Dolby Atmos is an object-based surround sound format that supports height channels, which means sound can come from above your head. It results in an even more immersive listening experience since, depending on your home theater setup, you can hear sounds coming from all directions. Many 4k Blu-rays and even some streaming services like Netflix support Dolby Atmos, but not all soundbars do. The ones that do tend to be more expensive than most, but if you're after a more natural listening experience, they're worth considering. Soundbars usually use up-firing speakers to simulate an illusion of height by bouncing the sound off the ceiling and back to the listener. It won't be as accurate or immersive as down-firing speakers with a more traditional home theater setup.
We've tested over 230 soundbars, and below, you'll find the best Dolby Atmos soundbars to buy. See our recommendations for the best soundbars, the best soundbars for music, and the best soundbars for movies.
Quick Look
Our recommendations are built upon our thorough testing and rigorous reviews. Every soundbar we evaluate goes through multiple testing stages with different teams to ensure accurate, authentic results. No cherry-picked units or data.
Curious how we've tested over 200 soundbars (and counting)? Look at our How We Test Soundbars article for a behind-the-scenes look at our lab and process.
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Best Dolby Atmos Soundbar
Mixed Usage8.5Movies8.4Stereo Frequency Response8.5Surround 5.18.2Height (Atmos)6.8See all our test resultsChannels11.1.4The best Atmos soundbar we've tested is the Samsung HW-Q990F. This premium 11.1.4 soundbar replaces the previous Samsung HW-Q990D. Thanks to its two discrete satellites, sound effects spread around your living room, so the action onscreen feels like it surrounds you. Its sub also brings plenty of bassy thump and rumble, which is great for intense, action-packed scenes. Dialogue is clear in the mix, so it's easy to follow along with the conversation on screen. The HW-Q990F has a redesigned, sealed subwoofer that's smaller than that of the previous gen. While the newer subwoofer encounters more compression at max volume, the sealed design prevents rattling, which we encountered with the HW-Q990D's sub at similarly loud volumes. The bar and sats also feature up-firing drivers meant to bounce audio off your ceiling to enhance your sensation of height.
This soundbar stands out from the crowd thanks to its wide array of sound enhancement features, including room correction, which optimizes the audio reproduction based on your room's unique acoustics. If you prefer to adjust the sound manually, there's even a graphic EQ on hand for more precise tuning. You can also check out other premium Dolby Atmos models like the Sonos Ultimate Immersive Set with Arc Ultra, which is handy if you already own products in its ecosystem. Both offer better stereo soundstage performances, but don't have as many customization tools as the Samsung model. As a result, the Samsung soundbar reigns as the better pick overall.
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Best Mid-Range Dolby Atmos Soundbar
Mixed Usage8.3Movies8.2Stereo Frequency Response8.1Surround 5.18.4Height (Atmos)6.5See all our test resultsChannels9.1.4If you want a great Dolby Atmos soundbar at a more affordable price, check out the Samsung HW-Q930D. Despite having two fewer surround channels than its more premium cousin, the Samsung HW-Q990F, this soundbar can still provide an immersive, all-around feel with height content. It comes with two discrete satellite speakers that you can set up around your couch to bring sound effects to life in the space around you. Dialogue is easy to follow in the mix, and thanks to its subwoofer, there's plenty of rumble in the bass during intense movie scenes. This item isn't always available at all the online retailers we link to, but you can usually find it in stock at the manufacturer's website and Best Buy. You can also find the next version of the soundbar, the Samsung HW-Q930F, for purchase at similar prices. While we haven't tested the new version yet, you can expect a similar performance to the HW-930D. Its redesigned sealed sub likely exhibits the same differences as the sub of the HW-Q990F (compared to the HW-Q990D).
This soundbar has many of the same sound enhancement features as the HW-Q990F. Its room correction tool is designed to automatically adjust its output based on your room's unique acoustics. Plus, the 7-band graphic EQ is on hand to switch up its sound on your own. It also supports FreeSync and G-SYNC passthrough and Chromecast wireless connectivity. You can even control it using its built-in Alexa support. However, the bar doesn't get as loud as the Q990F and doesn't support 4k @ 120Hz video passthrough, limiting framerates for Atmos games if used as a passthrough device.
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Best Lower Mid-Range Dolby Atmos Soundbar
Mixed Usage8.0Movies7.9Stereo Frequency Response7.8Surround 5.17.0Height (Atmos)6.5See all our test resultsChannels7.1.4The best lower mid-range Dolby Atmos soundbar we've tested is the TCL Q85H. Despite coming in at a lower price than the Samsung HW-Q930D, this 7.1.4 soundbar still performs comparably well with Atmos media. That said, it's a bit more pared back when it comes to refinements out of the box compared to the Samsung, like a somewhat less even Atmos, center channel, and surround sound, which you might choose to adjust. Its four up-firing drivers are distributed to the bar and satellites, so the height channels ricochet sound off the ceiling, which lands around you. It's one of the most immersive soundbars in this tier.
