Soundbars / Bose Smart Soundbar vs Hisense HS2100
Bose Smart Soundbar vs Hisense HS2100
Bose Smart Soundbar
The best streaming integration under $600 — but budget for the bass module.
Wins overall by 1.6 points
Quick Verdict
The Bose Smart Soundbar is the stronger all-round pick, ahead by 1.6 points. The best streaming integration under $600 — but budget for the bass module.
The Bose Smart Soundbar and Hisense HS2100 are both closely matched soundbar models, and the Hisense HS2100 is $419 cheaper than the Bose Smart Soundbar ($129.99 vs $549). On Connectivity, the Bose Smart Soundbar leads (9.0 vs 4.0/10) — HDMI inputs and passthrough, eARC, Wi-Fi and streaming protocol support. On Features, the Bose Smart Soundbar leads (8.0 vs 4.5/10) — room calibration, TV-brand integration, app control and expandability. On Surround & Height, the Bose Smart Soundbar leads (7.0 vs 4.0/10) — dolby Atmos height effect and how convincingly it places surround audio. Overall, the Bose Smart Soundbar scores 7.4/10 across our 8 scoring categories versus 5.8/10 for the Hisense HS2100. Below, we break down the full spec sheet, category-by-category scores, and exactly who should buy which one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | Bose Smart Soundbar | Hisense HS2100 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $549.00 | $129.99 |
| Release Year | 2024 | 2023 |
| Channels | 3.0.2 as measured independently; Bose publishes only a transducer count, not a channel spec | 2.1 |
| Total Power (W) | Bose does not publish power ratings for any soundbar | 240 |
| Subwoofer | Optional add-on — Bose Bass Module 500 or 700; there is no built-in subwoofer | Included (wireless), 120W, 11cm slim cabinet |
| Rear Speakers | Optional add-on — Bose Surround Speakers, or Bose Ultra Open Earbuds | None |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes | No |
| DTS:X | No | No |
| HDMI Ports (ports) | 1 | 1 |
| HDMI Passthrough | None — eARC output only | None |
| eARC | Yes | No |
| Wi-Fi & Streaming | Yes — AirPlay 2, Chromecast built-in and Spotify Connect all supported | None |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 |
| Voice Assistant | Amazon Alexa built in; also works with Google Home | None |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | Black | Black |
Category Scores
Sound Quality
The Bose Smart Soundbar leads clearly here, 7.5 against 6.0 — a 1.5-point margin on overall tonal balance, clarity and detail. If that is what you are buying for, the Hisense HS2100 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Bass
The Hisense HS2100 leads clearly here, 7.0 against 5.5 — a 1.5-point margin on low-end weight and extension, with or without a separate subwoofer. If that is what you are buying for, the Bose Smart Soundbar does not close the gap elsewhere.
Dialogue Clarity
The Bose Smart Soundbar leads clearly here, 8.5 against 6.5 — a 2.0-point margin on how well speech cuts through a busy soundtrack. If that is what you are buying for, the Hisense HS2100 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Surround & Height
The Bose Smart Soundbar leads clearly here, 7.0 against 4.0 — a 3.0-point margin on dolby Atmos height effect and how convincingly it places surround audio. If that is what you are buying for, the Hisense HS2100 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Connectivity
The Bose Smart Soundbar leads clearly here, 9.0 against 4.0 — a 5.0-point margin on HDMI inputs and passthrough, eARC, Wi-Fi and streaming protocol support. If that is what you are buying for, the Hisense HS2100 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Features
The Bose Smart Soundbar leads clearly here, 8.0 against 4.5 — a 3.5-point margin on room calibration, TV-brand integration, app control and expandability. If that is what you are buying for, the Hisense HS2100 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Design & Build
The Bose Smart Soundbar leads clearly here, 8.0 against 6.5 — a 1.5-point margin on finish, size relative to a TV, and how well it fits a living room. If that is what you are buying for, the Hisense HS2100 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Value
The Hisense HS2100 leads clearly here, 8.0 against 6.0 — a 2.0-point margin on performance and features relative to price. If that is what you are buying for, the Bose Smart Soundbar does not close the gap elsewhere.
