Sonos Arc UltraBest overall- Format
- 9.1.4 Dolby Atmos
- Bass
- Built-in subwoofer
- Connection
- HDMI eARC
- Voice
- Alexa and Sonos Voice Control
Most recommended by reviewers
Check price at AmazonThe Best Soundbars
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Anyone who has strained to hear a whispered line, then jumped when the next explosion rattled the room, knows why TV speakers disappoint. Today's thin TVs have little room for real speakers, and a soundbar is the simplest fix.
Our top pick is the Sonos Arc Ultra. It fills a room with Dolby Atmos sound and deep bass without a separate subwoofer. The rest cover a full home theater, rich music, a compact setup and a budget buy.
The rundown
1 Sonos Arc Ultra | 2 LG S95TR | 3 Marshall Heston 120 | 4 JBL Bar 1000 | 5 Samsung HW-B400F | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Best overall | Best full home theater | Best for music lovers | Best surround without permanent rear speakers | Best budget |
| Format | 9.1.4 Dolby Atmos | 9.1.5 Dolby Atmos and DTS:X | 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos | 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos and DTS:X | 2.0 channel |
| Bass | Built-in subwoofer | Not listed | Two built-in subwoofers | Not listed | Built-in subwoofer |
| Check price at Amazon | Check price at Amazon | Check price at Amazon | Check price at Amazon | Check price at Amazon |
Sonos Arc UltraBest overall
LG S95TRBest full home theater- Format
- 9.1.5 Dolby Atmos and DTS:X
- Includes
- Soundbar, 2 rear speakers, subwoofer
- Rear speakers
- Wireless, plug into an outlet
- Best with
- LG TVs
Marshall Heston 120Best for music lovers- Format
- 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos
- Bass
- Two built-in subwoofers
- Wireless
- Bluetooth, WiFi, AirPlay, Google Cast
- Streaming
- Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect
JBL Bar 1000Best surround without permanent rear speakers- Format
- 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos and DTS:X
- Power
- 960W peak
- Surrounds
- Detachable, wireless
- Condition
- Renewed
Samsung HW-B400FBest budget- Format
- 2.0 channel
- Bass
- Built-in subwoofer
- Control
- Samsung TV remote
- Modes
- Voice enhance, night mode
1Best overall
Sonos Arc Ultra
Big Dolby Atmos sound and deep bass from one bar, no subwoofer needed.
- Format
- 9.1.4 Dolby Atmos
- Bass
- Built-in subwoofer
- Connection
- HDMI eARC
- Voice
- Alexa and Sonos Voice Control
Most recommended by reviewers
Check price at AmazonPrices and availability on Amazon change often.
Why we picked the Sonos Arc Ultra
The Sonos Arc Ultra is the soundbar we'd pick for most people, with Dolby Atmos and deep bass in a single bar.
What we like
The Arc Ultra delivers 9.1.4 Dolby Atmos and gets deep bass from a built-in subwoofer, so there's no separate box to place. Speech Enhancement keeps dialogue clear, and setup is one HDMI eARC cable plus app-guided steps. It also speaks to both Alexa and Sonos Voice Control, and it can grow into a full system with Sonos Era speakers later. Owners on r/Soundbars report that the Sonos Arc Ultra setup stands out for multi-room audio and music, while the Samsung Q990D is often praised for value.
Worth knowing
It's large and pricey, so it suits bigger rooms and bigger budgets. In a small room or on a tight budget, you'd be paying for capability you can't fully use.
If it's not for you, the LG S95TR adds real surround with included rear speakers for home theater fans, while the Samsung B-Series HW-B400F is the budget route.
2Best full home theater
LG S95TR
A complete 9.1.5 Atmos system with wireless rear speakers and a subwoofer.
- Format
- 9.1.5 Dolby Atmos and DTS:X
- Includes
- Soundbar, 2 rear speakers, subwoofer
- Rear speakers
- Wireless, plug into an outlet
- Best with
- LG TVs
Prices and availability on Amazon change often.
Pros
- Real surround from included rear speakers
- Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support
- One remote controls the bar and an LG TV
- Rear speakers can be placed anywhere
Cons
- Midrange could be better
- Some features need a compatible LG TV
Read our full take
Why we like it
This is a home theater in one purchase: bar, two wireless rear speakers and a subwoofer. The rear speakers only need power, so you can place them wherever your room allows.
It works best with an LG TV, especially a recent OLED, where features like WOW Orchestra and WOWCAST let the TV and bar work together. With another brand of TV you pay for features you can't use.
3Best for music lovers
Marshall Heston 120
A single bar with built-in subwoofers and wide streaming support.
