10 Best Surround Sound Bars 2026 in the United States

The SAMSUNG HW-Q910D 9.1.2 channel soundbar is a top choice for anyone looking to enhance their home theater experience with surround sound. It offers impressive sound quality with its 9.1.2 channel setup, providing crystal-clear audio and an immersive Dolby Atmos experience. The included wireless subwoofer and rear speaker kit further enhance the surround sound, making it perfect for movie nights and gaming sessions alike. The soundbar also features Adaptive Sound, which optimizes audio based on your room’s environment, ensuring a deep and clear sound regardless of where you place it.

Another convenient feature is the built-in voice assistants that allow hands-free control of the soundbar and connected devices. This can be particularly useful for quickly adjusting settings or playing your favorite music with simple voice commands. Connectivity is straightforward with wireless technology, making it easy to pair with Samsung TVs and other Apple devices for a seamless audio experience. Additionally, the soundbar automatically activates Game Mode for enhanced gaming sound, making it a great option for gamers.

Some might find the reliance on wireless connectivity for full functionality a bit limiting if their setup is heavily wired. Also, while it offers great features, it can be on the pricier side compared to other soundbars. The size and design might require some planning for wall mounting or finding the right spot in your living space. Despite these minor drawbacks, the SAMSUNG HW-Q910D stands out for its rich features and impressive audio quality, making it a strong contender for anyone looking to upgrade their home audio system.

The LG S95TR 9.1.5-Channel Soundbar is designed for those seeking a premium surround-sound experience in their home theater setup. With its impressive 9.1.5 channels, it promises a rich and immersive audio experience powered by Dolby Atmos and DTS:X technology. The inclusion of up-firing rear speakers enhances this experience, offering true wireless connectivity that can adapt to various room shapes and sizes, making setup a breeze.

Connectivity is a strong point here, with options like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and wireless Dolby Atmos ensuring seamless integration with your devices. The WOW Orchestra feature allows users to combine sound from both the LG TV and soundbar, creating a harmonious audio experience controlled with a single remote. This integration is further simplified with the WOW Interface, which consolidates control into one convenient place.

Smart features are abundant, supporting multiple platforms like Google Assistant, Alexa, Chromecast, and AirPlay 2, giving users flexibility in how they interact with their sound system. Moreover, the advanced room calibration feature uses AI to optimize sound based on your room dimensions, enhancing the overall audio quality.

Despite these strengths, the soundbar’s relatively large size (49.2 inches wide) and weight (34.6 pounds) might pose a challenge for those with limited space or who prefer lighter setups. The design is sleek but not water-resistant, limiting usage to indoor environments. Additionally, the 8-inch subwoofer size and wireless connectivity provide powerful bass without cluttering the space with wires, but some users might prefer larger subwoofers for even deeper sound.

For gaming enthusiasts, features like VRR/ALLM offer smooth, lag-free audio with a 120Hz refresh rate passthrough, enhancing your gaming experience. The LG S95TR soundbar is an excellent choice for anyone looking for high-quality surround sound with cutting-edge features, provided they have the space to accommodate its size.

The LG S90TR is a high-end 7.1.3-channel soundbar designed to enhance your home theater experience, especially when paired with an LG OLED evo TV. Its standout feature is Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support, which creates immersive 3D sound, making you feel surrounded by the action. The inclusion of wireless rear surround speakers and a wireless subwoofer allows for flexible placement without messy cables. The center up-firing speaker focuses on clear dialogue, which is great for watching movies or shows where you don't want to miss any words.

Connectivity is strong, offering Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and HDMI inputs, plus compatibility with voice assistants like Google Assistant and Alexa, along with Chromecast and AirPlay 2 for easy streaming. The built-in room calibration feature helps optimize sound based on your room’s shape, enhancing audio quality. The soundbar also supports features beneficial for gamers, such as VRR and ALLM for smooth, lag-free sound synced with visuals.

In terms of design, it’s sleek, metal-bodied, and wall-mountable, blending well with modern TVs. However, this unit is quite heavy (nearly 45 pounds), which might require sturdy support for mounting. It lacks water resistance, so it’s strictly for indoor use. With its powerful, immersive sound, wireless convenience, and smart controls, the LG S90TR is an excellent choice for enthusiasts or those invested in a premium home theater setup, but it might be more than what casual users need.