Modern TVs have become astonishingly thin, and their audio has paid the price. A good soundbar can restore clear dialogue, convincing bass and cinematic scale without the cables and complexity of a traditional receiver-and-speaker system.
Fabtastic picks at a glance
- Best overall home-cinema package: Samsung HW-Q990H
- Best premium all-in-one soundbar: Sonos Arc Ultra
- Best for Sony TV owners and gaming: Sony BRAVIA Theatre Bar 9
- Best for dialogue clarity: Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar
- Best flexible surround system: JBL Bar 1300X
- Best value full Atmos package: Hisense AX5140Q
Which models include a subwoofer?
| Soundbar | Subwoofer in the standard package? |
| Samsung HW-Q990H | Yes. Wireless subwoofer included. |
| Sonos Arc Ultra | No. Sonos Sub 4 or Sub Mini is optional and sold separately, unless bought as a bundle. |
| Sony BRAVIA Theatre Bar 9 | No. A compatible Sony wireless subwoofer is optional and sold separately. |
| Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar | No. Bose Bass Module 500 or 700 is optional and sold separately, unless bought as a bundle. |
| JBL Bar 1300X | Yes. 12-inch wireless subwoofer included. |
| Hisense AX5140Q | Yes. Wireless subwoofer included. |
The best soundbars for TV in 2026
1. Samsung HW-Q990H: Best overall home-cinema package
The 2026 HW-Q990H is the closest this list comes to a cinema system in one box. Its 11.1.4-channel layout combines a large main bar, compact wireless subwoofer and two wireless rear speakers, with 23 speakers in total. Dolby Atmos and DTS:X playback, four up-firing channels, SpaceFit Sound Pro room optimisation and two HDMI inputs with 4K/120Hz passthrough make it equally compelling for films and current-generation consoles. Q-Symphony can also combine the system with compatible Samsung TV speakers.
Key features: 11.1.4 channels; wireless subwoofer and up-firing rears included; Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and Eclipsa Audio; room calibration; HDMI eARC; two HDMI inputs with 4K/120Hz passthrough.
| Specification | Samsung HW-Q990H |
| Channels | 11.1.4 |
| Audio formats | Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Eclipsa Audio |
| HDMI | eARC output; 2 inputs; 4K/120Hz and HDR10+ passthrough |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi and Bluetooth |
| Included hardware | Wireless subwoofer and 2 wireless up-firing rear speakers |
| Room tuning | SpaceFit Sound Pro |
- Pros: exceptionally complete package; convincing rear and overhead effects; broad format support; strong gaming connectivity; no immediate need for add-ons.
- Cons: expensive and physically demanding; rear speakers and subwoofer each need mains power; Q-Symphony’s biggest advantage requires a compatible Samsung TV.
The Arc Ultra is a polished choice for anyone who wants big, spacious sound without placing extra speakers around the room. Its 14-driver architecture and Sound Motion woofer deliver a 9.1.4 spatial presentation, while Trueplay tuning adapts the response to the room. AI-assisted Speech Enhancement, HDMI eARC, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and AirPlay 2 make it easy to live with. It also forms the centre of a highly expandable Sonos system.
Key features: 9.1.4 spatial audio; Dolby Atmos; 14 drivers; Sound Motion bass technology; Trueplay room tuning; four-level Speech Enhancement; HDMI eARC; Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and AirPlay 2.
| Specification | Sonos Arc Ultra |
| Channels | 9.1.4 spatial audio |
| Audio formats | Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus and DTS Digital Surround |
| HDMI | 1 HDMI eARC port; no passthrough input |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3 and AirPlay 2 |
| Included hardware | Soundbar only; subwoofer and surrounds optional |
| Dimensions / weight | 1178 × 75 × 110.6 mm / 5.9 kg |
| Room tuning | Trueplay |
- Pros: expansive, refined sound from one elegant unit; unusually capable bass for a standalone bar; excellent music and multi-room features; easy path to add a Sub and Era surrounds later.
- Cons: no HDMI passthrough inputs; optional subwoofer and rear speakers make a complete system much more expensive; its virtual surround cannot fully replace speakers behind the listener.