Best For
Choose the Bose Smart Soundbar if…
- • Connectivity matters most to you — the Bose Smart Soundbar scores 9.0/10 here (HDMI inputs and passthrough, eARC, Wi-Fi and streaming protocol support).
- • Features matters most to you — the Bose Smart Soundbar scores 8.0/10 here (room calibration, TV-brand integration, app control and expandability).
- • Surround & Height matters most to you — the Bose Smart Soundbar scores 7.0/10 here (dolby Atmos height effect and how convincingly it places surround audio).
- • Dialogue Clarity matters most to you — the Bose Smart Soundbar scores 8.5/10 here (how well speech cuts through a busy soundtrack).
- • Your main use case is dolby-atmos or home-theater.
Choose the Hisense HS2100 if…
- • Value matters most to you — the Hisense HS2100 scores 8.0/10 here (performance and features relative to price).
- • You want to spend less — it's $419 cheaper.
- • Your main use case is tv-upgrade.
Pros & Cons
Bose Smart Soundbar
Pros
- +Best streaming and smart-home integration in this price band — AirPlay 2, Chromecast and Spotify Connect together
- +A.I. Dialogue Mode is one of the better dialogue enhancers on the market
- +Alexa built in with a mic on the bar itself
- +Compact and well finished
Cons
- −Bass is weak without the separate Bass Module, which costs $500 to $800 more
- −A complete Bose system runs close to $1,400
- −No DTS:X
- −Reviewers describe the Atmos performance as inconsistent
- −Only power and mic-mute buttons on the bar itself
Hisense HS2100
Pros
- +240W published power is a lot for the money
- +The slim subwoofer actually fits under a sofa or cabinet
- +Roku TV Ready means one remote controls everything on a Roku TV
- +Bluetooth 5.3
Cons
- −No Dolby Atmos — Dolby Digital only
- −DTS Virtual:X is a virtualiser, not true DTS:X
- −Plain ARC rather than eARC, which limits the audio formats a TV can send it
- −No Wi-Fi
- −It announces itself audibly at startup with no way to disable it
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the Bose Smart Soundbar or Hisense HS2100 better overall?+
Based on our 8-category scoring, the Bose Smart Soundbar comes out ahead overall. See the full breakdown in the scores section above — the right pick still depends on which categories matter most for your use case.
Which is better for Connectivity, the Bose Smart Soundbar or the Hisense HS2100?+
The Bose Smart Soundbar scores higher on Connectivity (9.0/10 vs 4.0/10) — HDMI inputs and passthrough, eARC, Wi-Fi and streaming protocol support.
Which is better for Features, the Bose Smart Soundbar or the Hisense HS2100?+
The Bose Smart Soundbar scores higher on Features (8.0/10 vs 4.5/10) — room calibration, TV-brand integration, app control and expandability.
Which is better for Surround & Height, the Bose Smart Soundbar or the Hisense HS2100?+
The Bose Smart Soundbar scores higher on Surround & Height (7.0/10 vs 4.0/10) — dolby Atmos height effect and how convincingly it places surround audio.
Which is better for Dialogue Clarity, the Bose Smart Soundbar or the Hisense HS2100?+
The Bose Smart Soundbar scores higher on Dialogue Clarity (8.5/10 vs 6.5/10) — how well speech cuts through a busy soundtrack.
Is the Bose Smart Soundbar worth the price difference over the Hisense HS2100?+
The Hisense HS2100 is the cheaper option at $129.99 versus $549. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in Connectivity.
Which is better suited to my use case?+
The Bose Smart Soundbar is the better fit if you mainly care about dolby-atmos or home-theater. The Hisense HS2100 is the better fit for tv-upgrade.
What's the warranty on the Bose Smart Soundbar vs the Hisense HS2100?+
The Bose Smart Soundbar ships with a 12-month warranty; the Hisense HS2100 ships with a 12-month warranty. Always confirm current terms on the manufacturer's site before buying.
Should I wait for the next model instead of buying either of these?+
If either model is more than two years old, a successor may be close — check the "Latest Model" link on each product page. Otherwise, both are current, well-supported options and there's no strong reason to wait.
Premium Option
Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100) — $869.99
Specifications and prices for both products last verified . Scores are calculated from published specifications — see how we compare products.