The 3 Best Bose Soundbars in 2024

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Reviewed By

Evan Shephard

(ISF Certified)

True Score Methodology

v1.5

400,918

Reviews Analyzed

Updated Apr 10, 2024 12:05 PM

TABLE OF CONTENTS

best bose soundbar guide that shows the top best soundbar model

A whopping 75% of electronic and appliance reviews are untrustworthy. That’s why every reviewer gets a Trust Rating so our True Score System filters out the fake reviews. See how we do it.

Offering a premium feel, sleek design, and balanced, neutral sound reproduction, the best Bose soundbars excel in sound quality, build, and ease of use. Known for their high-quality construction and user-friendly design, Bose soundbars ensure a hassle-free setup and operation. While they may lack extensive audio customization options, they deliver reliable, top-notch sound right out of the box. However, potential drawbacks include the absence of HDMI-in ports and fewer sound enhancement features compared to other brands, such as the top LG models. Despite these limitations, Bose soundbars remain a strong choice for those seeking simplicity and superior audio performance.

Out of 400,918 reviews, we filtered out 92% of unreliable experts using a combination of True Score, product verification, and our proprietary Trust Rating. This rigorous process ensured that only authentic reviews shaped our recommendations for the best soundbars. For our buying guide, we certified over 140 soundbars as tested, with 3 earning top spots based on performance. The chosen Bose soundbars stood out for their superior sound quality, robust build, and user-friendly design, making them excellent additions to any home audio setup.

How Did We Rank the Best Bose Soundbars?

Our comprehensive guide to the best Bose soundbars is the result of analyzing over 200 websites, customer reviews, and expert opinions. We identified the key criteria by evaluating various testing methodologies, focusing on 2 required test results, 2 nice-to-have features, and 1 essential specification. This detailed approach ensures our recommendations are precise and well-informed, helping you choose the best soundbar with confidence. When you shop through our links, you’re backing our mission. Dive deeper to see how.

?️ Minimum Specifications

  • Must be Bose

? Test Criteria

  • Total Harmonic Distortion: A total harmonic distortion (THD) below 1% at 80 decibels to guarantee high-fidelity audio reproduction without unwanted frequencies.
  • Volume Output: The volume output exceeds 85 decibels, delivering powerful and immersive sound performance.

? “Nice To Haves”

  • Latency: With a latency under 100 milliseconds, it ensures minimal delay in data transmission or audio processing.
  • Low-End Roll Off: A low-end roll-off of < 45 Hz to ensure there is some rumble in the bass to enhance your music or movie-watching experience.

Latest Updates

  • 04/10/2024: Published the list of best Bose soundbars based on our True Score system.

Top Bose Soundbars For 2024

Prices accurate at the time of publishing

See how we test the testers

To secure a spot on our list, a Bose soundbar must meet our stringent criteria for audio performance and quality. If it doesn’t meet these standards, it won’t be featured!

  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Bose Smart Soundbar 900 With Speakers + Bass Module

    The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 offers deep, clear bass, excellent clarity, and strong volume, making it ideal for movies, music, and gaming but at a higher price.

    Bose Smart Soundbar 900 With Speakers + Bass Module Review →

    True Score

    83
    81
    3

    Experts

    88
    2k

    Customers

    SAVE $50
    $749.99
    $699.99

    Snapshot

    Reasons to Buy

    • Good build and sound quality
    • Many different wireless connectivity options
    • Loud max volume
    • Impressive Dolby Atmos experience for movies and TV shows
    • Wide soundstage for immersive listening
    • Sound adapts to room size
    • Easy to use Bose app
    • Works with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa

    Reasons to Avoid

    • No display for visual feedback
    • Use of Bose Music App required for setup and adjustments
    • Lack of HDMI pass-through and eARC support in some cases
    • Remote control lacks backlighting, making it hard to use in the dark

