Best wireless surround sound systems for 2026
How to get thrilling surround sound without all the wires
In this article: Our top picks for an immersive home theater experience without the trouble of running wires...
- Best wireless 7.1 surround sound system — JBL Bar 700 MK2
- Best wireless Dolby Atmos system — Sony BRAVIA Theater Quad
- Best wireless surround sound system for music — Sonos Arc Ultra
- Best value wireless surround sound system — Polk Audio MagniFi MAX AX SR
- Best for 4K TV compatibility — Samsung HW-Q990F
...And we'll also break down the different types of wireless surround systems and explain how they work.
S
urround sound is hands-down the best way to enjoy movies, TV shows, and video games. Being able to hear the action around you draws you deeper into your favorite stories. A high-quality surround sound system is the closest you can get to the joy of going to the movies from the comfort of your home. There's some work involved in getting all that set up, though.
A traditional component home theater installation requires running speaker wire across your floor to each set of speakers in your system. This can be pretty time-consuming and not always easy, depending on the shape and layout of your room. A wireless surround sound system gives you that immersive experience you're looking for, but without all the extra hassle.
Just how "wireless" are these systems?
The term "wireless" in this case refers to signal transmission. Wireless surround sound systems can transmit and/or receive audio signals without wires linking each speaker. There are a few wireless systems that feature battery-powered surround speakers, but the vast majority will require each component to be connected directly to an AC outlet for power.
Can I use Bluetooth for surround sound?
In short, no. Bluetooth is a great wireless techology for a lot of applications, but it doesn't currently have the bandwidth to handle surround sound audio signals. You can get impressive Bluetooth stereo music playback through any of the wireless systems on this list, but you'll need a Wi-Fi connection for wireless surround sound.
What are the different types of wireless surround sound systems?
We carry two kinds of wireless surround sound systems. One involves a full set of surround speakers and a wireless transmitter, and there are also sound bar-based systems with wireless surround speakers.
Multi-speaker surround sound systems with a wireless transmitter
Transmitter-based wireless surround sound systems use several satellite speakers placed around your room. This arrangement ensures you're getting sound from key points around you. These speakers communicate wirelessly with the transmitter, which is physically connected to your source via an A/V cable. Usually, this is an HDMI or optical digital cable hooked up directly to your TV. The transmitter and each speaker would then be plugged into AC power.
Sound bar systems with wireless rear speakers
Sound bars with wireless rear speakers work similarly to transmitter-based systems. The bar itself connects directly to your source via an A/V cable. The rear speakers go in the back of your room and receive a wireless audio signal from the bar. Again, each component has to be plugged into an AC outlet. The sound bar's multiple built-in speakers produce a wide soundstage in the front of your room, while the rear speakers provide wraparound surround effects.
If you already own a sound bar and want to expand to true surround sound, you might be in luck. Many sound bars are compatible with optional wireless surrounds. And if you're looking to pick up everything you need at once, we frequently bundle together compatible bars, subs, and rear speakers into a single package. A few of our choices below fit that very bill.
Best wireless 7.1 surround sound system — JBL Bar 700 MK 2
The JBL Bar 700 MK2 delivers fantastic-sounding 7.1-channel sound from a streamlined bar and sub with support for Dolby Atmos. I have this bar's predecessor set up in my living room right now and I couldn't be happier. The 700 MK2 packs in seven speakers while the 10" down-firing subwoofer brings the action onscreen to life with hard-hitting bass. All that makes for a great movie night, but what makes the Bar 700 truly special is the included pair of true wireless surround speakers.
The Bar 700 MK2's surround speakers are detachable and rechargeable. This means you can leave them connected to the sound bar to charge, then detach them when you want a deeper home theater experience with true wraparound sound effects. No wires, no power cables, just place them wherever is most convenient for your space. They can play for up to 10 hours, but only take three hours to reach a full charge. Now that's "wireless."
Plus, with Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay 2, and Chromecast built-in, the JBL Bar 700 makes it easy to stream your favorite music when you're not watching TV.
Details
- sound bar, wireless subwoofer, and true wireless surround speakers
- surround speakers feature built-in batteries and recharge when attached to the sound bar
- delivers 7.1-channel sound with support for Dolby Atmos
- bar features 7 built-in speakers powered by a built-in amplifier
- Apple AirPlay 2, Bluetooth, and Google Cast built-in for wireless music streaming from compatible devices
Best for 3D audio — Sony BRAVIA Theater Quad
The Sony BRAVIA Theater Quad is a powerful multi-speaker system that offers an expansive, cinematic soundstage with support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. Each of the system's four speakers has a woofer, midrange driver, soft dome tweeter, and an up-firing driver for Dolby Atmos height effects.
The Quad simulates "phantom speakers" all around you for immersive sound no matter how the speakers are configured. Sony’s advanced 360 Spatial Sound Mapping technology lets you tailor the sound to the shape of your room. You can track sounds coming from all directions, from the whoosh of aircrafts zipping overhead to the squeal of tires on pavement, and get pulled into your favorite movies and games.
