Adding a soundbar to yoursmart TVis one of the best ways to enhance audio on the cheap. This isn’t to say that all soundbars are inexpensive, but compared to the cost of a complete wired surround system, you’ll likely save a good chunk of change. Soundbars can be purchased from dedicated audio companies, but pretty much every TV maker makesat leastone of these audio accessories.
If you’ve been wishing your TV could deliver bigger volume and better dialogue clarity, a soundbar is one of the best investments you can make. But with so many options, it can be tough to select the model that best matches your preferences. After all, some of these devices can even control your home’s manysmart home devices. Fortunately, we know a thing or two about this kind of AV hardware, so we’ve rounded up all our favorite soundbar options to date.
Sennheiser Ambeo Max
Sony HTS100F 2.0 Channel Soundbar
JBL Bar 1000 7.1.4 Soundbar
Samsung HW-Q800C
Vizio M-Series 5.1.2 Soundbar
Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar
Roku Streambar
Polk Signa S4
Top soundbars available today
The best soundbar for most people
While the Sonos Arc comes with a few limitations — namely, there’s no HDMI passthrough, and the Trueplay tuning feature is iOS only — this soundbar is truly a wonder. First and foremost, it sounds great, with plenty of power behind it. It also offers exceptional spatial audio and plenty of low-end in a single all-in-one package.
The Sonos Arc might be a single unit without extra rear speakers or subwoofer, yet it still provides exceptional three-dimensional audio with Dolby Atmos technology. It also has a surprising amount of low-end for a stand-alone soundbar, and you can add a subwoofer later.
In addition to trying it solo, we paired the Sonos Arc with twoEra 100surrounds during testing and noticed an improvement in sound richness and overall spatial coverage. All factors considered, it sounds phenomenal, with more than enough power to forget more complicated home theater setups.
Sonos Arc review: More than you need, exactly what you want
The Arc is the best soundbar around for big rooms where money doesn’t matter
Unfortunately, this soundbar has a few issues, for example, the lack of HDMI passthrough. Also, Sonos uses Trueplay tuning to adjust the audio to whichever room its respective product is sitting in, which is a great feature but requires an iPhone. Most of us know someone with an iPhone, so that’s not necessarily the biggest hurdle to making this soundbar sound its best. Like most Sonos gear, it lacks an Aux input port and Bluetooth support, though the Sonos upside is that you can include the Arc in a multi-room setup with other products from the company’s lineup.
Such great heights achieved
Dolby Atmos virtualization can be very difficult to pull off unless you’re the Sennheiser Ambeo Max. For the price you’ll pay for this system, you’ll get one of the best Atmos experiences — sans wired speakers — that a soundbar has ever achieved. The overall sound package is plenty loud and packed with sonic nuances.
This list of the best Dolby Atmos speakers is packed with soundbars that deliver good to great Atmos virtualizations. But is there a soundbar that producesexcellentAtmos immersion? Indeed, there is, and it’s the Sennheiser Ambeo Max. No, your eyes do not deceive you, it’s a $2,500 soundbar. While this may not be the type of audio add-on that every household can afford, those who don’t mind a big splurge will love the kind of sound the Ambeo Max achieves.
Billed as a 5.1.4 system, the Ambeo Max has several woofers, tweeters, and up-firing drivers to provide the kind of 360-degree sound that Dolby Atmos is renowned for. In our hands-on review of the Ambeo Max, we couldn’t believe the immersion and accuracy the soundbar achieved. We were also stunned by how much low-end the soundbar produced without a dedicated sub. And even if you’re watching something in regular 5.1 surround or stereo PCM, the Ambeo Max will upscale the audio source, bringing the signal as close to Atmos as possible.
Sennheiser Ambeo Max review: The reason your true surround sound will start collecting dust
Surround virtualization is near-impossible to get right, but the Sennheiser Ambeo Max isn’t your typical Atmos emulator.
