How-To Geek90
The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) is an excellent, compact soundbar that delivers impressive audio quality and effective virtual Dolby Atmos.
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
9 expert reviews#4 in soundbarsChecked 1 Nov 2026
Quick answer
The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) has a critic score of 84 out of 100 from 9 professional reviews, and 9 of them recommend it. It ranks #4 of 5 soundbars we score. Critics praise its sound quality and design. The most common complaint is missing features.
Reviews checked 1 Nov 2026
Image: SonosMid-size rooms
Our verdict
9 professional reviewers tested the Sonos Beam (Gen 2), and 9 recommend it. Critics praise its sound quality and design. The most common complaint: missing features.
The catch: Its virtual Atmos doesn't convince everyone.
Critic agreement: High
Scores run from 79 to 90
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What do critics say about the Sonos Beam (Gen 2)?
Android Central90
The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) is a high-quality, compact soundbar that delivers impressive audio and Dolby Atmos support, though it struggles in larger rooms and carries a premium price tag.
Tech Advisor90
The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) remains a highly capable and compact soundbar that delivers impressive audio and smart features, though its increased price point makes it less of a value proposition than it once was.
Engadget85est.
The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) is a refined update that successfully uses psychoacoustic processing to deliver an immersive Dolby Atmos experience from a compact form factor, making it a strong choice for those prioritizing simplicity and sound quality.
CNET81
The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is a compact, feature-rich soundbar that offers impressive simulated Dolby Atmos performance and excellent music streaming integration, though it lacks the raw power and immersion of dedicated multi-speaker systems.
TechRadar80
The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) is a highly recommended compact soundbar that delivers excellent audio performance and integrates seamlessly into the Sonos ecosystem, though its virtual Dolby Atmos effect is underwhelming.
Tom's Guide80
The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) is an excellent, compact soundbar that offers impressive audio performance and smart features, making it a perfect fit for smaller living spaces despite a slightly higher price point than its predecessor.
Expert Reviews80
The Sonos Beam 2 is an excellent, compact soundbar that delivers impressive audio quality for its size, though it is held back by limited connectivity options like the lack of HDMI passthrough.
RTINGS.com79est.
The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) is a compact and well-built soundbar that offers impressive performance for its size, though it lacks deep bass and requires additional purchases for a full surround experience.
Scores are converted to 0–100. "est." means the outlet gave no number, so we estimated one from its verdict. How we score
What critics praise most
Sound quality8 of 9
Design6 of 9
Portability6 of 9
What critics dislike most
Missing features6 of 9
Price6 of 9
Few upgrades2 of 9
Alternatives
Not sure about the Sonos Beam (Gen 2)?
Image: Samsung
Image: Sonos
Image: Bose
Image: SonosCommon questions
Is the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) worth it?
Most critics think so: 9 of 9 recommend it. Its virtual Atmos doesn't convince everyone.
What do critics dislike about the Sonos Beam (Gen 2)?
Missing features (6 of 9 reviews), Price (6 of 9 reviews), Few upgrades (2 of 9 reviews).
What is the best alternative to the Sonos Beam (Gen 2)?
The Samsung HW-Q990F (critic score 92), full surround system.