When you’re trying to build a home entertainment setup but lack the space to include a home theater system, you should consider getting the best soundbar, which works as a great alternative. You could have the best-looking TV with a large screen size, but it is nearly impossible to enjoy movies, music, or games without a good audio system, since audio is half the immersion — you need a soundbar to fill that requirement gap. Soundbars, despite their compact and sleek build, carry powerful processors that deliver a high-quality audio experience. They have front-facing speakers that blast audio of low and high frequencies without sacrificing any details. Some soundbars even come with additional features like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support that enhance the viewing experience.
If you choose soundbars with higher channels, like 5.1 or 7.1, you get additional speakers that you can set up around the entertainment area. This allows you to hear audio from all directions, putting you in the center of the action. 5.1 and 7.1 speakers are the most preferred way to enjoy movies at home. But if your budget doesn’t allow you to get higher-spec soundbars, don’t worry; we’ve got you covered. We have some great recommendations for budget-friendly home entertainment setups, too.
Is a Soundbar or an AV Receiver and Speakers Better?
Both have their advantages and disadvantages, so it depends on your preference which one would suit your home theater setup the best. Here are a few points to consider:
Space
AV receivers and speakers take up a lot of space given that there are multiple parts that need to be put together to make them work as intended, but soundbars are compact and take up little space, blending seamlessly with your TV. A few soundbars also come with a subwoofer, but you can always pick one without it.
Audio Quality
Without a doubt, AV receivers and speakers offer a significant advantage in terms of audio quality, as they include a full set of speakers for all directions, plus a subwoofer. This creates a surround sound atmosphere that blasts audio from all directions, engaging all your senses for the best immersion. Soundbars are unidirectional speakers that deliver audio from the front. But with the addition of a subwoofer, even soundbars can, to an extent, fill the room with audio to bounce off the wall.
Ease of Installation
Soundbars are incredibly user-friendly and don’t require much effort to connect them to other devices. A lot of them have Bluetooth connectivity, and all you have to do is pair them with your TV, laptop, or even mobile devices. You’re ready to go in less than a minute. On the other hand, AV receivers and speakers have a lot of cables that need to be plugged into the appropriate ports for them to function correctly. If you don’t get them right, the surround sound will not work as intended. You can still do it by reading a manual or watching an online video, but it is time-consuming and quite a hassle if you don’t know what you’re doing.
Is Dolby Atmos Worth It?
Dolby Atmos is worth it for anyone who loves immersing themselves in a high-quality audio experience, as it elevates the home entertainment experience. It is an advanced audio technology that creates a three-dimensional audio experience by tracking objects in the movie. They are then translated into the physical space by allowing the sound to move around the room.
This feature enables you to experience crystal-clear audio that is hard to match with anything else. To ensure that you utilize it to its maximum potential, you need to ensure that it is placed optimally in the room. Without proper placement, you may not be able to enjoy them the way they’re meant to be. Soundbars with Dolby support cost more than the ones without it, but looking at the features, it is worth the investment.
17 Best Soundbars in 2025
You know, you don’t have to depend on your TV for great audio quality when watching movies. With the help of the best soundbars, you get to experience enhanced audio quality in nearly every way possible. Let’s take a look at our favorite soundbars of 2025.
BEST OVERALL
Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 eARC Soundbar
PHOTO CREDIT: Nakamichi
Why We Love
Plug-and-play
Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support
Supports 360-degree surround sound
Includes remote with backlight buttons
Gen 2 two-way surround sound speakers
Supports Bluetooth 5.0, Coaxial, and 3.5mm Aux-in
But…
Expensive
Finicky remote control
Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 eARC offers the best and the latest audio technology that is just hard to beat. It uses Spatial Surround Elevation (SSE) Max Technology, which delivers a 360-degree immersive audio experience by combining custom-matched acoustic hardware and its proprietary software. While its extended range twin-cone drivers deliver clear dialogues, the silk dome surround effects tweeters help the audio seem natural with a wide dynamic audio range.
