Best soundbars to buy

By Matthew Bolton Last updated T The best soundbars instantly add more power, clarity and excitement to your TV's audio, and take just seconds to set up. Because today's TVs are so ultra-thin and design-focused, they struggle to fit high-quality speakers in. Adding a soundbar just below your TV instantly solves this without taking up any more room — and you can choose anything from great cheap soundbars for an instant stereo upgrade, up to the best Dolby Atmos soundbars for elite surround sound. The best soundbars have become wildly popular because they make this upgrade so simple.

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Content:

• The Best Soundbars for Holiday 2021
• Top Rated in Soundbar Speakers
• The best soundbars for 2021
• The Best Soundbars in 2021
• Best soundbars 2021: the best TV speakers you can buy
• Best soundbar 2021: the best Dolby Atmos soundbars, best cheap soundbars and more
• Best soundbar: never settle for sub-standard sound again
• Great Sound Bar Speakers at Every Price
• Best soundbars to improve your TV's audio
• The Best Soundbars, According to Sound Engineers and Professional Audiophiles

WATCH RELATED VIDEO: Top 5 BEST Budget Soundbars of [2021]

The Best Soundbars for Holiday 2021

A soundbar is the simplest way to get a theater-like surround-sound experience in the home, and the Samsung HW-QA soundbar offers the best all-around package, with simple setup, excellent performance, and an abundance of feature and connection options.

Some of the latest soundbars include subwoofers that our measurements show are competitive with standalone subs. The Samsung HW-QA sounded the best to our panelists, creating realistic surround sound without extra speakers. The soundbar incorporates front speakers, upward-firing speakers, and side-firing surround speakers to produce a room-filling sound with music and movies, and the relatively compact, wireless 8-inch subwoofer offers plenty of deep bass with lots of punch and satisfying couch shake.

Optional surround speakers are available. The HW-QA also has an effective and useful adaptive system that eliminates the need to change sound modes based on the type of content like movies, music, or sports. The Vizio Elevate is the best soundbar for those who want a complete system that includes a subwoofer and separate rear speakers. The bar features a pair of motorized front speakers that automatically turn upward to bounce sound effects off the ceiling when playing Dolby Atmos and DTS:X content, and it also includes rear speakers with their own upward-firing drivers built in.

The wireless 8-inch subwoofer has impressive low-bass output, although not much upper-bass punch. The Elevate is packed with great features, including two HDMI inputs, Bluetooth and Chromecast music streaming but not AirPlay 2 , numerous sound adjustments, and a dedicated signal-sensing input that lets you connect an Amazon Echo Dot so that the soundbar works as a smart speaker. The JBL Bar 2. The Ma-H6 gives you a fully immersive, surround-sound experience and plenty of inputs for an affordable price.

It also includes dedicated surround speakers that connect via cables to the wireless subwoofer. Numerous adjustments provide the ability for fine-tuning. Our panelists for our summer listening tests were LeRena Major, a music industry pro and voting member of the Recording Academy parent organization of the Grammy Awards , and Dan Gonda, who plays woodwind instruments in a variety of jazz combos and big bands in California and is a certified Avid Pro Tools engineer and my bandmate in the jazz group Tonic Trio.

Separate components almost always provide better performance for your dollar, but they also take up more space and require additional cables, and their operation is more complicated. Most also support some method of wireless audio streaming over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. This feature allows you to stream music from mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets, computers, and portable audio players. If you just need a simple audio setup with no video pass-through, you might also consider wireless powered bookshelf speakers or a stereo receiver and a pair of bookshelf speakers.

For our latest update in the summer of , we tested 15 new models, including the Bose Smart Soundbar ; Klipsch Cinema 5.

Concealing the identities and configurations of audio products is essential; studies have shown that listening results can be greatly skewed when listeners know the identities of the products.

Before we did the tests with outside listeners, I spent at least three days using each soundbar casually, watching TV programs, at least one action movie, and a few favorite movie clips—and listening to a variety of music.

