The 2026 World Cup begins on June 11, and while many people are thinking about a new TV, there is still one crucial element that can make or break the entire experience: audio.
A new soundbar can really add another dimension to the World Cup viewing experience, providing clearer commentary and a more immersive atmosphere by capturing the roar of the crowd. Let’s be real, even the best TVs have average built-in sound, and it would be a shame to miss out on the full World Cup atmosphere.
Best Overall: Samsung HW-Q800F
Currently at the top of our list of best soundbars is the five-star rated Samsung HW-Q800F. One of the brand’s 2025 mid-range soundbars, the Q800F really covers all the bases.
The Q800F is a soundbar and subwoofer combo that offers everything you could need. We found in our testing that the bass delivered by the new compact subwoofer was still sufficiently powerful and substantial, accurately delivering the Darkstar jet’s ignition in Top Gun: Maverick.
It also demonstrated excellent precision with surprisingly effective Dolby Atmos height effects in films such as The maskaccurately capturing the chaotic nature of the main character as he tears around Edge City. Expect it to accurately render ball movements on the pitch during the World Cup.
Dialogue was also clear throughout our testing, which is a good sign that a commentary track during the World Cup needs to be delivered with real clarity.
The Q800F also offers excellent value for money. You can expect to pay around $799 / £599 / AU$849, which is a great price for this soundbar. Also expect prices to drop as the World Cup approaches.
Best Premium: Samsung HW-Q990F
For those looking for a complete soundbar system, it doesn’t get much better than the Samsung HW-Q990F, the brand’s 2025 flagship model. This 11.1.4 channel soundbar is a beast, made up of four separate units and truly delivers a complete surround sound experience.
I personally tested the Q990F and was blown away by its performance. The new compact subwoofer delivers powerful, but also well-controlled bass. The roar of the Batmobile’s engine in The Batman shook the room but was dynamic and precise, the subwoofer delivering big gear changes with precision.
The Q990F features a wide soundstage that’s not only ideal for big movie musical numbers like Wickedbut also action-packed scenes like the attack on the Death Star in Star Wars: A New Hope. The sound is expansive with precise placement, like the TIE Fighter’s screaming flight path in Star Wars. The stadium atmosphere during the World Cup will seem sensational thanks to this system.
Speech was perfectly clear throughout my testing, whether it was a hushed conversation The Batman or the strong and soaring voice of “Defying Gravity” by Wicked. Expect the same with commentary at the World Cup.
The Q990F sits at the more premium end of the market, costing $1,599 / £999 / AU$1,599, but this mammoth soundbar system will have you covered for sports, movies and gaming, and will do a great job with all of them.
Best US budget: Sonos Beam
The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) may be compact, but don’t let that fool you. It delivers powerful sound that you wouldn’t expect from a soundbar of this size and is easily one of the best music models on the market.
The Beam (Gen 2) has been around for a while now, but it still delivers satisfying sound that suits a wide range of genres. I tested it alongside the Sony HT-S2000 and Denon Home 550, two compact rivals, and was always happy with the Beam’s performance.
The bass it delivers for a small unit is tightly controlled and punchy, as it accurately delivers the roar of jet engines in Top Gun: Maverick. Its soundstage was also spacious, giving the effects room to maneuver with good overall balance. As The Mask tornadoes around his bedroom The maskthe Beam did an excellent job of mapping the direction of the swirl, connecting the sound precisely to the image.
The dialogue is nice and clear despite its small size, so commentary should be crisp and clear for the World Cup. It also has a diverse sound profile that makes it ideal for music.
Sonos soundbars often have great discounts throughout the year, but even at the full price of $499 / £449 / AU$799, this is a superb soundbar with real value for money.
Best budget in the UK: Hisense AX5125H
The Hisense AX5125H is one of the most impressive budget soundbars I’ve ever used. Not only do you get a great 5.1.2 channel Dolby Atmos system, but you get it at a ridiculously low price.
Using the Death Star attack Star Wars: A New Hope, I was seriously impressed with the clarity and control of the AX5125H. It accurately delivered the roaring engines of the X-Wings and did a solid job with the height channels, recreating the scream of the TIE Fighters as they flew overhead.
The AX5125H also has a wide soundstage, which helped capture the subtleties of The BatmanThe opening crime scene of , with camera clicks, mumbled conversations and the sparse, scratchy strings of the score, all presented clearly. This should do a great job of identifying dynamics during the World Cup, from the ball traveling to the noise of the crowd.
Speech was also clear throughout testing, coming through loud and clear during quieter conversations and action-packed scenes. He will have no problem providing clear commentary in a crowded stadium atmosphere.
The real strong point of the AX5125H is its low price. A 5.1.2 channel system for £249 is ridiculous. This would have been my choice for the US budget option, but unfortunately it’s out of stock. For UK readers, this one is a no-brainer if you’re on a budget.
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