Top Picks for the Best Bose Soundbars
When it comes to enhancing your home theater experience, Bose has consistently delivered high-quality audio solutions. From sleek designs to powerful sound, their soundbars are a go-to choice for many. Below is a comprehensive guide to the best Bose soundbars available, along with recommendations for subwoofers and other accessories.
Best Overall
The Bose Smart Soundbar is an excellent all-around option that balances performance, design, and features. It offers rich, room-filling audio, Dolby Atmos support, and built-in Amazon Alexa for voice control. This model is ideal for most users looking to upgrade their TV’s audio quality without breaking the bank.
This latest version is essentially a refreshed take on the now-discontinued Smart Soundbar 600. While the hardware remains the same, Bose added two significant software updates: AI Dialogue Mode and the ability to use Bose Ultra Open Earbuds as wireless rear speakers.
The Smart Soundbar can handle up to 5.1.2-channel audio using a 3.0.2 driver array. This includes two upward-firing speakers that bounce sound off your ceiling for convincing overhead effects. During testing, the soundstage felt wide and immersive, whether watching a movie or listening to music. In a midsize living room, it easily fills the space and keeps you locked into whatever you’re watching. Even non-Atmos content benefits from Bose’s TrueSpace processing, which upmixes regular audio to create extra height and depth.
AI Dialogue Mode is one of the standout additions. It utilizes real-time machine learning to isolate voices, maintaining dialogue clarity even when the rest of the mix becomes chaotic. This feature is a genuine win for anyone who values clear dialogue.
Bose also added a fun trick with its Personal Surround Sound feature. If you already own Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, you can pair them with the soundbar to act as wireless rear speakers. When tested while watching “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” the transition was seamless, adding rear effects without blocking the soundbar’s output. It’s a clever bonus for existing earbud owners, though not a must-buy feature.
Beyond TV audio via HDMI or optical connections, the Smart Soundbar is equipped with a range of wireless options, including WiFi, Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay, Google Chromecast, and Spotify Connect. And with Amazon Alexa built right in, it doubles as one of the best smart speakers for home theater fans who want voice control and music playback, even when their TV is off.
Best High-End
For those seeking exceptional clarity, powerful up-firing Dolby Atmos effects, and a comprehensive suite of premium features, the Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar is the ideal choice. It builds on the Smart Soundbar’s foundation with a larger design and even more drivers under the hood.
This model pumps out 5.1.2-channel audio through nine integrated speakers and a dedicated center tweeter. In testing, the performance felt deep and expansive, with a sound field that stretches well beyond the bar’s physical footprint. The results are genuinely impressive and stack up well against other high-end Atmos soundbars, such as the Sonos Arc.
One of the standout upgrades over Bose’s cheaper options is the inclusion of ADAPTiQ calibration. This system fine-tunes the sound to match your room, making a noticeable difference in challenging spaces or areas with unconventional furniture layouts. Just note that you’ll need to use the included wired headset to run the calibration.
If you’re already invested in the Bose ecosystem, the Ultra Soundbar has another perk: private listening support with compatible Bose headphones and earbuds. You can group them with the bar for late-night viewing without disturbing anyone. Like the Smart Soundbar, this model also features Bose’s AI Dialogue Mode, which enhances voice clarity when you struggle to hear dialogue over music and effects.
For music, the Ultra supports WiFi, Bluetooth, AirPlay, Chromecast, and Spotify Connect, providing you with numerous wireless options for streaming. Amazon Alexa is also built in, so the soundbar doubles as a smart speaker for voice commands. And unlike Bose’s other models, which only come in black, the Ultra is also available in white — a nice touch for anyone who wants their home theater setup to match their décor.
Best for Smaller Spaces
The Bose TV Speaker is the brand’s most compact and affordable soundbar. It’s under two feet in length and just over two inches tall, making it the best Bose soundbar for smaller spaces, such as an apartment. Despite knowing its dimensions, I was still surprised by how compact the unit appeared in person.
Although it delivers less rumble and a lower max volume than Bose’s larger models, don’t let the TV Speaker’s small size deceive you. This compact two-channel soundbar is still capable of producing compelling audio via three speaker drivers.
Although the TV Speaker doesn’t have the same bass level or dynamic range as other Bose soundbars, it still delivers a significant upgrade to the speakers built into my Samsung smart TV. During testing, the dialogue was clearer, and the overall sound was more evenly balanced. The TV Speaker compares favorably to the Sonos Ray, a similar option that earned a spot in our guide to the best budget soundbars. The TV Speaker is a good alternative to the Ray for people who prefer the Bose brand.
That said, this isn’t the best Bose soundbar to pick if you crave advanced features and big sound for larger spaces. There’s no Dolby Atmos support or Wi-Fi connectivity, for instance. However, it does support Bluetooth, so you can use it to play music from your phone. However, please note that while the TV Speaker supports connecting to a display via HDMI ARC, an HDMI cable isn’t included in the box. It comes with an optical cable instead. Check out our guide to the best HDMI cables for a reliable option.
Best Add-On
Bose offers several add-ons for its soundbars, including subwoofers and rear surround speakers. These products can all meaningfully enhance your audio experience, but I recommend starting with the Bose Bass Module 500 if you’re looking for an initial upgrade.
This wireless subwoofer offers a significant improvement in deep low-frequency performance, making movies rumble and adding depth to music. The Bass Module 500 is compatible with all of the best Bose soundbars. Even if you’re short on space, the subwoofer connects wirelessly, allowing it to be placed anywhere in the room (though it requires a power outlet for connection).
