There are a lot of great soundbars out there, and we don’t have room to include them all. Here are some you might like to consider.
LG’s S95TR for $1,000-1,300: LG’s 9.1.5-channel sound bar (8/10, WIRED Recommends) doesn’t work as well as the Samsung Q990 series, but it could be a better choice for those with newer LG TVs like the C4, which can connect wirelessly and use its speakers along with the bar for more immersion. It also supports gaming features like 120-Hz overclocking, but includes one spare input.
Vizio 2.1 Soundbar (SV210M) for $170: Vizio’s compact combo delivers impressive value, with solid sound quality and cinematic punch from the smallest subwoofer you’ll ever see. No optical input or remote is included, but the Vizio app makes adjusting settings or switching to Bluetooth easy enough. The main drawback is that the dialogue is sometimes (but not always) lost, reducing the main draw of a cheap sound bar. That said, good music chops and features like DTS Virtual X expansion make it worth considering for sale.
Samsung HW-Q800C for $598: If Samsung’s HW-Q990C all-in-one bar is too rich for your blood, the two-piece HW-Q800C (WIRED Recommends, 8/10) might be a good compromise. This bar offers the same sound signature as Samsung’s top bars and many of the same features, packed into a small bar-and-subwoofer combo for a significant discount—especially since it’s now on regular sale.
Sennheiser Ambeo Mini for $700: This pint-sized luxury bar is perfect for those with the money to burn in smaller spaces. Sennheiser’s built-in Ambeo optical technology throws sound around you for exciting TV and movies, and offers advanced features like Google Assistant and Alexa support.
Sony HT-X8500 for $300: Sony’s HT-X8500 is getting harder to find, but it’s still one of our favorite options for those after a solid bass response bar and expansive sound, including Dolby Atmos virtualization. Although more expensive than our top bar, it’s a great option for those after a while, and it’s worth considering while it’s still available.
Roku Streambar for $130: If you’re after a soundbar that doubles as a great streaming tool, WIRED reviewer Adrienne So swears by the Roku Streambar. After spending years without him he was so impressed that he shouted from the rooftops. Setup is easy, and because it includes Roku’s streaming interface you can stream movies and shows up to 4K HDR from almost every streaming service. You can also add a Roku subwoofer or surround sound speakers down the line. We encourage getting a sub.
Vizio Elevate M-Series for $500: If you’re looking for full-featured Dolby Atmos and love the extravagance, Vizio’s second Elevate bar is worth considering. The drivers pop out from the side and head straight to your roof when Atmos content is playing, giving you a great party trick to show off to your friends. Sound quality is also solid, and we like the compact design and easy setup. However, you will have to route some of the speaker cables to the rear locations.
Yamaha SR-C30A for $276: This SR-C30A sound bar model looks very similar to the SR-C20A, and that’s because it’s the same thing where size, specification, and sound quality are all concerned. The difference is that the SR-C30A ships with a compact (335 x 160 x 364mm) wireless subwoofer for authentic Hollywood-style boom and punch. –Simon Lucas
Sennheiser Ambeo Plus for $1,200: Given the price and the portable size of the sound bar—which doesn’t even include a subwoofer—the Ambeo Plus might seem like a bargain. But thanks to its power of 400 watts and its nine carefully developed and even more carefully placed speaker drivers, this Sennheiser is able to create a loud, enveloping sound with a strong suggestion of sonic height that Dolby Atmos songs succeed in. In the form of an encore, it turns out to be a powerful wireless speaker if you want to listen to some music as well. — Simon Lucas
Polk React for $269: This sound bar works if you want to finally get surround sound but don’t have the money right now. The Alexa-enabled soundbar is fine on its own, with surround speakers and subwoofers available from Polk if you want to upgrade.
Vizio Elevate P-Series for $700: This is a good-looking soundbar with side speakers that move upwards when you’re watching content with object-based audio. It’s a great sound bar, and that gimmick is neat, but there are better options under $1,000.