During these tests, I tried out the various sound modes, tested the different connection options, and got a general feel for how the soundbars performed and operated. I also compared the soundbars against our existing picks. After this round, I picked the eight models I thought had the best chance to win over our panelists. For our panelists, I concealed the identities of the soundbars behind thin, black fabric. I told them nothing at all about the soundbars, although they could see that at least some of the soundbars used dedicated surround speakers, which were arrayed on inch-tall bookshelves behind them.

I set the volume of each soundbar to the same playback level, using a sound pressure level meter and a shaped noise tone taken from a Dolby Digital receiver. I then played them the same movie and music selections I used for my test, plus one music track of their choice.

We show the results in the Measurements section below. Both of our panelists picked the HW-QA as their sonic favorite, and it was one of my two favorites along with the Klipsch Cinema They particularly loved the way movie dialogue sounded through the HW-QA. Those who want an even more intense surround effect can add the SWAS Atmos-enabled surround speakers.

I got a strong sense of overhead sound when I used the HW-QA for some of the tests we did for my recent article on Atmos music. The 8-inch subwoofer included with the HW-QA produces impressive bass for its size. Our CTA measurements showed that its output averaged This means that, compared with the Elevate, the QA will give you more sense of impact with car crashes and onscreen punches in movie soundtracks, but a little bit less couch vibration during explosions.

We found it always gave us sound that was at least as good as what we got by manually selecting the Standard, Surround or Game Pro mode. The Active Voice Amplifier mode does a pretty good job of making dialogue easier to understand. You can stream audio wirelessly from a phone, tablet, or computer using Apple AirPlay 2 or Bluetooth.

Amazon Alexa capability is built in, so the HW-QA has the same voice-command capability as an Amazon Echo smart speaker, and can be used in a multiroom system employing Alexa or AirPlay 2. The subwoofer is relatively compact, though, at just 8.

Having the Adaptive Sound mode, which for us eliminated the need to adjust the sound, helped a lot, as did the easy-to-access adjustments in the SmartThings app. Unlike many competing models, the HW-QA has no analog input. This might be a concern for certain situations, such as connecting a turntable or an older computer without HDMI. It incorporates motorized front speakers that turn upward automatically with Atmos and DTS:X content and turn forward to expand the soundstage with 5.

The Elevate also includes two separate rear speakers with upward-firing Atmos drivers and a powerful 8-inch subwoofer. Our panelists felt that our top pick, the Samsung HW-QA , produced clearer dialogue and required less adjustment to get optimum sound, but that the Elevate produced a more enveloping sound. It impressed our panelists with its ability to fill a large room with a big, clear sound, without sounding distorted or harsh when we pushed the volume.

Also, since the rear speakers are cabled to the subwoofer, you will probably have to install the subwoofer toward the back of the room, which means that the lowest tones of male voices may come from behind you, which can be distracting. The bar also includes an optical digital audio input, a USB input that accepts WAV and MP3 audio files, an analog audio input, and an extra analog input with signal sensing.

Using that last input, you can connect an Amazon Echo Dot , and the Elevate will work just like a dedicated smart speaker; the bar senses the signal coming from the Echo Dot and automatically switches to that input. The subwoofer is wireless, so you can place it almost anywhere, and the two small rear speakers connect directly to the back of the subwoofer via foot cables. The long cables provide some flexibility in where you can position both the subwoofer and the surrounds, but you still have to deal with the presence of cables.

The accessories box provides all the cables you need. The app also provides remote control of the soundbar, with direct access to all adjustments. For help in diagnosing and fixing these issues, read our blog on soundbar troubleshooting tips. In contrast, some other soundbars have always-active Bluetooth, so whenever you hit the Connect button on your smartphone or tablet, it automatically switches the soundbar into Bluetooth playback mode.

