Sonos Ray
A one-job tool (dialogue clarity) that does that job brilliantly; limited, but honestly priced for what it is.
Consolidated from 45 cited sources across 41 outlets
Where the cited sources landed, as we read them
- 28 positive sources
- 15 neutral sources
- 1 unconvinced source
1 of 6 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. A trap is a product buyers genuinely cross-shop but should not buy, ranked honestly alongside the real picks rather than dropped to the bottom. Why the boards include them
We may earn a commission if you buy through this link.
Pros & cons
- ✓ Outstanding dialogue clarity per dollar
- ✓ The honest answer for someone who just wants to hear voices better without spending big
- ✓ What Hi-Fi? rank it #3 in their budget guide
- ✗ No HDMI
- ✗ No Atmos
- ✗ A specialist tool, not an all-rounder
The sources behind this ranking
We searched the web and YouTube for what has been published about this product, then read the articles, video transcripts and comments we found.
Evidence 8 articles, 36 video reviews and 1 community source
28 positive sources
If all that is too much for your mother: the SONOS S36 (Assuming it is "SONOS Ray S36") is technically their lower tier and usually paired with additional speakers to give really high quality surround sound, but it should be a massive improvement from the TV speakers even if stand-alone. However, depending on what site is hosting the seller, and the state of the internet, be very diligent in makinRead H
Discover the design, features, and performance of this compact yet powerful audio device. We’ll walk you through the setup process, explore its sound quality, and discuss how it fits into your home entertainment system.Watch E
The Sonos Ray is our pick of the best budget small soundbar as it offers an affordable way to start a Sonos system. It can be set up easily using the Sonos app and offers clear and balanced sound. At 56cm wide it will fit easily into tight spaces, but its small footprint doesn't mean lacklustre internals. Two tweeters and two midwoofers do a good job at delivering wider sound.Read E
Designed to be tucked into a media cabinet, and able to network with other Sonos speakers, it's not a bad choice for anyone looking for an upgrade over their TV speakers.Watch S
If you’re looking for a clean, compact, and stylish sound upgrade that doesn’t demand a second mortgage, the Sonos Ray hits a sweet spot. It’s particularly ideal if your priority is clearer dialogue, better music playback, and seamless integration with the Sonos ecosystem. For budget-conscious users and smaller rooms, it’s a strong “sweet-spot” choice in 2025.Watch H
My ownership experience was a sonos ray soundbar review.Watch W
In practice, the Ray proved to be a plucky and likeable soundbar that scored four stars in our AV testing room. We approved of its "excellent vocal clarity", "detailed high end", and "punchy, forthright projection". We agreed that Sonos had fulfilled its brief to deliver a simple yet effective soundbar to replace your TV's speakers.Read A
If you’ve been wanting to own a Sonos speaker but haven’t been able to, well this Sonos Ray would be a very compelling option as it comes with a price of only RM1,799!Watch S
Compact and unobtrusive, the Sonos Ray is the ideal solution for significantly improving a TV’s sound without cluttering up the living room. It delivers clearer dialogue, more defined voices, and more precise sound reproduction than a TV’s built-in drivers, all while maintaining a design that’s easy to install under the TV.Read C
The Sonos Ray sound bar is a compact stereo setup that'll make your TV and movies sound a lot better, plus it's a Sonos speaker and can become another zone in your Sonos system. It's small, affordable, and delivers big sound despite its compact size.Watch N
This is the Sonos Ray and it’s the perfect budget sound bar. It sounds incredible for how little it is. Every TV setup should have a Sonos Ray since it’s got AirPlay 2 built in! No Dolby Atmos. This is my review.Watch J
Here are 5 Reasons to Get It! A great addition to your TV.Watch A
We're already big fans of Sonos because of their ability to connect speakers together, but the Sonos Ray is a game changer because it's incredible as a standalone product that also allows you to scale up over time with other Sonos speakers.Watch N
But hey - it does sound good and has all of the usual Sonos features.Watch B
