PricepectAI-Verified Comparisons

Comparisons About

⌘K

Pricepect

Independent product comparisons to help you buy smarter.

Browse

Categories
Comparisons
Spec Comparisons
Head-to-Head
Search

Info

About
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service

Top Categories

Electronics
Home & Kitchen
Sports & Outdoors
Automotive

✓ Independent & Unbiased✓ AI-Verified Data✓ Expert-Reviewed

Pricepect participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. © 2026 Pricepect. All rights reserved.

Sonos Beam — Review & Specs | Pricepect | Pricepect

Home SoundbarsSonos Beam

Sonos Beam — image 1

Sonos

Sonos Beam

Expert Review Analysis

The Sonos Beam (Gen 1) is a compact, smart soundbar released in July 2018 that delivers 3‑channel audio with five built‑in speakers and supports Dolby Digital 5.1. It integrates voice assistants, multi‑room Sonos networking, and easy HDMI‑ARC setup, making it ideal for small to medium rooms.

✓ Best for: The Beam is best suited for users in small to medium rooms—such as apartments, bedrooms, or home offices—who want a simple, high‑quality TV audio upgrade with voice control and seamless Sonos multi‑room integration. Ideal use cases include streaming movies and TV shows, playing music throughout the house, and pairing with a Sonos Sub for enhanced bass.✗ Not ideal for: The Beam is not ideal for audiophiles seeking immersive Dolby Atmos surround sound, large living rooms that demand deep bass without an external subwoofer, or users who prefer a soundbar with a more durable, easy‑to‑clean grille.

Pros

✓Compact dimensions (25.63 in x 2.68 in x 3.94 in) allow placement in tight spaces without sacrificing sound presence
✓Five built‑in speakers (4 woofers, 1 tweeter) provide rich, scaled audio that fills small to medium rooms

Price History

Current

$389.01

Average

$442.53

Lowest

$292.03

Highest

$529.00

Good Deal — 12% below average

Price trend (90d):+11.1%

Best Seller Rank History

Now#552Best#100Worst#584 -319

Lower = better sales rank

Specifications

Audio

Channels3

Speakers5

Full-range Woofers4

TweetersYes

Passive Bass Radiators3

Connectivity

HDMI ARCYes (cable included)

Optical Digital AudioAdapter included

Controls

Touch ControlsPlay/Pause, Skip/Replay, Volume, Mic Mute

LED IndicatorsYes

Voice ControlAmazon Alexa built-in

Design

Height68 mm mm

Width651 mm mm

Depth100 mm mm

Weight2.8 kg g

FinishMatte

Features

Night SoundYes

Speech EnhancementYes

Multi-room IntegrationYes

TV Audio StreamingYes

Supported Sonos OSS1, S2

General

BrandSonos

ModelBeam (Gen 1)

ColorBlack

Release Date2018-07-17

Power

Power Input100-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz

Sensors

Far-field Microphones5

Audio Configuration

Speaker Array5 built‑in speakers (4 full‑range woofers, 1 tweeter) plus 3 passive bass radiators

Microphones

Far‑Field Mic Array5 far‑field microphones for voice assistant activation

Mounting

Wall‑Mount HardwareThreaded mount 0.5 in (12.7 mm) / 10‑32 socket

Audio Features

Sound ModesNight Sound and Speech Enhancement modes for dynamic volume balancing

Dimensions & Weight

Height3.9 Inches

Width2.7 Inches

Depth25.6 Inches

Weight6.35 Pounds

Research Sources

crutchfield.com

smarthomesounds.co.uk

Similar Products

Polk Audio Signa S2 Sound Bar for Smart TV with Subwoofer, Wireless – Exclusive VoiceAdjust Technology, Ultra-Slim Design, Works with 4K & HD TVs, HDMI & Optical, Bluetooth, Wireless Streaming

Polk Audio Signa S2 Sound Bar for Smart TV with Subwoofer, Wireless – Exclusive VoiceAdjust Technology, Ultra-Slim Design, Works with 4K & HD TVs, HDMI & Optical, Bluetooth, Wireless Streaming

Polk Audio

Sanus Wall Mount for Sonos Amp - Slim Black Design with Lockable Latch for Security - Low Profile Bracket Design Mounts in Any Orientation - Built-in Cable Management & Easy 15-Minute Install …

Sanus

All-New Sonos Beam – Compact Smart TV Soundbar with Amazon Alexa Voice Control Built-in. Wireless Home Theater and Streaming Music in Any Room. (Black) (Renewed)

All-New Sonos Beam – Compact Smart TV Soundbar with Amazon Alexa Voice Control Built-in. Wireless Home Theater and Streaming Music in Any Room. (Black) (Renewed)

Sonos

Sonos Beam - Shadow Edition

Sonos Beam - Shadow Edition

Sonos

LG 3.1-Channel 420W Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer and DTS Virtual:X - Black

LG 3.1-Channel 420W Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer and DTS Virtual:X - Black

