Sonos Play & Era 100 SL: Back to basics

Sonos has officially introduced two new speakers, the Sonos Play and the Sonos Era 100 SL, marking its first major hardware release since 2024. The launch information is interesting, as it positions these two new offerings as “essential” components, signalling a strategic pivot under new leadership, having appointed Tom Conrad to the permanent position in July 2025 after serving as interim CEO following a disastrous app revamp.

Sonos Play

The Sonos Play, now available for pre-order for S$549, is a hybrid speaker designed for both home and outdoor use. It features an IP67-rated waterproof design and a 24-hour battery life. Notably, Sonos has addressed questions of long-term sustainability by making the battery user-replaceable, a move intended to extend the product’s lifespan within the system. It also introduces “Bluetooth Grouping,” allowing users to sync multiple portable speakers directly via Bluetooth when away from home Wi-Fi. On the subject of connectivity, it also supports Apple AirPlay 2.

From a product naming perspective, the Sonos Play name is a clear callback to the brand’s original Play:1, Play:3, and Play:5 lineup that established the company’s reputation. That said, the resemblance ends there as the new Play is a far cry from those stationary, plug-in speakers, arriving instead as a rugged, battery-powered hybrid.

Sonos Era 100 SL

The Era 100 SL is now available for pre-order for S$349, and takes its place as the most accessible model in the Era lineup. It maintains the acoustic performance of the standard Era 100 but lacks internal microphones. This “SL” (Speech-Less) variant remains a core part of Sonos’ microphone-free offerings, catering to privacy-focused users or those who simply do not require voice assistant integration.

As for connectivity, the Era 100 SL supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Apple AirPlay 2. It can also accept “line-in” connections via its USB-C port, though this will require Sonos’ USB-C to 3.5mm adapter. 

Insights from Leadership: Moving with “Humility”

The launch of these two new speaker products follows a hiatus in hardware development. In a recent interview, Sonos CEO Tom Conrad addressed the “disastrous” 2024 app overhaul, admitting that the company “changed too much too fast” and had spread itself too thin, leading to the software instability that frustrated long-time users.

According to Conrad, the way forward involves a “Software-First” mandate that prioritises system reliability over aggressive feature rollouts. He noted that the company has shifted to a more methodical update process, including the use of beta channels and opt-in experiences. Conrad emphasized that these new products are intended to “earn back trust” by focusing on the core system experience.

While it’s heartening that Sonos as a company is saying all the right things, we are looking forward to seeing if these statements are taken to heart in the months to come.

Availability and pricing

Out on shelves on 7 April 2026, Sonos Play (S$549) and Sonos Era 100 SL (S$349) are now available for pre-order at TCAcoustic.asia, Sonos Flagship Store @ Wheelock Place, and Sonos stores at Lazada, Shopee and authorized retailers

For in-person pre-orders and a first look at the speakers, customers can also visit:

• Sonos Pop-up @ Wheelock Place (11 – 22 Mar 2026)
• IT Show @ Suntec (12 – 15 Mar 2026)