August 2022
Sound Bars: Meta Ranking Report
This report contains an aggregate consensus of Sound Bar rankings posted by key online experts, as of August 2022.
Summary
As of 8 Aug 2022, Sonos Beam Gen 2 takes the cake as the most critically-acclaimed sound bar with 9 expert endorsements. It is followed by Sonos Arc and Sonos Ray , with 6 and 4 expert endorsements respectively.
At a glance - August 2022 Ranking
Rank | Change | Price | Sound Bar |
Tom's Guide
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World Wide Stereo
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TechRadar
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Rtings.com
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What Hi-Fi
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SoundGuys
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CNN Underscored
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PCMag
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TechHive
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WIRED
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---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1
|
+1 | $500 |
![]() |
10
|
5
|
7
|
5
|
2
|
2
|
-
|
8
|
4
|
4
|
2
|
-1 | $890 |
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3
|
3
|
1
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
2
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
+4 | Check price |
![]() |
7
|
1
|
4
|
-
|
6
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
-1 | $2500 |
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-
|
8
|
-
|
-
|
8
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
11
|
5
|
- | $99 |
![]() |
12
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
13
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
2
|
8
|
6
|
- | $179 |
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-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
1
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
+1 | $320 |
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-
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
13
|
5
|
3
|
-
|
8
|
+4 | $1298 |
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5
|
-
|
13
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
9
|
- | $899 |
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8
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
11
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
10
|
+14 | $2400 |
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1
|
10
|
9
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
11
|
-7 | $999 |
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2
|
18
|
8
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
12
|
-1 | $449 |
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-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
13
|
-3 | $1198 |
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-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
16
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
14
|
-1 | $260 |
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-
|
13
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
15
|
-1 | $750 |
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-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
14
|
-
|
6
|
-
|
16
|
-1 | $498 |
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-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
14
|
-
|
9
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
17
|
-1 | Check price |
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4
|
14
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
10
|
19
|
- | $198 |
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-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
8
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
20
|
- | $1200 |
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-
|
6
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
-
|
-
|
21
|
- | $649 |
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-
|
4
|
12
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
22
|
- | $999 |
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-
|
11
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
23
|
- | $513 |
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-
|
-
|
6
|
-
|
12
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
24
|
+1 | $400 |
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11
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
10
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
25
|
+1 | Check price |
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-
|
-
|
11
|
-
|
18
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
We ranked Sonos Beam Gen 2 #1 in August 2022 because:
- 9 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Sound Bars” rankings.

Tom's Guide
The best-sounding soundbar for small TVs
Pros
Impressive sound for its size
3D audio with support for Dolby Atmos
Reliable TruePlay tuning
Best option for 55-inch and smaller TVs
|
Cons
Expensive
Some new formats not available at launch
|
TechRadar
The best small soundbar – great Dolby Atmos for 32 inches and up
Pros
Wide soundstage
HDMI eARC support
Hi-res audio compatibility
|
Cons
No upfiring tweeters
|
What Hi-Fi
If space and budget are limited there isn't a better virtual Dolby Atmos soundbar that we'd recommend
Pros
Effective handling of Dolby Atmos
Warm, refined sound
Streaming smarts
|
Cons
No additional HDMI ports
Doesn’t support DTS:X
|
SoundGuys
Best Smart Soundbar
Pros
Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant support
Size
Dolby Digital Support
Easy Setup
Simple to connect other Sonos Speakers
|
Cons
Not the biggest sound
Price
|
PCMag
A More Affordable Sonos Soundbar
Pros
Big sound field for its size
Full and crisp sound, from low-mids to highs
Dolby Atmos audio sounds precise and immersive, even without rear speakers
|
Cons
Not much deep bass without optional (and pricey) subwoofer
No Bluetooth support
Trueplay audio tuning only available for iOS
|
TechHive
Best mid-range soundbar, runner-up
Pros
Expansive sound
Dolby Atmost and HDMI eARC support
Can be upgraded to a full surround sound system with extra speakers and a subwoofer
Apple AirPlay 2 support in addition to Sonos' own fabled multi-room audio support
|
Cons
Virtualized height cues are subtle, and occasionally hissy
Drivers begin to struggle at high volume
DTS update didn't include DTS:X
|
We ranked Sonos Arc #2 in August 2022 because:
- 6 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Sound Bars” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Sonos Arc as #1.

