10 Best Soundbars 2025 in the United States

The Sonos Arc Ultra is a premium soundbar designed to deliver an immersive 9.1.4 Dolby Atmos surround sound experience, making it ideal for users who want rich, room-filling audio for both TV and music. Its advanced Sound Motion technology and AI-powered Speech Enhancement ensure clear dialogue and precise sound placement, which enhances movie watching and music listening alike.

With multiple connectivity options including HDMI eARC, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and support for Apple AirPlay 2 and Spotify Connect, it offers flexible streaming choices and easy setup via the Sonos app. The smart features, such as voice control through Sonos Voice Control and Amazon Alexa, add convenience, while the elegant white design fits well in most living spaces without drawing too much attention.

On the downside, this soundbar does not include a wireless subwoofer by default, relying instead on a wired connection if you add the Sonos Sub separately, which might be less convenient for some users. Also, at over 46 inches wide, it's best suited for larger TVs and rooms. If you want the full surround sound experience, you’ll need to invest further in additional rear speakers. The Sonos Arc Ultra is a top-tier choice for those seeking superb sound quality, smart integration, and stylish design, especially if you plan to expand your system over time.

The JBL Bar 1300XMK2 is a powerful and versatile soundbar system designed for those who want immersive home theater audio without complicated setup. It features an 11.1.4 channel setup, including six up-firing speakers and detachable wireless surround speakers, delivering true Dolby Atmos and DTS:X 3D surround sound. This means you get realistic height effects and rich, room-filling audio that makes movies and music feel more lifelike. The 12-inch wireless subwoofer adds deep, punchy bass to enhance explosions or music beats.

One standout feature is the detachable surround speakers with long-lasting batteries, which you can easily move around or take with you for audio in another room, all without extra wires or power connections. The JBL ONE app lets you customize sound settings, update software, and control features like night listening, which lowers volume so you won’t disturb others. Connectivity is comprehensive, with options including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, HDMI, Ethernet, Optical, and USB, making it easy to link with TVs, smartphones, and streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music. Thanks to features like MultiBeam 3.0, the sound spreads evenly in your room, and PureVoice 2.0 clarity helps you catch every dialogue line.

The soundbar is quite large (over 55 inches wide and nearly 62 pounds), so it requires sufficient space and might be less ideal for smaller rooms or tight setups. Also, while detachable speakers are convenient, they need regular charging. The system’s premium features come with a higher price tag, which may not fit casual listeners’ budgets. For those seeking a top-tier soundbar with excellent 3D sound, flexible placement, and smart features for a true cinematic experience, the JBL Bar 1300XMK2 is an excellent choice, especially for users with enough space and a desire for a wire-free surround sound setup with strong bass and easy streaming options.

The Samsung Q990D soundbar is designed to deliver a rich home theater experience with its 11.1.4 channel setup, including a wireless subwoofer and rear speakers. This means you get immersive, surround sound with Dolby Atmos, making movies and games feel very lifelike. Its wireless Dolby Atmos feature helps reduce cable clutter, which is great if you want a clean setup. The soundbar also uses Q-Symphony technology to work seamlessly with Samsung TVs, enhancing audio without needing extra devices.

One of the highlights is the SpaceFit Sound Pro, which automatically adjusts sound based on your room's shape and size, so you get clear, balanced audio without fiddling with settings. Adaptive Sound and Active Voice Analyzer features focus on making dialogue clear even at low volumes or in noisy rooms, which is handy for TV shows and sports. The Game Mode Pro offers 3D sound tailored for gaming, giving a more immersive experience.

Connectivity is solid with support for Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Chromecast, AirPlay 2, and built-in Alexa voice control, making it easy to stream music or control the soundbar with voice commands. The tap-to-play feature is a simple way to start streaming from your phone. The soundbar is quite large and heavy (over 50 pounds and nearly 4 feet wide), so it requires good placement and may be challenging for smaller rooms or simple setups. While it is wireless for speakers, it still needs power cords and wall mounting could be required. The price and complexity might be more than casual listeners need, making it best suited for those wanting a full home theater setup rather than just casual music listening. This makes the Samsung Q990D a premium choice for users seeking immersive, multi-channel surround sound with smart features and easy integration with Samsung TVs. Its powerful sound and room-optimization features stand out, but its size and setup needs mean it’s ideal for dedicated home theater spaces rather than compact or basic audio needs.