10 Best Soundbar Sound Bars 2025 in the United States

The Sonos Arc Ultra Soundbar offers an impressive 9.1.4 surround sound experience, utilizing Dolby Atmos to create immersive audio that fills the room. This setup is perfect for those who want cinema-like sound quality for both movies and music. One standout feature is its ultra-clear dialogue with a Speech Enhancement mode, ensuring that voices are crisp and easy to understand. The soundbar’s design is sleek and modern, seamlessly blending with home decor without being a distraction.

It supports multiple control methods, including your TV remote, the Sonos app, touch controls, Sonos Voice Control, and Amazon Alexa, making it versatile and user-friendly. Setup is straightforward with a single HDMI eARC connection and guidance from the Sonos app. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay 2, and Spotify Connect, allowing you to stream music effortlessly. Additionally, you can expand the system with a Sonos Sub and Era 300 rear speakers for an even more enhanced surround sound experience.

A notable downside is the lack of a built-in subwoofer, which means an additional purchase is necessary for those deep bass sounds. While it provides excellent audio quality, the Sonos Arc Ultra is on the pricier side, which might not suit every budget. Its large size could also be a consideration for those with limited space. This soundbar is an excellent choice for individuals looking for high-quality sound and smart features, especially if they are already invested in the Sonos ecosystem.

The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is a compact soundbar with a sleek black design that will fit neatly on a shelf. It boasts a 3D surround sound effect thanks to Dolby Atmos, which creates an immersive audio experience. The soundbar provides vibrant bass and clear dialogue, making it great for both movies and music. With a maximum output power of 200 watts, it delivers powerful sound without the need for a separate subwoofer, although it can be expanded to a full surround system if desired.

Connectivity is straightforward with Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and HDMI options, and setup is simple with only two cables required. The Sonos app offers step-by-step guidance, and the Trueplay tuning feature ensures optimal sound quality. You can control the soundbar using the Sonos app, your TV remote, Apple AirPlay 2, or voice commands via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, making it very versatile.

However, it doesn't include a dedicated subwoofer, which might be a drawback for those seeking deeper bass. Additionally, it's primarily designed for use within the Sonos ecosystem, which may limit compatibility with other brands. This soundbar is ideal for those looking for a high-quality, easy-to-use audio solution that can be expanded over time.

The Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus with built-in subwoofer is a solid choice for anyone looking to upgrade their home theater experience. It offers a 3.1 channel system with the ability to expand to a full 5.1 surround sound setup with the included external subwoofer and surround speakers. The clear dialogue feature, thanks to a dedicated center dialogue channel, ensures you won't miss any conversations in your favorite shows or movies.

Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support provide immersive 3D sound, making your entertainment more lifelike and engaging. The soundbar also includes various sound modes like Movie, Music, Sports, and Night, which optimize the audio based on what you’re watching, enhancing the experience. Setup is straightforward with the wireless connectivity for the subwoofer and speakers, reducing the clutter of cables.

The added smart feature of being Fire TV ready allows you to use one remote to control both your TV and soundbar, simplifying user interaction. Bluetooth compatibility enables easy streaming from your phone or tablet, adding versatility. The size might be a bit bulky for smaller spaces, and the subwoofer and surround speakers add weight, but the cinematic sound quality and smart features make it worth considering for a full-fledged home theater system.