The soundbar also comes with a 10-inch wireless subwoofer and two surround speakers that can be connected with an RCA cable and take hardly 30 minutes to set up. The subwoofer is capable of reaching a high-output amplifier range of up to 300W for rich and intense bass output. So, be it movies like Fast and Furious or Alex Garland’s Civil War, you’re going to feel every rev and every bullet flying by.
BEST BUDGET SOUNDBAR
Saiyin Soundbars for TV with Subwoofer
PHOTO CREDIT: Saiyin
Why We Love
Wall-mountable
Three-equalizer modes
Includes optical and auxiliary cables
Remote control and physical buttons
Compatible with computers and mobile devices
LED lights to indicate connectivity and volume status
But…
Low durability
Lacking clear installation instructions
The Saiyin Soundbar is one of those rare products that deliver excellent audio quality at an affordable price. The speaker offers a great movie-watching experience owing to its high-quality audio output and the ability to distinguish each beat of the movies, music, or games that you play. The subwoofer elevates this experience by generating a deep bass effect for the best audio impressions.
The angle of the soundbar and the subwoofer’s raw bass power fill the room with rich audio and bounce off each other to enrich your senses by bringing audio to you from every corner of the room. You can connect it to the TV via three modes — optical, Bluetooth, and auxiliary. Given these connectivity options, you can connect the soundbar to any device that supports these features. If these things aren’t worth the price, then what is?
BEST 5.1 SOUNDBAR
VIZIO M-Series M51ax-J6 5.1 Premium Soundbar
PHOTO CREDIT: VIZIO
Why We Love
Wall-mountable
Bluetooth support
Wireless subwoofer
Voice assistant ready
Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support
Multi-dimensional sound capability
But…
Expensive
Occasional desynchronized audio issues
VIZIO claims to be America’s #1 soundbar brand, and by looking at the VIZIO M-Series M51ax-J6 5.1 Premium soundbar, it’s totally understandable why they are so. They use their 10+ years of experience to engineer this soundbar that can isolate frequencies to distinguish between highs and lows easily.
The soundbar has nine speakers inside for crystal clear output without sacrificing any details. Its 5.1-channel sound speakers can be set up in front or behind your seating area to experience audio from all directions, bringing you closer to a theater-like viewing experience. It has a low-profile design that will fit any type of home setup you have. To make it easy, it even comes with an HDMI cable that allows you to enjoy movies without waiting too long.
Soundbar With the Best Bass Output
Sony HT-S100F 2.0ch with Bass Reflex Speaker
PHOTO CREDIT: Sony
Why We Love
Sleek design
Easy to set up
Wall-mountable
Attractive price tag
HDMI ARC compatible
But…
No subwoofer
Occasional random restarts
Sony is a brand that has always lived up to its reputation, and the Sony S100F 2.0ch soundbar follows in the same footsteps. The soundbar has a two-channel speaker with an S-Force Pro Front Surround Sound feature that lets you relive movies like Top Gun: Maverick with the same intensity as in a theater.
Despite not having a subwoofer, the speakers generate deep bass sounds that you can feel down to your bones. It even has a voice enhancement feature that clears every dialogue for clarity. The design is quite simple and compact to fit well with your TV, making it a great pair. When it comes to connectivity, you can connect the soundbar via a USB cable or wirelessly with Bluetooth options. This is a great option for people who want a smaller setup!
BEST COMPACT SOUNDBAR
Amazon Fire TV Soundbar
PHOTO CREDIT: Amazon
Why We Love
Fire TV Ready
Easy installation
HDMI ARC compatible
Supports optical connectivity
Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support
Made from 18% recycled materials
But…
No Alexa integration
Low volume, even at high levels
The Amazon Fire TV Soundbar is a perfect balance of design, features, and price. Despite Amazon having a hand in every product category, their products have proven to be of good quality with an affordable price tag, even this awesome soundbar. It has a compact build, making it very easy to set up in small places.
