Best atmos soundbars 2023: Best Dolby Atmos soundbars 2023: budget to premium home cinema sound

The best soundbar deals 2023: Sonos, Sony, JBL, Bose and more

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There’s no escaping it, TV speakers are pretty rubbish. Even the sets that promise the most room-filling, clearest audio via their built-in drivers are often massive letdowns compared to dedicated speakers.

Thankfully, soundbars are here to pick up the slack, and while some of the more basic options can be found at reasonable prices, the ones worth spending your money on with features like Dolby Atmos and 4K HDMI passthrough are usually a bit more expensive. Luckily for you, we’ve compiled some of the best soundbar deals around, meaning you can save some of your hard-earned cash and enjoy better TV audio.

As flat-panel technology improves and TVs get thinner, real estate for drivers is ever decreasing, and your TV’s in-built speakers have an almost impossible task of delivering sound that matches up with the dizzying visuals onscreen. But there is a cost-effective way to hear dialogue more clearly and up the ante with film soundtracks. Just grab yourself a great-value TV soundbar from some excellent brands currently discounted.

A soundbar is a simple solution to boost your TV’s sonic performance without cluttering your lounge with multiple speakers and a chunky AV amplifier. You just pop it in front of the TV, hook it up (either physically or wirelessly) and voila, you’re all set!

There are currently some extra-tasty deals to be snapped up on wallet-friendly TV soundbars, as well as some excellent savings on more premium options if you’re partnering with a bigger flagship TV. 

Not sure which model is right for you? We have buying guides with all the info on the best soundbars and the best Dolby Atmos soundbars that we’ve tested across a range of prices. And at the more affordable end of the market, our best budget soundbars page has you covered.

SOUNDBAR DEALS QUICK LINKS

• Richer Sounds: hot deals on soundbars, home cinema and hi-fi
• John Lewis save hundreds on the top soundbars
• Sevenoaks: clearance soundbars – get a huge discount on an ex-display model
• Currys: Soundbars under £200
• Argos: deals on soundbars

Best soundbar deals under £100

Hisense HS214 all-in-one soundbar was £129 now £99 at Amazon (save £30)
Hisense’s 65cm ‘bar with multiple connections (line-in, USB, Bluetooth, optical, HDMI out ARC), three Audio Modes (movie, music and news) and a bundled universal remote is a great way to upgrade your TV sound while spending very little.
Read the full Hisense HS214 review.

Best soundbar deals £100 to £250

Yamaha SR-C20A was £239 now £169 at Amazon (save £70)
Yamaha’s C20 soundbar offers upgraded TV audio on a compact scale – what’s not to like?
Read our full Yamaha SR-C20A review.

Denon DHT-S216 now £199 £149 at Amazon (save £50)
Denon is renowned for its stellar AVRs, but the company also makes some decent inexpensive soundbars. At this price, this Denon might not have top-tier features, but it’s a great starter soundbar for the price. It features Dolby Digital and DTS encoding, Bluetooth connection and HDMI Arc support.

Samsung S50B now £280 was £160 at Amazon (save £120)
A Dolby Atmos soundbar at this price is practically unheard of, and while we haven’t tested this Samsung option, we also can’t overlook this deal. With eARC, wireless streaming and support for Atmos and Virtual DTS:X, this 3.0 channel bar might be a Prime Day hidden gem.

Denon DHT-S316 was £279 now £199 at Amazon (save £80)
Like the look of the other Denon but fancy a soundbar with a bit more oomph? The DHT-S316 includes a dedicated wireless sub for enhanced bass without the clutter of cords. It also includes Dolby Digital and DTS encoding, alongside Denon’s speech enhancing mode.

Bose TV Speaker now £270 was £199 at Amazon (save £71)
This soundbar thrives on simplicity: there’s a one-connection set-up to your TV via an optical audio cable or an HDMI. You can use your current TV remote to control the volume of the speaker and it detects the signal from your TV when turned on and automatically turns on, too. There’s Bluetooth for streaming and setting for vocal clarity and extra bass too.
Read our full Bose TV Speaker review

Bose Solo 5 Soundbar £240 £150 at John Lewis (save £90)
Bose’s Solo 5 soundbar is a simple and effective way to improve your TV’s audio. It’s not got all the bells and whistles of more expensive soundbars, however, at £150 it’s a solid deal. Read our full Bose Solo 5 review.

Bose Solo Soundbar Series II was £180 now £169 at Amazon (save £11)
The second generation Solo Soundbar from Bose delivers the same prospect as the first: a simple upgrade to your TV’s sound. Connect it via an optical, AUX or coaxial cable and you’re set, or connect wirelessly via Bluetooth if you’d prefer. We haven’t tested this one, but considering the simple proposition, we’re fairly inclined to believe Bose that it will indeed provide more direct sound compared to your TV’s speakers.

Sony HT-S350 soundbar was £299 now £259 at Amazon (save £40)
Be quick and you can nab Sony’s 2.1-channel, 320W soundbar and wireless subwoofer combo cut-price at Amazon. 

Panasonic SC-HTB490 was £249 now £189 at Amazon (save £60)
This svelte soundbar, designed to be wall-mounted, has two full-range, forward-facing 4. 5 x 12cm drive units, two bass reflex ports adjacent to the drivers to help enhance lower frequencies within the narrow chassis, and a total power output of 160W. Its connectivity options are on the more basic side: you get HDMI (ARC), optical input, Bluetooth and a USB socket -so no wi-fi connectivity or streaming service support – but for those looking for a tidy, discrete soundbar this slender option might just fit the bill. 