Bose also sells a larger Bass Module 700, which offers extra oomph and power, but the more modest 500 unit is no slouch. It greatly enhances the low-end impact of movies when paired with Bose’s smaller TV Speaker and Smart Soundbar, and it even adds noticeable bass to the larger Ultra Soundbar.
If you’re looking for more powerful low-end kick from your Bose soundbar system, this is a worthwhile upgrade to consider.
How We Test Bose Soundbars
To test the best Bose soundbars, I spent hands-on time with every current model, comparing how each one performs on its own and against the rest of Bose’s lineup. I focused on the things that actually matter day to day, including sound quality, size, connectivity, software features, ease of use, and overall value.
Each soundbar was tested in multiple rooms, from a quiet bedroom at night to a living room during the day, to see how it handled different spaces and listening conditions. I watched a mix of movies and TV shows across popular streaming services, including Dolby Atmos content when supported, and streamed music across a wide range of genres to evaluate performance beyond TV audio.
Whenever possible, I sampled multiple connection methods, but typically stuck with HDMI for TV audio and WiFi for music streaming to ensure each model sounded its best.
Meet the Expert Behind This Guide
Tyler Hayes, contributing reporter:
I’ve been writing about tech products for over a decade and have been reviewing audio gear for Business Insider since 2019. I know exactly what to listen for to ensure you get a good experience, and I aim to recommend soundbars that, first and foremost, deliver on their primary goal: better audio quality than your TV speakers. For this guide, I zeroed in on Bose’s lineup and really looked at how each model stacks up — not just against other Bose models, but against competing options at the same price. This helped me figure out which ones make sense for different rooms, budgets, and listening habits.
Bose Soundbar FAQs
What size Bose soundbar should you get?
The right soundbar size mostly depends on your TV and room sizes. For smaller TVs (typically 50 inches or under) or tighter spaces like bedrooms and apartments, a compact option like the Bose TV Speaker is usually plenty and won’t overpower the room. If you have a medium-sized room with a bigger TV or sit farther away, a wider soundbar like the Bose Smart Soundbar will better match the screen and deliver fuller, more immersive sound. Finally, the Smart Ultra Soundbar is best for shoppers with a large media console and a big-screen TV (65 inches or larger) who want beefier home theater performance.
Will Bose release new soundbars in 2026?
It’s not yet clear if Bose will release new soundbar models in 2026. The brand doesn’t always stick to a yearly release schedule for new soundbars. For example, the company’s latest soundbar, the Bose Smart Soundbar, hit stores in 2024, but it was more of a product refresh of the older Smart Soundbar 600 from 2022 than a completely new model. Meanwhile, the Bose TV Speaker was released in 2020, and the Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar was released in 2023.
Can you mount a Bose soundbar to the wall?
The Bose TV Speaker, Smart Soundbar, and Smart Ultra Soundbar are all compatible with the Bose Soundbar Wall Bracket. The bracket typically costs around $39 and is ideal for setups where your TV stand doesn’t have room for a soundbar. Mounting also helps create a cleaner, more streamlined look beneath your TV.
Do Bose soundbars include remotes?
Yes, all of Bose’s current soundbar models include a dedicated remote control. This makes them easy to operate, without relying on a mobile app or your TV’s remote.
Can you connect a subwoofer to a Bose soundbar?
All the best Bose soundbars in this guide are compatible with the Bose Bass Module 500 and Bass Module 700. These subwoofers can connect wirelessly, letting you place them wherever they sound best (as long as they’re near a power outlet). You can also use a wired connection if you prefer.
Can you pair rear speakers to a Bose soundbar?
The Bose Smart Soundbar and Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar both support wireless pairing with the Bose Surround Speakers or Bose Surround Speakers 700. However, you must purchase those rear satellite speakers separately.
Do Bose soundbars support Dolby Atmos?
Both the Bose Smart Soundbar and the Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar support Dolby Atmos immersive audio. Dolby Atmos is a surround sound format that uses object-based mixing to spread audio effects in all directions, including above your head. Bose’s soundbars use up-firing speaker drivers to bounce audio off the ceiling and back down to your ears.
Can Bose soundbars play DTS audio?
The Bose soundbars in this guide do not support DTS. Instead, they support Dolby and PCM audio formats. This shouldn’t be an issue for most people, as Dolby is the most commonly used format on streaming services and live TV providers.
What other audio devices does Bose sell?
In addition to soundbars, Bose also sells wireless speakers and headphones. The brand makes some of our favorite over-ear and earbud headphones, including the Bose QuietComfort Ultra, as well as Bluetooth speakers like the Bose Portable Smart Speaker.
Is Bose better than Sonos?
The best Sonos soundbars compare well to Bose’s top offerings as both lineups offer similar features and capabilities. However, we do give a slight edge to certain options over others.
For those who want premium Dolby Atmos performance, the Sonos Arc Ultra is a more robust device than the Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar, thanks to Sonos’ beefier built-in woofer system.
However, the midrange Bose Smart Soundbar has a big edge over the competing Sonos Beam. Bose’s device features up-firing audio drivers to provide Dolby Atmos height effects, whereas Sonos relies solely on audio processing, which is less effective.
On the low end, the budget-friendly Bose TV Speaker and Sonos Ray are extremely similar, with only small differences. We appreciate that the Bose TV Speaker has an HDMI port, which the Ray lacks. On the other hand, the Sonos Ray supports WiFi, while the Bose TV Speaker only has Bluetooth connectivity.
You can put together a wireless multi-room audio system with speakers from either brand, but you can’t mix and match them. Sonos speakers are compatible only with other Sonos devices, and Bose speakers are compatible only with other Bose models. As such, we suggest picking one brand and sticking with it.
