Bose enters smart speaker market with Lifestyle Ultra range, targeting Sonos rival
The $299 Lifestyle Ultra Speaker becomes the first third-party device to support Amazon’s generative AI-powered Alexa Plus, as the audio giant expands its home entertainment portfolio.
Bose has officially released its new Lifestyle Ultra Collection, marking a strategic expansion into the competitive smart speaker sector. The new lineup comprises the $299 Lifestyle Ultra Speaker, the $1,099 Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar, and the $899 Ultra Subwoofer. All three models are now available for purchase directly from Bose, as well as through major third-party retailers including Amazon and Best Buy.
The Lifestyle Ultra Speaker is positioned as a direct competitor to the Sonos Era 100. It features a front-firing woofer and tweeter, alongside an up-firing driver, a configuration that reviewers have noted delivers impressive vocal clarity and a soundstage that exceeds its physical dimensions. The device supports Apple AirPlay, Spotify Connect, and Google Cast, allowing users to group the Ultra Speaker with compatible non-Bose speakers for multi-room audio setups.
Notably, the Ultra Speaker is the first third-party speaker to support Amazon’s generative AI-powered Alexa Plus. This integration distinguishes the device in a market where voice assistant compatibility is a key differentiator for consumers building smart home ecosystems. The speaker is available in black or white from Amazon, Best Buy, and Bose, with a $349 beige version currently exclusive to Bose’s online storefront.
For home theatre integration, Bose has also launched the Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar. The unit supports Dolby Atmos and was noted for clear dialogue delivery and a wide soundstage during initial demonstrations. However, reviewers observed that the soundbar lacks sufficient low-end response when operating in isolation.
To address this limitation, Bose introduced the Ultra Subwoofer, designed specifically to pair with the soundbar. When connected, the subwoofer significantly enhances bass performance, delivering a fuller and more balanced audio profile. While the collection represents a broadened offering for the audio manufacturer, initial testing has highlighted minor connectivity quirks, including sync delays during stereo pairing that required a power cycle to resolve.
