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ZDNET's key takeaways
- The Sonos Ace were released in mid-2024, but they're not the same headphones today.
- They'll appeal most to Sonos fans who need a private TV-watching solution in their home.
- Those outside the Sonos ecosystem will find more enjoyment from Sonos' competitors.
It's been a year and a half since Sonos released its first pair of consumer headphones, and although they made waves when they first dropped, how have they fared once the hype died down? I've worn the Sonos Ace often since their June 2024 release, and I have a much sharper understanding of their strengths and weaknesses.
Also: The best headphones of 2026
If you're in a seriously committed relationship with Sonos' home theater products and often find yourself unable to use them once your partner, kids, roommates, or neighbors retire for the night, you'll find the most value in the Sonos Ace, both inside and outside your home.
If you have Sonos soundbars but don't plan to use the TV Audio Swap feature, or if you don't have Sonos soundbars at all, you'll miss out on these headphones' best feature, and you'll be better off buying from Apple, Sony, or Bose.
Sonos gave the Ace headphones a major software update for their first birthday last summer, addressing the biggest complaints I had about them. With the new updates and over a year of use in mind, here's the best advice I can give you to help you make a buying decision.
A thoughtful design and immense comfort
The Ace are a good-looking pair of consumer headphones; they're more elegant than the utilitarian Sony WH-1000XM6 or the sporty Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2, defined by clean lines and slimmer earcups. They abide by Sonos' ethos of modern, simple design, with subtle yet meaningful choices that make them easy to wear and listen to.
One of my favorite design elements is the Ace's Content Key, a multifunction button you can press or slide to execute a…