A soundbar completes your TV setup — but where should it go? Here's how to wall mount a soundbar, plus when a shelf or stand makes more sense. Includes Sonos, Samsung, and Bose tips.
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You finally got a soundbar. Now you're staring at the wall wondering exactly where it goes — or if it even needs to go on the wall at all.
The good news: mounting a soundbar is straightforward. The tricky part is picking the right method for your setup, your wall, and your specific soundbar model. This guide covers all three placement options, a step-by-step wall mounting process, brand-specific tips for Sonos, Samsung, and Bose, and the most common mistakes people make.
There's no universal "best" option. Here's how each stacks up.
Mounting your soundbar directly to the wall gives you the cleanest look — especially when paired with a wall-mounted TV. The soundbar sits flush below the screen, cables can be hidden in the wall, and nothing collects dust on furniture.
Pros:
Cons:
Best for: wall-mounted TVs, minimalist setups, and anyone who hates cable clutter.
A floating shelf mounted below the TV gives you flexibility — you can adjust the soundbar position, store a remote or small devices, and avoid drilling directly into the wall at multiple points.
Pros:
Cons:
Best for: soundbars without built-in wall mounting holes, setups with multiple components.
If your TV is on a stand (not wall-mounted), keeping the soundbar on a TV console is the simplest option. No drilling, no holes — just place it and plug it in.
Pros:
Cons:
Best for: renters who can't drill, or setups where the TV is on furniture.
Bottom line: If your TV is wall-mounted, your soundbar should be too. It looks intentional and complete. If your TV is on a stand, match your soundbar to that same surface.
Before you start, gather what you need: a stud finder, level, tape measure, pencil, drill, and the correct mounting hardware (more on that below).
Soundbars are light — most weigh between 5 and 15 pounds — but you still want at least one screw into a stud for a secure hold. Run a stud finder horizontally across the wall below your TV. Mark stud locations lightly in pencil.
If your soundbar is wide (55 inches or longer) and your studs don't align with both mount points, you'll need to use drywall anchors rated for the soundbar's weight on the non-stud side. Heavy-duty toggle anchors work well here.
The soundbar should sit 4 to 6 inches below your TV screen. Any closer and it can block IR signals from the remote. Any lower and the audio doesn't track with the on-screen image the way your brain expects.
Horizontally, center the soundbar under the TV. Use a tape measure to find the midpoint of the TV's width, then mark the same point on the wall below.
For ear-height reference: when you're seated on your couch, the soundbar should be roughly at ear level or slightly below. If the TV is mounted high (like above a fireplace), the soundbar follows — just keep that 4-6 inch gap from the bottom of the screen.
Hold the mounting bracket or the soundbar itself (if it has keyhole slots) against the wall. Use a level to make sure it's perfectly horizontal — even a 1-degree tilt is visible once the soundbar is on the wall. Mark your drill points.
Double-check: hold a tape measure up to verify the distance from the TV bottom one more time before you drill.
Use a drill bit slightly smaller than your screws for stud mounting. For drywall anchors, follow the anchor manufacturer's size recommendation. Insert anchors if needed, then drive in the mounting screws — leave them slightly proud of the wall so the bracket or keyhole slots can catch.
Hook the soundbar or bracket onto the screws. Give it a gentle tug downward to confirm it's seated. Then do a pull test — a properly mounted soundbar shouldn't budge.
If your soundbar has a separate bracket that attaches first, mount the bracket, then click the soundbar onto it.
HDMI ARC or optical cable runs from the soundbar to the TV. If you're hiding cables in the wall, now is the time to route them through the same wall cavity as the TV's power and HDMI cables. If you're not hiding cables, a cable raceway along the wall keeps things tidy.
Universal soundbar wall mounts work with most models and typically run $20–$60. They use adjustable arms or a horizontal bar that the soundbar rests on or attaches to with included screws. Look for one rated to at least 2x your soundbar's weight.
The main risk with universal brackets: if your soundbar doesn't have dedicated mounting holes on the bottom or back, the bracket may grip it awkwardly or not at all. Check your soundbar's manual for mounting hole locations before buying.
Not sure which mount to get? Our recommendation wizard can help you find the right soundbar bracket for your model.
Some brands sell purpose-built wall mounts that attach exactly where the soundbar was designed to be mounted. These are usually the cleanest install — no improvising, proper alignment every time.
If your soundbar is a premium model, check whether the brand makes an official wall mount before going generic. You can also browse mount options on our recommendations page.
The Sonos Arc is one of the most popular premium soundbars — and it has specific mounting requirements. Sonos sells an official wall mount bracket designed specifically for the Arc, and it's worth buying. The Arc is heavy (13 lbs), curved, and doesn't have universal-compatible mounting holes. Using an off-brand bracket risks an unstable hold or scratched finish.
The Sonos Beam (Gen 1 and Gen 2) is lighter and more forgiving. Sonos also makes an official mount for the Beam. The key thing with any Sonos soundbar mount: make sure you're hitting at least one stud. The official mounts are wall-anchor-only in many cases, but adding a stud screw is always worth the extra step.
For searches like "sonos arc wall mount" — the short answer is: buy the Sonos brand bracket, hit a stud, keep it 4-6 inches below the screen.
