I've been reviewing audio gear for over a decade, and Bose is one of the brands I regularly recommend. The company makes a variety of speakers, including multiple soundbars with clear, room-filling audio. But the best Bose soundbar for your setup will depend on a few factors, such as your budget and available space.
To help you figure out which model is right for you, I tested every Bose soundbar currently available and compared their performance in real-world use. For most people, the Bose Smart Soundbar is the best overall option. It blends a sleek, modern design with rich sound, Dolby Atmos support, and built-in Amazon Alexa for simple hands-free control. If you're shopping on a tighter budget or need something more compact, the Bose TV Speaker is another solid choice. It doesn't support Dolby Atmos, but it still delivers clear, balanced audio at a lower price.
Below, you'll find my complete guide to the best Bose soundbars available right now, along with a recommendation for the best Bose subwoofer to get deeper bass and a more cinematic home theater experience.
Our top picks for the best Bose soundbars
Best overall: Bose Smart Soundbar - See at Amazon
Best high-end: Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar - See at Amazon
Best for smaller spaces: Bose TV Speaker - See at Amazon
Best add-on: Bose Bass Module 500 - See at Amazon
The best Bose soundbars, compared
| Retail price | Who it's for | Key strengths | Main trade-offs | Channels | Audio formats | Voice assistant | |
| Bose Smart Soundbar | $499 | Most people who want to upgrade their TV audio | Immersive sound with upfiring drivers | Fewer speaker drivers than the Ultra Soundbar | 3.0.2 | Dolby Atmos | Alexa built in |
| Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar | $999 | Dedicated home theater fans willing to splurge on bigger sound | Nine integrated speakers for a more expansive soundfield | Expensive, large size | 5.1.2 | Dolby Atmos | Alexa built in |
| Bose TV Speaker | $279 | Casual listeners and budget shoppers | Compact and affordable | No Dolby Atmos, no WiFi, no digital assistant | 2.0 | Dolby Digital | None |
Best overall
The new Bose Smart Soundbar is a refreshed version of the brand's Smart Soundbar 600. It carries over the same design and excellent Dolby Atmos audio performance while adding an AI enhanced dialogue mode and the ability to use Bose Ultra Open Earbuds as rear speakers.
What we like
What we don't like
The Bose Smart Soundbar isn't the most premium model the company offers, but it hits the sweet spot better than any other soundbar in its lineup. With rich, room-filling audio, Dolby Atmos support, and a comprehensive feature set, it's an easy upgrade for even the best TVs.
This latest model is essentially a refreshed take on the now-discontinued Smart Soundbar 600. The hardware hasn't changed, but Bose added two meaningful software updates: AI Dialogue Mode and the ability to use Bose Ultra Open Earbuds as wireless rear speakers.
The Smart Soundbar can handle up to 5.1.2-channel audio using a 3.0.2 driver array. That includes two upward-firing speakers that bounce sound off your ceiling for convincing overhead effects. During testing, I was impressed by how wide and immersive the soundstage felt, whether I was watching a movie or listening to music. In a midsize living room, it easily fills the space and keeps you locked into whatever you're watching. Even non-Atmos content benefits from Bose's TrueSpace processing, which upmixes regular audio to create extra height and depth.
AI Dialogue Mode is one of the standout additions. It utilizes real-time machine learning to isolate voices, maintaining dialogue clarity even when the rest of the mix becomes chaotic. Considering that clearer dialogue is one of the biggest reasons people buy a soundbar, this feature is a genuine win.
Bose also added a fun trick with its Personal Surround Sound feature. If you already own Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, you can pair them with the soundbar to act as wireless rear speakers. When I tested this while watching "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," the transition was seamless, adding rear effects without blocking the soundbar's output. It's a clever bonus for existing earbud owners, though not a must-buy feature.
Beyond TV audio via HDMI or optical connections, the Smart Soundbar is equipped with a range of wireless options, including WiFi, Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay, Google Chromecast, and Spotify Connect. And with Amazon Alexa/Alexa+ built right in, it doubles as one of the best smart speakers for home theater fans who want voice control and music playback, even when their TV is off.
For more top picks from other brands, check out our guide to all the best soundbars.
Best high-end
This is Bose's flagship soundbar and it delivers immersive Dolby Atmos audio with 5.1.2 channels of sound. It also comes with a headset that allows you to calibrate the bar's audio to suit your specific room.
What we like
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The Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar is the go-to choice for movie lovers seeking exceptional clarity, powerful up-firing Dolby Atmos effects, and a comprehensive suite of premium features. It builds on the Smart Soundbar's foundation with a larger design and even more drivers under the hood.
This model pumps out 5.1.2-channel audio through nine integrated speakers and a dedicated center tweeter. In my testing, the performance felt deep and expansive, with a sound field that stretches well beyond the bar's physical footprint. The results are genuinely impressive and stack up well against other high-end Atmos soundbars, such as the Sonos Arc.
