Best soundbars (2026): buy these, skip those

Quick answer

Buy the Sonos Arc Ultra if you want one answer: room-filling Atmos with much deeper bass than its predecessor, in a single bar. Best for mid-size rooms: the Sonos Beam. Best for tight budgets: the Vizio V-Series 5.1 Home Theater Sound Bar. Skip the Samsung HW-Q990F unless you want true surround and Atmos in one box, especially with a Samsung TV.

By Buyrskip Editorial Team Updated November 2, 2026 1 min read

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Our picks at a glance

Buy this first Sonos Arc Ultra Best for Dolby Atmos · Typically $899–$999
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Mid-size rooms Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Best for Mid-size rooms · Typically $399–$499
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Tight budgets Vizio V-Series 5.1 Home Theater Sound Bar Best for Tight budgets · Typically $149–$199
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Atmos with sub Samsung HW-Q800F Best for Atmos with sub · Typically $599–$799
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Small room budget Sonos Ray Best for Small room budget · Typically $199–$279
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Budget with bass Vizio M-Series All-in-One 2.1 Best for Budget with bass · Typically $149–$199
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Discounted flagship Samsung HW-Q990D Best for Discounted flagship · Typically $999–$1,399
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Full surround Samsung HW-Q990F Best for Full surround · Typically $1,199–$1,999
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Sony TV owners Sony Bravia Theater Bar 9 Best for Sony TV owners · Typically $899–$1,099
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Single-bar Atmos Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Best for Single-bar Atmos · Typically $699–$899
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Simple dialogue fix Bose TV Speaker Best for Simple dialogue fix · Typically $199–$279
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Skip it Sonos Arc (1st Gen) Best for Older Sonos · Typically $699–$799
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Paid link: buttons go to the retailer. Prices change often, so we link to the current price instead of listing one.

Comparison table

Feature	Buy this firstSonos Arc Ultra	Mid-size roomsSonos Beam (Gen 2)	Tight budgetsVizio V-Series 5.1 Home Theater Sound Bar	Atmos with subSamsung HW-Q800F	Small room budgetSonos Ray	Budget with bassVizio M-Series All-in-One 2.1	Discounted flagshipSamsung HW-Q990D	Full surroundSamsung HW-Q990F	Sony TV ownersSony Bravia Theater Bar 9	Single-bar AtmosBose Smart Ultra Soundbar	Simple dialogue fixBose TV Speaker	Skip itSonos Arc (1st Gen)
Verdict	Buy	Buy	Buy	Buy	Buy	Buy	Consider	Consider	Consider	Consider	Consider	Skip
Typical price	$899–$999	$399–$499	$149–$199	$599–$799	$199–$279	$149–$199	$999–$1,399	$1,199–$1,999	$899–$1,099	$699–$899	$199–$279	$699–$799
Best for	Dolby Atmos	Mid-size rooms	Tight budgets	Atmos with sub	Small room budget	Budget with bass	Discounted flagship	Full surround	Sony TV owners	Single-bar Atmos	Simple dialogue fix	Older Sonos
Key feature	Room-filling Atmos with much deeper bass than its predecessor, in a single bar	Compact bar with clear dialogue and virtual Atmos	Surround sound with a wireless sub and rear speakers for under $200	Atmos soundbar plus wireless subwoofer at a mid-range price	Compact Sonos soundbar with clear dialogue for small TVs	Built-in subwoofers and Atmos virtual sound for little money	Previous Q990 with full 11.1.4 surround, often discounted	11.1.4 channels with rear speakers and a big subwoofer in the box	Strong virtual surround and Atmos from a single bar	Single-bar Dolby Atmos with AI dialogue mode	Small, simple soundbar that makes speech clearer	First Arc, superseded by the Arc Ultra
Channels	9.1.4	5.0	5.1	5.1.2	2.0	2.1	11.1.4	11.1.4	7.1.2	5.1.2	2.0	5.0.2
Connection	HDMI eARC	HDMI eARC	HDMI ARC	HDMI eARC	Optical	HDMI eARC	HDMI eARC	HDMI eARC	HDMI eARC	HDMI eARC	HDMI ARC	HDMI eARC
Dolby Atmos	Yes	Virtual	No	Yes	No	Virtual	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
Subwoofer	Optional	Optional	Included	Included	Optional	Built in	Included	Included	Optional	Optional	Optional	Optional
Where to buy	Check Price Paid link	Check Price Paid link	Check Price Paid link	Check Price Paid link	Check Price Paid link	Check Price Paid link	Check Price Paid link	Check Price Paid link	Check Price Paid link	Check Price Paid link	Check Price Paid link	Check Price Paid link

