An AV receiver is the hub of your home theatre system, the piece of gear to which everything connects. It helps provide a seamless experience for switching among devices and ensuring great picture and audio quality. So, it’s important to find a great AV receiver.
Of course, every home theatre is different. One might be in a small room with a couple speakers, subwoofer, set-top box, and gaming console. Another might be in a dedicated theatre or large living room with a surround sound system and three, four, or more source devices, like a Blu-ray player and streaming box as well. For this reason, the best AV receiver depends on the application.
All the AV receivers chosen for this roundup are selected because they’re among the best for the specific application noted. They all have the latest features and technologies, support various advanced audio and video formats, and seamlessly connect to devices, apps, music services, and more.
At a glance: Best AV receivers 2026
- Best for home theatre: The Denon AVR-X3900H is a 9.4-channel home theatre powerhouse. It features Dirac Live and Audyssey calibration, and HEOS multi-room streaming.
- Best for whole-home streaming: The 7.2-channel Denon AVR-X2900H receiver offers Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, 8K pass-through, and HEOS integration for seamless whole-home audio control.
- Best first receiver: The JBL MA510 is an easy-to-use entry option with 4K/8K support, Dolby Atmos, and up to a 7.1.2 setup, designed for simple setup and intuitive menus.
- Best entry-level: This compact Sony STR-DH590 5.2-channel receiver has 4K HDR support, Dolby TrueHD, four HDMI inputs, and strong customer approval for value and ease of use.
- Best mid-range: Denon AVR-X1700H is a versatile 7.2-channel receiver with wide connectivity, Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, HDR formats, and strong multi-room streaming support via HEOS.
- Best high-end: A 7.2-channel Onkyo Integra DRX2.4 receiver boasts Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, room correction tools, and extensive streaming and connectivity options including 8K video support.
- Best for vinyl: The Marantz Stereo 70s two-channel receiver features phono input for turntables, HEOS streaming, multi-zone audio, and support for surround sound and 8K video passthrough.
- Best connected: The Sony STR-AN1000 is a 7.2-channel receiver with wide streaming support, Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, 165W per channel, and advanced room calibration for mixed-use entertainment.
Read on for more information on these AV receivers.
Key features in an AV receiver
Be sure to choose the right AV receiver for you home theatre. Let’s recap some of the key features.
Channels and surround sound
Choose from 3.1, 5.1, 7.1, and 9.2 channels for a home theatre AV receiver. You can also add height channels through platforms like Dolby Atmos so sounds like rainfall, airplanes, and stadium crowd noise are more realistic and immersive. Along with Atmos, there are others formats like DTS:X, IMAX: Enhanced, Auro-3D, Sony 360 Reality Audio, and Eclipsa Audio.
Conversely, if the receiver is just for music listening with single left and right speakers, a stereo receiver is the way to go. Not sure how many channels you need? See our home theatre speakers buying guide.
Gaming features
If you play video games, look for features that provide a smooth and lag-free experience during fast-moving games. Chief among these are Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), and Quick Frame Transport (QFT). All three are designed to reduce or eliminate screen tearing, splitting, stuttering, and lag so the on-screen action keeps up with the frames in the game and in sync with your movements.
Smart integration and connectivity
A good AV receiver should be able to integrate nicely with other speakers and smart devices in your home for wireless streaming. It should have Bluetooth as well and support formats like AirPlay, Chromecast, Works with Sonos, and/or Denon HEOS for whole-home audio. You should also be able to control it or tweak settings from a companion app.
Room correction
With this feature, the AV receiver maps the layout of your room and the positioning of your speakers, then optimizes sound accordingly. This is available through technology like Dirac Live, Dirac Bass Control, Audyssey, Anthem ARC Genesis, and others.
For more, check out our receiver buying guide.
The best AV receivers 2026
Now that you have an idea of some of the key features, I’ll run down a few of the best AV receivers for various applications. Note that many of these AV receivers can perform outside of the noted application, too, so read through all the specs to help you make a decision.
