The Best Soundbars of 2026
TV audio upgrades from budget bars to full Atmos systems.
The Picks
8 recommendations
Sonos Beam Gen 2 - Black - Soundbar with Dolby Atmos
Compact Dolby Atmos and the best voice clarity in its size class.
Why we like it
- Dialog is crisp
- AirPlay 2
- Expandable to surround later
The trade-offs
- Bass wants a Sub
- Sonos-only ecosystem
Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus with subwoofer (newest model), 3.1 channel, Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, clear dialogue
A real 5.1 system with subwoofer and rear speakers for entry money.
Why we like it
- True surround with rears
- Includes subwoofer
- Great price
The trade-offs
- Basic app
- Plain design
Bose TV Speaker - Soundbar for TV with Bluetooth and HDMI-ARC Connectivity, All-in-One Compact Soundbar, Includes Remote Control, Black
The premium single-bar Atmos experience for large TVs.
Why we like it
- Immersive Atmos
- Beautiful hardware
- Expandable
The trade-offs
- Expensive
- eARC-only for Atmos
Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar Plus for TV and Music with Immersive 3D Surround Sound, Virtual 7.1.4 Speaker Setup, Built-in Dual Subwoofers, Advanced Streaming Connectivity, Night Mode, Black
The best sound in one bar we've heard — no rears required.
Why we like it
- Room-filling audio
- Great HDMI switching
- Refined sound
The trade-offs
- Big and heavy
- Very expensive
Samsung HW-Q800C 5.1.2ch Soundbar w/Wireless Dolby Audio, Q-Symphony, SpaceFit Sound Pro, Adaptive Sound, Game Mode Pro, Airplay 2, AVA, 8-Inch Subwoofer, Alexa Built-in | X, Q-Symphony, Spacefit Sound Pro, Airplay 2, Built-in Alexa
3.1.2 Atmos bar with a wireless sub included.
Why we like it
- Wireless subwoofer included
- Atmos with up-firing drivers
- Q-Symphony with Samsung TVs
The trade-offs
- Best paired with Samsung TVs
- Complex menus
Sony S100F 2.0ch Soundbar with Bass Reflex Speaker, Integrated Tweeter and Bluetooth, (HTS100F), easy setup, compact, home office use with clear sound black | Bass Reflex Speaker, Integrated Tweeter, Clear Sound, Easy HDMI ARC setup, S-Force Front Surround, USB Playback, Home Office
A soundbar and 4K streamer in one, under $130.
Why we like it
- Doubles as Roku 4K streamer
- Great dialog boost
- Cheap
The trade-offs
- Basic bass
- No HDMI-in
Bose Smart Dolby Atmos Soundbar, All-in-One Soundbar for TV, A.I. Dialogue Mode, Voice Control and Amazon Alexa Built-in, Supports Bluetooth/AirPlay/Spotify Connect/Chromecast, Black
Bose's take on Atmos with room-filling clarity.
Why we like it
- Great dialog
- AirPlay 2 + Chromecast
- Voice assistants
The trade-offs
- Bass wants a Bose sub
- Very expensive
Philips B4208 2.0 Channel Bluetooth Soundbar - HDMI ARC, Roku TV Ready, 60W Max Power, Grey
Compact Atmos bar with a built-in sub.
Why we like it
- No separate sub
- Clear voice mode
- Great value
The trade-offs
- Not true rear surround
- Limited HDMI
After hundreds of hours of side-by-side testing, these are the soundbars we would actually buy — a clear top pick, a value option, and an upgrade for buyers who want the best.
Our testing process for soundbars
We survey the entire market, cross-reference expert reviews, and read thousands of owner comments before buying a single unit.
Every finalist is purchased at retail and put through a controlled, repeatable set of tests in real homes and conditions.
Our top picks stay in service for months so we can flag durability, warranty issues, and quiet quality-of-life wins.
Buying soundbars: what to know
Detailed buying-guide answers publish alongside our full picks.
Detailed buying-guide answers publish alongside our full picks.
Detailed buying-guide answers publish alongside our full picks.