A top-notch soundbar is essential if your big TV's speakers aren't delivering the audio quality you need. The best soundbars have larger, forward-facing speakers that enhance speech clarity and make movies more immersive. Plus, they are sleek and slim, fitting neatly below your TV on a cabinet or mounted on the wall.
Summary of Recommendations
- Samsung HW-Q800D — best overall — Jump to review
- Sony HT-S2000 — best budget — Jump to review
- Samsung HW-Q990D — best for dolby atmos — Jump to review
- Hisense AX5125H — best budget atmos surround — Jump to review
- Bose Smart Soundbar 600 — best compact atmos — Jump to review
- Sony HT-A7000 — best for gaming — Jump to review
- Sonos Arc — best sonos soundbar — Jump to review
- Sonos Beam (Gen 2) — best for music — Jump to review
Best Soundbar Overall
1. Samsung HW-Q800D
What we like
- Powerful, room-filling audio
- Optional rear speakers for full surround
- Competitively priced against rivals
What we don't like
- No support for 4K 120Hz video
- More suited to movie soundtracks
- Looks a lot like other soundbars
Specifications:
- Dimensions: Soundbar: 1111 x 60 x 120mm / 43.7 x 2.4 x 4.7 in ; Subwoofer: 210 x 403 x 403mm / 8.3 x 15.9 x 15.9
- Speaker configuration: 5.1.2
- Claimed audio power: 360W
- Connections: 1x HDMI input, 1x HDMI eARC support, digital optical, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
The Samsung HW-Q800D offers powerful, room-filling sound at an affordable price. It supports Dolby Atmos and DTSfor impressive spatial audio, especially with its two upfiring drivers. While it handles various music files, it's better for movies and TV shows. The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) is better for music.
The Q800D delivers powerful sound with convincing spatial effects, even without rear speakers (which can be added). It excels in movies and TV shows with excellent channel steering, deep bass, and clear dialogue.
The HW-Q800D has an industrial grilled finish and is heavier than other soundbars, giving a quality feel. At 43 inches wide, it pairs well with 50-inch and larger TVs.
This soundbar offers excellent value, combining affordability with great sound. While it doesn't match the power of the Samsung HW-Q900D, it's much cheaper and still provides fantastic 5.1.2 channels, making it ideal for most people.
Best Budget Soundbar
2. Sony HT-S2000
What we like
- Extremely effective dialogue clarity
- Support for spatial audio codecs
- Improving value thanks to price drops
What we don't like
- No Wi-Fi or AirPlay support
- Lacks voice assistant
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 800 X 64 X 124 mm(31 1 / 2 in x 2 5 / 8 in x 5 in)
- Speaker configuration: 3.1
- Claimed audio power: 250W
- Connections: HDMI eARC x 1, optical digital x 1, USB x1, Bluetooth
The Sony HT-S2000 is our top budget pick for its impressive sound quality at an affordable price. While basic in connectivity, it delivers great audio, making it a solid choice for upgrading TV sound without overspending.
The HT-S2000 offers clear dialogue, spacious virtual surround sound, and punchy bass. It surprisingly reproduces Dolby Atmos effects well for a 3.1 soundbar, though it lacks height channels.
The Sony HT-S2000 looks and feels more expensive than it is, with a solid mesh metal grill and sturdy black plastic casing. It also provides visual feedback to remote commands, a rare feature in budget soundbars.
The HT-S2000 offers excellent sound quality for the money, making it a great budget-friendly choice.
Best Soundbar for Dolby Atmos
3. Samsung HW-Q990D
What we like
- Fully immersive sound
- Powerful but with great detail
- Supports 4K 120Hz for gaming
What we don't like
- Expensive
- Front LED display difficult to see
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 1309 x 595 x 277 mm (W x H x D)
- Speaker configuration: 11.1.4
- Claimed audio power: N/A
- Connections: 1x HDMI out (with eARC), 2x HDMI 2.1 in, optical digital audio, Wi-Fi, Bluetoothi-fi, Bluetooth
The Samsung Q990D is a top-tier soundbar for those seeking an exceptional Dolby Atmos home theater experience. Featuring 22 speakers across a main soundbar, wireless subwoofer, and two wireless surround speakers, this 11.1.4-channel system delivers immersive audio and supports 4K 120Hz pass-through for gaming.
