Black Friday 2026: Soundbar deals
Sonos, Bose, Samsung and TCL to buy now, wait for or skip
Our best buy is the Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar. Black Friday is 37 days away and Amazon has not announced its dates. We checked soundbars from Bose, TCL, Samsung and Sonos on October 21 to see which are worth buying now, which to wait on and which to skip.
How we picked: we shortlist by Amazon Best Seller rank and number of ratings, then compare published specs. We don't test these products hands-on.
By Jamilur Rahman, Founder & Editor · Updated October 21, 2026
- Owner reviews checked
- Features side by side
- Quick & easy compare
- Smarter purchase
The short answer
When do Black Friday 2026 deals start? Black Friday is Friday, November 27, 2026, the day after Thanksgiving (Thursday, November 26), and Cyber Monday is Monday, November 30. Amazon has not announced its 2026 Black Friday sale dates yet. In past years its Black Friday deals started about a week before Black Friday and ran through Cyber Monday. Soundbars sit in the same sale as TVs, because many people upgrade the sound when they upgrade the screen.
This page is a buying plan for soundbars sold on Amazon, written on October 21 after Prime Big Deal Days (October 6–7) and before the main sale. Buy now: the Bose Smart Ultra and the TCL S55H, both sold by Amazon.com and listed well below their “was” prices. Wait: the Sonos Arc Ultra and Beam Gen 2, which show no markdown, and the Samsung S60D, whose “was” price flatters the discount. Skip: the Samsung Q600F, which costs close to better soundbars at its current price.
Don’t wait if your TV’s speakers are the problem today, or you want new sound before the holiday games. A soundbar you use beats a small saving. Don’t chase “percent off” badges either: a “was” price can be a high list price, so judge each soundbar against similar models, not against its own crossed-out number. Every soundbar here is new and was sold by Amazon.com when we checked. Prices move daily, so tap “View on Amazon” for today’s number.
Compare them side by side
Everything that matters, in one table. Swipe to see all 6.
| Product | Best Buy Now Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Dolby Atmos soundbar with voice control |  Best Budget Buy Now TCL S55H 2.1 soundbar with wireless subwoofer |  Best Samsung to Wait For Samsung HW-S60D 5.0 all-in-one soundbar |  Best Sonos to Wait For Sonos Beam Gen 2 Compact Dolby Atmos soundbar |  Best Flagship to Wait For Sonos Arc Ultra Flagship Dolby Atmos soundbar |  Skip at This Price Samsung HW-Q600F 3.1.2 soundbar with wireless subwoofer (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BeastScore | 92 / 100 | 90 / 100 | 85 / 100 | 87 / 100 | 86 / 100 | 80 / 100 |
| Our call | Buy | Buy | Wait | Wait | Wait | Skip |
| Best for | Big, room-filling sound from one bar | A big upgrade over TV speakers for very little | Samsung TV owners who want one slim bar | Small and mid-size rooms in a Sonos home | A big living room and a serious home theater | Only if the price drops sharply |
| Typical price (checked October 21, 2026) | $690–$710 | $100–$120 | $270–$290 | $490–$510 | $1,090–$1,110 | $600–$620 |
| Model | Bose’s top soundbar (listing: “top-of-the-line”) | TCL S55H (current model) | 2024 model | Beam Gen 2 (older than Beam Ultra) | Arc Ultra (current flagship) | 2025 model |
| Subwoofer | None, all-in-one | Wireless subwoofer included | Built-in, no separate sub | None in the box | None in the box | Wireless subwoofer included |
| Why it’s here | Listed about 30% below its “was” price | Already about a third below its “was” price | The “was” price flatters the discount | No markdown, and a newer Beam Ultra now sells above it | Full price, with no markdown | Costs close to the Bose Smart Ultra and Sonos Beam Ultra |
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BeastScore here is our overall rating out of 100, based on published specs and Amazon owner reviews. Prices change daily, so tap "View on Amazon" for today's price. We may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Learn more
Why each one made the list
What each pick does best, where it falls short, and the typical Amazon price when we checked.
- 1. Best Buy Now
Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar
BeastScore 92 / 100Typically $690–$710 on Amazon (checked October 21, 2026)This is the strongest soundbar price on the list. The listing says the Smart Ultra has Dolby Atmos, six transducers including two upward-firing dipole speakers, and Bose’s TrueSpace processing that upmixes stereo and 5.1 into a wider sound. A.I. Dialogue Mode balances voices against the soundtrack, and you can use Alexa or Google for voice control. It connects over HDMI eARC, and you can pair it with select Bose headphones. It is sold by Amazon.com and was listed about 30% below its “was” price. That is the same price as the Sonos Beam Ultra, which shows no markdown. A deeper Black Friday cut is possible, but this is already a fair price.
