Best AV Receivers for Home Theater (2026)

What are the best AV receivers for home theater in 2026?

Summary

This revision re-checked every receiver on the card against the outlets that test them, and three things changed. The budget pick is retired, because no receiver under $500 has two independent reviews behind it: Wirecutter's budget pick, the Denon AVR-S570BT, stays on the card, but we found no second outlet that has tested it [src1]. The Onkyo TX-RZ30 is added: Wirecutter calls it the best receiver for the serious AV enthusiast, AVForums named it the best mid-range AV receiver of 2025/26 and scored it 9 out of 10, and Sound & Vision made it a Top Pick [src1, src15, src16, src17]. Two receivers leave: the Denon AVR-S980H, which we found no review of since its April 2026 launch — What Hi-Fi said then that it would have to wait to get one into its test room [src47] — and the Yamaha RX-V4A, which none of the outlets this card cites has reviewed or recommends.

The testers disagree about the best receiver overall. Wirecutter's top pick for most people is the Denon AVR-X1800H, and this card follows it: Trusted Reviews scored it 5 out of 5 and AVForums 8 out of 10 [src1, src2, src3]. Tom's Guide's best overall is the pricier, nine-channel Denon AVR-X4800H [src4, src31]. What Hi-Fi's best overall is the Sony TA-AN1000, the European version of the Sony STR-AN1000 sold in the US; What Hi-Fi says it has not tested the STR-AN1000 and, having discussed the differences with Sony, suspects the two do not perform exactly the same [src9, src10]. CNET's best overall is the Onkyo TX-NR6100, which this card does not cover [src13]. The Onkyo TX-NR7100 stays the value pick: ecoustics names it the best receiver under $700, Sound & Vision made it a Top Pick and Tom's Guide gave it 4.5 out of 5 [src5, src6, src7].

2026 brought Denon's first new mid-range receivers in almost four years: the AVR-X2900H and AVR-X3900H replace the AVR-X2800H and AVR-X3800H [src19, src22]. What Hi-Fi gave the X2900H four stars for a spacious, rich sound but found its bass ill-defined, and preferred the Sony TA-AN1000 in a side-by-side test; Trusted Reviews gave the X2900H five stars [src19, src11, src20]. AVForums scored the AVC-X3900H, the X3900H's UK version, 9 out of 10 [src29]. Denon's US store still sold both outgoing models new when we checked on 2026-10-10 — the AVR-X2800H at $999 and the AVR-X3800H at $1,399, both in stock — while the Amazon listings we link for them had no offer in our checks through 2026-10-09 [src24, src28]. Marantz replaced the Cinema 50 with the Cinema 50 Series 2 in August 2026; we found no review of the Series 2 yet, so this card keeps the reviewed original, which Marantz's US store sold for $2,800, in stock, when we checked on 2026-10-10 [src37, src38]. Yamaha scheduled its new RX300A and RX500A for June and September 2026, and Wirecutter plans to test them [src46, src1].

Top 16 Models Compared

Amplified channels and HDMI inputs are the maker's or the reviewer's figures; "4K/120" counts the inputs that pass 4K at 120Hz.

Best for Each Use Case

Best Overall for Most People: Denon AVR-X1800H — Check price

Wirecutter's top pick: a great-sounding, easy-to-use 7.1-channel receiver for movie fans, music lovers and gamers alike. In Wirecutter's tests the receivers were hard to tell apart with room correction switched off, and the X1800H's Audyssey MultEQ XT was a clear winner over the room correction of rivals at or near its price, especially with the optional $20 MultEQ Editor app [src1]. Three of its six HDMI inputs pass 4K/120Hz with VRR and ALLM for consoles; it has a phono input, preamp outputs for the front left and right speakers, HEOS multiroom streaming, AirPlay 2 and Bluetooth, and Wirecutter found it much easier to install and operate than similarly priced competitors [src1]. Trusted Reviews scored it 5 out of 5, found it articulate and dynamic after calibration and calls it ridiculously good value, but recommends it for small and medium rooms rather than a large home theater [src2]. AVForums scored it 8 out of 10 and found the soundstage a little rough at the edges at times [src3]. The drawbacks are one HDMI output, no analog video inputs and a hot-running chassis that needs ventilation [src1, src2].

