Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar vs Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar: Which Soundbar Is Better? - RTINGS.com

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Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated Aug 03, 2026 05:38 PM

Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated Aug 14, 2026 02:00 PM

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Picture

Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar Picture

Channels 5.1.2

Channels 5.1.2

Our Verdict

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar

Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar

The Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar and Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar share a lot of similarities; they're both part of Bose's soundbar lineup and have similar design elements like a glass top panel. The newer Lifestyle Ultra has a more expansive sound enhancement suite, featuring more channel adjustments and a 3-band EQ, but the older Smart Ultra has a wider and smoother stereo soundstage. That said, you'll probably want to go with the Lifestyle Ultra since its sound signature is more balanced and less treble heavy than the Smart Ultra, which sounds shrill and harsh at times.

Variants

Smart Ultra Soundbar (Arctic White)
Smart Ultra Soundbar (Black)

Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar (Black)
Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar (White Smoke)

Review

See Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Review

See Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar Review

Check Price

Black

Smart Ultra Soundbar

Black

Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar

Arctic White

Smart Ultra Soundbar

White Smoke

Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar

Main Differences for

Mixed Usage

Threshold

0.10

Mixed Usage

0.0

0.0

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Full Comparison

Mixed Usage

0.0

0.0

Dialogue/TV Shows

0.0

0.0

Music

0.0

0.0

Movies

0.0

0.0

Design

Style - Bar

Style photo - bar

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Style photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar Style photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Style - Subwoofer

Style photo - sub

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Style photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar Style photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sub Wireless

Locked

Locked

Enclosure

Locked

Locked

Style - Satellites

Style photo - satellites

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Style photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar Style photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Satellite Wireless

Locked

Locked

Dimensions - Bar

Dimensions photo - bar

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Dimensions photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar Dimensions photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Width

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

Height

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

Depth

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

Dimensions - Subwoofer

Dimensions photo - sub

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Dimensions photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar Dimensions photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Width

N/A

N/A

Height

N/A

N/A

Depth

N/A

N/A

Dimensions - Satellites

Dimensions photo - satellites

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Dimensions photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar Dimensions photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Width

N/A

N/A

Height

N/A

N/A

Depth

N/A

N/A

Mounting

Bar Mounting Holes

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Bar Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar Bar Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Satellite Mounting Holes

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Satellite Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar Satellite Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Mountable Bar

Locked

Locked

Bar Brackets Included

Locked

Locked

Mountable Satellites

Locked

Locked

Satellite Brackets Included

Locked

Locked

Build Quality

N/A

N/A

Build quality photo

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Build quality photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar Build quality photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

In The Box

In The Box photo

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar In The Box photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar In The Box photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sound

Stereo Frequency Response

N/A

N/A

Stereo Setup

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Stereo Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar Stereo Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Raw Frequency Response

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Raw Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar Raw Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Frequency Response Small

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Frequency Response Small Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar Frequency Response Small Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Channels

Locked

Locked

Tested Preset

Locked

Locked

Slope

Lock

Lock

Standard Error

Lock dB

Lock dB

Low-Frequency Extension

Lock Hz

Lock Hz

High-Frequency Extension

Lock kHz

Lock kHz

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration

N/A

N/A

Frequency Response Calibrated

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Frequency Response Calibrated Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar Frequency Response Calibrated Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Suggested Preset

Locked

Locked

Suggested Bass Setting

Lock

Lock

Suggested Treble Setting

Lock

Lock

Slope

Lock

Lock

Standard Error

Lock dB

Lock dB

Low-Frequency Extension

Lock Hz

Lock Hz

High-Frequency Extension

Lock kHz

Lock kHz

Stereo Soundstage

N/A

N/A

Crosstalk

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Crosstalk Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar Crosstalk Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Crosstalk Error

Lock dB

Lock dB

Stereo Dynamics

N/A

N/A

Dynamic Range Compression

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Dynamic Range Compression Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar Dynamic Range Compression Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SPL @ Max Volume

Lock dB SPL

Lock dB SPL

DRC @ 90dB

Lock dB

Lock dB

DRC @ Max Volume

Lock dB

Lock dB

Center

N/A

N/A

Center Setup

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Center Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar Center Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Frequency Response

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Localization

Locked

Locked

Slope

Lock

Lock

Std. Err.

Lock dB

Lock dB

SPL @ Max Volume

Lock dB SPL

Lock dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB

Lock

Lock

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

Lock

Lock

Surround 5.1

N/A

N/A

Surround Setup

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Surround Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar Surround Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Frequency Response

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Localization

Locked

Locked

Slope

Lock

Lock

Std. Err.

Lock dB

Lock dB

SPL @ Max Volume

Lock dB SPL

Lock dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB

Lock

Lock

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

Lock

Lock

7.1 Rears

Locked

Locked

Height (Atmos)

N/A

N/A

Height Setup

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Height Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar Height Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

H Frequency Response

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar H Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar H Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Localization

Locked

Locked

Slope

Lock

Lock

Std. Err.

