While the larger soundbars sometimes offer more drivers and hence a bigger sound, there are others where all you're paying for is a longer box.
If you want the soundbar to be exactly the same width as your TV then take note. Televisions are measured diagonally while soundbars are measured lengthways, so a inch TV won't match up with a inch wide speaker, for example. Buying a soundbar that is designed by the same manufacturer may help but it's not guaranteed. If you want them to match you have two main options, a check the width of your TV compared to screen size with this handy chart , or b more accurately, you can check the width of both models in the manufacturers' spec sections before you buy.
For a long time, most soundbars were connected via an optical output between the TV and the speaker, but the increasing prevalence of ARC audio return channel and even newer eARC HDMI means you now have a choice of connection types. It's a simple overall design, since you only have to switch inputs using your TV remote.
For more information, read our guide to using your TV as a switcher. Given the ease of use, using the TV as a switcher is the way to go for most people. There are some drawbacks to this configuration, though. For one, you're limited by how many inputs your TV has. If your TV only has three inputs, you can only connect three devices.
You could get around this using an HDMI switcher , but then you start adding complexity you were probably hoping to avoid by getting a soundbar in the first place. Another issue is that most TVs downgrade incoming audio to stereo, rather than a true surround-sound signal.
Most bars are stereo-only, but surround-capable bars work best with a surround input. For the sake of future proofing, look for at least three inputs and try to make sure they can pass 4K and HDR signals -- especially if you already have a 4K TV. Look for HDMI 2. While many features are superfluous when it comes to soundbars, there is one main exception: wireless streaming.
This can take one of two main forms: Bluetooth , or Wi-Fi. Wireless streaming lets you play music from a multitude of sources -- like Spotify on your phone, or iTunes on your computer -- via your soundbar.
Bluetooth is the easiest way to wirelessly stream audio from your phone or tablet. It works with the music stored on your device and any music app for example Pandora or Spotify , plus it's platform-agnostic -- virtually all iOS, Android and Windows phones and tablets have built-in Bluetooth. See our review. The best 5. This well-built 5. It also supports Dolby Atmos content, and there's even voice assistant support built into the bar.
This setup comes with a room correction feature that automatically optimizes audio reproduction based on the room you're in. With this feature turned on, it has a treble-heavy sound profile that makes vocals and lead instruments bright and sparkling. If you prefer a more neutral sound, you can use its bass and treble adjustments to customize it.
Unfortunately, this setup lacks a Full HDMI In port, so you can't use it as a hub between different devices, and it doesn't support high-quality passthrough. Also, it doesn't have a graphic EQ or presets, which may disappoint users who prefer to customize the sound using these features. However, you can still play around with the bass and treble to adjust its sound. If you want a 5. This soundbar has a unique design with sides that automatically rotate upwards when you're watching Atmos or DTS:X content, which helps create a more immersive soundstage.
Its default sound profile is a bit bass-heavy, so you feel the thump and punch in bass-heavy music and action-packed movies. Unfortunately, it lacks room correction, so it may sound different depending on the room you're listening in. However, if you prefer a bass-heavy default sound with EQ presets, consider the Vizio instead. The Bose Smart Soundbar is the best standalone soundbar that we've tested.
This premium 5. Thanks to its ADAPTiQ room correction feature, audio reproduction is automatically calibrated based on the unique acoustics of your room. Its sound profile is pretty neutral with some extra punch in the bass, and it's suitable for listening to lots of different types of audio content.
You can also customize its sound with its bass and treble adjustments. Also, it can't reproduce the deep rumble in the low-bass as accurately as some other standalone bars we've tested, like the Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar. However, you can always upgrade this setup with a subwoofer and satellites down the line. If you're looking for a smaller standalone soundbar, consider the Sonos Beam Gen 2 instead.
While this 5. Thanks to its side-firing speakers, this small bar offers a wide, immersive-sounding soundstage that can rival home theater tower speakers. It also has a room correction feature called Trueplay, though this is only available with compatible iOS devices.
Its default sound profile is pretty neutral, though vocals and lead instruments can be slightly muddied. There are some bass and treble adjustments to help you customize its sound, and you can also upgrade it with a separate subwoofer and satellites if you prefer. If you want a Bluetooth-enabled soundbar that can get louder, check out the Bose.
However, if you prefer a smaller, more compact bar, consider the Sonos instead. This 5. Its dedicated sub helps reproduce a thumpy low-bass, meaning you can feel the rumble in bass-heavy music and action-packed movies. This setup also comes with two discrete satellite speakers that offer a good surrounds performance. It supports Dolby Atmos content, too, using two up-firing channels built into the bar to bounce sound off the ceiling and back down towards you to create the illusion of height.
With the right set up, the audio quality it gives is simply fantastic. If you're on limited budget but don't want to sacrifice quality, this sound bar is going to tick all of your boxes. It has excellent sound quality, and comes with a separate wireless subwoofer, yet has an affordable price tag. Pricing and recommendations correct as of November Beyond great audio quality, there are a few things you should expect from a good sound bar.