The best testament to its quality is its remote, which offers only one sound-tweaking control: a subwoofer level adjustment. Most other soundbars offer a variety of modes for music, movies, games, sports, and the like, along with other controls to alter the sound to your liking. The Bar 2. In our tests, we loved the way the Bar 2. The remote offers far fewer adjustments than those of most competitors, but it has everything you really need and is easier to navigate than most.

The Vizio Ma-H6 is the best soundbar to get if you want real home theater sound in a compact and affordable package. It incorporates a full 5. The remote control also includes lots of sound-adjustment capability, although the lack of an alphanumeric display on the soundbar makes the adjustments a little more difficult. Whether we were listening to music or watching movies, we felt that the sound had a smooth, warm character that made it generally more pleasant to listen to than most soundbars.

At the factory-default settings, the bass is too loud and the dialogue in movies tends to get lost in busy scenes. But by bringing the center-channel level up and the subwoofer level down both accomplished easily through the remote, which has its own alphanumeric display , we were able to get the Ma-H6 sounding very good.

Sonically, the difference between it, the Samsung HW-QA, and the Vizio Elevate is that the more expensive bars play louder, sound a little clearer, and have deeper and more powerful bass.

Despite its small, 6-inch woofer, the subwoofer performs well, averaging Connecting an Echo Dot also allows the Ma-H6 to function as part of an Alexa-based multiroom music system. The Ma-H6 measures 40 inches long, so it fits well with screens down to about 50 inches in size. The subwoofer, at just In our tests, we found it nice for all but the loudest movies, as well as for streaming music from Spotify and YouTube through Roku, and it includes Bluetooth and Apple AirPlay 2 support.

For more bass, you can add the Roku Wireless Subwoofer ; at It produces more bass and a more enveloping surround-sound effect than the Roku Streambar does, but it gives you no way to add a subwoofer or surround speakers.

If you want a high-performance soundbar without a subwoofer or surround speakers: The Sonos Arc , a former pick, packs a lot into one cabinet. You get the same extensive access to streaming services that other Sonos speakers offer, plus AirPlay 2 support but not Bluetooth. The bar incorporates 11 speaker drivers total, and you can add the Sonos Sub and various Sonos speakers as surround speakers if you desire—though that increases the cost considerably.

If you want a soundbar that competes with a receiver-based home theater system: The Klipsch Cinema probably comes the closest to that ideal. The 5. An output on the subwoofer lets you add a second subwoofer if you want even more bass. Its two tweeters, four midrange-woofer drivers, and four bass-reinforcing passive radiators give it an exceptionally clear and enveloping sound. The 2. Below is a chart that shows the results for most of our recommended soundbars; for our top picks, we outline the averages for mid-bass 63 to 40 Hz and low bass We also tried running frequency-response measurements to see how evenly each soundbar reproduced frequencies across the entire sonic range.

But, as expected, this test turned out to be a mostly fruitless effort because the surround-sound simulation used in the majority of soundbars even when the surround effects are deactivated can in some cases create extreme anomalies that are difficult or impossible for a measurement microphone and an audio analyzer to sort out—no matter if they sound great to human ears and brains. Many readers are concerned about how the manufacturing, shipping, and normal use of the products we recommend impact the world we live in.

While our product recommendations are based completely on the criteria outlined in How we picked and How we tested , we offer this information to supplement the decision of any reader who uses environmental impact as a deciding factor in their purchases. The former is a big plus. The latter should be a plus, ideally, because most electronics contain many recyclable materials, but the methods of recycling these products may have their own adverse impacts. Samsung says the carton for the HW-QA is recyclable, but the interior foam is not—although the foam is marked as recyclable.

No recycled materials are used in the product, and the product is not recyclable. The product can be updated through USB or over the internet. Vizio would not comment on whether its products and packaging are recyclable or made from recycled materials.

However, Vizio offers a nationwide take-back recycling program for its products, sits on the e-Stewards Leadership Council , and has participated in the EPA Sustainable Materials Management Challenge since Firmware on the Elevate and the Ma-H6 can be updated using downloaded firmware installed through a USB stick, and the Elevate can also be updated over the internet.

