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The best soundbars fix the thin, muddy audio that comes out of almost every modern flat-screen TV, and they make movie night, football Sundays and gaming sessions feel bigger. With holiday sales on the way, we compared specs, expert testing and owner reviews of the latest models from Sonos, Samsung, Sony, Hisense, Klipsch and ZVOX. Our nine picks range from a compact bar that makes dialogue crystal clear to full Dolby Atmos packages with wireless subwoofers and rear speakers.
Quick picks
| Product | Best for | Price range | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sonos Arc Ultra | Best overall | $$$ | See price |
| Samsung HW-Q990H | All-in-one surround package | $$$$ | See price |
| Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 | Gamers and HDMI 2.1 | $$$ | See price |
| Sonos Beam (Gen 2) | Compact Dolby Atmos | $$ | See price |
| Sony BRAVIA Theater System 6 | Mid-range 5.1 surround | $$-$$$ | See price |
| Hisense AX5125H | Budget Atmos package | $$ | See price |
| ZVOX AccuVoice AV855 | Clearer dialogue | $$ | See price |
| Klipsch Flexus Core 100 | Budget step-up | $ | See price |
| Sony HT-S100F | Cheapest upgrade | $ | See price |
Price tiers: $ = under $200, $$ = $200 to $500, $$$ = $500 to $1,000, $$$$ = over $1,000. Soundbars are heavily discounted around Black Friday, so tiers can shift.
1. Sonos Arc Ultra: Best Overall
Sonos’s flagship is the soundbar What Hi-Fi currently rates best overall, praising its precise, spacious, three-dimensional sound and bass that is punchy and tuneful for a single bar. It supports Dolby Atmos, connects to your TV over HDMI eARC, and streams music over Wi-Fi and AirPlay 2, with Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect built in. Its biggest strength is flexibility: start with the bar alone, then add a Sonos subwoofer and rear speakers later. Note that it has no HDMI passthrough and does not support DTS audio.
Key specs
- Formats: Dolby Atmos, PCM (no DTS)
- TV connection: HDMI eARC
- Streaming: Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect
- Size: about 46 inches wide (118 cm)
- Expandable: optional Sonos sub and surrounds
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Owners rave about how wide and enveloping it sounds for a single bar and how good it is for music; the Sonos app experience is the most common frustration.
2. Samsung HW-Q990H: Best All-in-One Surround Package
If you want true surround sound in one box, Samsung’s Q990H bundles the soundbar with a wireless subwoofer and two wireless rear speakers. TechRadar gave it top marks for its powerful, engaging and detailed sound, and What Hi-Fi praised its immersive height effects. It handles Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD and DTS:X, adds two HDMI 2.1 inputs alongside eARC, and supports Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2, Google Cast and Bluetooth. It is the next generation of Samsung’s long-running Q990 series, so last year’s model can be a bargain if you spot it.
Key specs
- System: soundbar, wireless subwoofer and two wireless rear speakers
- Formats: Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, DTS:X
- Connections: HDMI eARC plus two HDMI 2.1 inputs
- Streaming: Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Bluetooth
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Buyers describe a genuine home-theater feel with rumbling bass; some note the sub and rears need careful placement to sound their best.
3. Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9: Best for Gamers
Sony’s Bar 9 is a smart pick for console gamers because it includes a dedicated HDMI 2.1 input that passes 4K/120Hz, VRR and ALLM, so you do not give up a TV port. Reviewers liked its clear, detailed, punchy sound and impressive 3D processing for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. It also offers Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2 and Spotify Connect. Some find its tone slightly clinical, and there is no front display.
Key specs
- Formats: Dolby Atmos, DTS:X
- Connections: HDMI eARC plus HDMI 2.1 input (4K/120Hz, VRR, ALLM)
- Streaming: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect
- Size: about 51 inches wide (130 cm)
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Owners like the clarity and how well it pairs with Sony TVs; a few say they eventually added Sony’s sub for deeper bass.
4. Sonos Beam (Gen 2): Best Compact Dolby Atmos Soundbar
The Beam Gen 2 is the easiest way to get Sonos sound and virtual Dolby Atmos under a smaller TV. At roughly 26 inches wide it fits neatly under smaller TVs, and reviewers found its Atmos effect convincing for its size, with a warm, refined tone. It has HDMI eARC, Wi-Fi, Ethernet and AirPlay 2, plus Alexa or Google Assistant voice control. There is no Bluetooth, no DTS:X and no extra HDMI port.
Key specs
- Formats: Dolby Atmos (virtualized), PCM
- TV connection: HDMI eARC
- Streaming: Wi-Fi, Ethernet, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect
- Voice: Alexa and Google Assistant
- Size: about 26 inches wide (65 cm)
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Owners love how much better their TV sounds with minimal setup; many say they later added a Sonos sub for movies.
5. Sony BRAVIA Theater System 6: Best Mid-Range Surround System
Sony’s System 6 is a 5.1-channel package with a soundbar, subwoofer and rear speakers, delivering punchy, weighty bass and enveloping surround for far less than flagship systems. It supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X and connects over HDMI eARC, with Bluetooth and optical as backups. Expect some visible speaker wiring, and there is no HDMI passthrough.