Tom's Guide
The best smart soundbar / Editor's Choice
Pros
Clear vocals and focused sound
Strong, Sonos-quality bass
Alexa and Google Assistant built-in
|
Cons
Will takes up quite a bit of space on a TV stand
|
TechRadar
The Best Soundbar You Can Buy Right Now
Pros
Dolby Atmos, TrueHD and Dolby Digital Plus
Discrete all-in-one soundbar
Amazing surround sound and music playback
|
Cons
Needs TV of 55 inches or bigger
No HDMI passthrough
|
What Hi-Fi
Still one of the best Dolby Atmos soundbars for TV that we've heard for the money
Pros
Convincing Dolby Atmos
Dynamic, detailed and weighty
All of the usual Sonos smarts
|
Cons
Music could be better projected
Heavily reliant on your TV’s specs
|
PCMag
Best All-in-One Model / Editors' Choice
Pros
Large sound field with powerful bass, even without a subwoofer
Supports Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
Can easily be expanded with satellites and a subwoofer
Dolby Atmos compatibility with angled tweeters
|
Cons
Expensive
Only works with pricey Sonos subwoofer
|
Methodology: combine opinions of key experts
Identify Experts
We identify key publishers and experts that consistently review and recommend Sound Bars.
Capture Rankings
For each publisher we find a currently recommended "top 10" list of Sound Bars, it must be updated in the last 9 months.
Aggregate Rankings
We put all those lists together and aggregate them. The more frequently a product is recommended, the higher it is in our ranking
Experts chosen for August 2022 ranking










We ranked Sonos Ray #3 in August 2022 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Sound Bars” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Sonos Ray as #1.

Tom's Guide
Pros
Pleasingly compact
Nicely balanced sound
All the usual plus-points of Sonos multi-room
|
Cons
Not the most expansive sound
No HDMI
|
TechRadar
The best cheap soundbar, if you're happy without HDMI
Pros
Big, balanced sound
Remote control learning part of setup
Good with music as well
|
Cons
No HDMI ARC option
More narrow sound
Sounds best for iPhone users
|
What Hi-Fi
An assertive, punchy and petite soundbar with sparkling vocal clarity
Pros
Excellent vocal clarity
Punchy, forthright projection
Detailed high end
|
Cons
Not much low-end extension
Delivery a touch clinical
Narrow soundfield
|
We ranked Sennheiser Ambeo 3D #4 in August 2022 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Sound Bars” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Sennheiser Ambeo 3D as #1.

What Hi-Fi
The best soundbar for those with deep pockets.
Pros
Rich, balanced sound
Excellent dynamics
Impressive surround effect
|
Cons
Large
Fussy about positioning
Hugley expensive
|
SoundGuys
Best All Around/Editors Choice
Pros
Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support
Number of Inputs
Chromecast built-in
|
Cons
Price
Fairly large soundbar
|
We ranked Roku Streambar #5 in August 2022 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Sound Bars” rankings.

Tom's Guide
The best soundbar with integrated media player
Pros
4K streaming
Clear, loud sound
Compact design
|
Cons
Relatively weak bass
No Ethernet port
|
What Hi-Fi
A great value budget soundbar with streaming onboard
Pros
Direct, well-projected sound
Great feature list
Can go loud
|
Cons
Doesn't sound cinematic
|
TechHive
Best budget soundbar, runner-up
Pros
A pretty good soundbar integrated with a very good media streamer
Excellent remote control, with support for voice commands
Can be upgraded with a wireless subwoofer and surround speakers
Can also stream content from a NAS box or USB drive
|
Cons
Not as good as a speaker as it is a streamer
A little weak on bass response
HDR support does not include Dolby Vision
|
We ranked Roku Streambar Pro #6 in August 2022 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Sound Bars” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Roku Streambar Pro as #1.

SoundGuys
Best Features
Pros
Integrated Roku Player
HDMI ARC output
Google Assistant and Alexa support
Bluetooth and Wi-Fi streaming
Remote access via Roku app
Value
|
Cons
Sound clarity lacking
|
PCMag
Best for Roku Media Streaming/Editors' Choice
Pros
Affordable
Solid audio performance
Lots of media streaming options
Remote with headphone jack
|
Cons
Relatively weak bass response
|
We ranked Vizio M-Series 5.1 #7 in August 2022 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Sound Bars” rankings.

PCMag
Affordable 5.1 Surround/Editor's Choice
Pros
Well priced for a system with a subwoofer and rear satellites
Good surround imaging with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support
Powerful bass
|
Cons
Treble isn't quite crisp as it could be
Small visual control panel on the remote
|
TechHive
Best mid-range soundbar
Pros
Aggressively exciting audio performance
Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support
HDMI with eARC
Can be augmented with a smart speaker via 3.5mm input or Bluetooth
|
Cons
Bass can be boomy versus tight
No Wi-Fi adapter
|
We ranked Sony HT-A7000 #8 in August 2022 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Sound Bars” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Sony HT-A7000 as #1.

