UK Head-to-Head · Audio
Sonos Beam vs Bose Soundbar 700: UK Comparison 2026
The short answer
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) wins for most UK buyers due to better value, compact design, and seamless smart home integration.
Best on features
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
Best on value
Bose Smart Soundbar 700
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This comparison contains Amazon affiliate links, and we may earn a commission — but it never changes our verdict.
UK soundbar shoppers often face a choice between Sonos Beam (Gen 2) and Bose Smart Soundbar 700 — two of the most popular premium soundbars available through Amazon UK, Currys, and John Lewis. Sonos brings compact design at 65cm wide (fitting under most UK TV stands), deep smart home integration with Alexa and Google Assistant, and a price point around £100 less than the Bose. Bose delivers superior raw sound from its PhaseGuide speaker array technology, a sleeker glass-top design, and louder room-filling output suited to larger UK living rooms. Both support all major UK streaming services including BBC Sounds, Spotify, and Apple Music, and connect via HDMI eARC to modern UK TVs. This comparison breaks down real-world performance differences to help you decide based on your room size, audio priorities, and whether the Bose premium is justified.
Specs Comparison
| Spec | Sonos Beam (Gen 2) | Bose Smart Soundbar 700 |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 65cm × 6.5cm × 10.5cm | 68.5cm × 5cm × 9cm |
| Weight | 1.4kg | 1.5kg |
| Channels | 5 drivers (built-in subwoofer) | — |
| Power Output | 40W RMS | 70W peak |
| Smart Assistant | Amazon Alexa built-in | — |
| Connectivity | WiFi 6, HDMI eARC, Optical, USB-C | WiFi, Bluetooth 4.2, HDMI eARC, Optical, USB |
| Surround Expansion | Yes (add Sonos One speakers) | Limited (Bose Bass Module + Wireless Surround Speakers sold separately) |
| Driver Count | — | 9 drivers with active centre channel |
| Smart Assistants | — | Amazon Alexa + Google Assistant |
Pros & Cons
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
Pros
- Compact footprint, fits smaller spaces and under wall-mounted TVs
- Excellent smart home integration with Alexa and Apple HomeKit support
- WiFi 6 and app control offers seamless multi-room audio
- Expandable ecosystem: add surrounds, subwoofer, or rear speakers
- Crisp dialogue and clear mid-range, ideal for TV and streaming
Cons
- Bass output is modest without pairing with Sonos Sub
- Pricier than some 2.0 competitors when expanding with accessories
- WiFi-only (no Bluetooth), requires home network connection
Bose Smart Soundbar 700
Pros
- Deeper, fuller bass and more immersive soundstage for movies and music
- Dual voice assistant support (Alexa and Google) for UK smart homes
- Premium sound quality with advanced signal processing
- Excellent dialogue clarity with dedicated centre-channel drivers
- Bluetooth option for phone audio or portable use
Cons
- Higher price point (£200+ more than Sonos Beam)
- Less compact; requires more shelf or TV stand space
- Surround speaker ecosystem is limited compared to Sonos
- Older design (2020), lacks WiFi 6 and latest codec support
- Setup is more rigid; less flexible expansion options
Our Verdict
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) wins for most UK buyers due to better value, compact design, and seamless smart home integration. Bose 700 suits those with larger rooms and a strong focus on audio quality over features. Budget is your decision maker.
Best for Budget
Bose Smart Soundbar 700
Best for Features
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
Our process
How we choose our picks
We don’t lab-test products ourselves. Instead we synthesise the strongest independent evidence — current Amazon UK listings, verified-buyer feedback, published specs and UK pricing — into clear, honest recommendations. We earn a commission if you buy through our links, but that never changes which products we rank.
Current UK availability
We only shortlist products actively listed and in stock on Amazon UK, checked against live catalogue data — not last year’s models.
Publicly visible buyer feedback
We look at how each product is received by UK shoppers — its overall rating standing and the praise or complaints that recur in public reviews — rather than relying on a single reviewer’s opinion.
Published specs & value
We compare manufacturer specifications, typical UK price bands, warranty and running costs so each pick is right for a real budget and use-case.
UK-specific fit
We factor in UK voltage, plug/fitting standards, CE/UKCA marking and Consumer Rights Act cover — details that generic global lists miss.
More about our standards on the About page.
Buying Guide
- 1Measure your TV width first — soundbar length should roughly match your screen to avoid an awkward visual mismatch
- 2Check HDMI eARC support on your TV — this is essential for lossless Dolby Atmos passthrough from streaming apps
- 3Consider your room layout — Sonos excels in multi-room setups across the house, while Bose often edges ahead on dialogue clarity in a single room
- 4Compare voice assistant support — Sonos works with Alexa and Google Assistant, while Bose uses its own voice system alongside Alexa
- 5Factor in expandability — Sonos makes it straightforward to add rear speakers and a sub over time; Bose surround add-ons vary by model
Editor's Note
For the average UK living room (15-25 sqm), the Sonos Beam Gen 2 delivers the best overall package of sound quality, smart features, and value. The Bose 700 only justifies its 200 GBP premium in larger open-plan spaces where its more powerful drivers and deeper bass genuinely shine. If you already own Sonos speakers, the Beam is a no-brainer for its seamless ecosystem integration. New buyers should consider whether they will expand their system as Sonos has a significantly richer expansion ecosystem.
Our Take
The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is the right buy for most UK living rooms — it fits under wall-mounted TVs in smaller British homes, its expandable ecosystem means you can add a Sub or rear speakers later, and at around £399 it undercuts the Bose 700 by over £200. The Bose only justifies its premium in genuinely large open-plan spaces where its 70W output and 9-driver array fill the room in a way the Sonos simply cannot.
Honourable Mentions
Questions & answers
Frequently asked questions
Is Sonos or Bose better for a UK living room?
Do Sonos soundbars work with UK TV apps?
How much does a Sonos Beam cost in the UK?
Can you add rear speakers to a Bose Soundbar 700?
Further Reading
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This comparison contains affiliate links. If you purchase via our links, UKPicks may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This does not influence our rankings.