The dual speakers have a satisfying audio quality with a three-dimensional surround sound experience without having to install additional speakers around the room. You don’t have to worry about compatibility issues; it works seamlessly with Fire TVs and smart TVs. You can even connect to other devices using its Bluetooth feature. With Bluetooth, you can even stream music through your phone.
BEST MID-RANGE SOUNDBAR
Samsung HW-C450 2.1ch Soundbar
PHOTO CREDIT: Samsung
Why We Love
Easy to set up
Wall-mountable
Dedicated game mode
Supports voice enhancing
Remote control and physical buttons
Optical and Bluetooth connectivity support
But…
No HDMI support
The Samsung HW-C450 is one of the best mid-range soundbars we’ve come across. It is equipped with DTS Virtual: X that delivers 3D surround sound effects for a 360-degree audio experience. Its subwoofer has that big boom effect that acts as the perfect catalyst to take the already high-octane action movies to the next level — it’s rich, powerful, and intense.
You can give the bass a further boost with its Bass Boost feature by tapping the button on the remote control. Its audio technology adapts to the various media that you play on it, ranging from low to high tones; it is an absolute joy to use this soundbar. It even has a night mode to dampen the volume so as not to disturb anyone in the house.
BEST HIGH-END SOUNDBAR
Bose TV Speaker
PHOTO CREDIT: Bose
Why We Love
Easy to set up
Compact design
Optimal bass levels
Includes remote control
Bluetooth, Optical, Aux, and HDMI-ARC connectivity
But…
Expensive
No surround sound support
Bose is one of the longest-running audio equipment manufacturers, so when you buy Bose TV Speakers, you know you’re getting them from the experts. It has an exceptional audio quality that is even better than what you get from your TV. The two angled drivers help generate natural audio output, which is an ideal fit for a home theater system.
The voice-enhancing feature called “dialogue mode” intelligently improves the audio quality of dialogue so that you don’t have to depend on the subtitles to understand what’s happening (you’ll finally be able to listen to the dialogs in Oppenheimer now, yay!). Additionally, you can activate bass with its dedicated button on the remote control. This soundbar is basically everything you need to create a small home theater system.
Best 2.0 ch Soundbar
VIZIO V-Series 2.0 Compact Soundbar
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Why We Love
Great pricing
Compact build
Voice assistant support
High-quality speakers
DTS Virtual:X support
HDMI and Bluetooth connectivity
But…
Low-quality remote
This Vizio soundbar comes with a more affordable price tag than the VIZIO M-Series soundbar but still manages to offer great quality audio. This is a 2.0 ch soundbar that serves its purpose for all types of content, even the 4K HDR format content. There are two full-range speakers built inside, and with the support of DTS Virtual:X, you get more than what you pay for. Apart from the audio, the build is also quite impressive—it’s sleek, modern, and compact! And with its Bluetooth connectivity option, you can play music right from your phone. So, if you’re having a party at home, being a DJ is no hassle.
Best for 4K and 8K TVs
Polk Audio Signa S3 Soundbar
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Why We Love
Surround sound capability
2.1 channel performance-tuned drivers
Good pricing
Ultra-slim build
4K and 8K TV compatible
Multiple connectivity options
But…
Finicky wireless connection
This combination of Polk Audio’s soundbar and subwoofer is a great way to experience movies, games, and music at home. With the help of Polk’s advanced technology and Dolby Digital 5.1 decoding, everything you hear out of the soundbar is going to be pristine. It is programmed to be compatible with not just 4K TVs, but also 8K TVs, making it one of the best soundbars for TV—your purchase is future-proof! All of its settings can be controlled with its remote control, but you also have the option to manage basic settings with the physical buttons on the soundbar—take your pick. And since the price is also in a sweet spot, it’s a pretty easy recommendation from us!
