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  1. Home
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Sonos Beam vs Playbar

Which Soundbar Is Better?

    Top
    Main Differences
    Design
      Style - BarStyle - SubwooferStyle - SatellitesDimensions - BarDimensions - SubwooferDimensions - SatellitesMountingBuild QualityIn The BoxBack - BarBack - SubwooferBack - Satellites
    Sound
      Stereo Frequency ResponseStereo Frequency Response With Preliminary CalibrationStereo SoundstageStereo DynamicsStereo Total Harmonic DistortionCenterSurround 5.1Height (Atmos)Sound Enhancement Features
    Connectivity
      Inputs/Outputs - BarAudio Format Support: ARC/eARCAudio Format Support: HDMI InAudio Format Support: OpticalLatencyVideo Passthrough To TVWireless PlaybackConnectivity - SubwooferConnectivity - Satellites
    Additional Features
      InterfaceBar ControlsRemoteVoice Assistants SupportAppOther Features
    Comments

Products

Sonos Beam
Sonos Playbar

Tested using Methodology v1.2

Updated Sep 04, 2025 03:58 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Sep 24, 2024 01:28 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Sonos Beam Picture

Track

Sonos Playbar Picture

Track

Channels
3.0
Channels
3.0

Our Verdict

Sonos Beam

Sonos Playbar

The Sonos Beam is a better soundbar than the Sonos Playbar. The Beam has a more neutral sound profile and a sleek, compact design. It also supports ARC via an adapter and is Apple AirPlay compatible.

0 

Variants

  • Beam (Black)
  • Beam (White)
  • Playbar

Review

See Sonos Beam Review
See Sonos Playbar Review
0 
0 

Check Price

Black
Beam
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Standard
Playbar
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
White
Beam
SEARCH
Amazon.com
Standard
Playbar
SEARCH
B&H
 
Standard
Playbar
SEARCH
BestBuy.com
 
Standard
Playbar
SEARCH
Sonos
 
Standard
Playbar
SEARCH
Walmart.com
Read more

Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 
 

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Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

Sonos Beam Style photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Sonos Playbar Style photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Show Text 

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

Sonos Beam Style photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Sonos Playbar Style photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Sub Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked

Enclosure 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

Sonos Beam Style photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Sonos Playbar Style photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Satellite Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

Sonos Beam Dimensions photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Sonos Playbar Dimensions photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

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)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

Sonos Beam Dimensions photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Sonos Playbar Dimensions photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Width  

N/A
N/A

Height  

N/A
N/A

Depth  

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

Sonos Beam Dimensions photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Sonos Playbar Dimensions photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Width  

N/A
N/A

Height  

N/A
N/A

Depth  

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Mounting 
 

Bar Mounting Holes  

Sonos Beam Bar Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Playbar Bar Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Satellite Mounting Holes  

Sonos Beam Satellite Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Sonos Playbar Satellite Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Mountable Bar 
 

Locked

Bar Brackets Included 
 

Locked

Mountable Satellites 
 

Locked

Satellite Brackets Included 
 

Locked
Show Text 

Build Quality 
 

N/A
N/A

Build quality photo  

Sonos Beam Build quality photo Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Sonos Playbar Build quality photo Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Show Text 

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

Sonos Beam In The Box photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Playbar In The Box photo Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

HDMI Cable Length 
 

N/A

Digital Optical Cable Length 
 

Lock m (Lock ft)
Show Text 

Back - Bar  

Back photo - bar  

Sonos Beam Back photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Sonos Playbar Back photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Bar Mounting 
 

Locked
Show Text 

Back - Subwoofer  

Back photo - sub  

Sonos Beam Back photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Sonos Playbar Back photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Enclosure 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Back - Satellites  

Back photo - satellites  

Sonos Beam Back photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Sonos Playbar Back photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Mounting 
 

Locked
Show Text 
Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

N/A
N/A

Stereo Setup  

Sonos Beam Stereo Setup Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Sonos Playbar Stereo Setup Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Raw Frequency Response  

Sonos Beam Raw Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Sonos Playbar Raw Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Frequency Response Small  

Sonos Beam Frequency Response Small Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Sonos Playbar Frequency Response Small Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Tested Preset 
 

Locked
Locked

Slope 
 

Lock
Lock

Std. Err. 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Channels 
 

Locked
Locked

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock Hz
Lock Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock kHz
Lock kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

N/A
N/A

Frequency Response Calibrated  

Sonos Beam Frequency Response Calibrated Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Sonos Playbar Frequency Response Calibrated Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Suggested Preset 
 

Locked
Locked

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

Lock
Lock

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

Lock
Lock

Slope 
 

Lock
Lock

Std. Err. 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock Hz
Lock Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock kHz
Lock kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Soundstage 
 

N/A
N/A

Crosstalk  

Sonos Beam Crosstalk Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Sonos Playbar Crosstalk Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Crosstalk Error 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Stereo Dynamics 
 

