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The Bose Solo Soundbar Series II is Bose’s smallest, simplest TV speaker, and in 2026 it’s a good buy for clearer TV dialogue only at a steep discount. It’s a 21.6-inch, 2.0-channel bar that plugs into your TV with an optical cable and makes dialogue easier to hear than your TV’s built-in speakers. It has no app, no Wi-Fi, and no High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) port. In this Bose Solo Soundbar 2 review, we look at what it does well, where it falls short, whether you can still buy it new in 2026, and which budget soundbars on Amazon make more sense for most people today.
Quick verdict: The Bose Solo Soundbar 2 delivers clear voices, surprisingly loud sound for its size, and dead-simple setup. However, its lack of HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC), its thin deep bass, and its fading availability make it a good buy only at a steep discount. Check the Bose Solo Soundbar 2 price on Amazon.
Key takeaways
- What it is: A compact 21.6-inch, 2.0-channel soundbar that connects by optical, coaxial, or auxiliary cable, or over Bluetooth, with no HDMI port.
- Who it’s for: People with a small TV in a bedroom, kitchen, or office who mainly watch dialogue-heavy shows, or who own an older TV with an optical output but no HDMI ARC port.
- Price: It launched at $199 around 2021, and as of late October 2026, Bose’s U.S. store sells only certified refurbished units while other retailers sell remaining stock at varying prices. Prices change often.
- Main weaknesses: No HDMI ARC, thin deep bass with no subwoofer option, and no app, equalizer, or Wi-Fi features.
- Successor: The Bose TV Speaker (2nd Gen), released in September 2026 at $299, adds a center tweeter, HDMI ARC, and support for a Bose subwoofer.
Bose Solo Soundbar 2 at a glance
| Spec | Bose Solo Soundbar 2 |
|---|---|
| Channels | 2.0 (two angled full-range drivers, no subwoofer) |
| Size | 2.8 x 21.6 x 3.4 inches (height x width x depth) |
| Weight | 3.72 pounds |
| Wired inputs | Digital optical, coaxial, and 3.5-millimeter auxiliary (AUX) |
| Wireless | Bluetooth 4.0 with a range of about 33 feet |
| HDMI | None |
| Sound modes | Dialogue Mode plus bass adjustment from the remote |
| In the box | Soundbar, remote, power supply, optical cable, and wall bracket |
| List price | $199 (often discounted; Bose sells refurbished units for less) |
Specs come from Bose’s product page and TechRadar’s review.
Is the Bose Solo Soundbar 2 still available in 2026?
Bose launched the Solo Soundbar Series II around 2021 at $199. As of late October 2026, Bose’s U.S. store lists the new model as sold out and sells certified refurbished units instead, while Amazon, Walmart, and other retailers still carry remaining stock at varying prices. Prices change often, so compare a few stores before you buy.
Bose’s current entry-level pick is the Bose TV Speaker, and in September 2026 the company quietly released the Bose TV Speaker (2nd Gen) at $299. It adds a dedicated center tweeter for voices, an HDMI ARC connection, and the option to add a Bose subwoofer. If you can stretch your budget, the newer model fixes the Solo 2’s biggest weaknesses. See the Bose TV Speaker (2nd Gen) on Amazon.
Design and build
The Solo 2 is a slim, low-profile bar. At 2.8 inches tall, it fits in front of most TVs without blocking the screen or the TV’s infrared (IR) remote sensor, and at 21.6 inches wide, it sits comfortably between the feet of a 32- to 50-inch TV. Bose builds it from plastic and metal, with a black grille across the front. TechRadar called the body “a little plasticky,” but the bar feels solid and well put together.
You won’t find any buttons on the soundbar itself. Two small light-emitting diode (LED) status lights on the front tell you what the bar is doing, and the included remote handles everything else. Bose also includes a wall bracket, so you can mount the bar under a wall-mounted TV.
Connectivity and setup
Setup takes a few minutes. You plug in the power supply, run the included optical cable from your TV’s digital audio output to the soundbar, and set your TV’s audio output to the external speaker. If your TV lacks an optical port, you can use the coaxial or AUX input instead, but you’ll need to buy that cable separately.
The missing HDMI port is the Solo 2’s biggest drawback. Without HDMI ARC, the soundbar can’t use HDMI Consumer Electronics Control (HDMI-CEC), so it won’t power on and off with your TV, and your TV remote usually won’t control its volume. Many owners end up juggling two remotes, although a universal remote or a TV that can learn IR codes can ease the hassle.
Bluetooth 4.0 lets you stream music from a phone, tablet, or laptop. Unlike Bose’s Wi-Fi soundbars, the Solo 2 doesn’t work with the Bose app, multiroom grouping, or voice assistants.
Remote and ease of use
The small remote covers power, volume, mute, input selection (TV or Bluetooth), Dialogue Mode, and bass adjustment. That’s all the control you get: there’s no equalizer (EQ), no app, and no sound presets beyond Dialogue Mode. The two status lights blink and change color to confirm inputs and settings, so keep the owner’s guide handy for the first few days. Once you learn the patterns, day-to-day use is simple.
Sound quality
Inside the bar, two full-range drivers point outward at angles to spread sound across the room, and a rear port helps the bar produce more low end than its size suggests. There’s no built-in subwoofer, and you can’t add one.
Dialogue and TV shows
Voices are the Solo 2’s strength. TechRadar found dialogue clear and natural, and Dialogue Mode gave speech a noticeable boost. For news, sitcoms, sports commentary, and talk shows, it’s a big step up from the thin speakers built into most budget TVs.