There are a lot of different scenarios where the Sonos Ray sound bar would be a great choice for your home. If you just want to boost the volume on your TV or want an easy-to-use sound bar with audio adjustments when you're in the mood to switch things up, the Sonos Ray will be a sleek addition to your small home theatre space.Watch V
Richer, more balanced audio than any standalone soundbar in its class. The crisp dialogue so you can always follow the story. Unique compact design perfect for placing in your TV stand. Zero-stress setup with only two cables and help from the Sonos app. Works with just about any TV. Connect to Wi-Fi at home for uninterrupted streaming and easy app control.Watch V
Richer, more balanced audio than any standalone soundbar in its class. The crisp dialogue so you can always follow the story. Unique compact design perfect for placing in your TV stand. Zero-stress setup with only two cables and help from the Sonos app. Works with just about any TV. Connect to Wi-Fi at home for uninterrupted streaming and easy app control.Watch T
If you searching for the inexpensive, but good quality sound bar, search no more. This could be it. Let's unbox it. Ray. Sonos. Ray. The whole packaging is premium. It's like opening an iPhone, maybe even better. Wow. Accessories. Wow, look at the packaging. Beautiful. Cable. What is that cable? Okay, it's a regular cable. Well, maybe not regular. A little bit different in the end. Sonos.Watch T
From its seamless integration with your existing Sonos ecosystem to its impressive audio quality and customizable settings, we’ll discuss how the Sonos Ray delivers exceptional sound for movies, music, and more.Watch L
We've tested the Sonos Ray soundbar and we think it's a great product! The sound quality is amazing and the Sonos app is super easy to use. If you're looking for a soundbar that will enhance your audio experience, the Sonos Ray is a great option to consider!Watch V
The brand debuted Sonos Ray, a compact soundbar with impressive sound for smaller spaces and as with all Sonos products, the brand’s newest speakers deliver great sound that helps you play more, hear more and feel more, whether at home or on-the-go.Watch C
Sonos Ray is Company’s Most Versatile SpeakerWatch P
The Sonos Ray is one of the most talked-about compact soundbars of the year, promising clear dialogue and impressive sound for a lower price point.Watch G
Upgrade your home entertainment setup with the Sonos Ray, a sleek and compact soundbar that delivers crystal-clear sound for your TV and music. Designed to fit seamlessly into any space, the Ray brings balanced audio, crisp dialogue, and impressive bass—all without taking over your living room.Watch G
Perfect for bedrooms, apartments, or small living rooms, the Sonos Ray delivers powerful audio in a compact package while keeping your entertainment space clean and stylish.Watch B
First off, Sonos has nailed the design. Once again, the Ray looks clean, minimal, and fits seamlessly under pretty much any TV. It's compact but not cheap looking. Matte black finish, smooth grill, and that signature Sonos simplicity that just feels premium. Even though it's small, it still carries that punch Sonos is known for. When it comes to setup, Sonos makes it incredibly easy.Watch T
Perfect for enhancing your home audio experience, the Sonos Ray delivers crisp dialogue, rich bass, and dynamic sound for TV, music, and gaming. Its minimalist design fits seamlessly into any space while providing an immersive audio experience. Enjoy easy control with Bluetooth, voice assistants, and the Sonos app.Watch S
It delivers a rich, immersive stereo experience that makes every movie night feel like a private screening. If you are looking for a Sonos Ray for music, you will love the balanced, crisp highs, and surprisingly punchy bass that fills smaller rooms effortlessly. Many users find that it completely negates the need for a bulky subwoofer in tight spaces.Watch
15 neutral sources
The main issue I've seen with reliability (I haven't experienced it myself, but after troubleshooting with customers) has been related to bad optical cables or loose connections , both of which are cheap and easy enough to remedy, if needed. To be up front: your intuition is correct.Read thread D
Or in trying to achieve a lower price, did Sonos leave too much on the table? Let’s check it out.Watch T
