Winner
Updated November 2026
Data from the official Sonos site.
2026 verdict
Full-range music listening needs a speaker, which makes the Sonos Five the product that stands alone.
It has the 3.5 mm line-in, Ethernet, Alexa, Sonos Voice Control and the wide integration list, and it has no Bluetooth. The Sonos Sub Mini is the wireless subwoofer for bass under a Sonos speaker or soundbar: Ethernet and Wi-Fi, Home Assistant only, and no voice, no mic and no Bluetooth. It is the lower priced of the two when bass is the only gap. Buy the Sonos Five to play the music. Buy the Sonos Sub Mini to deepen a Sonos speaker you already have.
Connectivity
- Wi-Fi 2.4/5 GHz
- Ethernet
vs
Works with
Connectivity
- Wi-Fi 2.4/5 GHz
- Ethernet
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| Feature | Sonos Five | Sonos Sub Mini | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $599.00 | $497.00 | Sonos Sub Mini |
| Rating | 4.4 | 4.6 | Sonos Sub Mini |
| Integrations | Google Home, Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, Home Assistant | Home Assistant | Sonos Five |
| Voice Assistant | Amazon Alexa, Sonos Voice Control | None | Sonos Five |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year | Tie |
| Connectivity | 2.4 GHz WiFi, 5 GHz WiFi, Ethernet | 2.4 GHz WiFi, 5 GHz WiFi, Ethernet | Tie |
| Local Control | YES | YES | Tie |
What the differences mean
Full-range speaker versus bass module
The Sonos Five plays music on its own, with six amplifiers driving three woofers and three tweeters. The Sonos Sub Mini only adds low end to another Sonos speaker or soundbar. Without that partner, the sub has nothing to complete. They weigh almost the same, 6300 g and 6350 g, and they still do opposite jobs.
Voice and integrations
The Sonos Five has Alexa, Sonos Voice Control, a mic switch and playback buttons, and it joins Apple HomeKit, Google Home, SmartThings and Home Assistant. The Sonos Sub Mini has no voice assistant and no microphone, and Home Assistant is its only integration. You do not ask the sub a question.
Line-in versus no inputs
The Sonos Five has a native 3.5 mm line-in, so a turntable or CD player can feed it, plus Ethernet and Wi-Fi, and no Bluetooth. The Sonos Sub Mini has Ethernet and Wi-Fi, no Bluetooth and no line-in. A wired source belongs on the Five, not on the sub.
What you control on the box
The Sonos Five has physical volume and play and pause. The Sonos Sub Mini has none of those controls and no mic switch, because there is no mic. Setup and level live in the Sonos system it pairs with, which is also where owners say the tiny pairing code gets awkward.
Which one to buy if
- you need one box that plays a full track
The Sonos Five is the full-range speaker with voice control and a line-in. The Sonos Sub Mini cannot play music alone.
- an existing Sonos speaker needs deeper bass
The Sonos Sub Mini is the wireless subwoofer owners add under a Sonos speaker or soundbar. The Sonos Five is not a sub.
- a turntable should plug straight into the cabinet
The Sonos Five has a 3.5 mm line-in. The Sonos Sub Mini has no line input and no Bluetooth either.
- voice control from Alexa or Sonos has to live on the device
The Sonos Five has both assistants and a microphone switch. The Sonos Sub Mini has no microphone and no voice assistant.
Winner
$599.00
- + Integrations: Google Home, Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, Home Assistant
- + Voice Assistant: Amazon Alexa, Sonos Voice Control
- - Price: $599.00 vs $497.00
- - Rating: 4.4 vs 4.6
$497.00
- + Price: $497.00
- + Rating: 4.6
- - Integrations: Home Assistant vs Google Home, Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, Home Assistant
- - Voice Assistant: None vs Amazon Alexa, Sonos Voice Control
What owners say
Both sets of owners are talking about a Sonos system, not about a voice gadget that runs the lights. Sonos Five owners single out powerful, balanced sound, the line-in with a turntable, Trueplay and touch controls, and they note that one cabinet is still not a stereo pair. They complain there is no Bluetooth, and some still mention older Sonos app registration trouble. Sonos Sub Mini owners single out deep bass that lets the paired speaker play cleaner mids and highs, from force-canceling woofers, with no cables back to an amp. They complain the pairing code is hard to read and that some units failed to connect out of the box. They never mention a microphone, because the subwoofer does not have one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better overall: Sonos Five or Sonos Sub Mini?
The Sonos Five when you need a speaker. It plays full-range music, takes a line-in, and runs Alexa and Sonos Voice Control. The Sonos Sub Mini only adds wireless bass to a Sonos speaker or soundbar, and it is not a replacement for the Five.
What is the biggest difference between the Sonos Five and the Sonos Sub Mini?
The Sonos Five is a music speaker with voice, a 3.5 mm input and broad integrations. The Sonos Sub Mini is a subwoofer with Ethernet, no Bluetooth, no microphone and Home Assistant as its only listed integration. Similar weight, opposite roles.
Can the Sonos Sub Mini replace the Sonos Five?
No. The Sonos Sub Mini does not play a full track and has no voice assistant. It pairs with a Sonos speaker or soundbar to take the bass. The Sonos Five is that kind of full-range speaker, not a woofer.
Does the Sonos Sub Mini have Bluetooth or Alexa like the Sonos Five?
Neither product has Bluetooth. The Sonos Five has Alexa and Sonos Voice Control. The Sonos Sub Mini has no voice assistant and no microphone, so there is nothing to mute and nothing that answers.
Who should buy the Sonos Five?
Listeners who want a single powerful Sonos speaker, a turntable on the line-in, Ethernet, and Alexa or Sonos Voice Control, knowing one cabinet is not a stereo pair.
Who should buy the Sonos Sub Mini?
Owners of a Sonos speaker or soundbar in a small or mid-size room who want wireless bass and already have something else to play the mids and highs.
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