Sonos Arc (1st Gen) review: buy or skip?

Skip7.4/10 research score

Quick answer

Skip it, unless you find it heavily discounted and want Sonos. Why: the Arc Ultra improves bass noticeably; skip the original unless the discount is large. The catch: superseded.

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

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Our verdict on the Sonos Arc (1st Gen)

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

Best for: Older Sonos
Key feature: First Arc, superseded by the Arc Ultra
Typical price: $699–$799

Check Price on Amazon Paid link

Key specifications

Channels	5.0.2
Connection	HDMI eARC
Dolby Atmos	Yes
Subwoofer	Optional

Who should buy it, and who should skip it

A good fit if you

you find it heavily discounted and want Sonos
value good Atmos
can spend around $699–$799

Skip it if you

you can afford the Arc Ultra
mind this: superseded
mind this: weaker bass than Ultra

Pros and cons

Pros

Good Atmos
Clean design
Sonos ecosystem
Voice assistant

Cons

Superseded
Weaker bass than Ultra

The verdict in one breath

We would skip the Sonos Arc (1st Gen) for most people. The Arc Ultra improves bass noticeably; skip the original unless the discount is large.

Reasons to buy

Good Atmos
Clean design
Sonos ecosystem
Voice assistant

Reasons to skip

Superseded
Weaker bass than Ultra

The specs that matter

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

Worth knowing

The Arc Ultra improves bass noticeably; skip the original unless the discount is large.

Buy it or skip it?

Only buy it if you find it heavily discounted and want Sonos. Skip it if you can afford the Arc Ultra; the Samsung HW-Q800F is the better buy then. Everything else is in our list of the best soundbars.

Alternatives worth considering

Samsung · Soundbars

Samsung HW-Q800F

Buy it if you want Atmos and real bass without spending $1,500.

Verdict: Buy
Best for: Atmos with sub
Typical price: $599–$799

Pros

Includes subwoofer
Good Atmos

Cons

No rear speakers

Check Price on Amazon Paid linkRead our review

Sonos · Soundbars

Sonos Arc Ultra

Buy it if you want big Atmos sound without rear speakers and use Sonos.

Verdict: Buy
Best for: Dolby Atmos
Typical price: $899–$999

Pros

Excellent Atmos
Much better bass

Cons

Expensive

Check Price on Amazon Paid linkRead our review

Frequently asked questions

Should I buy the Sonos Arc (1st Gen)?

Skip it, unless you find it heavily discounted and want Sonos. Why: the Arc Ultra improves bass noticeably; skip the original unless the discount is large. The catch: superseded.

When should I skip it?

Skip it if you can afford the Arc Ultra. The Samsung HW-Q800F is the better buy then.

What does the Sonos Arc (1st Gen) cost?

Usually $699–$799 on Amazon.com. It tends to dip during Prime Day and Black Friday.

Buyrskip Editorial Team

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

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Sonos Arc (1st Gen): the full buy-or-skip review

Is the Sonos Arc (1st Gen) worth buying? Short answer: skip it, if you can afford the Arc Ultra. This review explains what this Sonos model gets right, where it falls short, what it usually costs in the US and which soundbar to buy instead if it is not the right fit for you.

What the Sonos Arc (1st Gen) does well

The headline: first Arc, superseded by the Arc Ultra. Key specs: Channels: 5.0.2; Connection: HDMI eARC; Dolby Atmos: Yes; Subwoofer: Optional. In our list it is the pick for: older Sonos. It usually sells for $699–$799.

The Arc Ultra improves bass noticeably; skip the original unless the discount is large.

The trade-offs

Good: good Atmos, clean design, sonos ecosystem, voice assistant. Not so good: superseded, weaker bass than Ultra. Read the skip-if line before you order: skip it if you can afford the Arc Ultra.

What to buy instead

Instead, consider the Samsung HW-Q800F ($599–$799): atmos soundbar plus wireless subwoofer at a mid-range price. Better if you want Atmos and real bass without spending $1,500.

Instead, consider the Sonos Arc Ultra ($899–$999): room-filling Atmos with much deeper bass than its predecessor, in a single bar. Better if you want big Atmos sound without rear speakers and use Sonos.

Instead, consider the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) ($399–$499): compact bar with clear dialogue and virtual Atmos. Better if you want a big upgrade over TV speakers in a small or mid-size room.

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.

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.

Order from Amazon itself or the brand's official storefront so the US manufacturer warranty applies, keep your order confirmation and register the product with the brand. Most items can be returned within 30 days, and holiday purchases often get an extended return window into January.