Best All-In-One Soundbar
Hisense A620 2.1ch All-In-One Soundbar
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Why We Love
Affordable
Built-in subwoofer
Surround sound capability
Seamless connectivity with Hisense TVs
Dolby Digital Plus and DTS Virtual:X
But…
Unsatisfactory bass effect
The Hisense A620 solves the problem of having too many devices in your setup by combining a subwoofer with the soundbar. This soundbar has a built-in 75×160 mm subwoofer for delivering a low-frequency bass effect for an enhanced viewing experience. While the speakers create a surround sound effect, the subwoofer delivers a heart-thumping bass effect to bring the action to life. It has a dedicated TV mode to decode the Dolby Atmos audio through an HDMI ARC/eARC connection. It also boasts the EzPlay feature for controlling the soundbar and TV with the same remote control, making things more convenient for you!
Best With RGB Lighting
Meredo Soundbar for Smart TV
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Why We Love
3.1 ch sound system
Ultra-thin profile
Wall-mountable
Dynamic game lighting effects
Diverse connectivity options
But…
Bass effect lacks depth
If you fancy RGB lights on your soundbar, then the Meredo Soundbar for Smart TV is the perfect choice. With just a 39.9 mm profile, the soundbar has 2x full-range speakers and 2x treble speakers, accompanied by a 5-inch 160W wired subwoofer, which uses the BassMax technology. It features different EQ modes that can be customized further to suit your viewing needs. And when it comes to the lighting, the RGB can be set to Light Rhythm F4 mode, which displays different colors based on the intensity of the action in games, which is super cool. Not just games, the light reacts to the audio from movies and music, too!
Best MultiBeam Surround Sound
JBL Bar 500 5.1-Channel Soundbar
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Why We Love
Wall-mountable
5.1 ch sound system
Enhances dialogues for clarity
Includes a 10-inch subwoofer
Multi-Beam and Dolby Atmos support
But…
Expensive
The JBL Bar 500 is a great soundbar that eliminates the requirement of any additional speakers to create a surround sound effect, all thanks to its MultiBeam feature. It works in combination with Dolby Atmos to add an advantage, creating some of the most immersive experiences that you can get at home. It uses its PureVoice Dialogue Enhancement technology to enhance the dialogues even with the surround sound turned on. And banking on its Wi-Fi connectivity, it supports AirPlay, Alexa Multi-Room Music, and Chromecast, giving you access to hundreds of streaming services. With JBL being a veteran brand in the industry, they know exactly what their customers need, and this soundbar is the result of it, so no need to think twice about it.
Best 4.1 ch Soundbar
LG S40TR 4.1 ch. Home Theater Soundbar
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Why We Love
AI Sound Pro integration
Crest design for a modern look
Wireless rear speakers
Easy-to-use remote control
Dolby Digital and DTS Digital compatibility
But…
Weak customization options
With the LG S40TR 4.1 ch. Home Theater Soundbar, you get to transform your ordinary room into an immersive home theater! Designed to deliver deep immersion, this sleek combo includes a wireless subwoofer and rear surround sound speakers that pump out a powerful 400W audio that is bliss for all audio enthusiasts. Thanks to its Clear Voice Plus, the dialogues stay audible without having to increase the volume. With the WOW interface, you can control both your LG TV and soundbar seamlessly from a single remote—so, goodbye, clutter!
Best 11.1.4 ch Soundbar
Samsung HW-Q990C 11.1.4 ch Soundbar
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Why We Love
Wireless Dolby Atmos
Premium-quality build
Game Mode Pro for a better gaming experience
Samsung’s Q-Symphony integration
Optimizes audio based on the room
But…
Expensive
The Samsung HW-Q990C is a premium 11.1.4 ch soundbar that is designed to deliver a luxurious movie-watching experience at home. It includes a soundbar with 11 front-facing speakers, a wireless subwoofer, and four up-firing channels, all working together seamlessly to create an immersive atmosphere. Supported by both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, the soundbar emits audio to fill the entire room to put you at the center of the action. The standout feature is that it utilizes its SpaceFit Sound Pro to optimize the audio based on your room for a completely tailored experience. To further top it off, the built-in voice analyzer clears up any noise to make the dialogues sound crystal clear. If you have a Samsung TV and the budget, you shouldn’t overlook this awesome soundbar. This is one of the best soundbars for Samsung TVs.
