Best overall
Sonos Arc Ultra
~$900–$1,000 at time of writing
What we like
- 9.1.4 Dolby Atmos with strong bass (PCMag)
- Expands with Sonos Sub and Era speakers
Keep in mind
- Expensive
Best premium surround
Samsung HW-Q990F
~$1,400–$2,000 at time of writing
What we like
- Sub and rear speakers included
- Strong for movies and dialogue (RTINGS)
Keep in mind
- Lots of hardware
Best for bass and music
JBL Bar 1300MK2
~$1,300–$1,700 at time of writing
What we like
- Detachable wireless surround speakers
- Deep bass (RTINGS)
Keep in mind
- Big and pricey
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Best mid-size
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
~$450–$500 at time of writing
What we like
- Compact Atmos soundbar
- Great app
Keep in mind
- Virtual Atmos only
Best Bose
Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar
~$900–$1,000 at time of writing
What we like
- 5.0.2 Atmos, expandable with Bose speakers
Keep in mind
- Bass is light without a sub
Best for Sony TVs
Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8
~$800–$1,000 at time of writing
What we like
- Strong Atmos performance with Bravia TVs
Keep in mind
- Pricey without sub
Best 5.1 system for the money
Sony Bravia Theater Bar 6
~$500–$600 at time of writing
What we like
- Full 5.1 with subwoofer and rears (PCMag)
Keep in mind
- More boxes to place
Best for dialogue
Bose Smart Soundbar
~$450–$500 at time of writing
What we like
- Clear dialogue mode, compact
Keep in mind
- Light bass
Best budget
Roku Streambar SE
~$100 at time of writing
What we like
- Roku streaming plus better sound in one (PCMag)
Keep in mind
- Stereo only
Best cheap bass
Vizio V-Series 2.1
~$100–$150 at time of writing
What we like
- Includes a subwoofer for little money
Keep in mind
- Basic features
Compare all 10
| # | Product | Best for | Price* | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sonos Arc Ultra | Best overall | ~$900–$1,000 | — |
| 2 | Samsung HW-Q990F | Best premium surround | ~$1,400–$2,000 | — |
| 3 | JBL Bar 1300MK2 | Best for bass and music | ~$1,300–$1,700 | — |
| 4 | Sonos Beam (Gen 2) | Best mid-size | ~$450–$500 | — |
| 5 | Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar | Best Bose | ~$900–$1,000 | — |
| 6 | Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 | Best for Sony TVs | ~$800–$1,000 | — |
| 7 | Sony Bravia Theater Bar 6 | Best 5.1 system for the money | ~$500–$600 | — |
| 8 | Bose Smart Soundbar | Best for dialogue | ~$450–$500 | — |
| 9 | Roku Streambar SE | Best budget | ~$100 | — |
| 10 | Vizio V-Series 2.1 | Best cheap bass | ~$100–$150 | — |
*Approximate, at time of writing. Rating shown only where a sourced rating was found.
Sources consulted: RTINGS best soundbars of 2026 and Samsung HW-Q990F / JBL Bar 1300MK2 reviews, PCMag best soundbars (2026), plus manufacturer specs. Prices are approximate and change often; see today's price on Amazon. Prices change often; check the retailer. Product photos are official brand press images (credited) where we have permission; otherwise we show a photo of the product type, clearly labeled Illustrative.
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Soundbars: frequently asked questions
What is the best soundbar in 2026?
Our #1 pick is the Sonos Arc Ultra (best overall), at ~$900–$1,000 at time of writing. 9.1.4 Dolby Atmos with strong bass (PCMag).
What is the best budget soundbar?
The Roku Streambar SE is our best budget pick at ~$100 at time of writing. It ranks #9 of 10.
What is the best premium soundbar?
The Samsung HW-Q990F is our premium pick at ~$1,400–$2,000 at time of writing. It ranks #2 of 10.
How did Rank the Rest rank these soundbars?
We compared published expert testing, public review data and manufacturer specs. We did not hands-on test these products, we never invent ratings, and affiliate commissions never change the order.
Are the prices current?
Prices are approximate as of October 14, 2026 and change often, especially during sales. Use the price buttons to see today's price at the retailer.