    Specifications

    Bluetooth EnabledBluetooth EnabledYes
    DepthDepth4.21"
    Dialogue Enhancement FeatureDialogue Enhancement FeatureYes
    Energy Star CertifiedEnergy Star CertifiedNo
    HDMI ARCHDMI ARCYes
    HeightHeight2.29"
    Number of Audio ChannelsNumber of Audio Channels5.1.2
    SubwooferSubwooferOptional (sold separately)
    Surround Sound SupportedSurround Sound SupportedDolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD
    Voice AssistantVoice AssistantAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant
    Wall MountableWall MountableYes
    WeightWeight12.68 lbs
    WidthWidth41.14"
    Wireless ConnectivityWireless ConnectivityBluetooth, Wi-Fi
    Wireless Subwoofer ConnectivityWireless Subwoofer ConnectivityYes
    Works WithWorks WithAmazon Alexa, Bluetooth, Google Assistant, Remote Control, Wi-Fi

    All Specs

    Test Results

    Low End Roll Off (Hz)29.54
    High End Roll Off (Hz)17.22k
    Max Volume Test (db)96.1
    Latency (ms)56
    THD @ 80dB0.43

    All Retailers

    • $699.99
      $750
      Save $50

      Availability

      In Stock

      Free Shipping

      No
    • Availability

      Free Shipping

    Our Verdict

    The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 is ideal for getting the most bass out of your movies, music, and games. With its best-in-class low-end roll-off of 29.54 Hz, the bass gets extremely deep while still remaining clear, adding punch and depth to gunfire, music, and explosions. With a high-end roll-off starting at 17,221.56 Hz, the soundbar also reaches way up into the top end, keeping cymbals sparkling and airy.

    The total harmonic distortion of the soundbar comes in at 0.43. Although not the lowest on our list, the 900 still maintains a clean sound at higher volumes, essential for maintaining audio integrity during loud scenes in movies or if you’re really cranking your music. With a maximum measured volume of 96.1db, the soundbar can get quite loud too, with more than enough headroom to ensure sound doesn’t clip and audio quality stays pristine. Its latency of 56 ms also means that users experience a minimal delay between the picture they see and the sound they hear, which is especially useful if you’re a gamer looking to minimize any little delay you possibly can.

    The 900 can fill just about any niche you want it to, from music to movies to games. Its unbeatable bass, excellent clarity, and max volume make it ideal for cinephiles and ensure quality sound reproduction for music fans, while its strong latency makes your gaming sessions more enjoyable. This versatility makes it an excellent option for users looking for a soundbar that can handle anything you throw at it, but it comes with a steeper price tag than other options on our list.

  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Bose Smart Soundbar 600

    The Bose Smart Soundbar 600 stands out for its high volume capability, low distortion, and low latency, perfect for large rooms and a mid-range price.

    Bose Smart Soundbar 600 Review →

    True Score

    81
    79
    15

    Experts

    86
    2k

    Customers

    $499.00

    DON’T SEE WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR?

    Pairing the best TV with the right audio equipment can significantly enhance your viewing experience. If your soundbar is not working, it’s worth troubleshooting before considering a new purchase, such as the best soundbar with a subwoofer for deep, immersive bass or the top gaming soundbar specifically designed for the dynamic range of video game sounds.

    Tech enthusiasts might choose the best Samsung soundbar for its smart features or the premier LG soundbars, known for innovative sound technology and sleek design. Meanwhile, audiophiles could explore the best Bose speakers, elevating their audio setup to new heights.

    If a Bose soundbar doesn’t meet all your needs, there are other fantastic options to consider. You might want to explore the best Sonos soundbars, known for their seamless integration with other smart home devices. Alternatively, the best Sony sound bars offer exceptional audio quality with a focus on cinematic sound.

  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Bose Smart Soundbar 300

    The Bose Smart Soundbar 300 is a budget-friendly option with minimal latency and low distortion. It is great for gaming and various content but has limited bass.