Best 7.1 Under $300
ULTIMEA Aura A60 7.1ch Soundbar
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Why We Love
Great pricing
4-inch subwoofer
Dolby Atmos support
7.1 ch surround sound system
ULTIMEA app for fine-tuning
High bandwidth for lossless transmissions
But…
Max volume may be unsatisfactory
The ULTIMEA 7.1ch Soundbar completely surrounds you with immersive audio to make the best out of the movie you’re playing. The soundbar also comes with a subwoofer and 4x surround sound speakers that you can arrange according to your preference. Three of the speakers are for the clarity of speech, and the rest are designed to generate high-quality audio. Its SurroundX features turn even the most basic audio into a complete surround sound, while the BassMax technology drops deep and clean bass effects that get your heart pumping. It’s smart, too—Bluetooth 5.3, HDMI ARC, and multiple input options make connecting a breeze. Lastly, you can utilize the ULTIMEA app to fine-tune your device very easily.
Best Detachable
Assistrust Soundbar for Smart TV
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Why We Love
Affordable
Modular design
Bluetooth 5.0 support
4x high-performance speakers
Tailed equalizer modes
But…
Surround sound isn’t that great
The Assistrust Soundbar is not only a budget soundbar but also a modular system that you can split in two. This allows you to place it at different places—you can either place it horizontally for a distortion-free audio quality or vertically for the surround sound effect. Owing to its 60W four built-in speakers, the volume from the TV gets a boost with the soundbar to ensure the dialogues and music are nuanced for clarity. And with its 3 equalizer modes, you can enhance the quality further based on the content you’re playing.
Best Under $40
RIOWOIS Soundbar for Smart TV
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Why We Love
Wall-mountable
Accessible pricing
Twin-magnet drivers
Lightweight material build
Optimized audio profiles
But…
Low durability
The RIOWOIS Soundbar for Smart TV is definitely one of the most affordable that we’ve seen. With a price of just $40, this soundbar delivers more than what is expected from a device of this price. It has great audio, it’s compact, has three different modes, is compatible with Fire TV devices, and supports Bluetooth connectivity—things that make for a great budget soundbar. It even boasts a bass reflex port to add an additional layer of immersion with effective bass effects. So, if you’re looking for a budget-friendly soundbar that balances both clarity and bass well, then this soundbar could be the one for you.
What Soundbar is the Best: 2.1, 5.1, or 7.1?
Choosing the right type of soundbar depends on your preference, budget, space, and device features. Here are a few factors to consider when choosing what works best for you.
Channels
The numbers 2, 5, and 7 indicate how many channels are required to be configured to make the setup work, and the .1 indicates the subwoofer. You have to think about how many channels you need in your entertainment setup and pick one accordingly.
Immersion
2.1 is ideal for simple things like listening to music and for people who are okay watching movies with stereo sound. But if you’re a movie buff and want the best experience, 7.1 channel soundbars offer the ultimate experience. If you want something between the two, 5.1 soundbars are the way to go.
Space
Just like a regular home theater system, if you choose to have a soundbar with a 5.1 or 7.1 setup, you are going to need additional space to install all the speakers. The 2.1 soundbars, having both speakers built within, won’t take up too much space. This is ideal for people who cannot accommodate big setups.
Price
The higher the channel, the more expensive the price becomes. The 2.1 channel soundbars are the most affordable speakers and are great for people who like to keep it simple or are on a tight budget. 5.1 soundbars stand on the middle ground and are decently priced but also have some advanced features. 7.1 soundbars naturally become the most expensive option owing to their top-of-the-line technology and advanced features.
