We've currently tested ten 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
- 01/20/2023 Bose Smart Soundbar 700 updated
- 12/20/2022 Bose Smart Soundbar 300 updated
- 11/16/2022 Bose Smart Soundbar 600 reviewed
- 10/19/2022 Bose Smart Soundbar 900 updated
- 08/18/2022 Bose TV Speaker 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 versatile performance, making it a solid pick for everything from music to movies to TV shows. While it's not available as a package deal right now, you can purchase the bar, the satellites, and the sub separately and pair them together for the best possible listening experience. Together, these components bring an impressive soundstage—sound reaches out to the walls of your room, so you feel immersed in your favorite movies from all angles. The satellites bring good focus, so sound effects seem to come from clear and real positions in the room around you. With the sub, you get plenty of rumble in the bass. If you don't have room for these components, you can use this as a standalone bar.
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 and lead instruments are clear and present in the mix. While there are bass and treble adjustments on hand, its sound enhancement features are a little limited without a full graphic EQ, especially compared to other premium models. Still, it offers a versatile performance overall.
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Best Upper Mid-Range Bose Soundbar
Mixed Usage8.0Dialogue/TV Shows8.2Music8.5Movies7.5Channels5.1If you're looking for a more affordable alternative to the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module, the Bose Smart Soundbar 700 with Speakers + Bass Module is a solid choice. It's not available as a package deal, but you can still buy the components separately and pair them together for an immersive sound. It has many similar features to Bose's top-of-the-line model, including the ADAPTiQ room correction feature to optimize its audio reproduction and a sub and satellites to improve its sound with everything from music to movies to TV shows. With its default sound, you don't have any issues hearing dialogue and instruments in your audio.
The main difference, however, is that this soundbar doesn't support Dolby Atmos content. While you can enjoy 5.1 surround sound formats like Dolby Digital, you can't take advantage of more immersive object-based formats. It's disappointing, especially if you watch a lot of content on streaming platforms, where you're most likely to encounter Atmos content. That said, if you aren't an Atmos fan, the 700 marks a more affordable alternative to the 900. It's still a versatile bar that can please many different listeners, even if it isn't the best for movies.
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Best Mid-Range Bose Soundbar
Mixed Usage7.2Dialogue/TV Shows7.4Music7.2Movies7.0Channels3.0.2Bose's best mid-range offering is the Bose Smart Soundbar 600. It's a smaller, more compact 3.0.2 alternative to the other smart soundbars in the manufacturer's lineup, with a width of fewer than 28 inches. It easily fits into your setup without taking up a lot of space, and with its wide soundstage, you still get the impression that sound extends all around you for an immersive listening experience. It supports many different audio formats, meaning you can enjoy Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital content commonly found on streaming platforms and Blu-rays. For the price, it's a very versatile soundbar.
Right out-of-the-box, voices and lead instruments in your favorite tunes are clearly reproduced, and you don't have trouble following along with dialogue in movies and TV shows. As a standalone bar, there isn't much rumble in the low-bass, but you can easily add on a separate sub from the manufacturer if you wish. Bose sells compatible rear speakers, which is nice if you want to improve its surround sound. That said, compared to the Bose Smart Soundbar 700, this smaller bar doesn't get quite as loud, and you don't get a room correction feature, so it sounds a bit different depending on your space. However, you can always adjust its bass and treble to make up for this.
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Best Lower Mid-Range Bose Soundbar
Mixed Usage6.8Dialogue/TV Shows7.3Music7.3Movies6.2Channels3.0The Bose Smart Soundbar 300 is a more affordable alternative to the Bose Smart Soundbar 600. They have the same size and shape, so you can easily fit the 300 into your living room without taking up a lot of space. However, the 300 doesn't support Dolby Atmos content like the 600, so you can't take advantage of more immersive formats often found on streaming platforms and Blu-rays. If you don't watch a lot of Atmos content, you may find this bar is a better value overall.
This 3.0 bar has a discrete center channel to improve vocal reproduction, just like the top picks on our list. Voices and lead instruments are clearly and accurately reproduced, and its slightly v-shaped sound brings a little extra punch in the bass while making instruments sparkle. Without a room correction feature, it may sound a little different based on the room you're listening in, but you can always use its bass and treble adjustments to make up for it. Overall, it's a simple setup that you can easily upgrade with a separate sub and satellites down the line.
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Best Budget Bose Soundbar
Mixed Usage6.4Dialogue/TV Shows6.9Music6.7Movies5.8Channels2.0The best Bose soundbar in the budget range is the Bose TV Speaker. At just under 24 inches in width, this soundbar can easily fit under smaller TV stands and computer monitors, taking up even less space than the Bose Smart Soundbar 300. 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. Given its neutral sound, dialogue and lead instruments are clear and present in the mix. You miss out on the rumble in the bass that brings genres like EDM to life, but you can always add on a separate sub from the manufacturer if you want.
Of course, the bar's performance isn't quite as impressive as more expensive models. There's no Atmos support, and it has to downmix surround sound formats into stereo to play them. Its soundstage is smaller, too, so you don't get the same feeling of sound stretching all around you. That said, that's not really what this bar is for. It's a simple plug-and-play option that marks a solid upgrade over any existing TV speakers, and overall, it's a great choice if you mostly listen to stereo content.
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. You'll have to pay for the premium setups if you want to take advantage of these formats.
- 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 vs Samsung
Samsung and Bose both produce a wide array of soundbars, from top-of-the-line setups to more budget-friendly models. Samsung soundbars tend to have more customization features on hand and more physical inputs for video passthrough. Meanwhile, Bose soundbars use psychoacoustics principles to extend sound past the edges of the bar itself.
Bose vs Sonos
Sonos and Bose are direct competitors in the soundbar market. Their soundbars usually offer the same features and similar performances— while their sound quality is impressive, you won't find as many sound enhancement tools or HDMI In ports for video passthrough. Sonos supports DTS content, unlike Bose soundbars, and if you already own products in their ecosystem, you can usually connect them all to stream audio throughout your home.
Bose makes well-built and neutral-sounding soundbars. They tend to be very straightforward, 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 lack HDMI In ports. Bose still provides a solid sound experience right out of the box, which is great for those who don't want to tinker with their settings too much.
Recent Updates
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Dec 02, 2022: Added the Bose Smart Soundbar 600 as 'Best Mid-Range'.
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Aug 05, 2022: Added the Bose Smart Soundbar 300 as 'Best Mid-Range'. Updated category titles to match price-based article format.
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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.
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 without sacrificing audio quality.