The Ambeo Max is heavy to work with and has quite a heavy price tag. But if you’ve been waiting for a long time to get a premium soundbar, we can confidently report that this is one of the best Atmos virtualization products we’ve ever tested.
Powerful sound on a budget
Sometimes all you need is a subtle boost in the sound department to rise above the audio that your TV speakers are limited to. Fortunately, Sony’s HTS100F goes the extra mile by giving you a stereo soundbar for less than $125 that mimics a full surround system!
It really doesn’t take much for any soundbar to improve the audio coming out of your TV speakers, but the cost-effective Sony 100F does so in style. As our value pick, the 100F doesn’t offer all the frills and expansive tech of higher-priced models, but features like a built-in Bass Reflex speaker and Sony’s S-Force Front Surround for surround virtualization help this model rise above the rest.
You’ll also be able to take advantage of Bluetooth and USB inputs, as well as HDMI and digital optical for wiring the 100F to your TV. Again, it’s not the fanciest set of speakers in the world, but you’ll definitely notice a difference between the tinny sound of your QLED or OLED set, and the full-bodied audio the Sony 100F delivers.
Monstrous sound without all the speaker wires
If top-shelf Dolby Atmos surround immersion is what you’re after, but you can’t afford the thousands of dollars that a true Atmos surround entails, a more than fitting alternative is the incredible JBL Bar 1000.
If full-on Dolby Atmos immersion is what you’re after, nothing gets it done like the JBL Bar 1000. Short of investing in a complete surround sound system, the Bar 1000 gives you a complete 7.1.4 Atmos configuration. This includes wireless surround speakers and a wireless subwoofer.
JBL Bar 1000 review: Surround sound all around us
With Atmos surround sound and a lot of power, the Bar 1000 brings home theater immersion in soundbar form
A mighty 440W amplifier is the brawn behind the audio, while JBL’s MultiBeam virtual surround tech is responsible for the amazing sense of depth the Bar 1000 delivers. Connections include HDMI and digital optical, as well as built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The Bar 1000 also supports Apple AirPlay 2,Alexa, and Google Assistant.
Q-Symphony lets your Samsung TV and soundbar join forces
Operating your soundbars and TV speakers at the same time is usually frowned upon, but Samsung’s Q-Symphony allows you to do just that, and the result is actually quite amazing.
One of the coolest things about modern TVs and audio systems is you’ll usually unlock some kind of extra feature by pairing one same-brand component with another. Such is the case with Samsung’s awesome HW-Q800C soundbar, and the hidden capability is something called Q-Symphony. If you happen to own a Samsung QLED released between 2020 and 2023 (Q70 models and above), when you link the Q800C to your TV, both the soundbar drivers and TV speakers work in unison to deliver an immersive audio experience like no other.
The Q800C also supports Dolby Atmos, so can enjoy some of the best 4K movies and TV shows in true multi-layer surround sound. And on top of all that, the Q800C also has a feature called SpaceFit Sound Pro, which automatically calibrates sound output based on your listening environment.
A hassle-free surround sound
It’s not too common that a soundbar below $500 includes support for both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, but the Vizio M-Series 5.1.2 didn’t show up to the party to be just another boring guest.
Movie fanatics may have a hard time accepting the fact that a soundbar usually can’t deliver the full immersion of a true surround system. Fortunately, models like the Vizio M-Series 5.1.2 are here to reinvent the wheel a little bit. This mid-tier soundbar not only comes with a wireless subwoofer but also two satellite speakers that you may position anywhere you’d like. Considering they need to be plugged into the sub for power, we’d recommend using them as rear speakers.
The Vizio M-Series also supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X surround formats (and has two up-firing speakers to accompany both codecs), and can also be controlled using Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri. You’ll also be able to wire the soundbar using HDMI ARC or digital optical.
Advanced dialogue mode
The Bose Smart Ultra utilizes Dolby Atmos technology and Bose’s TrueSpace audio processing function to provide quality surround sound. It’s better than its predecessor — the Bose Smart Soundbar 900, in that it uses AI to balance dialogue, providing unmatched vocal clarity without sacrificing audio quality. Although it only has one HDMI port, it offers good app support and is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant.