To complete the action-packed soundscape, you can match the Quad with one of Sony's powerful subwoofers. The 6-3/8" SA-SW3 adds low-end impact to help you feel the sounds around you. And if you want even deeper bass, you can also hook up the 7" SA-SW5.
I was lucky enough to audition a sample of the Sony BRAVIA Theater Quad before its release. I put the system through its paces with a few tests, but my favorite was with my current gaming obsession: Rise of the Ronin. I was impressed with how clearly and effortlessly the Quad captured quieter moments of dialogue, and then just as easily built tension with the swell of the soundtrack, punctuated by the sching and clang of the game's pulse-pounding swordplay.
Details
- wireless home theater surround sound system with support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X
- 360 Spatial Sound Mapping calibrates the sound to match your room and speaker configuration for an expansive, immersive soundstage
- four speakers connect wirelessly with a control box that plugs into your TV via HDMI
- each speaker has an up-firing driver, soft dome tweeter, midrange driver, and woofer
- built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for wireless music streaming from compatible devices
Best wireless surround sound system for music — Sonos Arc Ultra
The Sonos Arc Ultra is the latest version of one of our most popular and best-rated sound bars. This speaker-packed bar uses angled side-firing and up-firing drivers to reproduce Dolby Atmos surround sound all by itself. But you can also expand your system to include a pair of Sonos Era 300 or Era 100 wireless speakers and a Sonos Sub for true wraparound surround sound effects with impactful bass.
We’ve even bundled compatible Sonos sound bars, surround speakers, and subs together to make it easier to pick up a full system at once.
The coolest thing about Sonos, though, is that it's easy to expand the sound throughout your home. Every Sonos component can tie into a wireless multi-room music system that you can control from an intuitive app on your phone.
You can stream the same music in in several rooms or different music in each room. Start up the Frozen soundtrack for the tenth time of the day for the kids, and you can still rock out and pump iron to Metallica in your home gym. With access to all the major streaming services available, you've got a ton of options, too. Sonos lets you play whatever you want, wherever you want it.
Details
- 14 built-in speakers, including dedicated center channel drivers and precisely angled side, front, and up-firing tweeters
- plays TV sound, streaming music, and digital audio files from your home network
- communicates with other Sonos players via Wi-Fi
- built-in Amazon Alexa and Sonos Voice for easy voice control
Best value — Polk Audio MagniFi MAX AX SR sound bar system
The MagniFi MAX AX SR sound bar system offers big 5.1.2-channel sound with support for detailed multichannel formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. The bar features an impressive built-in speaker array with 11 drivers that direct sounds for greater immersion, including up-firing drivers for overhead effects. It also includes a 10" wireless subwoofer that supplies impactful bass effects. And to provide true wraparound sound effects, it comes with a pair of wireless surround speakers.
The MagniFi MAX AX SR has a dedicated center channel to bring conversations front and center. And Polk's VoiceAdjust™ technology lets you further boost voice levels to make sure you're consistently getting clear, intelligible dialogue.
And if you just want to chill and listen to some tunes, this bar handles streaming music beautifully, with flexible options including built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Chromecast built-in, Apple AirPlay 2, and Spotify Connect.
Details
- sound bar with wireless subwoofer and surround speakers
- wireless surround speakers plug into AC power and feature dual 3" drivers
- delivers 5.1.2-channel sound with support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X
- bar features 11 built-in speakers
- Apple AirPlay 2, Bluetooth, and Chromecast built-in for wireless music streaming from compatible devices
Best for 4K TV compatibility — Samsung HW-Q990F
Samsung's HW-Q990F 11.1.4-channel system delivers impactful, room-filling Atmos sound with a bar, sub, and rear speakers. The bar is packed with 15 speakers that include side-firing, corner-firing, and up-firing drivers for a detailed, wide soundstage. The rear speakers help position sound behind you and the punchy sub adds deep bass to pull you into the action onscreen.
This system works great with almost any TV, but it's designed to complement Samsung's impressive line of QLED TVs with a range of extra features. When connected to a compatible Samsung QLED, the sound bar system can work together and synchronize with the TV's built-in speakers via Q-Symphony for an even fuller soundstage. With SpaceFit Sound Pro the TV's powerful processing can be applied to the audio signal and calibrated to match the room for greater immersion.
The HW-Q990F can even receive a wireless Dolby Atmos signal from compatible Samsung TVs, for an even simpler wire-free set up.
Details
- powered sound bar with wireless subwoofer and rear speakers
- delivers 11.1.4-channel sound with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X
- bar features 15 built-in speakers
- Q-Symphony feature allows bar to synchronize with select Samsung TVs to create a fuller soundstage
- can receive a Dolby Atmos signal via Wi-Fi from your compatible Samsung TV
- SpaceFit Sound Pro lets compatible Samsung TVs process the audio signal based on your room for added clarity and immersion
Get started today!