Pros- About 30% below its “was” price, sold by Amazon.com
- Six transducers with Dolby Atmos and A.I. Dialogue Mode
- Alexa and Google voice control
Cons- No separate subwoofer in the box
- The “was” price is Bose’s own, so compare with other soundbars
- Costs far more than the TCL S55H
- 2. Best Budget Buy Now
TCL S55H
BeastScore 90 / 100Typically $100–$120 on Amazon (checked October 21, 2026)The S55H is the “buy it and stop looking” soundbar. The listing says it is a 2.1 system with a wireless subwoofer, Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual:X, up to 220 W of power and AI Sonic room calibration through the TCL app. It connects over HDMI eARC or ARC, optical, Bluetooth or AUX, so it works with almost any TV. It is sold by Amazon.com and was listed about a third below its “was” price when we checked. At this price there is not much left to cut. It is a budget bar, so expect less polish than a Sonos or Bose, but you get real bass for very little money.
Pros- A wireless subwoofer and Atmos at a very low price
- Works with any TV through eARC, optical, Bluetooth or AUX
- Already a third below its “was” price
Cons- Expect less polish than Sonos or Bose
- Atmos from a 2.1 system is a virtual effect, not up-firing speakers
- Setup and calibration run through the TCL app
- 3. Best Samsung to Wait For
Samsung HW-S60D
BeastScore 85 / 100Typically $270–$290 on Amazon (checked October 21, 2026)The S60D is a good soundbar at a so-so price. The listing says it has 5 channels with wireless Dolby Atmos (the listing says you can skip the HDMI cables), built-in subwoofers in an all-in-one body, Q-Symphony that uses the TV speakers together with the bar, SpaceFit Sound Pro room tuning and Alexa built in. It is sold by Amazon.com and listed about 30% below its “was” price. Our hesitation: that “was” price is high, and the TCL S55H, which comes with a subwoofer, costs far less. Wait to see where Samsung’s Black Friday price lands.
Pros- Wireless Dolby Atmos and Q-Symphony with Samsung TVs
- All-in-one body, with no subwoofer to place
- Alexa built in, plus Chromecast and AirPlay 2
Cons- The “was” price makes the discount look bigger than it is
- Q-Symphony needs a Samsung TV
- The TCL S55H costs far less and includes a sub
- 4. Best Sonos to Wait For
Sonos Beam Gen 2
BeastScore 87 / 100Typically $490–$510 on Amazon (checked October 21, 2026)The Beam Gen 2 is a safe, well-liked soundbar, and the listing says it delivers Dolby Atmos, clear dialogue and a panoramic soundstage. You set it up with two cables and tune it with Trueplay, control it with your TV remote, the Sonos app, AirPlay 2 or your voice, and you can add more Sonos speakers later for true surround. It is sold by Amazon.com, but the listing shows no markdown. Sonos now also sells the Beam Ultra above it, which makes the Gen 2 the likelier candidate for a Black Friday cut. We would not pay today’s price. Wait for the sale and see.
Pros- Dolby Atmos and easy two-cable setup
- Works with Sonos speakers for surround and multiroom
- Controls through your TV remote, the app and AirPlay 2
Cons- No markdown shown on the listing
- No subwoofer in the box, so bass is limited by its compact size
- A newer Beam Ultra now sits above it
- 5. Best Flagship to Wait For
Sonos Arc Ultra
BeastScore 86 / 100Typically $1,090–$1,110 on Amazon (checked October 21, 2026)This is the most capable soundbar on the list. The listing says it has 9.1.4 spatial audio with Dolby Atmos, a new acoustic design with Sound Motion technology and AI Speech Enhancement for clearer dialogue. You set it up with one HDMI eARC cable, tune it to your room with Trueplay, and control it with your TV remote, the Sonos app, Sonos Voice Control or Alexa. It is sold by Amazon.com at full price, with no markdown, and Bose’s Smart Ultra costs far less. Wait for a real Sonos cut, and only buy it if you want the best sound from a bar.
Pros- 9.1.4 Dolby Atmos with Sound Motion technology
- AI Speech Enhancement for dialogue
- Single HDMI eARC connection and Trueplay tuning
Cons- Full price, with no markdown on the listing
- The most expensive soundbar here by a wide margin
- No subwoofer in the box
- 6. Skip at This Price
Samsung HW-Q600F
BeastScore 80 / 100Typically $600–$620 on Amazon (checked October 21, 2026)The Q600F has a good spec sheet. The listing says it has 3 front and 2 up-firing channels, a 6.5-inch active subwoofer with an 8-inch passive radiator, Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual:X, Q-Symphony with a Samsung TV, and Game Mode Pro. The problem is the price. The listing shows only a small markdown, and it now costs within a short step of the Bose Smart Ultra and the Sonos Beam Ultra, which are more premium soundbars. At that gap, most people should pick one of those, or save a lot with the TCL S55H. If Black Friday pulls the Q600F down toward Samsung’s cheaper bars, it becomes interesting again. Until then, skip it.
Pros- Wireless subwoofer and two up-firing channels
- Dolby Atmos, DTS Virtual:X and Q-Symphony
- Game Mode Pro for console gaming
Cons- Only a small markdown on the listing
- Costs close to the Bose Smart Ultra and Sonos Beam Ultra
- A 2025 model
All 6 compared, in one look
See every pick on one chart, or tap one to put it head to head with Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar. Ratings out of 10 are our estimates from published specs and Amazon owner reviews, not hands-on tests. Bigger shape = better.
