These sit in different size classes, so this is not a straight ranking comparison. The Amazon Echo Dot Max ranks #5 of 14 powered desktop speakers by sound quality at $89.99; the Sonos Move ranks #30 of 105 large speakers by sound quality at $399.99.
Why pick the Amazon Echo Dot Max: Engadget’s direct verdict against the base Echo Dot: “it’s worth stepping up to the Dot Max over the standard Dot” for sound, since it’s louder and bassier from a 2.5-inch woofer plus a dedicated tweeter rather than one small full-range driver. It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the Sonos Move lacks. It links with other speakers (Wi-Fi multi-room, Alexa Home Theater), which the Sonos Move cannot. Watch for: Engadget’s main complaint was that it is a real step down from the discontinued Amazon Echo (4th Gen) it effectively replaces at the same price: that older speaker paired a 3-inch woofer with dual 0.8-inch tweeters, against the Dot Max’s single 2.5-inch woofer and one tweeter, and frequencies felt smushed together without a clean bass-to-treble separation.
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 Max needs an outlet. It is rated IP56, while the Amazon Echo Dot Max has no water resistance. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Amazon Echo Dot Max 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 no longer sold new, but at #30 of 105 large speakers by sound quality it still outranks most current models, so used is worth considering. The Sonos Move’s replacement, the Sonos Move 2, is still sold new.
Buy the Amazon Echo Dot Max ($89.99) 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 Max | Sonos Move | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $89.99 each | $399.99 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #5 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 Home Theater) | No |
| Power Input | External AC adapter | USB-C (requires USB-C PD 12v minimum) |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes |
| App | Yes (Alexa) | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (far-field, mic mute) | Yes |
| EQ | No | No |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| TWS | Yes (Wi-Fi stereo pairing via Alexa app) | Yes |
| Drivers | 2.5in woofer, 1x tweeter | 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 4.4” x 4.9” (99 x 112 x 124 mm) | 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, Pandora, iHeartRadio, SiriusXM, TuneIn | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 49Hz |
| Weight | - | 6.6 lbs (3 kg) |
| Omnidirectional | - | No |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 4.2 |
| Maximum SPL | - | 92dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Digital Aux Input | - | No |
| Strap | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Sonos Move:
- JBL Xtreme 5 vs Sonos Move
- Brane X vs Sonos Move
- Sonos Move vs Soundcore Boom 2
- Marshall Stockwell II vs Sonos Move
- Harman Kardon Citation 200 vs Sonos Move
Prices on this page were last checked October 15, 2026 at 5:41 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Amazon Echo Dot Max: $89.99 each Amazon $89.99 eBay
Same family: the Amazon Echo Studio 2nd Gen (larger model, ranked higher, rated 3.8/5).
Pros: Engadget’s direct verdict against the base Echo Dot: “it’s worth stepping up to the Dot Max over the standard Dot” for sound, since it’s louder and bassier from a 2.5-inch woofer plus a dedicated tweeter rather than one small full-range driver. RTINGS names it their best budget Alexa speaker, finding the microphone excellent at picking up commands from a distance or in noise, with a balanced midrange for accurate voices, consistent sound across listening angles, and sound quality it calls good for the price. It supports Alexa+ and Alexa Home Theater pairing with a Fire TV Stick.
Cons: Engadget’s main complaint was that it is a real step down from the discontinued Amazon Echo (4th Gen) it effectively replaces at the same price: that older speaker paired a 3-inch woofer with dual 0.8-inch tweeters, against the Dot Max’s single 2.5-inch woofer and one tweeter, and frequencies felt smushed together without a clean bass-to-treble separation. RTINGS’ one listed con is that the wired-only design means you cannot carry it around. There is no 3.5mm input, no battery, and Bluetooth is limited to SBC and AAC.
Full Amazon Echo Dot Max review and specifications →
| Released | Oct 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| App | Yes (Alexa) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | No Battery |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (far-field, mic mute) |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.9” x 4.4” x 4.9” (99 x 112 x 124 mm) |
| Drivers | 2.5in woofer, 1x tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| HDMI Input | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Inputs | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
| Optical Input | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room, Alexa Home Theater) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | External AC adapter |
| RCA Input | No |
| Stereo | No |
| Streaming Services | Amazon Music, Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, iHeartRadio, SiriusXM, TuneIn |
| TRS Input | No |
| TWS | Yes (Wi-Fi stereo pairing via Alexa app) |
| USB Input | No |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa / Alexa+ |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Amazon Echo Dot Max vs Denon Home 150
- Amazon Echo Dot Max vs Marshall Acton IV
- Amazon Echo Dot Max vs Amazon Echo Studio 2nd Gen
- Amazon Echo Dot Max vs Amazon Echo (4th Gen)
- Amazon Echo Dot Max vs Google Nest Audio
- Amazon Echo Dot Max vs Apple HomePod Mini
- Amazon Echo Dot Max vs Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen
- Amazon Echo Dot Max vs Google Home Speaker
- See all 30 comparisons
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
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Smart Home Sounds: Sonos Move 1 Vs Move 2: What’s The Difference? More from Smart Home Sounds →
- Smart Home Sounds: Best Premium Bluetooth Speakers: Sonos Move, JBL Xtreme 3, Marshall Middleton & More…
- Ezekielo: JBL Xtreme 2 vs Sonos Move with Sound Comparison
- NeverEnoughTech: soundcore Motion X600 vs. Sonos Move vs. Bose Soundlink Revolve II
- Head-to-Head Comparisons