Do You Need a Subwoofer With a Soundbar?
A soundbar is capable of enhancing your audio experience on its own, but if you need that additional level of immersion, having a subwoofer is highly recommended. Depending on the media, the absence of a subwoofer does hamper the experience. A subwoofer is basically designed to deliver low-frequency audio, which emits a deep bass effect that isn’t possible with soundbars unless they have a built-in subwoofer. This is a great option for people who don’t just want to hear the audio but also feel it.
It is also one of the reasons why we all love to go to the movies—the immersion! You get to feel every car rev, every bullet shot, and every beat of the background score is just thrown at us, enabling us to experience them the way they’re meant to. Now, some subwoofers might not be exactly what theaters feel like, but they are still close enough to evoke similar emotions.
What Is the Best Method to Connect a Soundbar to a TV?
If your devices support it, HDMI ARC or HDMI eARC is the best way to connect a soundbar to the TV. This type of connection delivers the highest quality of audio and also supports formats such as Dolby Digital, DTS, and even Dolby Atmos.
But if your device lacks an HDMI port, the next best thing is optical (TOSLINK) connectivity. Optical cables have been used for a very long time, and despite being an old method, they can still provide a high-quality audio experience. But the downside is that optical does not support a lot of modern features like Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital Plus. If you find having just a 5.1 ch system is good enough for you, then surely use this method.
Connecting via Bluetooth works great as a convenient option, but the wireless connection could be finicky and cause lag while playing. If you’re playing only music, it’s great, but while playing a movie or game, it could cause issues.
How We Chose the Best Soundbar
We have a team of experts who have great knowledge about the latest technologies for home entertainment setups. These soundbars were selected after thorough research and a lot of testing in various aspects. They also considered factors like audio quality, build quality, compatibility, price category, and so much more. The team also researched other users’ experiences with these soundbars and what their shortcomings were, if any. When you pick a soundbar from our list, you can rest assured that it is the best one you can buy online right now.
FAQ
What is the best soundbar for speech in 2025?
The Samsung HW-C450 2.1ch Soundbar is great for crisp and clear dialogues.
Is there a soundbar that sounds like surround sound?
There are plenty, but we highly recommend checking out the Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 eARC Soundbar for surround sound features.
What is the very best soundbar?
The Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 eARC Soundbar is on top of our list for a reason — it has some great features that we loved, and you will too.
What is the easiest soundbar to install?
All soundbars on our list are easy to install; pick any.
Is the Samsung soundbar better than the JBL?
Yes. Samsung soundbars have better audio quality than JBL.
What is better than a soundbar?
A full-size speaker is a great alternative, but unless you have the space for it, you can use a soundbar.
Which soundbar is better, Sony or Samsung?
We believe that the Sony soundbar is far superior to the Samsung soundbar.
Are 5.1 speakers better than the soundbar?
5.1 speakers are better than a soundbar, but they take up a lot of space, too. If you want something compact, soundbars are the way to go.
Which is better: JBL or Sony soundbar?
Sony is definitely better than JBL soundbars.
Are high-end soundbars worth it?
Yes, high-end soundbars have top-of-the-line features and are also built with premium-quality materials, ensuring longevity.
Are bigger soundbars better?
In a way, yes, because a bigger soundbar can accommodate more drivers. Unless the drivers are of high quality, bigger speakers are better to have.
Do soundbars make speech clearer?
Some soundbars have voice-enhancing features that make the dialogues cleaner without losing any details.
How do you hear dialogue better on a soundbar?
The soundbar you pick should have voice-enhancing features, which are usually activated out of the box.
Which is better: Soundbar or Speakers?
Speakers are great if you want a larger-than-life audio experience and also have enough space for them. Soundbars are more compact yet powerful enough to produce high-quality audio outputs.