Lock dB

Lock dB

SPL @ Max Volume

Lock dB SPL

Lock dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB

Lock

Lock

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

Lock

Lock

Sound Enhancement Features

N/A

N/A

Room Correction

Locked

Locked

Dialogue Enhancement

Locked

Locked

Auto-Volume/Night Mode

Locked

Locked

Subwoofer Level Adjustment

Locked

Locked

Bass Adjustment

Locked

Locked

Treble Adjustment

Locked

Locked

EQ

Locked

Locked

Surround Level Adjustment

Locked

Locked

Rear Level Adjustment

Locked

Locked

Height Level Adjustment

Locked

Locked

Virtual Surround

Locked

Locked

Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Physical Connections Bar Photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar Physical Connections Bar Photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Physical Connections Bar Photo 2 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar Physical Connections Bar Photo 2 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Optical Audio In

Locked

Locked

HDMI Out

Locked

Locked

HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth

Locked

Locked

Full HDMI In

Locked

Locked

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)

Locked

Locked

RCA In

Locked

Locked

USB for Files

Locked

Locked

Ethernet

Locked

Locked

Subwoofer Output

Locked

Locked

Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC

N/A

N/A

Dolby Atmos

Locked

Locked

Dolby Digital

Locked

Locked

Dolby Digital Plus

Locked

Locked

Dolby TrueHD

Locked

Locked

DTS

Locked

Locked

DTS:X

Locked

Locked

DTS-HD MA

Locked

Locked

PCM Channels

Locked

Locked

Audio Format Support: HDMI In

N/A

N/A

Dolby Atmos

Locked

N/A

Dolby Digital

Locked

N/A

Dolby Digital Plus

Locked

N/A

Dolby TrueHD

Locked

N/A

DTS

Locked

N/A

DTS:X

Locked

N/A

DTS-HD MA

Locked

N/A

PCM Channels

Locked

N/A

Audio Format Support: Optical

N/A

N/A

Dolby Digital

Locked

N/A

DTS

Locked

N/A

PCM Channels

Locked

N/A

Audio Latency: ARC

N/A

N/A

ARC Latency Video

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar ARC Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

for videos & test results

Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar ARC Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

for videos & test results

PCM-2.0 ch

Lock ms

Lock ms

PCM-5.1 ch

Lock ms

Lock ms

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos

Lock ms

Lock ms

Dolby Digital

Lock ms

Lock ms

Dolby Digital Plus

Lock ms

Lock ms

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos

Lock ms

Lock ms

Audio Latency: HDMI In

N/A

N/A

HDMI Latency Video

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar HDMI Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

for videos & test results

Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar HDMI Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

for videos & test results

PCM-2.0 ch

N/A

N/A

PCM-5.1 ch

N/A

N/A

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos

N/A

N/A

Dolby Digital

N/A

N/A

Dolby Digital Plus

N/A

N/A

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos

N/A

N/A

Audio Latency: Optical

N/A

N/A

Optical Latency Video

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Optical Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

for videos & test results

Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar Optical Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

for videos & test results

PCM-2.0 ch

Lock ms

N/A

Dolby Digital

Lock ms

N/A

Video Passthrough To TV

N/A

N/A

1080p Max Refresh Rate

Locked

Locked

1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate

Locked

Locked

4k Max Refresh Rate

Locked

Locked

4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit

Locked

Locked

4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate

Locked

Locked

8k Max Refresh Rate

Locked

Locked

HDR10 Passthrough

Locked

Locked

HDR10+ Passthrough

Locked

Locked

Dolby Vision Passthrough

Locked

Locked

HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough

Locked

Locked

FreeSync Passthrough

Locked

Locked

G-SYNC Passthrough

Locked

Locked

ALLM Passthrough

Locked

Locked

Wireless Playback

N/A

N/A

Bluetooth

Locked

Locked

Wi-Fi Playback

Locked

Locked

Chromecast built-in

Locked

Locked

Apple AirPlay

Locked

Locked

Spotify Connect

Locked

Locked

Additional Features

Interface

Interface photo

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Interface photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar Interface photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Display

Locked

Locked

Bar Controls

Controls photo

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Controls photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar Controls photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Remote

Remote photo

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Remote photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar Remote photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Voice Assistants Support

Amazon Alexa

Locked

Locked

Google Assistant

Locked

Locked

Apple Siri

Locked

Locked

Microphone Mute

Locked

Locked

Check Price

Black

Smart Ultra Soundbar

Black

Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar

Arctic White

Smart Ultra Soundbar

White Smoke

Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar

Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar

Comments

Comparison

• Posted 1 month ago

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar vs Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar: Main Discussion

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