Dolby Atmos audio is one of the most well-liked and frequently requested features among CNET's readers. Dolby Atmos, like DTS:X, improves on traditional surround sound by giving both your music and movies height for a more dynamic and immersive experience. The greatest Dolby Atmos soundbars can fill your home with amazing audio thanks to their remarkable sound quality.
Particularly when compared to a conventional Atmos receiver and surround-sound speakers, Dolby Atmos soundbars are now more inexpensive than ever. In addition to being more portable and simpler to set up than a home theater system, these soundbars also perform less effectively.
My best Dolby Atmos soundbar under $500 is the Vizio M512a since it includes surround speakers, specialized height channels, and high-quality sound. Competitors like the Sonos Beam Gen 2 can only provide simulated height speakers, whereas the Bose Smart Soundbar 600's dedicated height speakers make a noticeable distinction.
The more expensive models do have advantages, like as better sound quality, music streaming, and voice assistants like Google Assistant and Amazon's Alexa, though you can stop at the $500 price point with ease. One all-in-one soundbar that combines terrific sound, superb build quality, and excellent multiroom capabilities is the $900 Sonos Arc.
Continue reading if you want a soundbar with Dolby Atmos audio. These are my top Atmos soundbar picks, priced between $400 and $1,000. As I evaluate new products, I'll update this list from time to time.
Best Dolby Atmos soundbar for the money
Vizio M512a
The Vizio M512a is virtually always an improvement over its predecessor: it sounds better, looks better, and is simpler to use. While Bluetooth functionality is retained, Wi-Fi streaming is lost. This is the most economical method to upgrade your television to support Dolby Atmos.
Best Atmos under $400
Polk Signa S4
The Polk Signa S4 is the most affordable soundbar with Dolby Atmos available right now, but it doesn't skimp on performance to keep costs down. This 3.1.2 channel soundbar features Bluetooth streaming and a variety of helpful sound options. It sounds amazing with music as well as Atmos soundtracks thanks to the wireless soundbar and specialized heights.
Best soundbar under $1,000
Vizio Elevate
The Vizio Elevate is a good option if you enjoy a little "high tech" in your technology. Using motorized drivers, this 5.1.4 soundbar system can transition between Atmos and conventional surround sound. It sounds amazing as well, so it's not just a gimmick! Additionally, the Elevate has numerous HDMI inputs and Wi-Fi music streaming, as well as everything else you could possibly want from a contemporary soundbar.
Best Atmos in a compact package
Bose Smart Soundbar 600
There have been numerous attempts to create a small, reasonably priced soundbar that can also play Atmos, but only one company may have been successful to date. The Bose Smart Soundbar 600 has excellent sound quality and delivers separate height speakers in a small cabinet. The speaker also includes the Alexa speech assistant and multiroom music.
Best all-in-one model
Sonos Arc
The Sonos Arc is for you if you want the greatest Dolby Atmos sound from a single bar but are unwilling to spend $1,000 or more. This soundbar is a little peculiar in that it works best with a 2019 or newer 4K TV (with HDMI 2.1), but it still performs better than others. Along with a number of amazing features, the Arc also has Sonos' superb streaming architecture and a choice of voice assistants.
Best high-end soundbar
Sennheiser Ambeo Max Soundbar
Want to enjoy the best Atmos audio home theater sound system with just one box? The Sennheiser Ambeo Max standalone soundbar provides the most immersive sound we've ever heard, while costing several hundred dollars more than the Sony. It has Bluetooth and Google Chromecast built-in for streaming compatibility. Without a subwoofer, the Ambeo can provide a rich sound, which should appeal particularly to people who live in apartments.
How I test
I test audio equipment for The Tech Job, ranging from small soundbars to surround sound speaker systems, but my testing approach is basically the same regardless of the product. I consistently evaluate products against one or more reference items that provide the best performance at a reasonable cost.
The majority of people will want to watch movies and listen to music simultaneously, so when it comes to soundbars, I want to examine how well a system performs with both. I analyze elements like bass performance and conversation clarity while watching a few test scenes from 4K Blu-ray or streaming from a 4K streaming service (Vudu, for example). Additionally, I analyze any streaming services like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi using a variety of test songs. Systems that excel at both sorts of entertainment invariably receive the best ratings.