Soundbars · owner-verdict comparison

Sonos Beam Gen 2 vs Vizio Elevate: what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the Sonos Beam Gen 2: 67% of 280 owners recommend it, vs 55% of 222 for the Vizio Elevate.

Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score

Sonos Beam Gen 2

67%of 280 owners recommend
67% recommend · 18% neutral · 15% don't
Owners praise
  • Punches well above its size and price
  • Huge upgrade over built-in TV speakers
  • Clear, crisp dialogue and vocal reproduction
Owners complain about
  • Lacks bass and underwhelms on its own; needs a sub and surrounds to shine
Full owner report →

Vizio Elevate

55%of 222 owners recommend
55% recommend · 12% neutral · 33% don't
Owners praise
  • Fantastic, room-filling sound and immersive Atmos for the price
  • Best-in-class Atmos effects with the upfiring rotating speakers
  • Powerful, hard-hitting subwoofer
Owners complain about
  • Constant HDMI eARC/CEC handshake problems; won't reliably turn on with the TV
  • Terrible, buggy SmartCast app and software
  • Audio delay/lag and channels cutting out
Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

Get the Sonos Beam Gen 2 if
  • ✓Small rooms, bedrooms, apartments, and offices
  • ✓TV-speaker upgraders who want clear dialogue and vocals
  • ✓Buyers wanting an expandable system (add sub and surrounds later)
  • ✓Best-value Sonos seekers who also enjoy music
Skip it if
  • Large or wide open-plan rooms
  • Those wanting strong bass or real Atmos from the bar alone
Get the Vizio Elevate if
  • ✓Movie and gaming fans wanting immersive Dolby Atmos
  • ✓Buyers wanting big Atmos sound on a budget
  • ✓Owners who want a powerful, room-shaking subwoofer
  • ✓People pairing it with an OLED for home theater
Skip it if
  • Music-first listeners wanting the best stereo playback
  • Anyone needing reliable eARC and CEC handshakes

What Sonos Beam Gen 2 owners say

“I’m very happy with my Beam gen2 with 2 One’s as rears. Great sound for my living room!”
— @jeroenpost78 on YouTube
“It’s an amazing soundbar, coming from Sony HT-Z9F soundbar set. Wide soundstage with 5 directions, excellent detail and center channel with really good bass.”
— @StrikerXL_BE on YouTube
“no bluetooth? no thanks”
— @bbbf09 on YouTube

What Vizio Elevate owners say

“Sound amazing and that subwoofer is a beast”
— @sweetchinmusiq1623 on YouTube
“i love how vizio organized the accessories in the box instead of just dumping them in willy nilly like most manufacturers”
— @jamesmccarte1609 on YouTube
“the problem of Vizio est is their POS quality control and customer service”
— @antwake on YouTube

Sonos Beam Gen 2 vs Vizio Elevate: frequently asked questions

Is the Sonos Beam Gen 2 or the Vizio Elevate better?

Real owners lean toward the Sonos Beam Gen 2: 67% of 280 owners recommend it, vs 55% of 222 for the Vizio Elevate.

Who should get the Sonos Beam Gen 2?

Owners point the Sonos Beam Gen 2 at small rooms, bedrooms, apartments, and offices, and tV-speaker upgraders who want clear dialogue and vocals.

Who should get the Vizio Elevate?

Owners point the Vizio Elevate at movie and gaming fans wanting immersive Dolby Atmos, and buyers wanting big Atmos sound on a budget.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the Sonos Beam Gen 2 is lacks bass and underwhelms on its own; needs a sub and surrounds to shine. For the Vizio Elevate, it's constant HDMI eARC/CEC handshake problems; won't reliably turn on with the TV.