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Research · 7.1.2-channel soundbar

Sonos Beam Ultra: what the testing says

The Beam Ultra is the compact Sonos to buy now. It adds two up-firing drivers and Wi-Fi 6 to a 29.5-inch bar, and What Hi-Fi? and TechRadar both gave it five stars. RTINGS hasn't tested it yet, so our scores lean on those outlets, and like every Sonos it has no DTS and no HDMI input.

By The WhichTVShouldIBuy editorsUpdated Released Sep 2026
Sonos Beam Ultra soundbar in black, three-quarter view
Image: Sonos (official product page, opens in a new tab)
Sonos Beam Ultra soundbar in black, seen from above
Image: Sonos (official product page, opens in a new tab)

Our take

The short version

Sonos's September 2026 bar sits between the Beam (Gen 2) and the Arc Ultra. It's a 7.1.2-channel bar with nine drivers, including two up-firing tweeters for Dolby Atmos height, which the Beam (Gen 2) only simulated. At 29.5 inches wide it fits under a 42-inch screen, the smallest TV we cover.

The early testing is warm. What Hi-Fi? gave it 5 of 5, calling it 'a significant step up from the Beam (Gen 2), delivering a bigger, weightier and more expansive performance', with 'tight, refined bass'. TechRadar also gave it 5 of 5. SoundGuys says it 'delivers impressive sound for movies and plenty of bass without taking up much space'. What Hi-Fi? adds that the Arc Ultra 'still remains a step beyond' it.

It shares Sonos's limits: one HDMI eARC cable, no HDMI input, no DTS:X, and no optical without an adapter. It works the same with any TV brand. Sonos's page lists the same weight for it as for the Beam (Gen 2), 6.35 lb, which may be a copy error, so we don't repeat it.

Pros and cons

What we like

  • 5 of 5 from What Hi-Fi? and TechRadar
  • Two up-firing drivers for real Atmos height
  • Fits under a 42-inch screen
  • Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, AirPlay 2; grows with Sonos speakers

Trade-offs

  • Not yet tested by RTINGS
  • No DTS:X and no HDMI input
  • No sub in the box; Sonos sells the Sub Mini for $499
  • Optical and Ethernet need adapters

Who it's for

Buy it if…

  • Owners of 42- to 55-inch TVs who want Atmos height in a small bar
  • Sonos households adding a TV room
  • Music listeners who stream over AirPlay

Skip it if…

  • Anyone who wants a sub in the box: the Samsung HW-Q800H costs about the same
  • DTS disc collectors
  • Buyers who want measured results first: wait for RTINGS

Your TV

TVs it fits and syncs with

At 29.5 in (750 mm) wide, the Beam Ultra fits under a 42-inch screen, whose picture is 36.6 inches wide, and every size we cover. Our rule: a bar fits when it's no wider than the picture, since every TV is a little wider than its picture and the bar then won't overhang it. Check the gap under the screen too: the bar is 2.6 inches (65 mm) tall.

Sonos doesn't name a feature for any TV brand, so it works the same with every TV over HDMI eARC.

TVs we cover that it fits under

Sizes are the ones each TV is sold in. A sync feature is listed where Sonos names one for that TV's brand and model year.

Spec sheet

Beam Ultra specs

Sonos Beam Ultra specifications
Channels7.1.2, per Sonos
Drivers9: five tweeters (two up-firing) and four woofers; nine amplifiers
Audio formatsDolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, multichannel PCM, DTS Digital Surround; no DTS:X
HDMIHDMI eARC to the TV; no HDMI inputs
HDMI passthroughNone
OpticalAdapter sold separately
WirelessWi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, AirPlay 2
Voice / micsSonos Voice Control; mic switch
SubwooferNone in the box; optional Sonos Sub Mini
Rear speakersNone in the box; optional pair of Era 100, Era 300, Move 2, or Sonos Play
Bar dimensions29.53 x 2.56 x 4.13 in (750 x 65 x 105 mm)
Bar weightNot specified
Room calibrationTrueplay (iOS and Android)
Dialogue / night modesAI Speech Enhancement, four levels; Night Sound
Also notableUSB-C for line-in and Ethernet adapters (sold separately); TV Audio Swap to Sonos headphones

From the manufacturer sources listed below. “Not specified” means those sources don't state it. Model number: BMULTUS1BLK.

Published testing

What the testing says

Other outlets tested the Beam Ultra; we didn't. Each finding is theirs, with the page and its date.

