Find more great products like this by checking out our guide to the best shower speakers. Samsung makes a great soundbar and wireless subwoofer setup — the HW-M360. If you want to upgrade the sound of your TV, soundbars are often the most versatile and affordable option. While most soundbars do come with remotes, this universal remote can be adapted to control other devices, such as your TV, DVD player, or Satellite Box. Most soundbars feature full-range speakers that will provide enough bass. The Samsung HW-Q950T is the best soundbar with a subwoofer that we've tested. The Polk Audio – 2.1-Channel Soundbar System is priced at just below $200, so it is in competition with the high-end soundbars from Yamaha and Bose. It can be paired with any other Sonos device and act as part of your home audio system and can also be controlled by any device. However, they are often more expensive and take up more room. This is the first soundbar on this list that comes from Yamaha, the celebrated Japanese electronics company. It can be connected wirelessly to your TV as well as stream from your smartphone or tablet. Their motto “Better Sound Through Research” has kept them at the forefront of audio innovation and it still lives on today through products like the Bose Solo 5 TV Sound System. Without any doubt about it, the LG SN11RG was the company’s flagship soundbar last year. There's no point in having a great soundbar if your TV's display is terrible; that's why we have the following roundups for you to browse: On a budget? Read more: Samsung HW-Q90R Soundbar review. Unfortunately, it doesn’t come with its own dedicated remote control, but as long as you have a smartphone, tablet, or laptop, you’re good to go. It also claims to offer 360-degree sound, but this isn’t a particularly effective feature, so isn’t worth shouting about. Remember the VIZIO SB2821? This means you can put it above your TV and keep it out of the way – perfect for if your TV is already wall-mounts. The Sonos Beam is a fantastic soundbar for its price, one that takes full advantage of the Sonos ecosystem and is a joy to use (and set up, if your television has HDMI ARC). By Compatible with LG SPK8-S speakers, which makes it a versatile soundbar, Control via TV remote saves having extra controllers. You should also look out for included wall-mounts. All you need to do is pick your favorite. It’s a pretty simple soundbar and comes with a great little EQ selection system. TCL Alto 7+ soundbar is an astonishingly beautiful soundbar that can deliver crystal clear sound with marvelously deep bass that is why it is the best soundbar 2021. It is the world’s first soundbar to feature DTS Virtual 3D surround sound, which is available via a firmware update. They give you a high-quality, full-range sound, without the need for buying a whole home cinema sound system. A decent set of features and fully-specified HDMI connections complete a nearly flawless package... as long as you can afford it, this is the best soundbar you can buy. Of course, this sort of technology doesn’t come cheap. A: A soundbar is a long, bar-shaped device that contains multiple small speakers. Sennheiser is best known for its range of headphones and professional microphones, but it recently extended its ambitions to home audio as well, with the introduction of its new Ambeo Soundbar. The sound is immensely rich, and it is just as good for making action movies more dramatic than it is at making your favorite song sound perfect. Clear voice function makes it great for film and TV, Good for the price, but not as high-quality as more expensive options. It’s a good-sounding soundbar with a sleek and compact design, featuring an all-black frame with minimal branding. Extra Speakers – This really depends on what you are buying your soundbar for. It has a wall-mount and remote control include, which is rare for a soundbar in this price range. Cost-cutting can be attributed to connectivity and features but what’s genuinely confounding is just how great the HT-X8500 sounds. They lack punch when it comes to bass and their sound tends to muddle together when it gets busy. In the list below you’ll find our pick of the best soundbars available for you to buy in 2021, from those that boast Dolby Atmos through to ultra-affordable plug-in-and-go models. The T450 is a futuristic soundbar whose main mode of connection is wireless. However, we did notice on a couple of occasions that the first half-a-second was cut-off songs. Or is it? Often, speakers designed for music have heavy bass frequencies, which makes the music sound rich. © Sonos Arc vs Sonos Beam: which soundbar is best for you? The Bluetooth connectivity