The Q990D excels in reproducing Dolby Atmos soundtracks with clarity and precision, providing an immersive movie experience. It offers improved bass control over its predecessor, the Q990C, and balanced audio across the range. The Q Symphony feature adds extra sound layers when paired with a Samsung TV.
The Q990D boasts a sleek, minimalist look with a gray and navy matte finish. The large subwoofer connects wirelessly, allowing flexible placement. An LED display on the soundbar offers visual feedback, though it can be hard to see through the mesh grille.
This powerful system comes with a high price tag, but its performance justifies the cost. If gaming support isn't crucial, the Q990C is a cheaper option. For a more affordable Atmos alternative, consider the Bose Smart Soundbar 600.
Best Budget Soundbar for Dolby Atmos Surround
4. Hisense AX5125H
What we like
- Dolby Atmos and surround sound
- Punchy bass and clear dialogue
- Fantastic value
What we don't like
- Bluetooth-only music streaming
- Limited EQ adjustments
- Surround speakers can get overwhelmed
Specifications:
- Dimensions: Soundbar: 36.2 x 18.8 x 3.5 inches (920 x 478 x 90mm)
- Speaker configuration: 5.1.2
- Claimed audio power: 180W
- Connections: HDMI Out (eARC), 1x HDMI in, optical, USB, 3.5mm AUX
The Hisense AX5125H is a 5.1.2-channel Dolby Atmos soundbar with a wireless subwoofer and surround speakers, all for under $350 / £350 / AU$450. It offers exceptional value with its punchy sound and true Dolby Atmos effects.
This budget soundbar delivers impressive sound quality with clear dialogue, accurate effects, and good surround immersion. Music also sounds good, though streaming is limited to Bluetooth quality. The compact rear speakers can sometimes struggle with intense surround mixes.
The AX5125H's build isn't premium, but its metal mesh grilles give it an upscale appearance. It features a front panel LED display for clear feedback when adjusting volume or EQ with the remote.
For a 5.1.2-channel system, the Hisense AX5125H offers incredible value. Although pricier systems like the Samsung HW-Q990D provide more immersive sound, many will find the Hisense's performance satisfactory for its cost.
Best Small Soundbar for Dolby Atmos
5. Bose Smart Soundbar 600
What we like
- Attractively small design
- Upfiring speakers for Dolby Atmos
- Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, AirPlay and Chomecast
What we don't like
- Limited number of HDMI ports
- Lacks that bass oomph
- DTS:X is not available
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 56.1 x 694 x 104mm (h x w x d)
- Speaker configuration: 3.0.2
- Claimed audio power: Not listed
- Connections: Optical digital HDMI ARC/eARC Subwoofer output (3.5mm)
The Bose Smart Soundbar 600 is an excellent budget-friendly option, delivering impressive Dolby Atmos sound in a compact package. It offers plentiful streaming features like AirPlay 2 and Chromecast, easy app-based setup, and powerful sound quality.
Our review highlighted its excellent dialogue clarity and consistently exciting sound for movies and TV. Although it lacks deep bass, its two upfiring speakers provide true immersive audio, which is rare for budget soundbars.
Measuring 27 inches wide, 2 inches high, and 4 inches deep, this sleek and compact soundbar is perfect for smaller spaces. Despite having only one HDMI port, it packages everything attractively in an all-in-one design.
Priced under $500, the Bose Smart Soundbar 600 offers excellent value with more features than similar models like the Sony HT-S2000 and Sonos Beam (Gen 2).
