Best TVs and Soundbars 2026: Top Home Theater Picks, Expert-Tested
“The people who stay in aren't missing out, they just have better setups.”
Good screen, better company
INSIDE THIS GUIDE
Staying in hits different when your screen is as good as a movie theater.
When you're watching critically acclaimed media like Game of Thrones or the Lego Batman Movie, you need a good screen and sound system to match the quality. The right TV not only improves movie night, but changes the vibes as well.
SECTION 01
Best TVs of 2026 — top picks by category (best overall, best OLED, best budget, best for gaming)
From peak OLED to budget picks, these are the four that received the most love.
1.1
LG
LG C6 Series 65-Inch 4K OLED TV
The people who decide exactly how a film's color will look before it hits the big screen do their finishing work on OLED monitors. The LG C6 uses that same tech, so when you're watching a film at home, you can see what the director actually intended. Blacks are rich and skin tones look like skin.
1.2
Samsung
Samsung S90D 65-Inch 4K OLED TV
This is the gamer's pick of TVs. The S90D with 144Hz has amazing refresh rates and fast scenes stay sharp. Playing on OLED means that dark parts of games are actually dark and not that washed-out gray most TVs use.
1.3
Roku
Roku Plus Series 65-Inch Mini-LED QLED TV
Roku is the perfect dupe brand if you don't want to pay $800 for a Mini-LED TV. They figured out how to make the same quality TV without cutting corners. The color is still punchy and has the Roku interface on top, which we all know is the superior interface.
1.4
Roku
Roku Plus Series 55-Inch TV
Not everyone wants or needs a massive screen anchoring their living room. And honestly, not everyone has the wall space for it either. The 55 hits the sweet spot for apartments, bedrooms, or close range watching. Same Mini-LED and Roku interface but for a smaller size.
SECTION 02
Best Soundbars of 2026 — top picks by use case (best overall, best for movies, best compact, best under $300)
Soundbars that make TV speakers feel embarrassing.
2.1
Sonos
Sonos Arc Ultra Soundbar
Dolby Atmos was built to wrap sound around you the way a real theater does. You can actually feel the bass in your chest and the audio moves with the characters. The Arc Ultra is the first to deliver this without a room full of satellite speakers.
2.2
Sonos
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Smart Soundbar
The Beam is what most people start with, and a lot of them never feel the need to upgrade. It's compact and can sit under any TV without dominating the setup. Dolby Atmos support means the audio has depth.
2.3
LG
LG S70TY 3.1.1-Channel Soundbar System
Most soundbars at this price cut corners and call it a day. This one doesn't. It comes with a wireless subwoofer. There's also an upward-firing driver built into the bar so the sound feels like it's happening above you.
2.4
Sonos
Sonos Ray Compact Soundbar
If you've been watching TV on just your TV speakers, this is the upgrade you need. The Ray doesn't do full surround sound, but it does make dialogue clear, fills a room and can even connect to Spotify directly.
SECTION 03
Aesthetic & Lifestyle TVs
TVs that look like art when they're off so they mess with your perfectly curated aesthetic.
3.1
Samsung
Samsung The Frame 65-Inch QLED 4K Smart TV
The Frame solved the problem of having a floating black rectangle ruining your living room vibe. It looks like a painting when it's off, and the anti-reflective matte finish really sells it. You might spend an embarrassing amount of time picking out what art to display.
3.2
Samsung
Samsung The Frame 55-Inch QLED 4K TV
Same art mode, same matte finish as the 65, just scaled down. The 55 is the size most people will end up with — big enough to feel like a statement, but small enough that it doesn't take up a whole wall. Perfect for NYC apartment vibes.
3.3
Samsung
Samsung The Frame 43-Inch QLED TV
The 43 is the perfect sized bedroom TV. It's small enough to mount above a dresser without overwhelming the space and the art mode actually looks real at this size. It's great for home offices too if your desk wall needs something on it.
3.4
Samsung
Samsung The Frame Pro 65-Inch Mini-LED TV
The Frame Pro is for people who spent real money on their living room and refuse to let a black rectangle ruin it. When it's turned off, it displays art from a curated library. Monet, Basquiat, photography, you name it. When it's on, the mini-LED backlighting makes everything look crisp, and the bezel is customizable so you can match your walls.
SECTION 04
Compact & Apartment-Friendly Audio
Great sound for small spaces.
4.1
Sonos
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Smart Soundbar (White)
The white Beam is perfect for when you want great sound but don't want a speaker to be the first thing people notice. It'll sit flush under your TV and blend in to those stark white walls just about every apartment has.
4.2
Sonos
Sonos Ray Entry-Level Compact Soundbar
The Ray is the immediate upgrade for any cheap TV. Dialogue is suddenly clear and music actually fills the room. For the small size you aren't sacrificing sound quality.
4.3
Sony
Sony HT-S100F Slim Bluetooth Bar
This is Sony's solution for a basic soundbar upgrade. You plug one cable into your TV and your built-in speakers are immediately replaced with something that has actual bass and depth.
4.4
Sonos
Sonos Era 100 Smart Speaker (White)
Unlike most speakers, this is something that actually looks good in your living room. It works as a standalone room speaker or pairs with a Sonos TV setup as a rear sound channel.
Now go watch something.
Save your favorites and keep an eye out, deals on this stuff move faster than they should. Your couch has been waiting long enough for a TV and soundbar to match its comfort level.