One of the best soundbars is essential if you’ve invested in a big TV and its speakers aren’t living up to its visuals. With one of the top soundbars, you get bigger, forward-facing speakers that deliver better speech clarity and immersion in movies. The best bit is they’re sleek and slim, often fitting below your TV on a cabinet, or mounted on the wall.
Some TVs may not need a soundbar, but plenty of the best TVs you can buy today benefit hugely from an external soundbar for better audio – especially cheaper ones. The best soundbars tend to come in three styles: all-in-one units with just a single soundbar, soundbars with subwoofers, and soundbars with subwoofers and rear speakers for surround sound. The first is ideal for people who want a minimal setup, the second is great for big sound on a budget, and the third is perfect if you want a real home theater audio experience.
We’ve tested a huge number of soundbars and speaker systems over the years, ranging from elite units with Dolby Atmos 3D sound, through to bargain soundbars that boost speech and add depth for very little cash. We're looking for natural sound in all cases that doesn't come across as overblown, and where individual effects can stand out from the overall mix. We want to see ease of use too, no matter how many different speakers are included and in the case of higher-end soundbars we're looking for extra features such as wireless support and HDMI passthrough (including at 4K 120Hz) to justify the pricing.
Some soundbars include extra features when used with a particular TV, so we'll highlight those where appropriate, and we do test them – but they don't make or break our recommendations. We test soundbars as if you're buying them as a neutral, so you can get a great upgrade no matter what TV brand you have.
The next big thing in the soundbar world will likely be the Sonos Arc Ultra, which seems like it will arrive in the next few months – take note, if you're thinking of buying the Sonos Arc especially.
The quick list
In a hurry but need to find the best soundbar for you? Take a look at our quick list below which covers a soundbar that will suit every budget and situation. You can still check out more detailed reviews of each soundbar below.
The best soundbar for most people
The Q800C offers great cinematic sound, Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support at a great value price, making it the best buy for a lot of people.
The best budget soundbar
If you're looking to get immersive Dolby Atmos support on a budget, the Sony HT-S2000 is a no-brainer – a high-quality soundbar for a low price.
The best one-box soundbar
This offers amazingly cinematic sound without a big separate subwoofer, and has superb speech clarity and Dolby Atmos effects. If you want a high-quality sound from a well-priced all-in-one, this is the best.
The best soundbar for Dolby Atmos surround
With outstanding power, range and impressive Dolby Atmos sound, the Samsung HW-Q990D is the best soundbar for the full Atmos experience.
The best budget soundbar for Dolby Atmos surround
Hisense’s system packs a pair of wireless surrounds and a subwoofer, and it delivers real Dolby Atmos using up-firing speakers – all for a stunningly low price.
The best super-cheap surround sound
If you're looking to get surround sound on a tight budget, the Ultimea Poseidon D50 is the top-choice, providing decent quality sound in a no-frills system.
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The best soundbar for gamers
With two HDMI 2.1 ports, 4K 120Hz passthrough and VRR support, the HT-A7000 not only sounds great, but is the ideal choice for gamers
The best super-cheap soundbar
Anyone looking to upgrade their TV’s sound without spending much money will be pleased with Amazon’s soundbar. The sound quality is decent, and with limited features, it’s easy to set up and use.
The best premium soundbar for LG TVs
If you have an LG TV and want the best soundbar for it, then this is the best choice. With full, immersive spatial audio and exceptional power, we found it a real treat to listen to.
The best soundbar for compact Dolby Atmos
If you're looking to get Atmos sound but are tight on space, this Bose is a soundbar that packs powerful sound into a small package.
The best soundbar for sheer flexibility
With four HDMI ports to connect other sources and rechargeable, wireless surround speakers, the JBL 1300X really adapts to what you need.
Matt is TechRadar's Managing Editor for Entertainment, and has over 15 years of experience in tech publishing. He has been writing about the latest soundbars and TV audio since 2017, and has very strong opinions about the correct ratio of HDMI ports to price.
Recent updates
November 27, 2024
Swapped the Sonos Arc for the Sonos Arc Ultra based on our testing, and re-ordered the list to make it easier to find specific types of soundbar.
The best soundbars of 2024
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The best soundbar overall
✅ You want the best value soundbar: The Q800C is a mid-range priced soundbar with premium features including excellent Dolby Atmos effects.
✅ You want a powerful sound: The Q800C offers punchy, direct sound with plenty of bass and brilliant clarity, especially when it comes to speech.
❌ You're after 4K 120Hz passthrough: If you have a next-gen console such as a PS5, you'll have to look at other soundbars for 4K 120Hz passthrough.
❌ You want the best soundbar for music: The Q800C has great sound quality but there are better soundbars for music such as the Sonos Beam at #7 in this list.
