Sonos Beam (2nd Gen)

It’s not the best Dolby Atmos experience – though the fact Sonos managed to coax it out at all through clever software is impressive – yet it’s still a notable improvement over the first Beam, and Sonos’ usability still stands shoulders above that of rivals. If you want better movie nights without the usual control headaches or visual clutter of more traditional surround systems, the new Beam is pitched just right for most people, and most services they stream from.

The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) soundbar delivers sophisticated sound in a small package. A bounty of smart features and listening options make the new Beam an attractive follow-up to the original.

The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) is a great upgrade compared to the original soundbar, coming with Dolby Atmos support, HDMI eARC compatibility, and a refreshed design. Although we weren’t entirely convinced by the virtual Atmos on offer, this soundbar sounds fantastic and fits small spaces perfectly, while its mid-range price won’t be too hard on your bank balance.

The second-generation Sonos Beam isn’t a huge leap ahead of the original, but it’s still a better soundbar overall thanks to the addition of Atmos. If you already own a Beam, you don’t need to run out and grab one. But it’s a solid sub-$500 soundbar if you want to take your movie watching up a notch.

The upgrade to eARC makes for a smoother, more dependable listening experience without any latency issues, and the new design will look better in your living room. But a lack of proper up-firing speakers limits the Atmos potential, and the fact that Sonos has reused so much of the hardware here makes the second-gen Beam feel like a half-step toward something more ambitious. I expect to see bigger things whenever the third generation comes along.

A step up from the previous model, the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) adds an extra dimension to sound, literally, with its clever virtual Dolby Atmos support. Loud, nicely balanced and capable of bringing a cinematic experience, this soundbar is a great addition to a smaller or secondary TV. The single HDMI eARC input may be limiting for some, though, and DTS support is missing, although due later in the year.

Although a moderate upgrade from the original - unless Virtual Dolby Atmos is very important to you - the second-gen Beam is an excellent compact soundbar that'll not only boost your TV viewing, but make your home smarter thanks to smart assistant support, and is easier to setup than before thanks to HDMI eARC support. There are bigger, pricier alternatives that deliver more channels and true Dolby Atmos support if you're looking for a more considerable home-cinema setup though.