New TVs are generally thin, making them look great on your wall or in your entertainment center, but that isn’t advantageous when it comes to sound quality. For loud, high-quality home theater audio, you’ll need a separate sound system, and a soundbar is your best bet. I’m a THX home theater expert and have been covering home theater equipment for more than 15 years. I’ve thoroughly tested more than 100 soundbars, evaluating everything from audio balance, bass power, and treble clarity to surround sound and spatial audio imaging. With a 4.5-star rating and an Editors’ Choice award, the Sonos Arc Ultra is our top overall pick, but it’s not the only model we recommend. This list of the best soundbars encompasses a diverse range of brands and prices.
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
EDITORS’ NOTE
November 10, 2025: With this update, we added the Roku Streambar SE and removed the Samsung HW-Q990C. The existing picks have been vetted for currency and availability. We currently have two soundbars in for evaluation, from JBL and Samsung.
- Excellent bass response
- Immersive Atmos performance
- Highlights dialogue well
- Versatile connectivity options, including Bluetooth
$1,000 might seem like a lot for a single soundbar with no satellites or subwoofer, but the Sonos Arc Ultra is worth the expense. Seven angled dome tweeters, including two up-firing tweeters for enhanced height, work in conjunction with six midwoofers and a dedicated woofer to produce a wide, precise sound field and deliver impressive bass without the need for a subwoofer. It’s a powerful, immersive sound system on its own, and you can enhance it further by adding Sonos Era 300 speakers as rear satellites and a Sonos Sub 4 subwoofer for a theater-like rumble.
Spatial audio enthusiasts who prefer not to use multiple speakers: The Sonos Arc Ultra is the soundbar to get if you want immersive spatial audio and ample power without the need for a subwoofer and additional satellites. It has the power and the multiple channels necessary to project big sound in front of your couch.
Sonos users: If you already own other Sonos speakers, the Arc Ultra is a natural pick since it integrates directly into the brand’s multi-room speaker ecosystem. Just one platform will let you control the soundbar in your living room, the Sonos Era 300 in your office, and the Sonos Move 2 on your deck. If you have two Era 300s, you can pair them with the Arc Ultra to work as especially powerful rear satellites.
Channels
9.1
Physical Connections
Ethernet, HDMI
Built-In Voice Assistant
Amazon Alexa, Sonos Voice Control
Learn More
Sonos Arc Ultra Review
- Detailed spatial audio imaging with height channels
- Large sound field
- Strong balance
- Built-in Amazon Alexa
- Apple AirPlay and Google Cast support
- Expandable
- Expensive
- Unimpressive bass without a subwoofer
There’s a limit to just how powerful and immersive a single soundbar can be without rear satellites or a subwoofer, and the Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar pushes against that limit as much as possible. It sounds big and full, with strong bass, considering it doesn’t come with a subwoofer (though you can purchase one separately). Its 5.1.2-channel configuration produces impressively detailed surround imaging. It also has built-in support for Apple AirPlay, Google Cast, and Amazon Alexa.
Spatial audio enthusiasts who want to save space: This soundbar is quite svelte, considering what it’s packing, so it can easily disappear under your TV. And you can still add rear satellites and a subwoofer if you want full surround sound or more powerful bass.
Alexa users: With a far-field microphone array and Amazon Alexa built in, the Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar lets you control it and your smart home devices hands-free without any additional hardware.
Channels
5.1.2
Physical Connections
HDMI, Optical
Built-In Voice Assistant
Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa
Learn More
Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Review
- Accurate spatial audio with height channels
- Thunderous subwoofer
- Detachable wireless rear satellites
- Alexa MRM, Apple AirPlay, and Google Cast support
- Expensive
- Satellites need to be charged regularly
JBL’s Bar 1300X from 2023 delivers on its promise with 11.1.4-channel spatial audio and a powerful 12-inch subwoofer. One seriously cool aspect is that its wireless satellites can be plugged into the sides of the soundbar to expand its stereo capabilities while charging—and even serve as standalone, portable Bluetooth speakers. It has been replaced by this year’s Bar 1000MK2, but it remains an excellent soundbar in its own right.
Dolby Atmos fans: If you want the option of rear satellites without having to plug them in and keep them set up by your couch, the Bar 1300X is the answer. You can detach the wireless satellites for an especially immersive movie experience, and then simply plug them back into the soundbar for everyday viewing.
Bass enthusiasts: The subwoofer’s 12-inch driver makes it especially powerful among subwoofers included with a soundbar, so it can really rattle your walls.
Channels
11.1.4
Physical Connections
HDMI, Optical
Built-In Voice Assistant
None
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JBL Bar 1300X Review
- 3.1.1 channels with an upward-firing driver
- Powerful subwoofer
- Well-balanced sound
- Expandable to 5.1.1 channels
- Affordable
- Single height channel limits spatial audio precision
- No Wi-Fi features
- Treble could be a touch crisper
The LG S70TY is a 3.1.1-channel soundbar that features a single upward-firing driver to significantly expand its sound field, and its included subwoofer can produce some serious bass. It doesn’t have many extras like Wi-Fi streaming or a voice assistant, but at well under $400, it doesn’t need them.
