The Best Soundbars for Your TV and Budget 2023

The Ray takes full advantage of its speaker array that consists of four Class-D digital amplifiers, two tweeters (off center), two elliptical Mid-woofers (centered), and proprietary low-velocity ports as part of Sonos’ bass reflex system to help lower distortion. Sonos also put in two split waveguides at the tweeter locations that expand the soundstage so the tweeter sound spreads wider and encompasses the room. Sonos made all of the speaker elements front facing, which means you can tuck it away just about anywhere without interfering with the sound quality.

Voice Enhancement helps boost dialogue and if you have a compatible iOS device you can take advantage of Sonos' Trueplay tuning to adapt the sound to the acoustics of your space and ensure that you’re always hearing your content the way it was meant to be heard. Available in black or white, the Ray is 22" x 2.79" x 3.74" (W x H x D), and weighs 6.95 pounds. One thing we love is that Sonos really showed us that they care about how this will look in your room and that you can have a sound bar that looks great without sacrificing quality.

If you want a full surround experience, add a matching pair of speakers for rears and a Sub. The Sonos Era 100, Era 300, and Sonos Five will work as surrounds and the Sonos SUB would be your go-to subwoofer. You can also use the Sonos AMP to power in-wall, in-ceiling, or other passive speakers as surrounds. Throw it all together and you got yourself a pretty good little surround system at a pretty good price.

Check out our full review of the Sonos Ray and our comparison of the Sonos Ray vs the Beam and Arc.

The Sonos Arc sound bar packs an immersive Dolby Atmos experience into a slim package. The Sonos Arc is our best all-in-one sound bar because of it's Dolby Atmos capabilities, impressive speech clarity, sleek design, and ability to wirelessly stream music. It does a little bit of everything, including take voice commands. Whether you place it on your TV stand or mount it to the wall directly beneath your television (the wall mount is sold separately), you’ll be instantly impressed with the performance.

The 11 built-in speakers (two in the top of the sound bar, one at either end, and the rest front-facing) not only produce exquisite detail from the movies, TV shows, or games that you are enjoying, they also envelop you in the sound thanks primarily to the top and side speakers in the sound bar. Bass response is tight and deep thanks to the dual bass drivers that Sonos employed in the Arc’s design. Need more bass? No problem! Add the Sonos Sub for even more impact. Don’t forget that Sonos started making their systems for music, so the high-quality components that are employed in the Sonos Arc ensure superb sonic performance and sound quality.

The Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa services are built into the unit to streamline music streaming services (“Hey, Google. Play my romantic dinner playlist in Spotify”, for example), set a reminder or an alarm, check the forecast for the evening, etc. This feature alone really resonated with us because we love to use one of these two assistants to help us manage our lives. Also, Apple AirPlay 2 is built into the Sonos Arc, so you can connect your compatible iPhone or iPad easily to the unit to stream audio directly to it. With all these features, you can easily control the functionality and volume of the Sonos Arc with the Sonos S2 app (available from the App Store or Play Store) right from your iPhone, iPad, or Android device.

The Sonos Arc is extremely simple to set up: plug it into the wall with the supplied power cable and into your TV with the supplied HDMI cable and you’re all set. But perhaps the best feature is simply that you can very easily connect the Sonos Arc to your existing Sonos equipment (or add more Sonos equipment to the Arc if you’re new to Sonos) and really set up that killer whole-house audio solution you’ve been craving.

Need a smaller, more compact option with similar features? It's little brother, the Sonos Beam Gen 2, is another top choice.

The Denon Home 550 sound bar packs an amazing number of high-end features and great sound quality into its mid-priced, astonishingly small footprint. Upward-facing speakers and Dolby Atmos technology let the 550 give you a deeply convincing 3D sound experience. HDMI/eARC capability means your audio will be mind-blowing, since you’ll be listening to uncompressed, high-definition audio where available — even 24-bit content from Tidal, Amazon HD, or your own high-quality audio files from an attached drive. You can stream nearly every service, right out of the box — and AirPlay 2 connectivity makes up for the fact that Apple Music is the one service you can’t.