Best Value: Onkyo TX-NR7100 — Check price

ecoustics' best receiver under $700: nine amplified channels for a 5.1.4 or 7.1.2 Dolby Atmos system, Dirac Live room correction included at no extra cost, THX certification and Works with Sonos; it has no multichannel preamp outputs, and its two subwoofer outputs cannot be set independently [src7]. Tom's Guide scored it 4.5 out of 5 with an Editor's Choice award: all six HDMI inputs pass 8K and 4K/120Hz, Dirac Live gave its reviewer a more cohesive immersive soundstage than Onkyo's own AccuEQ, but as a two-channel stereo amplifier it underperforms its price [src4, src5]. Sound & Vision made it a Top Pick for powerful Dolby Atmos and DTS:X sound and the benefits of Dirac Live [src6]. The Amazon listing we link was sold by a marketplace seller rather than Amazon in our 2026-10-09 check; the picks table above shows the current seller and price.

Under $500 (Wirecutter's Budget Pick): Denon AVR-S570BT — out of stock at Denon (checked 2026-10-10) — Check price

Wirecutter's budget pick for a basic 5.1-channel system: easier to set up and use than the other budget receivers it tested, with four HDMI 2.1 inputs that pass 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz with ALLM, VRR and QFT, one HDMI output with eARC, and enough power to drive 4-ohm tower speakers to very loud levels in Wirecutter's tests [src1]. It decodes Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio but not Dolby Atmos or DTS:X, lacks the Audyssey MultEQ room correction of Denon's X-Series, has no phono input, and streams only over Bluetooth, with no Wi-Fi [src1]. It is not this card's budget pick because Wirecutter is the only outlet we found that has tested it. Denon's US store listed it at $359 (list price $449) but out of stock when we checked on 2026-10-10, and the Amazon listing we link had no offer in our checks through 2026-10-09 [src8].

Best for Gaming and Spatial Sound: Sony STR-AN1000 — Check price

CNET's best AV receiver for gaming, scored 8.2: excellent sound, 8K and 4K/120Hz support and plenty of streaming connectivity, including Sonos, against a lower power rating and a poorly designed remote; two of its six HDMI inputs are 8K-compatible [src13]. StereoNET, which tested the STR-AN1000 itself, scored it 7 out of 10 and calls it a mixed bag: a muscular, dynamic home theater sound that its 360 Spatial Sound Mapping makes bigger, but bass that can sound bloated because it has no parametric EQ [src14]. Tom's Guide gave it 4 out of 5 after testing the European TA-AN1000: the spatial mapping works really well, but for build, performance and connectivity it looked overpriced, and setup is involved [src12, src4]. What Hi-Fi's five-star verdict and its best-overall award are for the European TA-AN1000, not this model; the Summary above explains why that matters.

Best for Dirac Live Tuning: Onkyo TX-RZ30 — Check price

Wirecutter's pick for the serious AV enthusiast: Dirac Live is built in, and with the optional $300 Dirac Live Bass Control module Wirecutter got better sound from it than from its upgrade pick, the Denon AVR-X3800H — but only after a lot of fussing, and every part of the setup is harder than on the Denon [src1]. It has nine amplified channels, 9.2-channel processing and two independent subwoofer outputs; all six HDMI inputs take 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz, but only three have the full bandwidth [src1]. AVForums scored it 9 out of 10, says it could be the best price/performance receiver of 2025 and named it the best mid-range AV receiver of 2025/26 [src16, src15]. Sound & Vision made it a Top Pick but found Dirac Live setup extremely finicky, and ecoustics found Dolby Atmos and DTS:X wonderfully immersive through it [src17, src18].

Outgoing 7-Channel Denon: Denon AVR-X2800H — Check price

What Hi-Fi gave it five stars and its 2022 award for entry-level receivers, and its best AV receivers guide, last updated in May 2026, still lists it as the best budget AV receiver: a responsive, coherent and spacious sound, a user-friendly on-screen interface, Audyssey MultEQ XT, and three HDMI 2.1 inputs that pass 8K/60Hz or 4K/120Hz; some might want more bass weight [src23, src9]. The AVR-X2900H replaces it [src19]. Denon's US store still sold it new at $999, in stock, when we checked on 2026-10-10; the Amazon listing we link had no offer in our checks through 2026-10-09 [src24].

