10 Best Soundbars 2026 in the United States

The Bose TV Speaker is a compact soundbar that aims to enhance your TV audio experience, especially when it comes to dialogue clarity. With its two angled full-range drivers, it provides a wide and natural sound, making it a good choice for movie watching, sports events, or just enjoying your favorite shows. One standout feature is its enhanced dialogue mode, which specifically focuses on making voices clearer, a major plus for those who often struggle to catch every word during dialogue-heavy scenes.

Connectivity is user-friendly, supporting Bluetooth, HDMI-ARC, Optical, and AUX, allowing you to easily pair your devices for streaming music or podcasts. The setup is straightforward, as a single cable connection links the soundbar to your TV, making it accessible even for those who aren't tech-savvy.

In terms of size, the Bose TV Speaker is just over 2 inches tall, making it easy to fit in front of your TV or mount on a wall, which is perfect for smaller spaces. The included remote control adds convenience, enabling features like bass boost and the dialogue mode. However, there are a few drawbacks to consider. While the sound performance is solid for a small unit, it lacks a dedicated subwoofer, which might disappoint those looking for deeper bass. Although you can connect it to an external Bose Bass Module, that requires extra investment and isn't included. The soundbar is also not waterproof, limiting its use in more diverse environments.

The Bose TV Speaker is well-suited for individuals who primarily watch TV shows and movies and prioritize dialogue clarity. It’s user-friendly and compact, making it a practical choice for enhancing home entertainment. If you're seeking a robust bass experience or a more immersive sound setup, exploring additional speaker options or investing in the compatible subwoofer may be beneficial.

The Bose Home Theater System Smart Ultra Dolby Atmos Soundbar is a top-notch choice for home entertainment enthusiasts seeking immersive sound quality. This system is designed to deliver a powerful audio experience with its 3.1 channel configuration and a maximum output power of 300 watts. The included Bass Module 700 and two Surround Speakers 700 enhance the overall sound experience, making it well-suited for movies, gaming, and music. The support for Dolby Atmos ensures a more immersive and three-dimensional audio experience, perfect for bringing cinema-like sound to your living room.

Connectivity is versatile, offering options like HDMI, optical, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi, which makes it easy to connect to various devices such as televisions, projectors, and gaming consoles. The inclusion of voice assistants, Alexa and Google Assistant, along with the Voice4video technology, allows for convenient voice control, which is a significant plus for ease of use.

However, the soundbar does have a few drawbacks. The subwoofer requires a wired connection, which might limit placement flexibility. Additionally, the system's weight (59.4 pounds) and larger size (27.5 inches wide) could be a concern for some users, particularly if space is limited or if wall mounting is not an option. The price point may also be higher compared to other soundbars in the market, but this is often justified by the premium sound quality and brand reputation. In summary, the Bose Home Theater System Smart Ultra Dolby Atmos Soundbar is an excellent choice for those seeking superior sound quality and a seamless, smart home audio experience, though it might not be the best fit for users with limited space or budget constraints.

The JBL Bar 1300XMK2 is a powerful and versatile soundbar system designed for those who want immersive home theater audio without complicated setup. It features an 11.1.4 channel setup, including six up-firing speakers and detachable wireless surround speakers, delivering true Dolby Atmos and DTS:X 3D surround sound. This means you get realistic height effects and rich, room-filling audio that makes movies and music feel more lifelike. The 12-inch wireless subwoofer adds deep, punchy bass to enhance explosions or music beats.

One standout feature is the detachable surround speakers with long-lasting batteries, which you can easily move around or take with you for audio in another room, all without extra wires or power connections. The JBL ONE app lets you customize sound settings, update software, and control features like night listening, which lowers volume so you won’t disturb others. Connectivity is comprehensive, with options including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, HDMI, Ethernet, Optical, and USB, making it easy to link with TVs, smartphones, and streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music. Thanks to features like MultiBeam 3.0, the sound spreads evenly in your room, and PureVoice 2.0 clarity helps you catch every dialogue line.

The soundbar is quite large (over 55 inches wide and nearly 62 pounds), so it requires sufficient space and might be less ideal for smaller rooms or tight setups. Also, while detachable speakers are convenient, they need regular charging. The system’s premium features come with a higher price tag, which may not fit casual listeners’ budgets. For those seeking a top-tier soundbar with excellent 3D sound, flexible placement, and smart features for a true cinematic experience, the JBL Bar 1300XMK2 is an excellent choice, especially for users with enough space and a desire for a wire-free surround sound setup with strong bass and easy streaming options.