If you want lots of rumble for a little more money, and don't mind losing the voice assistant, the JBL Bar 3.1 includes a subwoofer and can put out even bigger sound thanks to its bigger size.

Powerful sound for its size; Built-in Amazon Alexa voice assistant; Easily expanded with additional Sonos speakers

No Bluetooth; Optional subwoofer is expensive

In many ways Sonos is the Apple of audio. Its speakers and software are easy to use with thoughtful design and attention to detail, it has its own well-developed wireless ecosystem that "just works" and its products are priced at a premium.

The Sonos Beam offers the promise of multiple voice assistants, with Amazon Alexa now and Google Assistant in the future; Its expansive sound can fill a small room; HDMI connectivity includes the ability to power up and control TV input switching via voice command.

The lack of a subwoofer means the Beam lacks deep bass compared to sub-equipped competitors; You lose some connectivity options on TVs that lack ARC; Google Assistant hasn't been added yet

The Beam is a home theater sound bar for the smart home era -- at a price that won't break the bank.

Great sound; Elegant; simple design; Reasonably priced; TV voice control with Alexa on-board; AirPlay 2; Google Assistant coming

Still no HDMI pass-through; No Dolby Atmos support

Exactly what it says it'll do

Great upgrade for TV sound; Alexa works well; Simple to set up and use

Google Assistant support turning into a shadowy promise; made in whispers; Average music sound quality; Upgrading to full home theater system is very expensive

is the latest soundbar from the company that is synonymous with wireless multiroom audio.

Excellent audio quality; Sounds bigger than it is; Flawless Alexa integration; Superb remote app; HDMI ARC; Attractive and compact design

Bass is slightly lacking; Limited AV options; A bit pricey

Sonos Beam: The Sonos Beam is the smartest soundbar around and a great multiroom TV speaker

The Sonos Beam is a compact soundbar with expandability that makes it a perfect companion for Apple users. AirPlay 2, Apple Music, and a big bag of tricks make this great sounding speaker a must-have.

Beautifully simple, the Sonos Beam is designed for the smart home owners who want a single device for the TV, online streaming service and voice commands. It's a soundbar that does everything a smart home owner needs.

1. Great sound Very clear and balanced sound 2. Easy to set up and use Very smart and easy

Although some cheaper options sound better, Sonos Beam is a feature-packed, voice-operated sound bar with unmatched flexibility.

The Sonos Beam is the least-expensive sound bar available with a choice of two voice assistants, Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant; Its expansive sound can fill a small room; HDMI connectivity includes the ability to power up and control TV input switching via voice command.

The lack of a subwoofer means the Beam lacks deep bass compared to sub-equipped competitors, even some that cost less; You lose connectivity options on TVs that lack ARC; You can't switch between Google and Alexa on the fly and there's some lag with Google Assistant voice commands.