Best for Power Users: Onkyo TX-RZ50 — Check price

CNET's best AV receiver for power users, scored 8.3: its reviewer had not heard Dolby Atmos sound this convincing in a long time, with streamed music as good as movies, and it has six 8K-compatible HDMI inputs and Dirac Live, which adds complexity to setup [src13]. CNET is the only outlet we found that has tested it. The Amazon listing we link was sold by a marketplace seller rather than Amazon in our 2026-10-09 check.

New 7-Channel Denon: Denon AVR-X2900H — Check price

Denon's 2026 replacement for the AVR-X2800H [src19]. Denon lists seven amplified channels, six HDMI inputs of which three handle 8K, two HDMI outputs, Audyssey MultEQ XT and an optional Dirac Live upgrade [src21]. Trusted Reviews gave it 5 out of 5 — a mid-range receiver that performs well above its pay grade, with MultEQ XT doing a remarkably fine job [src20]. What Hi-Fi gave it four stars: a spacious, rich and smooth cinematic sound that is easy to set up, but bass that lacks tonal variation and dynamics that rivals beat; in a side-by-side test it preferred the Sony TA-AN1000 [src19, src11].

Wirecutter's Upgrade Pick: Denon AVR-X3800H — Check price

Wirecutter's upgrade pick: nine amplified channels for five ear-level and four height speakers, preamp outputs to reach 11, four independent subwoofer outputs, Audyssey MultEQ XT32 — which in Wirecutter's tests gave more controlled bass and clearer dialogue than the MultEQ XT in the AVR-X1800H — and all six HDMI inputs at 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz; the Dirac Live upgrade costs $260 to $600 [src1]. What Hi-Fi gave the AVC-X3800H, its UK version, five stars, Sound & Vision made it a Top Pick, AVForums scored the AVC-X3800H 9 out of 10, and ecoustics names it the best receiver under $2,000 [src25, src26, src27, src7]. Wirecutter notes the AVR-X3900H is its successor [src1]. Denon's US store still sold it new at $1,399, in stock, when we checked on 2026-10-10; the Amazon listing we link had no offer in our checks through 2026-10-09 [src28].

New 9-Channel Denon: Denon AVR-X3900H — Check price

Denon's 2026 nine-channel model; Denon's US store still sold the outgoing AVR-X3800H alongside it when we checked on 2026-10-10 [src28, src30]. Denon lists nine amplified channels with 11.4-channel processing, four independent subwoofer outputs, six HDMI inputs that all handle 8K, Audyssey MultEQ XT32, and an optional Dirac Live suite that includes Bass Control and Active Room Treatment [src30]. AVForums, the only outlet we found that has reviewed it so far, scored the AVC-X3900H, its UK version, 9 out of 10 and calls it a seriously classy receiver for the price; its reviewer used Dirac Live and advises choosing the Dirac option with caution [src29].

Tom's Guide's Best Overall: Denon AVR-X4800H — Check price

Tom's Guide's best AV receiver overall, scored 5 out of 5: supremely versatile and thrilling with movies, music and games, with all seven rear HDMI inputs at 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz and nine amplified channels [src4, src31]. AVForums scored the AVC-X4800H 9 out of 10 but would like music to sound warmer and smoother, and Secrets says it cannot recommend it highly enough [src32, src33].

Best for Music and Movies: Marantz Cinema 50 — Check price

Trusted Reviews scored it 5 out of 5 and calls it a nigh on perfect home cinema performer with gorgeous musicality, Tom's Guide gave it an Editor's Choice award and its best format support pick, and Sound & Vision made it a Top Pick [src35, src34, src4, src36]. All six HDMI inputs take 4K/120Hz and 8K; it has nine amplified channels, Audyssey MultEQ XT32 and optional Dirac Live [src34, src36]. Marantz's US store sold both this original Cinema 50, at $2,800, and its successor, the Cinema 50 Series 2, at $3,000, both in stock, when we checked on 2026-10-10; we found no review of the Series 2 yet [src38, src49].

Best for Multiple Subwoofers: Marantz Cinema 40 — Check price

Secrets calls it truly a great receiver, with steady and accurate surround steering, and its reviewer had never heard better bass in his setup than from its directional subwoofer mode [src39]. It has nine amplified channels rated at 125W into 8 ohms with two channels driven, preamp outputs for 11 channels, seven HDMI inputs, Audyssey MultEQ XT32 and optional Dirac Live [src39]. Secrets is the only outlet we found that has tested it.

