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10 Best Smart Soundbars 2026 in the United States

#1

Winner

10.0 score

Bose Smart Ultra Dolby Atmos Soundbar, All-in-One Surround Sound System for TV, A.I. Dialogue Mode, Alexa and Google Voice Control, HDMI eARC, Black

The Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar is a premium option in the smart soundbar category, featuring Dolby Atmos and Bose TrueSpace technology for an immersive audio experience. With six transducers, including upward-firing speakers, it delivers surround sound that feels like it envelops the entire room, enhancing both movies and music. The A.I. Dialogue Mode ensures clear and crisp dialogue, so you won't miss any important lines during your favorite shows or movies. Integrated Amazon Alexa and Google Voice Control make it easy to manage entertainment and smart home tasks with just your voice, adding convenience to its list of features.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,361
Audio Channels
Connectivity Options
Smart Features

Most important from
708 reviews

Audio Channels
Dolby Atmos and upward-firing speakers create a dynamic, theater-like audio experience, especially for movies and games.
Connectivity Options
Setup is incredibly simple, requiring just a single cable to connect to the television.
Smart Features
The Bose Music Control app provides extensive control options, including Adaptiq automatic room calibration.
Sound Quality
The sound quality is phenomenal, delivering clear and balanced audio with an impressive spatial effect.
Size and Design
The soundbar's compact design belies its ability to fill an entire room with immersive sound.
Subwoofer
Despite its excellent sound, the lack of a dedicated subwoofer might leave bass enthusiasts wanting more.
#2
9.4 score

Polk Audio MagniFi Max AX SR 7.1.2 Channel Sound Bar with Wireless 10" Subwoofer & SR2 Surround Speakers for Smart TV, Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, Polk's Patented VoiceAdjust & SDA Technologies, Black

The Polk Audio MagniFi Max AX SR is a top-tier 7.1.2 channel soundbar system designed to enhance your home entertainment experience. It comes with a 10-inch wireless subwoofer and SR2 surround speakers, providing immersive, room-filling sound that includes overhead audio. This system excels in delivering clear, cinematic surround sound thanks to the Dolby Atmos and DTS:X certifications and Polk’s SDA 3D audio technology.

Rating
9.4
Audio Channels
Connectivity Options
Sound Quality

Most important from
798 reviews

Audio Channels
Dolby 5.1 with or without Atmos sounds impressive, and the subwoofer and surround speakers add substantial depth.
Connectivity Options
Three HDMI input ports are a rarity in this price range and make connecting multiple devices a breeze.
Sound Quality
The rear speakers significantly enhance the audio experience in movies and live concerts.
Subwoofer
The subwoofer's MDF construction ensures strong performance, delivering impactful bass and harmonic overtones.
#3
9.1 score

Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 Soundbar for TV Surround Sound Home Theater 11 Speaker Soundbar, 360 Spatial Sound Mapping, Dolby Atmos/DTS:X, Dolby Vision, HDMI 2.1 (HT-A8000)

The Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 is a powerful soundbar designed to bring immersive, cinema-like surround sound to your living room with its 11-speaker setup and advanced 360 Spatial Sound Mapping technology. It supports popular surround sound formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, delivering rich and dynamic audio that works well for watching movies, TV shows, and gaming. The soundbar's physical size is quite large at over 43 inches wide, which makes it a good fit for medium to large TVs and rooms but something to consider if space is limited.

Rating
9.1
Audio Channels
Connectivity Options
Smart Features

Most important from
405 reviews

Audio Channels
The immersive Dolby Atmos experience creates convincing overhead and surround effects that transform movie watching into a truly cinematic event.
Connectivity Options
It works flawlessly with non-Sony TVs as well, offering great sound and easy app-based control regardless of your display brand.
Smart Features
Integration with Sony BRAVIA TVs is seamless, allowing control through the TV menu and enhancing the overall user experience without extra remotes.
Sound Quality
The speakers feel solid and high quality, with no tinny or cheap sound, and have held up well under prolonged use at loud volumes.
Size and Design
Setup is remarkably simple—just power the four speakers and controller, and calibration takes only minutes, making it accessible even for non-enthusiasts.
Subwoofer
Adding the SW5 subwoofer significantly enriches bass performance, though it remains just adequate and could benefit from options for dual subwoofers or user customization.

