Clean and balanced sound; Upgradeable; Excellent size; Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant support;

HDMI eARC input only; No DTS support (coming soon);

The Sonos Beam 2 delivers delivers mild but definite improvements on the (outstanding) product it replaces, with performance that defies its dimensions. It’s not quite as emphatically Dolby Atmos-y as might have been hoped, and the lack of HDMI passthrough may be a problem for you, but the sound...

Deft, poised and weighty sound, Expansive and well-defined presentation, Good control options and app

No HDMI passthrough, Not the sonic height you might hope for

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...

Compact size and excellent sound, Multiple voice assistants supported, Virtual Dolby Atmos support enhances immersion, Adds HDMI eARC for easier setup

Not as good when at lower volumes, More expensive than original, Adding additional speakers for true surround is pricey

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...

Wide soundstage, HDMI eARC support, Hi-res audio compatibility, Compact design, Easily upgradeable

Slightly more expensive than the original, No upfiring tweeters, TruePlay only works with iOS devices

Just like the original, the Beam Gen 2 is an awesome product that's worth the $450 price tag. Sonos’ streamlined app and Wi-Fi integration, the clean design, and the Beam’s excellent acoustic performance (Atmos or not) each play their part to create a real symphony of a soundbar.

Excellent sound and features, Respectable virtual Dolby Atmos, Elegant design

So-so overhead audio, No spare HDMI input, Still no Trueplay for Android

“Dolby Atmos adds a splash of 3D fun to an already excellent soundbar.”

The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is an impressive piece of equipment. It’s got a compact, understated design, offers a range of smart features, and improves on the original Beam in some meaningful ways. If you have the original Beam, it’s probably not worth upgrading unless you really want Dolby Atmos.

The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) >IS< the soundbar you are looking for!

Since its debut in 2018, the $399 Sonos Beam has been one of the best small-sized soundbars you can buy, thanks to its great sound, compact and elegant design, easy integration with Sonos’ whole-home sound platform, and its ability to double as an Alexa or Google Assistant smart speaker. But over the past few years, Dolby Atmos — the 3D surround sound format that makes movies and music much more immersive — has become very popular, helped in no small part due to adoption by streaming giants like Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and both Apple TV+ and Apple Music. This means that most new soundbars, including Sonos’ $799 Arc flagship soundbar, are now Atmos-compatible, and the second-gen Beam is no exception. The new Sonos Beam is more expensive at $449. So the questions are whether existing Beam owners should even think about upgrading, and what prospective Beam newcomers can expect from it. First things first: Before you read this hands-on review, check out our review of the orig...

Easy setup; Immersive, room-filling sound; Sleek design; AirPlay 2;

No HDMI inputs; Requires compatible TV for Dolby Atmos;