Sonos · Soundbars

Sonos Arc Ultra

Room-filling Atmos with much deeper bass than its predecessor, in a single bar.

Buy it if: you want big Atmos sound without rear speakers and use Sonos.
Skip it if: you have a small room or want to spend less than $500.

Pros

Excellent Atmos
Much better bass
Clear dialogue
Expandable

Cons

Expensive
No HDMI inputs

Key specifications

Channels: 9.1.4
Connection: HDMI eARC
Dolby Atmos: Yes
Subwoofer: Optional

Read the full review

Sonos · Soundbars

Sonos Beam (Gen 2)

Compact bar with clear dialogue and virtual Atmos.

Buy it if: you want a big upgrade over TV speakers in a small or mid-size room.
Skip it if: you want real, room-shaking bass without a sub.

Pros

Compact
Very clear dialogue
Great app
Voice assistants

Cons

Virtual Atmos only
Bass limited without a sub

Key specifications

Channels: 5.0
Connection: HDMI eARC
Dolby Atmos: Virtual
Subwoofer: Optional

Read the full review

Vizio · Soundbars

Vizio V-Series 5.1 Home Theater Sound Bar

Surround sound with a wireless sub and rear speakers for under $200.

Buy it if: you want surround sound on a small budget.
Skip it if: you want Atmos or premium build.

Pros

Includes sub and rears
Great value
Easy setup

Cons

No Atmos
Basic app control

Key specifications

Channels: 5.1
Connection: HDMI ARC
Dolby Atmos: No
Subwoofer: Included

Read the full review

Samsung · Soundbars

Samsung HW-Q800F

Atmos soundbar plus wireless subwoofer at a mid-range price.

Buy it if: you want Atmos and real bass without spending $1,500.
Skip it if: you want a single-box setup.

Pros

Includes subwoofer
Good Atmos
Q-Symphony with Samsung TVs
Wireless Dolby Atmos

Cons

No rear speakers
Best with Samsung TVs

Key specifications

Channels: 5.1.2
Connection: HDMI eARC
Dolby Atmos: Yes
Subwoofer: Included

Read the full review

Sonos · Soundbars

Sonos Ray

Compact Sonos soundbar with clear dialogue for small TVs.

Buy it if: you want better TV dialogue in a bedroom or small room.
Skip it if: you want Dolby Atmos.

Pros

Clear dialogue
Compact
Works with Sonos
Easy setup

Cons

No Atmos
No HDMI

Key specifications

Channels: 2.0
Connection: Optical
Dolby Atmos: No
Subwoofer: Optional

Read the full review

Vizio · Soundbars

Vizio M-Series All-in-One 2.1

Built-in subwoofers and Atmos virtual sound for little money.

Buy it if: you want fuller sound on a tight budget.
Skip it if: you want true Atmos height.

Pros

Built-in subwoofers
Cheap
HDMI eARC
Compact

Cons

Virtual Atmos only
Average app

Key specifications

Channels: 2.1
Connection: HDMI eARC
Dolby Atmos: Virtual
Subwoofer: Built in

Read the full review

Samsung · Soundbars

Samsung HW-Q990D

Previous Q990 with full 11.1.4 surround, often discounted.

Buy it if: you want the full surround system and find it on sale.
Skip it if: the newer Q990F is close in price.

