Is the Sonos Beam Worth It? Honest 2026 Review
Key Features
Dolby Atmos Support
Processes Dolby Atmos content and does a decent job creating a sense of height from a single bar. Not the same as a full surround setup, but you notice it during action scenes.
Voice Control Built In
Works with Alexa and Google Assistant out of the box. You can also use it as a Sonos speaker for music when the TV is off, which is a nice bonus.
Multiroom Ready
Hooks into the Sonos ecosystem so you can group it with other Sonos speakers around the house. If you’re already in that world, this is a big plus.
Compact Size
Only 25.6 inches wide, which fits under most TVs without hanging over the edge. Looks clean mounted on the wall too. Just don’t expect huge bass from something this small.
Our Experience
The Sonos Beam Gen 2 sits in a weird spot. Its $449, which is a lot for a soundbar that doesnt come with a subwoofer. But its also one of the best sounding compact bars you can buy, and the Sonos app makes setup genuinely painless. You plug in the HDMI eARC cable, download the app, and you’re watching something with real sound in about 10 minutes.
Sound quality is where this thing earns its keep. Dialogue comes through crisp and clear without you having to crank the volume, which is the main reason most people ditch their TV speakers in the first place. The Atmos processing adds some vertical dimension, its not going to fool you into thinking theres speakers on the ceiling, but movies feel wider and more immersive than a standard stereo bar. Music sounds great too. We played it as a standalone speaker for a few days and honestly forgot we had other speakers in the room.
The downsides are pretty obvious once you start pushing it. Bass is thin at higher volumes. You can feel the bar straining during explosion heavy scenes or bass heavy music. Sonos sells the Sub Mini for $429 as an add on, which fixes the problem but doubles your total cost. Thats the Sonos trap, really. The Beam sounds good enough that you want more, and “more” means another $400 to $800 depending on which sub and surrounds you pick.
HDMI eARC works well but you only get one HDMI port, no optical input. If your TV is older and only has ARC (not eARC), you’ll still get sound but you lose the full Atmos pass through. Worth checking your TV’s ports before buying.
One thing that surprised us: the night mode actually works. It compresses the dynamic range so loud scenes dont wake everyone up. Most soundbars have this feature and its usually terrible. The Beam’s version is genuinely usable.
Pros & Cons
What We Liked
- Dialogue clarity is excellent, voices cut through even at low volume
- Dolby Atmos adds real width to movies and shows
- Sonos app setup takes about 10 minutes, no frustration
- Doubles as a solid music speaker when TV is off
- Night mode compresses dynamics without ruining the audio
- Compact enough to fit under a 43 inch TV
Worth Knowing
- Bass is weak without the $429 Sub Mini add on
- Only one HDMI port, no optical input at all
- $449 is steep for a bar with no included sub
- Full Atmos needs eARC, regular ARC downgrades the experience
- The Sonos ecosystem gets expensive fast once you start adding pieces
Full Specifications
| Dimensions | 25.6 x 2.7 x 3.9 inches |
| Weight | 6.2 lbs |
| Drivers | 5 class D amplifiers, 1 tweeter, 3 midwoofers |
| Audio Formats | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby TrueHD, PCM stereo |
| Connectivity | HDMI eARC, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth (for setup only), AirPlay 2 |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant (built in) |
| Color Options | Black, White |
| Wall Mountable | Yes (mount sold separately) |
| Expandable | Yes, add Sonos Sub and rear speakers |
| Night Mode | Yes, dynamic range compression |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Sonos Beam Gen 2 need a subwoofer?
Can I use the Sonos Beam with an older TV?
Is the Sonos Beam worth it over cheaper soundbars?
Does it work with Apple AirPlay?
Final Verdict
The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is the best compact soundbar you can buy if dialogue clarity and a clean setup matter to you. The Atmos processing adds real width to movies, the app makes installation dead simple, and it doubles as a genuinely good music speaker. But at $449 with no sub included, you’re paying a premium for the Sonos name and ecosystem lock in. If deep bass matters, budget another $429 for the Sub Mini, which pushes the total past $850. For a living room where you mostly watch shows and want clear voices without cranking the volume, the Beam earns its price. For a home theater where you want the room to shake, look at a bundle that includes a sub from the start.
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