Tech & AI
Best Soundbars of 2026: Editors’ Choice
Why Buy a Soundbar in 2026?
While TV makers have made progress in the past few years in improving the sound of built-in speakers, the physics involved present a challenge. Slim TVs lack the cabinet volume needed for low bass reproduction and the TV screen itself limits the placement and size of internal speakers. Soundbars offer a compelling solution as they can concentrate on providing better sound, while also allowing expansion to discrete multi-channel immersive sound, with no speaker wires or separate A/V receiver required.
But there is a trade-off: getting rid of speaker wires and a separate A/V receiver means that each speaker needs its own power cable, and the width of the front soundstage is still limited (in most cases) by the dimensions of the soundbar itself. It also means that the height effects, critical to immersive sound formats like Dolby Atmos, Eclipsa Audio and DTS:X, are served either by virtualization (simulated height) or by up-firing drivers which bounce sound off the ceiling. While both of these solutions can work reasonably well in the right room, they don’t compare with the discrete height speakers of a traditional wired, component based surround system.
Alternative solutions have emerged that allow customers to get a wider front soundstage by placing speakers on either side of the TV, while still maintaining the set-up simplicity of a wireless system. Sony’s BRAVIA Theater Trio and Quad are examples of this, as are LG’s Sound Suite and TCL’s Z100 wireless speakers, both of which use Dolby Atmos FlexConnect technology to allow customers to choose anywhere from one to five speakers for their room, with a wireless connection from the TV and built-in calibration software to optimize the sound.
But the appeal of a simple one-piece or two-piece soundbar system is hard to deny. Plug in a single HDMI cable from the TV to the bar and provide power to each speaker and you’ll instantly improve the sound of anything you watch on TV. Good soundbars also integrate with music streaming services so you can enjoy high quality sound from music, podcasts or audiobooks when the TV is off.
In 2026, we’ve seen and tested updated soundbar models from Sony, Samsung, Sonos, Bose, Nakamichi and Bluesound. High-end speaker maker Focal also introduced its first soundbar-like product (but don’t call it a soundbar). The Focal Mu-so Hekla wireless speaker can create convincing surround sound with solid bass from a single one-piece speaker that sits on a shelf or credenza below your TV. Our review of that product will be coming soon. This year LG introduced its first soundbar with Dolby Atmos FlexConnect built in (the H7), which is capable of adding up to five additional wireless speakers (including two subwoofers), for maximum immersive surround. But that model is not eligible for an award as we haven’t reviewed it yet.
Methodology
All of the soundbars and soundbar systems selected as “eCoustics Editor’s Choice” for 2026 were reviewed hands-on by our experienced staff of tech journalists. We tested all soundbars standalone, and with optional subwoofers and rear speakers, when possible. We used a wide sampling of content including movies, TV shows and music in both stereo and spatial audio formats like Dolby Atmos. In addition to sound quality (which is paramount), other factors including ease of use and set-up, ergonomic design and usability and aesthetic design were considered. Without further ado, here are our picks for best soundbars of 2026.
Sonos Beam Ultra
The Sonos Beam Ultra ($699.99) is the newest Sonos soundbar for 2026, available in white or black finishes. At just under 30-inches wide it delivers better immersion and more mid-bass punch than you’d expect for its size thanks to more power and more speaker drivers than its predecessor (the Sonos Beam), including two new up-firing reflective height channel speakers. And, for the first time, Sonos allows its portable wireless speakers, including the Play and Move 2, to be used as surround speakers. This means you don’t actually need power cords in the back of your room to get discrete rear sound effects. You will need to recharge these speakers occasionally though, as their built-in batteries don’t last forever. But while they’re not in use as surround speakers, you can take them to the backyard or the beach for music on the go.
The Beam Ultra can also work with the Sonos Ace Ultra headphones to swap sound from speaker to headphones with the touch of a single button, while still maintaining a spatial Dolby Atmos immersive soundstage, complete with head tracking.
Why We Picked It: The Sonos Beam Ultra provides high quality surround sound in a compact, fairly affordable package, works seamlessly within the robust Sonos ecosystem and app and can be upgraded to true discrete multi-channel surround with solid bass if you add an optional subwoofer and rear speakers.
Where to Buy:
Samsung HW-Q990H Soundbar System
At $1,999 MSRP, the 4-piece Samsung HW-Q990H is the company’s flagship soundbar system for 2026. Unlike unlike some competitive models, the HW-Q990H comes with everything you need in the box: the soundbar, a pair of rear channel speakers (with up-firing drivers) and a surprisingly capable compact dual 8-inch subwoofer. The nearly 49-inch wide soundbar can process up to 11.1.4 channels of immersive audio, routing sound to each of the 23 separate speaker drivers. In real world testing, we found that the Q990H was the best soundbar we’ve tested at creating an immersive dome of sound with seamless motion and few audible dead spots around the room.
We love that it supports not only Dolby Atmos and DTS:X immersive surround, but also the new Eclipsa Audio format which is beginning to gain traction on YouTube. Also, with three HDMI ports (compared to competitive products with only one or two HDMI ports), the Q990H offers maximum flexibility and can work well even with older TVs or TVs with limited audio passthrough options. It performs well with both movies and music and its compact design won’t draw too much attention to itself.
Why we picked it: At a street price of around $1,500, the HW-Q990H system offers a simple, yet great-sounding upgrade to any TV or projector, and its comprehensive format support ensures future compatibility.
