131

Onn 42 5.1 2 Dolby Atmos Soundbar Review

Kenn Muguna Avatar
Updated Dec 14, 2023 8:25 PM

True Score

68
69
1

Experts

76
154

Consumers

Expert Rankings

The Onn soundbar delivers an enjoyable listening experience for its entry-level price, making it ideal for the price-conscious buyer on the lookout for good sound without many bells and whistles. It’s also got good bass but misses out on surround sound performance.

SAVE $100
$299.00
$199.00

We’re reader-supported. Commissions finance our mission. Our ‘True Score‘ system independently powers ratings. Learn more

Table of Contents

Product Snapshot

Overview

The Onn. 42” 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos Soundbar is an entry-level soundbar that also includes a subwoofer in its setup. The subwoofer delivers satisfactory bass levels, and this, plus its support for Dolby Atmos, makes it ideal for an immersive movie-watching experience.

With a soundstage that is also slightly wider than its bar, owners will be able to easily pinpoint exactly where object sounds are coming from.

Most top-end speakers support streaming through Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, work with Apple AirPlay, and have Chromecast built-in, but he Onn. 42” is limited to Bluetooth.

As is typical with the best soundbars in the market, the Onn. 42” also supports a wide range of audio formats, including Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, and Dolby Digital Plus.

Its range of physical inputs include one HDMI ARC port, one HDMI Out port, one AUX port, and three Full HDMI In ports.

Consensus

our Verdict

The Onn 42 soundbar is a 5.1.2 channel setup that includes a sub for heavy bass output, and its customizable sound profile consists of clear vocals and instrumentals plus balanced mids for a pleasant movie or TV watching.

Despite support for Dolby Atmos, its surround sound performance is not ideal since sounds like it’s coming from in front instead of around.

While its wireless connectivity is reliable, it is limited to Bluetooth and Apple AirPlay, but its port selection is good, with one Optical Audio In, three Full HDMI ports, one AUX port, and one USB plus Ethernet port.

Its tested latency performance is stellar, at 26ms over ARC and 22ms over Optical connections. Unfortunately, there’s no voice assistant support, and the sound also gets distorted when loud.

ReasonS to Buy

  • Well constructed
  • Works with Dolby Atmos content
  • Gets quite loud
  • Works with voice assistants
  • Ultra-low latency
  • Good port selection

Reason to Avoid

  • No WiFI connectivity
  • Limited sound enhancement features
  • Poor surround sound performance

Onn 42 5.1 2 Dolby Atmos Soundbar Specs

Bluetooth EnabledBluetooth EnabledYes
DepthDepth19.29"
Dialogue Enhancement FeatureDialogue Enhancement FeatureNo
Energy Star CertifiedEnergy Star CertifiedNo
HDMI ARCHDMI ARCYes
HeightHeight19.29"
Number of Audio ChannelsNumber of Audio Channels5.1.2
SubwooferSubwooferIncluded
Surround Sound SupportedSurround Sound SupportedDolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, Surround Sound
Voice AssistantVoice AssistantAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri
Wall MountableWall MountableYes
WeightWeight45.63 lbs
WidthWidth13.78"
Wireless ConnectivityWireless ConnectivityBluetooth
Wireless Subwoofer ConnectivityWireless Subwoofer ConnectivityYes
Works WithWorks WithAmazon Alexa, Bluetooth, Google Assistant, Remote Control, Siri

All Specs

Can You Trust What You Read Online?

Fake reviews are taking over tech journalism—45% of sites are faking product tests. Don’t be misled.

Sign up now for exclusive access to Gadget Review’s bombshell investigation and uncover the truth about tech journalism.

Plus, stay ahead with our daily newsletter, packed with insights you can trust.

    Product Comparison

    Onn 42 5.1 2 Dolby Atmos Soundbar Review

    True Score

    68
    84
    72
    NR

    Ranking

    #

    131

    /

    149

    #

    7

    /

    149

    #

    125

    /

    149

    #

    /

    Market Context

    The Onn. 42” 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos Soundbar is an entry-level soundbar that also includes a subwoofer in its setup. The subwoofer delivers satisfactory bass levels,…

    The Onn. 42” 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos Soundbar is an entry-level soundbar that also includes a subwoofer in its setup. The subwoofer delivers satisfactory bass levels, and this, plus its support for Dolby Atmos, makes it ideal for an immersive movie-watching experience.

    With a soundstage that is also slightly wider than its bar, owners will be able to easily pinpoint exactly where object sounds are coming from.

    Most top-end speakers support streaming through Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, work with Apple AirPlay, and have Chromecast built-in, but he Onn. 42” is limited to Bluetooth.

    As is typical with the best soundbars in the market, the Onn. 42” also supports a wide range of audio formats, including Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, and Dolby Digital Plus.

    Its range of physical inputs include one HDMI ARC port, one HDMI Out port, one AUX port, and three Full HDMI In ports.

    The Onn. 42’’ soundbar includes a subwoofer while the Sonos Arc does not, but the Sonos Arc comes with features such as dialogue enhancement and…

    The Onn. 42’’ soundbar includes a subwoofer while the Sonos Arc does not, but the Sonos Arc comes with features such as dialogue enhancement and auto-volume/night mode that are not found on the Onn. 42’’ soundbar. Still, the Onn. 42’’ comes with a Digital Optical Cable that’s missing on the Sonos Arc, but the Sonos Arc has a wider soundstage for more accurate sound projection. Lastly, the Onn. 42-inch supports Bluetooth, while the Sonos Arc does not.

    The Onn. 42’’ Dolby Atmos soundbar ships with a HDMI cable, which the LG SP8YA ships without, and with a max volume of 99.1dB, it…

    The Onn. 42’’ Dolby Atmos soundbar ships with a HDMI cable, which the LG SP8YA ships without, and with a max volume of 99.1dB, it gets louder than the LG soundbar, which peaks at 93 dB. Still, the SP8YA supports WiFi connectivity and Apple AirPlay while the Onn. 42’’ soundbar does not.

    The Onn. 42-inch 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos soundbar ships with a subwoofer, while the Onn. 36’’ 5.1 soundbar does not, resulting in the Onn. 42’’, delivering…

    The Onn. 42-inch 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos soundbar ships with a subwoofer, while the Onn. 36’’ 5.1 soundbar does not, resulting in the Onn. 42’’, delivering a much stronger bass output. However, the Onn. 36’’ comes with two satellite channels, while the Onn. 42’’ does not.

    Bluetooth Enabled

    Yes

    No

    Yes

    Depth

    19.29"

    4.56"

    4.7"

    Dialogue Enhancement Feature

    No

    Yes

    Yes

    Energy Star Certified

    No

    No

    No

    HDMI ARC

    Yes

    Yes

    Yes

    Height

    19.29"

    3.43"

    2.2"

    Number of Audio Channels

    5.1.2

    5.0.2

    3.1.2

    Subwoofer

    Included

    Optional (sold separately)

    Included

    Dig Deeper

    Sonos Arc Review →

    LG SP8YA Review →

    All Stores

    Updated every 24 hours

    • Save $100
      $299.00
      $199.00

      Availability

      In Stock

      Free Shipping

      Yes

    Score Card

    E

    Expert Score

    69

    *.75

    We place a 75% weighted value on Expert Test Scores

    C

    Customer Score

    76

    *.25

    We place a 25% weighted value on Customer Scores

    True Score

    68

    Expert Scores

    • Rtings
      101.4

      Category Trust Rating

      71
      The onn. 42″ 5.1. 2. Dolby Atmos Soundbar is decent for mixed usage. The bar… Read More

      By:

      Jake Thauvette

    Customer Scores