The 10 Best Value Soundbars Of 2024, Researched By Us

Tim Powers By, Tim Powers
Updated
Polk Audio Signa Solo Sound Bar
Image credit: Amazon.com

The Rundown

1. Best Overall: Polk Audio Signa Solo Sound Bar

This is a cost-effective product with incredible value to offer, from its design to functionality. Read Review

2. Best For The Price: VIZIO B3821-C6 Sound Bar for TV

This soundbar can deliver incredible surround sound for high-resolution content. Read Review

3. Best For Rich Bass: SAMSUNG 3.1ch A650 A Series Soundbar

With this soundbar, you will be able to enjoy the most wonderful bass experience. Read Review

4. Best For Dialogue: Bose TV Speaker - Soundbar for TV

This soundbar brings along the dialogue enhancement feature for better speech clarity. Read Review

A soundbar is a type of loudspeaker with a large enclosure that can emit sound. These units can be linked to a variety of digital devices to elevate your TV experience as they can produce loud, strong sound.

The fact that there are so many different models to pick from, from low-cost to high-end, is one of the reasons why these devices are so popular. There are plenty of options for everyone.

However, you must know what you want as well as the characteristics of a variety of products to find the right one. Instead of spending hours, or days, and opening a slew of tabs, you can check out our picks of the best value soundbars. While our Polk Audio Signa Solo Sound Bar is our favorite for the stunning design as well as rich sound performance, our VIZIO B3821-C6 Sound Bar for TV can offer beautiful room-filling sound to your home audio system.

