Sonos Play 5 vs Bose SoundTouch 30… here’s a showdown. What makes you want to buy the SoundTouch 30 over the Sonos Play 5, or the Play 5 over the SoundTouch 30 by Bose? Let’s answer that in this side by side comparison report.
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Comparison Chart: Sonos Play 5 vs Bose SoundTouch 30
To jumpstart this Sonos Play 5 vs Bose SoundTouch 30 report, let’s start with a side-by-side comparison table, let’s take a look at how the Play 5 differs from the SoundTouch 30.
| Brand |  |
 |
| Model | Sonos PLAY:5 | Bose SoundTouch 30 |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, AUX | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AUX |
| Water Proofing | Humidity resistant only | No |
| Voice Control | Yes | Yes |
| Drivers | 6 | data not provided |
| Multiple orientations | Yes | No |
| Remote Control | No | Yes |
| App | Sonos app | Soundtouch app |
| Display Screen | No | Yes (time, song and information) |
| Presets | None | 6 |
| Weight | 14.0 lb (6.36 kg) | 18.5 lb (8.39 kg) |
| Dimensions | 8.03″H x 14.33″W x 6.06″D (20.3 x 36.4 x 15.4 cm) | 9.7″H x 17.1″W x 7.1″D (24.7 cm x 43.5 cm x 18.1 cm) |
| Inside the Box | PLAY:5, power cord, Ethernet cable, QuickStart Guide, and Legal booklet | SoundTouch 30 music system, remote control, power cord, USB cable |
Key Differences
Based on the chart presented above, there’s a few key differences between these two popular brands of wireless music/speaker system. Let’s take a look at them one by one.
Also read: Bose Soundlink Revolve Plus vs UE Megaboom, Which is Better?
Size and Weight
First up, these speakers are big! But when it comes to who’s heavier and bulkier, it’s obviously the SoundTouch 30, and with the noticeable difference, you’d want to give this aspect some serious thought. Questions you should be asking yourself include how much space you’re willing to allot for the speaker, and how often you intend to transport it from one place to another (if at all).
SoundTouch 30 is heavier and bulkier by how much? In terms of weight, it’s 3.5 kg more than the Play 5. In height, it’s about 2 inches taller than the Play 5. It’s also more than 2.5 inches wider.
Appearance
This is where the Play 5 wins over the SoundTouch 30. To sum it up, the Play 5 comes with an elegant-looking exterior as compared with the much bulkier SoundTouch 30.
Overall, the Play 5 has a more aluminum-type finish while the SoundTouch 30 has more of the mesh-type finish. In the long run, the SoundTouch 30 is a dust-catcher, so this is something you’d want to think about.
Also read: JBL Charge 3 vs UE Megaboom, Battle of Bluetooth Speakers
Advantage of SoundTouch 30
Not only is the SoundTouch 30 bigger and heavier, but it’s also more action-packed.
First, it has a nice display screen that allows you to see a few bits of information such as the song currently played. In comparison, the Play 5 doesn’t have this feature.
Second, it comes with 6 preset locations that allow you to save your favorite songs and play them from the app. Play 5 doesn’t have this feature.
Third, it comes with a remote control. Play 5 doesn’t.
Fourth, the SoundTouch 30 comes with a removable power cord, which is unlike with the Play 5.
Advantages of Sonos Play 5
What does the Play 5 have that the SoundTouch 30 doesn’t?
First, with the Play 5, you can stand it tall or set it on its side, something that you can’t do with the SoundTouch 30.
Second, the SoundTouch 30 doesn’t have a play/pause button. That means you rely on the app installed on your smartphone if you want to stop or pause playing music. Obviously, this can be a disadvantage.
In this video the uploader gives this important observation:
With the SoundTouch 30, you’ll get great sound. But when it comes to usability, the Sonos Play 5 has more “usable features.” For some reason, you cannot add or reduce bass or treble with the SoundTouch 30, but with the Play 5, you can.
With the Sonos Play 5, you can pair it with your sub to give you mind-blowing sound output. You can also use it as a rear speaker.
When it comes to music stations supported, the SoundTouch 30 can support only 7 stations while the Play 5 can go as high as 70.
Connectivity
Let’s put this as a separate category because we’d like to highlight one important difference between these two speaker brands.
When it comes to connectivity, the SoundTouch 30 has more – Wifi, Bluetooth, and Auxillary. With the Play 5, it comes with only Wifi and Auxillary connectivity.
Also read: JBL Xtreme vs UE Megaboom, Which Bluetooth Speaker is Better?
Final Word: Sonos Play 5 vs Bose SoundTouch 30
Sure, the Bose SoundTouch 30 comes with more features, but when it comes to usability, we echo what one Youtube vlogger has said: the Play 5 has more “usable features.”
To end this Sonos Play 5 vs Bose SoundTouch 30 comparison report, here’s our recommendation.
Which is the better purchase given the price tag? Go get the Sonos Play 5.
Where to Buy Play 5 and SoundTouch 30
Cheap Wireless Home Audio Systems
If the pricetags of both the Sonos Play 5 and the SoundTouch 30 are too steep for you, here are some more affordable alternatives.
