Google Home vs. Sonos Era 100: I used both smart speakers, here's what I recommend

Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.Google recently released a new smart speaker, a step up from its most affordable Google Nest mini speaker and the first from the company in six years. The Google Home Speaker is available for $100 and serves as a hub for Google Home, with Gemini for Home built in. In contrast, the Sonos Era 100 costs $220, is one of the best smart speakers available, and features Amazon Alexa built in.Also: 48 hours later with the Google Home Speaker, I can't stop talking to GeminiThe decision to choose one smart speaker over the other hinges on the key features that each one offers. Comparing the Google Home Speaker and Sonos Era 100 goes far beyond their respective price -- you have to consider sound quality, responsiveness, and compatibility. As someone who's rigorously tested both speakers, I'll break down how their features compare and how to choose between them. Specifications FeaturesGoogle Home SpeakerSonos Era 100Price$100$220Acoustic architecture1 58mm full-range driver3 Class-D amplifiers, 2 angled tweeters, 1 midwooferDimensions3.4 in x 4.2 in7.2 in X 4.7 in x 5.1 inVoice assistantGeminiSonos, Amazon AlexaConnectivityWi-Fi 6 dual-band, Bluetooth 5.4, Thread 1.3Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay 2, Line inSmart home compatibilityThread 1.3 border router, Google Home, MatterAlexa endpoint, not a hubPhysical controlsCapacitive touch controlsTouch control panel on topColorsBerry, Porcelain, Hazel, JadeBlack, WhiteWhat the sound quality saysWinner: Sonos Era 100 The Sonos Era 100 performs more like a bookshelf speaker than a typical smart speaker, and its excellent sound quality has earned it the title of the best smart speaker on the market right now. The Era 100's acoustic architecture is behind the speaker's excellent audio quality, especially for a speaker of this size. Also: I brought a Bose, Sony, and JBL speaker to the beach - this one's my new outdoor essentialSonos gave the Era 100 dual-angled tweeters, a large midwoofer, and three class-D amplifiers. This combination gives the speaker a wider stereo image, the ability to deliver strong bass without reverb, and better clarity at high volume. It's worth noting that the Google Home Speaker is still a good speaker for its size and price range, but it features a 58mm full-range driver. For reference, the older Nest Audio, also priced at $100, had a 75mm midwoofer and a 19mm tweeter. The new Google Home Speaker features upgrades in other areas, including Thread 1.3, 1GB of RAM, and 4GB of storage.On smart home capabilitiesWinner: Google Home SpeakerThe Google Home Speaker and the Sonos Era 100 are both smart speakers, which means you can use their smart features with your smart home in some capacity. The Sonos Era 100 features built-in Alexa so that you can talk to Alexa hands-free, just like with an Echo speaker. Unlike most Echo speakers, however, the Sonos Era 100 doesn't support Alexa+, but we'll dive deeper into that in the next section.The Era 100 is a third-party smart speaker made by an audio company, not a smart home company. As a result, Alexa and smart home integrations are very limited and dated. The Sonos Era 100 isn't a smart home hub, so if you'd like to use Alexa to control your smart home with it, you'd still need a compatible hub to connect your devices.Also: I switched to a Bose-Sonos hybrid setup for my home audio - and it worked harmoniouslyThe Google Home Speaker is a smart home hub that serves as a Thread border router and a Matter controller, making it a clear winner over the Sonos Era 100 in the smart home category. With a Google Home Speaker, you can have live conversations with Gemini and with native Google applications like Home, Calendar, Gmail, Maps, and more.As an AI assistantWinner: Google Home Speaker As I mentioned, the Google Home Speaker uses Gemini as the built-in AI assistant. Gemini leverages generative AI to let you have more natural conversations with it, so it understands prompts without you having to carefully word them, and it can process multiple requests at once. The Sonos Era 100 features Sonos and Alexa voice assistants for control. The former can only perform the same functions as the Sonos app, namely letting you control the music playing on the speaker. While Alexa is meant to work on the Era 100 as it does in an Echo device, the speaker doesn't support Alexa+, Amazon's generative AI-powered assistant.Also: How spatial audio works on headphones and speakers - and the best way to experience itWithout Alexa+, the Era 100 is limited to classic Alexa, the virtual assistant Amazon used for years before replacing it with a livelier, more naturally speaking Alexa+. As a result, the Google Home Speaker offers a better AI assistant compared to the Sonos Era 100. Gemini on the Google Home Speaker can handle complex commands with multi-device actions on a single prompt, but can also answer pretty much anything a typical AI chatbot can handle, so you can ask it about the history behind a landmark or how to bake a certain recipe. Writer's choiceChoosing between the Google Home Speaker and the Sonos Era 100 depends on whether you're looking for the best AI assistant and smart home control or the better speaker. If you primarily want generative AI-powered voice control, expanded smart home network and automation capabilities, and seamless integration with Google services, you should buy the Google Home Speaker.If you want the best sound quality for the price and the ability to control Alexa-enabled devices, then the Sonos Era 100 is the best bet. With the Era 100, sound quality is king -- it's great for everyday listening and for rich, room-filling sound.Also: The best Bluetooth speakers: Expert tested and reviewedPersonally, I use an Era 100 paired with a Google TV Streamer for audio output, giving me the best of both worlds. The Era 100 delivers the best sound quality and lets me control Alexa devices throughout my home. Since I have other Echo speakers with Alexa+ around, I don't mind using the classic Alexa on it. The Google TV Streamer delivers 4K streaming, Matter support, and acts as a Thread border router.