The Bose Smart Ultra combines style and a set of powerful speakers to offer a soundbar that sounds and looks great. It’s powered by Dolby Atmos and boasts two upward-firing speakers that deliver quality spatial audio. Additionally, this soundbar uses Bose’s TrueSpace technology for an immersive listening experience. Although it shares several features with the Bose Smart Soundbar 900, the Smart Ultra has an AI-powered Dialogue Mode that improves vocal clarity, a feature lacking in the former.
Nestled in this soundbar is a front-firing tweeter that does a great job separating instruments, allowing you to enjoy your music to the timbre. However, we noticed during testing that the drivers didn’t generate the best bass, but were still thumpy enough to fill the room with rich sound. That said, you should consider pairing the Smart Ultra with a subwoofer for thunderous bass. What’s more, the Bose Smart Ultra employs HDMI eARC connectivity for uncompressed audio, meaning it won’t lower your TV’s sound quality. On the downside, there is only one port.
Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar review: Immersive sound at a premium price
Bose took a swing at ultra-customized spatial sound (and hit it out of the park)
Since the soundbar is Bluetooth enabled, you can pair it wirelessly with compatible devices. It also supports Chromecast and Airplay, making it a good option for Android and iOS users. In addition, it has an easy-to-use app that allows you to calibrate EQ settings according to your preference. Best of all, the Bose Smart Ultra works with Google Assistant and Alexa, so you can use it as a smart speaker for your ecosystem.
Middle ground between a regular Sonos speaker and a soundbar
The Sonos Ray won’t win any awards for surround sound emulation. What it does take home the gold for is affordability, ease of use, and overall sound quality. Regardless of its size, the Ray delivers bigger and bolder audio that’s on par with some of the best midrange soundbars.
Sonos speakers are a big draw for wireless music aficionados. Fortunately, Sonos has been making soundbars for several years, too, and the incredible Arc isn’t the only option on the table. There’s also the Sonos Ray, a $280 soundbar that works best in small to medium-sized rooms. Outfitted with a pair of tweeters and a pair of mid-woofers, you may be wondering how a soundbar this small brings any bass to the party. Miraculously, it justdoes. And if you’d still like to add extra low-end to the mix, you can always invest in a Sonos Sub Mini.
Whether you’re listening to music or watching TV, the Sonos Ray delivers exceptional sound quality that could fool you into thinking there’s more than just a soundbar in your media den. As far as connectivity goes, the main connection between the Ray and your TV is digital optical. This means surround formats will be capped at 5.1, so one shouldn’t expect Atmos-level immersion.
Sonos Ray review: Big Sonos sound, but smaller
The Ray is a small soundbar for small rooms, but don’t expect many frills
As you can guess, you can also use the Sonos Ray as a traditional Sonos speaker within the Sonos app. Whether you want to stream stations through the company’s software or prefer to cycle through playlists stored on your iPhone or Android device, the Sonos Ray has got you covered.
When you need a streaming device as well as a soundbar
If you need a soundbar and stream box, the Roku Streambar is an incredible value proposition, especially considering the amount of volume available and the audio quality. It’s a bit light on bass, can get overblown when turned all the way up, and has a narrow soundstage, but you can always fix that by investing in some of Roku’s wireless speakers and subwoofer.
The Roku Streambar has a lot going for it, starting with the fact that it has full Roku functionality built in. It’s also a solid small form-factor soundbar with plenty of volume and solid audio performance. It even supports 4K and HDR; however, don’t expect something like Dolby Atmos included here.
There are limitations due to its size (and likely low price), such as its amount of bass, narrow soundstage, and the fact that it loses definition when turned all the way up. But considering that you can buy wireless speakers and a subwoofer to pair it with for not a lot more money, those are not dealbreakers. In fact, you can turn the Roku Streambar or its big brother, the Streambar Pro, into the center of a 5.1 surround sound system if you so wish.