What you need to know: The Samsung HW-Q800C is a knockout when it comes to delivering a powerful, room-filling sound for a reasonably affordable price. With support for spatial audio formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, it has an impressive soundstage thanks to two upfiring drivers that deliver exceptional height (those with a Samsung TV can also use its Q-Symphony tech). However, despite there being support for a variety of music files, including hi-res formats like FLAC, we don't think it's best suited for playing music – instead, look at the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) at #7 in this list. For everything else, it's a definite crowd pleaser.
Audio performance: When we heard the Q800C in action, the first thing we immediately noticed was its powerful sound, which made various spatial effects extremely convincing, especially for a soundbar that does not have rear speakers (although there is the option to add these to create even more immersive audio). It particularly shines when watching movies and TV shows thanks to excellent channel steering, deep bass and clear dialogue.
Design: In terms of looks, the HW-Q800C may not be the most visually appealing bar (it looks a lot like any other regular soundbar), but there is something particularly attractive about its grilled finish, which reminds us of an industrial aesthetic. Although it's heavy compared to to other soundbars, it's a reassuring heaviness that gives it that sense of quality. At 43-inches wide, it fits well exactly with a 50-inch TV and would look great with 55-inch plus sized TVs.
Value: This is an excellent value soundbar. It may not carry the same power and soundstage as the Samsung HW-Q900C, which is at #3 in this list, but it's a fraction of the price and the rear optional speakers will certainly add to the already fantastic 5.1.2 channels in the HW-Q800C itself. When you add all that together, it's no surprise why we think this is the best soundbar for most people.
Read our full Samsung HW-Q800C review
The best budget soundbar
✅ You want an affordable soundbar: The Sony HT-S2000 launched with a higher price than the next cheapest offering at #7 in this list but is now regularly reduced for less.
✅ You want immersive sound: The HT-S2000 offers 3.1 channels of surprisingly powerful sound, with support for virtual Dolby Atmos, for a reasonable price.
❌ You own a next-gen console like a PS5: Without 4K 120Hz passthrough, the HT-S2000 isn't the best for gamers. Instead look at #5 in this list.
❌ You want a home audio system: The HT-S2000 does not have Wi-Fi so you won't be able to link it up to a multi-room wireless speaker system.
What you need to know: When it comes to sound quality and features vs price, we think the Sony HT-S2000 is the best budget choice around. Although it's a little basic in terms of connectivity, the sound you get from this soundbar is impressive for the money and is certainly a good choice for those looking for an upgrade to their TV sound without breaking the bank.
Audio performance: While the Sony HT-S2000's sound isn't the biggest, the sound you do get for your money is impressive. Clear dialogue levels and a spacious, virtual surround sound are two of the HT-S2000's highlights. Bass levels are also punchy enough, but it's the Sony HT-S2000's ability to reproduce Dolby Atmos effects that's surprising. It's not going to beat a soundbar with height channels, but for a 3.1 soundbar, it offers plenty.
Design: Design wise, the Sony HT-S2000 feels and looks more expensive than it is, with a solid, mesh metal grill on the front and a sturdy black plastic casing housing the speakers. The soundbar also produces visual feedback to remote control commands, something rare on budget soundbars.
Value: Yes, the HT-S2000 isn't going to set the world alight with its sound and certainly isn't the best soundbar for sound on this list, but when you're paying roughly $349 / £299 / AU$695 for a soundbar with this good a sound quality, it's hard to argue against.
Read our full Sony HT-S2000 review
The best all-in-one soundbar
✅ You want big and cinematic sound: The Arc Ultra's special bass driver sounds excellent, and its sound balance is excellent, especially the dialogue.
✅ You want an all-in-one soundbar: You get great Dolby Atmos effects from a single box here – great for those who want a simple TV setup.
❌ You want high-end DTS:X support: Fans of Blu-rays or streaming IMAX Enhanced movies may be annoyed by this – you won't get the full power.
❌ You struggle to have enough HDMI ports on your TV: There's no HDMI passthrough here, so you simply lose the use of whichever port it's connected to.
What you need to know: The Sonos Arc Ultra is simply the best one-box soundbar you can get for its asking price. Other soundbars here deliver more immersion by filling your room with multiple boxes, but if you want deep, expansive, expertly balanced movie audio from one slender bar, this is the way to go. And you can add surrounds and a subwoofer later, if you like.
Audio performance: The Sonos Arc Ultra is a very impressive piece of audio design, thanks partly to its 'Sound Motion' bass driver, which is a very small speaker that produces decent bass without a separate subwoofer. It helps the overall sound balance of the Arc Ultra to be absolutely superb, with great impact, very clear yet natural dialogue, and effects that jump right out of the mix. The Dolby Atmos 3D sound is excellent for a single-box soundbar as well, really adding motion and layers to individual sounds. A massive upgrade over any TV's built-in sound.
