Soundbars / Samsung HW-Q800H vs Sonos Arc Ultra
Samsung HW-Q800H vs Sonos Arc Ultra
Sonos Arc Ultra
The best one-box Atmos bar — real bass, no sub needed, but no HDMI input.
Wins overall by 0.2 points
Quick Verdict
This is close. The Sonos Arc Ultra edges ahead by 0.2 points, but that margin is inside the noise — the Samsung HW-Q800H is a defensible pick on its own terms. The affordable way into Samsung's Q-Symphony — but only 4K/60 pass-through.
The Samsung HW-Q800H and Sonos Arc Ultra are both closely matched soundbar models, and they're priced almost identically ($1,099 vs $1,099). On Design & Build, the Sonos Arc Ultra leads (9.0 vs 7.5/10) — finish, size relative to a TV, and how well it fits a living room. On Value, the Samsung HW-Q800H leads (8.0 vs 7.0/10) — performance and features relative to price. On Sound Quality, the Sonos Arc Ultra leads (9.2 vs 8.5/10) — overall tonal balance, clarity and detail. Overall, the Sonos Arc Ultra scores 8.4/10 across our 8 scoring categories versus 8.2/10 for the Samsung HW-Q800H, though the gap is close enough that your specific use case should decide it. 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 | Sonos Arc Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1099.00 | $1099.00 |
| Release Year | 2026 | 2024 |
| Channels | 5.1.2 (11 drivers) | 9.1.4 (14 drivers: 9 tweeters, 6 mid-woofers, plus the Sound Motion woofer) |
| Total Power (W) | Samsung no longer publishes wattage for Q-series bars | Sonos does not publish power ratings |
| Subwoofer | Included (wireless) | Built in (Sound Motion woofer); Sonos Sub 4 or Sub Mini optional |
| Rear Speakers | Optional add-on — Samsung SWA-9500S wireless rear kit | Optional add-on — Sonos Era 300 or Era 100 pair as wireless surrounds |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes | Yes |
| DTS:X | Yes | No |
| HDMI Ports (ports) | 2✓ | 1 |
| HDMI Passthrough | 4K/60Hz only — Samsung's specification does not list 120Hz, VRR or ALLM | None — there is no HDMI input at all, only eARC out |
| eARC | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi & Streaming | Yes — AirPlay 2, Google Cast and Spotify Connect all supported | Wi-Fi 6 with AirPlay 2 and Spotify Connect; Chromecast is not supported |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Voice Assistant | Alexa built in; also works with Google Home. Bixby is not supported | Sonos Voice Control and Amazon Alexa built in |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | Black | Black, White |
Category Scores
Sound Quality
The Sonos Arc Ultra leads clearly here, 9.2 against 8.5 — a 0.7-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 Samsung HW-Q800H and Sonos Arc Ultra are level here, at 8.5/10 each. low-end weight and extension, with or without a separate subwoofer is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Dialogue Clarity
The Sonos Arc Ultra 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 Sonos Arc Ultra leads clearly here, 9.0 against 8.5 — a 0.5-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 Samsung HW-Q800H leads clearly here, 8.0 against 7.5 — a 0.5-point margin on HDMI inputs and passthrough, eARC, Wi-Fi and streaming protocol support. If that is what you are buying for, the Sonos Arc Ultra does not close the gap elsewhere.
Features
The Samsung HW-Q800H and Sonos Arc Ultra are level here, at 8.5/10 each. room calibration, TV-brand integration, app control and expandability is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Design & Build
The Sonos Arc Ultra leads clearly here, 9.0 against 7.5 — 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 Samsung HW-Q800H does not close the gap elsewhere.
Value
The Samsung HW-Q800H leads clearly here, 8.0 against 7.0 — a 1.0-point margin on performance and features relative to price. If that is what you are buying for, the Sonos Arc Ultra does not close the gap elsewhere.
Best For
Choose the Samsung HW-Q800H if…
- • Value matters most to you — the Samsung HW-Q800H scores 8.0/10 here (performance and features relative to price).
Choose the Sonos Arc Ultra if…
- • Design & Build matters most to you — the Sonos Arc Ultra scores 9.0/10 here (finish, size relative to a TV, and how well it fits a living room).
- • Sound Quality matters most to you — the Sonos Arc Ultra scores 9.2/10 here (overall tonal balance, clarity and detail).
- • Dialogue Clarity matters most to you — the Sonos Arc Ultra scores 8.5/10 here (how well speech cuts through a busy soundtrack).
- • Surround & Height matters most to you — the Sonos Arc Ultra scores 9.0/10 here (dolby Atmos height effect and how convincingly it places surround audio).
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
Sonos Arc Ultra
Pros
- +Widely rated the best one-box Atmos bar you can buy
- +The Sound Motion driver produces genuine bass without a separate subwoofer
- +Trueplay room tuning adapts it to your room
- +Superb build and finish
Cons
- −No HDMI input at all, which is a real problem if your TV has only one spare HDMI port
- −No DTS:X or DTS-HD decoding
- −Deliberately brand-agnostic, so no TV-brand features like Q-Symphony
- −Some controls sit on the rear, awkward when wall-mounted
- −List price rose from $999 to $1,099
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the Samsung HW-Q800H or Sonos Arc Ultra better overall?+
Based on our 8-category scoring, the Sonos Arc Ultra 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 Design & Build, the Samsung HW-Q800H or the Sonos Arc Ultra?+
The Sonos Arc Ultra scores higher on Design & Build (9.0/10 vs 7.5/10) — finish, size relative to a TV, and how well it fits a living room.
Which is better for Value, the Samsung HW-Q800H or the Sonos Arc Ultra?+
The Samsung HW-Q800H scores higher on Value (8.0/10 vs 7.0/10) — performance and features relative to price.
Which is better for Sound Quality, the Samsung HW-Q800H or the Sonos Arc Ultra?+
The Sonos Arc Ultra scores higher on Sound Quality (9.2/10 vs 8.5/10) — overall tonal balance, clarity and detail.
Which is better for Dialogue Clarity, the Samsung HW-Q800H or the Sonos Arc Ultra?+
The Sonos Arc Ultra scores higher on Dialogue Clarity (8.5/10 vs 8.0/10) — how well speech cuts through a busy soundtrack.
Is the Samsung HW-Q800H worth the price difference over the Sonos Arc Ultra?+
They're priced the same ($1,099), so the decision comes down to which specific features and scores matter more to you rather than budget.
What's the warranty on the Samsung HW-Q800H vs the Sonos Arc Ultra?+
The Samsung HW-Q800H ships with a 12-month warranty; the Sonos Arc Ultra 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
LG S95AR — $1699.00
Specifications and prices for both products last verified . Scores are calculated from published specifications — see how we compare products.