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What are people using for USB C charger for Sonos Move?

I asked this question over in the sonos reddit forum and others are having same issues so thought I would bring over here.

What are people using for their usb charger for the Sonos move? I attempted to use my MacBook pros charger but it didn’t work. I have the 60watt brick but from what I read it should be able to still work.

So then I read it might be the cord as they have chips in them and knowing Apple they locked their cord down. So I bought an anker power line 3.1 usb c cable and tried it with the MacBook brick again and it still didn’t work.

So before I keep buying and returning curious if anyone has had success with certain chargers with the move. Thanks!

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143 replies

J
Userlevel 2
Badge +1

This is so disappointing to read! I just unpacked my Move yesterday, and I’m impressed with it on many levels, but not this one! There seems to be no distinguishing between power for use, and power for charging. And they don’t necessarily need to be the same thing, and I thought USB-C PD made most things work with most things!

For example, I can plug a big MacBook Pro, which normally charges as 87W+ into my Anker USB-C battery which only outputs at 30W. It will add power, and if the laptop is asleep the battery will charge, albeit slowly. Or in use, the battery will still deplete, but not as quickly.

For the Move, I understand that maybe it needs 45W to play at a high volume, but surely *any* power input would charge the battery if power consumption was near zero when on standby or switched off? Or, as in the MacBook example above, extend the battery life by adding some power as it is in use.

Are these input levels set in hardware or software @Ryan S ie. is this something that might ever be revisited? I was hoping this was a bit of kit I could just take with me but none of my fleet of USB-C chargers or batteries will work with it by the looks of things!

M
Delta Charger

I found this on Amazon UK for those still looking.

Works great, and not a wall wart, which was a priority for me.

https://smile.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07HYSGRNS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

D

Would help if Sonos listed one on their website

jgatie

Would help if Sonos listed one on their website

 

Unless they have some sort of partnership with them, Sonos never makes recommendations on third party hardware.

F

Got to say...this is all a bit of a nightmare. Have tried two different USB C Chargers, both rated at 20.0v @ 2.25a and neither of them have worked, along with two different cables. Think SONOS need to really spell out the compatibility, instead of this guessing game which is currently happening.

 

Update...out of frustration, I unplugged my charger from the mains and then plugged it back in and the Move started charging...unplugged and tried again..nothing...WTF! It is so borderline its unreal...

L

Just wanted to confirm a charger that actually works for the Sonos Move, and does charge very fast & well, and it takes up really small space so that’s a bonus:

https://www.anker.com/products/variant/powerport-atom-iii-slim-four-ports/A2045111
with this cable
https://www.amazon.com/Anker-Powerline-Certified-Delivery-Charging/dp/B07ZPQZ2Z1
 

And to spare some people the frustration, I also own loads of other Anker’s and none of them worked - please note, the following chargers do NOT work:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01IUTIUEA
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N2HIR9R
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071WLTPTY

Just wanted to share with you folks out there in case you’re looking for a good charger for the Sonos Move which I found rather picky on it’s chargers

M
Userlevel 1
Badge

This is totally ridiculous.

Sonos, sort it out.

 

The Move should take power from USB C. End of.

P
Badge

Just got my white Move the other day and tonight I tried to charge it with 2 different power banks (PD) no luck. Tried it with my MacBook charger and number of cables with the same result, Sonos please help. 

P

For Sonos Move owners in Sweden, Teknikmagasinet has a slim USB-C charger that works with the unit and it is right now on discount sale.

https://www.teknikmagasinet.se/produkter/hemteknik/batterier-laddare/laptopladdare/usb-type-c-laptop-charger-45w

P

I failed to get my Apple 61 W USB-C charger to work with the Move. But when I swapped the original 2m Apple USB-C/USB-C cable to the cable supplied with the charger mentioned above it works.

Y
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I’ve tried several USB-C PD chargers, including the one below, with the exact specs required for Sonos Move. Unfortunately even the amber LED in the front lights up for the whole duration the charger is connected, no charging occurs. It would have been so difficult for Sonos to allow charging the speaker from any PD enabled charger, even at a lower speed? This is my first Sonos product, with high expectations for the price, but I’m already disappointed. How many chargers I have to buy just to find the right one?

 

Y
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And to spare some people the frustration, I also own loads of other Anker’s and none of them worked - please note, the following chargers do NOT work:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01IUTIUEA
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N2HIR9R
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071WLTPTY
 

 

Power Delivery protocol is supported only over USB-C connectors, but anyway, something else is specifically required by Sonos, as just chargers following specifications (15V/3A or 20V/2.25A) are not enough (see my post above).