The 550 delivers a ton all by itself, but it really shines when you make it the center of your home listening network. The built-in HEOS system lets you control an entire multi-room system, grouping multiple speakers, or playing different music on each one. You can easily expand the 550 by adding Denon’s compatible wireless subwoofer and surround speakers. Alexa is built-in as well, so you’ll be able to tell the 550 what you want, and it’ll make it happen. The Denon Home 550 sound bar is an excellent sound bar that not only upgrades your TV speakers, but lets you stream music with scalable flexibility.

Denon is offering you a front-row cinematic audio experience at a balcony price with the Home Sound Bar 550. Don’t overlook this gem!

With its compact footprint and profile, great sound, and world-class voice control and smart features, the original Sonos Beam was as close to a no-brainer choice as you can get for a sound bar — especially for TVs smaller than 50", since it’s one of the few sound bars that doesn’t overwhelm smaller TVs. Now for just a shockingly small price increase over the original Beam, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 adds Dolby Atmos compatibility to its already impressive feature set, making it one of the least-expensive ways to add Atmos content to your home theater experience.

Sonos gave a major upgrade to the Sonos Beam Gen 2’s chipset, increasing its processing power by 40%, and added eARC support as well, which means the Beam Gen 2 has all the brawn it needs to deliver awesome multichannel sound into a soundstage that’s expanded not only horizontally, but vertically, as well. And it does it all with the same one-cable-does-it-all setup as the original Beam.

That added brainpower doesn’t just give you Dolby Atmos compatibility — it also opens the door to many existing and just-around-the-bend multichannel formats. The Sonos Beam Gen 2 can deliver the full DTS multichannel audio you’ve been missing from your Blu-ray discs, which will re-ignite your love affair with all those bonus features. It also opens the door to 3D music, such as Dolby Atmos Music, with which you can access truly immersive recordings by your favorite artists on streaming services like Apple Music, Amazon Music HD, and Tidal.

Sonos has simplified the process of pairing your phone and tablet with the Beam Gen 2 with the addition of Near Field Communication (NFC), which makes connecting your devices a breeze. A new polycarbonate grille makes the Beam Gen 2 not only attractive, but more likely to keep looking good for many years to come.

Check out our full review of the Beam Gen 2!

This sound bar hits a sweet spot between convenience, affordability, and features that can really improve your home theater experience. You can connect your TV to the SR-B20A with a single cable, either an HDMI ARC or with the supplied optical cable. In addition to two 30W stereo speakers, the SR-B20A has two 60W subwoofers built in, so it’s as self-contained as they come — plus, at less that 36 inches wide, it’ll fit nicely under smaller TVs. The remote is really well designed, with all the important features, options, and controls accessible via clearly labeled buttons.

But how about the sound? DTS Virtual:X surround sound simulation enables the SR-B20A to put you in a remarkably believable 3D sound stage, with sounds located vertically, above your head, as well as to the sides — an achievement that usually requires satellite speakers and a separate subwoofer. Yamaha’s Clear Voice processing brings the dialogue up in volume, so you don’t miss a mumble. You can also stream uncompressed audio content from any of your devices via Bluetooth with high-resolution AAC capability. The SR-B20A really delivers on the promise of an audio upgrade to your TV’s built-in stereo speakers.

There’s a certain magic to big, authentic, cinematic sound – and Sennheiser’s AMBEO Plus sound bar does a better job of recreating that magic than, arguably, every other sound bar on the planet. The reason: Dolby Atmos – a home theater technology that creates a layer of sound that not only hovers above and around you (Atmos = atmosphere), it hovers in different areas above and around you. The net effect is so immersive, you find yourself quite literally ducking bad guys and bullets headed your way. (See our guide on “How to Choose the Best Home Theater System” for a full explanation of Dolby Atmos.)

