth looking for “certified refurbished”, which means it comes from Sonos itself and has a one-year guarantee.

ConnectivityWifi
Dimensions16.2 x 12 x 12cm
Weight1.85kg
Best wireless desk speakers

Ruark Audio MR1 MKII

Ruark Audio MR1 MKII
Best wireless desk speakers

Ruark Audio MR1 MKII

Pros
  • Elegant and stylish pair
  • Easy to set up
Cons
  • No wifi support

A compact pair of desktop speakers is an ideal way to get better music around your home, and they’re not only for the office room. When we used these, we had them set up on a chest of drawers and connected to our TV, but they work just as well with a projector or just blasting your playlists over Bluetooth. Despite lacking connectivity to wifi and app support, the duo of Ruark speakers is still a highly versatile system for dynamic room-filling audio.

You can’t deny that these are beautifully designed with a focus on simplicity. They don’t demand loads of attention, but once they’re blasting out your tunes you can’t help but notice how clear, natural and detailed they sound. They’re excellent for vocals and instrumental separation, and they offer a warm and entertaining sound that you can listen to for hours.

The addition of optical and auxiliary input makes these versatile when connecting to wired devices like MP3 players, and their Bluetooth connectivity was rock solid and reliable. We love the ease of the remote control, but the number one upgrade we’d hope for from these is the addition of wifi and an app for more streaming support. We reckon that’s a minor issue if your priority is sound, though, and these deliver an engaging and delightful performance every time.

ConnectivityBluetooth
Dimensions13 x 17 x 14cm
Weight1.2-1.3kg
Best bookshelf speakers

Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 Anniversary Edition

On Sale
Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 Anniversary Edition
Best bookshelf speakers

Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 Anniversary Edition

Now 43% Off
Pros
  • Stunning appearance
  • Awesome sound experience
Cons
  • “Wirelessness” depends on your source

If you’re after a comprehensive at-home audio solution that works as well with newer streaming tech as it does with your old-school CDs and files on USB drives, you’ll be looking for an all-in-one box that puts the powers of a source and an amplifier into one place. Something like the Marantz SACD 30n gives you the power to play just about every imaginable format and offers high-res streaming via its HEOS software.

Combine a source like this with a pair of Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 speakers, and you’ll have an outstanding audio experience right in your living room, with an enhanced soundstage that sounds like it’s all-encompassing in ways that models from Apple and Sonos will struggle to match. Trust us, this kind of system is an investment that’s worth it.

The thing to note, of course, is there’s a lot more setup to worry about, and that it’s debatable how wireless this all really is. You’ll need enough space for this to be worth it, and we probably wouldn’t recommend a system like this for a smaller flat.

You’ll need to make sure you’ve got good cables to connect your source to the speaker pair, and some speaker stands would help too. Once you’ve jumped through these hoops, though, you can blast out the kind of high-res experience to make your guests jealous, right from your Tidal account.

ConnectivityDepends on the connected source
Dimensions34.5 x 19 x 30cm
Weight6.9kg
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The Need-to-Know

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Before you pick your new home speaker system, there are a few things you’re going to want to consider to save you from drab-sounding music or a setup that’s too large for your space. At the very least, you’ll need your speaker to connect to your devices and services, and to fit well in your home.

Speaker Types

We’re sure you’ve realised that the world of home audio is massive, going all the way from sub-£100 options up to full-on loudspeakers that cost £45,000. We think it’s worth keeping in mind a few different types, but it’s worth noting that models can exist in more than one of these categories – one could be portable but also have voice assistance, making it smart too.

This roundup focuses on the devices we think are best to use around the home, plugged-in solutions that work with wireless playback. Smart speakers are ones that connect to your wifi and have built-in voice assistants for hands-free control. Portable speakers are smaller and battery-powered – you’ll find some of these are built for the outdoors and some are better suited for bringing from room to room.

When it comes to proper hifi systems, you’ll find that a pair of bookshelf speakers are smaller and can be placed on bookshelves (obviously), cabinets or desks, while taller floorstanding models are larger, more powerful and designed to deliver the best experience for a listener sitting down. So those aren’t quite as versatile in terms of where you can position them, but they can reach serious volumes, so we wouldn’t recommend them for smaller spaces.

Connectivity

Unlike some audiophiles, we’re not against Bluetooth and think it’s more than good enough via high-quality drivers, but wifi is just better. It has much greater bandwidth, meaning higher audio quality, less compression and a far reduced likelihood of signal interruption. Bluetooth is more straightforward for setup, though. If you can find both, that’s the best possible solution for a mix of convenience and quality.

Wifi connected models have a companion app for tweaking settings, controlling playback and adjusting equalisation. Many wifi models will also work as voice-controlled smart speakers, although this differs quite a lot so it’s worth checking that the voice assistant you need is compatible. For instance, you can only use Siri on an Apple HomePod, but the Sonos Era 300 has Alexa and Sonos voice control built-in.

Size and Weight

There’s no point investing in a fancy new audio setup if you’ve got hardly any space for it in your front room. Smart speakers like those from Sonos, Apple, Google and Amazon have a small footprint relative to the volume and detail they’re capable of outputting. These are usually around 3 kilograms, although the Sonos Era 300 is a bit bigger.

Once you start to look at all-in-one models, floorstanding or bookshelf speakers, you’ll want to get the measuring tape out and check the weight to make sure you’re not getting anything too heavy for your cabinets. We’d also suggest raising up bookshelf speakers on stands too, as putting them at ear height improves the performance.

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