Key Points
- Our choice for the #1 Best Overall Bose Soundbar is the Bose Smart Soundbar 900.
- Bose soundbars offer a substantial improvement over built-in TV speakers, providing increased volume and clarity.
- Bose soundbars are generally easy to install, often requiring just an HDMI cable.
- These soundbars offer a variety of connectivity options, including Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, making them easy to use and connect to other devices.
- Consider factors such as size, price, and the presence of Dolby Atmos technology when choosing a Bose soundbar.
Whether you’re an enthusiastic musician, a film buff, or simply someone who enjoys having high-end equipment at home, you’ve probably heard of soundbars and similar equipment. Now, if you still haven’t, you should become familiar with Bose, a brand renowned for its incredible world-class audio equipment.
This company has been devoted to selling a vast catalog of audio gear since 1964. From noise-canceling headphones to multi-speaker stereo systems, they truly have it all. Nowadays, thanks to their extensive range, both experts and casual users alike praise Bose as the true king of audio systems.
The top Bose soundbars span from sleek, premium, compact designs to hefty systems brimming with state-of-the-art tech features, appeasing even the most tech-savvy users. Take a look at our ranking of the best Bose soundbars today:
- Best Overall: Bose Smart Soundbar 900
- Most Affordable: Bose Smart Soundbar 300
- Best for TV: Bose TV Speaker
- Best for Portability: Bose Solo Soundbar Series II
- Best Usability: Bose Smart Soundbar 700
#1 Best Overall Bose Soundbar: Bose Smart Soundbar 900
- Two custom-engineered upfiring dipole speakers
- Exclusive Bose Voice4Video technology
- Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay 2, and Spotify Connect
- Bose TrueSpace spatial processing
- Built-in Google and Alexa
- Noise-rejecting microphones
Claiming the award for the best overall is the Bose Smart Soundbar 900. This wireless soundbar has been chosen as our top pick because of its superior build quality and convenient connectivity. It also has an exceptionally immersive sound that makes you feel your music like never before.
Standing just 2.3 inches tall, it’s a practical option for compact spaces without compromising on power. Under its panel-clad frame, it houses the Dolby Atmos virtual surround sound with PhaseGuide technology and ADAPTiQ room calibration. All this means it will sense your room and adjust to it by itself!
Additionally, its connectivity features ensure your experience is easy and convenient. It comes with Bluetooth 4.2 and Wi-Fi, with the option for AirPlay 2 and Spotify Connect, as well.
You can wire it to your TV via HDMI eARC and broaden its wireless scope with add-ons such as Bose’s Surround Speakers 700 and Bose Bass Module 700.
Its sound is full and rich thanks to the support of Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, and hi-res 24-bit/192 kHz content. While it offers excellent midrange clarity, you should include the subwoofer if you’re after cinema-style bass.
Unfortunately, the add-ons are sold separately and add to the already pricey cost of the Soundbar 900. Another drawback to this device is that its configuration can only be conducted via Bose’s smartphone app. This can be a hassle for less tech-oriented users, but it’s the only way to access the more advanced features.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Features immersive Dolby Atmos audio. | More expensive than other options, especially when adding subwoofers or surround modules. |
| Great connectivity features, including Bluetooth and WiFi. | Lacks cinematic low-end by itself. |
| It offers high audio clarity with ADAPTiQ room calibration. | Requires a smartphone app to configure and access advanced features. |
Take a look at the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 on Amazon.
Most Affordable: Bose Smart Soundbar 300
- 5 full-range drivers
- Built-in Alexa
- Exclusive Bose Voice for Video technology expands Alexa's capabilities
- You can pair your device to the soundbar to stream your music and more via a Bluetooth connection, Wi-Fi network, Apple AirPlay 2, or Spotify Connect
The Bose Smart Soundbar 300 wins the award for the most affordable soundbar on the list thanks to its excellent features and more than competitive price. It’s safe to say that this piece will likely check most of your boxes if you’re not a picky user.
The Soundbar 300 basically includes many of the features of the Soundbar 900 but at half the price. This soundbar features a 5-driver 3.0 system with the option to expand it to 5.1, like the 900 model.
