- Table of Contents
- Intro
- Updates
- Comparison
- Best Soundbars
- Conclusion
- Discussions
We've currently tested eight Bose soundbars. Bose is an audio-centric brand that focuses on creating premium-feeling, well-built products that are just as sturdy as they are sleek-looking. While they may lack in audio customization, their balanced and neutral sound reproduction makes their soundbars relatively easy to use. Although we've only tested some of these soundbars on their own, we plan to retest them with their full setups.
Updates
- 11/05/2021 Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module reviewed
- 10/08/2021 Bose Smart Soundbar 900 reviewed
- 10/04/2021 Bose Smart Soundbar 300 updated
- 08/26/2021 Bose TV Speaker updated
- 03/11/2021 Bose Smart Soundbar 700 updated
Best Bose Soundbars
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Best Bose Soundbar
Mixed Usage8.2Dialogue/TV Shows8.3Music8.6Movies8.0Channels5.1.2The best Bose soundbar we've tested is the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module. It's a 5.1.2 setup with a dedicated subwoofer and two satellite speakers, which connect to the bar wirelessly. Like most premium bars on the market, it comes with a room correction feature to optimize audio reproduction based on your room's unique acoustics - Bose calls it ADAPTiQ. The resulting sound profile is very neutral and balanced, so dialogue in movies and TV shows is clearly and accurately reproduced. You also feel the deep thump and rumble in the bass with action-packed scenes and movie scores. It has a very good performance with surround sound, and it also supports Dolby Atmos content, unlike the Bose Smart Soundbar 700. What makes this bar stand out from the pack is its soundstage performance - since sound reaches out to the walls of your room, you feel immersed in your favorite movies from all angles.
The bar isn't as customizable as other premium models on the market, like the Samsung HW-Q950A. There's no EQ, so you can only use its basic bass and treble adjustments to change its sound. Additionally, without a Full HDMI In port, you can't use the bar for video passthrough between devices like your gaming console and your TV. Still, it offers a versatile performance overall.
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Best Standalone Bose Soundbar
Mixed Usage7.5Dialogue/TV Shows7.5Music7.7Movies7.3Channels5.0.2If you don't have space in your setup for a subwoofer and satellites, you can purchase the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 as a standalone bar. You can still access the same premium features that come with the full setup, including the ADAPTiQ room correction tool. Its default sound profile is neutral and balanced, ensuring that voices and lead instruments are clear and detailed in the mix. If you like watching movies on streaming platforms and Blu-rays, you'll also appreciate the bar's performance with Dolby Atmos content. For a standalone bar, it does a really good job, with its wide soundstage creating the illusion of height.
That said, the bar's performance on its own isn't quite as impressive as the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module. Without the additional subwoofer, it can't reproduce an extended low-bass, so you don't feel the thump in action movies. Its performance with surround sound is okay. However, sound seems like it's coming from in front of you rather than from speakers placed all around you. Also, the additional satellites improve the soundstage, resulting in a wider, more focused experience. If you're low on space, it's a really impressive standalone bar.
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Best Small Bose Soundbar
Mixed Usage6.4Dialogue/TV Shows6.9Music6.7Movies5.8Channels2.0You can also find an even smaller alternative to the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 in the Bose TV Speaker. At just under 24 inches in width, this soundbar can easily fit under smaller TV stands and computer monitors. It's only a 2.0 setup, so it isn't as versatile as the more premium models in Bose's lineup, but it's still a fair choice if you mostly listen to dialogue-focused content like podcasts and TV shows. It's well-built, with a fairly neutral sound profile that ensures voices are clearly and accurately reproduced. There aren't as many sound enhancement features available, but you can still use its dialogue enhancement tool and its bass adjustment feature to customize it somewhat.
On its own, the bar can't reproduce that deep thump and rumble in the low-bass that brings bass-heavy music genres like EDM to life. Its performance with movies isn't that great, either, since the 2.0 setup has to downmix surround sound into stereo to play it. There's no Atmos support, either. If you just want a simple, small bar for watching TV shows, it's a solid pick.
Compared to other brands
- Balanced sound profile. Although the soundbars we've currently tested lack a subwoofer by default and struggle to create a thumpy bass, the rest of their sound profiles tend to be balanced and fairly neutral, making them suited for a variety of audio content.
- Well-built design. Bose soundbars are generally well-built, with a premium look and feel.
- Easily upgradable setup. You can upgrade both the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 and Bose Smart Soundbar 700 by purchasing a separate subwoofer or some satellites, which is great if you want to expand your setup down the line.
- Lacking low-bass. Without a dedicated subwoofer, Bose soundbars tend to lack thump and rumble integral to genres like EDM and hip-hop.
- No height channels. Some Bose soundbars don't support Dolby Atmos content found on many 4k Blu-rays or some streaming services, so you won't get the most immersive experience when watching movies.
- No Full HDMI In port. You can't use Bose soundbars as a hub between external devices like a Blu-ray player and your TV.
Bose makes well-built and neutral-sounding soundbars. They tend to be very straightforward to use, and some of their setups are easily upgradable. However, due to their simple design, they don't have as many sound enhancement features as other brands, and they lack HDMI In ports. Bose still provides a solid sound experience right out of the box, which is great for those who don't like to tinker with their settings too much.
Recent Updates
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Apr 08, 2022: No changes in product picks after verifying their accuracy and availability.
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Dec 10, 2021: Replaced the Bose Smart Soundbar 700 with Speakers + Bass Module with the next generation Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module. Added the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 as 'Best Standalone'.
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Aug 19, 2021: Confirmed all picks are in stock and still the best recommendations for our users.
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Apr 21, 2021: Replaced the Bose Soundbar 700 with the Bose Smart Soundbar 700 with Speakers and Bass Module as the pick for 'Best Bose Soundbar'. Moved the Bose Soundbar 700 to Notable Mentions.
Conclusion
Bose is a well-known brand that focuses on well-built, premium-feeling audio products that can reproduce a balanced and neutral sound out-of-the-box. While their soundbars are a little lackluster, especially compared to brands that offer more of a variety of setups, they still have a sound suited for most audio content, and you can upgrade most of their setups down the line. They're a good choice for those who want something simple yet sturdy in design without sacrificing audio quality.