The Best Soundbars for Building Your Personal Home Theater

Until recently, I believed that nothing could match the audio quality of a high-end home theater system. But Samsung, Sonos, LG, and other soundbar manufacturers have proven me wrong. Today's soundbars offer incredible sound without the complexity of a full home theater setup. From powerful Dolby Atmos systems to compact all-in-one solutions, there's a perfect soundbar for every need.

With so many options, choosing the right soundbar can be overwhelming. As a tech journalist who's reviewed countless soundbars, I've compiled a list of the best available in 2025.

TL;DR: The Best Soundbars

Our Top Pick: Samsung HW-Q990D
Amazon | Best Buy | Samsung

Sonos Arc Ultra
Amazon | Best Buy | B&H

LG S95TR
Amazon | Best Buy | LG

Vizio V21-H8
Amazon | Walmart

Vizio M-Series 5.1.2
Amazon

Sonos Beam
Amazon | Sonos | Best Buy

1. Samsung HW-Q990D: Best Overall

Samsung HW-Q990D
Amazon | Best Buy | Samsung

Product Specifications: Channels: 11.1.4; Sound Support: Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS:X; Connectivity: HDMI (ARC), optical audio, Bluetooth 5.2, Ethernet port, Wi-Fi; Size (WxHxD): 48.5" x 2.7" x 5.4"; Weight: 17lbs

The Samsung HW-Q990D is widely considered the best soundbar on the market. Its 11 front-facing speakers, powerful subwoofer, and four up-firing drivers deliver a truly cinematic experience. Action scenes are impactful, dialogue is clear, and Dolby Atmos creates immersive sound. Beyond its audio prowess, it boasts Wi-Fi, Amazon Alexa, Google Chromecast, Apple AirPlay, SpaceFit Sound Pro, and Adaptive Sound. It also supports HDMI 2.1 for enhanced gaming. While retailing at $2,000, it frequently goes on sale. The HW-Q990C, a slightly older model, offers similar performance at a lower price.

2. Sonos Arc Ultra: Best Dolby Atmos Soundbar

Sonos Arc Ultra
Amazon | Best Buy | B&H

Product Specifications: Channels: 9.1.4; Sound Support: Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos (Dolby Digital Plus), Dolby Atmos*, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Atmos; Connectivity: HDMI (ARC), optical audio, Bluetooth 5.3, Ethernet port, Wi-Fi; Size (WxHxD): 46.38 x 2.95” x 4.35”; Weight: 13.01lbs

The Sonos Arc Ultra boasts a 9.1.4 channel configuration and 15 Class-D amplifiers. Its SoundMotion technology optimizes audio performance. The four upfiring drivers create a truly immersive Dolby Atmos experience, even without rear speakers. It delivers excellent music playback and features like Speech Enhancement. The Sonos ecosystem integration is a significant advantage, but its cost, even with added Sonos components, may not offer the same value as the Samsung HW-Q990D.

3. LG S95TR: Best for Bass

LG S95TR
Amazon | Best Buy | LG

Product Specifications: Channels: 9.1.5; Sound Support: Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital/Plus, DTS:X, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD; Connectivity: HDMI eARC/ARC, digital optical input, 3.5mm auxiliary input, one 3.5mm stereo input, Bluetooth 5.2, Ethernet port, Wi-Fi; Size (WxHxD): 45” x 2.5" x 5.3"; Weight: 12.5lbs

While not as immersive as the Samsung HW-Q990D, the LG S95TR offers excellent sound with 17 drivers, including a dedicated center height channel. Its 22lb subwoofer delivers powerful bass for movies and music. It also includes AI Room Calibration and works with Apple AirPlay, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant.

4. Vizio V21-H8: Best Cheap Soundbar

Vizio V21-H8
Amazon | Walmart

Product Specifications: Channels: 2.1; Sound Support: DTS TruVolume, DTS Virtual:X, Dolby Volume; Connectivity: HDMI (ARC), optical audio, Bluetooth 5.0; Size (WxHxD): 36" x 2.28" x 3.20"; Weight: 4.6lbs

For budget-conscious consumers, the Vizio V21-H8 provides surprisingly good stereo sound. While lacking immersive features like Dolby Atmos, it offers a noticeable upgrade over built-in TV speakers. Its simplicity is both a strength and weakness; it lacks Wi-Fi and advanced features, but its ease of use is appealing.

5. Vizio M-Series 5.1.2: Best Surround Sound Value

Vizio M-Series 5.1.2
Amazon

Product Specifications: Channels: 5.1.2; Sound Support: DTS:X, DTS Virtual:X, Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital+; Connectivity: HDMI (ARC), optical audio, Bluetooth; Size (WxHxD): 35.98" x 2.24" x 3.54"; Weight: 5.53lbs

The Vizio M-Series 5.1.2 offers excellent value for a surround sound system. Its 6-inch subwoofer and upfiring drivers provide decent Dolby Atmos performance. While lacking Wi-Fi and featuring wired rear speakers, it delivers impressive sound for its price.

6. Sonos Beam: Best for Smaller Rooms

Sonos Beam
Amazon | Sonos | Best Buy

Product Specifications: Channels: 5.0; Sound Support: Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos (Dolby Digital Plus), Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD; Connectivity: HDMI (ARC), optical audio, Ethernet port, Wi-Fi; Size (WxHxD): 25.63" x 2.68" x 3.94"; Weight: 6.35lbs

The Sonos Beam is a compact soundbar that delivers surprisingly powerful sound. Its clear dialogue, vibrant highs, and decent bass make it ideal for smaller rooms. It utilizes advanced processing to create virtual height channels for Dolby Atmos. Its compatibility with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple AirPlay 2, along with its expandability within the Sonos ecosystem, makes it a versatile choice.

How to Pick a Soundbar

Consider the number of channels (2.0, 2.1, 5.1, etc.), connectivity options (HDMI ARC/eARC, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi), and features like Dolby Atmos. HDMI ARC simplifies setup, while Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enable streaming. Dolby Atmos provides immersive 3D sound, but requires upfiring drivers and often additional speakers.

Best Soundbars FAQs

This section answers frequently asked questions about soundbar specifications, compatibility, and features, including the differences between various channel configurations, subwoofer needs, Dolby Atmos capabilities, and music streaming options.