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If you’re looking to upgrade your audio setup, Sonos is a leading brand worth exploring. The company provides a range of soundbars suitable for spaces as small as a bedroom or as large as a home theater, and the top Sonos models provide immersive, high-quality sound whether you’re enjoying a big-screen film, binge-watching a show, or playing your preferred music collection.
After evaluating all Sonos soundbars on the market, my preferred choice is theSonos Arc Ultra. This high-end model provides an immersive Dolby Atmos surround sound experience and features Sonos’ latest Sound Motion technology, which delivers remarkably deep bass without requiring a separate subwoofer. If you’re dealing with a smaller area or a more limited budget, theSonos Rayis a great option. It doesn’t have the same dramatic impact as the Arc Ultra, but its small size and more affordable cost make it ideal for apartments and bedrooms.
All Sonos soundbars are connected via the company’s mobile application, allowing users to adjust settings, play music, and set up a multi-room audio system. A significant app update in 2024 led to some initial challenges, but the majority of the major problems have now been addressed. Although a few minor issues still exist, the top Sonos soundbars continue to be excellent choices due to their superior sound quality and simple scalability.
Our recommended options for the finest Sonos soundbars
Best overall: Sonos Arc Ultra – See at Amazon
Best on a budget: Sonos Ray – See at Amazon
Best midrange model: Sonos Beam (Second Generation) -See at Amazon
Best subwoofer add-on: Sonos Sub 4 – See at Amazon
Best rear speaker add-on: Sonos Era 300 – See at Amazon
Best overall
The Arc Ultrais the top Sonos soundbar available. It replaces the brand’sfirst-generation Arclaunched in 2020, and offers a range of significant enhancements. The Ultra is a powerhouse when it comes to audio, ideal for those looking for a strong, integrated Dolby Atmos soundbar with rich low frequencies.
This single soundbar model can generate up to 9.1.4 channels of Dolby Atmos surround audio. It also features specialized upward-firing speakers that reflect sound off your ceiling, creating an audio experience that seems to come from every direction in the room, including above your head. During my testing, the Arc Ultra provided a truly immersive experience, whether watching films or enjoying music. The audio is so wide-ranging that I found it hard to believe all of it originated from a single unit located beneath my television.
One of the key elements that makes the Arc Ultra unique is its innovative Sound Motion driver. This feature incorporates a four-motor woofer in a small area, providing richer bass than the original Arc model without making the soundbar larger. Although the Sound Motion driver may not fully equal the performance of a separate subwoofer, it enhances the low-frequency impact and depth in movies and TV programs, resulting in a complete and vibrant audio experience that many standalone soundbars struggle to achieve.
The Arc Ultra also provides outstanding clarity in dialogue. The device includes an optional AI speech enhancement feature, although I seldom needed it since the bar’s internal drivers are already finely adjusted for delivering clear speech. If you require additional support, the speech enhancement amplifies dialogue further without distorting explosions or changing other sound effects. It features four adjustment levels, including one tailored for individuals with hearing difficulties.
On the negative side, the Arc Ultra is the priciest soundbar from Sonos, and it’s frustrating that it doesn’t support DTS:X, a 3D audio format that competes with Dolby Atmos. It also does not have HDMI video pass-through, meaning you can’t use the soundbar to connect additional devices to your TV, such as a gaming console or streaming box. However, these drawbacks are minor when considering all the strengths of the Arc Ultra. If you’re looking for a single, strong speaker for your living room that can manage all your home theater requirements, the Arc Ultra is the top Sonos soundbar on the market.
Read our Sonos Arc Ultra speaker bar review.
Browse our guide to all of thebest soundbars.
Best on a budget
Due to its reasonable cost and small dimensions, theSonos Rayis the top Sonos soundbar for bedrooms, apartments, and other compact areas. It is less than half as wide as the Arc Ultra and a few inches shorter and narrower than the Beam (Gen 2). However, despite its compact size, it significantly surpasses the built-in speakers on most TVs — particularly more affordable models.
The audio performance is seamless and unexpectedly strong considering its compact design. While it doesn’t offer the powerful bass or sophisticated features available in Sonos’ more expensive soundbars, the Ray still provides a remarkably clear and detailed sound that enhances the experience of movies and TV programs.
Streaming music over WiFi provides excellent sound quality and superior fidelity compared to Bluetooth. However, it’s disappointing that the Ray doesn’t have Bluetooth support, which would be useful when WiFi is not accessible.
Another drawback is the lack of wired connectivity. It doesn’t feature an HDMI port—only an optical input. This allows it to work with older televisions, but the Ray is unable to handle lossless audio, Dolby Atmos, or automatic remote synchronization.
Nevertheless, despite those compromises, the Ray offers excellent value. Its small size conceals audio quality that surpasses expectations for the cost.