Pros

Full 11.1.4 surround
Rear speakers included
Powerful sub
Q-Symphony

Cons

Large
Expensive at full price

Key specifications

Channels: 11.1.4
Connection: HDMI eARC
Dolby Atmos: Yes
Subwoofer: Included

Read the full review

Samsung · Soundbars

Samsung HW-Q990F

11.1.4 channels with rear speakers and a big subwoofer in the box.

Buy it if: you want true surround and Atmos in one box, especially with a Samsung TV.
Skip it if: you want simple setup or have a small room.

Pros

True surround
Huge bass
Great with Samsung TVs

Cons

Expensive
Many boxes

Key specifications

Channels: 11.1.4
Connection: HDMI eARC
Dolby Atmos: Yes
Subwoofer: Included

Read the full review

Sony · Soundbars

Sony Bravia Theater Bar 9

Strong virtual surround and Atmos from a single bar.

Buy it if: you own a Sony Bravia TV and want premium sound.
Skip it if: you want a sub included.

Pros

Excellent virtual surround
Clear dialogue
Works with Sony TVs
Premium build

Cons

Expensive
Sub sold separately

Key specifications

Channels: 7.1.2
Connection: HDMI eARC
Dolby Atmos: Yes
Subwoofer: Optional

Read the full review

Bose · Soundbars

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar

Single-bar Dolby Atmos with AI dialogue mode.

Buy it if: you want strong Atmos and dialogue from one bar.
Skip it if: you want deep bass without a subwoofer.

Pros

AI dialogue mode
Good Atmos
Elegant design
Alexa built in

Cons

Expensive
Bass needs sub

Key specifications

Channels: 5.1.2
Connection: HDMI eARC
Dolby Atmos: Yes
Subwoofer: Optional

Read the full review

Bose · Soundbars

Bose TV Speaker

Small, simple soundbar that makes speech clearer.

Buy it if: you want clearer TV dialogue with minimal setup.
Skip it if: you want bass or Atmos.

Pros

Clear dialogue
Simple
Compact
HDMI ARC

Cons

No Atmos
Light bass

Key specifications

Channels: 2.0
Connection: HDMI ARC
Dolby Atmos: No
Subwoofer: Optional

Read the full review

Sonos · Soundbars

Sonos Arc (1st Gen)

First Arc, superseded by the Arc Ultra.

Buy it if: you find it heavily discounted and want Sonos.
Skip it if: you can afford the Arc Ultra.

Pros

Good Atmos
Clean design
Sonos ecosystem
Voice assistant

Cons

Superseded
Weaker bass than Ultra

Key specifications

Channels: 5.0.2
Connection: HDMI eARC
Dolby Atmos: Yes
Subwoofer: Optional

Read the full review

Compare more Soundbars on Amazon Paid link

The short answer

Soundbars and Dolby Atmos systems that fix thin TV sound, compared on dialogue, bass and HDMI eARC. We researched 12 models sold on Amazon.com and put each one in one of two piles: buy it, or skip it (with a few “consider” calls where it depends on you).

How the buy-or-skip call is made

We read spec sheets, manuals and warranty terms, check warranty support in the US and track the usual Amazon.com price. A product earns “Buy” only if we would recommend it to a friend at that price. No brand pays for a place on this list.

Check these before you buy

Connection: HDMI eARC passes Dolby Atmos and lets your TV remote control the volume.
Dialogue first: a dedicated center channel or speech mode helps more than a huge subwoofer.
Room size: a compact bar suits apartments; Atmos with rear speakers suits bigger living rooms.

US buyer tip

Soundbars see some of their deepest discounts around the Super Bowl and Black Friday; bundles with a subwoofer are often cheaper than buying separately. The full checklist is in our soundbars buying guide.

Frequently asked questions

Which soundbar should I buy in 2026?

Start with the Sonos Arc Ultra (room-filling Atmos with much deeper bass than its predecessor, in a single bar). It usually sells for $899–$999 on Amazon.com.

Do I need Dolby Atmos?

Only if you stream Atmos content and have room for a bar with up-firing or rear speakers. Clear dialogue matters more for most people.

Will a soundbar work with any TV?

Yes, through HDMI ARC/eARC or optical; HDMI gives you one-remote control.

