Best Soundbar

Single Soundbar

With this soundbar, multiple speakers are housed in a single cabinet, allowing either stereo or surround sound to be created. A separate subwoofer is usually provided with a soundbar or can be used to enhance it.

Soundbase Soundbar

Sound bases are deeper than soundbars, but they are often narrower, and they are primarily intended to be placed beneath the television or on a shelf directly beneath the television. Sound bases feature more internal space than soundbars.

As a result, they offer superior built-in amplification and larger bass drivers, reducing the need for a subwoofer (though a good freestanding subwoofer is challenging to match).

When it comes to audio, bigger is always better. Sound bases are becoming more difficult to come by these days. Due to developments in soundbar technology, the adaptability they provide, and the fact that they're widely represented by some of the greatest brands out there, we normally prefer a soundbar over a sound base.

Hybrid Soundbar

This option includes a soundbar unit that handles the front left, centre, and right channels, a separate subwoofer, and small surround sound speakers for the left and right surround channels, respectively.

The amplifiers that power the surround speakers are contained in the subwoofer, which connects wire to each surround speaker to reduce cable clutter.

Active Soundbar

From a setup standpoint, active soundbars are quite convenient. You won't have to bother about buying a receiver or amplifier, which can save money depending on the situation.

This also implies that if you don't have a lot of room, this can be the ideal alternative for you. Not only does it save money on equipment, but it also has less wiring, allowing for a more compact arrangement.

It is simple to set up and requires less wire to be installed correctly. This opens it up to those who don't want to hire someone to set up their system.

All you have to do is connect the active soundbar to the TV and plug-in power to set it up correctly. It's important to remember that soundbars cannot be powered by the TV alone; they require an external power source.

Passive Soundbar

Because passive soundbars lack a built-in amplifier, they require external amplifiers or receivers to function properly. Active soundbars, which have built-in surround sound capabilities and amplifiers, can be directly compared to this.

Each channel of a passive soundbar has a connection that must be linked to your receiver or amplifier.

2-Channel Soundbar

The most basic enclosure is a 2.0 soundbar, and it does not support full surround sound.

The enhanced sound from your 2.0 channel soundbar, on the other hand, will almost certainly outperform the audio quality from your television. This is a good budget-friendly option for a tiny home theatre or entertainment centre.

3-Channel Soundbar

The conversation now has its channel, and the centre channel increases the quality of discussion in movies and television shows. Most experts advise purchasing at least a three-channel soundbar, and this is a low-cost alternative to simulating a nearly complete home theatre sound system for many people.

A 3.1 channel soundbar will assist small to medium-sized home theatres or entertainment centres.

5-Chanel Soundbar

Instead of merely simulating surround sound, a five-channel soundbar adds it. This means that the bar has two more speakers built-in.

On the other hand, these speakers are heavily angled outward, allowing sound to bounce off the walls. These are normally wirelessly connected to the soundbar, and this product is suitable for a home theatre setup.

7-Chanel Soundbar

The sound information from a 7-channel soundbar is shared between surround sound and rear speakers. This gives you sound capabilities in the front left, front right, centre, left surround, right surround, left rear, and right rear.

Two of the channels will most likely be built-in, while the remaining channels will require the installation of separate speakers to be fully utilized.

Siennheiser AMBEO Soundbar

This 5-channel solo soundbar has 13 built-in speakers to create a solitary bar's incredibly immersive listening experience.

It's a good choice for listening to audio during parties because it can become incredibly loud without many compressions. Its balanced mid and treble frequencies render clear and precise vocals and lead instruments.

It has a good surround performance with its AMBEO 3D mode set on, so sound seems to emanate from all directions.

It also contains a room correction feature that enhances audio reproduction depending on your room's specific acoustic characteristics, as well as a parametric EQ to let you tailor the sound to your preferences.

LG SPS All-in-One Soundbar

With its elegant design, the LG SP2 2-channel all-in-one sound Bar stands out in its category. Any living space will look wonderful with the dark grey fabric and the wood décor caps on the sides.

