10 Best Soundbar Sound Bars 2026 in the United States

The Sonos Arc Ultra is a premium soundbar designed to deliver an immersive home audio experience, especially suitable for those who want rich surround sound for TV, movies, gaming, and music. It features a powerful 9.1.4 channel setup with Dolby Atmos, enabling detailed sound coming from all around and above you, which enhances a true theater feeling. Its size is quite large at about 46 inches wide, so ensure you have enough space on your TV stand.

Although it doesn’t include a built-in subwoofer, it supports adding a separate Sonos Sub for deeper bass if you want that extra punch. Connectivity options include HDMI eARC for easy connection to your TV, plus Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for streaming music from your phone or other devices. The soundbar also includes voice control options, working with both Sonos Voice Control and Amazon Alexa, and can be managed through the app, touch controls, or your TV remote. The built-in AI-powered speech enhancement improves dialogue clarity, which is beneficial if you often struggle to hear voices during shows or movies.

It supports multi-room audio, allowing you to expand your sound system with other Sonos speakers around your home. Weighing around 13 pounds and featuring a tabletop design, wall mounting requires additional hardware. This soundbar suits users who want high-quality surround sound with smart features and streaming flexibility, though those seeking a more compact or budget-friendly option may find it larger and pricier.

The Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus with built-in subwoofer is a solid choice for anyone looking to upgrade their home theater experience. It offers a 3.1 channel system with the ability to expand to a full 5.1 surround sound setup with the included external subwoofer and surround speakers. The clear dialogue feature, thanks to a dedicated center dialogue channel, ensures you won't miss any conversations in your favorite shows or movies.

Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support provide immersive 3D sound, making your entertainment more lifelike and engaging. The soundbar also includes various sound modes like Movie, Music, Sports, and Night, which optimize the audio based on what you’re watching, enhancing the experience. Setup is straightforward with the wireless connectivity for the subwoofer and speakers, reducing the clutter of cables.

The added smart feature of being Fire TV ready allows you to use one remote to control both your TV and soundbar, simplifying user interaction. Bluetooth compatibility enables easy streaming from your phone or tablet, adding versatility. The size might be a bit bulky for smaller spaces, and the subwoofer and surround speakers add weight, but the cinematic sound quality and smart features make it worth considering for a full-fledged home theater system.

The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is a compact soundbar with a sleek black design that will fit neatly on a shelf. It boasts a 3D surround sound effect thanks to Dolby Atmos, which creates an immersive audio experience. The soundbar provides vibrant bass and clear dialogue, making it great for both movies and music. With a maximum output power of 200 watts, it delivers powerful sound without the need for a separate subwoofer, although it can be expanded to a full surround system if desired.

Connectivity is straightforward with Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and HDMI options, and setup is simple with only two cables required. The Sonos app offers step-by-step guidance, and the Trueplay tuning feature ensures optimal sound quality. You can control the soundbar using the Sonos app, your TV remote, Apple AirPlay 2, or voice commands via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, making it very versatile.

However, it doesn't include a dedicated subwoofer, which might be a drawback for those seeking deeper bass. Additionally, it's primarily designed for use within the Sonos ecosystem, which may limit compatibility with other brands. This soundbar is ideal for those looking for a high-quality, easy-to-use audio solution that can be expanded over time.