Best Sony Soundbars With HDMI Inputs for TVs and Gaming (2026)

A soundbar with a real HDMI input lets a console or streamer plug straight into the bar, so the TV keeps its own ports free. This guide compares eight best sony soundbars with hdmi inputs, states the exact HDMI input count of every pick, and names the Sony models that only offer an HDMI ARC output instead.

Quick verdict: the best sony soundbars with hdmi inputs at a glance

If you want the most HDMI inputs, the Sony HT-A7000 is the only pick here with two, and it is also the most complete single bar. The Bravia Theatre Bar 9 and the HT-A5000 follow with one HDMI input each, while three popular Sony bars have no HDMI input at all, only an ARC output.

Buy the HT-A7000 if you want two HDMI inputs and the fullest sound from one bar. Buy the Bravia Theatre Bar 9 if you own a Sony Bravia TV and play console games, since its single HDMI input passes 4K at 120Hz. Buy the HT-G700 or the HT-X8500 if one HDMI input is enough and you want Dolby Atmos at a lower tier. Avoid the HT-S2000, HT-S400 and HT-S100F if a spare HDMI input is the reason you are shopping, because each of them connects to the TV only through its HDMI ARC or eARC output.

Quick comparison table

The table below states the HDMI input count first, because that is the question this guide answers. A dash means the bar has no separate HDMI input, and the output column shows whether the TV connection is standard HDMI ARC or the higher-bandwidth eARC.

How we selected the soundbars in this guide

Every model here is a real Sony soundbar with published specifications from Sony, a retailer listing or independent review coverage. We checked the HDMI input count of each pick against those sources instead of trusting roundup summaries, because several Sony bars are often described as having an HDMI input when they only have an HDMI ARC output.

This guide is based on published specifications and review coverage, and it claims no testing of its own. Price guidance uses price-tier language only, with no prices asserted, because prices change and older models may be sold only through remaining stock. A bar earns its place here for a clear reason: the most HDMI inputs, the best fit for a Sony TV and a console, the best Atmos sound with a subwoofer, or an honest warning that a popular model has no HDMI input at all.

The best sony soundbars with hdmi inputs by model

Five of the eight bars below have a real HDMI input, and three do not, so read the HDMI count at the start of each section before anything else. The order follows the input count first: the two-input flagship, then the one-input bars, then the ARC-only models that buyers often mistake for HDMI-input bars.

Sony HT-A7000: two HDMI inputs and the fullest sound

The Sony HT-A7000 is the only bar in this guide with two HDMI inputs, and that is why it leads the list. It is a 7.1.2 virtual system with two up-firing drivers, two beam tweeters and five front speakers, plus a built-in dual subwoofer, so it covers height, width and bass from a single cabinet.

Its two HDMI inputs and one eARC output pass 4K at 120Hz and 8K video, with HDR10, HLG and Dolby Vision support, so a console and a streamer can both plug into the bar without giving up high refresh rates. Dolby Atmos and DTS:X are both supported, and the total output is 500 watts. Optional rear speakers and subwoofers can be added later, which turns the bar into a larger system over time. The bar is about 51 inches wide, so it suits a 65-inch or larger TV.

Buy it if you need two HDMI inputs and you want the most complete single Sony bar. Skip it if your TV is small, if one input would be enough, or if you want a current-generation model, because the HT-A7000 is a previous-generation flagship and you should confirm availability before planning around it.

Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9: one HDMI input for a Sony TV and console

The Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9, model HT-A9000, is the premium single-bar pick for a Sony Bravia TV and a game console. Sony lists 13 speaker units in a 7.0.2 configuration with 13 amplifier channels, plus Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and IMAX Enhanced support.

Its one HDMI input and one eARC output support 8K and 4K at 120Hz passthrough, with variable refresh rate and auto low latency mode, so a console connected through the bar keeps its gaming features. Its 360 Spatial Sound Mapping creates phantom speakers around the room, which suits a living room where real rear speakers are not practical. No subwoofer or rear speaker is included, so bass and surround come from the bar alone unless the optional subwoofer and rears are added later. The bar is 51.2 inches wide, which makes it a natural match for a 65-inch or larger TV.

Buy it if you own a Sony Bravia TV, you play console games at 4K and 120Hz, and you want one premium bar with both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. Skip it if your TV is small, if you want a subwoofer in the box, or if you need a second HDMI input, because this bar has only one. Streaming runs over Wi-Fi, and some listings also name Chromecast built-in while others do not, so confirm that feature on the listing before you buy if casting matters to you.

Sony HT-A5000: one HDMI input in a wide premium bar

The Sony HT-A5000 is the wide premium pick for buyers who want one HDMI input and a larger soundstage than the compact bars. It is a 5.1.2-channel system with 450 watts of total output, and its cabinet measures 1,210 mm wide, so it suits a large TV and a wide stand.