There are tons great wireless systems to choose from, and we're here to help. If you need a little guidance finding exactly what you’re looking for, don’t hesitate to get in touch with one of our friendly Advisors.
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Popular questions customers ask
Surround sound uses more than one or two speakers to reproduce the immersive multi-channel soundtrack technology of modern movies and TV. The single center channel speaker contains most of the soundtrack dialogue, and pairs of left/right speakers add layers of surround sound, starting with front, then side, then rear, then overhead. Subwoofers supply the super-low frequencies.
Wireless surround sound systems use Wi-Fi to send Dolby and DTS soundtrack audio to your surround sound speakers.
It depends. If you connect all your sources to your TV, it needs to have an HDMI output and be able to support the Dolby and DTS surround sound formats that you want. If not, look for a system that has enough HDMI inputs for all your sources.
In this case, “wireless” generally means “without speaker wires.” But all speakers in a wireless surround system still need power, which means that in most cases, each speaker will need to be connected to AC power (plugged into an electrical outlet). Some sound bars connect wirelessly to surround sound speakers connected by speaker wire to a dedicated wireless transmitter/amplifier. Other systems use wire-free, battery-powered side, rear, or overhead surround speakers.
John Hander from Auburn
Posted on 6/1/2026
Is it possible to you're old high end stereo equipment with a wireless (system, wireless sound bar or possibly a circuit board) to make your tv and other inputs that run through a preamp?
Colin M. from Crutchfield
on 6/1/2026
Ketter Tubbs-Ishibashi from Pahoa
Posted on 5/6/2026
I highly agree with this list! I have tested several that was listed as the best for 2026 and you guys were on point where to place each system at. Thank you for all your work!
Colin M. from Crutchfield
on 5/12/2026
Roy G. from Plano
Posted on 3/3/2023
Interesting article, but did not address the need to add wireless surround to an existing home theater set-up. I would think that would be a common scenario. In my case, I have a Yamaha multi-channel (HT) receiver with two full bw floor-staining speaker providing stereo sound. I have no way to get wires to the back for surround sound. I do not want a sound bar, I am not going to replace my existing speakers nor my tv. How do I get wireless surround?
Colin M. from Crutchfield
on 3/21/2023
James A. from Burbank, CA
Posted on 3/1/2023
I have the Samsung q990b soundbar paired with the Samsung s95b 65" OLED TV. I have an instant, awesome home theater! My room is not that big at 14 x 14 with 9' ceilings, the sound is everywhere! Even at lower volumes late at night the sound and vocals are crystal clear. I will be happy with this set up for many years.
Colin M. from Crutchfield
on 3/21/2023
William from Mascoutah, Illinois
Posted on 2/1/2023
I'm looking at the Sony ht-a9. It seems like a setup that would work for my space which is a medium sized room. I was wondering if I moved into a large space later down the line if it would be as effective or would a larger system with more drivers work better?
Colin M. from Crutchfield
on 2/2/2023
Michael from Titusville
Posted on 1/29/2023
Is there a good solution for old school pre-amp to amplifier/speaker pair? I want to set up my vintage stereo but want to pass on some of the wiring if possible. And if I need a wifi-interface, what devices are available for passing a clean line-level audio signal between devices?
Colin M. from Crutchfield
on 1/30/2023
Donald from Aldie, va
Posted on 1/12/2023
I'm hard of hearing,,when I watch my tv the background music is to loud,,, I want it turn way down ??? Can it be done ??
Colin M. from Crutchfield
on 1/30/2023
Guri Primor from California
Posted on 10/19/2020
do the speakers work with 220 volt?
Emily S. from Crutchfield
on 12/3/2020
Matt from Cleveland, OH
Posted on 10/14/2018
Looking to re-do my office setup....primarily for music listening but also TV occasionally......currently Klipsch Synergy B3 bookshelf speakers, Klipsch C1 center channel (which doesn't work with my receiver for music), Klipsch subwoofer, Pioneer VSX 517 receiver. All from 2006-2007 era. Looking to replace all....keep the bookshelf setup, get a nice center channel, subwoofer, upgraded receiver....and looking to add wireless rear speakers that would be wall mounted about 2-3 feet behind me on the wall. Am not interested in a soundbar or anything like that, and would like a receiver with multiple digital outputs for TV and music. I wouldn't have too big of an issue plugging in rear speakers to power outlets. I don't know if higher end wireless speakers exist that I could get the rest of the system from the same company (all my other systems are all the same.....Magnepan, Klipsch, Sony). Any ideas?
Kramer Crane from Crutchfield
on 10/15/2018
Kevin from Garden Grove
Posted on 9/21/2018
I have a Denon X3400 receiver and QSC 10" as my front right and front left speaker, a QSC as my subwoofer and klipsch as my center. I would like to wirelessly add surround speakers(Left/right) and possible surround rear(left/right). What speakers do you recommend? I read that Denon has HEOS technology. I heard its similar to Sonos. Would you recommend going this route?
Kramer Crane from Crutchfield
on 9/24/2018