10 Best Soundbar With Optical Input 2025 in the United States

The Samsung HW-B550D is a 3.1 channel soundbar that offers a rich audio experience with Dolby Audio and DTS Virtual:X technologies. These features help create surround sound and improve dialogue clarity, making it a great fit for home theater users who want immersive sound without extra speakers. The built-in center speaker and adaptive sound mode optimize voice clarity, so you won't miss important details in movies or games. It includes a wireless subwoofer with bass boost, adding satisfying depth to lower frequencies, which is ideal if you enjoy action-packed content or music with punchy bass.

Connectivity options are solid, with Bluetooth allowing two devices to connect at once, making it easy to switch between different music sources. The soundbar is compact and wall-mountable, fitting easily below most TVs without taking up much space. Samsung’s one-remote feature adds convenience by letting you control both your TV and soundbar with a single remote. The soundbar supports wireless surround sound expansion, though extra speakers are sold separately, adding to the cost.

With a 4.4-star rating from over 2,300 users, this model is highly regarded for delivering good sound quality and ease of use. It is a strong choice for users looking for a versatile, easy-to-install soundbar that improves TV audio significantly, especially in small to medium rooms.

The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is a compact soundbar designed to enhance your TV and music listening experience. It supports Dolby Atmos, which creates a 3D surround sound effect, making movies and shows feel more immersive. With 200 watts of power and a two-channel surround sound setup, it delivers clear dialogue and rich bass, though it lacks a built-in subwoofer. Instead, you can wirelessly add one later if you want deeper bass. Connectivity options are solid, including HDMI, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and an included optical audio adapter, making it compatible with most TVs and smart home setups.

You can control it easily via the Sonos app, your TV remote, voice commands, or Apple AirPlay 2, offering flexible options for different users. The soundbar is sleek and small enough to fit on a shelf or in front of your TV without taking much space. Setup is straightforward, needing only two cables, and the smart Trueplay tuning adjusts sound for your room automatically. While the price is higher than some basic models, Sonos is a trusted brand known for quality and the ability to expand your system with additional speakers for full surround sound or multiroom audio.

On the downside, it doesn't have a dedicated subwoofer included, and being non-water-resistant means it’s strictly for indoor use. Also, with a 2.0 channel configuration, it might not fully replace larger soundbars with more channels for those wanting the fullest surround sound out of the box. For anyone looking for a stylish, easy-to-use soundbar with great sound quality and future expandability, especially in smaller to medium rooms, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 is a strong choice.

The Bose Home Theater System Smart Ultra Dolby Atmos Soundbar is a strong choice if you want immersive, theater-like sound at home. It offers Dolby Atmos support and a 3.1 channel setup, which means you get good surround sound with a dedicated bass module and two wireless surround speakers for richer audio. With 300 watts of power, it can fill a medium to large room with clear, dynamic sound. Connectivity is versatile, including HDMI and optical inputs, making it easy to connect to most TVs and projectors. It also supports Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, so you can play music from apps like Spotify and Apple Music.

The soundbar includes voice controls with Alexa and Google Assistant, adding convenience if you like using smart home features. On the design side, it’s sleek and wall-mountable, but it’s fairly large and heavy (over 59 pounds), so setup might require some effort. The wired subwoofer ensures strong bass but limits placement flexibility compared to wireless options.

Customer reviews are generally positive, highlighting sound quality and ease of use, though some note the price is on the higher side. If you want a premium, smart-enabled soundbar with excellent surround sound and don’t mind the size or budget, this Bose system fits well. However, if you prefer something lighter, more compact, or budget-friendly, there are simpler options available.