One of the standout upgrades over Bose's cheaper options is the inclusion of ADAPTiQ calibration. This system fine-tunes the sound to match your room, making a noticeable difference in challenging spaces or areas with unconventional furniture layouts. Just note that you'll need to use the included wired headset to run the calibration.
If you're already invested in the Bose ecosystem, the Ultra Soundbar has another perk: private listening support with compatible Bose headphones and earbuds. You can group them with the bar for late-night viewing without disturbing anyone. Like the Smart Soundbar, this model also features Bose's AI Dialogue Mode, which enhances voice clarity when you struggle to hear dialogue over music and effects.
For music, the Ultra supports WiFi, Bluetooth, AirPlay, Chromecast, and Spotify Connect, providing you with numerous wireless options for streaming. Amazon Alexa/Alexa+ is also built in, so the soundbar doubles as a smart speaker for voice commands. And unlike Bose's other models, which only come in black, the Ultra is also available in white — a nice touch for anyone who wants their home theater setup to match their décor.
Best for smaller spaces
This budget-friendly soundbar is ideal for casual TV viewing and its compact size is perfect for smaller rooms and apartments.
What we like
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The Bose TV Speaker is the brand's most compact and affordable soundbar. It's under two feet in length and just over two inches tall, making it the best Bose soundbar for smaller spaces, such as an apartment. Despite knowing its dimensions, I was still surprised by how compact the unit appeared in person.
Though it delivers less rumble and a lower max volume than Bose's larger models, don't let the TV Speaker's small size deceive you. This compact two-channel soundbar is still capable of producing compelling audio via three speaker drivers.
Although the TV Speaker doesn't have the same bass level or dynamic range as other Bose soundbars, it still delivers a significant upgrade to the speakers built into my Samsung smart TV. During testing, the dialogue was clearer, and the overall sound was more evenly balanced. The TV Speaker compares favorably to the Sonos Ray, a similar option that earned a spot in our guide to the best budget soundbars. The TV Speaker is a good alternative to the Ray for people who prefer the Bose brand.
That said, this isn't the best Bose soundbar to pick if you crave advanced features and big sound for larger spaces. There's no Dolby Atmos support or WiFI connectivity, for instance. However, it does support Bluetooth, so you can use it to play music from your phone. However, please note that while the TV Speaker supports connecting to a display via HDMI ARC, an HDMI cable isn't included. It comes with an optical cable instead. Check out our guide to the best HDMI cables for a reliable option.
Best add-on
This subwoofer is an excellent addition to any Bose audio system. It can connect wirelessly or via a cable to compatible Bose devices like the Bose Smart Soundbar, Smart Ultra Soundbar, and Bose TV Speaker.
What we like
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Bose offers several add-ons for its soundbars, including subwoofers and rear surround speakers. These products can all meaningfully enhance your audio experience, but I recommend starting with the Bose Bass Module 500 if you're looking for an initial upgrade.
This wireless subwoofer offers a significant improvement in deep low-frequency performance, making movies rumble and adding depth to music. The Bass Module 500 is compatible with all of the best Bose soundbars. Even if you're short on space, the subwoofer connects wirelessly, allowing it to be placed anywhere in the room (though it requires a power outlet for connection).
Bose also sells the larger Bass Module 700 and Bose Lifestyle Ultra Subwoofer, which offer extra oomph and power, but the more modest 500 unit is no slouch. It greatly enhances the low-end impact of movies when paired with Bose's smaller TV Speaker and Smart Soundbar, and it even adds noticeable bass to the larger Ultra Soundbar.
If you're looking for more powerful low-end kick from your Bose soundbar system, this is a worthwhile upgrade to consider.
How we test Bose soundbars
To test the best Bose soundbars, I spent hands-on time with every current model, comparing how each one performs on its own and against the rest of Bose's lineup. I focused on the things that actually matter day to day, including sound quality, size, connectivity, software features, ease of use, and overall value.
Each soundbar was tested in multiple rooms, from a quiet bedroom at night to a living room during the day, to see how it handled different spaces and listening conditions. I watched a mix of movies and TV shows across popular streaming services, including Dolby Atmos content when supported, and streamed music across a wide range of genres to evaluate performance beyond TV audio.
Whenever possible, I sampled multiple connection methods, but typically stuck with HDMI for TV audio and WiFi for music streaming to ensure each model sounded its best.
Meet the expert behind this guide:
Tyler Hayes, contributing reporter: I've been writing about tech products for over a decade and have been reviewing audio gear for Business Insider since 2019. I know exactly what to listen for to ensure you get a good experience, and I aim to recommend soundbars that, first and foremost, deliver on their primary goal: better audio quality than your TV speakers. For this guide, I zeroed in on Bose's lineup and really looked at how each model stacks up — not just against other Bose models, but against competing options at the same price. This helped me figure out which ones make sense for different rooms, budgets, and listening habits.
Learn more about the Reviews team at Business Insider.
Bose soundbar FAQs
What size Bose soundbar should you get?
