Sonos One (Gen 2)

The Sonos One (Gen 2) is a solid choice if you're in the market for a smart speaker that doesn’t skimp on sound quality. Scoring a respectable 95 out of 100, it’s hard to argue with the hype surrounding it. At £219, it's not the cheapest option out there, but you’re definitely getting what you pay for.

First off, the audio quality is brilliant. It delivers a rich, balanced sound that can fill a room without distorting, even at higher volumes. The multi-room capabilities are a standout feature. If you’re already in the Sonos ecosystem or thinking of diving in, you can easily connect multiple speakers for a seamless audio experience throughout your home.

It also supports both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, which is great if you’ve got a preference for one or the other. The six built-in microphones do a decent job of picking up voice commands, even with background noise, which is a plus when you’re trying to control your smart home devices or just ask for the weather.

On the downside, while it’s compact and stylish, it doesn’t have an auxiliary input or a built-in battery, which can be a bit limiting if you want to use it outside of your home. Also, being a smart speaker, it relies heavily on a stable Wi-Fi connection. If your internet’s a bit dodgy, you might find it frustrating at times.

In terms of value for money, it sits in that premium category, but considering the sound quality and features, it feels justified. If you’re after an all-round performer that looks good and sounds even better, the Sonos One (Gen 2) is worth considering, just be aware of its limitations.