Key specs
- System: 5.1 with soundbar, subwoofer and rear speakers
- Formats: Dolby Atmos, DTS:X
- Connections: HDMI eARC, optical, Bluetooth
- Size: soundbar about 36 inches wide (91 cm)
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Buyers say it delivers a true surround experience at a fair price; cable management is the main complaint.
6. Hisense AX5125H: Best Budget Dolby Atmos Package
Hisense’s AX5125H packs a soundbar, subwoofer and two surround speakers into a budget-friendly box, with support for both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. What Hi-Fi praised its weight and scale for the price and its easy setup. It has HDMI eARC plus an HDMI input, though that input is limited to 60Hz for gaming. The sub can be a little overeager and voices occasionally sound muffled, so use the dialogue settings.
Key specs
- System: soundbar, subwoofer and two surround speakers
- Formats: Dolby Atmos, DTS:X
- Connections: HDMI eARC, HDMI input (60Hz), optical, Bluetooth
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Owners are impressed by how cinematic it sounds for the price; some had to tweak the sub level to tame the bass.
7. ZVOX AccuVoice AV855: Best for Clearer Dialogue
If you are always reaching for subtitles, ZVOX’s AccuVoice AV855 is built specifically to make voices easier to understand. TechRadar singled it out for people with hearing difficulties and for anyone tired of cranking the volume just to follow a conversation, while noting its rather utilitarian look. It is not designed for cinematic Atmos effects, but for news, dramas and sports commentary it can make a bigger difference than a far more expensive bar.
Key specs
- Focus: dialogue enhancement technology
- Best for: viewers with hearing difficulties or anyone who relies on subtitles
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Many buyers say it let them, or an older relative, turn off captions for the first time in years; music and action movies are not its strength.
8. Klipsch Flexus Core 100: Best Budget Step-Up
Klipsch’s Flexus Core 100 is TechRadar’s budget favorite, with clear dialogue, surprisingly strong bass for a single bar and a useful, responsive front display. Its soundstage is less expansive than pricier models, which is expected at this price, but it is a big step up from TV speakers for a modest outlay.
Key specs
- Design: single soundbar with front display
- Strengths: dialogue clarity and bass
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Owners like the classic Klipsch punch and easy setup; some wish for more surround spaciousness.
9. Sony HT-S100F: Best Cheap Soundbar
Sony’s HT-S100F is What Hi-Fi’s pick for a cheap TV upgrade, with a premium look and feel and good width and scale for the money. It connects by HDMI ARC (not eARC) and also offers Bluetooth and USB. There is no Dolby Atmos, and the sound can be a little muffled and lacking in punch, but it is a clear improvement over built-in TV speakers in a bedroom or small living room.
Key specs
- Formats: Dolby Digital, LPCM 2ch (no Atmos)
- Connections: HDMI ARC, Bluetooth, USB
- Size: about 35 inches wide (90 cm)
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Buyers call it an easy, affordable upgrade for a bedroom TV; bass lovers usually wish they had spent more.
How to choose the best soundbar for your TV
Match the width to your TV. A soundbar looks and sounds best when it is close to the width of your screen. Compact bars around 25 inches suit smaller TVs, while 45- to 50-inch bars pair with 65-inch and larger sets.
Decide on Dolby Atmos. Atmos adds height to movie soundtracks. Bars with upfiring drivers or rear speakers create the most convincing effect; virtualized Atmos in compact bars is subtler.
Standalone bar or full package. A single bar is simplest. Bundles with a wireless subwoofer and rear speakers deliver real surround sound and deeper bass, but take up more space. Some bars, like the Sonos models, let you add those pieces later.
Check your TV connection. HDMI eARC carries lossless and Atmos audio from your TV and lets one remote control volume. If you game on a console, an HDMI 2.1 passthrough input keeps 4K/120Hz without using up a TV port.
Dialogue features. Look for a center channel or a dialogue-enhancement mode if you struggle to hear voices. A specialized bar like the ZVOX can help more than a pricey flagship.
Streaming and ecosystem. Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2 or Google Cast make the soundbar double as a music speaker. Bluetooth is handy for guests.
FAQ
Is a soundbar worth it over TV speakers?
For most people, yes. Thin TVs have little room for speakers, so even an inexpensive soundbar usually improves dialogue clarity and fullness, and mid-range models add real bass and surround effects.
Do I need a subwoofer with my soundbar?
Not always. Many single bars produce decent bass for TV and casual movies. If you love action movies or music with deep bass, a separate or bundled subwoofer makes a noticeable difference.
What is the difference between HDMI ARC and eARC?
Both send audio from your TV to the soundbar over one HDMI cable. eARC has more bandwidth, so it can carry lossless and object-based formats such as Dolby Atmos from streaming apps and Blu-ray players connected to the TV.
Can I mount a soundbar on the wall?
Most soundbars can be wall-mounted, though some require a separate bracket. Follow the manufacturer’s mounting instructions and weight limits, and anchor into studs or use appropriate wall anchors.
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Sources
What Hi-Fi: Best soundbars; TechRadar: The best soundbars we’ve tested in 2026; RTINGS: Best soundbars. Owner feedback is summarized in our own words from public reviews. Photos courtesy of Unsplash.