Soundbars / Samsung HW-Q800H vs LG S95AR
Samsung HW-Q800H vs LG S95AR
LG S95AR
A complete 9.1.5 system with rears and sub in the box — the LG OLED match.
Wins overall by 0.6 points
Quick Verdict
The LG S95AR is the stronger all-round pick, ahead by 0.6 points. A complete 9.1.5 system with rears and sub in the box — the LG OLED match.
The Samsung HW-Q800H and LG S95AR are both closely matched soundbar models, and the Samsung HW-Q800H is $600 cheaper than the LG S95AR ($1,099 vs $1,699). On Surround & Height, the LG S95AR leads (9.5 vs 8.5/10) — dolby Atmos height effect and how convincingly it places surround audio. On Connectivity, the LG S95AR leads (9.0 vs 8.0/10) — HDMI inputs and passthrough, eARC, Wi-Fi and streaming protocol support. On Sound Quality, the LG S95AR leads (9.0 vs 8.5/10) — overall tonal balance, clarity and detail. Overall, the LG S95AR scores 8.8/10 across our 8 scoring categories versus 8.2/10 for the Samsung HW-Q800H. Below, we break down the full spec sheet, category-by-category scores, and exactly who should buy which one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | Samsung HW-Q800H | LG S95AR |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1099.00 | $1699.00 |
| Release Year | 2026 | 2025 |
| Channels | 5.1.2 (11 drivers) | 9.1.5 (17 drivers, five up-firing including a centre height channel) |
| Total Power (W) | Samsung no longer publishes wattage for Q-series bars | 810 |
| Subwoofer | Included (wireless) | Included (wireless), 8-inch driver in a 20-litre cabinet, extending to 27.1Hz |
| Rear Speakers | Optional add-on — Samsung SWA-9500S wireless rear kit | Included — six-channel true wireless rears with up-firing drivers |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes | Yes |
| DTS:X | Yes | Yes |
| HDMI Ports (ports) | 2 | 2 |
| HDMI Passthrough | 4K/60Hz only — Samsung's specification does not list 120Hz, VRR or ALLM | 4K/120Hz with VRR and ALLM, HDCP 2.3, HDR10 and Dolby Vision |
| eARC | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi & Streaming | Yes — AirPlay 2, Google Cast and Spotify Connect all supported | Yes — AirPlay 2, Google Cast and Spotify Connect all supported |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | Not published by the manufacturer |
| Voice Assistant | Alexa built in; also works with Google Home. Bixby is not supported | Works with Alexa and Google Home; whether either is built in is not confirmed by LG. The built-in microphone is documented for room calibration |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | Black | Black |
Category Scores
Sound Quality
The LG S95AR leads clearly here, 9.0 against 8.5 — a 0.5-point margin on overall tonal balance, clarity and detail. If that is what you are buying for, the Samsung HW-Q800H does not close the gap elsewhere.
Bass
The LG S95AR leads clearly here, 9.0 against 8.5 — a 0.5-point margin on low-end weight and extension, with or without a separate subwoofer. If that is what you are buying for, the Samsung HW-Q800H does not close the gap elsewhere.
Dialogue Clarity
The LG S95AR leads clearly here, 8.5 against 8.0 — a 0.5-point margin on how well speech cuts through a busy soundtrack. If that is what you are buying for, the Samsung HW-Q800H does not close the gap elsewhere.
Surround & Height
The LG S95AR leads clearly here, 9.5 against 8.5 — a 1.0-point margin on dolby Atmos height effect and how convincingly it places surround audio. If that is what you are buying for, the Samsung HW-Q800H does not close the gap elsewhere.
Connectivity
The LG S95AR leads clearly here, 9.0 against 8.0 — a 1.0-point margin on HDMI inputs and passthrough, eARC, Wi-Fi and streaming protocol support. If that is what you are buying for, the Samsung HW-Q800H does not close the gap elsewhere.
Features
The LG S95AR leads clearly here, 9.0 against 8.5 — a 0.5-point margin on room calibration, TV-brand integration, app control and expandability. If that is what you are buying for, the Samsung HW-Q800H does not close the gap elsewhere.