Its one HDMI input and one eARC output sit alongside an optical input and an S-Center Out connection, which lets a compatible Bravia TV act as the centre speaker through Acoustic Center Sync. Wi-Fi streaming covers Chromecast built-in, AirPlay 2 and Spotify Connect, and 360 Spatial Sound Mapping widens the soundfield. Dolby Atmos and DTS:X are both supported, and the bar works with optional Sony subwoofers and rear speakers if the system grows later.

Buy it if you want a wide premium Sony bar with one HDMI input and strong Bravia integration. Skip it if you need two HDMI inputs, if your TV stand is narrow, or if you want a current-generation model, because the HT-A5000 is previous-generation and you should confirm availability before planning around it.

Sony HT-G700: one HDMI input with a wireless subwoofer

The Sony HT-G700 is the pick for buyers who want one HDMI input, Dolby Atmos and a real wireless subwoofer in a single purchase. It is a 3.1-channel system with 400 watts of total output, and it creates virtual 7.1.2-channel sound with Sony's Vertical Surround Engine and S-Force Pro Front Surround.

Its one HDMI input and one HDMI eARC output support 4K and HDR passthrough, including Dolby Vision, over an HDMI 2.0 connection, so a 4K player or console can plug into the bar. An optical input and Bluetooth 5.0 cover a TV without ARC and music from a phone, and there is no Wi-Fi, so streaming stays with Bluetooth. The wireless subwoofer adds the low end that the single-bar picks in this guide cannot produce on their own.

Buy it if you want Atmos, a wireless subwoofer and one HDMI input at a mid tier. Skip it if you need 4K at 120Hz passthrough, which its HDMI 2.0 connection does not offer, or if you want a current model, because this bar dates from 2020 and you should confirm availability before planning around it.

Sony HT-X8500: one HDMI input in a compact Atmos bar

The Sony HT-X8500 is the compact Atmos pick for buyers who want one HDMI input and no extra boxes. It is a 2.1-channel bar with 320 watts of total output and a built-in dual subwoofer, so the bass comes from the cabinet itself rather than a separate wireless subwoofer.

Its one HDMI input and one HDMI eARC output support 4K HDR passthrough, including Dolby Vision, HDR10 and HLG, and Dolby Atmos and DTS:X are both supported through Sony's Vertical Surround Engine. There are no up-firing drivers, so the height effect is virtual rather than physical, and the bar is 890 mm wide, which fits a 50-inch or larger TV. An optical input and Bluetooth 5.0 cover a TV without ARC and music from a phone.

Buy it if you want a compact single bar with one HDMI input and virtual Atmos. Skip it if you want a separate subwoofer, real up-firing height drivers, or a current model, because this bar dates from 2019 and you should confirm availability before planning around it.

Sony HT-S2000: no HDMI input, only an eARC output

The Sony HT-S2000 is included here as a warning, not as an HDMI-input pick, because it has no separate HDMI input at all. Its single HDMI port is an eARC output that carries TV sound back from the set, so every source must connect to the TV first and the bar cannot take a console or streamer directly.

It is otherwise a capable compact bar: a 3.1-channel system with 250 watts of total output, five speakers and a built-in dual subwoofer, with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X through Sony's Vertical Surround Engine and S-Force Pro. There are no up-firing drivers, and it has an optical input, a USB port and Bluetooth 5.2, but no Wi-Fi. Optional Sony subwoofers and rear speakers can be added later, and the bar is 800 mm wide, which suits a 55-inch or smaller TV.

Buy it if your TV has enough HDMI ports for every source and you want a compact Atmos bar with a built-in subwoofer. Skip it if a spare HDMI input is the reason you are shopping, because this bar has none, and that limit will not change with a firmware update.

Sony HT-S400: no HDMI input, only an HDMI ARC output

The Sony HT-S400 is included here as a warning, because it has no separate HDMI input at all. Its single HDMI port is an ARC output that carries TV sound back from the set, so a console or streamer must connect to the TV, and the bar cannot take a source directly.

It is otherwise a practical budget pick: a 2.1-channel system with 330 watts of total output and a wireless subwoofer with a 160 mm driver, which adds real bass for movies. It plays Dolby Digital through S-Force Pro Front Surround, connects by HDMI ARC or optical, and streams music over Bluetooth 5.0. There is no Dolby Atmos, no eARC and no rear-speaker expansion, and the bar is 900 mm wide. The HDMI cable is sold separately, so budget for one if the TV connection will use HDMI ARC.