Where to Buy: $1,999 $1,499 at Amazon | Best Buy | Crutchfield
Bose Lifestyle Ultra
The Bose Lifestyle Ultra soundbar ($1,099) works well as a standalone soundbar, but its performance ascends to the next level with the addition of a sub and rear speakers. At a system price of $2,596, the four-piece Bose Lifestyle Ultra system includes a 43.5-inch soundbar, wireless Lifestyle Ultra Subwoofer, and two Lifestyle Ultra Speakers serving as rear surround and height channels, creating a 7.1.4-channel Dolby Atmos configuration. The system supports HDMI eARC, Apple AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth, along with Bose’s CustomTune room calibration and adjustable SpeechClarity dialogue enhancement.
Why We Picked It: Our testing revealed excellent dialogue clarity, convincing Dolby Atmos height and surround effects, and significantly greater cinematic impact with the subwoofer and rear speakers engaged. The premium design, generally straightforward setup, and strong performance in real-world living spaces make it an excellent choice for buyers who want immersive home theater without an AVR and speaker cables. The occasional app hiccup and lack of DTS support are worth considering, but the complete system delivers an engaging movie and television experience.
Where to Buy:
Canvas HiFi All-in-One Soundbar
On paper, Canvas HiFi ($4,999) is a soundbar with an integrated TV stand and mounting system. In reality, that description sells it short—by a long shot. Its Danish build quality is exceptional, and its sonic performance outclasses every standalone soundbar we’ve heard. Thanks to BACCH 3D technology, the soundstage is so expansive and convincing that you’ll swear there are extra speakers hiding somewhere in the room. There aren’t.
Despite all that scale and theatricality, dialog remains locked dead-center and crystal clear, and the system somehow delivers genuinely chest-punching bass down to 30Hz—without the help of a subwoofer. Great for movies. Great for music. One box. No compromises.
The Canvas HiFi has multiple size and finish options and is optimized for TVs 55 to 85 inches. The company makes a version called the “HiFi Frame” specifically for Samsung’s “The Frame” and “The Frame Pro” TVs, for seamless integration with those models. Also, a larger version (Canvas L), optimized for TVs 65 inches to 115 inches was introduced at the Vienna HiFi show and is expected to begin shipping later this year.
Why We Picked It: The Canvas HiFi’s unique combination of elegant design and rich expansive sound offers an ideal solution for design-conscious movie and music lovers who appreciate great sound but also desire visual simplicity.
Where to Buy: $4,999 at Canvas
Sonos Arc Ultra
Sonos made its name as a pioneer of whole home wireless audio systems. Rather than requiring a custom installer or routing miles of speaker wire all over your home, Sonos offered a simple networked solution allowing music lovers to play their music out loud anywhere in their home via a simple mobile app and wireless ecosystem. 13 years ago, the company launched its first soundbar, and in late 2024, they released their latest flagship soundbar, the Arc Ultra ($1,099).
The Arc Ultra builds on what made its predecessors great, with simple design, high quality sound and the ability to expand into a fully immersive multi-channel wireless surround system. Its main strength is simplicity and integration within the Sonos environment, but it’s no slouch in the sound quality department and does a great job adding impact and drama to movies and TV shows. But it was designed for music first, and it shows when you play back your favorite tunes from your streaming service of choice, either in stereo or immersive Dolby Atmos surround.
The Arc Ultra does well as a standalone soundbar, with good spaciousness and solid bass, but really shines if you add a pair of ERA 300 rear speakers and one (or two) subwoofers. Get ready for a little sticker shock, though: a fully loaded system with Arc Ultra, 2 ERA 300s and 2 Subs will set you back around $3,700, and at that price, you could opt for a pretty nice component-based system, albeit with more effort involved.
Why We Picked It: Sonos offers a robust app and ecosystem for music and movie lovers who want to listen to their content out loud anywhere in the home (and even outside it). The Arc Ultra is one of few soundbars that can hold its own, without any additional speakers, though it comes alive with the addition of optional surround speakers and subwoofer.
Where to Buy:
Theory Audio Design Soundbar System
The Theory Audio Design 5.2.2 is a professionally installed home theater system built around a three-channel soundbar, dedicated surround and height speakers, dual subwoofers, and Theory’s amplified loudspeaker controllers with integrated DSP and bass management. The system is modular, allowing installers to tailor the speaker configuration and amplification to the room, although a separate AV processor is required for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X decoding. Unlike conventional wireless soundbar packages, Theory prioritizes neutral tonal balance, excellent dialogue intelligibility, precise imaging, and dynamic range without sacrificing detail or control.
Why We Picked It: In more than two decades of reviewing home theater equipment, few systems have delivered the sense of scale and emotional involvement that the Theory 5.2.2 achieved. Explosions had genuine physical impact without overwhelming the rest of the soundtrack, while quieter scenes revealed subtle ambient details that made films and television dramas feel more believable. It wasn’t simply about playing louder; Theory demonstrated how convincing cinematic sound can fundamentally change the viewing experience.
Priced from $10,398 for a 5.1 system at Theory Professional
The Bottom Line
No longer just a poor man’s cheap fix to bad TV sound, sound bars and similar products have expanded to provide comprehensive sonic solutions for virtually any budget and lifestyle. Where you’re looking for something simple and easy to set-up or something more robust and expandable, there is likely a soundbar system out there that will serve your audio needs.
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