Tom's Guide
Best soundbar with Dolby Atmos and 360 Reality Audio
Pros
High build quality
Best for surround format support
Clear sound with dialog
|
Cons
Small display
Subwoofer sold separately
High price compared to rivals
|
TechRadar
Sony’s newest flagship is a big ‘bar for big bucks
Pros
Supremely clear dialogue
Two HDMI 2.1 ports
Atmos, DTS: X and 360 Reality Audio
|
Cons
Limited height channels
|
What Hi-Fi
Powerful and muscular room-filling Dolby Atmos from a single soundbar
Pros
Robust low-end
Excellent Atmos performance
Feature-rich
|
Cons
No VRR or ALLM at launch
EQ controls would be nice
Slightly confused styling
|
We ranked Bose Smart Soundbar 900 #9 in August 2022 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Sound Bars” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Bose Smart Soundbar 900 as #1.

Tom's Guide
Best soundbar with Dolby Atmos and multiroom
Pros
Slim and sleek design
Automatic room correction
Alexa and Google Assistant built-in
Dolby Atmos support
Good overall levels of sound for movies
|
Cons
Bass output is so-so
Not so great for music listening
|
What Hi-Fi
An impressively wide-sounding, articulate and crisp Dolby Atmos soundbar
Pros
Expansive breadth
Sleek design
Clear vocal projection
|
Cons
No DTS support
Noticeably processed sound
Not as Atmos-y as the best
|
We ranked Devialet Dione #10 in August 2022 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Sound Bars” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Devialet Dione as #1.

Tom's Guide
Bags of power to deliver big movie thrills at home with gusto
Pros
Expansive, informative and assertive full-range sound
Intriguing design and high-quality finish
Flexible about placement
|
Cons
Eye-wateringly expensive
No HDMI passthrough
No remote control
|
TechRadar
The best soundbar for full home theater sound in a single box
Pros
Bass like a subwoofer without a subwoofer
Excellent Dolby Atmos positional sound
Wonderful with music as well
|
Cons
No option for rear speakers
No HDMI passthrough
|
We ranked Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3 #11 in August 2022 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Sound Bars” rankings.

Tom's Guide
The best soundbar overall for movies and music
Pros
Lively, muscular and expansive movie sound
Properly accomplished with music
Useful touch controls and app
|
Cons
Dolby Atmos effect not as pronounced as some
Close rivals cost less
|
TechRadar
An excellent rival for the Sonos Arc
Pros
Precise and engrossing sound with movies
Genuinely adept with music
Nice selection of control options
|
Cons
Dolby Atmos could be more effective
|
What Hi-Fi
A competent and weighty soundbar for those who only want a single speaker
Pros
Sleek low profile design
Weighty bottom end
Self-contained
|
Cons
Voices lack clarity
Not a particularly expansive soundstage
Tonally inconsistent
|
We ranked Klipsch Cinema 600 #12 in August 2022 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Sound Bars” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Klipsch Cinema 600 as #1.

PCMag
Best Affordable 3.1 Audio / Editors' Choice
Pros
Powerful audio performance with deep, theater-like sub-bass and crisp high-end definition
Wireless subwoofer
Bluetooth streaming
Virtual surround mode sounds good
Can be expanded to a true 5.1 system
|
Cons
No user-adjustable EQ
|
We ranked Samsung HW-Q950A #13 in August 2022 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Sound Bars” rankings.

TechRadar
The best soundbar for Dolby Atmos surround sound
Pros
Hugely powerful movie playback
Remarkably well-rounded Dolby Atmos soundstage
Dolby Vision and HDR10+ passthrough
|
Cons
Expensive compared to rivals
A little unrefined with music
|
What Hi-Fi
A powerful and bass heavy soundbar and surround system
Pros
Extremely present centre channel
Room-filling sound
Excellent feature set
|
Cons
Rears can be distracting
Subwoofer not well integrated
Not the most nuanced or dynamic
|
We ranked Polk Audio React #14 in August 2022 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Sound Bars” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Polk Audio React as #1.

TechHive
Best budget soundbar
Pros
Clean, nuanced sound given its price tag
Alexa onboard, including multi-room audio support
Expandable with wireless subwoofer and surround speaker options
Night mode and dialog volume level adjustments
|
Cons
No support for Dolby Atmos, DTS-X, or DTS Virtual:X
HDMI ARC only (doesn't support eARC)
Remote control buttons are flat and difficult to find in the dark
|
We ranked Vizio Elevate #15 in August 2022 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Sound Bars” rankings.