Budget-minded home theater fans: If you want substantial sound without spending a bundle, the LG S70TY is a top choice. Its single upward-firing driver means it won’t be the most precise spatial audio in terms of vertical imaging, but finding any height channels at all for this price is almost unheard of.
Channels
3.1.1
Physical Connections
HDMI, Optical, USB
Built-In Voice Assistant
None
Learn More
LG S70TY Review
- Powerful sound for the size
- Strong bass from the subwoofer
- Plenty of wireless streaming options
Usually, the amount of sound a speaker produces directly correlates with its size, but the exceptionally compact Polk MagniFi Mini AX surprised us with its huge sound field (thanks in part to the included wireless subwoofer). Just note that it doesn’t offer the most accurate surround imaging, despite its Dolby Atmos support.
Bass lovers with limited space: The MagniFi Mini AX can fit almost anywhere, with a soundbar that’s just 14.4 inches wide and a subwoofer with a footprint of just 7.2 by 14.6 inches (WD). The sub is narrow enough to tuck behind or next to the couch without taking up much space.
Small TV owners: Many wider soundbars can’t easily fit under smaller TVs, so if you have a model that’s less than 55 inches, this is a good choice due to its compact width.
Channels
3.1
Physical Connections
3.5mm, HDMI, Optical
Built-In Voice Assistant
None
Learn More
Polk Audio MagniFi Mini AX Review
- Big sound field for its size
- Full and crisp sound, from low-mids to highs
- Dolby Atmos audio sounds precise and immersive, even without rear speakers
- Not much deep bass without optional (and pricey) subwoofer
- No Bluetooth support
- Trueplay audio tuning only available for iOS
The Beam is one of Sonos’ smaller and less expensive soundbars, but it’s very capable and complements a modest-size TV (55 inches or smaller) quite well. Its biggest weaknesses are mediocre bass response and the lack of spatial audio, although you can at least add a Sonos subwoofer for enhanced low-end performance.
Google Assistant or Alexa users: Whether you use Google or Amazon’s voice assistant regularly, the Beam can offer hands-free access to it. You have to choose one or the other, but the soundbar will respond when you say “Hey Google” or “Alexa.”
Sonos users with small TVs: If you already have Sonos speakers around the house and your TV, or budget, isn’t big enough to justify the company’s huge flagship soundbar, the Beam should suit your needs just right. It fits well with TVs 55 inches and smaller, and easily integrates into Sonos multi-room audio systems.
Channels
5.0
Physical Connections
HDMI, Optical
Built-In Voice Assistant
Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant
Learn More
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Review
- Decent audio quality
- Works as a 4K media streamer
- Supports Apple AirPlay
- Weak bass without a subwoofer
- Little to no stereo separation
- No voice remote
- Lacks Dolby Vision support
The Roku Streambar SE isn’t particularly impressive in terms of audio power, but it is affordable, compact, and highly flexible. The stereo soundbar is one of the smallest on this list, with just enough output to sound better than your typical budget to midrange TV speakers. What makes it especially useful is its ability to serve as a Roku media hub, effectively working just like a Roku Streaming Stick Plus. That means an on-screen interface with access to all major streaming services, plus Apple AirPlay for streaming locally from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
People with older or cheaper TVs: If your TV is old enough that it lacks any streaming features, or if you aren’t satisfied with the features it does have, the Streambar SE will let you access Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, and whatever else you may want (except Twitch), and give it a nice little audio boost in the process.
Channels
Stereo
Physical Connections
HDMI, Optical, USB
Built-In Voice Assistant
None
Learn More
Roku Streambar SE Review
- Affordable
- Subwoofer delivers plenty of bass
- Uneven audio balance
- Limited sound field
- No real spatial audio
One of the biggest weaknesses in TV speakers is bass, and that’s also one of the biggest weaknesses in most soundbars without a separate subwoofer. The Vizio 2.1 Soundbar addresses that for well under $200, featuring a wireless subwoofer that can add some much-needed thump to your TV. The soundbar itself isn’t particularly impressive, but it’s still a straightforward way to achieve a solid bass boost.
Bass lovers on a budget: This is a great way to add subwoofer rumble to your TV without spending a lot. Just be aware that the soundbar itself probably won’t offer much improvement over your TV’s speakers for the higher frequencies.
Channels
2.1
Physical Connections
HDMI, Optical, USB
Built-In Voice Assistant
None
Learn More
Vizio 2.1 Soundbar Review
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The Best Soundbars for 2025
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Buying Guide: The Best Soundbars for 2025
Does Your Soundbar Need a Subwoofer for Good Bass?