Design: This is small for a powerful one-box soundbar – but that's relative! It's pretty wide, though will work for TVs of 55 inches and up, but it's not too tall or deep (though may be too tall for some very low-slung TVs). It feels really well made, and the simple, hard-shell black or white design disappears nicely into your decor. The connections are in a recess in the back – as is the Bluetooth pairing button, annoyingly (but you can use the Sonos app to pair too). It's wall-mountable, too.
Value: This is strong value, simply because it sounds so good for under $1000 / £1000. It's also great that it works as part of the Sonos ecosystem, and can be expanded with Sonos' wireless speakers as rear speakers, or with a dedicated, more powerful subwoofer. However, its lack of DTS-HD/DTS:X support and not having an HDMI passthrough port when all of its key rivals do mean it's less-than-perfect on value – but if you don't care about those things, then they're not a problem!
Read our full Sonos Arc Ultra review
The best soundbar for Dolby Atmos
✅ You want immersive surround sound: The Q990D creates a fully immersive Dolby Atmos sound experience that makes the performance of many other soundbars look weak.
✅ You want a soundbar with gaming features: The Q990D’s HDMI ports support 4K 120Hz pass-through and VRR, making it a great option for PS5 and Xbox Series X.
❌ You're on a budget: The Q990D is a premium soundbar system that unavoidably costs more than budget Dolby Atmos soundbars like #4 in this list.
❌ You depend on a front-panel display: The Q990D’s front-panel LED display is sometimes difficult to see, which can be frustrating
What you need to know: Samsung’s Q990D flagship soundbar is a complete package for those seeking an uncompromised Dolby Atmos home theater audio experience. With 22 speakers spread across a main soundbar, wireless subwoofer, and two compact wireless surround sound speakers, this 11.1.4-channel system takes immersive audio to the next level for a soundbar, and it also features 4K 120Hz pass-through on its HDMI ports for gaming.
Audio performance: Dolby Atmos soundtracks are reproduced with excellent clarity and precision by the Samsung Q990D, putting you right inside the action when watching movies. It also has better-controlled bass, than its predecessor, the Samsung Q990C, while other parts of the audio range sound well-balanced. Samsung’s Q Symphony feature is another bonus, adding an extra layer of sound when used with a Samsung TV.
Design: With a gray and navy matte finish, the Q990D system has an appealing minimalist look. And while the included subwoofer is on the hefty side, its wireless connection lets it be easily installed anywhere in a room. An LED display is provided on the soundbar for visual feedback, though the mesh grille on the front can make it difficult to see.
Value: A soundbar system that's this powerful and complete necessarily comes with a high price tag. And while we think that the Q990D’s performance justifies the price, you can save money by buying the Q990C if the gaming support isn’t important for you, or instead look at the Bose Smart Soundbar 600 at #4 in this list for a cheaper Atmos alternative.
Read our full Samsung HW-Q990D review
The best budget soundbar for Dolby Atmos surround
✅ You want 'real' Atmos sound
With 5.1.2 channels, including two surround and two up-firing Atmos speakers, you're getting actual immersive sound rather than virtual processing.
✅ You want to save money
At around $350 / £350 / AU$449, you’re getting a full surround sound speaker package with a subwoofer for the price of many standalone soundbars.
❌ You want high-quality music playback
Hisense’s budget bar uses Bluetooth exclusively for music streaming, and that’s a lower-quality option than the Wi-Fi tech used by other soundbars like the Sonos Beam.
❌ You want to experiment with EQ
While the Hisense has preset sound modes plus bass and treble controls, its sound adjustments are very basic compared to other soundbars that offer extensive EQ settings and room correction using apps.
What you need to know: The Hisense AX5125H is a 5.1.2-channel Dolby Atmos soundbar system with a wireless subwoofer and surround speakers that sells for under $350 / £350 / AU$450. What you’re getting here kit-wise for the money is pretty much unbeatable considering the system’s punchy sound and “real” as opposed to virtual, Dolby Atmos effects delivery.
Audio performance: Hisense’s budget soundbar system punches well above its price class when it comes to sound quality, with clear dialogue, accurate effects placement and good surround immersion. Even music sounds good, though, streaming is limited to Bluetooth quality. The one complaint we have about its sound is that the compact rear speakers can occasionally get overwhelmed by aggressive surround sound mixes.
Design: The AX5125H’s build quality falls short of premium – something to be expected at this price – though its metal mesh speaker grilles give it a somewhat upscale look. Importantly, the soundbar has a front panel alphanumeric LED display, which provides clear visual feedback when making volume or EQ adjustments with the system’s remote control.
