10 Best Soundbar For Tvs 2026 in the United States

The Arc Ultra Soundbar from Sonos stands out with its impressive 9.1.4 channel configuration, delivering a rich and immersive audio experience thanks to Dolby Atmos. It features advanced Sound Motion technology, which ensures that sound is evenly distributed throughout the room. This soundbar is particularly effective for clear dialogue due to the Speech Enhancement feature, making it a great choice for watching TV shows and movies where understanding speech is crucial. The design is sleek and modern, blending well with home decor without being distracting.

Control options are versatile, including a TV remote, Sonos app, touch controls, and voice control through Alexa and Sonos Voice Control. Setup is straightforward with a single HDMI eARC connection and guidance from the Sonos app. Connectivity is robust, supporting Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay 2, and Spotify Connect, allowing for a variety of streaming options. However, the soundbar's subwoofer is connected via a wired connection, which might be less convenient compared to wireless options. Additionally, the price point might be higher than other soundbars in the market, reflecting its premium features and brand reputation.

The soundbar is not waterproof, so it should be kept clear from potential water damage. At 12.7 pounds and a size of 46.18 inches wide, it requires adequate space for placement. For an enhanced experience, you can add Sonos Sub and rear speakers, though this involves additional costs. This soundbar is ideal for those looking for high-quality audio performance and seamless integration with smart home systems, particularly in larger rooms where its full capabilities can be utilized.

The Samsung Q990D is a high-end soundbar designed to deliver immersive, cinema-like audio for your TV. It features an impressive 11.1.4 channel setup, including 11 speakers up front, a wireless subwoofer, and four upward-firing channels, plus wireless rear speakers. This combination creates a true surround sound experience with Dolby Atmos, making sounds come from all around you—great for movies, shows, and gaming.

Connectivity is versatile, supporting wireless options like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Alexa voice control, Chromecast, and Airplay, so it's easy to connect with various devices and smart home systems. The soundbar also has smart features like SpaceFit Sound Pro, which automatically adjusts audio based on your room's layout, and Adaptive Sound to make dialogue clearer even at low volumes. For gamers, the Game Mode Pro enhances 3D sound for a more immersive experience.

The unit is fairly large and heavy (over 50 pounds), which may require careful placement or wall mounting. While it includes a full rear speaker kit, the size and setup complexity might be more than casual users want. Additionally, the price tends to be on the higher side, reflecting its advanced features. If you are seeking a premium home theater upgrade with rich, detailed sound and smart connectivity, the Q990D is a strong choice. However, if you want a simpler or more compact soundbar, this might feel a bit bulky and overpowered.

The Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 is a premium soundbar designed to bring a true cinema-like surround sound experience to your TV setup. Its standout feature is the 13 built-in speakers which work together with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support to create immersive 3D audio, making movies and games feel more engaging. The 360 Spatial Sound Mapping and Sound Field Optimization adjust sound based on your room, helping fill the space with clear, balanced audio. It delivers a powerful 585 watts output, so it can easily drive a large living room.

Connectivity is versatile with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.2, Apple AirPlay, and Spotify Connect, allowing convenient wireless streaming of music from various devices. While the soundbar doesn’t include a subwoofer out of the box, it supports wired subwoofer and rear speaker add-ons for deeper bass and fuller surround sound if you want to expand later. The design is sleek but fairly large at over 51 inches wide, which could be a consideration for smaller TV stands.

It’s compatible with modern HDMI 2.1 features including 4K120 and VRR, making it a good fit for gaming as well. For those wanting a high-quality, flexible soundbar with advanced room calibration and immersive audio formats, this Sony model is a strong choice, especially if there is space to accommodate a wider soundbar and the option to expand the system.