Google Home Speaker vs. Sonos Era 100: I tested both smart speakers and here's my advice

The Google Home Speaker, priced at $100, is Google's first new smart speaker in six years and serves as a hub for Google Home with Gemini built in. The Sonos Era 100 costs $220 and features Amazon Alexa. In terms of sound quality, the Sonos Era 100 wins due to its dual-angled tweeters, large midwoofer, and three Class-D amplifiers, delivering strong bass and clarity. The Google Home Speaker has a single 58mm driver. For smart home capabilities, Google wins because it is a Thread border router and Matter controller, while the Sonos Era 100 is not a hub and has limited Alexa integration. As an AI assistant, Google again wins because Gemini offers natural conversation and multi-request handling, whereas the Sonos Era 100 only has classic Alexa without Alexa+. The writer's choice depends on priorities: for AI and smart home, get Google; for sound quality, get Sonos. The writer personally uses an Era 100 with a Google TV Streamer for audio output and smart home control.