Bose Smart Soundbar review
Best for: Atmos height on a budget · Mid-range
Ad · affiliate links
Compare prices in other countries
Each shop shows its own price, currency and delivery terms. Not every shop delivers abroad, and taxes can differ.
Pros
- Real up-firing drivers for Atmos
- Alexa built in
- AirPlay 2, Chromecast and Spotify Connect
- Compact and light
Cons
- No room correction
- No HDMI input
- Bass is limited without the optional module
Full review
Bose's Smart Soundbar sits between budget bars and the Sonos Arc Ultra. It is compact at about 69 cm wide and 5.6 cm tall, so it fits under most TVs without blocking the screen, yet it includes two up-firing transducers for Dolby Atmos height effects, something the similarly sized Sonos Beam lacks.
It is very well connected. Bose lists Wi-Fi with AirPlay 2, Chromecast built-in and Spotify Connect, plus Bluetooth 5.0, so it works equally well with iPhones and Android phones. Amazon Alexa is built in for voice control, and it can be controlled by a Google Assistant device. A Personal Surround mode can use Bose Ultra Open Earbuds as rear speakers.
Bose's page confirms there is no ADAPTiQ room calibration on this model, and there is no HDMI input. DTS:X is not listed. Bass is decent for the size but you will want Bose's optional bass module for big films.
At £379.95 from Bose it is a good fit for anyone who wants Atmos and strong streaming in a small bar.
Full specifications
| Channels / layout | 5 speakers incl. centre tweeter and 2 up-firing |
|---|---|
| Drivers and power | 5 drivers (watts not published) |
| Subwoofer included | No (optional) |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes |
| DTS:X | Not listed by Bose |
| Up-firing drivers | Yes (2) |
| HDMI eARC | Yes (HDMI) |
| HDMI input / passthrough | None |
| Wi-Fi / AirPlay / Chromecast | Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect |
| Bluetooth | Yes (5.0) |
| Voice assistant | Amazon Alexa built in |
| Room correction | No (no ADAPTiQ) |
| Control app | Bose app |
| Size (W x H x D) | 694 x 56 x 104 mm |
| Weight | 3.13 kg |
| Wall mount | Optional Bose wall bracket |
| Rear speaker / sub expansion | Yes: Bose bass module and surround speakers |
| Year launched | 2024 |
| UK price (Bose) | £379.95 |
| Extra feature | Personal Surround with Bose Ultra Open Earbuds |
Spec check note: Bose's page confirms the HDMI connection but does not spell out eARC; the Smart Soundbar connects via HDMI eARC/ARC. Bose does not publish wattage or list DTS:X support.
Specifications checked against: Bose UK Smart Soundbar page
How it compares with its rivals
| Feature | Bose Smart Soundbar | Sonos Arc Ultra | Samsung HW-Q990F 11.1.4ch soundbar system | Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9 (HT-A9000) | Sonos Beam (Gen 2) | Denon DHT-S218 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Atmos height on a budget | Best sound from one bar | True surround in the box | Consoles and Sony TVs | Small and mid-size TVs | Clearer TV sound for less |
| Price band | Mid-range | Premium | Premium | Premium | Upper mid-range | Budget |
| Channels / layout | 5 speakers incl. centre tweeter and 2 up-firing | 9.1.4 Dolby Atmos | 11.1.4 (23 speakers in total) | Not published (13 drivers, 5 phantom front speakers) | Virtual surround and height (no count published) | 2.1 |
| Drivers and power | 5 drivers (watts not published) | 14 drivers, 15 Class-D amps (watts not published) | Bar, dual-driver sub, 2 rears (756 W total per retailer listing) | 13 drivers plus 4 passive radiators (watts not published) | 5 drivers, 3 passive radiators, 5 Class-D amps | 6 drivers: 2 tweeters, 2 mid, 2 built-in subwoofers |
| Subwoofer included | No (optional) | No (built-in Sound Motion woofer) | Yes, wireless sub plus 2 rear speakers | No (optional) | No | Built in (2 down-firing) |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (virtual) | Yes (decoding, no height drivers) |
| DTS:X | Not listed by Bose | No (DTS Digital Surround only) | Yes | Yes | No (DTS Digital Surround only) | Not listed by Denon |
| Up-firing drivers | Yes (2) | Yes (2 up-firing tweeters) | Yes (bar and rears) | Yes (2) | No | No |
Prices in every region
We haven't confirmed prices for this product yet. Use the links to see today's price at each shop.
Prices include VAT where the shop shows it and may have changed since we checked. Delivery costs and stock vary by country, so check on the shop's site before you buy.
Ireland & UK
| Country | Shop | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ireland · EUR | Amazon | – | Visit shop → |
| Currys | – | Visit shop → | |
| Laptops Direct | – | Visit shop → | |
| United Kingdom · GBP | Amazon | – | Visit shop → |
| Argos | – | Visit shop → | |
| Currys | – | Visit shop → | |
| Very | – | Visit shop → | |
| AO | – | Visit shop → | |
| Laptops Direct | – | Visit shop → |
Rest of the EU
| Country | Shop | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany · EUR | Cyberport | – | Visit shop → |
| Amazon | – | Visit shop → | |
| OTTO | – | Visit shop → | |
| Austria · EUR | Cyberport | – | Visit shop → |
| Amazon | – | Visit shop → | |
| MediaMarkt | – | Visit shop → | |
| France · EUR | Cdiscount | – | Visit shop → |
| Amazon | – | Visit shop → | |
| Darty | – | Visit shop → | |
| Fnac | – | Visit shop → | |
| Belgium · EUR | Amazon | – | Visit shop → |
| bol | – | Visit shop → | |
| Coolblue | – | Visit shop → | |
| Fnac | – | Visit shop → | |
| MediaMarkt | – | Visit shop → | |
| Luxembourg · EUR | Amazon | – | Visit shop → |
| Fnac | – | Visit shop → | |
| Netherlands · EUR | Amazon | – | Visit shop → |
| bol | – | Visit shop → | |
| Coolblue | – | Visit shop → | |
| MediaMarkt | – | Visit shop → | |
| Spain · EUR | Amazon | – | Visit shop → |
| Fnac | – | Visit shop → | |
| MediaMarkt | – | Visit shop → | |
| PcComponentes | – | Visit shop → | |
| Italy · EUR | Amazon | – | Visit shop → |
| Euronics | – | Visit shop → | |
| MediaWorld | – | Visit shop → | |
| Unieuro | – | Visit shop → | |
| Portugal · EUR | Amazon | – | Visit shop → |
| Worten | – | Visit shop → | |
| PcComponentes | – | Visit shop → | |
| Poland · PLN | Amazon | – | Visit shop → |
| Media Expert | – | Visit shop → | |
| MediaMarkt | – | Visit shop → | |
| RTV Euro AGD | – | Visit shop → | |
| x-kom | – | Visit shop → | |
| Sweden · SEK | Amazon | – | Visit shop → |
| Komplett | – | Visit shop → | |
| Webhallen | – | Visit shop → |
Americas
| Country | Shop | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States · USD | Amazon | – | Visit shop → |
| B&H Photo | – | Visit shop → | |
| Newegg | – | Visit shop → | |
| Walmart | – | Visit shop → | |
| Best Buy | – | Visit shop → |