Short answer: the Sonos Play if sound quality matters most, the Soundcore 3 if price matters most. The Sonos Play ranks #54 of 157 medium speakers, rated 3.5/5, at $299. The Soundcore 3 ranks #62, rated 3.4/5, at $59.99, $239.01 cheaper.
The Soundcore 3 is the lighter choice. Identical in acoustic design and performance to the retailer variant Soundcore Select 2. At 0.8 lbs (372 g) it weighs much less than the Sonos Play at 2.9 lbs (1.3 kg). It links with other speakers (PartyCast up to 100 speakers), which the Sonos Play cannot. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Sonos Play lacks.
The case for the Sonos Play: Genuinely wide, clean stereo dispersion off-axis thanks to the two angled tweeters, holding up from the side far better than most portables. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Soundcore 3 lacks. Watch for: 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 Soundcore 3 when the price outweighs sound quality for you, and the Sonos Play when sound quality outweighs the price instead.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Soundcore 3 | Sonos Play | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $59.99 | $299.00 |
| Ranked | #62 of 157 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #54 of 157 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Latency | 180ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) | No |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (372 g) | 2.9 lbs (1.3 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 6.9” x 2.2” x 2.3” (174 x 57 x 59 mm) | 7.6” x 4.4” x 3” (192.3 x 112.5 x 76.7 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | 16W | - |
| Drivers | 2x 38mm (1.5”) titanium diaphragm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators | mid-woofer, 2x angled tweeters |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) | SBC |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Strap | No | - |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
| Voice Assistants | - | Amazon Alexa (Sonos Voice Control also built in) |
| Power Bank | - | No |
| Wi-Fi | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Sonos Play:
- Earfun Uboom L vs Sonos Play
- Sonos Play vs Soundcore Motion 300
- Minirig 4 vs Sonos Play
- B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen vs Sonos Play
- Sonos Play vs JBL Charge 6
Prices on this page were last checked October 2, 2026 at 10:18 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
Soundcore 3: $59.99 Amazon eBay
Older model: the Soundcore 2 (ranked lower, rated 3/5).
Pros: Soundcore 3 uses 2x 38mm (1.5”) titanium diaphragm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators. Its 372 g, claimed 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IPX7 protection, up to 99dB and stereo playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. Identical in acoustic design and performance to the retailer variant Soundcore Select 2. Measured bass extension of 60Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its 60Hz specification.
Full Soundcore 3 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 16W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 180ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.9” x 2.2” x 2.3” (174 x 57 x 59 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 38mm (1.5”) titanium diaphragm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (372 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Sonos Play: $299.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: Genuinely wide, clean stereo dispersion off-axis thanks to the two angled tweeters, holding up from the side far better than most portables. Loudness processing keeps it sounding full-bodied at low volume. 24-hour user-replaceable battery with an included wireless charging base, IP67 waterproof and dustproof, and full Sonos WiFi multi-room with AirPlay 2 on top of Bluetooth 5.3.
Cons: 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. Sounds boxy and short on clarity next to cheaper competitors.
Full Sonos Play review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.6” x 4.4” x 3” (192.3 x 112.5 x 76.7 mm) |
| Drivers | mid-woofer, 2x angled tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa (Sonos Voice Control also built in) |
| Weight | 2.9 lbs (1.3 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sonos Play vs Bose Soundlink Revolve
- Sonos Play vs Tribit Stormbox Flow
- Sonos Play vs Bose SoundLink Revolve (Series II)
- Sonos Play vs Tronsmart Element Force
- Sonos Play vs JBL Charge 4
- Sonos Play vs Bose Soundlink Revolve+
- Sonos Play vs Bose Soundlink Revolve+ II
- Sonos Play vs Bogasing M5
- See all 97 comparisons