Samsung HW-Q990F
Exact average 88.6 · 6 printed, 5 estimated · printed scores only: 92
Image: SamsungAll 11 reviewers recommend Samsung's top soundbar system, a bar plus subwoofer and rear speakers that deliver real surround sound and plenty of connections. It is very expensive and needs room for all the speakers; the Sonos Arc Ultra is the single-bar alternative.
Reviewed by Homes and Gardens, What Hi-Fi?, Expert Reviews and 8 more
The catch: Very expensive, and needs room for the speakers.
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What 11 critics said
Highest score first · all converted to 0–100- 95Homes and Gardens
Reviewer found it hard to fault and ranks it the best soundbar they have tested, with superb detail, balance and bass.
Read Homes and Gardens review - 95What Hi-Fi?
Calls it the best Dolby Atmos soundbar system yet, with crisp, dynamic sound and a much improved subwoofer.
Read What Hi-Fi? review - 95Expert Reviews
Best Buy winner delivering the most complete, immersive dome of sound among soundbars, with the redesigned sub working well.
Read Expert Reviews review - 95TechRadar
An Editor's Choice system with immersive, powerful sound and a welcome compact subwoofer, held back by its high price and minimal upgrades over the Q990D.
Read TechRadar review - 90PCMag Middle East
Called the best soundbar the reviewer has tested, with stunning sound and excellent height effects, earning an Editors' Choice award.
Read PCMag Middle East review - 80WIRED
An easy-to-set-up wireless soundbar system with an impressive Atmos soundstage in small to medium rooms, called the best of the year so far by the reviewer.
Read WIRED review - 89est.Techaeris
Calls it an incredible surround system that is easy to set up and sounds amazing, best with a Q-Symphony Samsung TV.
Read Techaeris review - 85est.The Independent
Named best overall surround system in a tested guide, praised for big cinematic Atmos sound, crisp dialogue and strong connectivity.
Read The Independent review - 85est.Business Insider
A fantastic all-in-one Atmos system with big, immersive sound and easy setup, and the reviewer's top pick while discounted.
Read Business Insider review - 83est.ZDNET
A loud, feature-packed system with strong rear-speaker immersion and big room-filling sound.
Read ZDNET review - 83est.Techlicious
Samsung's flagship soundbar delivers theater-like Atmos sound, strong bass and clearer dialogue, and the reviewer feels the sound largely justifies the cost.
Read Techlicious review
"Est." means the outlet printed no score, so we estimated one from its verdict and checked our estimates against ratings outlets print. How we check estimates
How it compares
Direct comparisons by professional outlets, exact models only, in our words. Shown as evidence; they never change the critic score.
vs Sonos Arc Ultra88
- What Hi-Fi?: it depends. Choose this one if: you want a complete home cinema solution with rear speakers, a sub and more HDMI inputs.
- ZDNET (2026): it depends. Choose this one if: you want a full surround system out of the box, need DTS:X, or own a Samsung TV.
What critics praise most
What critics dislike most
Other soundbars critics rate highly
Common questions
Is the Samsung HW-Q990F worth it?
Most critics think so: 11 of 11 recommend it. Very expensive, and needs room for the speakers.
Do critics agree about the Samsung HW-Q990F?
Broad agreement: scores range from 80 (WIRED) to 95 (Homes and Gardens), a spread of 15 points across 11 reviews. Most reviewers land fairly close together.
What do critics dislike about the Samsung HW-Q990F?
Price (7 of 11 reviews).
What is the best alternative to the Samsung HW-Q990F?
The Sonos Beam Ultra (critic score 89), best compact atmos soundbar.