provides a range of 10 meters and connects to your smartphone or device. This is a really handy little addition which will save you having lots of remotes hanging around. As you might be able to tell based on the soundbar’s design, the Command Bar comes with Alexa built right into it making it unquestionably smart. TSP technology optimizes sound based on the content. It is a compact soundbar that is perfect if you have 32-inch TV or any larger model. Unlike some of the cheaper soundbars, it has a built-in subwoofer that gives it a deep bass sound. The LG SK8 sits elegantly and compactly beneath your TV, and delivers a clean, detailed and open sound. It’s perfect for 27-inch office monitors such as the Dell U2718Q. This is the second Yamaha sound bar in our list. Also, you can often pair soundbars up with extra speakers, so if you decide to upgrade your system, you can. And that’s where a good soundbar comes in. It not only supports object-based audio in the shape of both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, it’s also the only soundbar from 2019 to achieve this with actual rear speakers and four upward-firing drivers. Although you have to treat the LG SK8’s Dolby Atmos claims with something of a pinch of salt due to its lack of ‘real’ sound channels and a slightly reticent subwoofer, it still has plenty to offer for its money. Since Sonos came on to the scene in 2002, they’ve revolutionized home audio systems. They provide high-quality audio, without the need for lots of expensive speakers. How to choose the best soundbar for you ... With its unique speaker configuration, the Soundbox is capable of reproducing deep bass, while also delivering a crisp treble. It has powerful Bluetooth connectivity, so you can seamlessly switch between two devices, without any annoying waiting times. Despite the bargain-basement price, the SB362An-F6 is neatly designed, measuring 36 inches wide, and a streamlined 2 inches high, and 5.2 inches deep (914xx52x133mm). Audio speakers are one of those technologies that are always being improved. It can also be easily connected to your device via Bluetooth. Plus, it has HDMI, analog, and optical connections. This TV soundbar is our premium product just for the sheer quality of sound – if you’ve got money to spend, you have to buy the Sonos PLAYBAR TV Soundbar. The Virtual:X technology works well too, helping to create a more immersive atmosphere while you’re watching. Its smaller form factor means it’s a device that will sit comfortably next to a 32-inch TV but it’s got enough of a footprint to not be dwarfed by a much bigger set. A 5.1 soundbar usually comes with a subwoofer for better and deep bass. 's round-up of the best budget soundbars and soundbases you can buy in 2021. It provides an impressive sound quality for the price, Wired and wireless options make it a versatile gadget, Lacks in bass compared to more expensive rivals. Started in 2002, in California, they make 4K TVs and sound bars, as well as some smaller products. Sennheiser clearly has its sights set on the home cinema market with the Ambeo, although the bar's Wi-Fi connectivity means that it can double up as a pretty impressive music system as well. This means placing them below the TV or having them wall-mounted just above the TV. Maybe you want to build the home theater system of your dreams. Plus, it has an AI Sound Pro processor that can convert pretty much any incoming sound format - even vanilla stereo - into a full multi-channel output that although not perfect, sounds spectacular. The Sonos Arc draws on Dolby’s latest TrueHD and Dolby Digital Plus sound codecs to deliver the best quality lossless audio found on cutting edge Blu-ray disks and some of the leading streaming services. Well, we’ve done the groundwork and found the 10 best soundbars on the market today. This product guide was written by Jordan Carter, TaoTronics SoundBar Wired Wireless Bluetooth Audio Speaker. We’ve selected the best of the best soundbars on the market for you. If you are looking for a basic, high-quality soundbar you should expect to pay between $70 and $200. The key feature of the SB362An-F6 – also referred to more helpfully as the “36-inch 2.1 Sound Bar” on most retailer's websites – is really its sheer value for money, costing just £149 in the UK and an even more competitive $139 in the US, where it was launched at the end of last year. But with soundbars, they need to have very clear middle and high-range frequencies, so you can hear what people are saying. This allows the Polk soundbar to deliver Dolby digital 5.1 surround sound. With it, you will get a much clearer dialogue and experience a pretty deep bass. The subwoofer comes along with the large 6.30 inches speaker unit and 6.16-gallon volume. They have been making everything from grand pianos to jet skis, for over 50 years. This product isn’t going to win any awards for the best sound, but it’s a really solid wireless soundbar. You've probably been watching a bit more TV in the past few months. Basically, they provide cheaper alternatives for their customers that they can sell direct. The best soundbar will turn your living room into the best place to get lost in your favorite movies, ... and delivers crisp dialogue and deep bass with the help of its included wireless subwoofer. 