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TVs have come a long way over the years, but there's one area they still struggle with -- audio. The speakers built into TVs today are far from amazing, so if you want great audio, you'll need a soundbar, especially if you're unable or don't want to invest in a sound system. It's pretty easy to get a decent soundbar for your home, and it doesn't have to take up much space.
Still, not all soundbars are created equal. Some are built for incredible surround sound, but those systems tend to cost a little extra. Others are built for budget buyers, and while they won't sound as impressive as the more expensive models, they'll still sound a whole lot better than the speakers built into your TV.
Choosing the perfect one for your space can be daunting. That's why ZDNET rounded up the best soundbars we've gone hands-on with to make our top picks. Our number one choice as the best soundbar is the Sonos Arc Ultra, but we've also included other options from the likes of Hisense, Samsung, and more.
What's the best soundbar right now?
After testing dozens of soundbar models, we've chosen the Sonos Arc Ultra as the best for most people for its excellent audio quality and the fact that it delivers deep and powerful bass without an external subwoofer. Additionally, the Arc Ultra has Dolby Atmos support, AirPlay, adjustable EQ settings, AI-powered dialogue enhancement, and a list of audio formats.
That said, there are other models to consider, too. The Arc Ultra is pricey and large, and some might want something cheaper and more compact. So, we've included Dolby Atmos-enabled soundbars that are more compact and affordable, like the Bose Smart Soundbar, and DTS:X-enabled options like the LG S95TR. Regardless of what you're looking for, we've found something for your needs.
The best soundbars of 2025
Why we like it: Sonos has a long history of building excellent-sounding soundbars, and its latest and greatest model is the Sonos Arc Ultra. The Arc Ultra takes the best things about the original Sonos Arc but makes it even better with a larger internal subwoofer that allows it to produce deep and powerful bass without the need for an external subwoofer.
Review: Sonos Arc Ultra
One of the best things about Sonos soundbars is that they can be expanded upon down the line, but in my experience, the Arc Ultra's bass response is powerful enough that it's probably not worth buying Sonos' smaller sub, the Sonos Sub Mini. On top of that, if you want a more immersive experience, you can combine the Arc Ultra with the Sonos Era 100 or Era 300 speakers, which help complete the system.
Beyond the expansion options, the Arc Ultra also integrates with other Sonos speakers for a multi-room setup. While you'll want to listen through the soundbar as much as possible, sometimes you want a quieter environment. And in that case, the soundbar also works with the Sonos Ace headphones for private listening, though you will have to buy those headphones separately. Additionally, it supports wireless connections like Apple AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast, and Bluetooth.
The Arc Ultra supports Dolby Atmos spatial audio, Alexa voice control, AI-powered speech enhancement, and Trueplay for tuning the soundbar to room acoustics. The Sonos app allows you to wirelessly stream music from your preferred streaming platform to the Arc Ultra. For wired connections, the Arc Ultra supports HDMI eARC and Optical.
Who it's for: The Sonos Arc Ultra is for anyone willing to spend $1,000 on a soundbar and wants the best soundbar they can get. It's also an excellent option for those who aren't quite ready to set up a full surround system but want the ability to expand with additional speakers down the line. And, if you're already in the Sonos ecosystem, the Arc Ultra is worth considering, as it will work with those other Sonos speakers.
Who should look elsewhere: If you're on a limited budget, the Sonos Arc Ultra probably isn't the soundbar for you. It's not unreasonably expensive for its performance, but it's certainly not cheap for an individual soundbar. The Arc Ultra also isn't ideal for people with smaller TV-watching spaces, as it's a large soundbar that gets plenty loud.
Sonos Arc Ultra tech specs: Dimensions: H(2.95 in), W(46.38 in), D(4.35 in) | Channels: 9.1.4 | Inputs: HDMI, HDMI eARC, Optical | Voice assistants: Sonos Voice Control; Amazon Alexa | Wireless streaming: Apple AirPlay 2, Bluetooth, Sonos app | Spatial audio: Dolby Atmos
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Why we like it: The LG S95TR is a 9.1.5-channel home theater in a box, meaning your one-time purchase includes the main soundbar, two rear speakers, and a subwoofer. We like this home theater system for many reasons, including the wireless rear speakers and subwoofer that eliminate multiple wires running around your living room.
