Best for Gaming HDMI passthrough
Samsung HW-Q990F Soundbar
5.0 feature score
Highest scored product for this feature based on supporting review evidence.
Best Sound Bars for Gaming HDMI passthrough
Gaming HDMI passthrough Decision Dashboard
Safest pick
Samsung HW-Q990D Soundbar
3.7 feature score
Balances feature score, supporting reviews, and overall product strength.
Most evidence
JBL Bar 500 MK2 Soundbar
2 supporting reviews
Has the broadest review evidence for this feature.
Best overall product
Sonos Arc Soundbar
4.1 overall score
Strongest overall product among items with scored evidence for this feature.
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Gaming HDMI passthrough receives positive evidence from PS5 testing, where reviewers reported no lag or video-quality drop.
Pros: Multi-speaker pairing reliability, Gaming HDMI passthrough
Cons: Google, Cabinet construction / bracing
Gaming HDMI passthrough was mostly praised as a major upgrade, though one reviewer reported a faulty HDMI port on the tested unit.
Pros: Soundstage height, Surround sound simulation
Cons: Chromecast compatibility, Google
Gaming passthrough was limited by 4K/60 and non-HDMI 2.1 support, making direct console-to-TV connection preferable for 4K/120 gaming.
Pros: Spotify Connect reliability, Setup simplicity
Cons: On-device controls, HDMI 2.1 gaming
Gaming passthrough was a weakness where discussed, with reviewers flagging missing HDMI 2.1 or 4K/120Hz support.
Pros: Inter-speaker connectivity, Audio format support
Cons: optical, Gaming HDMI passthrough
Gaming HDMI passthrough was a weakness because the single HDMI connection and lack of passthrough can complicate consoles and streaming boxes.
Pros: Multi-speaker pairing reliability, Spotify Connect reliability
Cons: Gaming HDMI passthrough, Video passthrough support