Where they actually differ
The most decisive specs, ranked by how much they matter — before the full spec table.
| Spec | Apple - HomePod (2nd gen) | Sonos - Era 100 |
|---|---|---|
| Dolby Atmos | true | false |
| Output | 60 W |
Between the HomePod (2nd gen) and Era 100, the HomePod (2nd gen) comes out ahead in dolby atmos / output, while the Era 100 wins on several specs. Overall, the HomePod (2nd gen) scores 87 and the Era 100 scores 80.6 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The HomePod (2nd gen) edges ahead on the Mars Score (87 vs 80.6), but the 6.4-point gap is small enough that the right pick comes down to which spec advantages matter to you.
Pick the HomePod (2nd gen) if you care most about dolby atmos / output. The biggest gaps in its favor are dolby atmos, output. The single most decisive one: Has Dolby Atmos.
The Era 100 similarly does not carry a headline advantage on the popular specs — look at the full table for category-specific deltas.
Both ship with comparable matter / thread, so those specs do not separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the HomePod (2nd gen) is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.
Which should you buy: Apple - HomePod (2nd gen) or Sonos - Era 100?
Apple - HomePod (2nd gen) leads the current Mars Score by 6.4 points.The more useful decision is the trade-off behind that result: compare output, dolby atmos against the way you will actually use the product.
Choose Apple - HomePod (2nd gen) if…
Apple - HomePod (2nd gen) has the measurable edge on has dolby atmos, output w.
Choose Sonos - Era 100 if…
Sonos - Era 100 does not lead a decisive measured field here, so choose it for price, ecosystem, design, or availability when those matter more to you.
This is a structured comparison of the published catalog values. It is not a claim of identical real-world performance across every workload; use the linked spec drill-downs and methodology page to inspect the inputs.
Why Apple - HomePod (2nd gen) wins
- ▲Has Dolby Atmos.
- ▲Output: 60 W vs W.
Why Sonos - Era 100 wins
- No decisive advantages.
Spec comparison
Audio
| Spec | Apple - HomePod (2nd gen) | Sonos - Era 100 |
|---|---|---|
| Output | 60 Wlead | |
| Stereo pairingⓘ | true | true |
| Dolby Atmosⓘ | truelead | false |
| Built-in display | false | false |
Assistant & Smart Home
| Spec | Apple - HomePod (2nd gen) | Sonos - Era 100 |
|---|---|---|
| Voice assistant | Siri | Alexa,Sonos Voice |
| Matter / Thread | true | true |
| Zigbee hub | false | false |