Review: LG S95TR
The S95TR is fitted with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X spatial audio protocols, and the soundbar's three upfiring center channels aid in spatial audio height channel performance and dialogue clarity. The soundbar includes an HDMI IN, eARC, and Optical in wired connections, and wireless connections like Apple AirPlay at Chromecast.
This soundbar system also includes an AI-powered room calibration feature, which ZDNET's Artie Beaty tested and said made a noticeable improvement to the soundbar's performance. The S95TR's sound performance is great for movies, TV shows, and music, and its low latency via HDMI IN and eARC makes for limited audio/visual lag.
Who it's for: The S95TR is ideal for people with LG TVs, especially one of the company's recent OLED TVs. This soundbar system includes multiple LG-exclusive audio features, like Wowcast Ready, which wirelessly connects the soundbar to your LG TV, and Wow Orchestra, which syncs the soundbar's audio with your TV's speakers.
The LG Wow Interface allows you to use one remote to control the LG soundbar and TV, and the LG Soundbar app houses the soundbar's three-band EQ settings. You can still access wireless streaming with AirPlay and Chromecast via Wi-Fi without an LG TV, and you can enjoy Dolby Atmos and DTS:X spatial audio, so long as your non-LG TV has an HDMI eARC port.
Who should look elsewhere: You may want to look elsewhere if you don't have a compatible LG TV and don't want to pay extra money for LG-exclusive features you can't access.
LG S95TR tech specs: Dimensions: H(2.5 in), W(49.2 in), D(5.3 in) | Channels: 9.1.5 | Inputs: HDMI, eARC, Optical | Voice assistants: Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa | Wireless streaming: Apple AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Bluetooth, Spotify Connect | Spatial audio: Dolby Atmos, DTS:X
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Why we like it: If you're willing to spend the money for the best soundbar system you can get right now, and want something that comes with a subwoofer and surrounds all ready to go, then the Samsung HW-Q990F is the way to go. The system is powerful, immersive, and incredible sounding, and while it's far from cheap, it pushes the limits of what a soundbar can offer.
Review: Samsung HQ-Q990F
The Samsung HW-Q990F is pretty bulky, and for a reason. It has a 23 drivers built straight into it, with 11.1.4 channels for Dolby Atmos support. The speakers built into the soundbar itself, combined with those built into the satellite surround speakers, create an incredibly immersive experience that will have you fully immersed in your content. The included subwoofer also delivers excellent bass response. Although it is quite compact, it still delivers deep and powerful bass.
What makes it such a great option for audiophiles is the fact that it's so detailed in the high end. The soundbar offers a relatively neutral tuning out of the box, though it's worth noting that the EQ in the Samsung SmartThings app isn't very precise. Still, I appreciated how it sounded, and you can make use of things like the subwoofer level to tweak the bass a little more precisely.
One of the things that I most loved about this soundbar is how its surround sound setup improved stereo tracks. The system delivered an impressively wide soundstage, giving plenty of room for every instrument in a track, even without a virtualized surround algorithm. To be fair, I tested it in a small cube-shaped room, which is pretty much ideal for a system like this, but even larger living rooms should get the ultra-immersive feel. And users can turn up the volume of the surrounds to help improve that immersion.
The HW-Q990F is one of the first systems to support the new Eclipsa Audio spatial audio format, though there's almost no Eclipsa content out there right now.
Who it's for: The Samsung HW-Q990F is the system for those willing to spend the cash on something incredibly immersive and ultra-detailed. It's great for audiophiles who simply want the best audio response. At retail price, the HW-Q990F system is $2,000. Comparably, a fully-kitted flagship Sonos system is about $700 more.
This soundbar is ideal for people who want or need an advanced soundbar, thanks to its host of audio features, 4K @ 120Hz pass-through, and seven audio decoding formats (including FLAC and WAV).
Who should look elsewhere: If you're on a budget, then the Samsung HW-Q990F probably isn't the soundbar system for you. If you have a small TV viewing area, you should pass on the HW-Q990F. It's a hefty soundbar, and it performs best when you can turn up the volume.