04 January 2021, We've tested the best soundbars you can buy today. Best budget soundbars and soundbases Buying Guide: Welcome to What Hi-Fi? While all this might sound complicated, the Sonos Arc setup couldn’t be simpler, involving just a couple of steps on the smartphone app. When you’re buying a soundbar, you should check that it can be connected wirelessly and via Bluetooth. We have, of course, talked about the sound quality in this review, but the best way of testing the speakers is actually trying them. Bose Solo 5 TV Soundbar. Dialogue mode excellent for people that are hard of hearing. Please deactivate your ad blocker in order to see our subscription offer, HDMI input (ARC), optical digital audio to HDMI converter, Bluetooth, Ethernet port, 802.11b,g Wi-Fi, Apple AirPlay 2, IR receiver, 2 x HDMI inputs, 1 x HDMI output with eARC, optical digital audio input, USB (service only), Bluetooth and WiFi, 890 x 64 x 96 mm (35 1/8 x 2 5/8 x 3 7/8 in), 1 HDMI input, 1 HDMI Out (ARC), analogue audio in/out, Ethernet, optical audio in, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, HDMI with 4K passthrough, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB, Digital coaxial in, Digital optical in, HDMI 2.1 output (eARC), 3 HDMI 2.0a In, Audio in 3.5 mm jack, 2.70 x 25.625 x 3.94 in. Unlike a lot of soundbars in this price range, the LG SK5Y can be paired with two other LG SPK8-S speakers to make it a true surround sound system. You get to enjoy deep and rich bass from this gadget due to the presence of a powerful subwoofer. The more expensive systems can afford to use materials and technologies that give you a better sound. This provides you with ultimate choice as to how your home entertainment set-up looks. Alternatively, some soundbars – like the Sonos PLAYBAR TV Soundbar – can be paired with multiple other speakers, making them perfect for this situation. There was a problem. Sign up to get breaking news, reviews, opinion, analysis and more, plus the hottest tech deals! If your system can pair with other devices, it should be easy. A: If you want to improve the sound of your TV, a soundbar is the best option. Well, if you have slightly more to spend, you could go for its big brother: the VIZIO SB3821. The sound quality is genuinely more vibrant than the soundbar’s size, yet to achieve the best results we found that the soundbar needs to sit upright, which is also the recommendation from Sonos. On the other end of the scale, you can pay nearly $700 for the Sonos soundbar. It can be connected to the TV via an optical cable or used to stream music wirelessly with Bluetooth. The enhanced deep bass means you enjoy all your games in incredible surround sound. See More Reviews. An impressive list of features for the price, Still doesn’t handle bass-heavy music as well as we’d like. The Sonos Beam doesn’t offer earth-shattering bass and the lack of Dolby Atmos support will irk some, but at this price point it'd be more of a surprise if it had been included. Soundbars are designed for use with TVs or computers, which means that the sound requirements are slightly different to that of a normal speaker. DTS Virtual surround sound makes it an alternative to home cinema systems, Subwoofer gives it deeper bass than cheaper alternatives, There are cheaper alternates with the same features. Despite most of the soundbars on this list only featuring front-facing speakers, many are able to confidently project sound in a way that makes it seem as though there's booming audio coming from every direction. This product is our best value sound bar, so if you want to improve sound without spending hundreds of dollars, this is the best option. That’s why we’ve created this guide to the top soundbars you can buy right now. If you are looking for a soundbar with deep bass capabilities, then an extra subwoofer could come in handy. It's a single soundbar and wireless subwoofer combo with Bluetooth streaming. Thank you for signing up to TechRadar. This can be turned down using the clear voice function