Key takeaways
- Best overall: Sonos Arc Ultra ($899 – $999).
- Best value: VIZIO V21x-J8 2.1 Home Theater Sound Bar ($99 – $149).
- Connect over HDMI eARC/ARC if your TV has it, so the TV remote controls the volume and surround formats pass through.
In this article
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Not sure which soundbars to buy in the US? This list keeps it short: our top pick, the best-value option, the premium choice and the models we would avoid, all with typical prices.
Prices are typical ranges, not live prices. The button on each pick opens the current price.
Quick answer
- Best overall: Sonos Arc Ultra ($899 – $999)
- Best value: VIZIO V21x-J8 2.1 Home Theater Sound Bar ($99 – $149)
- Premium pick: Samsung HW-Q990D ($999 – $1,499)
Soundbars compared
| Product | Verdict | Score | Typical price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sonos Arc Ultra | Buy | 8.9/10 | $899 – $999 |
| Samsung HW-Q990D | Buy | 8.7/10 | $999 – $1,499 |
| Sonos Beam (Gen 2) | Buy | 8.5/10 | $369 – $499 |
| VIZIO V21x-J8 2.1 Home Theater Sound Bar | Buy | 7.7/10 | $99 – $149 |
| LG S95TR Dolby Atmos Soundbar | Consider | 8.4/10 | $1,000 – $1,500 |
| Bose Smart Soundbar | Consider | 7.8/10 | $399 – $499 |
Our picks in detail
Sonos Arc Ultra
Premium single-bar Atmos · Verdict: Buy · Score: 8.9/10 · Typical price: $899 – $999
Why we like it: Big, clear Atmos sound from one bar.
Pros: Very clear dialogue · Convincing Dolby Atmos from a single bar · Deeper bass than the original Arc · Trueplay room tuning
Cons: Expensive · Sub and rears cost extra · No HDMI passthrough
Buy it if you want the best all-in-one Dolby Atmos soundbar with excellent dialogue and room to add a sub and rear speakers later.
Skip it if you don't want to rely on the Sonos app or want everything in one box for less.
Samsung HW-Q990D
Full surround in one box · Verdict: Buy · Score: 8.7/10 · Typical price: $999 – $1,499
Why we like it: Subwoofer and rear speakers included.
Pros: Real rear speakers and sub included · Powerful, room-filling Atmos · HDMI inputs with 4K 120Hz passthrough
Cons: Large and complex setup · Many settings to fine-tune
Buy it if you want true surround sound with a sub and rear speakers in a single purchase, especially with a Samsung TV.
Skip it if you have a small room or can't place rear speakers.
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
Mid-size rooms · Verdict: Buy · Score: 8.5/10 · Typical price: $369 – $499
Why we like it: Compact Atmos soundbar with great dialogue.
Pros: Clear dialogue · Compact size fits under most TVs · Easy to expand with Sonos speakers
Cons: Atmos effect is virtual · Limited bass on its own
Buy it if you want a compact soundbar with clear dialogue for a bedroom or apartment TV.
Skip it if you want deep bass without adding a subwoofer.
VIZIO V21x-J8 2.1 Home Theater Sound Bar
Budget upgrade · Verdict: Buy · Score: 7.7/10 · Typical price: $99 – $149
Why we like it: Big step up from TV speakers for little money.
Pros: Inexpensive · Clearer voices than TV speakers · Simple setup with HDMI ARC
Cons: No Atmos · Modest bass
Buy it if you want clearer dialogue and fuller sound than your TV speakers for about $100.
Skip it if you want Dolby Atmos or room-shaking bass.
LG S95TR Dolby Atmos Soundbar
Verdict: Consider · Score: 8.4/10 · Typical price: $1,000 – $1,500
Our verdict on LG S95TR Dolby Atmos Soundbar is consider: a decent option, but compare it with the picks above before paying $1,000 – $1,500.
Bose Smart Soundbar
Bose fans with Bose speakers · Verdict: Consider · Score: 7.8/10 · Typical price: $399 – $499
Why we like it: AI Dialogue Mode and Bose ecosystem.
Pros: AI Dialogue Mode clarifies voices · Compact · Can use Bose Ultra Open Earbuds as rear speakers
Cons: Bass is light without a sub · Pricey for its size
Buy it if you already own Bose speakers or headphones and want a compact Atmos bar that works with them.
Skip it if you want the best value for $500; the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) offers a better app and ecosystem for similar money.
What to check before you buy
- Connect over HDMI eARC/ARC if your TV has it, so the TV remote controls the volume and surround formats pass through.
- Clear dialogue matters most for everyday TV; look for a dedicated center channel or speech enhancement mode.
- Dolby Atmos needs up-firing drivers or rear speakers to work properly; a 2.0 bar with 'Atmos' on the box is virtualized.
What to skip
Common mistake: Buying a bar much wider than your TV or one that blocks the screen's IR sensor.
When to buy
The deepest discounts usually arrive during the big summer sales in July, the October sales events and Black Friday through Cyber Monday in late November. A compact soundbar is a big upgrade over TV speakers; a separate subwoofer can be added later on many models.
Compare more options
Search soundbars on Amazon See top-rated soundbars on Amazon
Related reading
Frequently asked questions
What are the best soundbars in the US?
Our top pick is Sonos Arc Ultra (typically $899 – $999). For the best value, choose VIZIO V21x-J8 2.1 Home Theater Sound Bar (typically $99 – $149).
What should I check before buying soundbars?
Connect over HDMI eARC/ARC if your TV has it, so the TV remote controls the volume and surround formats pass through. Clear dialogue matters most for everyday TV; look for a dedicated center channel or speech enhancement mode.
When is the best time to buy soundbars in the US?
The deepest discounts usually arrive during the big summer sales in July, the October sales events and Black Friday through Cyber Monday in late November.
What is the most common mistake when buying soundbars?
Buying a bar much wider than your TV or one that blocks the screen's IR sensor.