JBL vs Sonos Audio Systems

JBL and Sonos both make Bluetooth-capable speakers, but Sonos is built around whole-home streaming. JBL's options here include the GO 4 at £39.99, the CHARGE 6 at £169 in white or red, and the Partybox Club 120 at £329. Sonos offers the ROAM2 WiFi and Bluetooth speaker at £179 in black or white, and a two-room bundle of ERA 100 Immersive speakers at £374 in either colour.

The main technical divide is connectivity. Sonos home speakers use WiFi for full features, the ROAM2 switches to Bluetooth when you are out, and the ERA 100 pair plays music from one app across rooms. JBL is Bluetooth-focused, with Auracast linking on newer models for bigger sound, and its waterproof designs suit outdoor use. The Partybox has no counterpart in the Sonos pair, so anyone wanting party sound and lights is better served by JBL.

JBL suits travel, the garden or beach, and anyone hosting loud parties. The CHARGE 6 suits outdoor users who need waterproof protection, and the GO 4 is a compact, inexpensive pocket speaker. Sonos suits buyers building a multi-room home, starting with one speaker and adding more rooms over time. The ROAM2 doubles as a portable option, while the ERA 100 bundle gives two rooms immersive sound, provided WiFi covers both areas. Anyone mixing both needs can use JBL for outdoor sound and Sonos for the house, since the two brands do not compete for the same job. The cheapest JBL also costs a fraction of the ROAM2.

Bottom line: choose JBL if you need portable, waterproof or party sound, starting from £39.99; choose Sonos if you want music in several rooms through one app, with the ROAM2 at £179 or the ERA 100 pair at £374 as entry points.