The major home theater trend of 2026 is set to address this frustrating A/V issue.

      Although not as eye-catching or widely discussed as televisions, the broader home theater technology ecosystem arguably presents the most fascinating tech advancements. This year, I'm particularly hopeful to see a solution to the ongoing A/V issue of tangled cables.

      Having covered home theater technology for several years, I have been frustrated since the first time I tried to connect a PS2 to a TV that was already linked to a DVD player. I’ve utilized top soundbars for enhancing movie audio, streaming devices for accessing services on non-smart TVs, and high-quality projectors for an immersive viewing experience at home. However, each time, I’ve faced the hassle of untangling a mess of cables.

      This could change soon. Wireless home theater technology is on the verge of becoming mainstream, and I predict its broader implementation will be a significant development in 2026. Here are the transformations and innovations I anticipate in the home theater realm, based on my extensive experience with A/V equipment and notable trends observed throughout 2025.

      A Year of Wireless Technology

      Digital Trends

      One of the most promising home theater transformations I foresee for 2026 affects all home technology equally, so I will discuss it first. This shift involves the enhanced deployment of wireless connectivity among home theater devices, which will help eliminate cable clutter in your living space and offer more flexibility in gadget placement.

      Dolby Atmos' FlexConnect is a wireless standard that allows your TV to connect with multiple compatible speakers around the room seamlessly while preserving proper sound panning. Although it was introduced in 2023, consumer products utilizing this technology have been sparse. However, in 2026, LG has already announced plans to showcase its Sound Suite of compatible devices at the CES 2026 conference in January, with other manufacturers likely to follow suit.

      This development builds on the increasing trend of so-called “wireless” TVs, which, while not completely wireless due to their reliance on a power source, aim to minimize the number of cables. Models like the LG M3 Wireless OLED and Samsung Wireless Frame Pro require users to connect devices like game consoles and Blu-Ray players to separate boxes that transmit the picture to the screen, thereby allowing for a tidier setup.

      While wireless TVs aren’t new, they are still not common, as standard OLED models currently available don’t come cable-free. However, as brands venture further into the wireless space exemplified by FlexConnect, we might eventually see this technology in consumer televisions. The question remains whether this will occur in 2026 or later.

      The Soundbar Shift

      Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

      Soundbars are among the technologies that will benefit significantly from wireless advancements. Reducing cables also removes some placement constraints for soundbars, making wall-mounting or positioning them against walls much simpler. Moreover, wireless technology is crucial for an ongoing trend in this category.

      We are increasingly seeing multi-piece soundbars. These systems consist of one main soundbar and additional smaller speakers that can be distributed throughout the room. While subwoofers have been common for years, more soundbars now require additional satellite speakers that communicate wirelessly, making it easier to arrange them in your living space.

      Various brands, including LG, JBL, and Samsung, offer multi-part options, though some companies have focused on single-piece designs. Both of Amazon's entry-level soundbars are standalone units, as are Sonos' popular products (which do allow for extra speaker bundles but are generally one-piece). I wouldn’t be surprised to see a shift towards more wireless options in 2026, as the trend toward a broader availability of wireless home theater products continues.

      Many soundbars for 2026 have already been announced. Although these are usually showcased at CES 2026, companies like Samsung and LG have presented some models early, even before the year began.

      Both producers offer multi-piece options designed to adapt to various room layouts, utilizing advanced scanning technology to customize audio output according to the environment. We are also witnessing the emergence of larger and more expensive soundbars than ever before, particularly the Samsung HW-Q990H, a substantial 11.1.4-channel model anticipated to command a significant price and occupy substantial space, reflecting the growing niche for ultra-premium soundbars.

      The Key Projector Inquiry

      Derek Malcolm / Digital Trends

      One major question for projector enthusiasts regarding new releases in 2026 will be whether they support Dolby Vision 2.

      Unveiled in September 2025, Dolby Vision 2 is an enhanced version of Dolby’s popular visual standard, offering better black levels, reduced glare, and sports optimization for a variety of TVs from popular brands. Although it was initially announced for TVs, Dolby Vision is available for projectors, and its successor is expected to be compatible at some point. The critical question is whether this will happen in 2026.

      In the high-end projector market, laser projectors remain the premier option. While more models are expected to be launched, there are no indications that this technology will become