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The Sonos Ace Are the top audio brands' initial wireless headphones. These provide outstanding performance, matching up against some of the leading models in various aspects. best over-ear headphones from Bose and Sony.
However, despite performing admirably compared to competitors, the Ace doesn’t really differentiate itself sufficiently. Numerous aficionados of Sonos’ wireless speakers anticipated that the Ace might set itself apart through support for Wi-Fi audio streaming; unfortunately, this expectation proved overly optimistic. Like their primary adversaries, these earphones only offer Bluetooth connectivity.
In the end, the Ace’s strongest feature could very well be their comfortable design, which impressed us greatly when we tested them. The soft ear pads along with the adaptable headband provide a well-balanced fit, making it simple to forget they’re even on your head. Additionally, these headphones are particularly suitable for those who already have ownership of certain devices. Sonos soundbar Since these devices offer a neat function that enables you to smoothly switch TV sound from a matching soundbar to your headphones. This can be quite useful when you aim not to bother those around you; however, this capability may not be relevant for everyone.
Although there might be some feeling that Sonos could have pushed boundaries further within this category, the Ace models undoubtedly make a strong contribution to the noise-cancelling headphone sector and serve as an encouraging beginning for their initial release.
Editor's note: This review underwent revision in June 2025 following additional tests encompassing multiple firmware updates. These updates introduced new functionalities and resolved certain issues we originally faced. Revised by Steven Cohen.
The Ace headphones boast excellent design and user-friendly operation.
The Ace arrives enclosed within a soft carrying case crafted from 75% repurposed plastic bottles. When unzipped, you will discover sleek, understated headphones available in either black or Soft White, nestled alongside an oval-shaped bag. This pouch is designed to protect the Ace’s two USB-C cords used for both audio connection and power charging; it connects securely through a powerful magnet located centrally in the case, maximizing storage efficiency. Overall, this arrangement strikes a balance between aesthetic appeal and practical functionality.
The design of these headphones draws inspiration from competitors such as the Bose QuietComfort Ultra and Apple AirPods Max, However, with a Sonos spin, maintaining the minimalist aesthetic present throughout all Sonos items. The Ace features streamlined round earcups adorned with a laser-engraved logo alongside their steel components and soft vegan leather cushions. This recognizable form exudes familiarity yet asserts its distinctiveness.
The right earcup features dual control buttons, featuring a multifunctional "content key" designed for play controls and volume adjustments through a combination of taps and sliding motions. Next to this button lies another one used to switch between noise cancellation and transparency settings. These buttons can be readily identified by touch, ensuring mistake-proof operation almost anywhere. Positioned on the left earcup is both the power/pairing button as well as a USB-C port intended for charging purposes and enabling wired audio playback.
With the Sonos app, you can connect the headphones to your smartphone or tablet and incorporate them into your collection of Sonos devices. This allows you to keep an eye on their status and battery level from one place. By tapping the Settings icon, you gain control over various settings such as adjusting bass and treble levels, enabling head-tracking for immersive spatial audio experiences, and setting up multi-streaming so the headphones can be paired with a secondary device like a computer or another tablet simultaneously.
The adaptable strap and soft cushioning provide the Ace with an advantage in comfort.
Comfort levels are always personal, yet we can confidently state that the Ace headphones offer the highest degree of comfort among noise-cancelling models, surpassing well-loved options such as Bose's QuietComfort Ultra and others. Sony WH-1000XM5 After wearing the Ace almost continuously for a full week, day and night, we hardly ever felt even a slight bit of discomfort.
To be honest, we’re uncertain about how Sonos accomplished this. The Ace weighs in at 313 grams, making them lighter than Apple’s AirPods Max, but noticeably heavier compared to leading models from Bose and Sony by approximately 60 grams each. While wearing them, you certainly notice their weight when moving your head, but thanks to the extremely soft cushions and just-right clamping pressure, these headphones eventually seem to blend into your head almost seamlessly with extended use.