Top 10 Best Smart Soundbars 2026 in the United States

Sonos Beam Gen 2 - Black - Soundbar with Dolby Atmos

Audio Channels: 2.0
Connectivity Options: Wi-Fi, Ethernet, HDMI, AirPlay 2
Smart Features: Alexa, Google Assistant, Multi-room audio
Size and Design: 3.9 x 25.6 x 2.7 inches

Amazon Fire TV Soundbar, 2.0 speaker with DTS Virtual:X and Dolby Audio, Bluetooth connectivity

Audio Channels: 2.0
Connectivity Options: HDMI, Optical, AC, USB-A, Bluetooth
Smart Features: Compatible with Fire TV, smart TVs
Sound Quality: DTS Virtual:X, Dolby Audio
Size and Design: 24 x 3.5 x 2.5 inches

Sonos Arc (Gen 1) - Black

Audio Channels: Surround
Connectivity Options: Wi-Fi, HDMI
Smart Features: Alexa, Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio
Size and Design: 4.5"D x 45"W x 3.4"H
Subwoofer: Not included
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Buying Guide for the Best Smart Soundbars

Choosing the right smart soundbar can significantly enhance your home entertainment experience. A smart soundbar not only improves the audio quality of your TV but also offers smart features like voice control, streaming services, and multi-room audio. To find the best fit for you, it's important to understand the key specifications and how they align with your needs.
Audio ChannelsAudio channels refer to the number of separate audio tracks that a soundbar can produce. This is important because more channels can create a more immersive sound experience. Soundbars typically come in 2.0, 2.1, 3.1, 5.1, or even higher configurations. A 2.0 soundbar has two channels (left and right), while a 2.1 adds a subwoofer for better bass. A 5.1 soundbar includes additional channels for surround sound. If you enjoy movies and want a theater-like experience, a 5.1 or higher soundbar might be best. For general TV watching and music, a 2.0 or 2.1 soundbar could suffice.
Connectivity OptionsConnectivity options determine how you can connect your soundbar to other devices. Common options include HDMI ARC, optical, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi. HDMI ARC provides the best audio quality and allows for easy control with your TV remote. Optical connections are also good for high-quality audio. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enable wireless streaming from your phone or other devices. If you want a simple setup with your TV, look for HDMI ARC. For streaming music from your phone, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi is essential.
Smart FeaturesSmart features in a soundbar can include voice assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant, built-in streaming services, and multi-room audio capabilities. These features are important if you want to control your soundbar with voice commands, stream music directly from services like Spotify, or integrate the soundbar into a smart home system. If you already use a voice assistant or smart home devices, choose a soundbar that is compatible with them. For those who love streaming music, built-in services can be very convenient.
Sound QualitySound quality is a crucial aspect of any soundbar. It encompasses clarity, bass, treble, and overall balance. High-quality soundbars offer clear dialogue, deep bass, and a balanced sound profile. To evaluate sound quality, consider reading reviews and, if possible, listening to the soundbar in a store. If you watch a lot of action movies, look for a soundbar with strong bass. For dialogue-heavy content, clarity and balance are more important.
Size and DesignThe size and design of a soundbar can affect both its performance and how it fits into your home. Larger soundbars generally provide better sound quality but may not fit well with smaller TVs or spaces. The design should complement your TV and room decor. Measure the space where you plan to place the soundbar and ensure it fits comfortably. If aesthetics are important to you, choose a design that matches your style.
SubwooferA subwoofer is a speaker designed to reproduce low-frequency sounds, adding depth and richness to the audio. Some soundbars come with a built-in subwoofer, while others include a separate wireless subwoofer. A subwoofer is important for a full, immersive sound experience, especially for movies and music with heavy bass. If you enjoy deep bass, look for a soundbar with a dedicated subwoofer. For a more compact setup, a built-in subwoofer might be sufficient.

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