If you plan to build a sound system with more than one component, the most important addition is a subwoofer. Soundbars can generate a lot of sound from low-mid to high frequencies, but they usually can’t reach deep into the sub-bass ranges. Because of how sound travels, you need a lot of physical space to get powerful bass, and the wide, shallow shape of soundbars simply doesn’t allow that.
Many soundbar packages include subwoofers that wirelessly connect to the rest of the system; you can tuck these behind, next to, or under your couch. Low-frequency sounds don’t rely as much on acoustics and directionality as higher frequencies do, so you can still feel the effect of the rumble no matter where you put the subwoofer. You might need to plug a wireless subwoofer into a power outlet, but that’s likely the full extent of the setup process for wireless models.
Polk Audio MagniFi Mini AX (Credit: Polk Audio)
If your soundbar doesn’t include a subwoofer, you might still have options. Some models have subwoofer outputs, which means you can add one after the fact. You have to consider cables with this method, though. You also need to ensure that your subwoofer is powered (has a built-in amplifier) or connect a preamp between your unpowered subwoofer and the soundbar. Just like it takes a lot of space to move that much air, it also takes a lot of power.
Check out our article on how to set up your speakers for more information on soundbar placement and how to optimize the audio quality of your system.
Wireless Surround Sound: More Convenient to Connect Than 5.1 and 7.1 Systems
Most soundbars claim to offer some form of surround sound, but this can be a bit misleading. Audio processing and driver placement can create a sense of surround sound, even if the speakers are positioned directly in front of you. However, this type of setup isn’t capable of reproducing the accurate imaging of a true surround system with dedicated satellites for each channel. For a truly immersive experience, you’ll need a full surround sound speaker system—or a soundbar with separate satellites for the rear audio channels.
JBL Bar 1300X (Credit: Will Greenwald)
There’s also the matter of the type of surround sound you want. Conventional 5.1- and 7.1-channel audio is common for a lot of content, but home theater sound has gone beyond that with spatial audio. Spatial sound systems, such as Dolby Atmos, map every source of sound from what you’re watching to a location around you in a 3D space and calculate how to mix the audio to best reproduce their locations, whether your speakers have two drivers or dozens. It’s an immersive effect, especially with the addition of upward-facing drivers to produce sounds with a sense of height. Not all soundbars support Dolby Atmos, though, and not all that support Atmos have the drivers necessary for height.
On the downside, true surround systems create more clutter than a single soundbar. Each satellite requires wires running either to the wall or a centralized device like an A/V receiver, and that means a lot of cables. You can hide them with rugs or in-wall conduits, but they can still be a hassle. And, of course, you need stands, shelves, or some other sort of nearby flat surface to place all the speakers on. It’s great if you have the budget to build or remodel your living room around a surround sound system, but this simply isn’t practical for most people.
Bluetooth vs. Wi-Fi Soundbars
All of the speakers on this list can wirelessly stream music from your smartphone or tablet. Most of them utilize Bluetooth, while others employ Wi-Fi-based wireless audio systems, such as Apple AirPlay, Google Cast, or Sonos. Bluetooth is easy to use and lets you connect your phone to your soundbar, just like a pair of headphones. This setup won’t offer the best audio quality, though, especially if the soundbar doesn’t support high-res Bluetooth codecs.
Wi-Fi isn’t quite as simple to configure as Bluetooth, but it allows you to set up multi-room sound systems, enabling you to play music seamlessly throughout your entire house. It also enables lossless audio because of its high bandwidth.
Either way, you probably won’t need to get a separate wireless music speaker for your living room if you have a soundbar. For more, read our roundup of the best wireless speakers. Voice assistants are also available in many Wi-Fi-compatible models, meaning that many of the soundbars listed above also function as smart speakers.
Recommended by Our Editors
Home Theater Systems vs. Soundbars
Home theater audio has traditionally been a big, complex field for audiophiles, or at least for people who are comfortable building a sound system out of individual components. The last decade has popularized soundbars as simpler, compact, and affordable alternatives.
In terms of sheer potential power and system flexibility, no single soundbar or all-in-one sound system can match what you can build by setting up a home theater from components yourself. With a standalone A/V receiver, amp, and set of big speakers, you get much more power and control over your home theater sound—but you have to put in more legwork and spend more money. A good receiver can easily cost as much as a good soundbar, and that’s before you factor in the cost of additional speakers. You will also need to run the wires yourself and possibly integrate an amplifier.
An elaborate home theater speaker system can be incredibly rewarding, but you need relatively deep pockets and a good feel for the technology (or even deeper pockets and a willingness to hire a custom installer) to make it all happen.
The Best Alternatives to Soundbars
You don’t need a soundbar for great sound. Almost any large Bluetooth speaker, especially one with an optical, RCA, or 3.5mm input (if your TV has a headphone jack), can vastly improve your experience. Just keep in mind that its power and ability to produce a sound field might be better for smaller screens than a large TV. It also might not fit as neatly under or in front of your TV. Our roundup of computer speakers is a great starting point if you’re looking for a device that works with both your TV and desktop PC.