Samsung HW-Q990F tech specs: Dimensions: H(2.8 in), W(48.5 in), D(5.4 in) | Channels: 11.1.4 | Inputs: HDMI, HDMI eARC, Optical | Voice assistants: Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Bixby | Wireless streaming: Apple AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Roon, Tidal Connect | Spatial audio: Dolby Atmos, Eclipsa Audio
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Why we like it: Marshall's foray into the home audio market was a smash hit, thanks to its jam-packed feature catalog, host of wired connectivity options, unique design, and great sound. This soundbar has a great spatial audio performance, and it reproduces dialogue well. It's compatible with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X spatial audio formats, and the Marshall soundbar app hosts EQ settings and audio modes.
Review: Marshall Heston 120
For wireless fans, the Heston 120's Wi-Fi compatibility unlocks Apple AirPlay, Chromecast, Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect, along with Bluetooth. It's also packed with codecs and audio formats, including LC3, FLAC, Vorbis, WMA9, and more. Wired fans have even more fun, as the Heston 120 includes HDMI eARC, RCA stereo, RCA mono, USB-C, and Ethernet for connection to analog devices.
Its design pays homage to Marshall's amp-making roots, making it stand out from the soundbar bunch. The Heston 120 is a 5.1.2-channel soundbar, and internal passive radiators boost the bass even more.
Who it's for: The Heston 120 is ideal for people with a more eclectic style, as its design isn't nearly as nondescript as the other soundbars on the market. It's also a solid choice for people who like to listen to music through their soundbar as much as, if not more than, they like to watch TV and movies. It has plenty of wired connections for analog music players, making it more versatile for music fanatics.
Who should look elsewhere: You should look elsewhere if the Heston 120's design is too loud for your home decor. You should also consider other options if you're looking to build a Marshall home theater system down the line. Although Marshall promises more home theater products in the future, there's no timeline. Additionally, the only smart speaker feature the Heston 120 lacks is voice assistant compatibility.
Marshall Heston 120 tech specs: Dimensions: H(3.0 in), W(43.3 in), D(5.7 in) | Channels: 5.1.2 | Inputs: HDMI, HDMI eARC, RCA stereo, RCA mono, Ethernet | Voice assistants: N/A | Wireless streaming: Apple AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect | Spatial audio: Dolby Atmos, DTS:X
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Why we like it: Bose's compact soundbar is a solid option for Bose fans who want a compact soundbar. The Smart Soundbar has plenty of up-to-date audio features for movie and TV-watching, like Dolby Atmos support, AI Dialogue Mode, and Bose TrueSpace for automatic upmixing of the content you're watching.
Review: Bose Smart Soundbar (2024)
Additionally, the Smart Soundbar includes options for digitally streaming music via Wi-Fi, including streaming services found in the Bose app, Bluetooth connectivity, Apple AirPlay, Spotify Connect, and Chromecast. If you have Bose headphones, like the QuietComfort or QuietComfort Ultra, you can connect them to the Smart Soundbar via Bose SimpleSync for private listening.
Bose's Smart Soundbar has exceptional Dolby Atmos and surround sound capabilities and impressively low latency over eARC. It also has a surprisingly wide soundstage, which aids in its Dolby Atmos performance.
Who it's for: The Bose Smart Soundbar is a solid option for people seeking a compact Bose soundbar. Its small frame doesn't dictate its impressive audio performance, and it's packed with features for both TV and music. Since this soundbar is compatible with Bose SimpleSync, it's also a great option for people who already own Bose headphones and earbuds.
Who should look elsewhere: If you want a soundbar with a deeper bass response, you should look elsewhere. The Bose Smart Soundbar is a 3.0.2-channel soundbar, meaning it doesn't have an internal subwoofer.
Bose Smart Soundbar tech specs: Dimensions: H(2.21 in), W(37.34 in), D(4.09 in) | Channels: 3.0.2 | Inputs: HDMI, HDMI eARC, Optical | Voice assistants: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant | Wireless streaming: Apple AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Bluetooth | Spatial audio: Dolby Atmos
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Why we like it: If you want an immersive surround sound experience but don't necessarily want to always dedicate space for satellite speakers, then the JBL Bar 1000 might be for you. This soundbar has a unique satellite speaker setup, with the satellites connecting to the sides of the soundbar when you're not using them, then detaching from it to be placed behind you when you do want to use them. When they're attached to the soundbar, the battery inside them will be charged.
