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Speakers · Head to head

Amazon Echo (4th Gen) vs Sonos Era 300

Full Smart Speakers comparison in 2026

Updated October 2026
Data from Amazon and official Sonos site.
2026 verdict
Shoppers who want a speaker that also runs Zigbee and Thread devices should choose the Amazon Echo (4th Gen) over the Sonos Era 300.
Amazon Echo (4th Gen)
Winner
Amazon Echo (4th Gen)
$99.99
Buy on Amazon USACheck price
The Echo is a Zigbee coordinator, Thread border router and Matter bridge, reads motion and room temperature, can listen for glass breaking and smoke alarms with a subscription, has a 3.5 mm line-in built in, and costs a fraction of the Sonos. The Sonos Era 300 is the premium music speaker, built for Dolby Atmos spatial audio, with Google Home, Apple Home, SmartThings and full Home Assistant support, Sonos Voice Control next to Alexa and a one-year warranty against 90 days. Get the Amazon Echo (4th Gen) to control an Alexa home, and the Sonos Era 300 for immersive music in a Sonos system.
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FeatureAmazon Echo (4th Gen)Sonos Era 300Winner
Price$99.99$479.99Amazon Echo (4th Gen)
Rating4.74.6Amazon Echo (4th Gen)
Warranty90 days1 yearSonos Era 300
Connectivity2.4 GHz WiFi, 5 GHz WiFi, Bluetooth2.4 GHz WiFi, 5 GHz WiFi, Bluetooth, EthernetSonos Era 300
IntegrationsAlexa, Home AssistantGoogle Home, Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, Home AssistantSonos Era 300
HubZigbee Coordinator, Thread Border Router, Matter BridgeNoneAmazon Echo (4th Gen)
Voice AssistantAmazon AlexaAmazon Alexa, Sonos Voice ControlSonos Era 300
SensorsMotion, TemperatureNoneAmazon Echo (4th Gen)
AlertsGlass breaking, Smoke/CO alarmNoneAmazon Echo (4th Gen)

What the differences mean

Hub radios

The Amazon Echo (4th Gen) runs Zigbee, Thread and Matter devices by itself. The Sonos Era 300 has no hub radios, so it cannot replace a smart home hub.

Spatial audio

The Sonos Era 300 is built around upward and outward-firing drivers for Dolby Atmos, and its owners hear the height. The Amazon Echo (4th Gen) is a forward-firing speaker aimed at everyday listening.

Platforms

The Sonos Era 300 works with Google Home, Apple Home, SmartThings and Home Assistant besides Alexa. The Amazon Echo (4th Gen) is Alexa only with partial Home Assistant support.

Sensors and alerts

The Amazon Echo (4th Gen) has motion and temperature sensors and optional glass-break and smoke alarm listening. The Sonos Era 300 offers none of them.

Warranty

One year on the Sonos Era 300, 90 days on the Amazon Echo (4th Gen).

Which one to buy if

Winner
Amazon

Amazon Echo (4th Gen)

Prime exclusive deal
$99.99
Buy on Amazon USACheck price
  • + Price: $99.99
  • + Rating: 4.7
  • + Hub: Zigbee Coordinator, Thread Border Router, Matter Bridge
  • - Warranty: 90 days vs 1 year
  • - Connectivity: 2.4 GHz WiFi, 5 GHz WiFi, Bluetooth vs 2.4 GHz WiFi, 5 GHz WiFi, Bluetooth, Ethernet
Sonos

Sonos Era 300

Prime exclusive deal
$479.99
Buy on Amazon USACheck price
  • + Warranty: 1 year
  • + Connectivity: 2.4 GHz WiFi, 5 GHz WiFi, Bluetooth, Ethernet
  • + Integrations: Google Home, Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, Home Assistant
  • - Price: $479.99 vs $99.99
  • - Rating: 4.6 vs 4.7

What owners say

Owners of both are happy with the sound for what they paid and value the mic-off switch. Amazon Echo (4th Gen) owners, often coming from a Dot, call the jump in audio dramatic and use the speaker as their hub, but complain that Alexa misses the wake word while music plays and that the forward-firing sound makes placement matter. Sonos Era 300 owners describe Dolby Atmos with genuine height and width, quick setup and easy pairing with a Sonos Arc or Sub, and some place it near a relative with hearing loss to lift dialogue. Their complaints are the Sonos app, the adapter needed for line-in or Ethernet, occasional Bluetooth drops and touch controls that need a look.

Price history compared

Every price change of both, in the same store, so the gap between the two lines is what one costs more than the other.

  • Amazon Echo (4th Gen)
  • Sonos Era 300

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: Amazon Echo (4th Gen) or Sonos Era 300?

The Amazon Echo (4th Gen) wins for smart home control and value: it is a Zigbee, Thread and Matter hub with sensors, for much less. The Sonos Era 300 is the better speaker for spatial music and for homes on Apple Home or Google Home.

What is the biggest difference between the Amazon Echo (4th Gen) and the Sonos Era 300?

The Amazon Echo (4th Gen) is an Alexa hub that plays music; the Sonos Era 300 is a premium spatial audio speaker with no hub radios but broad platform support.

Does the Sonos Era 300 have a line-in like the Amazon Echo (4th Gen)?

Not built in. The Amazon Echo (4th Gen) has a 3.5 mm line-in, while the Sonos Era 300 needs the Sonos Line-In Adapter, sold separately.

Which voice assistants do the Amazon Echo (4th Gen) and the Sonos Era 300 support?

Both have Alexa. The Sonos Era 300 adds Sonos Voice Control. Neither supports Google Assistant or Siri.

Who should buy the Amazon Echo (4th Gen)?

Alexa households that want a capable speaker, a built-in smart home hub and sensor routines without a premium price.

Who should buy the Sonos Era 300?

Music lovers who want Dolby Atmos from one speaker, Sonos soundbar owners, and multi-platform homes.

Full comparison table

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