Movies and bass
The bar plays loud for its size and stays fairly smooth at high volume. However, deep bass sounds thin, explosions lack rumble, and the soundstage doesn’t stretch much beyond the bar’s edges. You won’t get virtual surround, Dolby Atmos, or DTS:X processing.
Music
Music is the weakest area. TechRadar described Bluetooth playback as boxed-in, with bass that lacks punch. The Solo 2 works fine for background music, but a good Bluetooth speaker sounds fuller.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Clear dialogue, with an effective Dialogue Mode
- Loud, smooth sound for such a small bar
- Compact size fits small TVs and tight spaces
- Very easy optical setup, with a cable and wall bracket included
- Bluetooth for music streaming
Cons
- No HDMI ARC, so no automatic power or TV-remote volume control in most setups
- Thin deep bass and no subwoofer option
- No app, EQ, or Wi-Fi features
- Status lights are hard to decode without the manual
- New units are getting harder to find at the list price
Bose Solo Soundbar 2 vs. other budget soundbars
Amazon is our main affiliate partner, and it carries the Solo 2 alongside newer budget soundbars that add HDMI ARC, a subwoofer, or both. Here’s how they compare:
Compare similar budget soundbars on Amazon
| Soundbar | Channels | Connection to TV | Best for | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bose Solo Soundbar 2 | 2.0 | Optical, coaxial, AUX, Bluetooth | Simple dialogue boost on small TVs | Check price |
| Bose TV Speaker (2nd Gen) | Three drivers, including a center tweeter | HDMI ARC, optical, Bluetooth | Bose sound with modern connections | Check price |
| Roku Streambar SE | 2.0 | HDMI ARC, optical | A soundbar and 4K high dynamic range (HDR) streamer in one | Check price |
| Samsung HW-C400 | 2.0 with built-in woofer | Optical, Bluetooth | More bass in a compact bar | Check price |
| Sony HT-S100F | 2.0 | HDMI ARC, optical, Bluetooth | The cheapest HDMI ARC upgrade | Check price |
| Vizio V-Series 2.1 | 2.1 with subwoofer | HDMI ARC, optical, Bluetooth | Deeper bass on a tight budget | Check price |
| Polk Signa S4 | 3.1.2 with wireless subwoofer | HDMI eARC, optical, Bluetooth | Entry-level Dolby Atmos | Check price |
- Bose TV Speaker (2nd Gen): The Solo 2’s real successor adds HDMI ARC and a center tweeter for clearer voices, and Gizmodo spotted it at Amazon for $199 in October 2026, down from $299. See the Bose TV Speaker (2nd Gen) on Amazon.
- Samsung HW-C400: This compact bar adds a built-in woofer for more low end. Read our Samsung C400 soundbar review for the full breakdown. See the Samsung C400 on Amazon.
- Roku Streambar SE: It combines a 2.0 soundbar with a 4K streaming player, which makes it a smart upgrade for an older TV. See the Roku Streambar SE on Amazon.
- Vizio V-Series 2.1: Pick this one if bass matters, because its separate subwoofer delivers the rumble the Solo 2 can’t. See the Vizio V-Series 2.1 on Amazon.
Who should buy the Bose Solo Soundbar 2?
Buy the Solo 2 if you have a small TV in a bedroom, kitchen, or office, mainly watch dialogue-heavy shows, and find it at a clearance or refurbished price well under $199. It’s also a good fit for older TVs that have an optical output but no HDMI ARC port. If you’re still choosing a screen, our guide to the best TV size for a bedroom pairs well with a compact bar like this one.
Skip it if you want one-remote control, movie-night bass, or Dolby Atmos. Pair a newer TV, such as one from our best 55-inch TVs under $500 list, with an HDMI ARC soundbar instead. If you plan to wall-mount the bar with an older TV, a longer optical audio cable on Amazon gives you more placement flexibility.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Bose Solo Soundbar 2 have HDMI?
No, the Bose Solo Soundbar 2 doesn’t have HDMI. It connects to your TV with an optical, coaxial, or AUX cable, or over Bluetooth. Without HDMI ARC, it won’t sync power or volume with most TV remotes.
Can you add a subwoofer to the Bose Solo Soundbar 2?
No, you can’t add a subwoofer to the Bose Solo Soundbar 2. The Solo 2 has no subwoofer output. If you want to add bass later, look at the Bose TV Speaker (2nd Gen), which supports Bose subwoofers, or a 2.1 soundbar with a subwoofer included.
Is the Bose Solo Soundbar 2 discontinued?
The Bose Solo Soundbar 2 isn’t officially discontinued, but new units are getting harder to find. Bose hasn’t announced an official discontinuation, but its U.S. store lists the new model as sold out and now sells refurbished units. Retailers still have stock, while the Bose TV Speaker (2nd Gen) has taken over as Bose’s entry-level TV speaker.
Does the Bose Solo Soundbar 2 work with any TV?
The Bose Solo Soundbar 2 works with almost any TV that has an optical, coaxial, or headphone output, or Bluetooth audio. Most TVs from the past decade include an optical port.
Final verdict
The Bose Solo Soundbar 2 still does one job well: it makes TV dialogue clearer and louder in a tiny, easy-to-set-up package. Its missing HDMI port, weak deep bass, and growing scarcity hold it back in 2026, so buy it only at a strong discount, or step up to the Bose TV Speaker (2nd Gen) or an HDMI ARC rival. You can also check stock at Best Buy. Check the current Bose Solo Soundbar 2 price on Amazon.