What is the cheapest soundbar worth buying?

The Vizio V-Series 5.1 Home Theater Sound Bar, usually $149–$199. Read its skip-if line first so you know what you give up.

Buyrskip Editorial Team

Part of the Buyrskip research team. We compare specifications, documentation and real-world trade-offs so you can decide faster.

How we research products Editorial policy

The best soundbars, sorted into buy and skip

Which soundbar should you buy in 2026? It depends on how you use it, the space you have and what you want to spend, so instead of one winner this list gives every model a clear call and a one-line reason. 6 of the 12 models here earn a straight buy. Read the skip-if lines too: they save more money than the buy-if lines.

Every model, one line each

Buy: Sonos Arc Ultra ($899–$999). Room-filling Atmos with much deeper bass than its predecessor, in a single bar. Buy it if you want big Atmos sound without rear speakers and use Sonos; skip it if you have a small room or want to spend less than $500.

Buy: Sonos Beam (Gen 2) ($399–$499). Compact bar with clear dialogue and virtual Atmos. Buy it if you want a big upgrade over TV speakers in a small or mid-size room; skip it if you want real, room-shaking bass without a sub.

Buy: Vizio V-Series 5.1 Home Theater Sound Bar ($149–$199). Surround sound with a wireless sub and rear speakers for under $200. Buy it if you want surround sound on a small budget; skip it if you want Atmos or premium build.

Buy: Samsung HW-Q800F ($599–$799). Atmos soundbar plus wireless subwoofer at a mid-range price. Buy it if you want Atmos and real bass without spending $1,500; skip it if you want a single-box setup.

Buy: Sonos Ray ($199–$279). Compact Sonos soundbar with clear dialogue for small TVs. Buy it if you want better TV dialogue in a bedroom or small room; skip it if you want Dolby Atmos.

Buy: Vizio M-Series All-in-One 2.1 ($149–$199). Built-in subwoofers and Atmos virtual sound for little money. Buy it if you want fuller sound on a tight budget; skip it if you want true Atmos height.

Consider: Samsung HW-Q990D ($999–$1,399). Previous Q990 with full 11.1.4 surround, often discounted. Buy it if you want the full surround system and find it on sale; skip it if the newer Q990F is close in price.

Consider: Samsung HW-Q990F ($1,199–$1,999). 11.1.4 channels with rear speakers and a big subwoofer in the box. Buy it if you want true surround and Atmos in one box, especially with a Samsung TV; skip it if you want simple setup or have a small room.

Consider: Sony Bravia Theater Bar 9 ($899–$1,099). Strong virtual surround and Atmos from a single bar. Buy it if you own a Sony Bravia TV and want premium sound; skip it if you want a sub included.

Consider: Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar ($699–$899). Single-bar Dolby Atmos with AI dialogue mode. Buy it if you want strong Atmos and dialogue from one bar; skip it if you want deep bass without a subwoofer.

Consider: Bose TV Speaker ($199–$279). Small, simple soundbar that makes speech clearer. Buy it if you want clearer TV dialogue with minimal setup; skip it if you want bass or Atmos.

Skip: Sonos Arc (1st Gen) ($699–$799). First Arc, superseded by the Arc Ultra. Buy it if you find it heavily discounted and want Sonos; skip it if you can afford the Arc Ultra.

How we sorted them

How we make the call: we read spec sheets, manuals and warranty terms, check long-term owner feedback and US support, and track the usual Amazon.com price. A product gets “Buy” only if we would tell a friend to buy it at that price. Brands cannot pay for a verdict. Connection: HDMI eARC passes Dolby Atmos and lets your TV remote control the volume.

When to buy

Prices on Amazon.com move in a pattern. The deepest cuts land on Prime Day in July, Prime Big Deal Days in October and the Black Friday to Cyber Monday week, with smaller drops around Presidents Day, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and back-to-school. Judge a deal against the usual price we show, never against the crossed-out list price.

US buyer tip

Soundbars see some of their deepest discounts around the Super Bowl and Black Friday; bundles with a subwoofer are often cheaper than buying separately.