Best for home theatre: Denon AVR-X3900H
Announced in mid-2026, the Denon AVR-X3900H has everything you’d need in a home theatre AV receiver, like 9.4 channels of amplification, 11.4 channels of processing, and 105W per channel. With Dirac Live tuning and Audyssey, you can ensure it’s perfectly optimized for your space.
Set up is simple through a web UI and you can connect it to other speakers for whole-home audio via HEOS, Bluetooth, and AirPlay 2, controlling everything through the HEOS app.
Best for whole-home streaming: Denon AVR-X2900H
With the Denon AVR-X2900H, you get the combination of mid-level pricing with advanced features in this versatile AV receiver that supports whole-home streaming through the HEOS platform. For movies, TV shows, and music, enjoy Dolby Atmos and DTS:X 3D sound with up to 7.2 channels. Enjoy 8K pass-through and 8K upscaling support of 4K content and 95W per channel with Audyssey room calibration to optimize sound.
It’s also Dirac Live RC upgrade ready. With HEOS, you can connect the AV receiver to other HEOS speakers in the home and control everything intuitively from the HEOS app. It’s a no-brainer option if you have or plan to get Denon HEOs speakers, integrating beautifully for audio throughout the home.
Best first receiver: JBL MA510
The highly rated receiver supports both 4K and 8K video as well as Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, so you aren’t skimping on features despite the affordable price. It can support an up to 7.1.2 configuration, so even if you upgrade later and add more speakers, it will still fit nicely within the system. With multiple HDMI inputs, you can connect a variety of source devices.
One happy customer, who bought the JBL MA510 as their first home theatre receiver, says it’s intuitive, loving how easy it is to set up and how simple the menus are to navigate. It’s a solid option for those who are intimidated by tech and are looking for simple set-up.
Best entry-level: Sony STR-DH590
The Sony STR-DH590 provides plenty of high-tech features in a package that won’t break the bank. Housed in a sleek and compact design that’s ideal for smaller spaces, this 5.2-channel receiver offers support for 4K with HDR video as well as Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD Enhanced. It comes with four HDMI inputs and access to FM radio with 30 station presets.
More than 4,000 customers have reviewed this AV receiver and 92% recommend it, giving it high marks for quality, value, and ease of use. While it’s not as powerful as higher end units, this receiver will do the trick for a simple set-up. “I recommend it for anyone who is looking for an entry-level 5.1 sound experience,” says one customer.
Best mid-range: Denon AVR-X1700H
With this solid, mid-range 7.2-channel AV receiver, you get tons of connectivity options, including HEOS for multi-room streaming, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, Alexa and Google Assistant, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, six HDMI ports, two digital, two analog, coaxial, phono, and a pair of pre-outs for connecting subwoofers for enhanced bass. Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and DTX Virtual:X afford an immersive audio experience, and the video to match via HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and HLG.
This Denon AV receiver is a good Goldilocks model for everything from watching movies to gaming and playing tunes. One buyer applauds the value of this AV receiver that they say “brings speakers to life.”
Best high-end: Onkyo Integra DRX2.4
The Onkyo Integra DRX2.4 is a high-end option to consider if you want something on the “best” end of the scale, but don’t need the most premium option. You get 7.2 channels delivering 80W RMS per channel and enhanced audio through Dolby Atmos 3D and DTS:X support. There’s room correction via AccuEQ and sub EQ and AccuReflex, which tunes the speakers to the room’s acoustics.
With lots of connectivity options, including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2, Chromecast, and DTS Play-Fi, you can also enjoy video up to 8K and HDR10+ for enhanced brightness and contrast. It’s perfect for a living room with multiple speakers and premium TV where you want a cinematic experience.
