10 Best Soundbar Sound Bars 2026 in the United States

The Sonos Arc Ultra is a premium soundbar designed to deliver an immersive home audio experience, especially suitable for those who want rich surround sound for TV, movies, gaming, and music. It features a powerful 9.1.4 channel setup with Dolby Atmos, enabling detailed sound coming from all around and above you, which enhances a true theater feeling. Its size is quite large at about 46 inches wide, so ensure you have enough space on your TV stand.

Although it doesn’t include a built-in subwoofer, it supports adding a separate Sonos Sub for deeper bass if you want that extra punch. Connectivity options include HDMI eARC for easy connection to your TV, plus Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for streaming music from your phone or other devices. The soundbar also includes voice control options, working with both Sonos Voice Control and Amazon Alexa, and can be managed through the app, touch controls, or your TV remote. The built-in AI-powered speech enhancement improves dialogue clarity, which is beneficial if you often struggle to hear voices during shows or movies.

It supports multi-room audio, allowing you to expand your sound system with other Sonos speakers around your home. Weighing around 13 pounds and featuring a tabletop design, wall mounting requires additional hardware. This soundbar suits users who want high-quality surround sound with smart features and streaming flexibility, though those seeking a more compact or budget-friendly option may find it larger and pricier.

The Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 Soundbar offers an impressive audio experience with its 13-speaker setup and support for advanced audio formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.

This soundbar aims to bring a cinema-like surround sound experience to your living room, enhanced by 360 Spatial Sound Mapping and Sound Field Optimization, which adapts the sound to your room for clear and immersive audio. Its versatility is expanded by the possibility of adding a wireless subwoofer and rear speakers, though these are optional and not included in the basic package.

With a size of 51.2 inches, it’s best suited for larger TVs and rooms. In terms of connectivity, it supports both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, making it easy to stream music from services like Spotify and Apple AirPlay. HDMI 2.1 ensures it can handle high-quality video and audio signals. However, the subwoofer connectivity is wired, which might be a limitation for some users seeking an entirely wireless setup. The remote control and app compatibility add to its ease of use, though it lacks water resistance, limiting its placement to indoor use only. This soundbar is an excellent choice for those looking to enhance their home theater experience, especially if they plan to use it with a compatible Sony TV.

The JBL Bar 1300XMK2 is a high-end soundbar system designed for users seeking an immersive, cinema-like audio experience at home. It features an impressive 11.1.4 channel setup with detachable wireless surround speakers that create true 3D surround sound with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support. Sounds can come from above and around you, making movies and music feel more lifelike. The detachable rear speakers are battery-powered and easy to set up—just pick them up with one hand and place them behind you, with no extra wires needed. When not in use, they recharge by resting back on the main bar. A powerful 12-inch wireless subwoofer adds deep bass that fills the room without additional cables. The soundbar also includes advanced sound modes like MultiBeam 3.0, which spreads sound evenly to provide a wide, theater-like soundstage, and PureVoice 2.0, which enhances dialogue clarity so important lines aren’t missed even at lower volumes. There is also a night listening mode that lets you enjoy movies quietly through the wireless speakers without disturbing others.

Connectivity options are versatile, including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, HDMI, Optical, USB, and Ethernet, making it compatible with most TVs and streaming devices. You can control and customize sound settings easily via the JBL ONE app, and it supports popular music streaming services such as Spotify and AirPlay. However, the system is quite large and heavy (over 60 pounds and more than 55 inches wide), requiring ample space and a sturdy setup area. The detachable speakers need charging and careful placement to avoid losing battery mid-use. With a premium price tag and complex features, it may be more than needed for casual listeners or smaller rooms. This soundbar suits home theater enthusiasts who want powerful, flexible surround sound with smart features and are willing to invest in a larger system for a top-tier audio experience.