Buy it if you want a bar and a wireless subwoofer at a budget tier and your TV has a spare HDMI port for every source. Skip it if you need an HDMI input on the bar, Dolby Atmos, or eARC, because this bar offers none of those.

Sony HT-S100F: no HDMI input, only an HDMI ARC output

The Sony HT-S100F is included here as a warning, because it has no separate HDMI input at all. Its single HDMI port is an ARC output that carries TV sound back from the set, and its other wired inputs are optical and USB, so a console or streamer must connect to the TV rather than to the bar.

It is a 2.0-channel bar with 120 watts of total output, a bass-reflex speaker and an integrated tweeter, and it uses S-Force Pro Front Surround to widen the sound. It plays Dolby Digital, Dolby Dual Mono and LPCM, and the published format lists give no DTS support, so do not expect DTS soundtracks to play in their native form. It connects over Bluetooth 4.2 for music, and no 3.5 mm aux input is listed for this model. The bar is 35.5 inches wide, and an optical cable is supplied in the box.

Buy it if you want the simplest everyday TV upgrade and your TV has a spare HDMI port for every source. Skip it if you need an HDMI input on the bar, a subwoofer, or DTS support, because this bar offers none of those.

Buying guide: matching a Sony soundbar to your HDMI setup

A Sony soundbar is a connection purchase as much as a sound purchase, so the checks below matter more than the channel count on the box. Count the HDMI ports on the TV, count the sources that need one, and then check the bar's own HDMI input count before anything else.

How many HDMI inputs do you actually need

Most households need one HDMI input on the bar for a single console or streamer, and two only when a console and a player both sit beside the TV. The HT-A7000 is the only Sony bar in this guide with two inputs, so buyers who need two should start there and stop looking at the rest of the list.

If every source already connects to the TV and the TV has ports to spare, a bar with no HDMI input can still work well, because the TV sends its sound back through HDMI ARC or eARC. Count the TV's ports first, including the one the ARC connection will use, and do not assume a spare port will appear later.

How to tell an HDMI input from an HDMI ARC output

An HDMI input on a soundbar takes video and audio in from a source, while an HDMI ARC or eARC output takes audio back from the TV. The two look identical on the cabinet, so read the label on the port and the specification sheet, and look for the words input and output rather than counting ports.

Sony's own specification sheets state the count as input and output, such as one input and one output, or no input and one ARC output. If a listing only says HDMI without saying which direction the port works in, treat the input count as unverified and check the manual or the manufacturer's sheet before you buy.

4K, 120Hz and Dolby Vision passthrough: what to check

Passthrough decides whether a source plugged into the bar keeps its best picture, so check it against the source you own. The HT-A7000 and the Bravia Theatre Bar 9 pass 4K at 120Hz, which matters for a current console, while the HT-G700 and HT-X8500 pass 4K HDR at lower refresh rates.

Dolby Vision passthrough is listed for the HT-A7000, the HT-G700 and the HT-X8500, so a 4K player connected through one of those bars keeps its HDR format. If the household streams everything through the TV apps instead, passthrough does not matter, because the bar only receives audio back through ARC or eARC.

Frequently asked questions

The questions below cover the doubts that come up most often before a purchase, from whether an ARC-only bar can still work to which Sony bar has the most HDMI inputs. Each answer follows the same rule as the rest of this guide: it states what the specifications support, and it names the case where the answer changes.

Do the best sony soundbars with hdmi inputs need eARC too

Yes, because the HDMI input and the eARC output do different jobs. The input takes a source into the bar, while the eARC output carries TV sound, including full-quality Dolby Atmos, back from the set. Every bar with an HDMI input in this guide also has an eARC output, so check that the TV has an eARC port to match.

Can a Sony soundbar with one HDMI input connect a console and a streamer

No, not at the same time, because one input takes one source. Connect the device you use most to the bar, and connect the other one to the TV, letting the TV send its sound back through eARC. If both devices matter equally, the HT-A7000 is the pick, because it is the only Sony bar here with two HDMI inputs.

Which Sony soundbar has the most HDMI inputs

The Sony HT-A7000 has the most HDMI inputs of any Sony soundbar in this guide, with two inputs and one eARC output. No current Bravia Theatre bar matches that count, since the Bar 9, Bar 8 and Bar 7 each have one HDMI input, and the HT-A5000 also has one. If two inputs are a must, the HT-A7000 is the only answer in this guide.

Conclusion

Start with the Sony HT-A7000 if you need two HDMI inputs, or the Bravia Theatre Bar 9 if one input and console gaming at 4K and 120Hz are the priority. If a spare input is not essential, the HT-G700 and HT-X8500 cover Atmos well, while the HT-S2000, HT-S400 and HT-S100F only work when the TV has a port for every source.