Moreover, it includes the same technologies from Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Airplay 2, and Chromecast. However, its reduced price also means cutting back some key features.
Primarily, the Smart Soundbar 300 does not have Atmos support, room correction, or EQ. Still, it provides a brilliantly sculpted V-shape sound that will enhance your experience without busting your budget. If you’re looking for total immersion, this might not be your top choice, though!
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Has a compact design. | Lacks Dolby Atmos and EQ. |
| Offers great dialogue enhancement. | Doesn’t have enough bass for an immersive experience. |
| Has wireless support. | There’s no room correction. |
Check out the Bose Smart Soundbar 300 on Amazon.
Best for TV: Bose TV Speaker
- 2 full-range drivers
- Designed to enhance dialogue
- Bluetooth, Auxiliary, Optical, and HDMI connectivity
- Features Bass Boost
The Bose TV Speaker is the best soundbar for your TV, owing to its compact size and user-friendliness. This device is the ideal solution for users looking to enhance the volume and clarity of their TV to feel more like the cinema at home, without going over budget.
This soundbar offers Bluetooth connectivity and is equipped with HDMI ARC and optical audio inputs for extra convenience. It also includes a “Dialogue mode” featured on the included remote control.
This feature enhances speech in films and other audiovisual content, emphasizing its focus on making the dialogue in your favorite media clear and intelligible.
The great convenience of its compact size inevitably affects its low-mid and low-end response. This basically means that the bass isn’t as good as our top pick.
The reduced size also comes at the expense of features like Dolby Atmos and wireless expandability. Still, the Bose TV Speaker will be a noticeable improvement over the built-in speakers on your TV.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It’s easy to set up. | There’s no wireless expandability. |
| It provides enhanced dialogue and mid-range clarity. | Requires other modules for fully immersive sound. |
Take a look at the Bose TV Speaker on Amazon.
Best for Portability: Bose Solo Soundbar Series II
- 30 ft (9 m) Bluetooth range
- Made out of alloy steel
- Includes a wall bracket
If you’re someone that travels a lot, the Bose Solo Soundbar Series II is for you. The main advantage of this model is that it’s just very easy to carry around and set up wherever you are. It’s also a very robust system. It’s made out of alloy steel even though it stands at just under 3 inches tall.
This size makes it so that it will fit under virtually all TVs. It also comes with a steel bracket to be mounted to the wall if you are all for sleek home designs.
Regardless of where you put it, its two full-range drivers are bound to give you a great spatial sound that, while not fully surround, is very good for its size. The soundbar also comes with built-in Dialogue mode that will make every word easier to understand without forcing you to constantly change the TV’s volume.
The LEDs on the front indicate which mode is selected, so you don’t have to worry about pesky pop-up indicators obstructing the view of your favorite show.
While it is connected via a single optical audio cable (which is included in the package), it also has convenient Bluetooth functionality, alling you to listen to your favorite music and podcasts!
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It features wireless connectivity. | Doesn’t offer surround sound. |
| It’s easy to carry and set up anywhere. | It’s not as powerful as larger soundbars. |
Check out the Bose Solo Soundbar Series II on Amazon.
Best Usability: Bose Smart Soundbar 700
- Built-in Alexa and Google Assistant
- Deep bass
- Bose Voice4Video Technology
- Connectivity via Bluetooth connection, Wi-Fi, Apple AirPlay 2, or Spotify Connect
You can’t go wrong with Bose Smart Soundbar 700 for general day-to-day use. Why? It has all the features that you might need if you have a family, or simply if you use your TV as your main internet device.
For example, it has a built-in microphone and Amazon’s famous assistant, Alexa. This allows you to take or make calls from your TV. Additionally, you can control all of your TV’s features with only your voice, so it eliminates the need for a remote controller.
It also has built-in Bluetooth functionalities that will allow you to stream your favorite music from your phone, or connect any Bose headphones using Bose SimpleSync.
Furthermore, this module is backward-compatible with older Bose components, such as the Bass Module series. Keep in mind that while combining these components can make for an incredible experience, your budget will definitely suffer.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Has built-in microphone functionalities. | It’s not outstanding in any major area. |
| Its wireless connectivity allows for flexible placement. | It doesn’t include a Bose remote controller. |
| It’s compatible with most Bose components. |
Check out the Bose Smart Soundbar 700 on Amazon.