Like more premium bars, the TCL can tune the bar to your space with its room correction tool, AI Sonic. It also supports both popular audio formats that use height channels: Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. Meanwhile, its HDMI In capability offers flexibility in how you setup your home theater devices. However, if you also use your soundbar for music playback, wireless connectivity is limited to Bluetooth and Apple AirPlay 2.
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Best Budget Dolby Atmos Soundbar
Mixed Usage7.7Movies7.6Stereo Frequency Response8.1Surround 5.16.9Height (Atmos)5.7See all our test resultsChannels5.1.2Shopping for a soundbar with Dolby Atmos doesn't have to hurt your wallet if you nab the Hisense AX5125H, our best budget soundbar pick. The 5.1.2 setup ensures height channels are given their own discrete up-firing drivers rather than downmixed, which tends to happen with affordable soundbars. While it lacks the same degree of customization, like room correction and app compatibility on the TCL Q85H, the Hisense eschews extra complexity for functionality and pure performance. Out of the box, it provides a clear sound with a good amount of low-end punch and a handful of sound enhancements at your fingertips on the remote.
The dual up-firing drivers that handle the height dimension of your audio add immersiveness to your content. Still, it's not quite as all-encompassing as the four drivers handling height channels (including the rear satellites) on the TCL. Like the other bar, this soundbar can play back Dolby Atmos and DTS:X with solid connectivity, so you can use the HDMI In port for video passthrough too. This soundbar proves you don't need to empty your bank account to get a quality Atmos experience for movies and gaming. If you're having trouble finding the Hisense AX5125H in stock, consider the AX5140Q. We haven't tested it yet, but this successor bar actually features an additional two up-firing drivers, which we expect will further enhance your Atmos listening experience.
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Best Dolby Atmos Soundbar For Soundstage
Mixed Usage8.0Movies7.9Stereo Frequency Response8.1Surround 5.18.0Height (Atmos)6.9See all our test resultsChannels4.1.4Part of Dolby Atmos's biggest appeal is its immersive sound, and the Sony BRAVIA Theater Quad with Bass Module takes this a step further by using satellites with discrete speakers instead of conventional single-unit soundbars. You might not consider it a soundbar in the traditional sense, given its unique design that forgoes the standard "bar" in favor of a small control box and four discrete surround speakers that you can move around your room based on your preferences. That said, it offers one of the best soundstage performances on the market, and the flexible design of the speakers allows you to adjust their placement around your living room to create the best possible sound.
Overall, this setup's representation of Dolby Atmos content gives a very clear and real feel. Thanks to its unique design, audio stretches around and above you, so you feel immersed in your movie from all angles. The dedicated subwoofer adds a little more rumble in the bass range, providing the best possible experience. Compared to our top picks, such as the Samsung HW-Q990F, you'll notice that the center channel for dialogue isn't quite as clear because it lacks a dedicated center speaker. On the upside, if you love the design and want a wide soundstage, it might be a fair trade-off for your needs.
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Best Small Dolby Atmos Soundbar
Mixed Usage7.2Movies7.0Stereo Frequency Response7.2Surround 5.16.1Height (Atmos)6.3See all our test resultsChannels3.0.2Whether you live in a small apartment or have a cramped living space, a more compact soundbar is a great way to enhance your Atmos experience without taking up a lot of room. The best we've tested is the Bose Smart Soundbar, a premium soundbar that measures less than 28 inches in width. The trim and sleek design helps it fit under narrower TVs or on smaller tables, so you can enjoy your favorite Atmos movies and TV shows without needing a larger soundbar or satellite speakers. The bar also comes with built-in Alexa support.
Despite its small size, the bar does a passable job of creating a sense of height using its up-firing drivers. Of course, the sound doesn't feel as immersive as a larger set-up, but side-to-side movements are easy to track, and the audio has a palpable sense of vertical height. Sounds tend to feel like they're in front and above you rather than around you, but that's to be expected given the limitations of a small, narrow bar. If you're more of a music listener and are willing to sacrifice dedicated up-firing drivers for a bigger stereo soundstage, you might prefer the Sonos Beam (Gen 2). The Sonos creates a wider soundstage than the Bose, which is especially impressive given it's less than 26 inches wide, and it also supports Dolby Atmos, which is great for watching movies. The Sonos doesn't have dedicated up-firing drivers, so it can't quite create the same sense of verticality the Bose can.
