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Sonos’ portable Bluetooth speakers are great additions to a seasoned Sonos fan’s system and a solid option for less dedicated customers who want easy access to the Sonos ecosystem.
Unlike the company’s wired smart speakers, the Sonos Play and Move 2 are designed to live outside of Sonos’ tight ecosystem from time to time, making them worthy competitors to JBL and Bose contemporaries.
Also: Sonos Play review: This portable Wi-Fi speaker may be Sonos’ greatest hit yet
It’s easy to think there’s not much difference between the Play and Move 2 aside from size and price, but there are more factors to consider before making a decision.
Specifications
| Sonos Play | Sonos Move 2 | |
| Battery life | Up to 24 hours | Up to 24 hours |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi; Bluetooth; AirPlay | Wi-Fi; Bluetooth; AirPlay |
| Weight | 2.87 lbs | 6.61 lbs |
| Durability rating | IP67 (dustproof and waterproof) | IP56 (dust-protected and water-resistant) |
| Wired options | USB-C; line-in; Ethernet (adapters sold separately) | USB-C; line-in; Ethernet (adapters sold separately) |
| Price | $299 | $499 |
You should buy the Sonos Play if…
1. Your adventures go beyond your property line
The Sonos Play is more equipped for outdoor adventures than the Move 2, thanks to its durability rating. Sonos fitted the Play speaker with an IP67 rating, meaning it is dustproof and can withstand immersion in up to about three feet of water for 30 minutes.
Additionally, the Play speaker is smaller and lighter than the Move 2, making it a great choice for bringing big, loud sound to parks and outdoor gatherings.
Review: Sonos Play
The Move 2 has an IP56 durability rating, making it dust-protected but not safe for accidental submersion in water. Its larger frame and more internal acoustic components make it nearly four pounds heavier than the Play and more difficult to lug around.
2. Bose and JBL don’t excite you
If the JBL Charge 6 and Bose SoundLink Plus don’t float your boat for whatever reason, the Sonos Play may be more appealing. Like its counterparts from Bose and JBL, the Sonos Play features dust- and waterproof durability ratings, reverse USB-C charging, a speaker grouping mode, and a three-pound frame for easy portability.
Also: Two years later, should you still buy the Sonos Ace? Why my answer is a resounding yes
However, the Sonos Play offers Wi-Fi connectivity, a feature that both Bose and JBL midrange portable speakers lack. Over Wi-Fi, the Sonos Play offers higher-quality audio streaming and interoperability with other Sonos speakers.
You should buy the Sonos Move 2 if…
1. You’re not ready for an Era speaker
The Sonos Move 2 speaker is the final step before venturing into Sonos’ line of powered smart home speakers. The Era 100 and Era 300 speakers offer similar audio features to the Sonos Move 2, including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, Apple AirPlay compatibility, adjustable EQ, Sonos Voice Assistant, and TruePlay.
Also: How to improve your Sonos soundbar’s audio performance – 3 easy and free ways
The Era 100 speaker and the Move 2 share the same acoustic structure, comprised of three Class-D amplifiers, two tweeters, and one midwoofer. However, the Era speakers require a permanent connection to a power source, while the Move 2 can move (no pun intended) between rooms and environments.
2. You host more than you attend
The Move 2 is a bulky portable speaker, with a 10-inch by 6-inch by 5-inch frame and weighing over six pounds. As a result, it’s not an easy speaker to take on a day trip or through the airport, but it is great for resting on your patio or countertop while entertaining guests or having a solo jam session.
Also: Should you buy a Sonos or Samsung sound system? I compared both brands to find out
The Move 2’s acoustic structure is more advanced than the Play’s, making it better suited for more critical listening, delivering tighter bass and increased audio separation. Its refined sound, coupled with its less portable stature, makes it best suited for listening around your house.
Writer’s choice
I prefer the Sonos Play over the Sonos Move 2. I only have three rooms in my house, and they all use a Sonos soundbar as a smart speaker. Therefore, the Play is the best option for me, as I can take it into rooms without Sonos speakers, such as my kitchen or bathroom, while staying connected to and switching between my other Sonos speakers.
Additionally, the Play speaker is much easier to take outside my house than the Move 2, and it’s sufficient for me to use while lounging on my small outdoor patio.