Best soundbar deals £250 to £500

Bowers and Wilkins Panorama 3 was £899 now £499 at Peter Tyson (save £400)
Bowers & Wilkins’s first Dolby Atmos soundbar is a sleek, stand-alone system that delivers 3.1.2 channels of audio from a single unit. There’s Amazon Alexa onboard for hands-free voice commands and streaming is well catered for with AirPlay 2, aptX Adaptive Bluetooth and Spotify Connect, while high-resolution listening is supported via the Bowers & Wilkins Music App.
Read our full B&W Panorama 3 review.

Sony HT-S40R was £350 now £279 at Amazon (save £71)
Not one we’ve tested but wireless 5.1 systems at this price don’t come along every day. The catch is that it isn’t completely wireless, requiring an included compact wireless amplifier to power the rear speakers. But if you have the space to house it this looks to be a decent compact system with Bluetooth, HDMI ARC, a USB port, plus optical and analogue inputs. 

Denon Home Sound Bar 550 was £599 now £399 at Richer Sounds (save £200)
This is a good deal on what looks like a very good soundbar. Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, HEOS built-in and AirPlay 2 support combine to make it one of the more feature-rich of its kind we’ve seen. 

Sonos Beam (Gen 2) was £499 now £449 at Peter Tyson (save £50)
Sonos’s impressive mid-level soundbar is a top notch performer, especially at this price. Being a Sonos product, WIFI is on board as is HDMI eARC and compatibility with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. REad our full Sonos Beam (Gen 2) review.

Best soundbar deals £500 to £1000

Bose Smart Soundbar 900 was £899 now £799 at Amazon (save £100)
This slick soundbar has all the specs you’d expect from Bose with wifi connectivity, Airplay, Bluetooth, Chromecast and multi-room streaming. Sonically it produces an impressively wide sound field and an articulate and crisp Dolby Atmos performance.
Read our full Bose Smart Soundbar 900 review.

Sonos Arc soundbar was £899 now £799 at Peter Tyson (save £130)
This soundbar delivers five-star Dolby Atmos performance and WiFi connectivity for easy music streaming and integration with other Sonos products. Read our full Sonos Arc review.

Best soundbar deals over £1000

Sony HT-A7000 was £1299 now £1099 at AO.com (save £200)
This five-star, Award-winning soundbar delivers amazing Atmos and a bountiful feature set that culminates in a truly impressive soundbar. Equally as impressive are these savings, meaning you can get one for £200 off the usual asking price right now.
Read our full Sony HT-A7000 review.

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar Plus was £1299 now £1149 at Sevenoaks (save £150)
Sennheiser’s Ambeo Plus impresses with a wide, spacious soundfield, excellent musical ability and a fine spread of useful features and connectivity options. HDMI inputs are included as are a number of different steaming options, from Bluetooth to Spotify Connect. The Ambeo Plus sits among the best Dolby Atmos soundbars at this level. To get this price, use code GDSAVE100 at checkout. Read our full Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar Plus review.

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Lewis Empson is a Staff Writer on What Hi-Fi?. He was previously Gaming and Digital editor for Cardiff University’s ‘Quench Magazine’, Lewis graduated in 2021 and has since worked on a selection of lifestyle magazines and regional newspapers. Outside of work, he enjoys gaming, gigs and regular cinema trips.

Bluesound Pulse Soundbar+ Dolby Atmos soundbar review

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The Sonos Arc has a new challenger
Tested at £799 / $899 / AU$1699

(Image: © Bluesound)

What Hi-Fi? Verdict

While not as musical as anticipated, the Bluesound Pulse Soundbar+ deftly handles virtual Dolby Atmos with precision and directness

TODAY’S BEST DEALS

Pros

• +

  Satisfying Dolby Atmos delivery

• +

  Direct and solid presentation

• +

  Detailed, open sound

Cons

• –

  Music lacks drive and drama

• –

  No ‘native’ sound mode

• –

  No auto-detect of HDMI input

Why you can trust What Hi-Fi?
Our expert team reviews products in dedicated test rooms, to help you make the best choice for your budget. Find out more about how we test.

As the computing inside our AV technology advances to the extent that software updates are frequently more impactful than hardware ones, the launch of a new product, rather than being the conclusion of its development, is often just the beginning of a long road of firmware updates until either processor capacity, or the engineers, are exhausted.

Bluesound’s Pulse Soundbar+ is the company’s first Dolby Atmos soundbar and is a prime example of this phenomenon, having launched back in March 2021 but only gaining its fundamental upgrade to handle virtual Dolby Atmos decoding eight months later. 

Build

(Image credit: Bluesound)

Although outwardly the Bluesound Pulse Soundbar+ bears more than a passing resemblance to its predecessors, internally there has been a significant change, and one that we presume will be a source of yet more improvements. The soundbar now sports a custom-specified ARM Cortex A53 quad-core chipset that the company says processes audio up to eight times faster than previous generations and, most importantly, can handle Dolby Atmos.

• Bluesound Pulse Soundbar (Black) at Amazon for £899

In terms of build, though, you’d be hard pushed to spot the difference between the Bluesound Pulse Soundbar+ and its forebear, the Soundbar 2i. There is now a new centre strip on the front face with touch controls for volume and power, though, and either side of this sits a pair of 25mm tweeters, 5cm midrange drivers and 10cm woofers, with a matching passive radiator behind a tight aluminium grille. All the drivers are front-facing and, being larger in diameter than those in most competing models, give the Pulse Soundbar+ its distinctive slim, tapered-but-tall build.

It’s a design consistent with previous models that, unfortunately, will be an instant turn-off for some potential buyers. There’s no getting around it: at 14cm high, Bluesound’s soundbars are taller than your average soundbar and, when placed on the same surface as a TV, will almost certainly block part of the screen. Bluesound is well aware of this and really intends for the Soundbar+ to be wall-mounted – there’s a bracket included in the box for this purpose and, to keep the installation tidy, the soundbar can be orientated with the cable cove at either the bottom or the top, with an internal accelerometer automatically sensing which way up the ‘bar is.

