This Compact Bose Soundbar Is $80 Off | WIREDSkip to main contentMenuSECURITYPOLITICSTHE BIG STORYBUSINESSSCIENCECULTUREREVIEWSMenuAccountAccountNewslettersApple MacBook NeoM5 MacBook Air ReviewBest REI Outdoor DealsBest Mountain E-BikesBest Paper PlannersDeals DeliveredSecurityPoliticsThe Big StoryBusinessScienceCultureReviewsChevronMoreExpandThe Big InterviewMagazineEventsWIRED InsiderWIRED ConsultingNewslettersPodcastsVideoLivestreamsMerchSearchSearchBrad BourqueGearMar 20, 2026 1:45 PMThis Compact Bose Soundbar Is $80 OffBose might be known for its noise-canceling headphones, but the brand's soundbars are pretty solid too.Courtesy of BoseCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyIf you're looking for an upgrade to your home audio, but you don't have a lot of room to spare, the Bose Smart Soundbar is an excellent option. Normally $499, it's currently marked down to just $419 on Amazon. With full Dolby Atmos spatial audio, a unique musical profile, and all the features you'd expect from a modern soundbar in a small package, there's a reason it's our favorite compact soundbar.Photograph: Ryan WaniataSave to wishlistSave to wishlistBoseSmart Soundbar$499 $419 (16% off) Amazon$549 Walmart$549 Best BuyThe biggest selling point here is the design. The Bose Smart Soundbar has an impressively small footprint, perfect for apartment-sized entertainment centers and cramped living rooms. It's just 2.2 inches tall, making it easy to slide under basically any screen, and its 27-inch width even makes it a viable option for smaller panels. There are a surprising number of speakers inside, including a pair of proper up-firing drivers, so you get real spatial audio and full Dolby Atmos support, something fairly uncommon for soundbars.Despite the size, the Bose Smart Soundbar has a great audio profile and feature set that's just as good as any full-size bar. It has a more musical quality than most, which works just as well for an action movie or catching up on your favorite show as it does for listening to some music while you hang out on the couch. If you have a pair of Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, you can even pair them up for a personal surround setup, a feature unique to the Bose.If you often have trouble catching what characters are saying, there's an AI Dialogue mode that boosts the clarity and volume of speech. It's a feature we've seen on other soundbars, but it stands out here with its excellent implementation, bringing any dialog into sharp focus at the push of a button. You can really hear the difference when switching the feature on and off.If you have a little more space under your TV, or you're just curious what other options are out there, make sure to check out our full guide to the best soundbars. Otherwise, you can head to Amazon to grab the Bose Smart Soundbar for just $419.CommentsBack to topTriangleBrad Bourque is a contributor for WIRED with a focus on computing hardware and peripherals. He’s a lifelong Oregonian and an avid Portland Thorns and Timbers supporter. On his days off, you can find him riding his ebike around Portland or taking his dog to the park. ... 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The Bose Smart Soundbar, currently available for $419 on Amazon, represents a compelling option for consumers seeking an upgrade to their home audio experience without significant space constraints. As detailed by Brad Bourque, the soundbar’s primary appeal lies in its compact design – a 2.2-inch height and 27-inch width allows for seamless integration into smaller entertainment spaces, including apartment settings or cramped living rooms. Beyond its physical dimensions, the Bose Smart Soundbar distinguishes itself through its incorporation of Dolby Atmos spatial audio, accompanied by a unique musical profile, representing a relatively uncommon feature within similarly sized soundbars. This configuration allows for a rich, immersive audio experience suitable for various media, ranging from action movies to musical entertainment.

A key technological advancement incorporated into the soundbar is the AI Dialogue mode, specifically engineered to enhance speech clarity and volume during dialog-heavy scenes. Bourque highlights this feature’s effective implementation, contributing to a noticeably improved audio experience when activated. Furthermore, the soundbar boasts a pair of dedicated up-firing drivers, which significantly contribute to its spatial audio capabilities and full Dolby Atmos support. This design element expands the perceived soundstage and adds another layer of depth to the audio, going beyond the capabilities of many competing soundbars within its size category.

Despite its diminutive size, the Bose Smart Soundbar demonstrates a robust audio profile and a comprehensive feature set comparable to larger, more expensive soundbars. The aforementioned musical profile is a notable differentiator, designed to deliver a warmer, more nuanced sound signature ideally suited for musical content, while simultaneously providing an equally engaging experience for action films or standard television viewing. Consumers seeking a personalized audio setup can even pair the Smart Soundbar with Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, creating a unique personal surround sound configuration. The soundbar’s design caters specifically to the needs of its target audience, those with limited space but a desire for a premium audio solution. The inclusion of this unique pairing option further elevates its value proposition.