Thankfully, the system sounds great. It comes with a 10-inch subwoofer for punchy and deep bass, plus it offers crisp and detailed high end, making dialogue nice and clear. On top of that, it can be tuned with a graphic EQ, meaning that you can personalize the audio with some precision to your preferences. And like some of the other options on this list, it has a room correction tool that allows the soundbar to tune audio depending on how that audio interacts with the walls, furniture, and other aspects of your room.
This space-saving soundbar is compatible with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X spatial audio, and is Wi-Fi enabled for AirPlay, Alexa multi-room, and Chromecast.
Who it's for: The JBL Bar 1000 is for those who want versatility in how they set up their soundbar and want to be able to change that setup depending on what they're watching. It's also ideal for people who want truly wireless rear speakers, but may not use them all the time.
Who should look elsewhere: Those on a tighter budget may want to consider looking elsewhere. Additionally, if you're willing to permanently dedicate space to surround speakers, it may be worth going for a different system with powered satellite speakers. The Bar 1000's wireless speakers need to be recharged, and if you forget, they might die in the middle of movie night.
The Bar 1000 doesn't have built-in voice assistants, but you can connect it to other speakers or devices with those capabilities.
JBL Bar 1000 tech specs: Dimensions: H(2.2 in), W(34.8 in), D(4.9 in) | Channels: 7.1.4 | Inputs: HDMI, HDMI eARC, Optical | Voice assistants: Works with voice assistant-enabled devices | Wireless streaming: Apple AirPlay 2, Bluetooth, Chromecast, Alexa multi-room | Spatial audio: Dolby Atmos, DTS:X
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Our favorite soundbar is the Sonos Arc Ultra for its incredible performance, sleek design, and universal compatibility. It makes a wonderful addition to your living room, acting as a soundbar and smart speaker. However, all of our picks shine in their own right, so here is how the main specs compare to one another.
| Soundbar | Price | Subwoofer/rear speakers included | Spatial audio protocols | Channels | Inputs |
| Sonos Arc Ultra | $999 | No | Dolby Atmos | 9.1.4 | HDMI, HDMI eARC, Optical (cable sold separately) |
| LG S95TR | $1,600 | Yes | Dolby Atmos, DTS:X | 9.1.5 | HDMI, HDMI eARC, Optical |
| Samsung HW-Q990F | $1,999 | Yes | Dolby Atmos, Eclipsa Audio | 11.1.4 | HDMI, HDMI eARC, Optical |
| Bose Smart Soundbar (2024) | $549 | No | Dolby Atmos | 3.0.2 | HDMI, HDMI eARC, Optical |
| JBL Bar 1000 | $1,199 | Yes | Dolby Atmos. DTS:X | 7.1.4 | HDMI, HDMI eARC, Optical |
Each of our picks is best suited for different room sizes and use cases. Here's what you should know before making a buying decision.
Choose this soundbar... | If you want... |
Sonos Arc Ultra | A large, powerful soundbar packed with smart features, with the ability to build your home's Sonos system over time. |
LG S95TR | A flagship LG soundbar to complement your compatible LG TV. |
Samsung HW-Q990F | The best soundbar for audiophiles, packed with audio modes and smart features. Bonus points if you have a new Samsung TV. |
Bose Smart Soundbar (2024) | A compact soundbar for people who may game, listen to music, and watch TV in the same room or area. |
JBL Bar 1000 | A universal and compact yet powerful soundbar with detachable, truly wireless rear speakers, best for people who won't use them all the time. |
ZDNET only included soundbars we've tested at length in our own homes, where we watch movies and TV and listen to music. Spending at least $500 and up to $2,000 on a soundbar is a huge investment, so we focused on providing you with real advice from real people.
- Channels: The more soundbar channels you have, the more immersive your audio experience will be, especially when watching movies or listening to movies encoded in Dolby Atmos or DTS:X spatial audio. More channels mean more speakers, and more speakers need more space. Therefore, larger soundbars like the Sonos Arc Ultra and Samsung HW-Q990F can provide a highly immersive listening experience. However, smaller soundbars like the Bose Smart Soundbar (2024) with five front-facing speakers can provide an immersive experience for smaller rooms.