The right soundbar size mostly depends on your TV and room sizes. For smaller TVs (typically 50 inches or under) or tighter spaces like bedrooms and apartments, a compact option like the Bose TV Speaker is usually plenty and won't overpower the room. If you have a medium-sized room with a bigger TV or sit farther away, a wider soundbar like the Bose Smart Soundbar will better match the screen and deliver fuller, more immersive sound. Finally, the Smart Ultra Soundbar is best for shoppers with a large media console and a big-screen TV (65 inches or larger) who want beefier home theater performance.
Is Bose's new Lifestyle Speaker compatible with older soundbars?
No, Bose's new Lifestyle Ultra Speaker is only compatible with its new Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar. It cannot be paired with the older Smart Soundbar, Smart Ultra Soundbar, or TV Speaker to create a surround sound system.
You can learn more about the new speaker in our full Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker review.
Do Bose soundbars support Alexa+ voice control?
Yes, Alexa+ is now supported on several Bose soundbars, including the Bose Smart Soundbar and the Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar. However, the Bose TV Speaker does not have Alexa+ or any built-in digital assistants.
Alexa+ is an enhanced version of Alexa with more powerful AI capabilities and conversational control. It's free for Prime members but costs $20 a month if you don't have Prime.
Can you mount a Bose soundbar to the wall?
The Bose TV Speaker, Smart Soundbar, and Smart Ultra Soundbar are all compatible with the Bose Soundbar Wall Bracket. The bracket typically costs around $39 and is ideal for setups where your TV stand doesn't have room for a soundbar. Mounting also helps create a cleaner, more streamlined look beneath your TV.
Do Bose soundbars include remotes?
Most of Bose's soundbar models include a dedicated remote control. This makes them easy to operate, without relying on a mobile app or your TV's remote. However, the new Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar does not include a remote. Instead, it can work with your existing TV remote via HDMI.
Can you connect a subwoofer to a Bose soundbar?
All the best Bose soundbars in this guide are compatible with the Bose Bass Module 500 and Bass Module 700. These subwoofers can connect wirelessly, letting you place them wherever they sound best (as long as they're near a power outlet). You can also use a wired connection if you prefer.
If you'd rather buy a soundbar that already includes a subwoofer, check out our guide to the best soundbars with subwoofers.
Can you pair rear speakers to a Bose soundbar?
The Bose Smart Soundbar and Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar both support wireless pairing with the Bose Surround Speakers or Bose Surround Speakers 700. However, you must purchase those rear satellite speakers separately.
For complete setups that include both front and rear speakers, check out our guide to the best surround sound systems.
Do Bose soundbars support Dolby Atmos?
Both the Bose Smart Soundbar and the Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar support Dolby Atmos immersive audio. Dolby Atmos is a surround sound format that uses object-based mixing to spread audio effects in all directions, including above your head. Bose's soundbars use up-firing speaker drivers to bounce audio off the ceiling and back down to your ears.
You can learn more in our Dolby Atmos guide and our roundup of the best Dolby Atmos soundbars.
Can Bose soundbars play DTS audio?
The Bose soundbars in this guide do not support DTS. Instead, they support Dolby and PCM audio formats. This shouldn't be an issue for most people, as Dolby is the most commonly used format on streaming services and live TV providers.
However, some Blu-ray and 4K Blu-ray discs have DTS audio mixes. To hear those tracks on a Bose soundbar, you'll need to change your Blu-ray player output settings to PCM.
What other audio devices does Bose sell?
In addition to soundbars, Bose also sells wireless speakers and headphones. The brand makes some of our favorite over-ear and earbud headphones, including the Bose QuietComfort Ultra, as well as Bluetooth speakers like the Bose Portable Smart Speaker.
For more details, check out our Bose product reviews and our separate headphone and speaker guides:
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) review
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) review
- Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) review
- Best Bluetooth speakers
- Best Bose headphones
- Best headphones
- Best over-ear headphones
- Best wireless earbuds
- Best noise-canceling headphones
- Best AirPods alternatives
Is Bose better than Sonos?
The best Sonos soundbars compare well to Bose's top offerings as both lineups offer similar features and capabilities. However, we do give a slight edge to certain options over others.
For those who want premium Dolby Atmos performance, the Sonos Arc Ultra is a more robust device than the Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar, thanks to Sonos' beefier built-in woofer system.
However, the midrange Bose Smart Soundbar has a big edge over the competing Sonos Beam. Bose's device features up-firing audio drivers to provide Dolby Atmos height effects, whereas Sonos relies solely on audio processing, which is less effective.
On the low end, the budget-friendly Bose TV Speaker and Sonos Ray are extremely similar, with only small differences. We appreciate that the Bose TV Speaker has an HDMI port, which the Ray lacks. On the other hand, the Sonos Ray supports WiFi, while the Bose TV Speaker only has Bluetooth connectivity.
You can put together a wireless multi-room audio system with speakers from either brand, but you can't mix and match them. Sonos speakers are compatible only with other Sonos devices, and Bose speakers are compatible only with other Bose models. As such, we suggest picking one brand and sticking with it.
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Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@jkmperu.com.