that boosts the mids and highs to make dialogue easy to understand. You can choose from either Standard, News, or Movie. Please refresh the page and try again. But, if you want a system for under $100, then this product should definitely be a consideration. In our opinion, even the best Samsung TV could use an external soundbar to upgrade its audio performance. Or, at least, you should be able to. So, you shouldn’t have to settle for a soundbar that comes with complicated instructions or strange inputs. Best soundbars without subwoofer. It has a similar design and feature list to the smaller version, but provides a slightly louder audio output, at 100dB. It has 9 amplified speakers that create a much better stereo separation than the Bose soundbar. Firstly, it’s important to mention that – despite its quality – it’s still not going to trouble the Sonos or Bose products for sound quality. Take a look through the specs of any of the top TVs at the moment and you’ll see the audio doesn’t tend to be up to scratch. So, to get enhanced sound quality from your TV, you need to invest in a soundbar. Everyone knows Yamaha. It can also connect via Bluetooth to your phone or device. The sound quality is still good, but don’t expect true surround sound. Vizio might not be the most well-known name on this list, but that has a pretty solid track record when it comes to making high-quality electronics. They're also a good solution for smaller homes and rooms with little space that wouldn't be able to squeeze a 7.1 channel speaker system in. The design is just as sleek as the first Yamaha soundbar and wouldn’t look out of place underneath any high-end TV. It has a sleek, black design that wouldn’t look out of place next to any TV or computer monitor. It then enhances the 3D soundscape using Dolby Atmos object tracks to bounce certain sounds off the walls around you so they feel like they’re coming at you from all angles. The Samsung HW-Q90R was the brand's all-singing, all-dancing flagship soundbar for 2019 – and in 2021, it has only been pipped by the Sonos Arc for the best soundbar you can buy because it's a little pricier. You can pick up soundbars for less than $100, that will improve the quality of your TV’s audio. Sonos has a new surround sound solution and it’s contained entirely in a single soundbar it calls Arc. To pick the best 5.1 soundbar system, the main obstacle is the extensive collection of products. Finding the best soundbar for your setup can be challenging. Unlike some of the cheaper soundbars, it has a built-in subwoofer that gives it a deep bass sound. Cue a soundbar-the best way of giving your TV's audio a boost. You get what you pay for with audio electronics. Samsung HW-M360. Bose has made some of the top soundbars in the last decade, but this one is innovative for another reason. The key to the HT-X8500’s gutsy performance is Sony’s proprietary Vertical Sound Engine - working with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X content, it creates a convincing illusion of wraparound sound that allow Dolby Atmos movies to play with a clear sense of expanded height and width. Well, in short, they’ve done a fantastic job. Extra Features - It’s always good to look out for extra features in products like this. This setup will bring 2.1 Channel sound to your home theater setup, giving you a deep bass … But now every company makes them, so where do you start? This is a handy feature, in case your Bluetooth isn’t working for some reason. You may not have heard of Polk Audio. TechRadar is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. But, don’t be fooled by its size – this Bose speaker bar still packs plenty of punch and will easily improve the sound of any TV. The voice control may be Alexa-only for now, but it works well and if you have adopted some of Amazon’s TV toys, it really is worth experimenting with. This doesn’t provide the stereo split that you can expect from much wider soundbars, but it will still fill a normal sized room. Bose includes a universal remote control with the Solo 5 Sound System. The Bestisan Soundbar comes with TSP technology. World's first 8K AVR could future-proof your home cinema setup – and it's not too pricey, GameStop's PS5 restock sells out, but there's some very good news, Where to buy PS5: all the latest restock updates, WhatsApp's new privacy policy requires you to share data with Facebook, Apple's privacy labels reveals Whatsapp and Facebook Messenger's hunger for user data, Make Cyberpunk 2077 play much, much better with just two super simple fixes, Cyberpunk 2077 loses over 75% of players on Steam, After some real surround sound? Text: techradar.com Slim TVs