Most Samsung soundbars ship with a simple wall mount bracket in the box — check before buying a separate one. The included bracket is usually a basic L-bracket or keyhole design that screws into the wall.
If yours didn't include one, Samsung sells optional mounting kits for most of their soundbar lines. Third-party universal brackets also work well with Samsung soundbars since they tend to have standard-spaced mounting holes.
One Samsung-specific note: their taller soundbar models (like the HW-Q990B) can be harder to center under the TV if the TV is close to a media console. Measure twice before you drill.
Bose includes a wall bracket with several of their soundbar models — the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 and Smart Soundbar 600 both come with a mounting bracket in the box. If yours came with one, use it. Bose brackets are engineered for the weight distribution and cable management of each specific model.
For older Bose models that didn't include a bracket, Bose does sell optional wall mounts. Third-party universal brackets work, but the Bose soundbar's cable ports are positioned specifically, so confirm cable access isn't blocked by the bracket before mounting.
Distance from TV: 4–6 inches below the bottom edge of the TV screen. This preserves IR remote line-of-sight and keeps the audio visually connected to the image.
Horizontal centering: Centered under the TV. If your TV is 65 inches wide, your soundbar center point should be at the same horizontal midpoint.
Height: Ear level when seated is the target. If that's not possible (TV is high, soundbar follows), angle-adjustable brackets can tilt the soundbar slightly downward toward the listening position.
Distance from walls: Soundbars generally perform better when not tucked into a tight cabinet or shelf that blocks their drivers. Wall mounting typically gives them more open space to project sound into the room.
The two cables you're dealing with: the soundbar's power cord and the HDMI or optical cable connecting it to the TV.
In-wall routing is the cleanest option. If you already have your TV's power and HDMI cables routed in-wall, you can run soundbar cables through the same cavity (with the right pass-through kit). This is part of what we do on a TV mounting + cable concealment install.
Cable raceways (plastic channels that mount to the surface of the wall) are the next best option. They're paintable, quick to install, and removable without wall damage — good for renters.
Cable clips work for a short, low-profile run when the soundbar is close to the TV and the gap is minimal.
Avoid zip-tying cables along the wall without a raceway — it looks improvised and collects dust.
If your TV is mounted above a fireplace and you want the soundbar below the TV (above the mantel), there are a few things to think about.
Heat: Most soundbars aren't rated for high-heat environments. If your fireplace runs frequently, check the operating temperature spec in your soundbar's manual. Many soundbars are rated to around 104°F (40°C) — a working fireplace mantel can exceed that.
Height: TVs above fireplaces are often mounted higher than ideal. The soundbar follows, which means it may not be at ear height. An angled bracket can help direct sound downward toward the seating area.
Depth: Fireplace mantels vary in depth. Make sure your soundbar wall mount keeps the soundbar from hanging over the mantel edge — you want it flush with or slightly behind the mantel face.
Cable routing: Running cables from a soundbar above a fireplace down to power is more complex. Plan the cable path before you drill.
Mounting too close to the TV. Less than 4 inches and the soundbar can block the IR receiver on the TV (making your remote unreliable) and prevent your fingers from reaching the TV's power or input buttons.
Not using a level. Even a slight tilt is obvious once the soundbar is up. A level takes 30 seconds — skip it and you'll notice it every time you walk into the room.
Using drywall anchors alone for a heavy soundbar. For anything over 8–10 lbs, get at least one screw into a stud. Drywall anchors can hold, but they fail more often — and usually at the worst time.
Buying the wrong bracket for the brand. Generic brackets don't always work with Sonos, and some Bose models have unusual cable positions that get blocked by universal mounts. Check model compatibility before you buy.
Can I mount a soundbar above my TV instead of below? Technically yes, but it's not recommended. Sound from above creates a disconnect between audio and the on-screen action. Below-TV mounting is the standard for a reason — keep it there unless your setup leaves no other option.
Do all soundbars have wall mounting holes? Most do, but not all. Check the back and bottom of your soundbar for threaded screw holes or keyhole slots. If there are none, you'll need a universal cradle-style bracket that grips the soundbar from below.
How far should a soundbar be from the wall when mounted? The soundbar face should be flush with or slightly in front of the TV face. Don't recess it into a shelf or cabinet — that muffles the sound. For wall mounting, the soundbar projects slightly away from the wall naturally due to bracket depth.
Is it better to mount a soundbar or put it on a shelf? If the TV is wall-mounted, mounting the soundbar is almost always better — it looks cleaner and eliminates a surface. If the TV is on a stand, a shelf or the TV console surface is fine.
If you're mounting a TV and soundbar together — which most people do — combining them into a single install makes sense. Running two sets of cables, measuring twice for two pieces of hardware, and making sure everything lines up requires patience and the right tools.
We mount soundbars every day, usually as part of a TV mounting package. The soundbar gets centered, leveled, and wired at the same time as the TV — cables hidden, everything clean. Professional soundbar mounting is $69, and you can add it right in the booking flow when you schedule your TV mounting. If you're in NYC or NJ, book a TV mounting appointment and add soundbar mounting at checkout. Or check out our soundbar mounting service page for details.
If you're setting up a full home theater — TV, soundbar, streaming device, and all the cables — we handle that too. See our TV mounting with cable management service for the full picture.
