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Sonos

Sonos Beam (Gen 2): the downsides first

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#5 of 8
$$Dolby AtmosScore 3.4/5
11%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)1,993 ratings; the listing may pool the black and white versions.

RTINGS' best small soundbar and PCMag's pick for a midrange Sonos: a big, precise sound field from a 26-inch bar. Deep bass is missing without Sonos' pricey Sub, there's no Bluetooth, and about 1 in 9 Amazon ratings are 1 or 2 stars, often over connection or app trouble.

Top complaints

  • Little deep bass without a pricey sub

    PCMag says there isn't much deep bass without the optional, pricey subwoofer. Wirecutter says it doesn't play as loud or offer as much bass as the Arc Ultra, and RTINGS calls it less stellar than the Arc Ultra.

    Source: PCMag review, Wirecutter (NYT), RTINGS best soundbars
  • Connection, app and volume gripes

    Amazon's review summary says some owners report connectivity issues, the app gets mixed reviews ranging from very good to awful, and some owners can't control the volume properly. PCMag hit a few Wi-Fi hiccups during setup.

    Source: Amazon.com product page (Customers say), PCMag review
  • No Bluetooth, no remote, no up-firing drivers

    PCMag lists no Bluetooth support and notes there's no remote (you use the app or the TV remote). It also says height effects can't bounce off the ceiling because there are no angled drivers.

    Source: PCMag review

What owners love

  • Big sound from a small bar

    RTINGS says it widens the soundstage well past its small frame and stands out among small soundbars. PCMag praises a big sound field for its size. Amazon owners call the sound crystal clear and like the compact size.

    Source: RTINGS best soundbars, PCMag review, Amazon.com product page (Customers say)
  • Precise Atmos and clear voices

    PCMag found its Atmos imaging spot-on and dialogue easy to understand, even without rear speakers.

    Source: PCMag review
  • Easy to expand

    RTINGS notes you can add a Sonos sub and rear speakers later. PCMag says it slots into an existing Sonos multiroom system.

    Source: RTINGS best soundbars, PCMag review
Good for
  • Small and medium rooms
  • Adding TV sound to a Sonos multiroom system
  • Atmos from a compact bar

Scores (tap for why)

  • Sound & dialogue4.0
    Why 4.0?Big sound field, precise Atmos and clear dialogue (PCMag, RTINGS), though it falls short of the Arc Ultra.
    Source: PCMag review, RTINGS best soundbars
  • Bass2.5
    Why 2.5?Decent thump for the size, but no sub-bass without the optional Sonos Sub (PCMag). It has less bass than the Arc Ultra (Wirecutter).
    Source: PCMag review, Wirecutter (NYT)
  • Setup & TV connection3.5
    Why 3.5?HDMI eARC with an optical adapter in the box, and the TV remote works. Setup requires the app and a Sonos account, and PCMag hit Wi-Fi hiccups.
    Source: PCMag review
  • App & features3.5
    Why 3.5?Multiroom, AirPlay 2 and a voice assistant (PCMag), but no Bluetooth. Amazon owners are split on the app.
    Source: PCMag review, Amazon.com product page
  • Reliability3.5
    Why 3.5?11% of Amazon ratings are 1-2 stars, with connectivity the most-cited problem.
    Source: Amazon.com product page

What experts say

  • RTINGS: Best small soundbar (updated 2026-08-21). Wide sound for its size, but not as strong as the Arc Ultra.
  • PCMag: 4.0/5 and the best midrange Sonos soundbar in its roundup. Big sound field and precise Atmos, but little deep bass and no Bluetooth.
  • Wirecutter (NYT): Not a pick: similar to the Arc Ultra at about half the price, but quieter with less bass.
Check price on AmazonWe don't list prices — they change daily. Paid link.

If that catch is a deal-breaker

Highly ranked soundbars whose biggest complaint is something else.

#1 in soundbarsSonos Arc Ultra

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.

Its catch: expensive, and a full system costs far more#2 in soundbarsSamsung HW-Q990H

Wirecutter's upgrade pick: an 11.1.4 system with a sub and wireless rears that gave the strongest overhead effect and clearest dialogue it has heard. It's pricey and 48.5 inches wide, the compact sub doesn't shake the couch, and RTINGS says last year's HW-Q990F performs about the same for less.

Its catch: pricey, wide, and a modest subwoofer#3 in soundbarsVizio Elevate 7.1.4 Pro

Wirecutter's top pick: under $500 for a bar with motorized height speakers, four wireless surrounds and a sub that rivals standalone subwoofers. There's no remote, the app requires a Walmart account, it has one HDMI port and no Wi-Fi streaming, and it's sold only at Walmart (out of stock there when checked).

Its catch: no remote; the app needs a walmart account

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