- Cable inputs and wireless streaming: Many people use their soundbar to watch TV and movies as much as they use it as a smart speaker to listen to music. Most soundbars have HDMI ports to connect to your TV or gaming console, and include wireless streaming options like AirPlay and Chromecast for Wi-Fi streaming from your other devices.
- Spatial audio: It's hard to find a modern soundbar without Dolby Atmos support, a highly demanded feature. All of our picks are compatible with Dolby Atmos, but there are caveats. One being that your content must be encoded in Dolby Atmos for your soundbar to reproduce it, and another is that your Dolby Atmos listening experience will only be as good as your soundbar. Pro tip: invest in rear speakers.
- Device compatibility: Soundbars made by companies that also make TVs typically have features that will only work with a compatible TV. For example, Samsung's HW-Q990F has Samsung Q-Symphony, a feature that engages your TV speakers and soundbar audio for extra volume. The good thing is that these exclusive features tend to be inconsequential, and every soundbar on our list will work at its best, as long as your TV has an HDMI eARC port.
Latest soundbar news
- Sony unexpectedly released the Bravia Theater System 6, a midrange home theater in a box, meant to complement its newer Bravia TVs. ZDNET is expecting to review this product in the coming weeks.
- JBL released a new flagship soundbar with detachable rear speakers, the Bar 1000 MK2. ZDNET will review this product in the coming weeks.
- The Sonos Arc Ultra soundbar and Ace headphones received a recent software update, with both products promising better audio performance. You can now connect two Ace headphones to one compatible Sonos soundbar, and the update included improved sidetone and noise-canceling performance.
All of the soundbars on this list (and most on the market) will work with most modern TVs. Some soundbars made by companies that also make TVs, like Samsung, LG, Vizio, and Sony, will have audio features that only work with a compatible TV.
Other soundbars, like those from JBL, Bose, and Sonos, may not have TV-exclusive features, but may have features that only work with their other audio products, such as headphones. Bose and Sonos' soundbars have exclusive features reserved for the companies' respective headphones, but your TV audio experience remains unaffected.
Soundbar channels and speakers are often used synonymously, but they mean different things. A soundbar may have more speakers than channels. Channels can be considered speaker groupings, and each channel points in a specific direction. More channels mean more speakers, and more speakers need more space, which is why larger soundbars can have 20+ internal speakers.
Soundbar channels are represented by three numbers. The first number represents the number of front-facing, horizontal audio channels, which are at face level when sitting on your couch across from the soundbar.
The second number represents a subwoofer. Soundbars like the Sonos Arc Ultra have an internal subwoofer, while Samsung's HW-Q990F considers the external sub, since it comes with your purchase.
The third number represents upfiring audio channels, which project audio upwards to create height. In a perfect environment, the soundbar's upfiring audio channels would reflect sound off the ceiling and onto you. However, your room acoustics and ceiling height greatly affect a soundbar's upfiring speaker performance.
Samsung's HW-Q990F has 11.1.4 channels, which means it has 11 front-facing channels, one subwoofer channel, and four upfiring (height) channels.
Dolby Atmos support is a highly-demanded soundbar feature, and most modern soundbars support it. However, the content you're watching or listening to must be encoded in Dolby Atmos for it to work. If you stream music on your soundbar with Apple Music, Tidal, or Amazon Music Unlimited, you can access some songs in Dolby Atmos.
For movies and TV, some content on platforms like Netflix, Apple TV+, and Disney+ is encoded in Dolby Atmos. Although we talked about Atmos and DTS:X in the general specs in this list, your soundbar is likely equipped with a host of Dolby and DTS audio formats for high-quality stereo audio.
Latest updates
- August 2025: Completely revamped our top soundbar recommendations, refreshing our old picks to include the latest soundbars from the past year with better audio performance, more smart features, and updated designs.
Other soundbars we've tested
If your favorite place to be is at home and cozy on the couch, check out our tips for improving your TV-watching experience.
- 5 simple ways to dramatically improve your soundbar's audio (and for free)
- Don't cancel Netflix yet: I used these secret codes to unlock the full catalog of shows
- How to clear your TV cache (and why it makes such a noticeable difference)
- Can't hear TV dialogue? I found 3 ways to dramatically improve the audio quality
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