Are Sonos soundbars good?
Sonos soundbars have an average overall score of 6.8, ranking #4 among all soundbar brands, and a review score of 8.5, placing them at #2 among brands by review score.
Sonos soundbars are good if you want a Wi-Fi-first TV soundbar that also works as part of a broader multiroom audio system. The strongest Sonos models combine eARC, Dolby Atmos, AirPlay, app control, dialogue enhancement, room calibration, and expansion through Sonos Sub and rear speakers.
The range is smaller than Bose, Samsung, or LG, but the technical ladder is clear. Ray is the simple 2.0 model, Beam Gen 2 is the compact Atmos option, Arc is the wider 5.0.2 bar, and Arc Ultra is the top specification with a 9.1.4 layout.
The main limitation is package hardware. Sonos soundbars do not normally include a subwoofer or rear speakers in the box, so the most immersive Sonos setup usually costs more than the soundbar alone.
The best available Sonos soundbars are as follows.
- Sonos Arc Ultra Overall score: 7.13 points
- Sonos Beam Gen 2 Overall score: 6.84 points
- Sonos Arc Overall score: 6.75 points
The chart below ranks soundbar brands based on their overall scores.
[horizontal-chart-04592904924512229361057660775741675581583712410342]What are the main advantages of Sonos soundbars?
The main advantages of Sonos soundbars are as follows:
- Sonos ecosystem: Sonos soundbars are strongest when they are part of a wider Sonos home-audio setup. The app, Wi-Fi playback, AirPlay support, and multiroom control make them more useful for music and whole-home audio than a basic TV-only soundbar.
- Atmos coverage: Most Sonos soundbars above Ray support Dolby Atmos. Beam Gen 2 gives a compact Atmos entry point, Arc adds a wider 5.0.2 layout, and Arc Ultra moves much higher with a 9.1.4 channel layout.
- Clear model ladder: The Sonos range is easy to understand because each model has a distinct role. Ray is the compact 2.0 option, Beam Gen 2 is the smaller Atmos model, Arc is the wider premium bar, and Arc Ultra is the strongest home-cinema soundbar.
- Room calibration: Sonos includes room-calibration support across the soundbar range. This helps the soundbar adapt output to the room instead of relying only on fixed factory tuning, which is useful when placement or room shape is not ideal.
- Upgrade path: Sonos soundbars can be expanded with compatible Sonos subwoofers and rear speakers. That lets a buyer start with one bar and later build a stronger surround system without replacing the main soundbar.
What are the main disadvantages of Sonos soundbars?
Sonos soundbars have the following main disadvantages:
- No bundled subwoofer: Sonos soundbars generally do not include a subwoofer in the box. Ray, Beam, Arc, and Arc Ultra can work alone, but deep film bass usually needs a separate Sonos Sub or Sub Mini. That makes the real system price higher than the soundbar price.
- No bundled rears: Rear speakers are also not included as standard. Sonos can create a wide front stage, but proper rear-channel separation requires extra Sonos speakers behind the listener. This matters most for films, games, and larger rooms.
- Premium pricing: Sonos starts higher than many basic soundbar brands and reaches about £950 at the Arc Ultra level. The price is easier to justify if you use the Sonos ecosystem, but less attractive if you only need a simple TV speaker upgrade.
- Limited low end: Without an added subwoofer, the smaller Sonos bars are not the strongest choice for deep bass. Ray and Beam Gen 2 are especially dependent on compact cabinet limits, while Arc and Arc Ultra still benefit from a separate sub for heavier film effects.
- Ecosystem lock-in: Sonos expansion works best when you stay inside the Sonos speaker platform. That is useful for multiroom audio, but it limits flexibility if you want to mix rear speakers, subwoofers, or app control from other brands.
