Sonos Ace Ultra fixes past flaws but faces stiff competition

Key points

• The Ace Ultra costs $449, matching the original Ace's launch price, while the original Ace is now $349.
• Key improvements include Wi-Fi integration with Sonos speakers, better sound, and adaptive noise cancellation.
• The headphones feature a 35-hour battery, user-replaceable ear cups, and tactile buttons.
• Wi-Fi audio streaming is currently in 'early access' and is lossy.
• The original Ace's flagship TV audio swap feature was glitchy and limited to the $1,000 Arc soundbar at launch.

Background

Sonos launched the Ace Ultra and Beam Ultra soundbar on September 29, 2026, alongside the Sonos 27 software update. The original Ace headphones were criticized for poor integration with the Sonos ecosystem, despite good sound and comfort. The Ace Ultra aims to fix these issues by allowing Wi-Fi audio streaming and TV audio swap.

How outlets are covering it

The Verge's John Higgins rates the Ace Ultra an 8/10, praising its comfort, improved sound, and Wi-Fi integration, but notes that sound and ANC still lag behind competitors like Sony and Bose. What Hi-Fi? gives the Ace Ultra a four-star rating, calling it a 'solid step in the right direction' with a 'more powerful, rich and weighty sound' than the original Ace, but notes a 'slight lack of finesse' prevents it from matching the best in its category. Both outlets agree the Ace Ultra is a significant improvement over the original Ace but still not the best value in the market.

Why it matters

The Ace Ultra's Wi-Fi integration makes it a true member of the Sonos ecosystem, addressing a major criticism of the original Ace. However, its price and performance still face stiff competition from established brands like Sony and Bose, making it a niche product for Sonos ecosystem users.

What to watch

Sonos will likely continue to refine the Ace Ultra's Wi-Fi audio streaming and TV audio swap features as they move out of 'early access'. The company may also release further updates to the Sonos 27 software, including custom agents in 2027.