10 Best TV Soundbars 2026 in the United States

The Sonos Arc Ultra is a premium soundbar designed to deliver an immersive audio experience for both TV and music lovers. Featuring a 9.1.4 channel setup and Dolby Atmos support, it produces rich surround sound that fills the room, making movies and shows feel more lifelike. The AI-powered Speech Enhancement clarifies dialogue, which is particularly helpful for those who often struggle to hear what’s being said.

Control options are versatile, including your TV remote, the Sonos app, touch controls on the device itself, voice commands with Sonos Voice Control, and Alexa. It connects to your TV via a single HDMI eARC cable and supports wireless streaming through WiFi, Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay 2, and Spotify Connect, allowing easy music playback from various devices. The design is sleek and modern, fitting well in most living rooms, although its width of over 46 inches requires ample space.

This soundbar does not include a built-in subwoofer but supports adding a Sonos Sub and rear speakers for a fuller surround sound setup. It is intended for indoor use only and is not water-resistant. For those seeking a high-end soundbar with excellent surround sound, clear voice features, and flexible controls, the Sonos Arc Ultra is a compelling option. However, its size and price might be more than necessary if you prefer a simpler or more budget-friendly solution.

The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is a compact, stylish soundbar designed to significantly improve your TV audio with its clear dialogue and rich bass. It offers a 2.0 channel surround sound setup enhanced by Dolby Atmos, which creates a more immersive, three-dimensional sound experience. This makes it a great choice for watching movies and shows with more dynamic audio. At 200 watts, its power is sufficient for most medium-sized rooms, delivering vibrant sound without overpowering your space.

Connectivity options are flexible, including HDMI, Ethernet, and Wi-Fi, allowing easy connection to your TV and other devices. It also supports Apple AirPlay 2 for streaming music directly from your iPhone or iPad. The soundbar features a wireless subwoofer connection, which means you can add a subwoofer later if you want deeper bass, but it does not come with one built-in. This might be a drawback if you prefer a heavier bass experience right away.

Setup is straightforward with only two cables needed, and the Trueplay tuning feature optimizes sound based on your room's acoustics, enhancing the listening experience. Control is versatile: you can use the Sonos app, your TV remote, or voice commands via built-in microphones. This voice control adds convenience, especially if you like hands-free operation. The Beam Gen 2's slim and unobtrusive design fits nicely in front of your TV or mounted on a shelf without taking much space. It supports multi-room audio, which is great if you plan to expand your audio system across your home. While the soundbar excels in delivering clear sound and has many smart features, it may not satisfy those looking for a powerful bass out-of-the-box since the subwoofer is sold separately. Additionally, it only offers a 2.0 channel configuration, so it won't replace a full surround sound system but works well for enhanced TV audio and casual music listening.

The JBL Bar 1300XMK2 is a powerful and versatile 11.1.4 channel soundbar system designed to deliver immersive home theater sound. It stands out with its detachable wireless surround speakers that are easy to move and recharge, allowing you to create true Dolby Atmos 3D surround sound without messy wires. The system pumps out a hefty 1570 watts of power, supported by a large 12-inch wireless subwoofer that provides deep bass to enhance movies, shows, and music.

Connectivity is rich, including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, HDMI, Ethernet, Optical, and USB, so you can connect it easily to TVs, phones, and other devices. The sound modes like MultiBeam 3.0 and PureVoice 2.0 help fill the room with clear, realistic sound and make dialogue easier to hear, which is great for movies and sports. The night listening mode is a thoughtful addition, letting you enjoy audio quietly without disturbing others.

The sleek, rectangular design fits well under most TVs, but the soundbar is quite heavy at 65 pounds, which might need sturdy support or wall mounting. While it doesn’t have built-in voice control, it integrates well with apps and popular streaming services for convenient music playback and customization. For those seeking a high-end system that brings cinema-quality 3D sound into their living room and can accommodate the size and weight, this JBL soundbar offers excellent performance and flexibility. However, if a lightweight or voice-controlled setup is preferred, other options might be more suitable.