Features

(Image credit: Bluesound)

This recess at the rear includes inputs for HDMI eARC, optical, 3.5mm analogue and USB A, as well as an ethernet port and RCA output for an external sub. The Bluesound Pulse Soundbar+ can also connect wirelessly, via a dedicated wi-fi module, to a pair of Pulse Flex 2i speakers for surround sound and/or a Pulse Sub+ for extra bass.

There’s streaming onboard courtesy of Apple AirPlay, two-way aptX HD Bluetooth and the BluOS wireless system that integrates with services including Tidal and Spotify. The Soundbar+ supports hi-res audio file formats, and Bluesound is keen to stress its musical chops, insisting that it’s equally capable with both film and music.

Priced at £799 / $899 / AU$1699 in black, the Pulse Soundbar+ just undercuts its main rival, the What Hi-Fi? Award-winning Sonos Arc (£899 / $899 / AU$1499) – unless, that is, you want it in white, in which case the Bluesound will then set you back £899 / $999 / AU$1799. While the Soundbar+ and Arc are both wi-fi-enabled soundbars that can be grouped with their respective brand’s smart speakers as part of an integrated multi-room set-up, the Sonos has dedicated upward-firing speakers while the Bluesound does not.

As mentioned, the Pulse Soundbar+ can be expanded by the addition of two Pulse Flex 2i speakers (£299 / $299 / AU$ 699) and a Pulse Sub+ (£749 / $749 / AU$ 1399), also available in black or white, while Sonos’ optional extras include its One SL speakers (£358 / $358 / AU$538 per pair) and a Sub (£749 / $749 / AU$1499).

Going all-in on either of these surround packages is a relatively pricey undertaking, and both Samsung and LG’s flagship packages include separate surrounds and subwoofers for less. However, like other premium manufacturers, Bluesound’s soundbar is designed to perform well in a standalone set-up, which is how we tested it – once we’d got creative with our TV cabinet. If wall mounting isn’t an option, but your TV sits too low to clear the Pulse Soundbar+, Bluesound sells a universal TV stand, the TS100 (£279 / $299 / AU$549), that will support both your screen and your speaker, no drilling required.

Surprisingly, given the Bluesound’s well-developed app and smart features, there’s no in-built room calibration. Still, there are several options for manually tailoring the sound, including bass and treble controls for the main soundbar and specific crossover and volume controls for a paired subwoofer.

Bluesound Pulse Soundbar+ tech spec

(Image credit: Bluesound)

Input HDMI eARC, optical, analogue 3.5mm

Supported Audio Formats FLAC, MQA, WAV, AIFF, Dolby Atmos; Dolby Digital

Finishes x2 (black, white)

Streaming AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Roon Ready, BluOS

Bluetooth Two way with support for aptX HD

Voice control Amazon Alexa Skills; Actions on Google

Dimensions (hwd) 14 x 107 x 7cm

Weight 6.5kg

Three main listening modes can be engaged – music, movie and late-night – and there are two upmixing options that can be toggled on and off. Bluesound says that the Surround Upmixer takes any channel-based audio and synthesises it to a multi-channel Dolby surround configuration intended to make use of a set-up that includes the optional surrounds and sub.

Meanwhile, the Virtualizer is said to simulate more substantive speaker layouts, giving the listener a wider soundstage and the ‘effect’ of height. It’s a little disconcerting that if the Virtualizer isn’t engaged, then Dolby Atmos content will not be decoded as such. We’d prefer Atmos be supported by default rather than requiring activation in a frustratingly located sub-menu. In fact, we’d really like to see a ‘pure’ or ‘native’ option added so that stereo plays in stereo, surround plays in surround, and Atmos plays in Atmos.

Another usability gripe is that the soundbar doesn’t automatically detect an eARC signal – you have to manually switch inputs within the BluOS app. Once configured, you can enable auto-detect on one source, but this only seems to function immediately after power-up, and not when switching from, for example, streaming to eARC.

This may seem like a minor inconvenience, and it probably wouldn’t bother some people as much as it did us while trying a range of content during testing. But considering the premise of the Pulse Soundbar+ is to be equally capable with both music and film, the fact that you can’t hot-swap between the two without going into the app is a bit of a drawback.

But on the whole, and for music playback, in particular, the BluOS app is a pleasure to use, especially in its slick integrated access to USB files, which puts almost every other soundbar we’ve tested to shame.

Sound

(Image credit: Bluesound)

Kicking off with Mad Max: Fury Road in Dolby Atmos (with the Virtualizer on), we’re immediately struck by the texture that the Pulse Soundbar+ can dig out. Soundbars often rely on overemphasised treble to give the impression of detail, but here there’s genuine insight throughout the frequency range. Everything is handled with nuance, from the granular sound of a lizard skittering across the desert wasteland to Max’s resonant internal monologue, to the guttural sounds of the car chase.

We’re similarly impressed by the first scene of Unbroken. There’s plenty of contrast between locations as the camera moves around the aircraft, and as soundscapes get busy there’s still plenty of separation and clarity. This scene highlights the Bluesound’s broad dynamic abilities, too, with realistic and engaging changes in volume between the different stations in the plane and satisfying heft to the flak fire. That said, there is evidently a ceiling that means the initial flypast of the Liberator bombers doesn’t quite reach the intended peak.

