UK magazine What Hi-Fi? has started publishing its 2026 Awards, with 111 winners across 24 categories and the overall Product of the Year picks due at a ceremony on 12 November. Its soundbar category, published on 2 November, names seven Dolby Atmos winners. For bass fans the interesting part is how many come with a separate subwoofer, and which rely on the bar alone.
The short version
- Seven soundbar winners; four include a subwoofer in the package.
- With a sub: Samsung HW-Q990H, Sony Bravia Theatre System 6, Sony Bravia Theatre Trio with Rear 9 and Sub 9, and the Hisense AX5125H.
- Bar-only winners: Sonos Beam (Gen 2), Sonos Arc Ultra and KEF XIO. All three can add a wireless sub.
- There is no subwoofer category in this year’s Awards list.
- Overall Product of the Year winners are due on 12 November.
The seven winners
| Soundbar | Award (What Hi-Fi?) | Subwoofer |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung HW-Q990H | Best soundbar, £500–£2,000 | Included, plus two surround speakers |
| Sony Bravia Theatre System 6 | Top pick, £250–£500 | Included (wired to the sub) |
| Sony Bravia Theatre Trio + Rear 9 + Sub 9 | Premium system | Included (Sub 9) |
| Hisense AX5125H | Budget Dolby Atmos system | Included, plus two surrounds |
| Sonos Arc Ultra | Best soundbar, £500–£1,000 | Optional (Sonos Sub 4 or Sub Mini) |
| Sonos Beam (Gen 2) | Entry-level Dolby Atmos | Optional (Sonos Sub Mini or Sub 4) |
| KEF XIO | Best premium soundbar, over £2,000 | Optional (KEF KC62, KC92 or KUBE) |
Award categories and prices are What Hi-Fi?’s, in UK pounds. US pricing and availability differ.
What it means for you
- Want everything in one box? The Samsung and Hisense packages include a sub and rear speakers, which is the cheapest route to real low bass with a soundbar.
- Already own a Sonos bar? A sub is the biggest upgrade; see our Sonos Sub 4 review, our Sub Mini review and our best subwoofer for Sonos guide.
- KEF XIO owners: the bar already supports KEF’s KC62, KC92 and KUBE subwoofers, and a new KW2 RX update adds compatible KEF wireless speakers as rear surrounds.
Our take
Awards lists are a useful shortlist, not a final answer. A soundbar on its own rarely goes as deep as a decent subwoofer, which is why four of seven winners ship with one. If you buy a bar-only winner, budget for a sub later and place it well: our placement calculator helps, and the crossover finder sets the hand-off.