Cheaper rivals offer HDMI connections, and this may frustrate some people. And if you’re looking for Dolby Atmos support and can spare a little more money, the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) might be a better option. When it comes to playing music, though, you won’t find a better cheap soundbar.Read A
It boasts great features like Wi-Fi connectivity, Trueplay tuning, and AirPlay 2 support. Plus you can add additional surround speakers if you so choose. But it isn't perfect.Watch H
The Sonos Ray represents premium value through sophisticated processing and build quality in a refined package, though you get less hardware for your investment.Read M
The Sonos Ray does have one downfall that could be a deal breaker for some of you out there but thankfully its fantastic sound quality really makes up for it!Watch H
Compact and catered more towards small spaces, the Sonos Ray is the most affordable soundbar in Sonos' range.Read D
When it comes to the mids, at times I did find myself wanting for a bit more and as a result I found myself having to listen at a slightly higher volume. Don’t let it’s size fool you, the Ray gets loud! 40% is plenty for normal listening in my medium sized living room. I haven’t had to listen to higher than around 60% volume, impressive! Now to the only downside when it comes to sound, soundstage.Watch G
And overall, this soundbar sounds good, it looks good, you can build it out, and it has a lot of features… but it is a little confusing. Nonetheless, if you're looking for small and affordable soundbar for your bedroom or very small living room, lets see what the Sonos Ray is all about.Watch G
But the Sonos Ray does have its drawbacks. And then theres the Bose TV Speaker which is actually one of the most popular soundbars out there. And then theres the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus which is another solid 3.1 soundbar to consider. So today we’re going to see how these three entry level soundbars stack up to enter another and we’re going to see which one is right for you.Watch S
After seeing the specs, we had our concerns but the Ray has pleasantly surprised us and we can see how this might be the best choice for certain people and certain scenarios. Check out our review to see if the Sonos Ray might be right for you.Watch B
However, it also has some limitations and drawbacks that may make it less appealing for some users. If you're looking for a soundbar that can really shake your room, you'll need to add a subwoofer.Watch C
While the price may be a bit steep for some, the value lies in the superior sound quality and ease of use.Watch C
The primary benefit of the Sonos Ray is its clear, dynamic sound output, which is optimized for vocal clarity and music performance. By integrating seamlessly into the broader Sonos Wi-Fi ecosystem, it allows for easy grouping with other Sonos products to expand your listening experience across the home.Watch C
The primary benefit of the Sonos Ray is its clear, dynamic sound output, which is optimized for vocal clarity and music performance. By integrating seamlessly into the broader Sonos Wi-Fi ecosystem, it allows for easy grouping with other Sonos products to expand your listening experience across the home.Watch
1 unconvinced source
Frequently asked questions
It ranks #14 (F tier) on our consolidated soundbars board, drawn from 45 cited sources across 41 outlets.
No HDMI. No Atmos. A specialist tool, not an all-rounder.
On our soundbars board, Sonos Beam (Gen 2) ranks #9 (C tier) ahead of Sonos Ray at #14 (F tier). Sonos Beam (Gen 2): Compact but reliable; firmware updates are regular, yet its smaller driver set limits longevity in high-end use cases.
On our soundbars board, Bose Smart Soundbar 600 ranks #13 (F tier) ahead of Sonos Ray at #14 (F tier). Bose Smart Soundbar 600: Good sound but Bose’s firmware is slow to roll out new features; some users report early hardware failures after 18 months.
Ranked nearby in Soundbars
S tier #1 Samsung HW-Q990F
A tier #2 Samsung HW-Q990H
A tier #3 Samsung HW-Q800F
C tier #9 Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
C tier #10 2 of 3 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Focal Mu-so Hekla
D tier #11 2 of 8 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Hisense AX5140Q
F tier #12 1 of 6 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Marshall Heston 120
F tier #13 1 of 7 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Bose Smart Soundbar 600
F tier #15 2 of 7 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Sony HT-G700
F tier #16 2 of 5 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick.