Wi-Fi speakers are a great alternative to Bluetooth when you have the luxury of a home network to connect to. They’re not as readily available, and you’ll find that they’re typically pricier than their Bluetooth counterparts. There’s a reason – the best Wi-Fi speakers are built to deliver high-fidelity sound since streaming music through a wireless network doesn’t compress the audio as Bluetooth speakers do.
ZDNet’s picks for the best Wi-Fi speakers are the perfect choice for the audiophile who expects nothing but the best from a sound experience. 
Bose delivers when it comes to a relatively affordable, beautiful tabletop speaker that produces potent stereo sound. It’s multifunctional – eight microphones make it possible to use the Wi-Fi speaker to answer calls or make requests through Google Assistant or Alexa. Pairing the speaker to your home network is a fairly simple process. Once you’re online, you can control the speaker using your voice, the touch presets found on the speaker’s top, or a smart device installed with the Bose Music app. Pros:

The sleek design delivers high-quality stereo soundSync with other Bose speakers using Bose SimpleSyncA 3.5 mm AUX input makes it possible to connect other peripherals such as a turntable

Cons:

Not compatible with other speakersVoice control only works with Spotify Premium

Wi-Fi speakers are all about premium sound quality. Otherwise, you could opt for a portable, inexpensive Bluetooth speaker and save yourself the money. If you’re going to upgrade to a Wi-Fi speaker and can afford to invest in one, the Sonos Five is pricey but may be well worth the cash outlay. It’s tuned by the well-known British music producer, Giles Martin, who remastered Sgt’s 50th anniversary Beatles release. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, as well as the White Album and Abbey Road, to name a few. The speaker is relatively compact but powerful – it has three high-excursion woofers for deep bass, and two angled side tweeters to deliver rich, crisp stereo sound. Pros:

Integrated with three woofers for deep bassPremium sound in a small packageCan be added to a Sonos home theater setup using Sonos Playbase

Cons:

Requires Sonos 2 or Sonos 3 app to controlRelatively expensive

Although this guide is meant to showcase the best Wi-Fi speakers, we have to give Sony a shout-out for producing a well-designed speaker that can handle high-fidelity music through Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, line-out cabling and Chromecast streaming. Wi-Fi or wired audio will deliver the best sound quality, but it’s good to know you can still stream through alternatives if your home’s network is down.  Thanks to the manufacturer’s proprietary calibration, Sony’s 360 Reality Audio is an immersive experience. Stereo tracks are processed in a manner that fills a room with crisp, rich sound, specifically adapted for the room the speaker is located in. The surround sound design is set up so that the beam tweeters can spread sound or music vertically within a space while an Omni diffuser delivers horizontal audio to fill a room. In addition, deep bass is achieved by two passive radiators, all neatly housed in a stylish oblong speaker. Pros:

360 Reality Audio sound creates a surround-sound effect for full audio immersion Humidity-resistant for bathroom and kitchen useChromecast integration allows you to tap a button to stream audio and video

Cons:

Sony 4K TV and Apple TV 4k devices are only available using Bluetooth360 Reality Audio is only available for premium streaming subscriptions

Some Wi-Fi speakers make it tricky to connect to a home network successfully. Sweden-based Audio Pro has been well-known for producing speakers since the 1970s that deliver superior sound quality, and the C10 speaker makes connecting wirelessly as simple as possible. In most cases, all you need to do is plug the speaker in, choose the network and connect. The C10 will remember the network, so you don’t have to pair the device again. Plus, you can set up your favorite content using the Wi-Fi preset buttons by pressing one down while playing the content you’d like to save.  Besides Wi-Fi connectivity, Spotify Connect, Airplay and Bluetooth are also available to stream your favorite media. You can even connect a turntable or CD player through the AUX port, and the speaker will broadcast what you’re playing to other C5 or C10 speakers in other rooms that are connected to the same home network.  Pros:

Integrated top strap for carryingAdd more C5s or C10s for a multi-room streaming experience or play them separatelyCan stream content from one connected device such as a CD player to all speakers on the network

Cons: Most audiophiles will not think twice about spending nearly $1,000 for Naim’s high-fidelity wireless speaker. The small cube design packs a powerful punch and was clearly designed to deliver the best possible listening experience over a Wi-Fi network. What makes the second generation of the Mu-so QB unique (and flawlessly gorgeous in sound) is connecting to a home’s Wi-Fi network using an ethernet cable. Doing so will deliver playback as high as 24-bit/384kHz in resolution as opposed to a mere (but still impressive) 48kHz when using a wireless network connection.  Most audiophiles will remark that the sound quality is deeper and more authentic than rival versions from Sonos or Audio Pro.  Each cube is designed to play independently with the ability to access and play files from your home’s network as well as stream using Apple AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect, Roon Ready, internet radio and other options via Bluetooth. The second-generation Mu-so Qb isn’t able to play well with other V2s yet, but there are enough options that lessen the compatibility drawback. Pros:

Clean, understated design works in all roomsMotion-sensitive touch screenConnect via Ethernet cable for the highest-quality sound

Cons:

Multiple V2s are unable to pair and play music or content simultaneouslyHome network setup can be complex

Pros:

Can sync with multiple Echo devices for multi-room soundWorks as a smart-device hubCan play audio mastered in Ultra HD and spatial audio without losing sound quality

Cons:

It only pairs with Echo Subs or other Echo Studios as a stereo group

Wi-Fi speakers typically output better sound since they don’t compress the audio file as Bluetooth playback would. The drawback is portability and price. Wi-Fi speakers are significantly more expensive. Plus, they need to plug into an electric power source. Bluetooth speakers can operate using batteries, making them the best choice for travel and flexibility.