Although this is virtual Dolby Atmos, there’s something substantial and authentic to the presentation of the Pulse Soundbar+, which compensates somewhat for a soundstage that’s not as wide or high as that of the Sonos Arc. While realistic sensations of ‘height’ are unsurprisingly beyond the scope of the Pulse Soundbar+, given its lack of upward-firing drivers, there’s much more to Dolby Atmos than just sound coming from your ceiling, and the precision, location and movement that the Bluesound achieves is some of the best we’ve heard from a soundbar.

Swapping to The Social Network in 5.1, we try out the upmixing modes and find that they have little effect individually. Engage them both together, though, and a degree of extra spaciousness and atmosphere is added to the opening bar scene without the rapid-fire dialogue between the actors losing much in the way of clarity.

Given its larger-than-average and forward-facing drivers, we had high hopes for the Bluesound Pulse Soundbar+ as a music speaker, so it’s with some disappointment that we have to declare it merely decent on that front.

Playing Jane’s Addiction’s Ted, Just Admit It, we’re surprised to find that even after tinkering with the settings, it sounds a little flat and lacking in sparkle. The melodic drums in the intro lack some punch, the long reverberant snare sound in particular doesn’t have much in the way of sizzle. The busier, more chaotic sections of the track sound a bit cluttered, too.

That said, the Soundbar+ has depth and openness with vocals that is a real rarity for a soundbar. Whether it’s Perry Farrell’s demented wailing on Ted…, or when swapping to the more sparse Tom’s Diner by Suzanne Vega, the Pulse Soundbar+ projects voices nicely and without any harshness. There’s nice overall tonal balance, too, with well-judged, never-brash treble and naturally deep bass blending seamlessly with that textured midrange.

Playing George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass, we try out the upmixing modes and, as with 5.1, they seem to have little effect individually. They make a much bigger difference when activated together, though, most noticeably by dramatically increasing volume but also adding a reverb effect that, while delivering a sense of greater spaciousness, also muddies the instrumentation.

While it’s worth experimenting, we feel the Bluesound is most musical when its upmixing is switched off, but even then it’s trumped by the Sonos Arc which, while noticeably more processed in its delivery, is punchier, better organised and more engaging overall.

Verdict

Unsurprisingly, pretty much every soundbar is marketed as if it’s equally well-equipped for music and movies. Of course, that’s rarely, if ever, the case, and our expectations were that the Bluesound Pulse Soundbar+ might, thanks to its large, forward-firing drivers, lose some ground to the best in class on movie sound but beat them with music.

Interestingly, that’s not the case. While not as enveloping as some, the Soundbar+’s Dolby Atmos delivery is impressively detailed, solid and satisfying, and it effectively combines spaciousness and clarity when playing non-Atmos soundtracks, too. It is, in fact, a slightly lacklustre musical performance (with a couple of usability niggles) that holds it back from the full five stars.

That said, if you’re in the market for a soundbar and are already firmly in the Bluesound camp, there’s plenty to like about the Pulse Soundbar+.

SCORES

• Build 5
• Features 4
• Sound 4

MORE:

Read our review of the Sonos Arc

Also consider the Bose Smart Soundbar 900

Check out our Sony HT-A7000 review

These are the best soundbars 2022: the best TV speakers you can buy

Bluesound Pulse Soundbar: Price Comparison

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Read more about how we test

TOP 10 Best TV Soundbars in 2023

The dream of a seven-speaker home theater with a subwoofer that produces amazing surround sound while watching Batman may not be feasible for many of us due to space or budget constraints. However, thanks to the best soundbars that can replace the rear speakers and subwoofer, you can still enjoy surround sound. Some of them offer superior sound quality that is almost as good as a full-fledged home theater system.

We have put together a number of options for you. Some of them will provide you with an immersive audio experience, such as offering Dolby Atmos technology, while others will keep your budget in mind without sacrificing sound quality. There are even models that can replace your TV box. Whatever your needs, here you will find something suitable.

Best TV soundbar review

Sonos Arc – Best TV soundbar in 2023

Sonos Arc – most versatile

Despite some limitations of the Sonos Arc, such as the lack of an HDMI pass-through port and the availability of the Trueplay setup feature exclusively for iOS users, this soundbar is truly amazing. It reproduces the highest quality sound with incredible power, excellent spatial sound and plenty of bass in one compact unit.

Pros

• Fantastic room-filling sound
• Spatial sound is great
• Lots of bass even without subwoofer

Cons

• No HDMI pass through
• Requires iPhone for Trueplay setup function

Sonos Arc, even without additional rear speakers or a subwoofer, delivers a unique surround sound experience thanks to Dolby Atmos technology. It also has amazing bass for a standalone soundbar, and you can always add a subwoofer later if you want. Overall, the device’s sound is impressive, powerful enough to make you forget the need for complicated home theater setups.

The Sonos Arc certainly has its drawbacks, such as the lack of an HDMI pass-through port. In addition, the Trueplay feature to optimize the sound according to the room where the device is located is only available for iPhone users. However, most of us are likely to know someone with an iPhone, so this won’t be a critical issue for getting the best sound from the device. Moreover, as a product of Sonos, Arc can be integrated into a multi-room system along with other products of the company’s line.

Bang & Olufsen Beosound Stage – The best soundbar when money is no problem

Bang & Olufsen’s Beosound Stage guarantees high-quality sound that lives up to the premium standards the company is known for. It perfectly reproduces sound for both movies and music. With ample connectivity, you can make it the center of your entertainment system, but like everything from B&O, it will cost you about four months’ pay.

Pros

• Gorgeous minimalist design
• Dynamic Star Sound
• Many connection possibilities

Cons

• Very expensive
• Additional speakers required for total immersion

There’s no doubt that the Bang & Olufsen Beosound Stage delivers impressively good sound, whether it’s music or the latest film starring Sandra Bullock. What’s even more amazing is that the company has learned from Sonos and provided the ability to integrate with other B&O speakers to create a multi-room system or for even more surround sound.

