These are not really the same size class, and that is the honest framing here. The Apple HomePod 2nd Gen ranks #5 of 29 powered desktop speakers by sound quality at $349; the Sonos Play ranks #56 of 178 medium speakers by sound quality at $299.
The case for the Apple HomePod 2nd Gen: A compact smart speaker with natural, spacious sound that tunes itself to the room, ideal for Apple Music and AirPlay users. It links with other speakers (AirPlay 2 multi-room), which the Sonos Play cannot. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Sonos Play lacks. The tradeoff: What Hi-Fi’s own comparison found the pricier Sonos Era 300 has more power, punch and detail, and Siri cannot launch Spotify, Tidal or other non-Apple services directly, only Apple Music by voice; everything else has to be sent over AirPlay from a phone.
The Sonos Play is the battery-powered, tougher option. A Wi-Fi and Bluetooth portable with wide stereo sound, a long lasting swappable battery, waterproofing and full Sonos multiroom support. Its battery is rated for 24 hours, while the Apple HomePod 2nd Gen needs an outlet. It is rated IP67, while the Apple HomePod 2nd Gen has no water resistance. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Apple HomePod 2nd Gen lacks. The tradeoff: Bass distorts noticeably on bass-heavy tracks at default settings, and the distortion persists even after enabling Trueplay tuning and manually pulling bass back in the app.
Buy the Apple HomePod 2nd Gen at $349 if you want a powered desktop speaker. Buy the Sonos Play at $299 if you want a medium speaker instead.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings and Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
A compact smart speaker with natural, spacious sound that tunes itself to the room, ideal for Apple Music and AirPlay users.
A Wi-Fi and Bluetooth portable with wide stereo sound, a long lasting swappable battery, waterproofing and full Sonos multiroom support.
Prices on this page were last checked November 5, 2026 at 10:30 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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Specifications Side By Side
| Apple HomePod 2nd Gen | Sonos Play | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $349.00 each | $299.00 |
| Ranked | #5 of 29 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #56 of 178 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (AirPlay 2 multi-room) | No |
| Power Input | External AC adapter (detachable cable) | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Weight | 5.1 lbs (2.3 kg) | 2.9 lbs (1.3 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes |
| App | Yes (Apple Home) | Yes |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (far-field array, no physical mute switch) | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (Reduce Bass toggle + automatic room correction) | No |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| TWS | Yes (stereo pairing via Home app) | Yes |
| Drivers | 4in high-excursion woofer, 5x horn-loaded tweeters | mid-woofer, 2x angled tweeters |
| Inputs | Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2 | - |
| 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 | No | Yes |
| Dimensions | 6.7” x 5.6” x 5.6” (170 x 142 x 142 mm) | 7.6” x 4.4” x 3” (192.3 x 112.5 x 76.7 mm) |
| Voice Assistants | Apple Siri | Amazon Alexa (Sonos Voice Control also built in) |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay 2, Apple Music (direct voice control); other services via AirPlay only | - |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.3 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC |
| Omnidirectional | - | No |
| Digital Aux Input | - | No |
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