To make it happen, the AMBEO Plus comes with 7 high-end aluminum cone drivers working in concert to put you in the center of a true 3D soundscape. What’s more, the AMBEO Plus sound bar generates thundering bass with built-in 4" dual subwoofers – eliminating the need for an extra subwoofer. And Sennheiser’s Smart Control app makes it easy to fine-tune the sound bar to your specific room.

As for connectivity, the AMBEO Plus = an embarrassment of riches. Ports include 2 HDMI in and 1 out, plus optical, AUX, USB, ethernet, a subwoofer pre-out, a mic input, and of course: Bluetooth and Google Chromecast. Is it pricey? Yes. Is it worth it? Short of buying multiple home theater components – 5 to 7 speakers, a subwoofer and a good AV receiver – definitely yes.

The slim profile of this sound bar and the compact size of its included subwoofer make the Denon DHT-S517 sound bar system perfect for home theater setups that are challenged for space. Remarkably lightweight and unimposing in its appearance, this system nonetheless beefs up your TV and its audio system to an impressive 50 watts with the sound bar and the 100 watts with the subwoofer.

But it’s not just the power that makes this reasonably-priced system so attractive. The DHT-S517 has full Dolby Atmos capability, so you get the benefits of the complete cinematic immersion provided by Dolby Atmos content. The clarity of the sound that the DHT-S517 delivers is truly impressive, and by choosing the Dialog Enhancer setting you like best, you’ll catch every whisper. Sound modes for movies, music, and the Pure Mode for high-resolution audio make sure you’re always getting the best sound possible.

Setup is very simple with just a single HDMI cable to connect to your TV, and a simple button press to pair the subwoofer to the sound bar. You can also easily expand the DHT-S517 by adding Denon’s compatible wireless subwoofer and surround speakers. You can’t ask for a better Dolby Atmos system for this price.

If that's still a little out of your price range, consider the Denon DHT-S217 Dolby Atmos 2.1 Sound Bar with Bluetooth as an alternative!

Dolby Atmos is an all-encompassing surround sound theatrical experience and (usually) that is reflected in the price tag. However, every now and again a product comes along that can provide an exceptional Dolby Atmos experience without breaking the bank. The Denon DHT-S217 Dolby Atmos 2.1 Sound Bar with Bluetooth features dialog enhancement technology, Bluetooth streaming capabilities, and incredible sound reproduction abilities. Oh, did we forget to mention that it’s a sound bar with Dolby Atmos 2.1 capabilities for under $300? If you ask us, it's not a bad alternative if the DHT-S517 if out of your price range.

We can’t avoid the following pun, because it’s true: this self-contained surround sound system raises the bar for sound bars. With its cutting-edge design and digital processing, the Devialet Dione really is an all-in-one sound system for your home theater. It delivers full 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos surround sound without the need for satellite speakers. Designed for playing high-resolution audio with perfect fidelity, the Dione connects to hi-res music streaming services with built-in Spotify Connect and Apple AirPlay 2, as well as an included app that supports other streaming services like Amazon Music, TIDAL, Deezer, Qobuz, Apple Music, and others via Universal Plug ’n‘ Play (UPnP). Devialet’s SPACE technology upmixes two-channel audio to use all 17 of its built-in drivers, which turns your favorite stereo music into a true surround sound experience.

What about the low end? Don’t worry about bass with the Dione: 8 dedicated long-throw subwoofers powered by a 950W built-in amplifier deliver astonishingly clear yet booming bass down to external subwoofer audio territory below 30Hz. A spherical rotating center speaker automatically adjusts to the sound bar’s position, so you always get perfectly configured sound. The ground-breaking engineering continues with the Dione’s automatic room calibration software, which makes it super easy to set up and dial in the optimal sound for your home theater space. The included app lets you choose the sound mode easily by swiping. One cable connection to your TV makes everything happen; it’s hard to imagine a simpler setup process.

