Bose Lifestyle Ultra vs Sonos Era 100: Which Smart Speaker Reigns Supreme? [2024 Review] (2026)

Bose's new home audio products are a direct challenge to Sonos, and the company's latest speaker, the Lifestyle Ultra, is a standout performer. The Ultra Speaker, priced at $299, is a sleek and powerful addition to any home entertainment setup. It boasts a unique design with a front-firing woofer, an up-firing driver, and a bass port, delivering impressive vocal clarity without harsh highs. The speaker's capacitive controls and support for Alexa Plus make it user-friendly and versatile.

One of the most intriguing aspects of the Ultra Speaker is its open and app-less approach to streaming. Instead of developing a dedicated Bose app, the company leverages existing apps like Apple Music and Spotify, allowing users to expand their streaming experience seamlessly. This strategy bypasses the complexities of integrating multiple streaming services into a single app, providing a more user-friendly and flexible solution.

The Ultra Soundbar, priced at $1,099, is a significant redesign that aims to enhance the overall audio experience. It features a combination of up-firing, wide-set, and proprietary Bose PhaseGuide drivers, delivering a wide soundscape with crisp vocal clarity. However, the soundbar's performance was somewhat underwhelming during the spice harvester evacuation scene from Dune, with a noticeable hole in the bass frequencies.

The Ultra Subwoofer, priced at $899, is a crucial component in addressing the bass frequency issue. When paired with the soundbar, it fills the frequency gap, resulting in a more balanced and immersive audio experience. The combination of the soundbar and subwoofer creates a powerful 7.1.4 Atmos system, capable of filling a room with rich and detailed sound.

Bose's new Lifestyle Collection, including the Ultra Speaker, Soundbar, and Subwoofer, shows great potential. The company's focus on open and app-less streaming, combined with its commitment to delivering high-quality audio, positions Bose as a strong competitor in the home audio market. With further developments and innovations, Bose is poised to offer a compelling alternative to Sonos, catering to the diverse needs of audio enthusiasts.