- Deal valueTCL S55H · 9.8/10
- Sound features (on paper)Sonos Arc Ultra · 9.6/10
- Smart featuresSonos Arc Ultra · 9.4/10
- Easy setupSonos Beam Gen 2 · 9.4/10
- Buy-now confidenceTCL S55H · 9.4/10
Which one should you buy?
Find your situation below. That's your pick.
BuyThe best-priced premium bar here, and well below its “was” price. Buy now if you want one soundbar that fills the room.
- You want one bar that fills a large room
- You use Alexa or Google voice control
- You do not want to gamble on a bigger cut
BuyAlready priced low, with a subwoofer included. A Black Friday cut would be small, so buy now if you want a cheap upgrade.
- You want a big upgrade over TV speakers on a budget
- You want a wireless subwoofer included
- You do not need Sonos or Bose polish
WaitThe “was” price flatters the discount, and a TCL with a sub costs far less. Wait for Samsung’s sale price.
- You own a Samsung TV and want Q-Symphony
- You want an all-in-one bar with no sub
- Samsung’s sale price falls closer to the TCL
WaitFull price today, and an older model beside the newer Beam Ultra. Wait for a Black Friday cut.
- You want a compact Sonos for a small or mid-size room
- You may add Sonos speakers later
- The Black Friday price drops well below today’s
WaitFull price and a flagship. Wait for a real Sonos cut, and compare it with the Bose Smart Ultra first.
- You want the best sound from a soundbar
- You have a big living room
- Sonos finally cuts the price
SkipA small markdown, and it costs close to the Bose Smart Ultra. Skip unless Black Friday closes that gap.
- You want Samsung’s sub and up-firing channels
- The price falls toward Samsung’s cheaper bars
- You game and want Game Mode Pro
Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar
A premium Dolby Atmos soundbar listed about 30% below its “was” price and sold by Amazon.com. If you buy one soundbar before Black Friday, make it this one.
- About 30% off its “was” price
- Six transducers with Dolby Atmos
- Sold by Amazon.com
Quick tips before you buy
Look for HDMI eARC on your TV, because it passes Dolby Atmos to a soundbar with one cable. If your TV only has optical, Atmos may not work.
Compact bars suit small rooms and bedrooms. A big living room benefits from a larger bar or one with a subwoofer for bass you can feel.
Look for a listing sold by Amazon.com or the brand’s own store. Third-party bundles with extra cables or protection plans often cost more than the plain soundbar.
Brands sell look-alike soundbars in the same year. Compare the model in the title, such as HW-S60D, with the one you researched, and read the return details first.
Quick answers
When does Black Friday 2026 start on Amazon?+
Black Friday is Friday, November 27, 2026, and Cyber Monday is Monday, November 30. Amazon has not announced its 2026 sale dates yet. In past years its Black Friday deals started about a week before Black Friday and ran through Cyber Monday. If it repeats that pattern, early deals could start around November 20. That is a guess, not an announcement.
Will soundbars be cheaper on Black Friday than they are now?+
Nobody knows before the sale. A soundbar that is already well below its “was” price, like the TCL S55H, has less room left to fall. A soundbar at full price, like the Sonos Arc Ultra, has more. That is why we split these bars into buy and wait.
Is it better to buy a soundbar now or wait for Black Friday?+
Buy now if the price is already low and the seller is Amazon.com, or if you need better sound soon. Wait if the model is at full price with no markdown. If you buy now and the price drops later, do not count on a refund. Check the return details on the listing first.
Will Sonos soundbars be on sale for Black Friday 2026?+
We cannot promise it. The Sonos Arc Ultra and Beam Gen 2 listings we checked on October 21 showed no markdown. If Sonos is your goal, set a target price and compare listings sold by Amazon.com. The older Beam Gen 2 is the likelier one to get a cut, since Sonos now sells the Beam Ultra above it.
Are Black Friday soundbar deals real or just inflated “was” prices?+
Some are real and some are not. A “was” price can be a high list price, which makes the percent off look large even when similar soundbars cost less. Compare the bar with others in the same tier, not with its own crossed-out price. The Samsung S60D is an example.
Do I need Dolby Atmos in a soundbar?+
No, but it helps if you stream movies and play games that carry Atmos sound. Atmos adds height effects from up-firing speakers or virtual processing. A good stereo or 3.1 soundbar with clear dialogue still beats most TV speakers. You also need HDMI eARC on your TV to pass Atmos along.
Which soundbar is best to buy first this season?+
For most people, the Bose Smart Ultra: Dolby Atmos, six transducers and Alexa or Google voice control, listed about 30% below its “was” price. If budget matters most, the TCL S55H gives you a subwoofer and Atmos for far less. Wait on Sonos until the sale shows a real discount.
Keep comparing
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