The Dione’s profile is very low, so it’s unobtrusive and likely won’t block any part of your TV screen. And given that modest height, the enveloping surround sound is truly an amazing achievement in a sound bar. The Dione is available in two finishes to match your décor: Black and a Opera de Paris Gold Leaf Special Edition.

Click here to see our full review of the Devialet Dione.

If you’re looking for a sound bar that can double as a sledge hammer, Bluesound’s got one. At 15 pounds, the Pulse Sound Bar+ is a brute – and that’s a good thing. (Like we always say, “bigger is better when it comes to all-things audio.”) Bottom line, wow. Close your eyes and you’ll think “no way that’s a sound bar.”

This sound bar is designed to support hi-res playback and streaming of the following high-resolution music files: MQA (Master Quality Authenticated), WAV, AIFF, and FLAC, with sampling rates up to 192kHz. And you can wirelessly connect your sound bar to other Bluesound players in the house to enjoy your hi-res music in any room.

Under the hood, 120 watts of power drives a full speaker array – custom-tuned for mid and high frequencies. As a result, you get a sound stage that blends beautifully and spaciously.

We’re also giving the Pulse Sound Bar+ an A+ for looks and an A+ for brains. Elegant and understated in spite of its brawn, this just may be the fullest-featured, all-things-streaming sound bar on the market.

The JBL Bar 9.1 is a sound bar that offers all the performance of an immersive speaker system and then some. It offers true 5.1.4 with three channels across the front, two separate wireless surround speakers, a wireless 10" subwoofer, and four upfiring speakers—two in the main sound bar and one in each of the surround speakers—that reflect overhead sound from the ceiling.

A unique feature of this beauty is that the surround speakers are completely wireless. You attach them to the main sound bar to charge their batteries, then detach and place them anywhere. We recommend placing them to the sides and slightly behind your listening area, where they can operate for up to 10 hours before needing to be recharged.

The Bar 9.1 can accept and decode Dolby Atmos and DTS:X immersive soundtracks, to completely immerse you in sound. Also, it passes Ultra HD 4K video with Dolby Vision and other HDR formats straight through to your display. Wireless connectivity includes Chromecast, AirPlay 2, and Bluetooth. The JBL Bar 9.1 has it all!

Check out our full JBL Bar 9.1 review!

Bose audio quality and design are legendary, and the Smart Soundbar 900 delivers. In fact, you’re going to want to just sit and look at this gorgeous object in your living space: It has a substantial metal grille and a polished glass top. Most significant of course is the attention Bose put into its thorough Atmos implementation: The nine drivers (three tweeters, four transducers, and two upward-firing drivers) plus superior processing give the Smart Soundbar 900 fantastic capacity to project Atmos content — including the high overhead channels.

Some streaming services are included with the Bose music app, and for those that aren’t, the 900 system has Bluetooth, so you can stream your favorite services from your own devices. Alexa and Google Assistant are built-in as well, for voice control of your system.

If you already have Bose wireless speakers throughout your home, the 900 can easily connect to deliver specific content to separate rooms. The Smart Soundbar 900 is one of the most affordable ways to get your home theater ready for Dolby Atmos content.

The Polk Audio React gives you a lot of reasons to give it a close look and an even closer listen. As a stand-alone sound bar, its sound quality is remarkable, with an extremely wide soundstage that gives you great surround effects without sacrificing clarity of dialogue, smoothness of highs, low booms and bass, or the refinement of a beautiful movie score. You can add a subwoofer and surround speakers wirelessly, with the touch of a “connect” button. And it’s jaw-droppingly affordable. We've made it easy for you - check out the systems of the React with subwoofer here and the complete React home theater system here.

The remote puts just about everything you would ever want at your fingertips in clearly labeled buttons. Need to increase voice clarity or rein in the bass? Just press the dedicated up and down buttons on the remote. Feel like letting Alexa handle the adjusting? Just say what you need. Alexa is integrated into the React so deeply that the Amazon Echo control panel appears to be built right into the top.