Value: Given its low price for a 5.1.2-channel soundbar system, the Hisense AX5125H’s value is almost over the top. You’ll pay more than four times as much for the Best soundbar for Dolby Atmos choice on our list, the Samsung HW-Q990D, and while that 11.1.4-channel system will undoubtedly provide a greater sense of sound immersion, many people will be satisfied with the Hisense’s sound for the money.
Read our full Hisense AX5125H review
The best super-cheap soundbar for surround sound
✅ You want surround sound for cheap: The Poseidon D50 offers 5.1 channels of clear, punchy sound for cheaper than most soundbars.
✅ You want a straightforward soundbar: The Poseidon D50 opts for a no-nonsense, plug-in-and-play approach over apps and features.
❌ You want the best quality sound: The Poseidon D50's sound can be tinny at times, and rear speakers can get lost in the mix.
❌ You want the best looking soundbar: Unsurprisingly, the Poseidon D50 has a plain, plasticky look due to its super-cheap price.
The Ultimea Poseidon D50 is the best way to get surround sound for your living room for a low price. Its sound may not be the most dynamic and it's light on features, but at such a low price for a full 5.1 system, it's hard to argue against what it does deliver: clear, punchy and occasionally spacious audio.
In our review of the Ultimea Poseidon D50, we enjoyed its clarity of speech and relatively punchy, powerful surround sound. While watching Top Gun: Maverick, we were "impressed at the three-dimensional sound of soaring aircraft", especially considering the lack of Dolby Atmos. While the Poseidon D50 doesn't deliver the most cinematic of experiences, with audio sometimes veering on tinny and the rear speakers sometimes struggling to keep up, we said "for the price you pay, the surround sound certainly surpassed expectations" and that's all we ask for from this cheap soundbar.
Light on features due to its budget price, including a lack of Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support (check out the Hisense AX5125H further up the list for a budget Atmos surround soundbar), the Poseidon D50 does still support Bluetooth streaming for music and come with HDMI ARC, optical and 3.5mm ports for connections. There are also three distinct sound modes – Movie, Dialog and Music – to cater to what you're watching.
Ultimately, you get what you pay for, and the Ultimea Poseidon D50 delivers solid (but not mind-blowing) surround sound for under $150 / £150 (we've seen it as low as $119 / £139). At that price, it's difficult to be disappointed in the Poseidon D50. If you want surround sound for cheap, the Poseidon D50 should be on your list.
Read our full Ultimea Poseidon D50 review
The best soundbar for gaming
✅ You want to be able to hear dialogue: The Sony HT-A7000 offers clear and direct speech out of the box, no matter what source is put through it.
✅ You have multiple devices to hook up to your TV: The Sony HT-A7000 has two HDMI 2.1 ports for next-gen consoles that also support 4K 120Hz passthrough.
❌ You want full immersion: With limited height channels, the HT-A7000 falls behind other full surround sound soundbars like #3 in this list and #4 in this list.
❌ You want a full audio system: Despite its high price, a subwoofer and rear speakers still cost extra. But for just a little more, you can get a whole setup with #3 in this list.
What you need to know: You might be wondering how there can be a best soundbar for gaming? Well, it comes down to usability with extra devices. If you're a gamer and find yourself with both the PS5 and Xbox Series X, (on a large number of TVs) you will often find you only have two HDMI 2.1 ports. One of these will be dedicated to eARC, the HDMI audio channel, leaving you with just one HDMI port for both consoles if you want the full 4K 120Hz experience. What sets the Sony HT-A7000 apart from the rest here is that the two HDMI 2.1 ports offer passthrough at 4K 120Hz, which is perfect for gaming but, and support for VRR and ALLM to get the most out of the PS5 and Xbox Series X.
Audio performance: The HT-A7000 delivers excellent, clear dialogue that will suit any video game and movie that need the extra boost in clarity. It also features 360 Reality Audio music, which gives a room-filling sound when listening to music that's so surreal that it's as if you're standing in the middle of a concert.
Design: The Sony HT-A7000 is one of the few soundbars in this list to have an LED display, which – although is a nice touch in theory – is not as helpful as it looks. Instead, we found it difficult to tell which sound mode we were using when changing this using the display. It's also quite large, making it not suitable for TVs under 55-inches. If this is an issue for you, we'd suggest looking at a more compact option like the Bose at #4 in this list.
Value: Admittedly, with an optional subwoofer and rear speakers to purchase, the HT-A7000 does lose points on value, especially when the Samsung HW-Q990C at #3 in this list costs just a little bit extra to get a sub and rear speakers. But, in terms of gaming, the HT-A7000 covers gaming features better than any other soundbar in this guide.
Read our full Sony HT-A7000 review
The best super-cheap soundbar
✅ You want a cheap, but good soundbar: A 2.0-channel soundbar like this is an easy way to upgrade your TV’s sound without incurring a high cost.