- Format
- 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos
- Bass
- Two built-in subwoofers
- Wireless
- Bluetooth, WiFi, AirPlay, Google Cast
- Streaming
- Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect
Prices and availability on Amazon change often.
Pros
- No external subwoofer needed
- Plenty of wired and wireless connections
- Movie, Voice, Music and Night modes
- Preset button for Spotify, Tidal or internet radio
Cons
- Pricey, with established rivals at similar prices
Read our full take
Why we like it
If you play as much music as you watch TV, the Heston 120 is built for it. Streaming through AirPlay, Google Cast, Spotify Connect or TIDAL Connect is easy, and a preset button in the Marshall app jumps straight to your favorite service.
Two built-in subwoofers handle the bass, so there's no extra box to hide. It costs a lot, and rivals from Sonos and others sit at similar prices, so choose it if the sound and styling appeal.
4Best surround without permanent rear speakers
JBL Bar 1000
Detachable wireless surrounds give you full Atmos when you want it.
- Format
- 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos and DTS:X
- Power
- 960W peak
- Surrounds
- Detachable, wireless
- Condition
- Renewed
Prices and availability on Amazon change often.
Pros
- Surround speakers detach from the bar
- Crisp audio response
- True Dolby Atmos
Cons
- Surround speakers need recharging
- Listing is renewed, not new
Read our full take
Why we like it
The Bar 1000 solves a common problem: you want surround sound but don't want rear speakers on show all the time. The surrounds snap off the bar and sit behind you when you watch a movie, then dock back for everyday use.
The catch is that they run on batteries, so you'll need to recharge them. This listing is a renewed unit, which brings the price well below new. Check the condition details before you buy.
5Best budget
Samsung HW-B400F
A simple, low-cost bar with built-in bass and a one-remote setup.
- Format
- 2.0 channel
- Bass
- Built-in subwoofer
- Control
- Samsung TV remote
- Modes
- Voice enhance, night mode
Prices and availability on Amazon change often.
Pros
- Built-in woofer adds bass at a low price
- Works with a Samsung TV remote
- Voice Enhance makes dialogue clearer
- Night mode keeps late viewing quiet
Cons
- No Dolby Atmos
- Won't match larger systems for room-filling sound
Read our full take
Why we like it
If your main goal is to hear dialogue and get some bass without spending much, this is a sensible buy. It connects to your TV without cable clutter, and a Samsung TV remote can control power, volume and sound effects.
Voice Enhance lifts speech, and night mode lowers the volume and bass so you won't wake the house. It won't give you Atmos effects or big surround, but it's a clear upgrade over built-in TV speakers.
FAQ
Which soundbar suits you?
Pick by room and use. A big living room gets the most from the Sonos Arc Ultra or LG S95TR. A bedroom or small space is better served by a compact bar like the Samsung B400F. If you stream music all day, the Marshall Heston 120 fits best.
What should you look for in a soundbar?
- Dolby Atmos: adds height effects, best in larger rooms.
- Subwoofer: built-in is simplest; separate boxes give more bass.
- HDMI eARC: the cleanest connection for modern TVs.
- Dialogue modes: help when speech gets lost.
What is the best soundbar to buy right now?
The Sonos Arc Ultra is our top pick. It delivers Dolby Atmos and deep bass from one bar, with simple setup. It's large and pricey, so it suits bigger rooms.
What is the best soundbar for a TV?
For an LG TV, the LG S95TR works with your TV's remote and features. For a Samsung TV, the Samsung HW-B400F is a simple, affordable match. Otherwise the Sonos Arc Ultra works with any TV via HDMI eARC.
What is the best soundbar with a subwoofer?
The LG S95TR includes a wireless subwoofer and rear speakers. The ULTIMEA Poseidon M60 includes a wired subwoofer for less. The Sonos Arc Ultra and Marshall Heston 120 have subwoofers built in.
Which soundbar is best for music?
The Marshall Heston 120 is built for music, with Bluetooth, WiFi, AirPlay, Google Cast, Spotify Connect and TIDAL Connect. The Sonos Arc Ultra is also strong for music.
Why trust BullseyeBuy
How we made this guide
- 2 expert reviews read
- 10 soundbars compared
- 10 listings checked in stock
This shortlist comes from comparing ten soundbar listings side by side, every one confirmed available on Amazon right now. We weighed sound format, bass, connections and room fit against what expert reviews said, so each pick has a clear job.
Our expert team tests products when it is needed and researches online and in interviews. Every guide is fact-checked and edited by a real person.
The BullseyeBuy editorial team · Updated Oct 23, 2026
Checking our work: 6 sources
How we pickEditorial standardsAffiliate disclosureReport a mistake
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