Sonos Arc Ultra
Sonos's second-generation flagship soundbar, replacing the original Arc. Aggregated reviews consistently rate it among the best-sounding single-bar Dolby Atmos systems available, largely thanks to Sonos's new Sound Motion woofer design, which produces bass depth previously only achievable with an external subwoofer, paired with a 9.1.4-channel driver array for genuine height cues.
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Our Verdict
Comes close to the Samsung's home-theater impact from a single bar via its new Sound Motion woofer technology and a 9.1.4 driver array with real height channels, and it integrates more elegantly into a whole-home Sonos system. It loses out to the Q990F because it ships without any subwoofer or rear speakers, and Wi-Fi-only connectivity rules out non-networked setups.
Score Breakdown
Pros & Cons
Pros
- •New Sound Motion woofer technology delivers noticeably deeper bass than the original Arc without a separate subwoofer for most rooms
- •9.1.4-channel array with dedicated upward-firing drivers for real Dolby Atmos height cues, not just virtualization
- •Deep integration with the Sonos app and ecosystem (Era speakers, Sub, other Sonos gear)
- •Sonos Voice Control and Alexa built in for hands-free control
Cons
- •No Bluetooth or analog input of any kind — it is Wi-Fi only, which can be inflexible for non-networked TVs or older AV setups
- •A full surround setup (rear speakers plus a Sub) pushes total system cost well past $1,500
- •Trueplay room tuning requires the Sonos app's built-in microphone rather than an included calibration mic
Specifications
| Channels | 9.1.4ch (single bar, no external subwoofer included) |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes (native, hardware height channels) |
| Subwoofer | Not included (Sub 4 / Sub Mini sold separately) |
| HDMI eARC | Yes |
| Wireless Streaming | Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2 (no Bluetooth) |
| Voice Assistant | Amazon Alexa and Sonos Voice Control built-in |
| Width | 45 inches |
Who Is This For?
Best For
- Sonos multi-room households
- Buyers who want the best single-bar Atmos sound without a subwoofer taking up floor space
- iPhone/iPad households (for Trueplay tuning)
Not For
- Non-Wi-Fi or non-networked TV setups
- Bluetooth-only source devices
- Buyers on a budget
Where to Buy
Appears In
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Alternatives to Consider
Samsung HW-Q990F
Samsung
Samsung's flagship Q-series soundbar for 2025-2026, a redesigned successor to the HW-Q990D with an updated wireless subwoofer and refined bass tuning. Based on aggregated reviews, it is the highest-scoring soundbar RTINGS has tested, combining a genuine 11.1.4-channel discrete surround system — soundbar, wireless subwoofer, and two wireless rear speakers, all included — with hardware Dolby Atmos and DTS:X decoding rather than software virtualization.
Polk Audio MagniFi Mini AX
Polk Audio
Polk's ultra-compact Atmos soundbar, designed for small TV stands and apartments where a full-size bar won't fit. Based on published specifications and aggregated reviews including Tom's Guide, it is among the few sub-$500 systems that pairs a genuinely compact footprint with real Dolby Atmos and DTS:X certification and an included wireless subwoofer.
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
Sonos
The compact sibling to the Arc Ultra in Sonos's current lineup, and RTINGS' pick among Sonos options for smaller rooms. Based on published specifications and aggregated reviews, it delivers a genuinely spacious, virtualized Dolby Atmos presentation and easy setup, but it is a five-channel system without any upward-firing drivers or an included subwoofer.
Vizio V-Series 2.1 Soundbar V21x-J8
VIZIO
Vizio's long-running entry-level 2.1 soundbar, still sold and reviewed years after its original 2021 release. Based on published specifications and aggregated reviews including RTINGS and Newsweek, it remains one of the most straightforward ways to meaningfully upgrade a TV's audio for well under $200, with a wireless subwoofer included and DTS Virtual:X surround processing.