Browse our guide to all of thebest budget soundbars.
Best midrange model
The Sonos Beam (Gen 2)Acts as a compromise between the brand’s top-of-the-line Arc Ultra and budget-friendly Ray. It delivers sufficient power to provide sound coverage for a moderately sized area, yet it isn’t much bigger than the Ray, making it suitable for a bedroom or compact living room. (This is where I mainly use it.)
In addition to its size, the midrange Beam stands out from the more affordable Sonos Ray by including an HDMI eARC port and compatibility with Dolby Atmos. This allows it to seamlessly integrate with numerous modern TV remotes and delivers a broader audio experience. Under $500, the Beam offers impressive performance for its category. It serves as a complete home theater solution, ideal for most living rooms or any space looking for an audio enhancement.
However, although the Beam is capable of decoding multi-channel audio formats with lively and dynamic performance, it does not include any upward-firing drivers. Rather, it uses virtual processing to create an illusion of overhead audio, which is less effective. Therefore, you won’t experience the same immersive overhead sound effects as you would with the more costly Arc Ultra.
Nevertheless, movies sound powerful, and the Beam occupies my room effectively, even when the volume is below 50%. “Dune” is an excellent demonstration for the Beam, featuring strong effects and a percussion-rich soundtrack that keeps moving.
Music also delivers a deep and full sound. It’s powerful enough to act as the DJ for social events at home. Streaming music over WiFi using the Sonos app functions smoothly and offers access to numerous services. The soundbar also works with AirPlay for an even more seamless listening experience. However, similar to the Ray, the Beam does not include Bluetooth support.
Best subwoofer add-on
If you desire additional bass, the top accessory you can purchase for your Sonos soundbar is a subwoofer, particularly theSonos Sub 4It can connect wirelessly to the Ray, Beam, or Arc Ultra, allowing you to place it at the back of a room or even beneath a couch.
The subwoofer’s force-canceling drivers deliver powerful, bold bass that enhances the intensity and emotional impact of films. However, the woofer remains controlled and free from excessive echoes or noise.
If you’re a huge fan of deep bass, you can connect the Sonos Sub 4 with another Sub 4 or Sub 3 unit. Find out more about using two subwoofers together on theSonos website.
Due to its high-end performance, the Sub 4 is most effective when paired with an Arc Ultra, although it can still be used with the smaller Beam or Ray models. However, for the more compact bars, the more affordable option is available.Sonos Sub Miniis an excellent option. It hasn’t been adapted, so it doesn’t share the same sound qualities as the Sub 4 — it’s somewhat more defined and powerful — but it can still enhance your home entertainment system.
Best rear speaker add-on
The Sonos Era 300Designed to function as a standalone wireless speaker or as an additional speaker for specific Sonos soundbars. Two Era 300 models can be connected and used as rear speakers with an Arc Ultra or Beam to achieve an authentic surround sound setup. (The Ray is not compatible with the Era 300.)
The Era 300 includes internal drivers that emit sound in every direction, such as upwards. This enables it to deliver Dolby Atmos support, with audio effects that reflect off your ceiling. If you own a Beam (Gen 2) or Arc Ultra, the Era 300 will be compatible with them to create a more immersive overhead audio experience and a broader Dolby Atmos sound field.
Nevertheless, incorporating a pair of Era 300 speakers into your Sonos soundbar system necessitates a considerable amount of room, and they come with a higher cost.
If that poses an issue for your space and finances, a pair of more compact, affordableEra 100 speakersCan also perform well as wireless rear speakers. The Era 100 also offers the advantage of compatibility with the Sonos Ray. That being said, the Era 100 does not include up-firing Dolby Atmos drivers, so its sound quality is not as strong as that of the Era 300.
How we evaluate Sonos soundbars
I have been evaluating Sonos soundbars since the launch of the brand’s initial model, the Playbar, in 2013, giving me a deep understanding of all the products the company has offered. For this guide, I examined every current Sonos soundbar to identify which type of user each one is most appropriate for.
My assessment included connecting each soundbar to the same television. This allowed me to evaluate their individual performance and compare them within the same setting. I paid attention to factors like audio quality, dimensions, connection options, software capabilities, and user-friendliness to assist in determining the situations where each one excels.
During my practical testing, I also utilized top Sonos soundbars in various rooms throughout my home to understand their performance in different environments. I relied heavily on how the soundbars handled movies with high-quality surround sound mixes for my evaluations. Additionally, I watched sitcoms and older films to assess their audio quality with simpler soundtracks and lower-resolution sources. For music, I played songs from my phone and used the Apple Music app on my Apple TV streaming device.