Best Soundbar for Gaming
6. Sony HT-A7000
What we like
- Exceptionally detailed dialogue
- Not one, but two HDMI 2.1 ports
- Support for all major spatial audio formats
What we don't like
- Trebles lack accurate clarity
- Confusing LED display
Specifications:
- Dimensions : 1300 x 80 x 142mm (W x H x D)
- Speaker Configuration : 7.1.2
- Claimed audio power : 500W
- Connections: x2 HDMI Input, x1 HDMI output (eARC), x1 optical output, x1 3.5mm output, x1 USB
You might wonder how a soundbar can be best for gaming. It’s about compatibility with extra devices. If you have both a PS5 and Xbox Series X, many TVs only offer two HDMI 2.1 ports. One is often used for eARC, leaving just one HDMI port for both consoles to achieve 4K 120Hz. The Sony HT-A7000 stands out by providing two HDMI 2.1 ports with 4K 120Hz passthrough, perfect for gaming, along with VRR and ALLM support.
The HT-A7000 delivers clear dialogue for games and movies and features 360 Reality Audio, offering a room-filling sound that makes you feel like you're at a concert.
The Sony HT-A7000 includes an LED display, which is less useful than expected since it’s hard to see which sound mode is active. It's also quite large, not ideal for TVs under 55 inches. For smaller setups, consider a compact option like the Bose at #4.
The HT-A7000 requires additional purchases of a subwoofer and rear speakers, impacting its value. The Samsung HW-Q990D, at a slightly higher price, includes these extras. However, the HT-A7000 excels in gaming features better than any other soundbar in this guide.
Best Sonos Soundbar
7. Sonos Arc
What we like
- Great dynamic range
- Discrete all-in-one soundbar
What we don't like
- Tall and chunky design
- No HDMI passthrough
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 1141.7 x 87 x 115.7mm (W x H x D)
- Speaker configuration: 5.0.2
- Claimed audio power: N/A
- Connections: HDMI input (ARC), optical digital audio to HDMI converter, Bluetooth, Ethernet port, 802.11b,g Wi-Fi, Apple AirPlay 2, IR receiver
The Sonos Arc isn't cheap, but Sonos fans will appreciate its impressive Dolby Atmos sound. With excellent sound quality and a sleek design, it's one of the most attractive soundbars on this list.
The Sonos Arc uses Dolby’s TrueHD and Dolby Digital Plus codecs for high-quality lossless audio from Blu-ray discs and top streaming services. It supports Dolby Atmos, delivering superb precision and impressive reflected height and side channels, though not as pronounced as some other soundbars.
Sonos products are known for their sleek look and feel, and the Arc is no exception. It's easy to set up via a smartphone app, with minimalist cable connections and buttons. The all-in-one system enhances its streamlined aesthetic, but it lacks HDMI passthrough and is taller than most Sonos soundbars, so check its height compatibility with your TV.
The Sonos Arc stands out within the Sonos family, surpassing the Sonos Ray and Sonos Beam in delivering a superior soundscape. However, this quality comes at a higher price, making it a premium choice.
Best Soundbar for Music
8. Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
What we like
- Expansive soundstage that's immersive
- Support for HDMI eARC
- Support for hi-res audio codecs
What we don't like
- No upfiring drivers for real Atmos
- No HDMI passthrough
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 69 x 651 x 100mm
- Speaker configuration: 3.1.2
- Claimed audio power: N/A
- Connections: HDMI input (ARC), optical digital audio to HDMI converter, Bluetooth, Ethernet port, 802.11b,g Wi-Fi, Apple AirPlay 2, IR receiver
The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) may not be the largest or most powerful soundbar, but its balanced audio performance makes it ideal for music. It's compatible with hi-res audio files, delivering high-quality sound through streaming sites like Tidal.
In our tests, the Beam (Gen 2) excelled in music playback. Listening to Little Simz's "Woman," the bass was deep and controlled despite the lack of a dedicated subwoofer. The balance of bass, treble, and clear vocals makes it perfect for music.
The Beam (Gen 2) features a minimalist design, similar to other Sonos speakers. It's compact and fits under most TVs, making it a great addition to any living room.
You can add a Sonos subwoofer for more bass, but the Beam's built-in speakers deliver rich sound on their own. This makes it an excellent choice for those wanting a dual-purpose soundbar and speaker at a moderate price, often outperforming its rivals in musical performance.