N/A
N/A

Dynamic Range Compression  

Sonos Beam Dynamic Range Compression Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Sonos Playbar Dynamic Range Compression Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

Lock dB SPL
Lock dB SPL

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

N/A
N/A

THD  

Sonos Beam THD Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Sonos Playbar THD Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

Lock
Lock

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

Lock
Lock
Show Text 

Center 
 

N/A
N/A

Center Setup  

Sonos Beam Center Setup Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Sonos Playbar Center Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Frequency Response  

Sonos Beam Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Sonos Playbar Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

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
Show Text 

Surround 5.1 
 

N/A
N/A

Surround Setup  

Sonos Beam Surround Setup Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Sonos Playbar Surround Setup Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Frequency Response  

Sonos Beam Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Sonos Playbar Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

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
Show Text 

Height (Atmos) 
 

N/A
N/A

Height Setup  

Sonos Beam Height Setup Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Sonos Playbar Height Setup Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

H Frequency Response  

Sonos Beam H Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Sonos Playbar H Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Localization 
 

Locked
Locked

Slope 
 

N/A
N/A

Std. Err. 
 

N/A
N/A

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

N/A
N/A

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

N/A
N/A

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

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
Show Text 
Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar 
 

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1  

Sonos Beam Physical Connections Bar Photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Sonos Playbar Physical Connections Bar Photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

Sonos Beam Physical Connections Bar Photo 2 Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Sonos Playbar Physical Connections Bar Photo 2 Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Optical Audio In 
 

Locked
Locked

HDMI Out 
 

Locked
Locked

HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth 
 

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

HDMI ARC 
 

Locked
Show Text 

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

eARC 
 

Locked

DTS-HD MA 
 

Locked
Locked

PCM Channels 
 

Locked

5.1 PCM (eARC only) 
 

Locked
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: HDMI In 
 

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

5.1 PCM 
 

Locked
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: Optical 
 

N/A
N/A

Dolby Digital 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS 
 

Locked
Locked

PCM Channels 
 

Locked
Show Text 

Latency 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency Video  

Sonos Beam Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for videos & test results

Sonos Playbar Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for videos & test results

ARC 
 

Lock ms
N/A

Optical 
 

Lock ms
Lock ms

Full HDMI In 
 

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Video Passthrough To TV 
 

N/A
N/A

1080p Max Refresh Rate 
 

Locked

1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

Locked

4k Max Refresh Rate 
 

Locked

4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit 
 

Locked

4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

Locked

8k Max Refresh Rate 
 

Locked

HDR10 Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

HDR10+ Passthrough 
 

Locked

Dolby Vision Passthrough 
 

Locked

HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough 
 

Locked

4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough 
 

Locked

FreeSync Passthrough 
 

Locked

G-SYNC Passthrough 
 

Locked

ALLM Passthrough 
 

Locked

4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough 
 

Locked

4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough 
 

Locked
Show Text 

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
Show Text 

Connectivity - Subwoofer 
 

Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1  

Sonos Beam Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Sonos Playbar Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Physical controls subwoofer photo 1  

Sonos Beam Physical controls subwoofer photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Sonos Playbar Physical controls subwoofer photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Sub Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Connectivity - Satellites 
 

Physical inputs satellites photo 1  

Sonos Beam Physical inputs satellites photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Sonos Playbar Physical inputs satellites photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Physical controls satellites photo 1  

Sonos Beam Physical controls satellites photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Sonos Playbar Physical controls satellites photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Sat Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 
Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

Sonos Beam Interface photo Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Sonos Playbar Interface photo Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Display 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

Sonos Beam Controls photo Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Sonos Playbar Controls photo Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Show Text 

Remote  

Remote photo  

Sonos Beam Remote photo Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Sonos Playbar Remote photo Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Universal Remote 
 

Locked
Show Text 

Voice Assistants Support 
 

Amazon Alexa 
 

Locked
Locked

Google Assistant 
 

Locked
Locked

Apple Siri 
 

Locked
Locked

Microphone Mute 
 

Locked
Show Text 

App 
 

App image  

Sonos Beam App image Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Sonos Playbar App image Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

App Name  

Locked

iOS  

Locked

Android  

Locked

Acts As A Remote 
 

Locked

Controls Soundbar's Settings 
 

Locked

Casts Device Files 
 

Locked
Show Text 

Other Features 
 

Power Saving 
 

Locked

HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control) 
 

Locked
Show Text 

Check Price

Black
Beam
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Standard
Playbar
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
White
Beam
SEARCH
Amazon.com
Standard
Playbar
SEARCH
B&H
 
Standard
Playbar
SEARCH
BestBuy.com
 
Standard
Playbar
SEARCH
Sonos
 
Standard
Playbar
SEARCH
Walmart.com
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Sonos Beam

Sonos Playbar

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 2 years ago

Sonos Beam vs Sonos Playbar: Main Discussion

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