These are not really the same size class, and that is the honest framing here. The Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen ranks #11 of 14 powered desktop speakers by sound quality at $79.99; the Sonos Move ranks #30 of 105 large speakers by sound quality at $399.99.
Why pick the Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen: What Hi-Fi rated it 5 stars for sound, calling it expansive for its size with great Alexa integration and an understated look, from a single 44mm front-firing driver. It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the Sonos Move lacks. It links with other speakers (Wi-Fi multi-room, Alexa), which the Sonos Move cannot. The tradeoff: What Hi-Fi’s one real complaint was distortion at higher volumes, and bass force and detail both fall off at the low end, typical for a speaker not much bigger than a hockey ball.
The Sonos Move is the battery-powered, tougher choice. A well-integrated Sonos portable that combines Wi-Fi multiroom playback, Bluetooth, automatic Trueplay room tuning and a charging base in a sturdy carryable enclosure. Its battery is rated for 11 hours, while the Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen needs an outlet. It is rated IP56, while the Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen has no water resistance. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen lacks. The tradeoff: It is mono, heavy and less portable than a conventional Bluetooth speaker, while bass pumping and compression become audible at high volume.
One note: the Sonos Move is discontinued, but it still ranks #30 of 105 large speakers by sound quality, ahead of most of what is still sold new, so it is worth considering used. The Sonos Move’s replacement, the Sonos Move 2, is still sold new.
Buy the Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen ($79.99) for a powered desktop speaker; the Sonos Move ($399.99) suits a large speaker instead.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings and Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen | Sonos Move | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $79.99 each | $399.99 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #11 of 14 in Small Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #30 of 105 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery | 11 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None | IP56 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room, Alexa) | No |
| Power Input | External AC adapter (DC jack) | USB-C (requires USB-C PD 12v minimum) |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (340 g) | 6.6 lbs (3 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 2.4GHz/5GHz) | Yes |
| App | Yes (Alexa) | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (mic mute switch, temperature sensor) | Yes |
| EQ | No | No |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| TWS | Yes (Wi-Fi stereo pairing via Alexa app) | Yes |
| Drivers | 44mm front-firing driver | 1x 3.5” (89mm) mid-woofer + 1x downward-firing tweeter (tweeter size undisclosed by Sonos) |
| Inputs | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | - |
| XLR Input | No | - |
| RCA Input | No | - |
| TRS Input | No | - |
| Optical Input | No | - |
| Coaxial Input | No | - |
| USB Input | No | - |
| HDMI Input | No | - |
| AES Input | No | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions | 3.9” x 3.9” x 3.5” (100 x 100 x 89 mm) (H x W x D) | 9.4” x 6.3” x 5” (240 x 160 x 126 mm) |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa / Alexa+ | Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant (choose one) plus Sonos Voice Control |
| Streaming Services | Amazon Music, Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Pandora, iHeartRadio, SiriusXM, TuneIn | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 49Hz |
| Omnidirectional | - | No |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 4.2 |
| Maximum SPL | - | 92dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Digital Aux Input | - | No |
| Strap | - | No |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 14, 2026 at 2:38 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen: $79.99 each Amazon $79.99 eBay
Pros: What Hi-Fi rated it 5 stars for sound, calling it expansive for its size with great Alexa integration and an understated look, from a single 44mm front-firing driver. It has a room temperature sensor, works as an eero Wi-Fi extender, and includes a mic mute switch alongside dedicated volume and action buttons.
Cons: What Hi-Fi’s one real complaint was distortion at higher volumes, and bass force and detail both fall off at the low end, typical for a speaker not much bigger than a hockey ball. Engadget’s own head-to-head against the step-up Amazon Echo Dot Max found that speaker louder and bassier, from a 2.5-inch woofer and dedicated tweeter versus this speaker’s single small full-range driver. It is mono in a single unit, has no 3.5mm output, no battery, and needs Wi-Fi and an Amazon account for its smart features.
Full Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen review and specifications →
| Released | Oct 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| App | Yes (Alexa) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | No Battery |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (mic mute switch, temperature sensor) |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.9” x 3.9” x 3.5” (100 x 100 x 89 mm) (H x W x D) |
| Drivers | 44mm front-firing driver |
| EQ | No |
| HDMI Input | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Inputs | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
| Optical Input | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room, Alexa) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | External AC adapter (DC jack) |
| RCA Input | No |
| Stereo | No |
| Streaming Services | Amazon Music, Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Pandora, iHeartRadio, SiriusXM, TuneIn |
| TRS Input | No |
| TWS | Yes (Wi-Fi stereo pairing via Alexa app) |
| USB Input | No |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa / Alexa+ |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (340 g) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 2.4GHz/5GHz) |
| XLR Input | No |
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Sonos Move: $399.99 Discontinued Amazon $399.99 eBay
Newer model: the Sonos Move 2, ranked higher, rated 4.1/5, released Sep 2023. It adds power bank charging. Battery life goes from 11 to 24 hours. See every Sonos Move generation.
Pros: A well-integrated Sonos portable that combines Wi-Fi multiroom playback, Bluetooth, automatic Trueplay room tuning and a charging base in a sturdy carryable enclosure. Reviews praise its broad, full-bodied sound, warm tonal balance and weightier bass than smaller Sonos speakers, particularly at normal indoor listening levels. Measured bass extension of 49Hz (-10dB).
Cons: It is mono, heavy and less portable than a conventional Bluetooth speaker, while bass pumping and compression become audible at high volume. Deep bass and maximum output trail the strongest speakers in its size class, and the rolled-off treble sacrifices some air and detail. It is discontinued in favor of Sonos Move 2, so buy used with battery condition in mind.
Full Sonos Move review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2019 (7 years ago) |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 49Hz |
| Battery Life | 11 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9.4” x 6.3” x 5” (240 x 160 x 126 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 3.5” (89mm) mid-woofer + 1x downward-firing tweeter (tweeter size undisclosed by Sonos) |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP56 |
| Maximum SPL | 92dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C (requires USB-C PD 12v minimum) |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant (choose one) plus Sonos Voice Control |
| Weight | 6.6 lbs (3 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
- Links
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