Admittedly, this TV soundbar costs a lot, and additional speakers to create surround sound will increase costs, which most will not go for. However, if you have the opportunity, this carefully crafted minimalist soundbar is definitely worth considering. In addition, it has enough connectivity options to be used as the core of your entertainment center. What’s more, it includes an HDMI 2.1 eArc pass-through so you can plug in your next generation console and continue to enjoy 4K at 120Hz on your stylish TV.

Creative Stage V2 – Best Value Soundbar

Considering the Creative V2’s affordable price, this unit offers more than you might expect. From the impressive sound quality to the fact that no subwoofer is required. Indeed, some features, such as spatial audio, are missing, but this is a minor compromise.

Pros

• Very reasonable price
• Decent connection
• Complete with subwoofer

Cons

• Poor performance
• Dust magnet

However, we note that this TV soundbar has a simplified configuration. It does not support features such as Dolby Atmos or voice assistants. In addition, its glossy surface tends to attract dust. However, the Creative Stage V2 impresses with its wide range of connectivity options, including an HDMI Arc port, optical input and Bluetooth support. So, considering its cost, Creative Stage V2 provides much more benefits than you might think.

Samsung HW-Q700B – Best TV Soundbar Samsung

The Samsung HW-Q700B is a powerful HD TV soundbar that most importantly supports Dolby Atmos and DTS for an immersive home theater experience. The soundbar has a number of noteworthy features, but some, like the Q Symphony, require pairing with a relatively new Samsung TV.

Pros

• Massive, detailed sound
• Supports several types of surround sound
• You can use speakers from Samsung TVs for even more sound

Cons

• No side speakers
• Some proprietary features

If you have a Samsung TV released in the last few years, there is probably no better soundbar than the Samsung HW-Q700B. This is due to the ability to use the TV’s speakers in conjunction with your own thanks to the Q Symphony function to create a powerful sound effect. Even without that, support for Dolby Atmos and DTS provides an impressive audio experience that can be enhanced by adding additional rear speakers.

The soundbar also has other outstanding features such as wireless connection to a TV, HDMI connection with 4K and HDR support, and voice assistant support if you have an Amazon Echo device. The HW-Q700B also offers adaptive sound modes suitable for any type of media content, be it sports, news or Hollywood blockbusters.

JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam – Best value Dolby Soundbar

JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam offers maximum ease of use. It doesn’t have its own application and the number of ports is limited for small tweaks. Equipped with only the basic buttons on the remote, this TV soundbar, despite its simplicity, delivers impressive sound quality and surround sound thanks to automatic calibration. Of course, some of the settings can cause some inconvenience, and there is no additional output for a subwoofer, but considering its price, this is a great deal.

Pros

• Automatic calibration
• Not too expensive
• Solid sound and spatial audio

Cons

• Tuning can be painful
• No sub output

The JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam is relatively simple compared to the competition, with a minimal set of buttons on the remote and no app, but thanks to automatic calibration, it offers quality sound. Using this feature maximizes Dolby Atmos support, providing the viewer with an immersive audio experience while watching TV.

However, this simplicity plays against the soundbar in some ways. So, the device has a limited number of inputs, which does not allow you to connect many sound sources. Adding a subwoofer to boost bass also fails. What’s more, any setup other than connecting and using can be a frustrating task, especially when connected to Wi-Fi. However, the soundbar supports multiple voice assistants (with the right smart hub) and multi-room settings via built-in Chromecast or Alexa Multi-Room Music. AirPlay support is also available.

Bose Smart Soundbar 600 – The Best Small Premium Soundbar

The Bose Smart Soundbar 600 may cost a little more than smaller TV soundbars, but it’s worth the price. It delivers superb surround sound with its built-in upward-facing speakers, and installation is fairly straightforward. While it’s a bit weak on bass and has only one HDMI port, you’d expect that kind of performance from a model this compact.

Pros

• Ideal for small installations
• Has upward facing speakers for Dolby Atmos.
• Easy to set up

Cons

• Only one HDMI port
• Bass light
• Only supports Dolby Atmos surround sound

The Bose Smart Soundbar 600, despite the usual problems that come with compact soundbars, is still a great device. Yes, it doesn’t hit the big bass and only has a single HDMI port, so if you want more, look to the larger models.

However, the Bose Smart Soundbar 600 impresses with sound quality for its size and offers impressive Dolby Atmos surround sound thanks to its upward facing speakers. In addition, configuring all its functions using the application is very simple. You can also use this app to control your soundbar settings if you don’t want to use the remote control. Understandably, being a Bose product with specific features such as upward-facing speakers, it will cost more than many competitors.

Polk MagniFi Mini AX – Best Small Soundbar with Subwoofer

Yes, the Polk MagniFi Mini AX can be a bit pricey for a soundbar this small, and its Dolby Atmos support isn’t perfect. Overall, though, this mini TV soundbar sounds great, with its wireless subwoofer playing a big role. It looks stylish on the outside, although it should be placed carefully as its height can block the infrared receiver on your TV.

Pros

• Great sound in a small package
• Wide range of sound modes including voice boost and night view.
• Sleek design that most competitors don’t have

Cons

• Larger size may block some IR receivers.
• No HDMI pass-through
• Dolby Atmos support weak

Many compact soundbars provide only a slight improvement in sound over TV-mounted speakers. However, the Polk MagniFi Mini AX stands apart, offering impressive sound quality for its size. It delivers rich low frequencies thanks to the included subwoofer, and Dolby Atmos support, while imperfect, is still there. In addition, it offers a variety of sound modes that help you get the most out of your TV sound.