✅ You want easy setup: The limited features of Amazon’s soundbar are a benefit if you’re looking for a super-easy model to connect, set up, and use.
❌ You want Dolby Atmos support: Dolby Atmos support generally isn’t available on low-cost soundbars like Amazon’s. To get that feature, you’ll need to step up to the Sony HT-S2000, the best budget model on our list.
❌ You want bass: The Amazon’s compact design doesn’t permit much in the way of bass, so if that’s important, look for a different model with a separate subwoofer.
What you need to know: Amazon’s first and only soundbar is a basic, compact model that delivers decent sound quality for the price. A 2.0-channel design, it keeps things simple by limiting wired connections to a single HDMI input for a hookup to a TV’s HDMI eARC/ARC port, along with an optical digital connection. Bluetooth is additionally supported for wireless music streaming from a phone or tablet.
Although Amazon’s soundbar lacks Dolby Atmos support, it has Movie, Music and dialogue-boosting EQ modes as well as DTS Virtual:X processing to add a spacious quality to surround-encoded soundtracks. There’s no front-panel alphanumeric display to provide visual feedback – something you wouldn’t expect to see in a soundbar at this price – but ergonomics are otherwise good, and with limited connections and features, setup of Amazon’s soundbar is incredibly easy.
The Amazon Fire TV soundbar’s main selling point is its price. Amazon lists it for $119.99 / £199.99 on its site, but regularly lets it go for under $100 in the US. If you’re looking for a basic, super-cheap bar that does a decent job and is easy to set up, Amazon’s soundbar is the one we’d recommend.
Audio performance: While you can’t expect a 2-channel soundbar like this to work magic with movie soundtracks, Amazon’s bar will provide an instant upgrade over your TV’s built-in speakers, boosting dialogue clarity and adding heft to sound effects. In our review, we found it provided the best sound balance with the Bass setting at Medium, which made voices sound natural and not overly heavy. DTS Virtual:X processing was effective at amping up movie soundtracks and did so without any negative effect to other elements in the mix.
Design: At 24 inches wide by 2.5 inches high and 3.5 inches deep, Amazon’s compact soundbar is a good match for smaller TVs. A row of control buttons is provided on top and a remote control is also included. The main design limitation is the LED indicator lights instead of an alphanumeric display for visual feedback, which is common at this price point.
Value: Given the sound quality, effortless usability, and sturdy design of Amazon’s Fire TV soundbar, it’s a great value and easy recommendation. You’ll have to spend several hundred more to get better performance and features, and many people will be perfectly satisfied with Amazon’s low-budget bar.
Read our full Amazon Fire TV soundbar review
The best premium soundbar for LG TVs
✅ You want immersive, home theater sound: With 9.1.5 channels here along with AI room calibration, you're in for a surround sound treat.
✅ You have an LG TV: It works well whatever you pair it with, but you get access to better features with certain models of LG TVs.
❌ You don't have much space: This soundbar system is large, so if you don't have room to spare opt for a smaller alternative like #5 in this list.
❌ You're saving money: This isn't a budget buy. You'll have to make sacrifices, but you can find a similar soundbar for less. Check out #2 in this list.
What you need to know: The LG S95TR brings you the convenience and straightforward setup of a soundbar system but with the immersive power and performance of a home theater speaker setup. It works well with everything, but LG TV owners can unlock the best features. The only thing that lets it down a little is its high price. If you're on a budget but still want Atmos and surround sound, take a look at our cheap soundbar pick, the Hisense AX5125H at #4 in this list. But if you can afford it, the features, performance and design of the LG S95TR make it worth every penny.
Audio performance: With this soundbar's 9.1.5 channels, along with some very impressive AI room calibration, you'll experience a great home theater setup with surround sound and spatial audio (Dolby Atmos and DTS:X). In our review, we described the sound on offer here as "immersive, engrossing, and engaging" and with 810 watts of power, the LG S95TR can reach great volumes.
Design: This soundbar looks very basic with a subwoofer and two wedge-shaped rear speakers. Unfortunately, there's no LED display, just LED indicator lights, which is disappointing considering how many features are on offer here. You'll need to open LG's control app to find what you need, which is a little annoying. This is also a big system. So if you want to put it in a small room, it might not be the best choice for you.
Value: The LG S95TR’s $1,499 / AU$1,699 (about £1,200) price feels expensive, but when you compare it with the competition, the fact you're getting a 9.1.5-channel system and the performance on offer here, it's still good value. If you want real surround sound, check out #3 in this list, the Samsung HW-Q990D.
Read our full LG S95TR review
The best compact Atmos soundbar
✅ You want real Dolby Atmos: Unlike the Sony HT-S2000 at #2 in this list, the Bose Smart Soundbar 600 has two upfiring speakers to deliver true spatial audio.