TechHive
Best high-end soundbar, runner-up
Pros
Thrilling 3D sound
Rotating height drivers can also bolster stereo channels
Chromecast built in
Three HDMI ports, with eARC support on one
|
Cons
Bass is a bit overdone
SmartCast app frequently disconnected from the soundbar
Clunky, non-backlit remote control
No native music service support (e.g., Spotify Connect)
|
We ranked Sony HT-G700 #16 in August 2022 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Sound Bars” rankings.

TechRadar
The best affordable Dolby Atmos soundbar with a subwoofer
Pros
Impressively wide and tall sound
Dolby Atmos & DTS:X support
4K HDR HDMI passthrough
|
Cons
Can't manage true height
Not as dynamic as higher priced options
|
What Hi-Fi
A good entry-level soundbar with plenty of bass and Dolby Atmos support.
Pros
Big, weighty sound
Impressive Atmos effect
Solid and stylish
|
Cons
Lack of crispness and clarity
No streaming functionality
|
We ranked Yamaha YAS-209 #17 in August 2022 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Sound Bars” rankings.

Tom's Guide
Best soundbar speaker with a subwoofer and Alexa / Best Value
Pros
Clear and intelligible dialog
Excellent for music
Alexa voice control
|
Cons
Subwoofer lacks punch with some movie effects
Only 1 HDMI input
|
We ranked Sony HT-S350 #18 in August 2022 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Sound Bars” rankings.

PCMag
The Best Affordable 2.1 Audio/Editor's Choice
Pros
Relatively affordable.
Powerful, clear audio with multiple sound modes and adjustable subwoofer levels.
Easy to set up and operate.
|
Cons
Sound signature is quite sculpted, regardless of mode.
|
We ranked JBL Bar 9.1 #19 in August 2022 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Sound Bars” rankings.

PCMag
Best True Surround Sound
Pros
Powerful audio with thunderous bass depth
Dolby Atmos drivers
Wireless rear channel speakers
Easy setup
|
Cons
Expensive
Large
Could use more precise EQ controls
|
We ranked Denon Home 550 #20 in August 2022 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Sound Bars” rankings.

TechRadar
The best smaller soundbar for bigger, bolder sound
Pros
Well specified and flexible
Poised, large-scale sound (at reasonable volumes)
Nicely made and finished
|
Cons
Becomes socially aggressive at higher volumes
Doesn’t feel as nice as it looks
Dolby Atmos effect is lacking
|
We ranked Bluesound Pulse Soundbar+ #21 in August 2022 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Sound Bars” rankings.

What Hi-Fi
A direct and detailed, virtual Dolby Atmos soundbar for TV
Pros
Satisfying Dolby Atmos delivery
Direct and solid presentation
Detailed, open sound
|
Cons
Music lacks drive and drama
No 'native' sound mode
No auto-detect of HDMI input
|
We ranked Samsung HW-Q800A #22 in August 2022 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Sound Bars” rankings.

TechRadar
The best soundbar for mid-range cinematic thrills
Pros
Powerful, immersive, room-filling sound
Excellent bass support from the subwoofer
|
Cons
Some features only available with newer Samsung TVs
|
What Hi-Fi
A mid-range Dolby Atmos soundbar that packs a punch
Pros
Spacious presentation
Weighty, articulate sub
Good range of features
|
Cons
Could be more insightful
Height channel lacks precision
|
We ranked JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam #23 in August 2022 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Sound Bars” rankings.

Tom's Guide
The best soundbar for affordable Atmos
Pros
Good Dolby Atmos performance
Auto calibration
Doesn't need a subwoofer
|
Cons
Limited sound controls
No mobile app
|
What Hi-Fi
A compact, budget soundbar with virtual Dolby Atmos
Pros
Big, full-bodied presentation
Dolby Virtual Atmos
Multi-room options
|
Cons
Could be more detailed
Dynamic expression poor
Slovenly sense of timing
|
We ranked LG SP11RA #24 in August 2022 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Sound Bars” rankings.

TechRadar
A soundbar that revels in the details
Pros
Exceptionally detailed sound
Adapts well to music as well as films
Very attractive and compact design
|
Cons
Sound can lack grunt at times
Doesn’t quite justify its price
|
What Hi-Fi
An enjoyable and immersive top-end soundbar package
Pros
Detailed top end
Large, well-spread soundscape
Comprehensive feature set
|
Cons
Looks don’t match the price tag
Lacks a little punch
Sub feels one dimensional
|