(checked 2026-10-10)Small sample (728 ratings); the listing may pool the black and white versions.
Tom's Guide's best soundbar overall, with clear dialogue, convincing Atmos and strong bass for a single bar. It's expensive before you add the $799 Sub 4 or surrounds, and Wirecutter couldn't get it to work with an Android phone or connect the Sub 4.
Top complaints
- Expensive, and a full system costs far more
Tom's Guide's one con is that a full setup quickly becomes very expensive: the Sub 4 adds $799 and a pair of Era 300 rears adds $900. CNET and PCMag both list it as expensive, and PCMag also calls it large. Amazon's review summary says some owners feel it doesn't justify the price.
- Connection problems for some
Wirecutter could get it working with an iPad but not with a Samsung Galaxy S10 Android phone, and never got the Sonos Sub 4 to connect, so it isn't a pick. Amazon's summary says some owners report connection issues.
- Less room-filling for movies, fussy tuning
CNET found movie sound less expansive than the original Arc's. Tom's Guide found that the Advanced Trueplay room tuning cut the bass, so it had to be added back with EQ, and the EQ has only two bands. The only TV connection is HDMI eARC: there's no optical port.
Source: CNET review, Tom's Guide review
What owners love
- Clear dialogue and strong Atmos
Tom's Guide calls the dialogue downright excellent, a big step up from the original Arc, and the Atmos effects very impressive for a single bar. PCMag says it highlights dialogue well and has immersive Atmos.
Source: Tom's Guide review, PCMag best soundbars - Big bass without a subwoofer
CNET says its bass is excellent for a single bar and beats the Bose Smart Ultra's. PCMag lists excellent bass response. Tom's Guide says it has more low end than rivals, though the Sub 4 adds real rumble.
- Great for music
CNET calls it the best-sounding Sonos soundbar for music fans. Tom's Guide says it's pretty good for music, which is uncommon for a soundbar, and Amazon owners praise the sound quality.
- You want a full surround system on a budget
- You have a TV under 50 inches or a short TV stand
- You need an optical input for an older TV
- One-piece Atmos without a subwoofer
- Music as well as movies
- Building a Sonos multiroom system
Scores (tap for why)
What experts say
- Tom's Guide: Best overall (updated 2026-10-06). Clear dialogue and brilliant Atmos, but a full setup quickly gets very expensive.
- PCMag: Best one-piece soundbar, 4.5/5 (updated 2026-08-19). Excellent bass and Atmos, but expensive and large.
- CNET: 8.1/10, listed under 'other soundbars we've tested'. Better bass and better for music than the original Arc, but less room-filling for movies.
- Wirecutter (NYT): Not a pick (updated 2026-09-14). It sounded good, but the reviewer couldn't connect an Android phone or the Sub 4.