It may not have DTS:X or eARC compatibility, but for this price, the sound is so good, you might not feel the need for uncompressed audio.

If you’re looking for your first sound system that can deliver a true Dolby Atmos experience, we think this sound bar might be the one for you. Overall, you can’t beat the price and performance, and the 600B system even gives you all of the sound configuration options as its more powerful sibling, the Q990B system. The Q600B delivers incredibly clear and detailed surround sound playback. Eight separate drivers in the bar itself — including upward-firing drivers that handle the height channel of Dolby Atmos content, give this system a remarkable ability to deliver clear dialogue, cinematic sound effects, and great sounding music.

Very few sound bars in this price range offer HDMI inputs and especially an eARC input, which are great for passing through 4K video and HDR 10 and HDR10+ content from a Blu-ray player or gaming consoles. Speaking of gaming, Samsung’s Game Pro Mode places all the sounds in your game world in their intended place, and tracks their movement, too. If you have one of the new QLED TVs from Samsung, your home theater sound can take another leap forward with Q-Symphony technology, which combines with your TV’s speakers to create an even wider soundstage.

The design and build quality of the Q600B soundbar and included wireless subwoofer are clean and solid. The optional rear speakers connect wirelessly as well. You can stream music and podcasts from any of your devices via Bluethooth, too. There are a lot of reasons why this might be a sound bar to consider, and they all add up to make sure the Q600B soundbar and subwoofer are included in our Best Soundbars list.

When the weather’s nice, nothing beats relaxing and watching a game or the latest binge-worthy show out on your patio. But having to worry about your sound gear when it starts to rain can be a major bummer. Furrion — whose TVs have been leaders in the outdoor TV marketplace for a long time — has solved this problem with their new weather-proof sound bar. Rated at IP45, the Furrion Outdoor Sound Bar will continue to operate safely and keep putting out excellent sound, even when you have to run inside to get out of a downpour.

And with its substantial 70-watt power output and built-in subwoofer, you might even be able to still hear dialog and sound effects while you keep dry behind closed doors and shut windows. That kind of output doesn’t always guarantee a first-rate listening experience, but in the case of the Furrion Outdoor Sound Bar, louder is still excellent. Its clear mid-range, sweet highs, and blast-capable lows make any soundtrack, dialog, or music a cinematic experience.

Designed to work with Furrion’s Aurora Outdoor TVs, this sound bar can connect to any Bluetooth-enabled TV or media player. You can also hard-wire your connections to the RCA, 3.5mm, and coax inputs.

The Polk Audio Magnifi Mini AX Ultra-Compact Dolby Atmos and DTS:X Sound Bar with Wireless Subwoofer is an easy winner for our Best Small Sound Bar Under $500 because of its pristine sound quality, compact and comfortable size, and how easy it is to get set up and enjoy.

Immersive Audio with Dolby Atmos, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth compatibility, and VoiceAdjust™ technology paired with Magnifi’s integrated center channel speaker make the Polk Audio Magnifi Mini AX and Wireless Subwoofer the perfect one-two combo for any home entertainment system.

At just 15” wide, this five-speaker sound bar pushes crystal clear midrange and high-end sound. At the same time, the down-firing wireless subwoofer completes an expansive soundstage with deep and rich bass. Bring certified Dolby Atmos, DTS:X cinematic surround sound, and Polk’s patented fourth-generation SDA 3D Audio technology to your living room and enjoy captivating surround sound that adds new levels of intensity to movies and music alike.

One problem we’ve seen a few times with sound bars is that you may love them, but your neighbors... Well, sometimes they don’t love it. Luckily for them, the Magnifi Mini AX has Night Mode, which optimizes sound by reducing bass and enhancing dialogue to ensure that you still hear what you want, and your neighbors or roommates don’t have to.

With HDMI, eARC, Optical, AUX, and Roku TV Ready TV connections and Apple AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast, and Spotify Connect enjoying high-quality sound from your phone, tablet, or computer has never been easier.