The design of the Polk MagniFi Mini AX is quite unusual – it comes in an attractive but rather tall box, which can cause problems with blocking the infrared receiver on your TV. Therefore, if you decide to purchase it, consider this when choosing a place to place it. Although its subwoofer, which has a unique tall and narrow design, is wireless.

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround – Great combination of quality, performance and price

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround – best overall

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround is another of the best TV soundbars from the famous company. It has a sleek, sleek design and while it lacks some of the standard connectivity options like aux inputs, it makes up for it with AirPlay 2 and Chromecast support, as well as optical input, HDMI and Bluetooth.

Pros

• Looks Great
• Impressive connectivity
• Impressive sound

Cons

• Expensive
• Wide Assembly
• No Dolby Atmos

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround is our current pick for the best TV soundbar. It has a sleek, sleek design and while it lacks some of the standard connectivity options like aux inputs, it makes up for it with AirPlay 2 and Chromecast support, as well as optical input, HDMI and Bluetooth.

Utilizing JBL’s unique MultiBeam technology for cinema-quality sound, Bar 5.1 Surround delivers stunning sound that spreads seamlessly across the room with superb detail for an immersive viewing experience. The 10″ wireless subwoofer enhances the experience with deep, powerful bass that can be adjusted using the included remote control.

All in all, the JBL Bar 5.1 impresses with both excellent value for money and high performance.

Denon DHT-S416 – Best for booming basses

Denon DHT-S416 – Best for booming basses

The Denon DHT-S516H soundbar is an audiophile instrument with great sound, a variety of connectivity options, and superior quality, although the lack of a remote can be annoying .

Pros

• Incredible sound
• Powerful bass
• Premium design

Cons

• No remote control
• No display
• Application with errors

Denon’s DHT-S516H soundbar perfectly matches the needs of tech-savvy users: its sound is superb with clear highs and roaring bass that you can feel right in your chest. With a wide sound field and a host of connectivity options ranging from AirPlay to YouTube Music and other compatible services, it can become the go-to speaker for all music content, not just TV.

The public perceives it as a premium product, although it is worth considering that the competitor Sonos Arc offers similar performance, but without a subwoofer. The main drawback is the lack of a remote control. You have to control this soundbar through an application available on iPhone and Android, which is not always convenient.

Creative Stage 360 ​​- Good budget TV soundbar

Creative Stage 360 ​​- Best value soundbar

9The 0012 Creative Stage 360 ​​is an affordable soundbar with superior sound, Dolby Atmos support and a variety of connections. Includes a wired subwoofer for deep, rich bass.

Pros

• Support Dolby Atmos
• Excellent sound quality
• Subwoofer included

Cons

• 2. 1 system
• Unused USB port
• No input 3.5 mm

If you’re looking for a TV soundbar that combines affordability with high-quality sound, the Creative Stage 360 ​​is a great choice. This device is reasonably priced without sacrificing premium features like Dolby Atmos. A variety of connections – HDMI, optical and Bluetooth – make it flexible to use, although it would have been nice to see a standard 3.5mm port.

Unlike many other entry-level soundbars, the Creative Stage 360 ​​comes with a subwoofer, adding even more depth to your home sound. The subwoofer is wired rather than wireless, but this shouldn’t be a problem for most users.

Of course, this soundbar doesn’t have all the features found in more expensive models, including a full 5.1 sound system, AirPlay/Chromecast support, and limited 2.1 setup, but it does offer a lot for much less than what we usually see.

What to look for when choosing a TV soundbar?

The first thing to consider when choosing a soundbar is the size of your TV and room. If you have a compact TV under 40 inches, the smaller models on this list will probably fit. For large TVs and spacious rooms, it is better to choose full-size models that provide sound that matches the size of the screen. And if you’re still considering buying a TV, check out our article on the best Android TVs.

Having decided on the size, the next step is to set the budget. The more you’re willing to spend, the more features you’ll get, and generally the sound will be more detailed. With limited funds, you can choose a model without a subwoofer, but it is preferable that you can buy it later, whether through a wireless connection or an output port.

Be aware that some features, such as Dolby Atmos, will incur additional charges. This feature adds immersion to the soundscape, but it may not be for everyone, especially if you often watch old movies and series. If you value sonic immersion, then you should consider models with support for Dolby Atmos or DTS. It is also recommended to pay attention to the possibility of connecting additional rear speakers.

Selecting the best of the best

The Sonos ARC is one of the best TV soundbars out there right now. It delivers great sound even without the optional subwoofer. Sonos ARC supports room-specific settings for optimal sound. A more expensive option is the Bang & Olufsen Beosound Stage, which has great sound and B&O aesthetics, but is several times more expensive than the other models on this list. If the budget is limited, then the Creative Stage V2 offers good value for money. By the way, if you are interested in learning about the sound quality in mobile devices, read the article on the best smartphones with stereo speakers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which soundbar is best for a small room?

Compact soundbars such as the Sonos Beam or the Creative Stage 360 ​​are ideal for small spaces. It is important to remember that sound quality depends not only on the device itself, but also on the acoustic properties of the room, so it is important to correctly position the soundbar in the room.

Which is better: a soundbar with or without a subwoofer?

The choice between a soundbar with and without a subwoofer depends on your sound preference. The subwoofer helps to improve the bass, making the sound richer and more spacious. If you like deep bass or often watch movies with powerful soundtracks, then a soundbar with a subwoofer will be the best choice. At the same time, if you are satisfied with a more neutral sound and compact size is important, you can choose a model without a subwoofer.

Will my TV sound better with a soundbar?