✅ You're at the start of your home cinema journey: The Bose Smart Soundbar 600 has a load of wireless streaming options on board for multi-room listening.
❌ You want an all-in-one solution with bass: Without a sub, the Smart Soundbar 600 can lack oomph. Instead, look at #1 in this list for a complete setup.
❌ You have a complicated entertainment setup: The Bose Smart Soundbar 600 might have an HMDI eARC port but there's no second input for a console or disc player.
What you need to know: The Bose Smart Soundbar 600 is a fantastic choice if you’re looking for a budget soundbar that can really deliver. It pumps out big Dolby Atmos sound, but all from a relatively small package. In fact there’s a lots to love here, despite its size. Onboard streaming features, including AirPlay 2 and Chromecast, are plentiful, app-based setup is a breeze and the sound quality is surprisingly powerful.
Audio performance: In our review, we noted that dialogue clarity is excellent, and while it doesn’t hit the low bass notes that other soundbar systems with an included subwoofer manage, it offers up consistently exciting sound when watching movies and TV. Thanks to two upfiring speakers, you're also getting true immersive audio unlike some other budget bars.
Design: At 27 inches wide by 2 inches high and 4 inches deep, it’s a fairly sleek and compact design for an all-in-one unit and a perfect choice for smaller homes or screens. While it only has a single HDMI port, it makes up for this by packaging everything into an attractive all-in-one form.
Value: This soundbar impressed us in several ways during our testing, but its price is what really stood out to us as being excellent value. As one of the few soundbars that sell for under $500 / £500 / AU$700, it offers a lot more features than the likes of the Sony HT-S2000 at #3 in this list and Sonos Beam (Gen 2) at #7 in this list.
To save money on Bose products, check out our Bose discount codes.
Read our full Bose Smart Soundbar 600 review
The best soundbar for flexibility
✅ You need multiple HDMI ports: The JBL Bar 1300X comes with four HDMI ports so multiple devices can be connected.
✅ You want rear speakers with no wires: Supplied with wireless rechargeable speakers, there's no wires to keep things neat and tidy.
❌ You want to keep the rear speakers charged: The JBL Bar 1300X's rear speakers need regular recharging, unlike a more traditional setup like the HW-Q800C at #1 in this list.
❌ You want the cheapest soundbar: The JBL Bar 1300X is not budget-friendly, even compared to other soundbars in its price range.
What you need to know: The JBL Bar 1300X provides a fantastic level of flexibility. With Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support and a big, beefy sound aided by its larger than average subwoofer, its the connections and features packed into this soundbar that make it so versatile compared to other soundbars on the market. The one downside? This soundbar isn't going to suit serious gamers. While there are multiple HDMI ports here, none of them have 4K 120Hz pass-through to support that resolution and frame rate when playing games on PS5 or Xbox Series X, a feature you can find on our choice on the best soundbar for gaming, the Sony HT-A7000 at #5 in this list.
Audio performance: We think the JBL Bar 1300X would suit anyone looking for a powerful and immersive soundbar option, but particularly those who are after the visceral excitement that the best home theater systems effortlessly deliver, while also being relatively easy to setup and not becoming a burden on your living room.
Design: Although the JBL Bar 1300X doesn't take up too much space, it is designed to fill larger rooms with sound so we wouldn't recommend it in smaller homes. There are also multiple HDMI inputs here, meaning you can connect a stack of extra sources without worry, and the system’s rechargeable rear speakers can also be used as portable Bluetooth speakers. That might be a "so what?" feature for some people, but to us it's a design flex that heightens the Bar 1300X's overall value.
Value: Priced in line with the likes of the Samsung HW-Q800C at #1 in this list, the JBL Bar 1300X is not cheap but does deliver a lot flexibility to make up for it. From the rechargeable rear speakers that can also be used as bluetooth speakers and number of HDMI ports to the easy setup and immersive sound, this is one of the most flexible soundbars we've found. (Note: in some countries, you get the JBL Bar 1300 – without the X – which has a smaller 10-inch subwoofer driver instead of the 12-inch in the X version. This is a relatively small difference, and doesn't alter our overall opinion.)
Read our full JBL Bar 1300X review
How to choose the best soundbar
There are several things to consider when you’re looking for the best soundbar.
The first is the size. You’ll want to make sure that your soundbar fits under—or next to, depending on your set-up—your TV. For example, the long Sonos Arc soundbar is designed specifically for large screens, so won’t look right with a smaller 50-inch TV. You’ll need to know the size of your current TV and the size of the space you have to fit it and compare those figures to the dimensions listed alongside the soundbar you want to buy.