Except for the Sonos Ray, which only has a digital optical connection, I chose an HDMI eARC connection to ensure the highest audio quality for each soundbar.
Sonos soundbars FAQs
Will Sonos introduce new soundbar models in 2026?
In contrast to other technology product categories like phones and televisions, new soundbar models are not consistently introduced on an annual basis. Considering this, it remains uncertain whether Sonos will introduce any new soundbar models in 2026. Nevertheless, we can gather some information by examining the brand’s past release patterns.
The Sonos Arc Ultra came out in 2024, whereas the regular Sonos Arc was launched in 2020. With a four-year interval between these versions, it’s improbable that a new Arc model will be available in 2026.
The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) came out in 2021, whereas the original Beam (Gen 1) was launched in 2018. The Sonos Ray was introduced in 2022. Considering their release dates, both the Beam and Ray might be ready for updates, suggesting that new versions could be in development. Nevertheless, there is no official confirmation yet.
Is it possible to install a Sonos soundbar on the wall?
Indeed, every top Sonos soundbar included in this guide is compatible with wall mounting. Sonos provides mounts specifically for each model, although you may also discover third-party alternatives that are more cost-effective. Installing your soundbar on the wall can reduce clutter in your setup, particularly if you have limited space on your TV stand.
Is it possible to connect a subwoofer to a Sonos soundbar?
All Sonos soundbars currently available are compatible with the company’s Sub 4 or Sub Mini subwoofers. The top-of-the-line Sonos Arc Ultra model also allows for the use of two subwoofers, either the Sub 4 or Sub 3, to achieve even more powerful bass. Keep in mind that Sonos soundbars are not compatible with subwoofers from other manufacturers.
If you’re looking for a soundbar that includes a subwoofer right from the start, take a look at our guide to thebest soundbars with subwoofers.
Is it possible to connect rear speaker units to a Sonos soundbar?
Sonos soundbars are capable of connecting with specific Sonos speakers to form an expanded surround sound setup. You can link twoSonos Era 100 speakerswith the Arc Ultra, Beam (Gen 2), or Ray for wireless rear channels. The Beam and Arc Ultra also support connection withSonos Era 300 speakersfor an even more engaging Dolby Atmos sound experience.
If you’re in the market for a soundbar or audio system that comes with built-in rear speakers, check out our guide to thebest surround sound systems.
Is it possible to connect Sonos soundbars with the Sonos Ace headphones?
Yes, the Sonos Arc Ultra, Beam, and Ray all have support for the company’s TV Swap function. This allows you to connect your device wirelessly.Sonos Ace headphonesConnect it to your soundbar and switch between them effortlessly while watching television. It’s a convenient method to watch late-night films without disturbing others.
Can Sonos soundbars support Dolby Atmos audio?
Both the Sonos Arc Ultra and the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) are compatible with Dolby Atmos. However, the Ultra features upward-firing speakers that create true overhead sound effects for Atmos content. On the other hand, the Beam relies on software to mimic overhead audio, which is less effective.
To find out more about the format, visit ourDolby Atmos guide. For additional soundbar suggestions featuring Atmos capability, check out our compilation of thebest Dolby Atmos soundbars.
Is the Sonos application trustworthy?
In May 2024, Sonos launched an updated mobile application, which led to several users encountering various bugs and missing functionalities. Nevertheless, the company has since resolved a significant number of these issues.
While evaluating the Arc Ultra, we faced some small problems with delayed speaker switching, but no significant bugs were found. Although the Sonos app is still not flawless, its remaining issues are not severe enough to be a major concern.
Is Sonos superior to Bose?
Sonos and Bose offer top-quality soundbars, but the superior choice depends on your individual requirements.
Based on our evaluations, the premium Sonos Arc Ultra surpasses theBose Smart Ultra Soundbarin terms of low-frequency output. Meanwhile, the middle rangeBose Smart Soundbaroutperforms the Sonos Beam in Dolby Atmos features because of its upward-firing speakers.
At the starting point, the Sonos Ray and theBose TV Speakerare more closely balanced, providing nearly identical sound quality. Nevertheless, we appreciate that the Sonos Ray offers WiFi streaming capability, which the Bose does not have. That being said, certain customers might favor the fact that the Bose model includes an HDMI port, a feature absent in the Ray.
Both companies offer multi-room audio capabilities, but their systems are not compatible, making it advisable to choose one platform. You can find more information about Bose’s speakers in our guide to thebest Bose soundbars.
What other sound-related items does Sonos offer?
Besides soundbars, Sonos offers wireless speakers such as the Sonos Era 100, Era 300, Move 2, Roam 2, and Five. The company also provides over-ear headphones known as the Sonos Ace.
Browse our guide to thebest Bluetooth speakers and best smart speakersfor additional Sonos speaker suggestions.
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