Audio power is measured in watts — usually stated as 'watts RMS'. A higher audio wattage can result in a wider, richer or louder sound, but this type of power doesn't always equate to quality, and sound quality is what counts.
A common reason for getting a sound bar is to make speech in TV and films sound clearer. Some TV speakers can make dialogue sound muffled and unclear. Most sound bars come with an external or built-in subwoofer for extra bass. But the bass can sometimes be too harsh and overpowering, which can leave you straining your ears to make out what characters are saying.
Some sound bars have a voice-enhancement setting designed to sharpen dialogue. Not all actually work well, though. We evaluate the speech sound quality of each sound bar to weed out models that have below-average speech quality and will leave you resorting to pressing the subtitles button. Our best sound bars make speech sound crystal clear in TV and films. Most sound bars come with Bluetooth as well as wired connections. This is great if you want to use yours for listening to music without having to turn on your TV.
Some sound bars come equipped for wireless multi-room music streaming. By pairing speakers together around your home, you can enjoy seamless access to your music library in multiple rooms. Sound bars with wi-fi are able to become part of a multi-speaker, multi-room music system. Look out for fiddly remote controls in particular, as these are easily lost and often have tiny, hard-to-press buttons.
Sound bars with built-in IR infrared repeaters negate this problem by forwarding the signal from your remote control to the TV. Sound bars that have a display and controls on the device tend to be easier to use. Many sound bars now have simple LED displays that let you switch audio sources and adjust sound settings. But some can be very hard to use, which is something we pay particular attention to in our reviews.
Still undecided? Take a gander at our Sonos Beam vs Playbar comparison. The smaller, cheaper Beam features voice controls, but if you're after a simple, powerful device that will significantly improve the sound of your TV, the Playbar is an excellent option. Read the full Sonos Playbar review.
If you're looking for a simple, constructive step up in sound from your TV's in-built speakers, Sony's SF offers a significant sonic enhancement for little outlay. There's also a USB port and Bluetooth 4. The SF also features Sony's S-Force Front Surround technology, which applies processing to give the acoustic impression of a more encompassing sound stage. While there is no replacement for surround sound, it adds a dramatic sense of weight and separation.
Sonically the SF paints with fairly broad brushstrokes, meaning dialogue can sometimes feel a touch muffled, and transients lack impact, but that should come as little surprise at this almost ridiculously low price. Anyone wanting a musical, finely detailed speaker should aim for a more sophisticated model.
Still, this budget bar is ideal for those looking for a quick and easy improvement to their TV. Make no mistake; the SP11RA is a big investment in terms of both money and space. The main unit clocks in at a hefty cm long, and the package includes a separate sub and two surround speakers. However, you'd be hard pushed to build a true home cinema system that could match the LG's 7. The wireless sub houses an 18cm driver and rear port, while the rears each have a front and upward-firing driver.
We can confirm that all those drivers aren't going to waste; the SP11RA is a big improvement from previous LG models, which up until recently have proven to be a bit of a mixed bag. Looking for a bargain? Here are the best budget soundbars. Check out the latest and cheapest Sonos deals Premium wireless earbuds are his passion but he's also keen on car tech and in-car audio systems and can often be found cruising the countryside testing the latest set-ups. In his spare time Andy is a keen golfer and gamer.
What Hi-Fi? Included in this guide: 1. Sony HT-A Powerful and muscular room-filling Dolby Atmos from a single soundbar. Voice control : Google Assistant, Alexa.
Dimensions hwd : 8 x x 14 cm. Weight: 8. Sonos Beam Gen 2. The dinky Sonos Beam delivers a refined sound and excellent Dolby Atmos interpretation. Dimensions hwd : 7 x 65 x 10cm. Weight: 2. Sonos Arc. Specifications Sound formats: Dolby Digital 5. Voice control: Amazon Alexa, Google, Assistant. Dimensions: 8. Sonos Beam Gen 1. Small, adaptable and great sounding, this is Sonos's best soundbar yet. Voice control: Amazon Alexa. Dimensions: 7 x 65 x 10cm HxWxD. JBL Bar Studio.
Streaming: Bluetooth v4. Max power: 30W. Dimensions: 6 x 61 x 9cm HxWxD. Reasons to avoid - Hardness at higher volumes - Not great with music. Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar. You'll need plenty of space, but this is the best soundbar for those with deep pockets.
Streaming: Bluetooth. Subwoofer: No. Dimensions: 14 x x 17cm HxWxD. Reasons to avoid - Large - Fussy about positioning. Yamaha YAS One of the very best soundbars when it comes to virtual surround sound. Connectivity: 1 x HDMI. Subwoofer: Yes. Dimensions: soundbar 6 x 93 x Reasons to avoid - Treble a little unrefined.
Dali Katch One. A tidy soundbar that's great for movies and music - you just need to wall mount it.
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