Y
Badge

Would help if Sonos listed one on their website

 

Unless they have some sort of partnership with them, Sonos never makes recommendations on third party hardware.

Then they must provide the full required specifications for the charger/cable, as only voltage/current is not enough. Is a shame.

bockersjv
Userlevel 7
Badge +21

 I think some of the issues are that the cable AND charger must also be PD rated?  Of the three listed in the Amazon post above none looked to be PD compatible chargers and one was also less than 45W

Sonos Manual stated Power Sources

  • USB port (USB type C PD power with 45W, 20V/2.25A).

Y
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 I think some of the issues are that the cable AND charger must also be PD rated? 

  • USB port (USB type C PD power with 45W, 20V/2.25A)

The charger from the picture is with the USB-C cable integrated and following PD specification, as you can see, but Move is not charged.

bockersjv
Userlevel 7
Badge +21

I can’t see where it says it is PD rated?

Y
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https://www.chiconypower.com/en/item/view?item_id=554

First one from the list.

I have tens of USB-C PD cheargeable devices (including notebooks, chromebooks, tablets, portable speakers, smartphones) and all of them can be charged with this charger except one. Guess which one.

To present as a feature that Sonos Move can be charged over PD USB-C is a clear exaggeration.

 

And, by the way… here:

https://support.sonos.com/s/article/3640?language=en_US

is specified that:

“We recommend using a 45 watt USB-C PD charger, outputting a minimum of 20V/2.25A or 12V/3A. You may also use a 36 watt charger that outputs at least 12V/3A or 14V/2.4A, but the charging speed will be reduced.”

So, is stated “we recommend”, not “is mandatory”. More, 14V/2.4A does not follow any standard and PD for sure not. Anyone can asume that if a lower power PD charger is used, the charging speed will be lower, but will continue to charge the Move, which is not true at all.

 

 

bockersjv
Userlevel 7
Badge +21

I’m not trying to argue I was just pointing out that when looking to purchase that charger it does not state PD, and nor did it on the case so thought that might be the issue.  I do wonder if Sonos has implemented the later PD standards. 

I too would like a compatible charger to travel with that will also work with my iPad.

As an aside USB standards in general are becoming a confusing mess, and I’m not saying that exonerates Sonos.

Y
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From the local Sonos seller, I have the information that the following PD charger is compatible with Sonos.

Samsung EP-TA845

In the mean time I’ve ordered another one that I hope to be compatible too.

https://www.banggood.com/BlitzWolf-BW-PL4-45W-PD-Type-C-USB-Charger-EU-Adapter-With-Power3S-Tech-p-1347712.html

 

Anyway, is not something expected from a company like Sonos, to count on users to test their own product compatibility. A list of compatible/certified chargers must be presented on their web site.

Bumper

 

Anyway, is not something expected from a company like Sonos, to count on users to test their own product compatibility. A list of compatible/certified chargers must be presented on their web site.

Totally agree. 

 

The charge issue along with the power discharge bug has turned me off from buying one. I'll stick with my old bt speaker for now.

Y
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I still hope that  both problems will be solved through a firmware update, as I really like the sound of this little speaker. 

Another issue for me is with the Google assistant. The execution of voice commands is very slow comparing with a Google Home device.

A

After a couple of failures this combo worked as a portable charger set-up from UK amazon

RAV power portable charger 20000mAh 60W PD power bank (£40)

Anker USB c to USB c powerline + III 60 W power delivery (£20)

I think type of USB c cable is prob critical if not working with wall charger or powerbank which should otherwise meet the Sonos specification

 

Y
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I think type of USB c cable is prob critical if not working with wall charger or powerbank which should otherwise meet the Sonos specification

 

What do you mean by “Sonos specification”? Is very clear that “Sonos specification” is not enough for a charger/cable to be able to charge the Move. 

A

I bought the power block as its stated output matched sonos move charging requirements but didn’t work with the generic usb c cables that I had. Needed the newer cable to successfully charge Move.

W
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I have also a problem with USB-C powering of Sonos Move. I have proved PD USB-C 65W charger which works with my HP laptop perfectly but with Move not. The red LED is blinking all the time (should stop after a few seconds). On the contrary original HP Power supply is charging Move without a problem. 

Why it is so problematic with Sonos Move. It is JUST powering. Do you know if Sonos is planning to solve it by software soon? I don’t want to buy new PS and still risking incompatibility again.

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