3. Sony BRAVIA Theatre Bar 9: Best for Sony TVs and gaming
Sony’s flagship single bar uses 13 speaker units and 360 Spatial Sound Mapping to create a broad field of physical and “phantom” speakers. It supports Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and IMAX Enhanced, adds Sound Field Optimisation, and accepts one HDMI source alongside its eARC connection. Acoustic Center Sync can anchor dialogue to the screen on compatible BRAVIA TVs, while 4K/120 passthrough makes the Bar 9 a strong fit for console gaming.
Key features: 7.0.2-channel structure with 13 speaker units; 360 Spatial Sound Mapping; Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and IMAX Enhanced; room calibration; HDMI eARC plus one HDMI input; 4K/120 passthrough; optional Sony subwoofer and rears.
| Specification | Sony BRAVIA Theatre Bar 9 |
| Channels | 7.0.2 |
| Audio formats | Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and IMAX Enhanced |
| HDMI | eARC output; 1 input; 4K/120Hz, VRR and ALLM passthrough |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.2, AirPlay and Spotify Connect |
| Included hardware | Soundbar only; compatible Sony subwoofer and surrounds optional |
| Dimensions / weight | 1300 × 64 × 113 mm / 5.5 kg |
| Room tuning | Sound Field Optimisation |
- Pros: wide and precise soundstage; excellent format support; useful HDMI passthrough for gamers; especially cohesive with compatible BRAVIA TVs.
- Cons: premium price for the bar alone; deep bass and true rear effects require costly extras; its wide cabinet needs a generous TV stand.
4. Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar: Best for dialogue clarity
If voices are routinely lost beneath music and effects, the Bose Smart Ultra deserves a place near the top of the shortlist. Its nine-speaker array includes two upward-firing drivers for Dolby Atmos, while TrueSpace spatial processing expands conventional content. The headline feature is A.I. Dialogue Mode, which dynamically balances speech and surrounding effects. ADAPTiQ calibrates the sound to the room, and control is available through the remote, app or supported voice services.
Key features: nine speakers with two up-firing drivers; Dolby Atmos and Bose TrueSpace; A.I. Dialogue Mode; ADAPTiQ calibration; HDMI eARC and optical input; Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2 and Google Cast.
| Specification | Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar |
| Channels | Not stated by manufacturer |
| Audio formats | Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus and Dolby Digital |
| HDMI | 1 HDMI eARC connection; no passthrough input; optical input included |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, AirPlay 2 and Google Cast |
| Included hardware | Soundbar only; Bose bass modules and surrounds optional |
| Dimensions / weight | 1050 × 60 × 110 mm approximately / 5.8 kg |
| Room tuning | ADAPTiQ |
- Pros: excellent voice intelligibility; premium, compact design; simple setup; useful streaming and room-tuning features.
- Cons: no HDMI passthrough input; strongest bass and surround effects require optional modules; less enveloping on its own than a package with physical rears.
5. JBL Bar 1300X: Best flexible surround system
The Bar 1300X solves a common surround-sound problem: where to run power for rear speakers. Its two battery-powered ends detach from the main bar and sit behind the sofa when needed, then dock again for charging. Six up-firing drivers, an 11.1.4-channel layout and a large 12-inch wireless subwoofer create a muscular movie experience. PureVoice enhances dialogue, while Wi-Fi streaming and three HDMI inputs broaden its appeal.
Key features: 11.1.4 channels; detachable battery-powered surrounds; Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and MultiBeam; 12-inch wireless subwoofer; PureVoice; HDMI eARC plus three HDMI inputs; AirPlay, Chromecast and Alexa Multi-Room Music.
| Specification | JBL Bar 1300X |
| Channels | 11.1.4 |
| Audio formats | Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and MultiBeam |
| HDMI | eARC output; 3 inputs; 4K Dolby Vision passthrough |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay, Chromecast and Alexa Multi-Room Music |
| Included hardware | 12-inch wireless subwoofer and 2 detachable battery-powered surrounds |
| Bar dimensions | 1376 × 60 × 139 mm with surrounds attached |
| Room tuning | Built-in sound calibration |
- Pros: genuine surround without permanent rear-speaker wiring; powerful bass; flexible streaming; detachable speakers can double as Bluetooth speakers.
- Cons: large subwoofer and premium price; rear batteries need charging; the full system can be excessive for apartments or small rooms.