are great. Nick Pino, For the deep bass lovers, you will find that the TCL Alto 5 2.0 gives you a great bass experience. As the newest and best TVs get slimmer and slimmer they might look fantastic but this means there’s less room for built-in speakers. It’s more expensive than the Yamaha YAS-108 Sound Bar and has some extra features to warrant the higher price. It can also be controlled by most TV remotes, which makes it a great addition to any smart TV. A: You don’t necessarily need a separate subwoofer. The Vizio SB362An-F6 is currently sold out in the UK – if you're looking for an alternative, check out the Sony HT-X8500. Surely, that’s a product that is as good as it can be? There's no fancy … The feature takes the bass out of the mix and raises the mids and trebles to give you high-quality, crisp vocals. A: This isn’t necessarily the most important factor when buying a soundbar. VIZIO SB2821-D6 28-Inch 2.1 Channel Soundbar, AmazonBasics 2.1 Channel Bluetooth SoundBar with Built-In Subwoofer, Yamaha YAS-108 SoundBar with Built-in Subwoofers & Bluetooth, Polk Audio – 2.1-Channel Soundbar System with Wireless Subwoofer, LG SK5Y 2.1 Channel 360W High-Resolution Audio Soundbar, VIZIO 38-Inch 2.1 Channel Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer, Yamaha YAS-207BL Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer, I confirm I wish to sign up to the Gear Hungry mailing list, 3TaoTronics SoundBar Wired Wireless Bluetooth Audio Speaker, 4VIZIO SB2821-D6 28-Inch 2.1 Channel Soundbar, 5AmazonBasics 2.1 Channel Bluetooth SoundBar with Built-In Subwoofer, 6Yamaha YAS-108 SoundBar with Built-in Subwoofers & Bluetooth, 7Polk Audio – 2.1-Channel Soundbar System with Wireless Subwoofer, 8LG SK5Y 2.1 Channel 360W High-Resolution Audio Soundbar, 9VIZIO 38-Inch 2.1 Channel Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer, 10Yamaha YAS-207BL Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer, TaoTronics Sound Bar Wired Wireless Bluetooth Audio Speaker, AmazonBasics 2.1 Channel Bluetooth Sound Bar. Whether you want a different song in every room, or the same music to flow seamlessly from room to room, Sonos systems provide one of the best home music options out there. This sets it apart from a lot of cheaper soundbars because that subwoofer really provides you with a deeper bass sound – perfect for playing music as well as TV and film. This is absolutely perfect for anyone who doesn’t understand more complicated audio systems and just wants something that’s easy to operate. If you love the slim aesthetic of your new 4K TV, we can bet it doesn’t have the audio needed to match the visuals. The TaoTronics Sound Bar Wired Wireless Bluetooth Audio Speaker is one of the cheapest soundbars systems you can buy, but it still provides an impressive audio soundscape, that will improve your home cinema experience. Gone are the days where you have to have two huge tower speakers and a massive subwoofer taking up half of your lounge. Future US, Inc. 11 West 42nd Street, 15th Floor, Sound Quality – This is absolutely paramount when you’re buying a soundbar. Instead of an in-built subwoofer, this product has a more powerful wireless subwoofer that provides a deeper bass sound. A larger soundbar will normally hold more speakers and deliver a better sound, but this isn’t always the case. Overall, if you want a home theatre sound system that won’t dent your budget, this is the best soundbar for you. It’s one of the best soundbars for TV. 2. The main soundbar boasts an attractive, practical design and supports eARC with Dolby Vision. The Samsung HW-S60T 2.0-channel soundbar has side-firing horn speakers plus Alexa built in, but in our tests it lent an edgy, harsh sound to dialogue and distorted badly with deep bass … The Sonos PLAYBAR TV Soundbar is, without doubt, one of the best soundbar systems on the market. Plus, it has a wireless remote for added convenience. Or perhaps you’re just looking for a more reliable and great-sounding audio source to accompany your TV. You will receive a verification email shortly. See More Reviews. You can stream music directly from your smartphone, tablet, or laptop using Bluetooth. That means picking the best soundbar to go with your TV is your best option to get the most out of your favorite TV shows and films. An on-soundbar display and Google Assistant compatibility make it easy to use, too. Never has … The best soundbars of 2021 are built to be just as pleasing to the eye as they are to the ear. While it has a warmer and more bass-heavy sound profile than the Samsung HW-Q950T , some listeners may actually prefer the extra thump and punch provided by its two dedicated subwoofers.