The fit remains very secure, remaining steady during easy hikes and similar moderately intense activities. Since the Ace lacks an IP rating for water resistance, we wouldn’t suggest them for sweat-inducing runs or workouts at the gym. However, they work great for almost all other purposes.
The audio quality is full-bodied, silky, and precise.
The Ace provides a refined and laid-back audio experience. They excel at uncovering rich and vibrant textures within their instrumentals, which are artfully dispersed throughout a broad and immersive soundscape. Their overall performance measures up favorably against many top-tier headphones in their category.
The Ace does showcase a deeper tonal palette compared to competitors such as the lively Bose QuietComfort Ultra. However, this doesn’t hinder its capability to reveal subtle nuances. Brass sounds airy yet rich, strings are silky and vibrant, and acoustic guitars emit a warm glow. Perhaps the most striking aspect of the Ace’s sound profile is its knack for accurately positioning various elements within the audio spectrum, enabling listeners to delve into individual components or just immerse themselves fully in the overall experience.
The highs exhibit a sparkling quality, providing excellent clarity for intricate percussive elements and offering sharp delineation between instruments such as bright synthesizers and overdriven electric guitars. In contrast, the low frequencies are robust and impactful but not overpowering. Distinct from most headphones we evaluate, these have relatively well-balanced bass levels out-of-the-box; nonetheless, we adjusted the equalizer slightly to open up more room within the soundscape. Additionally, we disabled the Loudness feature since it often resulted in a somewhat bloated audio presentation.
Sometimes, we desired greater prominence and sharpness in voices and dialogues, especially during podcast sessions. However, this did not prevent us from catching subtle elements such as vocal nuances or ambient reverberations, which became apparent beyond our prior experiences. By directly connecting the Ace through a USB-C-to-3.5mm adapter, the sound quality improved significantly with enhanced detail, supporting high-resolution lossless audio up to 16-bit/48kHz standards.
The Ace includes a head-tracking function designed to keep the audio stable as you move your head, replicating the experience of having speakers placed statically around you. When paired with an Arc, Beam, or Ray soundbar, this feature supports Dolby Atmos content too. The head-tracking mechanism operates much like those found in competing products, successfully emulating a cinema-like setting at home.
The noise-canceling and transparency features are exceptional.
The Ace's outstanding noise-canceling capability is a feat worthy of acclaim. It offers premier sound insulation that rivals the finest headphones on the market, effectively drawing the surrounding sounds into nothingness and enveloping you in a cocoon of peace and quiet.
We evaluated this feature both indoors using studio monitors for various sound effects and during outdoor activities like hiking and walking dogs, where it really shone. Pressing the button virtually silences everything around you, whether it’s urban noise or bird calls. It even reduces busy street sounds to a gentle murmur.
In direct comparisons, only Bose’s powerful QuietComfort Ultra and the newer model stand out. Sony WH-1000XM6 overpowered them, diminishing noises akin to keystrokes and drone effects into an even more subtle whisper. Despite this, the Ace’s capacity to provide such profound quietness without injecting any trace of white noise positions them as a frontrunner for being one of the best noise-canceling headphones you can buy.
After their launch in 2024, Sonos introduced an enhanced version of the Ace with an advanced adaptive ANC function. This feature tailors the noise-canceling ability based on how well the headphones sit on your head, addressing potential gaps where sound might leak through. During our tests outdoors when toggling this new setting, we noticed a somewhat clearer reduction in ambient sounds.
The Ace features an outstanding transparency mode aimed at allowing ambient noises through, ensuring heightened awareness of your surroundings. The sound quality in this mode is remarkably crisp and lifelike. So much so, we could use them throughout most of our days with ease. Initially, some static was detected from the right earcup during usage; however, a subsequent software update resolved this issue. You can be assured that finding a more authentic-sounding transparency feature would be quite challenging.
It's unfortunate that the Ace doesn't offer WiFi support, but they do boast some impressive home theater capabilities.
