The Best Soundbars for 2026

The Samsung Q990F is simply an excellent speaker system that combines a soundbar, two satellites, and a wireless subwoofer for a big, accurate 11.1.4-channel spatial audio experience. The soundbar is pretty bulky, but that means it packs plenty of power, and both the soundbar and the satellites feature upward-firing drivers for full Dolby Atmos reproduction.

Surround sound lovers: With full 360-degree spatial audio out of the box and fantastic sound across the board, this is one of the best soundbar packages you can get for any home theater, if it's in your budget.

Mixed-platform households: The Q990F offers a wide range of connectivity options, including Bluetooth 5.3, Apple AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, and Tidal Connect, and it integrates with Samsung TVs and other Samsung products. It means everyone in the house can play music on it, whether they're an Android or iPhone user, or a Spotify or Tidal subscriber.

$1,000 might seem like a lot for a single soundbar with no satellites or subwoofer, but the Sonos Arc Ultra is worth the expense. Seven angled dome tweeters, including two up-firing tweeters for enhanced height, work in conjunction with six midwoofers and a dedicated woofer to produce a wide, precise sound field and deliver impressive bass without the need for a subwoofer. It's a powerful, immersive sound system on its own, and you can enhance it further by adding Sonos Era 300 speakers as rear satellites and a Sonos Sub 4 subwoofer for a theater-like rumble.

Spatial audio enthusiasts who prefer not to use multiple speakers: The Sonos Arc Ultra is the soundbar to get if you want immersive spatial audio and ample power without the need for a subwoofer and additional satellites. It has the power and the multiple channels necessary to project big sound in front of your couch.

Sonos users: If you already own other Sonos speakers, the Arc Ultra is a natural pick since it integrates directly into the brand's multi-room speaker ecosystem. Just one platform will let you control the soundbar in your living room, the Sonos Era 300 in your office, and the Sonos Move 2 on your deck. If you have two Era 300s, you can pair them with the Arc Ultra to work as especially powerful rear satellites.

JBL's Bar 1300X from 2023 delivers on its promise with 11.1.4-channel spatial audio and a powerful 12-inch subwoofer. One seriously cool aspect is that its wireless satellites can be plugged into the sides of the soundbar to expand its stereo capabilities while charging—and even serve as standalone, portable Bluetooth speakers. It has been replaced by this year's Bar 1000MK2, but it remains an excellent soundbar in its own right.

Dolby Atmos fans: If you want the option of rear satellites without having to plug them in and keep them set up by your couch, the Bar 1300X is the answer. You can detach the wireless satellites for an especially immersive movie experience, and then simply plug them back into the soundbar for everyday viewing.

Bass enthusiasts: The subwoofer's 12-inch driver makes it especially powerful among subwoofers included with a soundbar, so it can really rattle your walls.

The LG S70TY is a 3.1.1-channel soundbar that features a single upward-firing driver to significantly expand its sound field, and its included subwoofer can produce some serious bass. It doesn't have many extras like Wi-Fi streaming or a voice assistant, but at well under $400, it doesn't need them.

Budget-minded home theater fans: If you want substantial sound without spending a bundle, the LG S70TY is a top choice. Its single upward-firing driver means it won't be the most precise spatial audio in terms of vertical imaging, but finding any height channels at all for this price is almost unheard of.

Marshall made its name with guitar amps and carried that style into its Bluetooth speakers, headphones, and now soundbars. The Heston 120 looks like a guitar amp that's been extruded to fit under your TV, with grille cloth, brass accents, and the Marshall logo on the front. This look wouldn't mean much if it didn't sound good, but that's not the case: The Heston 120 puts out surprisingly powerful sound for a one-piece soundbar, and its multiple angled drivers provide 5.1.2-channel spatial audio.

Guitar and amp lovers: The Marshall look is unmistakable, and while it might not be for everyone, its bold design might call out to you. This is a soundbar to show off as an eye-catching accessory to your TV.

One-and-done soundbar users: The Heston 120 isn't expandable with rear satellites or a subwoofer, so you shouldn't plan to use it as part of an all-encompassing sound system. The good news is that it doesn't need additional components to put out a big, powerful sound field with generous low end.

The Beam is one of Sonos' smaller and less expensive soundbars, but it's very capable and complements a modest-size TV (55 inches or smaller) quite well. Its biggest weaknesses are mediocre bass response and the lack of spatial audio, although you can at least add a Sonos subwoofer for enhanced low-end performance.

Google Assistant or Alexa users: Whether you use Google or Amazon's voice assistant regularly, the Beam can offer hands-free access to it. You have to choose one or the other, but the soundbar will respond when you say "Hey Google" or "Alexa."

Sonos users with small TVs: If you already have Sonos speakers around the house and your TV, or budget, isn't big enough to justify the company's huge flagship soundbar, the Beam should suit your needs just right. It fits well with TVs 55 inches and smaller, and easily integrates into Sonos multi-room audio systems.

The Roku Streambar SE isn't particularly impressive in terms of audio power, but it is affordable, compact, and highly flexible. The stereo soundbar is one of the smallest on this list, with just enough output to sound better than your typical budget to midrange TV speakers. What makes it especially useful is its ability to serve as a Roku media hub, effectively working just like a Roku Streaming Stick Plus. That means an on-screen interface with access to all major streaming services, plus Apple AirPlay for streaming locally from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

People with older or cheaper TVs: If your TV is old enough that it lacks any streaming features, or if you aren't satisfied with the features it does have, the Streambar SE will let you access Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, and whatever else you may want (except Twitch), and give it a nice little audio boost in the process.

One of the biggest weaknesses in TV speakers is bass, and that's also one of the biggest weaknesses in most soundbars without a separate subwoofer. The Vizio 2.1 Soundbar addresses that for well under $200, featuring a wireless subwoofer that can add some much-needed thump to your TV. The soundbar itself isn't particularly impressive, but it's still a straightforward way to achieve a solid bass boost.

Bass lovers on a budget: This is a great way to add subwoofer rumble to your TV without spending a lot. Just be aware that the soundbar itself probably won't offer much improvement over your TV's speakers for the higher frequencies.