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 Polk Audio Signa Solo Sound Bar
Our Score:
9.7
Polk Audio
  • Polk’s UNWAVERING COMMITMENT, RELIABILITY, AND CRAFTSMANSHIP has made it one of the most trusted names in home entertainment & audio systems. Bring out the best in surround sound, so you can SIT BACK, RELAX AND LISTEN WITH YOUR HEART
  • A PREMIUM RANGE SOUND BAR—(4) 2.5" full-range drivers and bass ports deliver 10x MORE BASS THAN YOUR TYPICAL SPEAKERS and Polk's PATENTED SDA surround technology heightens & widens sound stage giving you a BEAUTIFUL, RICH AND IMMERSIVE SOUND
  • SET UP YOUR SOUNDBAR IN MINUTES—With all included cables, you can get this system up and running in less than 5 minutes—all you have to do is unpack, connect and you are ready to listen. A great addition to your home theater!
  • WIRELESSLY STREAM MUSIC from your favorite streaming apps like Pandora, Spotify, TuneIn, and others directly from your smartphone, tablet or other compatible device through the built-in Bluetooth technology
  • HEAR EVERY WORD OF YOUR FAVORITE MOVIES, TV SHOWS AND SPORTING EVENTS – Polk's Patented Voice Adjust technology lets you customize the voice levels to reproduce clear, crisp dialogues
TOP Choice #2 VIZIO B3821-C6 Sound Bar for TV
Our Score:
9.5
VIZIO
  • Wireless subwoofer adds rich bass from anywhere in the room
  • Built in Bluetooth lets you lose the wires and listen to your music with a tap of a finger with built in Bluetooth. Sound pressure level - 100 dB. Sound bar frequency - 50 hertz - 19 hertz
  • Premium audio with Dolby digital decoding, plus DTS TruVolume and DTS audio post processing
  • Wireless remote for convenient volume, input and audio controls; Wireless subwoofer range approximately 60 feet – line of sight from sound bar
  • Enjoy 100 dB of room filling, crystal clear sound with less than 1 percent total harmonic distortion
TOP Choice #3 SAMSUNG 3.1ch A650 A Series Soundbar
Our Score:
9.4
SAMSUNG
  • DOLBY DIGITAL 5.1 / DTS VIRTUAL:X - Immersive surround sound simulation that draws you in.
  • ADAPTIVE SOUND LITE - Optimizes sound to video content.
  • SUBWOOFER INCLUDED - Wireless subwoofer included.
  • BASS BOOST - Instantly amplify the bass with the touch of a button.
  • BUILT-IN CENTER SPEAKER - A dedicated speaker enhances dialogue so you hear every word.
4 Bose TV Speaker - Soundbar for TV
Our Score:
9.2
Bose
  • Enhanced dialogue: This TV speaker is designed to specifically focus on clarifying and elevating vocals and pronunciation.
  • Wide, natural sound: 2 angled full-range drivers deliver a more realistic, spatial audio experience for overall better TV sound from a small soundbar.
  • Simple setup: A single connection from this compact soundbar to the TV via an optical audio cable (included) or an HDMI cable (sold separately) has you up and running in minutes.
  • Bluetooth TV speaker: Pair your device to this Bluetooth soundbar to wirelessly stream your favorite music and podcasts.
  • Build and expand: The Bose TV Speaker is compatible with the Bose Bass Module 500 or 700 and requires the Bose Bass Module Connection Cable or a standard 3.5 millimeter audio cable, sold separately.
  • Compact soundbar: This small soundbar is just over 2" tall for easy placement in front of your TV or mounted to a wall (wall brackets sold separately). Overall TV speaker dimensions are 2.21" H x 23.38" W x 4.02" D.
  • Hear your TV better: Designed with simplicity in mind, the Bose TV Speaker is a small soundbar that clarifies speech and is a simple fix for better TV sound.
  • Remote control: Compact TV speaker comes with a remote control that enables a dialogue mode to further enhance speech or add a bass boost for more depth.
5 Sonos Beam Smart TV Sound Bar
Our Score:
9.1
Sonos
  • Easy control - Control Beam with your voice, remote, the Sonos app, and more.
  • Build your system - Add Sonos One SLs for surround sound or Sonos Sub for added bass. Connect to other Sonos speakers to enjoy brilliant sound in any or every room.
  • Compact size - At just 25.6 inches, Beam won't hang off furniture or block the TV.
  • Class 10 for Full HD video recording and playback (Full HD (1920x1080) video support may vary based upon host device, file attributes, and other factors)
  • Beam - The smart, compact soundbar for TV, music, and more.
  • High definition sound - Experience rich, detailed sound for your TV that fills the entire room.
  • Simple setup - Go from unboxing to listening in minutes with just 2 cords and automatic remote detection.
  • TV, music and more - Play music, TV, movies, podcasts, radio, audiobooks and video games.
6 VIZIO M-Series 5.1 Premium Sound Bar
Our Score:
9.0
VIZIO
  • 9 High-Performance Speakers Featuring Separate Tweeters & Woofers Provide pristine clarity and rich sound
  • Low-Profile Modern Design Seamlessly blends into any environment and ingeniously attaches to select VIZIO M-Series TV stands for quick, clean tabletop or wall-mount installation.
  • 5.1-Channel Sound Experience a powerful room-filling, surround sound experience.
  • Advanced Connectivity & Control The latest HDMI eARC connectivity enables state-of-the-art 4K Dolby Vision pass-through to the TV and lets you control the sound bar using your TV remote.
  • Immersive Performance Experience immersive, cinematic 3D surround sound powered by Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.
7 Klipsch Cinema 600 Sound Bar
Our Score:
8.8
Klipsch
  • Best-In-Class 600W Peak Power
  • Powerful audio performance with deep, theater-like sub-bass and crisp high-end definition
  • 45 inches 3.1 Soundbar With 10 inches Wireless Subwoofer
  • HDMI-ARC: Single Cable, Single Remote Control
  • 5.1 Decoding for Virtualized Surround Sound
  • SAMSUNG AUDIO LAB: Designed, tested, and tuned at our state-of-the-art California Audio Lab, where world-class audio engineers apply advanced acoustic technologies and cutting-edge computer modeling to give you perfectly balanced, room-filling sound
  • Q-SYMPHONY: Breakthrough technology that synchronizes Samsung QLED TV speakers with the Q-Series soundbar speakers for fuller, more immersive, cinematic sound
  • ADAPTIVE SOUND: Soundbar Q900T analyzes your content to automatically deliver optimized sound based on each scene, letting you hear speech clearly even at the lowest volumes
  • 3D TRUE SURROUND SOUND (DOLBY ATMOS AND DTS: X): Explore the depths of sound with Dolby Atmos and DTS: X. Dual technology that captures each distinct sound as it flows above and around you
  • ALEXA BUILT-IN VOICE ASSISTANT: Your soundbar comes with Alexa Built-in. Enjoy all the things you know and love about Alexa, with the advantage of powerful, optimized sound from your sound bar
  • TRUE 7.1.2CH SOUND: Soundbar Q900T consists of 7 channels, 1 subwoofer channel, and 2 up-firing channels for enveloping sound, powered by 16 speakers. Wide range speakers are positioned at both corner of the soundbar to produce an expanded sound stage delivering audio from all angles
  • Aluminum Sound bar
  • AccuVoice
  • 3D sound with Dolby Atmos - Experience shows, movies, and games with the precise and immersive sound of Dolby Atmos
  • Build out your home theater - Wirelessly connect Sub and a pair of One SL rears for an even more immersive listening experience
  • Hear every word - Arc was specially tuned with the help of Oscar-winning sound engineers to emphasize the human voice. Turn on speech enhancement in the app to clarify dialogue
  • All-new Sonos Arc - Bring all your entertainment to life with the brilliantly realistic sound of Arc, featuring Dolby Atmos. Enjoy control with your TV remote, voice, the Sonos app, Apple AirPlay 2, and more
  • Tuned to perfection - Enhanced Trueplay tuning technology optimizes the sound for the unique acoustics of the room
  • Class 10 for Full HD video recording and playback (Full HD (1920x1080) video support may vary based upon host device, file attributes, and other factors.)
  • Immerse yourself in the music - Stream music, radio, podcasts, and more from your favorite services with the Sonos app or Apple AirPlay 2 when the TV is off
  • Blends in beautifully - With its elongated shape, soft profile, and seamless facade, Arc discreetly mounts to the wall or sits beneath the TV without pulling focus
  • Compatible with the new generation of the Sonos app, Sonos S3
  • Voice control - Amazon Alexa is built right in, so you can play music, check news, set alarms, get your questions answered, and more, completely hands free
Product Images, Product Titles, Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API