An Atmos soundbar for less than $400
If you’re looking to score a terrific Dolby Atmos simulator for less than $400, the Polk Signa S4 should be at the top of your list. Not to mention this soundbar also includes a dedicated center channel and Polk’s patented Voice Adjust tech for enhanced dialogue.
Polk may not receive the same kind of attention as soundbar brands like Bose, Sonos, and the many TV companies that produce their own audio systems, but the incredible Polk Signa S4 is a Dolby Atmos emulator that deserves a close look. Not only is it a slim 2.36 inches tall, making it ideal for sitting on a TV stand or mounted below a TV, but the inclusion of two 2.59-inch Atmos height channels delivers a breathtaking 3D effect for all your favorite movies and shows.
That’s on top of two racetrack drivers, two tweeters, a dedicated center, and a wireless subwoofer. Inputs include HDMI ARC/eARC and digital optical, along with Bluetooth and 3.5mm inputs. We’re also writing home about the Polk’s amazing Voice Adjust Technology, which lets you fine-tune the Signa S4 to deliver dialogue you won’t have to struggle to hear.
What should I look for in a soundbar?
When it comes to soundbars, you should start by considering the size of your setup. For example, if you have a small TV, such as 40 inches or below, you might be better off with some of the smaller offerings included here. If you have a larger TV (and a larger room for your setup), a full-length model will not only look good, but it’ll also give the amount of volume to match that large screen.
Once you’ve figured out how big or small you want to go, consider your budget. The more expensive you go, the more features you’ll get — plus, typically, better and more detailed audio. On the other hand, if you’re on a budget, you can get a stand-alone unit without a subwoofer. If you do choose a stand-alone unit, it’s better to get one with the ability to add a subwoofer later on, whether through wireless pairing or a sub-out port.
Additionally, you might have to pay extra for some features, such as Dolby Atmos. Although it is a great feature that adds immersion, that doesn’t mean you’ll care for it, especially since not everything is mixed in to take advantage of it. If you’re mostly watching old movies and shows (ten years old or more), you probably won’t hear much of a difference. However, if you want to get the most engrossing experience possible, get Dolby Atmos or DTS support. Also, consider options that let you add rear speakers if they aren’t already bundled.
The best of the best
A soundbar is not an add-on to be taken lightly. The hard truth is that TV speakers aren’t very good. Even if you own a TV with bigger drivers or an integrated woofer, it’s hard to achieve the type of audio that soundbars and surround systems bring to the fold. To that end, we’re giving top honors to the Sonos Arc.
The Arc delivers breathtaking sound quality that fills every nook and cranny of even the largest media hubs. It’s simple to control and can be treated just like Sonos’ music speakers. Stream tunes over Wi-Fi through services like Spotify and Apple Music or listen to one of Sonos’ custom radio stations. As far as surround virtualization goes, the Arc also wowed us with its Dolby Atmos capabilities.
But if you want a soundbar that delivers thebestAtmos effects we’ve ever heard, consider the Sennheiser Ambeo Max. This soundbar is a hulking beast, and it’s extremely expensive to boot. But if you don’t mind the upfront cost, there’s no better way to experience three-dimensional Atmos and DTS:X audio, unless you’d rather go with a true multi-speaker Atmos configuration. The Ambeo Max can be further customized using the Sennheiser Smart Control app, which is also how you’ll pair the Ambeo Max to your Wi-Fi.
Over $2,000 is far more than most folks are prepared to spend on a soundbar, which is why we included the Sony HTS100F in our roundup. The best value pick of the litter, this basic stereo soundbar gives you a decent boost in sound quality and volume. you may stream music from your phone or tablet to the HTS100F via Bluetooth.
The Sonos Arc is tough to beat. As our favorite soundbar, you can expect room-filling sound that will make you feel like you’re in a movie theater. You can also stream music from Wi-Fi and Bluetooth sources. While iOS devotees receive an enhanced version of Sonos’ Trueplay feature, the Arc is still compatible with Android devices.