    Bose Smart Soundbar 300 Review →

    True Score

    81
    79
    5

    Experts

    86
    4k

    Customers

    $259.95

    Did you know 92% of soundbar reviewers are

    untrustworthy?

    Our research found 10 of 122 soundbar reviewers as of July 2024 can be trusted, and shockingly 1 out of 3 on Google Page 1 were fake reviews showing no proof of test claims. See our Expose and Trust List. This is why Gadget Review is committed to calculating the most accurate product scores on the web.

    To do this, we give every soundbar review site a Trust Rating, which measures how trustworthy the site and their testing claims are. We then leverage AI & a machine learning model to combine and calculate the Trust Rating with data from experts and consumers to deliver the True Score, the web’s most accurate product quality rating.

    400,918

    Soundbar Reviews Analyzed

    151

    Total Products Analyzed

    Read the Soundbar Testing Methodology

Which Criteria Matters for Testing Best Bose Soundbars?

By focusing on these criteria (2 required, 2 nice to have), anyone can quickly and easily compare these soundbars and how they’ll perform. This helps you make an informed decision and purchase a soundbar that will sound great.

CRITERIARANGEREQUIREDDEFINITION
Total Harmonic Distortion< 1YesThe amount of distortion introduced by the soundbar when it processes an audio signal at a given volume (typically 80, 85 or maximum dB output.)
Max Volume> 85 dBYesThe maximum volume that a soundbar reaches when it’s output it turned up to 100%.
Low End Roll Off< 45 HzNo (nice to have)The point at which bass begins to sharply fall below the target response point on a frequency response graph, making harder to hear.
Latency< 100 msNo (nice to have)The time it takes for a soundbar to process audio signal from a source and output it through the speakers.

Our Trusted Data Sources

(Publication category Score is 80%+)

We looked at 120+ soundbar reviewers and while 10 are trustworthy (60%+ Trust Rating), we only use data from the testers that are “very trusted” which means a Trust Rating above 70%. The three we have listed below are our most trusted for soundbars, along with our own in-house soundbar expert.

  1. Evan Shepard – Gadget Review
  2. Becca Fischer – Rtings, MuckRack
  3. Matt Bento- Techgear Lab, MuckRack
  4. Sam Moore – Sound Guys, MuckRack

Interested in a comprehensive analysis of our data sources? We’ve got you covered. Below, you’ll find a detailed list of every soundbar review website we’ve identified, organized by their respective Trust Ratings from highest to lowest. But we didn’t stop there. We’ve meticulously reviewed each publication and verified the data by checking whether the authors have bio links to MuckRack or LinkedIn. We’re committed to not only checking the facts but ensuring their veracity.

Soundbars Test Data & Results

1. total harmonic distortion test result

Total harmonic distortion (THD) measures the fidelity of soundbars by indicating the percentage of unwanted harmonics added to the original audio. A THD under 1 ensures minimal distortion, critical for preserving audio quality across music, movies and games. This low distortion level enhances clarity, maintains detail, and ensures a high-fidelity listening experience, crucial for understanding dialogues, appreciating music nuances, and immersing in game sounds.

We believe soundbars should have less than 1% THD because this helps confirm their ability to accurately reproduce a wide range of audio without perceptible distortion. We say “perceptible” because it’s impossible to remove all distortion, but you can reduce it to the point it’s impossible to notice. Low THD also helps improve your comfort by preventing fatigue during extended use, making it an essential for anyone that marathons movies, games or music.

Total Harmonic Distortion (lower is better)

2. max volume test result

Maximum volume is the easiest aspect of a Bose Soundbar to understand: it’s just how loud the soundbar itself will actually get. What’s less clear is why a soundbar getting loud is so important. While higher max volumes give you the ability the fill rooms with sound or use a Bose Soundbar as makeshift party speakers, they’re also responsible for helping ensure that audio stays clear when listening at normal listening levels.