Best for vinyl: Marantz Stereo 70s
Not everyone wants an AV receiver for a full home audio set-up. If you’re looking for a two-channel receiver for music playback, especially to connect to a turntable, this Marantz receiver is a good choice. Along with a dedicated phono input, you get 75W output per channel with advanced HDMI technology and dynamic audio. Connect it easily to a turntable, but it also has built-in streaming via the HEOS platform and supports surround sound and 8K video if you have it set up with a TV and speakers, too.
With multi-zone audio, you can play records in the den while listening through other speakers in different rooms, either synchronized with the same music or from different sources. A self-professed audiophile customer says it provides “incredible sound, great power.”
Best connected: Sony STR-AN1000
All the AV receivers on this list permit connectivity in so many ways, but the Sony STR-AN1000 offers a nice balance of options with Chromecast built-in, Apple AirPlay, and Spotify Connect as well as Works with Sonos. Connecting via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, the 8K 7.2-channel AV receiver offers immersive 3D audio with support for Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and 360 Reality Audio, with a powerful 165W per channel.
With HDMI 2.1 and ALLM, you get a solid gaming experience as well, while Sony 360 Spatial Sound Mapping and Digital Cinema Auto Calibration IX technology ensures sound is beautifully optimized for your room. It’s a nice option in a room where you’ll be doing a variety of activities, from watching movies to gaming and listening to music.
How is a receiver different from an amplifier? Check out our receiver vs. amplifier guide.
Honourable mentions
These are all great AV receivers, reflective of different price points and feature sets. But search through available options and you might find something else that better suits your needs. Here are additional honourable mentions to consider.
- Denon AVR-X4800H: A 9.4-channel AV receiver with 8K pass-through, Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Auro 3D, and 11.4-channel expandability, this is another good choice for home theatre enthusiasts.
- Sony STRDH190: Great for vinyl lovers or those planning to use the receiver primarily for music, this 2-channel Hi-Res-certified model provides crisp, clear sound with support for up to four speakers.
- JBL MA310: Set up a simple 7.1.2 or 5.1.4 system then connect multiple devices via HDMI, from your smart TV to your gaming console and enjoy this affordable AV receiver powering it all.
How we decide what’s best
At Best Buy Canada, curating a “Best of” or “Top X” list is a thoughtful and transparent process. We evaluate products based on brand reputation, popularity, customer interest, and relevance within their category. Our bloggers then bring deep product knowledge and hands-on experience to help identify the best options for you.
Testing goes far beyond unboxing—products are used in real-world scenarios, with our bloggers putting themselves in your shoes to better understand how a device or accessory performs day to day and whether it meets expectations. Where possible, they compare similar models and assess key factors such as design, performance, and category-specific features to offer well-rounded, informed recommendations. For niche or new product categories where broader hands-on testing might not be possible within that category as a whole, our skilled bloggers evaluate the products using every objective method they can.
In some cases, a blogger may not have direct experience with a specific product. When that happens, they draw on broader expertise, such as time spent with comparable items, an understanding of the brand’s current lineup, and its overall reputation. We also draw on insights from Best Buy’s in-house category experts and aggregate feedback from both trusted reviewers and customer ratings to make the best selections.
We’ll always be clear about the basis of our recommendations—whether they stem from first-hand testing or extensive research. Authenticity matters to us. Every “Best of” guide is built on objective insights, product knowledge, and a commitment to helping you make confident buying decisions.
Choosing the right AV receiver
Most new models, even entry level models, include at least some advanced, even premium, features. What’s most important is that you match the receiver to your current speaker set-up, and consider future additions you might make.
Look at connectivity options, both wired and wireless, channels, and smart integration. Keep in mind your use cases. For example, if you want to connect a turntable, you need a phono input. If you’re a gamer, Game Mode for supporting your favourite pastime is essential.
Whether you’re looking for an AV receiver and other home theatre upgrades to power game day, complement your fancy new big screen TV, or enhance the games room, there’s a model to suit your needs, set-up, and budget.
Find a wide range of AV receivers at Best Buy Canada.