The Ace offers numerous premium features typical of high-end noise-cancelling headphones, such as multi-point connectivity, sensors that automatically pause playback when removed, and adjustable settings accessible via the Sonos app. With a remarkable battery life spanning up to 30 hours on a single charge, these headphones can easily last through full days of use over several days without requiring a recharge.
Nonetheless, the Ace’s failure to team up with other Sonos speakers for streaming music via Wi-Fi is disappointing, despite being an uncommon feature amongst similar devices. Given its cost, this isn’t entirely unexpected; we might have anticipated paying roughly another $100 for full compatibility with both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. However, as things stand, the Ace remains somewhat isolated within the broader Sonos system.
The silver lining for devoted Sonos fans is the capability to seamlessly switch audio from the Ace headphones to another device via wireless means. Sonos Arc , Sonos Arc Ultra , Beam , or Ray The soundbar functionality is managed using a TV Swap feature accessible within the Sonos app for both iOS and Android devices. With this setup, you have the ability to enjoy watching movies and television shows with audio transmitted directly to your headphones, ensuring minimal disturbance to those around you. Additionally, this mode offers support for such features. Dolby Atmos , allowing for a surround sound effect enhanced with head tracking.
We tested this feature using a Sonos Beam soundbar. Once we set up TV Swap within the app, pressing a button allowed the audio to switch smoothly from the Beam to our headphones without missing a beat. This function is particularly useful for late-night movie viewing sessions where you prefer a more private listening experience rather than filling your space with surround-sound effects. Following the release of these headphones, Sonos updated TV Swap to enable simultaneous use with two Ace headphones, allowing dual listeners to enjoy the same television audio simultaneously.
We tested the dual listening feature, which functioned quite well, enabling both Ace headphones to receive TV audio simultaneously. Additionally, we were able to effortlessly toggle the TV Swap functionality between one set of Sonos Ace headphones while maintaining it for another without interruption. However, utilizing TV Swap alongside two headphones comes with a drawback: you cannot employ head tracking. This capability is exclusive to homes equipped with two sets of Ace headphones; nonetheless, those who do possess them will find this an exciting enhancement.
A fresh update for TV Swap introduces TrueCinema, which is a calibration procedure utilizing a Sonos soundbar to enhance the headphone’s audio performance according to your space’s acoustics. This aims to replicate the experience of a genuine home cinema setup. During our initial attempt at setting up, we encountered some issues; however, after troubleshooting, the adjustment process was successful.
While switching TrueCinema on and off during viewing Dolby Atmos movies and playing PS5 games, we observed a minor enhancement in the Ace’s perception of spatiality and depth when the feature was enabled. Nevertheless, this distinction was quite faint. Whether activated or not, the Ace remains top-notch for home theater experiences involving both movies and video games.
While the Sonos app still has some imperfections, these shortcomings do not make it unacceptable.
Last year, Sonos redesigned its mobile application, which led to numerous complaints from users about various glitches associated with the updated software. Since then, the company has addressed many of these problems via follow-up patches; however, the current version remains somewhat less reliable compared to what it was prior to the redesign.
The application has experienced delays during updates and adjustments involving the Ace, and occasionally we have faced late responses in speaker switching as well as disconnections when utilizing other Sonos devices.
Nonetheless, we've discovered that the newest iteration of the app generally functions quite smoothly. Currently, the app’s remaining imperfections are not significant enough to discourage our recommendation of the Ace or other Sonos products.
Is purchasing the Sonos Ace a good idea?
The numerous capabilities of the Sonos Ace, including their impressive noise cancellation and transparency features along with their comfy design and delightful audio quality, immediately place them among the top contenders. best headphones Out there. From this viewpoint, they’re definitely worth thinking about. This is particularly true if you have a Sonos soundbar equipped with the TV Swap feature.
This being the case, their incomplete WiFi compatibility within the Sonos system might let down some dedicated followers of the brand. Although the TV Swap function is a pleasant addition, it holds little value for those without a suitable soundbar.
Despite our recommendation to include the Sonos Ace on your list because of their exceptional comfort and features, these headphones do not set themselves apart significantly from other top-tier models.
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