Best for HDMI ARC)
Samsung HW-Q990D Soundbar
5.0 feature score
Highest scored product for this feature based on supporting review evidence.
Best Sound Bars for HDMI ARC)
HDMI ARC) Decision Dashboard
Safest pick
Bluesound Pulse Cinema Soundbar
4.7 feature score
Balances feature score, supporting reviews, and overall product strength.
Most evidence
Sonos Arc Soundbar
10 supporting reviews
Has the broadest review evidence for this feature.
Best overall product
Samsung HW-Q990F Soundbar
4.4 overall score
Strongest overall product among items with scored evidence for this feature.
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HDMI ARC/eARC support is consistently confirmed as the preferred wired TV connection.
Pros: AirPlay compatibility, HDMI ARC)
Cons: Status indicators, Weight convenience
HDMI ARC/eARC support is strong and repeatedly recommended as the best TV connection for Atmos playback.
Pros: Amplifier power requirements, HDMI ARC)
Cons: HDMI 2.1 gaming, Gaming HDMI passthrough
HDMI ARC/eARC is a core strength, repeatedly described as simple, high-quality, and central to TV and Atmos use.
Pros: Dialogue clarity (for TV/soundbar use), Detail retrieval
Cons: Chromecast compatibility, Google
HDMI ARC/eARC support is a major upgrade, enabling higher-bandwidth audio and simpler TV connection.
Pros: Smart assistant integration (Alexa, Dialogue clarity (for TV/soundbar use)
Cons: Bluetooth codec support, Gaming HDMI passthrough
eARC support is repeatedly confirmed and usually treated as part of the strong connectivity package.
Pros: Cohesive presentation, Detail retrieval
Cons: Weight convenience, Status indicators
HDMI ARC/eARC is consistently useful, with reviewers saying it is included and simple for TV hookup.
Pros: AirPlay compatibility, Chromecast compatibility
Cons: HDMI 2.1 gaming, Gaming HDMI passthrough
HDMI ARC/eARC support is consistently confirmed and is the recommended connection for Dolby Atmos.
Pros: Spotify Connect reliability, AirPlay compatibility
Cons: AI Room Calibration, Gaming HDMI passthrough
HDMI ARC/eARC is a practical strength, with auto-boot, auto-switching, and TV control behavior described across reviews.
Pros: optical, Weight convenience
Cons: Gaming HDMI passthrough, Smart features
HDMI ARC/eARC is the primary TV connection and is repeatedly treated as the best route for Atmos and TV remote control.
Pros: Setup simplicity, Distortion at high volume
Cons: Bluetooth codec support, Video passthrough support
HDMI ARC support is a clear strength, repeatedly cited as the main TV connection and often paired with TV-remote control.
Pros: Multi-speaker pairing reliability, Inter-speaker connectivity
Cons: Wi-Fi streaming reliability, AirPlay compatibility
HDMI ARC support is consistently documented and is tied to TV remote control, direct TV connection and audio return channel use.
Pros: Setup simplicity, Dialogue clarity (for TV/soundbar use)
Cons: AirPlay compatibility, Chromecast compatibility
HDMI ARC is a major usability win, enabling TV audio, remote control, and some voice-based TV commands when the TV supports it.
Pros: Weight convenience, Dialogue clarity (for TV/soundbar use)
Cons: Bluetooth codec support, Dolby Atmos height effects
HDMI ARC is the main recommended TV connection and is repeatedly described as simple to use.
Pros: Distortion at high volume, Setup simplicity
Cons: Wi-Fi streaming reliability, Dolby Atmos height effects
HDMI ARC is consistently supported and can help with TV integration, though reviewers also mention lack of eARC and some ARC/CEC volume quirks.
Pros: Setup simplicity, Voice clarity
Cons: Wi-Fi streaming reliability, Spotify Connect reliability