Brandwave

KEF vs Sonos:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Sonos had more branded searches than KEF among surround sound system brands worldwide. Sonos had about 673,000 branded searches, while KEF had 143,000. Sonos made up 7.2% of all surround sound system brand searches we track, and KEF accounted for 1.5%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about surround sound system brands, Sonos appeared in four of the five answers and KEF in two. Sonos was mentioned before KEF in three out of four answers.

Among surround sound system brands worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Sonos, about 5 searches for every 1 for KEF

Sonos 673K searchesKEF 143K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Sonos, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, KEF in 2

Sonos in 4 of 5KEF in 2 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Sonos, named ahead of KEF in 3 of 4 answers

Sonos first in 3KEF first in 1

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Top surround sound system brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Sonos was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. KEF was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Sonos was listed before KEF in three out of four answers.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Samsung1st
  2. Sonos2nd
  3. Sony3rd
  4. Klipsch4th
  5. KEF5th
  6. Denon6th
  7. JBL7th
  8. Panasonic–
  9. LG–
  10. Bose–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Sonos4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Samsung4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Sony3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • JBL2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • KEF2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Klipsch2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Denon2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Panasonic0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • LG0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Bose0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about surround sound system brands

5 answers

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 19, 2026.

Is KEF or Sonos more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for KEF and Sonos by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all ten surround sound system brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

KEF and Sonos among surround sound system brands worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for Sonos, KEF. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthJBLSonyPanasonicSonosKEFKlipschSamsungDenonLGBose
Oct 202539.3%34.3%12.4%7.9%2%1.3%1.3%1.3%0.26%0.09%
Nov 202543.1%33.3%9.1%8.8%1.5%1.5%1.2%1.2%0.24%0.09%
Dec 202544.8%33.8%8.8%7.2%1.5%1.4%0.96%1.2%0.19%0.11%
Jan 202640.7%36.1%10.2%6.8%1.8%1.7%1.1%1.4%0.22%0.1%
Feb 202635.8%36.3%14.4%6.9%1.8%1.4%1.7%1.4%0.28%0.1%
Mar 202636.8%36.5%12%8.2%1.7%1.3%1.6%1.3%0.27%0.1%
Apr 202645.2%31.3%12.2%5.9%1.5%1.2%1.2%1.2%0.24%0.07%
May 202641.7%32.9%12.5%7.4%1.6%1.2%1.2%1.2%0.24%0.07%
Jun 202643.2%34.1%10.9%6.3%1.6%1.3%1.3%1%0.25%0.09%
Jul 202640.8%37.5%10.3%5.9%1.5%1.2%1.5%0.97%0.24%0.09%
Aug 202640.7%37.1%9.9%6.8%1.5%1.4%1.4%0.92%0.23%0.08%
Sep 202639.3%38.2%10.2%7.2%1.5%1.2%1.2%0.96%0.19%0.07%

How has the KEF and Sonos comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Sonos was ahead of KEF in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, KEF’s share of searches among surround sound system brands worldwide moved from 2% to 1.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 168K to 143K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Sonos’ share of searches among surround sound system brands worldwide moved from 7.9% to 7.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 673K.

How did search popularity change for surround sound system brands worldwide in September 2026?

1 change
  1. Estimated monthly branded searches for KEF worldwide fell 14.9% over 12 measured months, from 168K to 143K in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

3 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using KEF’s and Sonos’ names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

KEF

2 branded search terms

  • kef
  • kef speakers

Sonos

1 branded search term

  • sonos

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among surround sound system brands

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