10 Best Bluetooth Soundbars 2026 in the United States

The Sonos Arc Ultra Soundbar promises an impressive audio experience, particularly with its integration of Dolby Atmos and 9.1.4 channel spatial audio. This makes it suitable for immersive home theater and music listening experiences. Sound quality is a standout feature with the Sound Motion technology that precisely places sounds and the option for Speech Enhancement, addressing the need for clear dialogue. Its connectivity options are comprehensive, including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Apple AirPlay 2, and HDMI eARC, making it versatile for various devices and streaming services.

The soundbar's design is both elegant and unobtrusive, fitting well in any modern home setting. It offers multiple control methods including app, touch, voice (Sonos Voice Control and Amazon Alexa), and TV remote, enhancing its ease of use. However, its size at 46.18 inches could be a concern for smaller spaces. Also, while it supports adding additional speakers for a fuller surround sound experience, this could increase the overall cost. The setup process is user-friendly with the Sonos app and HDMI eARC connection.

Additional features like Trueplay for sound tuning and multi-room audio further elevate its functionality. Weighing 12.7 pounds, it is relatively hefty, which might be a consideration for some users. Despite its higher price point, the Sonos Arc Ultra Soundbar delivers on its promise of superior sound and smart features, making it a strong contender for those seeking a high-end, all-encompassing audio solution.

The Bose TV Speaker soundbar is designed to enhance your TV audio experience with a focus on clarity and natural sound. Its compact size makes it easy to fit in front of your television or mount on a wall, which is a significant advantage for those with limited space. With 2 angled full-range drivers, it delivers a spacious audio experience that elevates dialogue, making it great for watching movies or TV shows without straining to hear conversations.

Connectivity options are a strong point, including Bluetooth, HDMI-ARC, optical input, and AUX, allowing you to connect multiple devices effortlessly. This flexibility means you can easily switch between your TV and other devices, like smartphones, for music streaming, which is a plus for users looking for versatility.

While the soundbar provides a decent sound experience, it operates in stereo mode and lacks a dedicated subwoofer, which might disappoint audiophiles or users looking for deep bass. You can enhance your setup by adding a Bose Bass Module, but this requires purchasing additional equipment. The remote control offers features like dialogue mode and a bass boost, which can enhance your listening experience, but some users might prefer having more control over sound settings through an app.

The ease of setup with a straightforward optical audio cable or HDMI connection makes it accessible for less tech-savvy users. The sound quality, while good for conversational clarity, may not satisfy those who seek a more immersive surround sound experience. The build quality is solid, but the lack of water resistance might limit placement options in certain environments.

The Bose TV Speaker is well-suited for casual TV watchers who prioritize dialogue clarity and straightforward connectivity, but it may not meet the demands of users looking for a full cinematic sound experience.

The Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 is designed to deliver a rich home theater experience, featuring 13 speakers with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support for immersive, surround sound. Its 360 Spatial Sound Mapping and Sound Field Optimization help tailor audio to your room, making movies and music feel more vivid and room-filling. With a powerful 585-watt output, it can easily fill medium to large living spaces with clear and dynamic sound.

Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.2, Apple AirPlay 2, and Spotify Connect, allowing easy wireless streaming from various devices. The soundbar’s sleek, rectangular design fits well with modern TVs and can be mounted on a wall or placed on a table. It supports HDMI 2.1 for the latest video standards and smart features like Acoustic Center Sync to integrate well with Sony TVs. One of its strengths is expandability—you can add wireless subwoofers and rear speakers to enhance the surround sound further.

On the downside, the subwoofer connection is wired rather than wireless, which may limit placement flexibility. Also, it’s a sizable unit (over 50 inches wide and 12 pounds), so it needs adequate space. While it offers many advanced features, some users might find setup and calibration a bit complex initially. This soundbar is ideal for those wanting a strong, cinema-like audio upgrade for their TV and multimedia, especially if they value surround sound and smart streaming, but it may be more than necessary for casual listeners or smaller rooms.