Best for 7.1.4 Without an Extra Amplifier: Denon AVR-X6800H — Check price

What Hi-Fi's best premium AV receiver, with five stars for sound: 11 amplified channels with processing for 13, so a full 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos system needs no extra power amplifier, seven HDMI 2.1 inputs and a rich, full-bodied, dynamic sound that sometimes rounds off effects in favour of warmth [src9, src40]. StereoNET highly recommends the AVC-X6800H, its UK version, which it tested with the paid Dirac Live Bass Control [src41].

Best High-End: Marantz Cinema 30 — Check price

What Hi-Fi's best high-end AV receiver and a 2025 award winner, with five stars for sound, build and features: smooth, refined and controlled, with huge scale, 11 amplified channels and seven HDMI 2.1 inputs, though those inputs run at 40Gbps rather than the full 48Gbps [src9, src42]. AVForums named it the best high-end AV receiver of 2025/26, and Secrets says that under $5,000 it is hard to think of something better [src15, src43].

No-Compromise Flagship: Denon AVR-A1H — Check price

What Hi-Fi gave the AVC-A1H, its UK version, five stars in July 2026: 15 amplified channels for up to 9.4.6 speakers, seven HDMI 2.1 inputs, and a rich, powerful and natural sound with exceptional control of dynamics [src44]. Sound & Vision made the AVR-A1H a Top Pick and calls it very probably the best-performing AV receiver its reviewer has used in 25 years; AVForums gave it its Inspirational award for 2025/26, and ecoustics names it the best cost-no-object receiver [src45, src15, src7]. It is big and heavy, and Dirac Live costs extra [src44, src45].

Key Market Trends (2026)

• Denon renewed its mid-range: the AVR-X2900H and AVR-X3900H launched on 14 May 2026 to replace the AVR-X2800H and AVR-X3800H, with a new DAC system, Dirac Live support and 1440p and AMD FreeSync passthrough for PC gamers. [src22]
• Marantz refreshed its Cinema range: the Cinema 50 Series 2 and Cinema 60 Series 2 went on sale in August 2026 and the Cinema 70s Series 2 in September; the Cinema 30 and Cinema 40 stay as Marantz's flagship receivers. [src37, src48]
• New budget models are untested: Yamaha's RX300A ($399.95, June 2026) replaces the RX-V385, and the RX500A ($599.95, September 2026) adds a new tier; Wirecutter plans to test them. [src46, src1]
• Dirac Live is spreading: it is built into Onkyo's TX-NR7100 and TX-RZ30, and an optional paid upgrade on Denon and Marantz down to the new AVR-X2900H. [src7, src1, src21]
• Ownership changes: Samsung's Harman bought Sound United, the parent of Denon and Marantz, in 2025, and Gentex bought Onkyo's parent, after which Pioneer left the North American receiver market. [src7]

Important Caveats

• Power figures are measured with two channels driven, so they overstate what a receiver delivers with every channel working: Denon rates the AVR-X2900H at 95W into 8 ohms with two channels driven, and What Hi-Fi notes Denon gives no all-channels figure. [src19]
• Regional names differ: in the UK, Denon sells several of these receivers as AVC models — the AVC-X3800H, AVC-X3900H, AVC-X4800H, AVC-X6800H and AVC-A1H — and What Hi-Fi says the AVC-A1H is functionally the same as the US AVR-A1H apart from the tuner. Sony's European TA-AN1000 is a different model from the US STR-AN1000, and What Hi-Fi suspects they do not perform exactly the same. [src25, src29, src32, src40, src44, src10]
• Several reviews here are of the UK or European unit: Tom's Guide tested the European or UK versions of the Sony, the Onkyo TX-NR7100 and the Denon AVR-X4800H (as the AVC-X4800H), and Trusted Reviews tested the UK AVR-X2900H DAB. [src12, src5, src31, src20]
• Several Amazon listings we link — the Onkyo TX-NR7100 and TX-RZ50, the Marantz Cinema 50, 40 and 30, and the Denon AVR-A1H — were sold by marketplace sellers rather than Amazon in our 2026-10-09 check; check the seller before you buy.
• Wirecutter found the Denon AVR-X1800H and AVR-X3800H run quite warm and advises giving them room to breathe. [src1]