It goes without saying that if you have the technical know-how for setup/configuration (or someone who does) there are major benefits to owning your own router or Mesh networking hardware. I’m only going to focus on one of the benefits as it relates to Sonos.
You can search this community and I’m sure you’ll find a plethora of posts bemoaning difficulty when changing routers and/or ISP’s (Internet Service Provider). The most common problem I see in the community is SSID (Service Set Identifier) and Password compatibility with Sonos when moving to another ISP using their provided modem and router. Although most ISP supplied hardware today are combo units with integrated modem/router in one enclosure.
The SSID and Password are a simple fix. Regardless of what the ISP has used for SSID/Password (usually found somewhere on the enclosure) you can request that your SSID/Password be applied instead of using theirs. By requesting the change your Sonos and any other Wi-Fi enabled client in your home will connect to the Wi-Fi signal generated by the newly installed ISP hardware without issue. Of course if you do have difficulties with your Sonos when making such a change you can follow the Sonos recommended steps found here: Connect Sonos to a new router or Wi-Fi network
You’re probably wondering if using hardware supplied by and ISP how does that scenario coincide with “The benefits of owning your own router and/or Mesh hardware. OK…Let’s pull this all together but first a little background to properly set the stage.
I only use the modem supplied by the ISP. I own and change my routers about every 5-6 years just to keep the latest networking gear in my system. That by no means is required to have a stable network to use Sonos. If your router is 802.11 Wi-Fi 5 (ac), 6 (ax), or 7 (be) you’re OK. If using 802.11 Wi-Fi 4(n) you’re on the cusp and may start to experience a bit of network strain as more devices in our lives are becoming Wi-Fi capable.
Moving on…not only do I change my networking hardware, but I’ll change my ISP; if a competitor offers a better price and/or reliability for incoming network speed to my home. I recently moved from Xfinity/Comcast to Google Fiber and upgraded the incoming speed from 1.2 GB to 2 GB. I might also add that Xfinity/Comcast reliability was an issue as well. *
The change only required changing out the Xfinity/Comcast modem with the Google Fiber modem. Actually, Google Fiber calls their modem equivalent a Fiber Box; if using your own router. As my router contains all the information regarding my network (SSID/Password) all that was required was to remove the Xfinity/Comcast Ethernet cable from my router and plug-in the Google Fiber Ethernet cable.
The trick is that all that was experienced by my router (during the 2-5 seconds to switch out the cables) was a temporary loss to the internet. It was still broadcasting the SSID and Password I’d setup and therefore any WIFI connected client including Sonos never missed a beat.
Remember, Sonos does not need the internet to function. The internet connection is only required for updates and live streaming. If content playing on Sonos is local to your device or NAS it will continue to play without an Internet connection over the Wi-Fi signal of your router.
In conclusion I’m not advocating that you run out and purchase your own networking hardware. I just wanted to highlight one of the benefits of ownership as it concerns Sonos and possibly prevent some of the mishaps when changing ISP’s and/or Networking hardware.
* It should be noted that the rated speed provided by an ISP only transfers at set speed to clients that are wired directly via Ethernet to your router. Wi-Fi speed in most instances will experience a slight degradation as opposed to the ISP rated incoming speed.