What to Look For in a best value soundbars?

It may take a long longer to make the best shopping decision. As a result, we are accessible to assist you with your best value soundbars issue at any time of day or night!

There are some highlighted features of best value soundbars you should be aware of before make decision:

Size

To ensure that the unit will not block the screen, or interfere with the remote control or display of your TV's remote, check its dimensions. You should also check that the design of the unit matches your TV.

Wired/wireless Speakers

Some soundbars allow for wired and wireless connection to other speakers. Some soundbars only support a subwoofer. However, a few models offer "surround sound" connectivity, which allows you to connect other speakers to the rear of the room to replicate 5.1. You can purchase these speakers separately or as a bundle at an extra cost.

Wi-Fi And Bluetooth

Bluetooth is an important soundbar feature that allows you stream music from compatible phones, tablets and computers to your soundbar. Wi-Fi connectivity allows you to stream music from your Spotify account or access cloud music libraries.

Number Of Channels And Speakers

A soundbar with just 2.1 channels may be enough to enhance the audio quality of your TV. A 5.1 and 7.1 models might offer better sound quality when you watch TV/movies or listen to audio. Dolby Atmos is available on 5.1.2 and 7.1.2 models. This technology allows for a richer experience. It involves placing speakers higher than the roof, to create sound from above.

Ease Of Set-up And Use

It is easy to hook up the soundbar with your TV or other device and get started using it immediately. This can be gauged by looking at the manual or reading some user reviews.

