10 Best HDMI Soundbars 2026 in the United States

The Sonos Arc Ultra is a powerful soundbar designed for those who want a top-notch audio experience with their TV and music. It offers an impressive 9.1.4 channel setup with Dolby Atmos, which means it can create highly immersive, three-dimensional sound that seems to come from all around you. The sound is clear and detailed, especially dialogue, thanks to AI-powered speech enhancement that helps you catch every word.

It connects easily to your TV using a single HDMI eARC cable, making setup straightforward, and offers multiple ways to control it, including voice commands via Sonos Voice Control or Alexa, your TV remote, or the Sonos app. You also get flexible streaming options like WiFi, Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay 2, and Spotify Connect, which means playing music from your phone or other devices is hassle-free. The design is sleek and minimalist, fitting well on a tabletop without drawing attention away from your screen.

The Arc Ultra itself doesn’t include a built-in subwoofer, but you can add one separately for deeper bass, as well as additional rear speakers to create a full surround sound system. It’s a bit heavy and large, so placement needs some space, but this size helps deliver powerful sound. This soundbar is ideal if you want premium, room-filling audio and smart features, especially if you’re willing to expand your setup over time for an even richer surround sound experience.

The Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 is a powerful soundbar designed to bring a cinematic surround sound experience into your living room. It features 13 speakers and supports advanced audio formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, which help create immersive, multi-directional sound. With 585 watts of power, it can fill medium to large rooms with clear, dynamic audio. A standout feature is the 360 Spatial Sound Mapping and Sound Field Optimization, which adapts the sound to your room’s unique acoustics for better clarity and impact.

Connectivity is versatile, including HDMI 2.1 with ARC/eARC support, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.2, Spotify Connect, and Apple AirPlay 2, making it easy to stream music wirelessly from your devices. The soundbar can be expanded with additional wireless subwoofers and rear speakers if you want to enhance the surround sound further. It comes with essential accessories like a remote, HDMI cable, and mounting bracket, and its sleek, rectangular design fits well in most home setups.

A potential drawback is that the subwoofer connection is wired, which might limit placement flexibility compared to fully wireless setups. While the soundbar excels in cinematic audio, it might be more than what casual listeners require given its size and price. It is not water-resistant, so it is strictly for indoor use. Weighing around 12 pounds and measuring over 4 feet wide, it requires sufficient space and proper placement to achieve the best audio performance. This soundbar is an excellent choice for users who prioritize immersive home theater audio with modern streaming options and room-adaptive sound, though those seeking a simpler, more compact model or wireless subwoofer might want to consider other options.

The Bose Smart Ultra Dolby Atmos Soundbar is designed to bring a rich and immersive audio experience to your TV setup. It features Dolby Atmos technology and six transducers, including upward-firing speakers, which help create surround sound that feels like it’s coming from all around you, even overhead. This makes it a great choice if you want a home theater vibe without extra speakers scattered around the room. One standout feature is the A.I. Dialogue Mode, which balances voices and background sounds so you won’t miss any conversations in shows or movies.

The soundbar supports HDMI eARC, allowing you to connect easily to your TV with minimal cables and enjoy high-quality audio. It also connects via Bluetooth for wireless streaming and pairs with Bose headphones or other Bose speakers for flexible listening. Voice control is built in, with Alexa and Google Assistant support, letting you manage your entertainment hands-free. The compact, sleek white design fits nicely on a table or shelf, although it doesn’t come with a built-in subwoofer, relying instead on wireless subwoofer connectivity if you want deeper bass.

While specific power output details are not highlighted, the soundbar is designed to deliver clear and balanced sound suitable for most rooms. If you’re looking for a straightforward, stylish soundbar that enhances TV audio with advanced features and voice controls, this Bose model is a solid option. For those needing very loud sound or a bass-heavy setup, adding a dedicated subwoofer or exploring other options may be advisable.