How to Pick the Best Bose Soundbar: Step by Step
Soundbars are a practical way to instantly enhance the sound of your home entertainment system. A soundbar includes all the required speakers in one compact piece of equipment and eliminates the nuisance of installing pesky cables throughout the room.
As simple as they may seem, Bose soundbars are advanced pieces of technology that feature different boons and shortfalls, so let’s delve into things you should keep in mind to choose the soundbar that best suits your needs.
Connectivity
One of the standout features of Bose is the interconnectivity across its different models. If comfort is what you’re after, make sure your Bose soundbar comes equipped with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
It’s also worth checking the compatibility of your Bose soundbar with other components. This is because some soundbars may not work well with older models. Moreover, connectivity is what enables you to enjoy your Bose soundbar wirelessly and hassle-free, for example through a smartphone app.
Size
The size of the soundbar you choose will largely depend on where you plan to place it and what usage you’ll give it. Bose has a wide catalog of models, from the most compact to the largest ones, and their wireless components offer flexibility when you’re fitting them into your space.
Plus, you can add extra components according to your preferences, like a Bose Bass Module.
Price
Bose is a brand synonymous with high quality, and while their catalog is pricey, the majority of its products justify the price tag. However, you should contemplate the actual use you’ll have for your soundbar to prevent unnecessary overspending. Fortunately, Bose’s extensive catalog provides you with several options to choose from, so be sure to check all of them out.
Dolby Atmos
While it’s not absolutely necessary for the soundbar you select to feature Dolby Atmos, it undeniably adds a distinctive touch. Bose incorporated this technology into their most recent generation of soundbars, including the 900 and 600 models.
Dolby Atmos intensifies immersion and gives you the impression that sound is coming from places where there are no physical speakers, so we think it’s a must-have. If you want a fully immersive home theater experience, make sure your soundbar has this feature.
What to Know Before Buying Bose Soundbars
Knowing the exact use you’ll have for your soundbar is crucial. A casual user who simply wants more volume won’t be aiming for the same thing as a cinephile.
Therefore, it’s important to be as clear and truthful with yourself about what you want for your space. For instance, combining a Soundbar 900 and Bass Module 700 might be overkill if you just want to watch sports at a higher volume.
As a general rule for these types of products, we’d also recommend knowing the exact dimensions of each soundbar and the space where you plan to use it beforehand. Nonetheless, Bose offers versatility, and you likely won’t have any issues installing it wherever you desire.
Using Bose Soundbars: What it’s Like
Regardless of the model, Bose soundbars offer a substantial improvement over your TV’s built-in speakers. Now, there is still range within this improvement, but you can be assured of at least getting more volume and clarity.
With the latest generation of soundbars, the experience is truly complete. Without the need for cables and with the soundbar occupying minimal space, you’ll also hear thunderous bass if you have the Bass Module.
Moreover, Bose soundbars provide a huge range of connectivity options, ensuring a user-friendly experience for all. In short, you can use Bose soundbars for everything, from watching your favorite movie to setting the mood at a party.
Summary Table
| Soundbar | Key Features | Drawbacks |
|---|---|---|
| Bose Smart Soundbar 900 | Immersive Dolby Atmos audio, great connectivity features, high audio clarity with ADAPTiQ room calibration. | More expensive than other options, lacks cinematic low-end by itself, requires a smartphone app to configure and access advanced features. |
| Bose Smart Soundbar 300 | Compact design, great dialogue enhancement, wireless support. | Lacks Dolby Atmos and EQ, doesnât have enough bass for an immersive experience, no room correction. |
| Bose TV Speaker | Easy to set up, provides enhanced dialogue and mid-range clarity. | No wireless expandability, requires other modules for fully immersive sound. |
| Bose Solo Soundbar II | Wireless connectivity, easy to carry and set up anywhere. | Doesnât offer surround sound, not as powerful as larger soundbars. |
| Bose Smart Soundbar 700 | Built-in microphone functionalities, wireless connectivity allows for flexible placement, compatible with most Bose components. | Not outstanding in any major area, doesnât include a Bose remote controller. |
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