6. Hisense AX5140Q: Best value full Atmos package
The AX5140Q brings features usually associated with far more expensive systems into the value tier. It is a complete 5.1.4-channel package with a wireless subwoofer, two rear speakers and four height channels. Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support, room calibration, dialogue enhancement, channel adjustments and multiple listening modes make it unusually configurable for the money. Its straightforward hardware is a better proposition for film fans than a similarly priced standalone bar.
Key features: 5.1.4 channels; wireless subwoofer and rear speakers included; four up-firing drivers; Dolby Atmos and DTS:X; HDMI eARC plus one HDMI input; 4K/60 passthrough; Bluetooth 5.3; room calibration.
| Specification | Hisense AX5140Q |
| Channels | 5.1.4 |
| Audio formats | Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, DTS:X and DTS-HD Master Audio |
| HDMI | eARC output; 1 input; 4K/60Hz passthrough |
| Wireless | Bluetooth 5.3; no Wi-Fi |
| Included hardware | 6.5-inch wireless subwoofer and 2 wireless rear speakers |
| Bar dimensions / weight | 1020 × 57 × 108 mm / 2.7 kg |
| Room tuning | Room calibration with compatible Hisense TVs |
- Pros: exceptional feature-per-dollar value; real rear and height channels; broad audio-format support; balanced sound and useful adjustment options.
- Cons: no Wi-Fi music streaming; 4K passthrough is limited to 60Hz; materials and refinement trail premium rivals; availability and model naming can vary by market.
What to look for in a soundbar
1. Start with the room, not the channel count
A compact all-in-one bar can be ideal in a bedroom or apartment, while a large living room benefits from a subwoofer and physical rear speakers. Up-firing Atmos drivers work best with a flat, reasonably low ceiling; vaulted or highly absorbent ceilings reduce the overhead illusion. Check that the bar will fit between the TV’s feet and will not block the screen or infrared receiver.
2. Understand the channel numbers
In “5.1.4”, the first number describes ear-level channels, the second denotes the subwoofer channel and the third identifies height channels. More channels do not automatically mean better sound, but physical rear and up-firing speakers generally produce a more convincing Atmos experience than processing alone.
3. Prioritise HDMI eARC and format support
HDMI eARC is the cleanest one-cable connection and can carry high-bandwidth formats such as Dolby TrueHD-based Atmos from compatible TVs and sources. Standard ARC or optical may be adequate for basic streaming, but they have tighter format and bandwidth limits. Blu-ray collectors should check for DTS:X and DTS-HD support; streaming-first households may care more about Dolby Atmos.
4. Check gaming passthrough carefully
If a console or gaming PC will connect through the soundbar, look for 4K/120Hz passthrough, VRR and ALLM support. A bar with only 4K/60 passthrough can still work well when the console is connected directly to the TV and audio returns via eARC, provided the TV has enough HDMI 2.1 ports.
5. Treat dialogue tools and room correction as essentials
A dedicated centre channel, speech-enhancement mode and adjustable centre level can matter more day to day than maximum volume. Room correction is also valuable: it can tame boomy bass, compensate for asymmetrical placement and make effects more coherent across the main seating area.
6. Budget for the complete system
Some premium bars are sold alone, while others include a subwoofer and surrounds. Compare like for like, including stands, wall brackets and the electrical outlets needed by “wireless” speakers. Also check local warranty coverage, app availability, voice-assistant support and regional streaming services before buying.
Which soundbar should you buy?
Choose the Samsung HW-Q990H if you want the most complete cinematic package with the fewest compromises. Pick the Sonos Arc Ultra for premium sound from one stylish bar and a strong multi-room ecosystem. The Sony BRAVIA Theatre Bar 9 makes the most sense for a compatible Sony TV or a gaming-heavy setup, while the Bose Smart Ultra is the clearest choice for dialogue-first viewing. The JBL Bar 1300X is ideal when permanent rear-speaker wiring is impractical, and the Hisense AX5140Q is the value standout for buyers who want genuine rear and height channels.
Editorial note: Models were selected using current manufacturer specifications and recent expert testing available on 2 August 2026. Product names, features, pricing and availability can differ by region and may change after publication.