10 Best Sound Bars 2026 in the United States

The LG S95TR is a high-end 9.1.5-channel soundbar designed to enhance your home theater experience. One of its standout features is the use of Dolby Atmos and DTS:X technology, which provides a premium 3-dimensional sound experience. The inclusion of up-firing rear speakers, which are truly wireless and easy to set up, allows for flexible positioning and an immersive audio experience in any room size or shape. The soundbar also boasts an industry-exclusive up-firing center channel that enhances dialogue clarity, making it ideal for watching movies and TV shows where understanding speech is crucial.

The WOW Orchestra feature is impressive as it allows you to combine the audio output of your LG TV and the soundbar, delivering a more harmonious and detailed sound experience controlled through a single remote. Additionally, the WOWCAST feature enables wireless connection to the TV without any loss of sound quality, maintaining a sleek and clutter-free setup. Connectivity options are robust, including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and compatibility with voice assistants like Google Assistant and Alexa, making it versatile and user-friendly. Advanced room calibration uses built-in microphones to measure your room's dimensions and optimize audio settings for the best sound experience, which is a strong advantage.

Potential drawbacks include its size, which may be too large for smaller spaces, and its premium price point, which might not be suitable for budget-conscious buyers. The complex array of features might also be overwhelming for someone looking for a straightforward plug-and-play soundbar. The LG S95TR is best suited for users seeking a premium, feature-rich audio system to complement their home theater setup, especially those already using an LG TV.

The Sonos Arc Ultra is a premium soundbar designed to deliver an immersive audio experience, especially for those who want rich, multi-dimensional sound at home. Its standout feature is the 9.1.4 channel setup paired with Dolby Atmos, which creates detailed, room-filling sound that can make movies and music truly captivating. The built-in AI-powered speech enhancement helps clarify dialogue, so you won’t miss important words during TV shows or films.

Connectivity options are versatile, including HDMI eARC, WiFi, Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay 2, and Spotify Connect, making it easy to stream music from various devices. Control is flexible too, with support for TV remotes, the Sonos app, voice commands via Sonos Voice Control and Amazon Alexa, and touch controls on the device itself. The design is sleek and elegant in white, blending well in modern home setups without drawing too much attention.

The soundbar weighs about 12.7 pounds and spans over 46 inches wide, meaning it will fit best on a large tabletop or mounted in a spacious living room. While it doesn’t include a built-in subwoofer, you can add a Sonos Sub for deeper bass and Era 300 rear speakers to enhance surround sound further. Setup is straightforward with helpful app guidance and Trueplay tuning to adjust sound based on your room’s acoustics. Note that it’s not water-resistant, so it’s strictly for indoor use. Being a higher-end option, it represents a significant investment. This soundbar is an excellent fit for users aiming for a top-tier, smart, and immersive audio system primarily for TV and music enjoyment in a dedicated home environment.

The Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus, released in 2024, is designed for those looking to create a cinematic audio experience at home. Its 5.1 channel setup, which includes a soundbar, subwoofer, and two surround sound speakers, promises immersive sound through Dolby Atmos and DTS:X technology. This means that you can expect sound to move around you, providing a lifelike and multi-dimensional audio experience. Additionally, the dedicated center channel ensures that dialogue is crystal clear, making it easier to follow conversations in your favorite movies and shows.

The soundbar also offers various sound modes like Movie, Music, Sports, and Night to tailor the audio to what you're watching, enhancing the experience. Setup is straightforward as the subwoofer and surround speakers connect wirelessly to the soundbar, minimizing cable clutter. Another convenience is that it works seamlessly with smart TVs and TVs with streaming media players, and you can even control it using a single remote. Bluetooth connectivity is a plus, allowing you to stream music from your phone or tablet.

However, there are some considerations to keep in mind. The subwoofer and surround speakers are not built into the soundbar, so you'll need space to arrange these components around your room. The soundbar itself is quite large at 37 inches, which might be an issue for smaller spaces. Additionally, while it comes with a 1-year warranty, extended warranties are sold separately. This product is best suited for users who are looking for a high-quality, comprehensive home theater sound system and have the space to accommodate the additional components.