The soundbar significantly improves the sound quality of your TV, especially when it comes to thin models with not very powerful built-in speakers. It adds depth and dimension to the sound, making it clearer and more detailed. This is especially important when watching movies and TV shows, where the soundtrack plays a key role. In addition, modern soundbar models have Dolby Atmos and DTS support, which provide the effect of presence.

Best TV soundbars of 2023: top rated

The term soundbar derives its name from two words: sound and bar. The first means sound, and the second means a bar, rack or crossbar. A soundbar is a horizontal speaker system with multiple speakers. Place it either on top of the TV or below. This format of the speaker system turned out to be very convenient and enjoys great success. What is the best soundbar to buy? In this review, we have collected the best devices in our humble opinion.

Xiaomi Redmi TV Soundbar is a good budget option if you want to get good sound for your TV and pay very little for it.

A total of four loudspeakers with a total output of 30 watts are used here. This acoustics received support for Bluetooth 5.0, that is, you can connect it wirelessly if the TV has a Bluetooth module. However, you can use a wired connection – it’s already to your taste. On the side are buttons to control the system. In addition, you can use a proprietary application for control.

Xiaomi Redmi TV Soundbar has good sound for the money and pretty decent low frequencies.

• Very compact size
• Good sound quality
• Quick connection via Bluetooth
• Easy to mount on the wall
• Great design
• Cost

Cons

• No remote control

• Standard: 2.0

• Speaker type: soundbar, active

• Total power: 30 W

• Subwoofer: no

The Samsung HW-Q990B soundbar is an expensive speaker system. The kit includes not only the soundbar itself, but also a subwoofer, as well as rear speakers. The soundbar has 16 channels.

Needless to say, the Samsung HW-Q990B sounds incredible? This is especially true for Blu-ray movies with 4K resolution with Dolby Atmos, in which the sound stage can fill even a large room, not to mention small rooms. But when it comes to listening to music, experts are not so good about the device: yes, the sound is good, but for music it is better to use a different audio system.

Samsung HW-Q990B can be combined with the built-in acoustics of Samsung TVs, there is support for wireless content playback, as well as voice control.

• Smart technology
• Low frequencies
• Great sound
• Stylish look
• Wi-Fi enabled
• Subwoofer automatically calibrated

Cons

• Cost

• Configuration: 11.1.4

• Speaker type: active

• Total power: 656 W

• Subwoofer: yes

If you think that Xiaomi Mi TV Soundbar is the same Xiaomi Redmi TV Soundbar, then you are wrong, because they are two different devices.

Xiaomi Redmi TV Soundbar is offered in two colors at once: it can be either black or white. It has a very laconic body design, and convenient control keys are located on top. In total there are four speakers with a total power of 28 watts. It is possible to connect to a TV via Bluetooth technology.

For its price, this soundbar sounds very good, we have not met any dissatisfied. At the same time, small distortions of the sound can be noted, which are noticed at maximum volume. But, tell me honestly, will you turn on the sound to its fullest? We highly doubt it.

• Nice design
• Inexpensive
• Decent sound for its class
• Soundbar Mounts
• Build quality
• Many interfaces

Cons

• No remote control

• Standard: 2.0

• Speaker type: soundbar, active

• Total power: 28 W

• Subwoofer: no

Cool system from JBL. There is a nuance that you can see in the image: in addition to the soundbar, there is a subwoofer in the kit. It’s great, but it’s worth considering the fact that this subwoofer takes up a lot of space.

Total system power – 550 W! It delivers great sound, including great bass. JBL Bar 5.1 Surround can be used not only for watching movies, but also for listening to music. The soundbar itself has 5 speakers, each of which is capable of delivering 50 watts!

Supports Google Cast and Apple AirPlay 2. Comes with a remote control, but it does not support wireless control of the system, but the app does.

• Powerful bass
• Balanced settings for watching movies
• Great sound
• HDMI ARC
• Easy connection
• Loud

Cons

• Display is hard to read

• Standard: 5.1

• Speaker type: soundbar, active

• Total power: 250 W

• Subwoofer: yes

LG is not far behind. It also has soundbars, we will tell you about the SP7 model.

It consists of two devices: the soundbar itself and the subwoofer. The total power reaches 440W! The LG SP7 is best matched with LG TVs in terms of design, soundbar mode control from the TV remote control, and TV Sound Share technology, where the sound from the TV is processed and played back through the soundbar, which greatly enhances the sound quality.

The LG SP7 delivers 24-bit high resolution audio at 96 kHz sampling rate, resulting in more accurate and detailed audio reproduction. Of course, the LG SP7 is great for both watching movies and listening to music.

• High power
• Good, correct sound
• 5.1
• Handy remote
• Modern technologies
• Works great with LG TVs

Cons

• Cost

• Standard: 5.1

• Speaker type: soundbar, active

• Total power: 440 W

• Subwoofer: yes

2-channel soundbar from Sony, which does not come with a subwoofer, which, by the way, had a great effect on its cost.

Despite its classic appearance, the Sony HT-S100 sounds very good. The total power of the system reaches 120W! It can be easily used not only for watching movies, but also for listening to music.

You can also connect via Bluetooth. There is a USB port. Touch buttons are used for control.

• Famous brand
• Sound quality
• Good for music
• Many technologies
• Bluetooth connection

Cons

• Not found

• Standard: 2.0

• Speaker type: soundbar, active

• Total power: 120 W

• Subwoofer: no

The JBL Bar 2.0 All-in-One looks great. In the kit you will find a convenient and at the same time simple control panel.

On the rear panel you can find a small bass reflex subwoofer, and on top are small control buttons. The total system power reaches 80 W, which provides a very high volume margin. And the sound quality? It’s wonderful! Even at maximum volume, there are no wheezing, the sound itself is very clear, and there are plenty of low frequencies.