  • Gave it 5 of 5: 'a significant step up from the Beam (Gen 2)', with room-filling sound and 'tight, refined bass', though 'the Arc Ultra still remains a step beyond'. It's the outlet's best mid-range soundbar.

    What Hi-Fi?, Sonos Beam Ultra review (opens in a new tab), September 22, 2026

  • Gave it 5 of 5: it 'marries the compact nature of the standard Beam and the true Atmos credentials of the Arc', though 'it would've been nice to see HDMI passthrough'.

    TechRadar, Sonos Beam Ultra review (opens in a new tab), September 22, 2026

  • 'Delivers impressive sound for movies and plenty of bass without taking up much space'; SoundGuys would add surrounds before a sub.

    SoundGuys, Sonos Beam Ultra review (opens in a new tab), September 22, 2026

Cross-shop

Alternatives to consider

  • Sonos Arc Ultra soundbar in black, three-quarter view
    Image: Sonos (official product page, opens in a new tab)

    Sonos Arc Ultra

    Channels
    9.1.4 Atmos
    Approx. price
    ~$1,099
    In the box
    Bar only
    Fits under
    55" and up
    TV sync
    None stated
    Width
    46.4 in

    The best standalone bar for dialogue and music in RTINGS' testing; movies want the sub Sonos sells separately.

    Pros

    • Pro: RTINGS: impressive for dialogue, great for music
    • Pro: RTINGS' best standalone bar for dialogue
    • Pro: Strong bass for a bar with no sub

    Trade-offs

    • Trade-off: Only decent for movies without a sub, per RTINGS
    • Trade-off: No HDMI input and no DTS:X

    Top fit scores

    Dialogue
    5 out of 5
    Music
    4 out of 5
    Bass
    3 out of 5

    Editorial fit scores, 1–5, from published testing and specs, not our own measurements.

    Check price

    Affiliate link to Amazon. Price approx., seen Oct 2026.

    Read the breakdown: Sonos Arc Ultra
  • Samsung HW-Q800H soundbar with its wireless subwoofer, three-quarter view
    Image: Samsung (official product page, opens in a new tab)

    Samsung HW-Q800H

    Channels
    5.1.2 Atmos
    Approx. price
    ~$697.99
    In the box
    Bar and sub
    Fits under
    55" and up
    TV sync
    Samsung
    Width
    43.7 in

    Bar plus wireless sub for under $700, with RTINGS' top word for dialogue and rears you can add later.

    Pros

    • Pro: RTINGS: great for mixed use, excellent for dialogue
    • Pro: Wireless sub in the box with deep bass, per RTINGS
    • Pro: HDMI input with 4K passthrough, plus Wi-Fi, AirPlay, and Chromecast

    Trade-offs

    • Trade-off: No DTS of any kind
    • Trade-off: No rears in the box; Atmos height is modest, per RTINGS

    Top fit scores

    Dialogue
    5 out of 5
    Bass
    5 out of 5
    Music
    4 out of 5

    Editorial fit scores, 1–5, from published testing and specs, not our own measurements.

    Check price

    Affiliate link to Amazon. Price approx., seen Oct 2026.

    Read the breakdown: Samsung HW-Q800H
  • LG Sound Suite H7 soundbar, front view from slightly above
    Image: LG (official product page, opens in a new tab)

    LG Sound Suite H7

    Channels
    5.1.3 Atmos
    Approx. price
    ~$849.99
    In the box
    Bar only
    Fits under
    55" and up
    TV sync
    LG
    Width
    47.2 in

    LG's 2026 standalone bar: very good for music and great for dialogue, with LG speakers you can add later.

    Pros

    • Pro: RTINGS: great for dialogue, very good for music
    • Pro: Strong bass for a bar with no sub
    • Pro: Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify and Tidal Connect

    Trade-offs

    • Trade-off: No sub in the box; the W7 is $599.99
    • Trade-off: No HDMI input; latency a bit high, per RTINGS

    Top fit scores

    Dialogue
    4 out of 5
    Music
    4 out of 5
    Movies
    3 out of 5

    Editorial fit scores, 1–5, from published testing and specs, not our own measurements.

    Check price

    Affiliate link to Amazon. Price approx., seen Oct 2026.

    Read the breakdown: LG Sound Suite H7

Sources

Manufacturer specs and published testing, researched October 26, 2026. The Amazon price is the buy-box price for a new unit that day ($695.50, sold by Big Box LLC – Electronics & More). We didn't test this soundbar ourselves; findings credited to an outlet are that outlet's.