LG

Polk Audio SR2 Wireless Surround Sound Speakers for Select Polk React and Magnifi Bars - Wireless Surround Sound System for TV, Easy Setup, Multiple Placement Options, 2 Count (Pack of 1)

Polk Audio SR2 Wireless Surround Sound Speakers for Select Polk React and Magnifi Bars - Wireless Surround Sound System for TV, Easy Setup, Multiple Placement Options, 2 Count (Pack of 1)

Polk Audio

WALI Soundbar Mount for Sonos Arc and Sonos Arc Ultra - Sound bar Wall Mount Bracket, Minimalist Design, Perfect for Under TV Installation, Black

WALI Soundbar Mount for Sonos Arc and Sonos Arc Ultra - Sound bar Wall Mount Bracket, Minimalist Design, Perfect for Under TV Installation, Black

WALI

Sonos Beam (Gen 2). The Compact Smart soundbar for TV, Music and More. (Black) International Version, No Warranty

Sonos Beam (Gen 2). The Compact Smart soundbar for TV, Music and More. (Black) International Version, No Warranty

Sonos

Sonos Beam Gen 2 - Black - Soundbar with Dolby Atmos

Sonos Beam Gen 2 - Black - Soundbar with Dolby Atmos

Sonos

Sonos Beam Gen 2 - White - Soundbar with Dolby Atmos

Sonos Beam Gen 2 - White - Soundbar with Dolby Atmos

Sonos

Polk Audio Signa S4 TV Sound Bar with Subwoofer - Dolby Atmos Audio VoiceAdjust & BassAdjust Technology, HDMI eARC, Wireless Subwoofer works with 8K, 4K, & HD TVs, Bluetooth, Wireless Streaming

Polk Audio Signa S4 TV Sound Bar with Subwoofer - Dolby Atmos Audio VoiceAdjust & BassAdjust Technology, HDMI eARC, Wireless Subwoofer works with 8K, 4K, & HD TVs, Bluetooth, Wireless Streaming

Polk Audio

Sonos Ray - White - Compact Soundbar

Sonos Ray - White - Compact Soundbar

Sonos

Sonos Ray - Compact Soundbar for TV and Music - Black

Sonos Ray - Compact Soundbar for TV and Music - Black

Sonos

Sanus Wireless Speaker Stand for Sonos Five and Sonos Play:5 - Audio Enhancing Design for Vertical & Horizontal Audio with Built-in Cable Management & Premium Alloy Materials - OSS52 (White)

Sanus Wireless Speaker Stand for Sonos Five and Sonos Play:5 - Audio Enhancing Design for Vertical & Horizontal Audio with Built-in Cable Management & Premium Alloy Materials - OSS52 (White)

Sanus

Sonos Sub Mini - Black - Compact Wireless Subwoofer

Sonos Sub Mini - Black - Compact Wireless Subwoofer

Sonos

NOAM NUTV5-S QUAD - Marine ATV/Golf Cart/UTV Stereo System kit – with 4 Waterproof LED Light Tower Speakers, Subwoofer, Weatherproof Controller with Bluetooth and AUX Input and Four Channels Amplifier

NOAM NUTV5-S QUAD - Marine ATV/Golf Cart/UTV Stereo System kit – with 4 Waterproof LED Light Tower Speakers, Subwoofer, Weatherproof Controller with Bluetooth and AUX Input and Four Channels Amplifier

NOAM

OXS S3 Sound Bars for TV, Home Theater Audio with Dynamic Bass, 3D Surround Sound System TV Sound Bar, TV Speakers, Bluetooth 5.0/Aux/Optical/Coaxial, 80-Watt, 3Eqs, Wall Mountable, Black

OXS S3 Sound Bars for TV, Home Theater Audio with Dynamic Bass, 3D Surround Sound System TV Sound Bar, TV Speakers, Bluetooth 5.0/Aux/Optical/Coaxial, 80-Watt, 3Eqs, Wall Mountable, Black

OXS

Sonos Era 300 - Black - Wireless, Alexa Enabled Smart Speaker with Dolby Atmos.

Sonos Era 300 - Black - Wireless, Alexa Enabled Smart Speaker with Dolby Atmos.

Sonos

Sonos Era 100 - Black - Wireless, Alexa Enabled Smart Speaker

Sonos Era 100 - Black - Wireless, Alexa Enabled Smart Speaker

Sonos

Sanus Height-Adjustable Speaker Stand for Sonos Era 300™ (White) - WSSE3A1

Featured in Comparisons

Sonos Beam vs Polk Audio Signa S4

pairwise

Sonos Beam vs Polk Audio Signa S3

pairwise

Sonos Beam vs Polk Audio Signa S2

pairwise

User Reviews

Please sign in to leave a review

Sort by:

No reviews yet. Be the first to review!

4.5

(4,271 reviews)

$389.01$434.8211% off

Track Price on BigBangPrice

Get notified when the price drops. Track this product on BigBangPrice, our price tracking partner.