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Best Atmos Soundbar For Large Rooms
Mixed Usage7.9Movies7.9Stereo Frequency Response7.6Surround 5.17.4Height (Atmos)6.3See all our test resultsChannels9.2.4The shape and size of your living room impact how you perceive sound. If you have a larger, more open living room, you're in luck: some options on the market are designed to spread sound evenly throughout your space to bring that cinematic feel to every corner of your living room. The Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 eARC is the best we've tested. Its unique design offers two subwoofers and four satellites that you can position horizontally or vertically, depending on your needs. The additional subwoofer ensures an even bass reproduction throughout your space, without any "holes" in the soundstage to take away from the immersive feel. Similarly, the extra satellites mean sound effects spread throughout your room for a cinematic feel.
This soundbar is the next generation of the Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch, and it adds eARC support so you can stream more advanced formats like DTS:X, often found on Blu-rays. You won't find a traditional room correction feature like the one on the Samsung HW-Q990F since there's no microphone to measure your room's unique acoustics. Still, you can use its Spatial Surround Elevation tool to customize its performance to your room, choosing between three different size-based presets to adjust its sound. If you have a big space to fill with sound, it's a solid pick.
Notable Mentions
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Klipsch Flexus Core 300:
The Klipsch Flexus Core 300 is a standalone soundbar that can reproduce a very extended low bass thanks to its integrated subwoofers. However, it's quite expensive for just a standalone bar when compared to the Samsung HW-Q990F.
See our review -
Samsung HW-Q800F:
The Samsung HW-Q800F is a 5.1.2. Dolby Atmos soundbar. It's a great alternative to the Samsung HW-Q930D if you don't want satellites in your living room setup. It brings an immersive sound without them, but of course, compared to the HW-Q930D, there's less detail in the space behind your couch without the satellites.
See our review -
Vizio Elevate SE SL512X-0806:
The Vizio Elevate SE SL512X-0806 is another option if you want a straightforward soundbar with Atmos performance that's comparable to the TCL Q85H. It lacks HDMI In ports, but it's a well-built bar worth a look for its decent all-around performance.
See our review -
Nakamichi DRAGON:
The Nakamichi DRAGON is a large soundbar with dual subs, like the Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 eARC. However, it's considerably more expensive and difficult to fit in many spaces for only incremental improvements to its Atmos performance. That said, if you have the space and budget, its impressive six up-firing drivers are solid performers.
See our review -
LG S95AR:
The LG S95AR is a flagship soundbar setup that competes with the Samsung HW-Q990F. Both devices come with numerous sound enhancement features, including room correction. That said, the LG subwoofer may chuff and rattle in scenes with sustained bass activity, which can disrupt your immersion.
See our review
Recent Updates
Nov 27, 2025:
We've updated our review for accuracy, and added mentions of the Klipsch Flexus Core 300, Samsung HW-Q800F, and removed the Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module due to limited availability.
Aug 15, 2025:
We've updated our top pick from the Samsung HW-Q990D to the Samsung HW-Q990F, as its redesigned subwoofer sidesteps rattling and chuffing issues. We've also checked the availability and pricing of our picks to ensure they're positioned correctly.
Apr 17, 2025:
Due to price fluctuations, the Vizio Elevate has been removed from this article because other soundbars perform better for less. The TCL Q85H has been added as the lower mid-range pick, and the Hisense AX5125H replaces the out-of-stock Vizio M Series M512a-H6 for the budget pick. The Nakamichi DRAGON and Vizio Elevate SE SL512X-0806 are now Notable Mentions.
Jan 14, 2025:
The Samsung HW-Q930D replaces the Samsung HW-Q930C as our upper mid-range pick because it performs similarly to its predecessor with some additional features like G-SYNC and FreeSync. The Bose Smart Soundbar is also our new pick for Best Small Dolby Atmos Soundbar because it has up-firing drivers for better Atmos support. The Sonos Ultimate Immersive Set with Arc is replaced by the Sonos Ultimate Immersive Set with Arc Ultra as an alternative to our top pick. Finally, because the Vizio M Series M512a-H is getting harder to find, we've added the Hisense AX5125H as an alternative.
Aug 26, 2024: The soundstage pick is now the Sony BRAVIA Theater Quad with Bass Module, replacing the previous-generation Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best soundbars for most people to buy. We factor in the price (a cheaper soundbar wins over a pricier one if the difference isn't worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no soundbars that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).
If you'd like to choose for yourself, here's the list of all our reviews of soundbars sorted by their Atmos performance. Be careful not to get caught up in the details. No soundbar is perfect. Personal taste, preference, and listening habits will matter more in your selection.