TV connection type – via HDMI. However, you can use the Bluetooth wireless protocol.

You can update the software manually.

• Good bass
• Small sizes
• HDMI ARC
• Nice looking
• Firmware update
• Remote control with batteries included

Cons

• Low mid dip

• Standard: 2.0

• Speaker type: soundbar, active

• Total power: 80 W

• Subwoofer: no

Excellent soundbar from Sony. As you can see, it comes with a subwoofer. The total system power is 330 watts.

Sony HT-S400 received a lot of interesting features. For example, it uses a unique sound field processing technology that delivers cinematic surround sound. X-Balanced Speaker Unit and Separated Notch Edge technologies enhance voice clarity in a movie or TV program. Front speakers support X-Balanced Speaker Unit technology: they retain sound pressure, suppress vibrations, etc. The kit comes with a very convenient remote control system.

Needless to say, the sound quality of the Sony HT-S400 is excellent?

• Good bass
• Good value
• Cool technology
• Looks good
• Famous brand
• Wireless subwoofer

Cons

• Not found

• Standard: 2.1

• Speaker type: soundbar, active

• Total power: 330 W

• Subwoofer: yes

What about the budget segment? There is a choice, here is one of the options for you – OKLICK OK-535S.

This is a simple soundbar, but it supports, for example, the Bluetooth connection, it also has a wired connection via USB and a 3.5 mm plug. In total there are two speakers, with a total power of 6 watts. Few? Still, it’s enough to make many TVs sound much better.

The device does not have a subwoofer, so we will not talk about low frequencies. However, for the money – this is a good device.

• Cheap and cheerful
• Value for money
• Easy connection
• Compact
• Normal sound for the money
• Yes Bluetooth

Cons

• No bottoms

• Standard: 2.0

• Speaker type: soundbar, active

• Total power: 6 W

• Subwoofer: no

Device from Samsung. The set includes a soundbar, subwoofer and remote control.

The system supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X technologies that let you hear the finest nuances of sound. If you have a Samsung TV, you can use the Q-Symphony mode, which synchronizes the soundbar’s speakers with the TV’s speakers and works together. There is a game mode Game Mode Pro, in which you are surrounded by powerful immersive sound due to the subwoofer.

Total system power 360W. The sound quality is excellent, the device is also suitable for listening to music.

• Stylish
• Easy connection
• Decent sound
• Samsung TV support
• Sounds even better with rear speakers
• Can be adjusted

Cons

• Expensive

• Standard: 3.1

• Speaker type: soundbar, active

• Total power: 360 W

• Subwoofer: yes

This Xiaomi soundbar comes with a subwoofer. The total system power is 100 watts.

Looks good, but not everyone will be satisfied with the fabric mesh on the soundbar. There are two sound modes, one of which greatly improves the sound. Bluetooth support is available, with users recommending a wired connection.

For such money, there are no cons as such, but keep in mind that the control panel is not included in the kit.

• Good value for your money
• Bluetooth
• Hardware included
• Sounds like value
• Clear instructions
• Low frequencies available

Cons

• Touch buttons for an amateur

• Standard: 2.1

• Speaker type: soundbar, active

• Total power: 100 W

• Subwoofer: yes

Cool audio system from Polk. It is completed with a wireless subwoofer, the total power of the system reaches 160 watts.

What are the benefits? At least the presence of an HDMI ARC input, excellent sound for both watching movies and listening to music, as well as good coordination between the soundbar and subwoofer. There are no problems with lower frequencies.

As for the maximum sound level, turn it to its fullest with caution, as distortion is possible. And that’s okay. Branded remote control included.

• Powerful Bass
• Clear voices
• No subwoofer wire
• Availability AUX
• Reasonable price
• All wires in box

Cons

• Switches off after 10 minutes of silence

• Standard: 2.1

• Speaker type: soundbar, active

• Total power: 160 W

• Subwoofer: yes

Unlike other soundbars, in the case of LG SJ3, the company did not cover the speakers. Agree, the device looks unusual.

Includes a wireless subwoofer that can power up to 300W total system power. It uses the company’s own technology of adaptive sound control, which is able to improve the quality of voice reproduction, which is especially true, for example, in news programs. LG Auto Sound Engine technology can optimize the sound frequency balance, so that even at the maximum volume level there is no distortion.

LG SJ3 can be controlled by LG TV remote control. Connection is possible via Bluetooth. The sound quality is excellent, especially for the money.

• Adequate size
• Special design
• Excellent integration with LG TV
• Convenient wall mount
• Sound quality
• All necessary connection interfaces

Cons

• Equalizer setting missing

• Standard: 2.1

• Speaker type: soundbar, active

• Total power: 300 W

• Subwoofer: yes

Stylish soundbar from Polk. Despite the simple appearance, the power of the device can reach 100 watts!

What are the advantages of Polk Audio Signa Solo? For example, there is support for Bluetooth connection, independent dialogue level adjustment, simple operation, built-in bass driver, virtual surround sound.

In the kit you will find a compact control panel with a large number of buttons.

• Good sound
• Normal value
• Switched on with TV
• Quality build
• Bluetooth
• Cinema effect

Cons

• Very small remote control

• Standard: 2.0

• Speaker type: soundbar, active

• Total power: 100 W

• Subwoofer: no

One of the most powerful soundbars in our review is the JBL Bar 9.1.

JBL Bar 9.1 supports Dolby Atmos technology. Supplied with a remote control and subwoofer, the total system power is as much as 820W! Please note that the speakers can be detached from the soundbar, which can be very convenient. There is support for Bluetooth, AirPlay, wireless music playback. Low frequencies are extremely good, although we understand that not everyone will like them.