Best for Gaming HDMI passthrough
Samsung HW-Q990F Soundbar
5.0 feature score
Highest scored product for this feature based on supporting review evidence.
Best Soundbars for Gaming HDMI passthrough
Gaming HDMI passthrough Decision Dashboard
Safest pick
Samsung HW-Q990H
5.0 feature score
Balances feature score, supporting reviews, and overall product strength.
Most evidence
Yamaha True X Surround 90A
8 supporting reviews
Has the broadest review evidence for this feature.
Best overall product
JBL Bar 1300MK2
4.4 overall score
Strongest overall product among items with scored evidence for this feature.
Gaming HDMI passthrough receives positive evidence from PS5 testing, where reviewers reported no lag or video-quality drop.
Pros: Multi-speaker pairing reliability, Gaming HDMI passthrough
Cons: Google, Cabinet construction / bracing
Gaming signals pass through the soundbar without sacrificing 4K/120Hz performance or low-latency features.
Pros: Loudness / maximum volume, Stereo imaging accuracy
Cons: Smart assistant integration (Alexa, Status indicators
Gaming HDMI passthrough was mostly praised as a major upgrade, though one reviewer reported a faulty HDMI port on the tested unit.
Pros: Soundstage height, Surround sound simulation
Cons: Chromecast compatibility, Google
Gaming passthrough was limited by 4K/60 and non-HDMI 2.1 support, making direct console-to-TV connection preferable for 4K/120 gaming.
Pros: Spotify Connect reliability, Setup simplicity
Cons: On-device controls, HDMI 2.1 gaming
Gaming passthrough is the major weak spot: the HDMI input tops out at 4K/60Hz, and multiple sources wanted 120Hz support.
Pros: Loudness / maximum volume, Voice clarity
Cons: Customer support, Reliability
Gaming-related HDMI passthrough is a weakness. Reviewers wanted HDMI 2.1/4K120 passthrough, especially at this price, but the Mini relies on a single TV eARC connection.
Pros: On-device controls, Dynamic headroom
Cons: Multi-speaker pairing reliability, Inter-speaker connectivity
Gaming passthrough was a weakness where discussed, with reviewers flagging missing HDMI 2.1 or 4K/120Hz support.
Pros: Inter-speaker connectivity, Audio format support
Cons: optical, Gaming HDMI passthrough
Gaming HDMI passthrough was a weakness because the single HDMI connection and lack of passthrough can complicate consoles and streaming boxes.
Pros: Multi-speaker pairing reliability, Spotify Connect reliability
Cons: Gaming HDMI passthrough, Video passthrough support
There is no HDMI passthrough for consoles or other HDMI-reliant devices, so gaming setups may lose a convenient connection path.
Pros: Voice clarity, HDMI ARC
Cons: Gaming HDMI passthrough, Video passthrough support
Gaming passthrough is a clear weakness. The HDMI input tops out at 4K/60 for modern use and omits VRR and 4K/120, so serious PS5 or Xbox Series X users are...
Pros: Distortion at high volume, Wi-Fi streaming reliability
Cons: Included HDMI cable, AI Room Calibration
Gaming passthrough is the biggest repeated weakness: the HDMI inputs stop at 4K/60, forcing 4K/120 console users to connect directly to a capable TV.
Pros: Stereo imaging accuracy, Voice clarity
Cons: HDMI 2.1 gaming, Gaming HDMI passthrough
There is no dedicated HDMI passthrough for a game console, forcing gaming sources through the TV instead of directly through the soundbar.
Pros: Multi-speaker pairing reliability, Wi-Fi streaming reliability
Cons: Gaming HDMI passthrough, HDMI 2.1 gaming
The H7 cannot accept a console through a dedicated HDMI input. Gamers who need soundbar passthrough should look elsewhere.
Pros: Chromecast compatibility, Spotify Connect reliability
Cons: Rear speaker cable length, Gaming HDMI passthrough