JBL says the Bar 2.

Top Rated in Soundbar Speakers

By Caroline Preece TZ. The best soundbars could be the answer to your prayers, boosting audio quality and giving you more power over the way your television sounds. Ranging from single speakers to complete sound systems, soundbars are designed to fit nicely on your unit or mounted to the wall and compensate for the smaller speakers in modern flat-screen TVs. Without built-in speakers, the sound quality of an average television has dropped, making soundbars more popular as a result. Many come with built-in subwoofers, while others provide external subs that connect wirelessly.

The best soundbars for 2021

With multiple drivers covering a wider area in front of your screen, even a relatively affordable soundbar can outperform the integrated speakers on most TVs. The issue is that as TVs become more compact, their speakers shrink, becoming quieter and losing they dynamism. Head to the audio awards page to see all the winners and recommended runners-up. Our top all-round pick is the Yamaha YAS With its excellent sound, bundled subwoofer, and built-in Alexa assistant, the YAS is a superb deal that will happily serve most users. The Yamaha YAS is an excellent package for the price, getting you great overall sound, a wireless subwoofer for beefy bass and Alexa support for handy voice controls. The soundbar itself is one of the sleeker models we've tested, with a inch design that should look great under most TVs. The soundbar's four 1. What's more, the built in Alexa functionality makes it easy to control any smart device in your home — even when the soundbar is off.

The Best Soundbars in 2021

Televisions are becoming crisper, smarter, and thinner. However, most of the ultra-slim TVs that dominate the market today tend to have tiny speakers with poor sound—which is quite jarring against a dazzling UHD resolution. Fortunately, a soundbar can easily remedy that problem. Soundbars come in a variety of shapes and sizes, with the most sophisticated models capable of providing cinema-level sound.

Best soundbars 2021: the best TV speakers you can buy

We use cookies to allow us and selected partners to improve your experience and our advertising. By continuing to browse you consent to our use of cookies. You can understand more and change your cookies preferences here. In this article. A sound bar is a compact speaker system designed to improve your TV's audio.

Best soundbar 2021: the best Dolby Atmos soundbars, best cheap soundbars and more

Compare the most helpful customer reviews of the best rated products in our Soundbar Speakers store. These products are shortlisted based on the overall star rating and the number of customer reviews received by each product in the store, and are refreshed regularly. Skip to main content Top Rated in Soundbar Speakers. Top Rated by Department. Current Department. Home Audio.

Best soundbar: never settle for sub-standard sound again

TVs almost never come with good speakers built into them. Instead, you can get a soundbar. But it can, of course, be hard to find the best soundbars given there are so many options. There are a number of things to consider before buying a new soundbar.

Great Sound Bar Speakers at Every Price

RELATED VIDEO: Why is EVERYONE Buying This Sound Bar??

Updated on October 15, with our full review of the second-gen Sonos Beam. While the refreshed Beam looks nearly identical to its predecessor and contains the same driver configuration, it adds a couple of key features: Dolby Atmos and eARC support. The new Sonos Beam replaces the original as our runner-up pick for best mid-range soundbar. Here are our current top picks, with brief summaries explaining our reasoning.

Best soundbars to improve your TV's audio

Adding a sound bar is an easy and often affordable way to get better audio quality for your TV. When you shop through retailer links on our site, we may earn affiliate commissions. Learn more. But for movies and TV dramas, you might want a bit more sonic oomph. An easy fix is to add a sound bar to the TV of your choice.

The Best Soundbars, According to Sound Engineers and Professional Audiophiles

A soundbar is the simplest way to get a theater-like surround-sound experience in the home, and the Samsung HW-QA soundbar offers the best all-around package, with simple setup, excellent performance, and an abundance of feature and connection options. Some of the latest soundbars include subwoofers that our measurements show are competitive with standalone subs. The Samsung HW-QA sounded the best to our panelists, creating realistic surround sound without extra speakers.