Additional Features

You might also want these features in your soundbar:
There are special sound modes for various audio types, such as watching movies, listening to music, or gaming. You can adjust the treble and bass settings depending on what you are watching/listening too.
Compatible with Google Assistant and Alexa for voice-controlled music.
Front-panel displays that display important information, such as volume levels. Make sure to check if this display is able to be switched off when it's not in use so that it does not become distracting.

Connectivity

Soundbars typically only require one cable to connect with your TV. HDMI is the best choice. Make sure that your soundbar is equipped with all necessary ports for connecting to Blu-ray players and USB storage. You should check if your soundbar has a pass-through function that transmits 4K HDR video from your 4K HDR TV.

Subwoofer

In large rooms, a soundbar with an external subwoofer (or dedicated soundbar) can be more effective than one without it. A subwoofer that is well made will enhance low-end sound quality and add a cinematic vibe to your system. A sub that is poorly designed can cause a drop in sound quality. A soundbase is a great option if you need bass, but aren't able to fit an external sub. They include an integrated subwoofer.

FAQs

Can You Use Any Soundbar With Any TV?

There are very few exceptions to this rule. However, you can still use your soundbar with any TV. It is helpful sometimes to match soundbar and TV brands. New soundbars often use HDMI ARC to transmit the audio from the TV's speakers through the soundbar. If both of your devices have this port, you are good. An optical connection is available on some older soundbars, and almost all TVs have them.

Can You Add Speakers To A Sound Bar?

There are both yes and no. Some sound bars have additional speakers that can be added to the system, which brings you closer to home theatre sound. If the soundbar is multi-room compatible, then wireless rear speakers can be added. This is a good option for those who have or want to install a multi-room sound system in their home.

Can You Use A Soundbar To Play Music?

A soundbar can make music play through your TV much more enjoyable. Bluetooth is a feature that many soundbars offer, so you won't have to turn on the TV to hear your music. A soundbar that has a wireless subwoofer will work best to reproduce deep bass and dynamics.

Will A Soundbar Improve Sound Quality?

Modern TVs have very tiny speakers which bounce sound off of your TV. As a result, they can be distant and harsh. A soundbar can be added to most TVs to improve their sound quality, particularly when it comes down to reproducing spoken words. It will also allow you to listen to music.

Are Soundbars Really Worth It?

They are well worth the investment when compared to how loud your TV sounds. A soundbar costs only $100 and can make your TV viewing experience 10x better. A soundbar can make it easier to understand speech by allowing TV speakers to face down.

Where Do I Place My Soundbar?

The soundbars can be placed directly in front of your TV using a stand, or any other type of furniture. They are usually less than 2 inches high so they won't interfere with the infrared remote port of your TV or block it. Some soundbars are also wall-mountable and include brackets. There are third-party kits that can be used to mount soundbars on the wall.

Can A Sound Bar Be Used As A Center Speaker?

There are some that can and others that can't, but it's not something we recommend. Although a passive soundbar could technically be used to provide center channel speakers, this is not what it was designed for. This is like asking a pitcher to play both catch and second base instead of the only position that he excels at.

Can You Add A Subwoofer To A Sound Bar?

Wireless sound bars often come with a subwoofer. You can also add your own wireless subwoofer to the sound bars that do not have one. If you desire an immersive experience, you'll want it.

We will keep the list of best value soundbars up-to-date once there are new technology and information available. Please check our website frequently to see the most up-to-date information by our editor.

Do you have any questions or comments regarding best value soundbars that you'd like to share with us? We will try to attain even greater comedy as a result of your efforts.


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About Tim Powers

Tim Powers

Tim Powers is an audio equipment & home theater gadget reviewer and the editor of TheAudioInsights.com. He has been involved in the home theater hobby since the late 1990s when he purchased his first AV receiver. Tim is also a writer, with articles appearing in various online and print publications.