Bose vs Sonos:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Bose and Sonos were level in searches among surround sound system brands in New Zealand, with an estimated 6K branded searches each, at 20% and 19.7% of the total. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about surround sound system brands, Sonos appeared in all three answers and Bose in none.
Who do people search for more?
Bose and Sonos are searched for about as often as each other.
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Top surround sound system brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions, Sonos appeared in all three answers. Bose did not appear in any of the three answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Sony3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Sonos3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Samsung3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Denon3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Yamaha2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Bose0 of 3Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers
LG0 of 3Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Panasonic0 of 3Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers
See every answer about surround sound system brands
3 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which surround sound system brand should I buy in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best surround sound system brands in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best surround sound system brand in New Zealand for home movie nights?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best surround sound system”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Searched Google, AI Overview
“home theatre system nz”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.
Is Bose or Sonos more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Bose and Sonos by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight surround sound system brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Bose, Sonos. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Sony | Bose | Sonos | Samsung | LG | Yamaha | Denon | Panasonic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 54.4% | 23.9% | 17.7% | 1.4% | 1% | 0.75% | 0.75% | 0.04% |
| Nov 2025 | 52.5% | 23.8% | 20.3% | 1.2% | 0.92% | 0.54% | 0.67% | 0.03% |
| Dec 2025 | 52% | 23.7% | 20.8% | 1.3% | 0.79% | 0.7% | 0.7% | 0.03% |
| Jan 2026 | 54.2% | 21.9% | 19.7% | 1.5% | 1.1% | 0.64% | 0.98% | 0.04% |
| Feb 2026 | 57.3% | 20.2% | 18.2% | 1.4% | 1.1% | 0.94% | 0.76% | 0.04% |
| Mar 2026 | 55.5% | 19.8% | 20.2% | 1.5% | 1.1% | 0.81% | 1% | 0.04% |
| Apr 2026 | 54.5% | 19.8% | 21% | 1.5% | 1.4% | 0.8% | 0.99% | 0.04% |
| May 2026 | 54.3% | 22.5% | 19.3% | 1.1% | 1.1% | 0.75% | 0.93% | 0.04% |
| Jun 2026 | 53.5% | 24% | 18.6% | 1.1% | 1.3% | 0.61% | 0.75% | 0.04% |
| Jul 2026 | 55% | 22.2% | 18.5% | 1.4% | 1.2% | 0.74% | 0.92% | 0.04% |
| Aug 2026 | 51.2% | 23.7% | 20.7% | 1.7% | 1.2% | 0.75% | 0.75% | 0.04% |
| Sep 2026 | 56.5% | 20% | 19.7% | 1.3% | 0.93% | 0.86% | 0.69% | 0.03% |
How has the Bose and Sonos comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 2 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: Sonos took it in March 2026, Bose took it in May 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Bose’s share of searches among surround sound system brands in New Zealand moved from 23.9% to 20%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 6.7K to 6K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Sonos’ share of searches among surround sound system brands in New Zealand moved from 17.7% to 19.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 5K to 6K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand surround sound system brands in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Bose lost share of searches among surround sound system brands in New Zealand, from 23.7% to 20%.
In September 2026, Sonos lost share of searches among surround sound system brands in New Zealand, from 20.7% to 19.7%.
How are branded searches counted?
17 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Bose’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.
Other head-to-heads among surround sound system brands
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