This is commonly referred to as “headroom”, and having enough headroom on a soundbar means that the Bose Soundbar is able to play back sounds at a high enough level (and with good enough clarity) that the volume level you’ll normally listen to music, movies or games with will sound perfectly clear and distortion free. We recommend your soundbar have no less than 85 dB of maximum volume, but getting past 91 dB is ideal, and the higher you go, the better your Bose Soundbar is at filling larger and larger rooms.

Max Volume (in dB; higher is better)

3. Low end roll off test result

When it comes to getting the most bass you can out of your Bose Soundbar, low-end roll off is a great indicator of just how deep the bass on it can get. If a soundbar doesn’t have a roll off that starts deep enough into the bass part of the audio spectrum, then it’ll result in quiet or even absent bass, which removes most of the punch and impact of not only music, but also movies and video games. the longer it takes bass to roll off, the better.

When it comes to most soundbars for most use cases, we recommend a roll off that doesn’t start until at least 45 Hz, but it only gets better the further you go down. It’s worth noting that the roll off will only get so low, so don’t expect to find soundbars hitting the teens for roll off, but it isn’t uncommon for very bass-forward options to hit 30 Hz before roll off starts. By aiming for at least 45 Hz, you have a much better chance of getting the deep, rumbling bass you’re looking for out of your music, movies or games.

Low end roll off (in Hz; lower is better)

4. latency test result

Large amounts of latency create problems when trying to sync up audio and video. While you’ve got a bit of wiggle room with how much of a delay can exist between the audio that comes out of your Bose Soundbar and the images on your TV, it’s not a ton. If there’s too much latency the mismatch starts to become obvious, and people start looking like they stopped talking while dialogue is still playing. This is especially concerning for gamers, who rely on audio and video to sync up well enough that the footprints you hear around the corner are accurately getting closer.

It’s for these reasons we recommend a latency less than 100 ms. For most content, this is a low enough delay that any mismatch is going to be largely unnoticed. If you’re a highly competitive gamer and don’t want to do calibration out of the box to line up the A/V, the lowest latency you can find is going to work best. For music and moves, though, 100 ms or less will work great.

Latency (in milliseconds; lower is better)

Best Bose Soundbars: Mistakes To Avoid

  1. Neglecting to consider room size and layout: Failing to account for the dimensions and acoustics of your room can result in suboptimal sound performance. Proper soundbar placement considers factors like room size, furniture arrangement, and wall surfaces to ensure balanced sound distribution. Additionally, avoiding placing the soundbar in corners or too close to walls can help prevent unwanted reflections and distortions.

  2. Overlooking compatibility: Not checking if the soundbar is compatible with your existing audio setup, such as your TV or streaming devices, can lead to connectivity issues. Ensuring compatibility and understanding how to connect a soundbar to your devices can streamline setup and optimize performance.

  3. Ignoring soundbar features: Not researching the features and functionalities of different Bose soundbars can result in missing out on essential capabilities like voice control, wireless connectivity, or specific audio modes. Moreover, overlooking the potential of the best Dolby Atmos soundbars could mean sacrificing the opportunity for a truly immersive audio experience that brings cinematic depth and realism into your home.

  4. Disregarding budget constraints: Not setting a budget or overspending on features you don’t need can lead to financial strain or dissatisfaction with your purchase. Deciding between a soundbar vs surround sound system is crucial in this context, as the former offers a more budget-friendly and space-saving option, while the latter can provide a more immersive audio experience but at a higher cost and with greater space requirements.

The Best Bose Soundbars Tests Compared

Product
True Score
Low End Roll Off
High End Roll Off
Max Volume Test
Latency
THD @ 80dB
83
  • 29.54 Hz

  • 17,221.56 Hz

  • 96.1 db

  • 56 ms

  • 0.43 dB

$699.99
$750
$50
81
  • 34.62 Hz

  • 12,534.31 Hz

  • 101.8 db

  • 50 ms

  • 0.2 dB

$499.00
81
  • 63.5 Hz

  • 15,565.83 Hz

  • 93.1 db

  • 47 ms

  • 0.36 dB

$259.95

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