Design & Build
The LG S95AR leads clearly here, 8.0 against 7.5 — a 0.5-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 Samsung HW-Q800H does not close the gap elsewhere.
Value
The Samsung HW-Q800H and LG S95AR are level here, at 8.0/10 each. performance and features relative to price is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Best For
Choose the Samsung HW-Q800H if…
- • You want to spend less — it's $600 cheaper.
- • Your main use case is tv-upgrade.
Choose the LG S95AR if…
- • Surround & Height matters most to you — the LG S95AR scores 9.5/10 here (dolby Atmos height effect and how convincingly it places surround audio).
- • Connectivity matters most to you — the LG S95AR scores 9.0/10 here (HDMI inputs and passthrough, eARC, Wi-Fi and streaming protocol support).
- • Sound Quality matters most to you — the LG S95AR scores 9.0/10 here (overall tonal balance, clarity and detail).
- • Bass matters most to you — the LG S95AR scores 9.0/10 here (low-end weight and extension, with or without a separate subwoofer).
- • Dialogue Clarity matters most to you — the LG S95AR scores 8.5/10 here (how well speech cuts through a busy soundtrack).
Pros & Cons
Samsung HW-Q800H
Pros
- +Q-Symphony is the strongest TV-attach feature in the category if you own a Samsung TV
- +Both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, which the Sonos and Bose lack
- +True up-firing drivers plus a wireless subwoofer included
- +Automatic room calibration and a real HDMI input
Cons
- −Pass-through is 4K/60Hz only — no 120Hz, VRR or ALLM, so console gamers should look at the Q990H or the Sony
- −Samsung no longer publishes power figures
- −Q-Symphony only benefits Samsung TV owners
- −Rear speakers cost extra
LG S95AR
Pros
- +Rear speakers and subwoofer both included, so it is a complete system out of the box
- +The only bar here with a centre up-firing height channel
- +810W published power and full 4K/120Hz VRR pass-through
- +WOW Orchestra and WOWCAST make it the natural match for an LG OLED
Cons
- −LG does not publish the Bluetooth version
- −Whether Alexa or Google Assistant is genuinely built in is unclear from LG's own materials
- −Large footprint — the bar, sub and two rears need real space
- −2025 hardware, and LG has announced a modular Sound Suite successor with no price or date
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the Samsung HW-Q800H or LG S95AR better overall?+
Based on our 8-category scoring, the LG S95AR 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 Surround & Height, the Samsung HW-Q800H or the LG S95AR?+
The LG S95AR scores higher on Surround & Height (9.5/10 vs 8.5/10) — dolby Atmos height effect and how convincingly it places surround audio.
Which is better for Connectivity, the Samsung HW-Q800H or the LG S95AR?+
The LG S95AR scores higher on Connectivity (9.0/10 vs 8.0/10) — HDMI inputs and passthrough, eARC, Wi-Fi and streaming protocol support.
Which is better for Sound Quality, the Samsung HW-Q800H or the LG S95AR?+
The LG S95AR scores higher on Sound Quality (9.0/10 vs 8.5/10) — overall tonal balance, clarity and detail.
Which is better for Bass, the Samsung HW-Q800H or the LG S95AR?+
The LG S95AR scores higher on Bass (9.0/10 vs 8.5/10) — low-end weight and extension, with or without a separate subwoofer.
Is the Samsung HW-Q800H worth the price difference over the LG S95AR?+
The Samsung HW-Q800H is the cheaper option at $1,099 versus $1,699. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in Surround & Height.
Which is better suited to my use case?+
The Samsung HW-Q800H is the better fit if you mainly care about tv-upgrade. The LG S95AR is the better fit for gaming.
What's the warranty on the Samsung HW-Q800H vs the LG S95AR?+
The Samsung HW-Q800H ships with a 12-month warranty; the LG S95AR 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.
Cheaper Option
Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100) — $869.99
Premium Option
Samsung HW-Q990H — $1999.99
Specifications and prices for both products last verified . Scores are calculated from published specifications — see how we compare products.