BEAM1US1BLKBlack All-new Sonos Beam – Compact Smart TV Soundbar with Amazon Alexa voice control built-in. Wireless home theater and streaming music in any room. (Black)

✓

Single‑cable HDMI ARC connection simplifies TV hookup and reduces cable clutter

✓Seamless integration with the Sonos ecosystem enables multi‑room playback across up to 32 devices

✓Built‑in array of five far‑field microphones supports hands‑free Alexa and Google Assistant voice control

✓Night Sound and Speech Enhancement modes automatically balance loud and quiet audio elements for late‑night viewing

Cons

✗Lacks Dolby Atmos support, limiting immersive surround experience compared to newer soundbars
✗Fabric grille is more difficult to clean and can collect dust more readily than polycarbonate alternatives
✗Bass response is limited without an optional subwoofer, making low‑frequency performance less impactful
✗Some users report occasional app glitches that interrupt playback or control functions
✗No dedicated subwoofer included in the package, requiring an additional purchase for deep bass

From Expert Reviews

Praised by Experts

✓Professional reviewers highlight the sonic scale and musicality that exceed expectations for a compact bar
✓What Hi‑Fi? notes the Beam "blows us away" with its simplicity and weighty performance despite its size
✓Crutchfield praises the easy setup and ability to stream from multiple sources for a full home‑theater experience
✓Smart Home Sounds calls it ideal for slim‑profile premium setups due to its low height and clean design

Criticized by Experts

✗Critics point out the absence of Dolby Atmos, which Gen 2 adds for a more immersive soundstage
✗The fabric grille is criticized for being harder to clean than the polycarbonate grille on the Gen 2 model
✗Reviewers mention that bass is limited without a separate subwoofer, reducing impact for bass‑heavy content

From User Reviews

Users Love

✓Best Buy customers repeatedly praise the Beam for delivering rich, big sound that fills small rooms
✓Users appreciate the quick and straightforward voice‑control setup with Alexa or Google Assistant
✓Consumers highlight the fast, single‑cable HDMI ARC installation that gets the system running in minutes
✓Many reviewers note reliable multi‑room performance, allowing music to play seamlessly across Sonos devices
✓The Night Sound and Speech Enhancement features receive positive feedback for improving late‑night TV listening

Users Complain About

✗Customers frequently mention limited bass depth when the Beam is used without an external subwoofer
✗Several users report occasional glitches in the Sonos app that affect playback stability
✗A common complaint is the lack of Dolby Atmos, making the Beam feel outdated for newer streaming content

Expert Opinion

Professional reviewers commend the Sonos Beam Gen 1 for its impressive audio detail, musicality, and straightforward setup, noting that it delivers a weighty performance in a compact form. However, they also acknowledge its shortcomings, particularly the missing Dolby Atmos support and the less durable fabric grille, suggesting that the Gen 2 model is a better choice for those seeking the latest surround technologies.

What Users Say

Everyday users overwhelmingly appreciate the Beam's rich sound, easy voice‑control integration, and hassle‑free HDMI ARC installation, especially in apartments and bedrooms. Recurring themes include satisfaction with multi‑room functionality and the helpful Night Sound mode, while complaints focus on limited bass without a subwoofer and the absence of Atmos for modern content.

Common Complaints

Common issues reported by users include limited low‑frequency performance without a subwoofer, occasional app glitches that disrupt playback, and the lack of Dolby Atmos support for newer streaming formats.

How It Compares

vs. Sonos Beam Gen 2

Advantages

✓Adds Dolby Atmos support for a more immersive surround experience
✓Features a polycarbonate grille that is easier to clean and more durable

Disadvantages

✗Generally higher price point while retaining similar size and weight
✗Performance gains are primarily in Atmos support rather than core sound quality

Choose Gen 2 if you need Atmos and a more durable grille; stick with Gen 1 for a lower‑cost option with comparable core audio.

vs. Roku Streambar

Advantages

✓Integrated Roku streaming platform eliminates the need for a separate streaming device
✓Typically lower price than the Sonos Beam

Disadvantages

✗Offers fewer built‑in speakers and less detailed sound than the Beam's five‑speaker array
✗Lacks Sonos multi‑room ecosystem and advanced voice‑assistant integration

Roku Streambar is a budget-friendly choice for Roku users, but the Beam provides superior sound quality and ecosystem flexibility.

vs. Bose Solo 5

Advantages

✓Compact design with simple plug‑and‑play setup
✓Often priced lower than the Sonos Beam

Disadvantages

✗Single‑speaker design delivers less immersive sound compared to the Beam's multi‑speaker configuration
✗No native support for multi‑room audio or voice assistants

Bose Solo 5 works for basic TV audio upgrades, while the Sonos Beam offers richer sound, voice control, and multi‑room capabilities.

Rating Trend

Rating4.5/ 5Reviews4,271+3 reviews -0.09

Sonos Beam vs Bose TV Speaker

pairwise

Sonos Beam vs Hisense HS5100

pairwise

Sonos Beam vs Samsung HW-B750F

pairwise

Sonos Beam vs Samsung HW-B400F

pairwise

Sonos Beam vs Roku Streambar Pro

pairwise

Sonos Beam vs Klipsch Cinema 400

pairwise