10 Best Soundbars 2026 in the United States

The Samsung Q800F is a solid choice for anyone looking to enhance their home audio with immersive surround sound. It features a 5.1.2 channel setup with side and upward-firing speakers that deliver Dolby Atmos, creating a 3D sound experience that makes you feel like sounds are coming from all around and above you. The included wireless subwoofer packs a punch with an 8-inch driver and passive radiator, providing deep bass without taking up much space. It’s great for movie nights, gaming, or music, with a total output of 400 watts that fills the room nicely.

One of its standout features is the ability to work seamlessly with compatible Samsung TVs using Q-Symphony, which blends the soundbar and TV speakers for richer audio. The soundbar also automatically calibrates itself to your room’s acoustics using built-in microphones, so you don’t have to fuss with settings to get clear dialogue and balanced sound. Game Mode Pro helps sharpen audio cues for gaming, making it easier to pinpoint action. Connectivity options are user-friendly, including Bluetooth, HDMI, Wi-Fi, and support for voice assistants like Alexa, plus streaming via Apple AirPlay 2 and Google Cast. This makes it easy to control and stream from your smartphone or other devices.

On the downside, at nearly 28 pounds and about 44 inches wide, it’s quite substantial, so you’ll need enough space for placement or wall mounting. Also, it’s designed primarily for indoor use and isn’t waterproof. Some users might find the setup a bit involved if they’re not familiar with soundbars, but the auto-calibration helps simplify this. If you want a powerful, smart soundbar that delivers immersive Dolby Atmos audio with flexible connectivity and clear voice enhancement, the Samsung Q800F is a great fit. It’s particularly well-suited for those who enjoy movies, gaming, and music in a dedicated home theater space.

The JBL Bar 1300XMK2 is a powerful and versatile soundbar system designed for those who want immersive home theater audio without complicated setup. It features an 11.1.4 channel setup, including six up-firing speakers and detachable wireless surround speakers, delivering true Dolby Atmos and DTS:X 3D surround sound. This means you get realistic height effects and rich, room-filling audio that makes movies and music feel more lifelike. The 12-inch wireless subwoofer adds deep, punchy bass to enhance explosions or music beats.

One standout feature is the detachable surround speakers with long-lasting batteries, which you can easily move around or take with you for audio in another room, all without extra wires or power connections. The JBL ONE app lets you customize sound settings, update software, and control features like night listening, which lowers volume so you won’t disturb others. Connectivity is comprehensive, with options including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, HDMI, Ethernet, Optical, and USB, making it easy to link with TVs, smartphones, and streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music. Thanks to features like MultiBeam 3.0, the sound spreads evenly in your room, and PureVoice 2.0 clarity helps you catch every dialogue line.

The soundbar is quite large (over 55 inches wide and nearly 62 pounds), so it requires sufficient space and might be less ideal for smaller rooms or tight setups. Also, while detachable speakers are convenient, they need regular charging. The system’s premium features come with a higher price tag, which may not fit casual listeners’ budgets. For those seeking a top-tier soundbar with excellent 3D sound, flexible placement, and smart features for a true cinematic experience, the JBL Bar 1300XMK2 is an excellent choice, especially for users with enough space and a desire for a wire-free surround sound setup with strong bass and easy streaming options.

The Samsung Q990D soundbar is designed to deliver a rich home theater experience with its 11.1.4 channel setup, including a wireless subwoofer and rear speakers. This means you get immersive, surround sound with Dolby Atmos, making movies and games feel very lifelike. Its wireless Dolby Atmos feature helps reduce cable clutter, which is great if you want a clean setup. The soundbar also uses Q-Symphony technology to work seamlessly with Samsung TVs, enhancing audio without needing extra devices.

One of the highlights is the SpaceFit Sound Pro, which automatically adjusts sound based on your room's shape and size, so you get clear, balanced audio without fiddling with settings. Adaptive Sound and Active Voice Analyzer features focus on making dialogue clear even at low volumes or in noisy rooms, which is handy for TV shows and sports. The Game Mode Pro offers 3D sound tailored for gaming, giving a more immersive experience.

Connectivity is solid with support for Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Chromecast, AirPlay 2, and built-in Alexa voice control, making it easy to stream music or control the soundbar with voice commands. The tap-to-play feature is a simple way to start streaming from your phone. The soundbar is quite large and heavy (over 50 pounds and nearly 4 feet wide), so it requires good placement and may be challenging for smaller rooms or simple setups. While it is wireless for speakers, it still needs power cords and wall mounting could be required. The price and complexity might be more than casual listeners need, making it best suited for those wanting a full home theater setup rather than just casual music listening. This makes the Samsung Q990D a premium choice for users seeking immersive, multi-channel surround sound with smart features and easy integration with Samsung TVs. Its powerful sound and room-optimization features stand out, but its size and setup needs mean it’s ideal for dedicated home theater spaces rather than compact or basic audio needs.