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10 Best Smart Soundbars 2026 in the United States

#1

Winner

10.0 score

Sonos Arc Ultra Soundbar with Dolby Atmos and Voice Control - 9.1.4 Surround Sound for TV and Music - Black

The Sonos Arc Ultra is a high-end smart soundbar designed to deliver an immersive audio experience, especially for those who want rich, surround sound with Dolby Atmos support. It features an impressive 9.1.4 channel setup, which means it can produce detailed, multi-directional sound that fills the room, making movies and music feel more alive. The built-in AI-powered speech enhancement helps make dialogue crystal clear, so you won’t miss any lines during TV shows or movies.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,125
Audio Channels
Connectivity Options
Smart Features

Most important from
659 reviews

Audio Channels
The 9.1.4 channel setup with Dolby Atmos creates an immersive soundstage that fills the room and delivers multi-directional audio precision.
Connectivity Options
Setup is straightforward and quick, with a simple HDMI eARC connection and intuitive app guidance that gets you up and running in minutes.
Smart Features
AI-powered speech enhancement ensures dialogue is crystal clear, eliminating the need to rewind missed lines during movies or shows.
Sound Quality
Trueplay tuning automatically adjusts sound based on room acoustics, noticeably improving overall audio quality.
Size and Design
The soundbar’s sleek, minimalist design blends elegantly into living rooms without distracting from the TV setup.
#2
10.0 score

Sonos Arc Ultra Soundbar with Dolby Atmos and Voice Control - 9.1.4 Surround Sound for TV and Music - White

The Sonos Arc Ultra is a high-end smart soundbar designed to deliver an immersive audio experience with its impressive 9.1.4 channel setup and Dolby Atmos support. This means it can project sound from multiple directions, making movies and music feel more lifelike and engaging. It includes advanced technology like Sound Motion and AI-powered Speech Enhancement, which helps clarify dialogue for easy listening. Connectivity options are versatile, offering Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, and HDMI eARC, allowing you to link it seamlessly with your TV and streaming devices.

Rating
10.0
Audio Channels
Connectivity Options
Smart Features

Most important from
656 reviews

Audio Channels
The 9.1.4 channel setup with Dolby Atmos creates an immersive soundscape that feels like audio is coming from all directions, transforming movies into captivating experiences.
Connectivity Options
Setup is straightforward and quick, with HDMI eARC and the Sonos app providing step-by-step guidance that gets you up and running in under 10 minutes.
Smart Features
AI-powered Speech Enhancement delivers crystal-clear dialogue, eliminating the need to rewind or strain to hear conversations.
Sound Quality
Trueplay tuning intelligently adapts the sound to your room’s unique acoustics, noticeably enhancing audio quality.
Size and Design
The soundbar’s sleek, high-end design complements any living space without distracting from the TV screen.
Subwoofer
Expanding your home theater with additional Sonos speakers and a wireless subwoofer creates a surround sound experience that rivals commercial theaters.
#3
7.9 score

Sonos Beam Gen 2 - Black - Soundbar with Dolby Atmos

The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is a compact yet powerful smart soundbar that brings a lot to the table for home entertainment enthusiasts. With Dolby Atmos, it offers a 3D surround sound experience, enhancing the immersion when watching movies or playing games. The sound quality is notable, delivering vibrant bass and clear dialogue, which is essential for a soundbar in this category. However, it features a 2.0 channel configuration, which might limit the depth of surround sound compared to soundbars with more channels.

Rating
7.9
Audio Channels
Connectivity Options
Smart Features

Most important from
1937 reviews

Audio Channels
Using additional wireless Sonos speakers with the Beam Gen 2 creates an impressive surround sound experience.
Connectivity Options
The Sonos app is essential for bridging the sound from the TV to the soundbar, ensuring optimal performance.
Smart Features
The absence of a remote is noticeable, but the app provides comprehensive control and setup assistance.
Sound Quality
The sound quality is robust and enhances the volume on your TV, making special effects, music, and dialogue clear and enjoyable.

Top 10 Best Smart Soundbars 2026 in the United States

#1

Winner

10.0  score

Sonos Arc Ultra Soundbar with Dolby Atmos and Voice Control - 9.1.4 Surround Sound for TV and Music - Black

Audio Channels: 9.1.4
Connectivity Options: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, Spotify
Smart Features: Voice commands, app control, touch
Size and Design: 46.18 Inches, sleek, minimalist
Subwoofer: Wired, subwoofer sold separately

Chosen by 1125 this week

Sonos Arc Ultra Soundbar with Dolby Atmos and Voice Control - 9.1.4 Surround Sound for TV and Music - White

Audio Channels: 9.1.4
Connectivity Options: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, Spotify, HDMI
Smart Features: Mic, Voice Control, App, AI Speech, Multiroom
Size and Design: 46.18 in wide, 12.7 lbs, sleek design
Subwoofer: Optional wired Sonos Sub

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

Sonos Beam Gen 2 - White - Soundbar with Dolby Atmos

Audio Channels: 2.0
Connectivity Options: Wi-Fi, Ethernet, HDMI, AirPlay 2
Smart Features: App, Voice Control, Trueplay, Multiroom
Sound Quality: Dolby Atmos, Surround effect
Size and Design: 3.9"D x 25.6"W x 2.7"H, Compact
Subwoofer: Built-in 12-inch wireless subwoofer
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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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