You’ll also want to consider whether you need a Dolby Atmos speaker or not. Dolby Atmos is surround sound technology, placing sounds and voices all around you so that whatever you’re watching or listening to is more immersive. The thing is, Dolby Atmos-enabled soundbars tend to be more expensive. You’ll need to weigh up whether Dolby Atmos sound is worth it for you. Otherwise, consider a capable but cheaper option, like the Yamaha SR-C30A, our choice for best cheap soundbar.
Another thing you’ll want to watch out for is the kind of connection you need. You’ll find most modern soundbars have HDMI connectivity, but there's also optical connectivity—so what's the difference? These are two ways that audio is passed from your TV to your soundbar, but HDMI passes high-resolution audio, including Dolby Atmos.
If you want a premium, immersive listening experience you’ll want to be sure you have an HDMI connection to use from your soundbar and an HDMI ARC (that's audio return channel) port on your TV for it to connect to.
But this means one of your TV's HDMI ports is used up by the soundbar, so some bars come with HDMI 'passthrough' ports, meaning you can connect a console/set-top box/etc to the soundbar, and it passes the visuals back to your TV. If your TV has few HDMI ports, you'll want a soundbar with this feature.
There’s more to think about, but getting the size, audio features and connectivity nailed down early on should make finding the best soundbar for you much easier.
What connection do I need for a soundbar?
The best way to connect a soundbar to your TV is with an HDMI cable. You'll need to make sure you have an HDMI port on your soundbar and an HDMI ARC port on your TV. This allows you to use a cable to connect them.
An HDMI port means that the highest quality audio can pass from your TV to your soundbar, like Dolby Atmos.
If your TV or soundbar doesn't have HDMI ports, the second best option is an optical. This can still transfer digital sounds, but not the high-resolution ones you'd get with HDMI.
However, you will still get quality audio and an optical connection does work with soundbars and surround sound systems.
What size soundbar should I get?
You need to get a soundbar that fits in the space you have available. Some people have their TV mounted and a soundbar could happily be mounted underneath. Others have their TV on a stand and the soundbar can sit in front of it.
Consider the space you have free but also the size of your TV. A compact soundbar might look silly with a massive screen and vice versa. There are many different-sized soundbars available to suit your TV, so make sure you check the dimensions and match them up.
Can soundbars do surround sound?
True surround sound means speakers are positioned around you. Some soundbars on this list, like the Samsung Q990D and Hisense AX5125H, also come with a subwoofer and two smaller rear channel speakers, meaning you can place them around your room.
However, other devices with only one soundbar claim to offer surround sound. What this means is they deliver a stereo effect, which seems more like sound is coming from different directions, but isn't.
Many of the high-end soundbars in this list also have Dolby Atmos built-in. Again, this isn't technically surround sound, but the audio tech is advanced and creates the illusion of immersive sound by bouncing sounds off the walls and ceiling around you.
Are Dolby Atmos soundbars really worth it?
Although not all the soundbars on this list capture Dolby Atmos as well as a home theatre system, more and more soundbars are supporting Dolby Atmos, making it available to people with all budgets.
Yes, the level of detail you get from a full home theater system compared to soundbars with 'virtual' Atmos or surround soundbars isn't quite as high, Dolby Atmos soundbars are becoming more sophisticated and provide an extra level of immersion to your cinema experience.
Are soundbars worth it?
Absolutely. Even if you don't consider yourself a hardcore cinephile, the best soundbars make a world of difference to your TV watching experience—even the built-in speakers that come with the best TVs just don't do your favorite films, TV shows, and games justice.
How much should I spend on a soundbar?
It depends on what you're looking for. If you want the very best soundbar technology has to offer, you might be looking at prices of $800 / £800 / AU$1,000 and upwards.
However, there are lots of fantastic budget soundbars on the market, with some costing less than $100 / £100 / AU$150. Just bear in mind that you generally get what you pay for, and these budget models probably won't come with premium features like Dolby Atmos, included rear speakers, and hi-res audio support.
But, the mid-range market is getting more competitive and it really is easy to get a lot of bang for your buck, with soundbars (on our list above) providing Dolby Atmos and a subwoofer for under $400/£400/AU$650 becoming more and more common.
Where should I put a soundbar?
You generally have two options when it comes to soundbar placement: wall-mounting it, or placing in below your TV on your TV cabinet. If your soundbar is quite tall, wall-mounting may be the best option, as it could obscure the IR receiver on your TV, rendering your remote control useless.
Other soundbars to consider
We’ve reviewed several soundbars in 2023-24 that didn’t make this guide for various reasons, though they are also worth considering.
Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar: An all-in-one competitor to the Sonos Arc or the Sony HT-A7000, but with a slight lack of heft to its sound and not a strong sense of height, this soundbar just isn't quite great value enough to make it into the list. You can read our full Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar review to learn more.
Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Plus: This soundbar really earns its keep with superior delivery of Atmos effects and extended bass from a single-unit soundbar. It's well worth consideration if you're looking for something that's a single-unit and if price isn't a worry – but it's expensive, and that's why it hasn't pushed things out of our list here. Definitely give our full Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Plus review a read if you want big sound without multiple boxes.
Sennheiser Ambeo Mini: If the price of the Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Plus is too much for your budget, this is a more compact and lower-cost model that provides a “big” sound, but doesn’t match the Plus when it comes to bass extension and Atmos height effects. It's a similar size to the Sonos Beam Gen 2, and we'd choose that over this one for overall audio quality, but you can read our Sennheiser Ambeo Mini review for more.
How we test the best soundbars
☑️ More than 2,600 TV and home theater reviews
☑️ 16 years of product testing
☑️ Over 16,000 products reviewed in total
☑️ Nearly 200,000 hours testing tech
When we test the best soundbars, we look at categories such as audio performance, design, setup and usability, value for money and features - the same criteria we use for our reviews of soundbars.
Sources: After connecting the soundbar to a TV, we play not only streaming and 4K Blu-ray sources through the TV into the soundbar using the TV’s HDMI eARC connection (as 4K Blu-ray provides better audio quality than streaming), but also music over a Bluetooth wireless connection.
Audio overview: For audio performance, there are several factors we look at when testing. Soundbars are often used to upgrade a TV's built-in sound, so dialogue clarity and volume are key, as that’s where built-in TV speakers usually struggle the most. We also test bass, mids and trebles by listening to how each range sits within a mix, and also whether the soundstage is wide or narrow.
Spatial audio: Dolby Atmos spatial audio and surround sound (both virtually and physically through extra speakers) have become common features on soundbars, so we will test the effectiveness and spaciousness of the surround sound, as some people will want a room-filling home theater feel without all the boxes needed for a full AV setup.
HDMI passthrough: When it comes to higher-end soundbars, we expect 4K 120Hz passthrough on HDMI ports and will test that feature if available. Gamers specifically look for this feature as some TVs don’t have the four HDMI 2.1 ports needed to cover both games consoles and a soundbar.
Music: Bluetooth streaming is more commonly being featured on soundbars as manufacturers look to offer an ‘all-in-one’ solution for movies and music. So, if a soundbar offers that feature, we’ll be sure to test its performance with streamed music. On more premium soundbars, we expect to see Wi-Fi streaming, although this is not always the case.
Setup and ease-of-use: This is another area we test, as some soundbars carry a plug-in-and-play philosophy whilst others require more in-depth calibration. More soundbars are featuring auto-calibration features to adjust the sound for the room they’re installed in, and this can make a big difference in sound quality. As part of our tests, we’ll listen to a soundbar before and after this calibration to see just how much of a difference it makes.
Consistency: While we strive to maintain consistency in testing conditions, some of our writers have different setups they’ll be listening in. However, the tests carried out and the testing criteria are the same for all our reviews.
Latest updates
November 27, 2024
Swapped the Sonos Arc for the Sonos Arc Ultra based on our testing, and re-ordered the list to make it easier to find specific types of soundbar.
October 29,2024
Introduced the Ultimea Poseidon D50 as 'best super-cheap surround sound'. Removed the 'what soundbars were announced at CES 2024' section.
Read more updates…
September 30, 2024
Added more information about how we judge soundbars to our intro. Added information about the Sonos Arc Ultra to the Sonos Arc entry. Updated some information about recently tested soundbars, and how we test.
August 27, 2024
Added the LG S95TR as the 'best premium soundbar for LG TVs' option.
July 30, 2024
Added the Amazon Fire TV soundbar as 'best super-cheap' option.
July 1, 2024
Added the Hisense AX5125H as 'best budget Atmos surround' option.
June 6, 2024
Added the LG S95TR into the 'Also consider' section - as an alternative for LG owners to the Samsung Q990D.
May 6, 2024
Replaced the Samsung HW-Q990C with the new Samsung HW-Q990D as 'best for Dolby Atmos' selection.
March 28, 2024
Added 'Other soundbars to consider' section with details on recently reviewed models not listed in the guide.
February 28, 2024
Added in a 'How we Test' section, explaining what tests we carry out on the soundbars that we add to this guide.
January 22, 2024
Updated product write-ups to summarise the key points of each review and added in more internal linking to related products to help you choose the right soundbar for you. December 22, 2023 Added in 'buy it if' boxouts with quick pros and cons for each entry on the list.
December 22, 2023
Added in 'buy it if' boxouts with quick pros and cons for each entry on the list.
November 14, 2023
Replaced the Samsung HW-Q700B with the Samsung HW-Q800C as 'best overall' due to stock levels. Replaced Sony HT-G700 with Sony HT-S2000 for 'best budget'. Deleted 'best mid-range Atmos' category.
