I've been a Sonos customer for over 14 years, and I feel compelled to share my experience with the Sonos app, because frankly, it continues to be one of the most frustrating pieces of software I use on a regular basis.
Let me start by saying that I love the hardware. Sonos speakers sound fantastic, are reliable, and look great. If someone asks me whether Sonos makes excellent speakers, my answer is absolutely yes.
The problem is the app (old or new).
Simple tasks that should take seconds often turn into exercises in patience. Switching between audio sources feels unnecessarily complicated and far from intuitive. Grouping and ungrouping speakers works inconsistently, and when it doesn't behave as expected, figuring out why can become a troubleshooting session of its own. The search and browse experience is often confusing and cumbersome, making it harder than it should be to simply find and play music.
And before anyone suggests that I'm struggling with technology, let me provide some context: I work in IT. Navigating software, configuring systems, and learning new interfaces are part of my daily life. Smartphones, computers, and apps are not foreign concepts to me. Yet I regularly find myself wondering what the designers of the Sonos user interface were thinking.
Over the years, I've used countless apps and platforms. Most applications strive to make common tasks easier, faster, and more intuitive. The Sonos app often feels like it does the opposite. Instead of focusing on the joy of listening to music, I'm too often forced to spend time figuring out where features moved, how a setting is supposed to work, or why something that was simple yesterday suddenly feels complicated today.
If someone asked me today whether I recommend Sonos, my answer would be:
If you want a great-sounding speaker, absolutely.
If you want a seamless, intuitive software experience that lets you enjoy music without constantly fighting the interface, I'd have a very hard time recommending it.
At some point, great hardware is not enough. The software is the primary way customers interact with the product, and after 14 years of ownership, I still find the Sonos app to be one of the biggest obstacles to enjoying an otherwise excellent audio system.
Am I the only long-time Sonos user who feels this way?
