Amazon Echo (4th Gen) vs Sonos Sub Mini

The Amazon Echo (4th Gen) is better as a smart speaker: it plays music on its own, runs Alexa, acts as a Zigbee and Thread hub, and includes temperature and motion sensors. The Sonos Sub Mini is a wireless subwoofer with no voice assistant or microphone, so it only makes sense as an add-on, though it does carry a longer 1-year warranty.

The Sonos Sub Mini is a subwoofer, not a standalone speaker. It has no voice assistant, no microphone and cannot play audio by itself; it deepens the bass of a Sonos soundbar or speaker. The Echo (4th Gen) is a full smart speaker and Zigbee/Thread hub that works on its own.

No. The Sub Mini requires an existing Sonos speaker or soundbar to pair with and has no microphone or voice control, so it cannot answer questions or stream music alone. The Echo (4th Gen) works as a complete speaker and smart home hub by itself.

Anyone who wants a standalone Alexa smart speaker that also serves as a Zigbee and Thread hub with a temperature sensor. It is the right choice for voice control and smart home use in a single device.

Existing Sonos owners who want to add deep, room-filling bass to a Beam, Arc, Five or Era speaker without the size of the full Sonos Sub. It is a bass companion, not a smart speaker, and comes with a 1-year warranty.