It's also made from recyclable materials and comes in environmentally friendly packaging. It has a built-in subwoofer and dual passive radiators.

Panasonic SC-HTB400EBK

With dual built-in subwoofers integrated into the cabinet, the HTB400 produces strong bass. The sleek one-bar design is kept as simple as possible to complement TVs and goes in with any decor.

The HTB400 is a single bar with many audio capabilities to improve the cinematic experience. It boasts dual built-in subwoofers for action scenes that deliver deep, booming bass.

Q Q Acoustics M2 Soundbar

When it comes to enhancing the sound of your television, Q Acoustics appears to be in it for the long haul. The British company has produced excellent-sounding items ranging from speakers to soundbars and sound bases.

This device even earned What Hi-Fiprestigious?'s Award for the finest sound base on the market in 2019 – so you know you're getting a good deal.

The M2 is strong enough to fit comfortably behind a large-screen television. It can support up to 25kg of weight, which is a few kilogrammes more than most 65in LCD TVs. There are ARC-compatible HDMI, optical, RCA, and 3.5mm inputs, and Bluetooth streaming.

Sonos Playbase Blanc

With multi-room speakers, a pair of soundbars, and this sound base, Sonos is the original multi-room champion. Not only will your TV sound better, but you'll also have access to all of Sonos' innovative streaming features, as well as the opportunity to effortlessly connect to a multi-room system and upgrade to a full 5.1 system.

The Playbase is sturdy and can handle televisions weighing up to 35 kilogrammes. It's a powerful, dynamic, and generally detailed rendition, with only a few instances of harsh treble giving us pause.

Canton Smart Soundbar

Canton has a solid track record with sound bases, combining good sound quality with ease of use in a well-built and reasonably priced package. The Canton DM55 replaces the DM50, a five-star performer.

With the addition of a glass top, some acoustic changes, and a price reduction, this attractive and capable item has become even more enticing.

There's no HDMI port, but you get terrific sound and wireless Bluetooth.

Panasonic SC-HTB900

Panasonic's high-end soundbar is well-made and attractively styled. It also sounds fantastic, with a wide, clean, and detailed soundstage.

The dialogue track appears to be locked to the screen, and sound modes enhance the effect: "news" is good for dialogue, while "stadium" is good for sports. There's plenty of basses, thanks to the wireless subwoofer.

Sony HT-G700

Sony's latest soundbar supports Dolby Atmos, which provides excellent audio that appears to originate from all directions. It's also compatible with other audio formats, including DTS and Dolby Digital, in addition to Atmos.

There are several options for creating a good surround-sound effect. Although a genuine speaker in front of you will do a better job, the impact is intriguing.

When you're listening to music, you can turn these settings off. The remote's music button mutes the centre speaker for enhanced audio separation.

Polk Signa SE

Polk's audio equipment is both affordable and high-quality. The Signa S3 comes with a wireless subwoofer to complement the sleek, attractive soundbar - it's only about two inches tall so that it won't interfere with the TV remote. Polk has developed its speech technology to make the dialogue track crystal clear.

There are also good options for movies and music and a night mode for quieter watching at night. It works with Google Chromecast, making it simple to stream music to the soundbar using Chromecast apps like Spotify and Amazon Music HD.

YAS-207

The narrow-pleated tweeter diaphragms strain sound to produce outstanding high notes, while the hefty woofers give best-in-class mid-bass sound.

The bar has a 3000 Hz crossover with a bespoke air core coil, low DCR steel laminate inductors, polyester film capacitors in series, and low DF electrolytic capacitors parallel for crossovers.

The YAS-207 comes with a bar and a wireless subwoofer. The YAS-107 is one of Yamaha's eight current soundbars and one of the two newest. The step-down model features a different driver array, with built-in "subwoofer" drivers and no discrete sub, but it does include DTS Virtual:X.

Vizio SB3851-D0

The SB3851-D0 from Vizio stands out in the ever-growing world of soundbars: It's a full-featured 5-channel system with a pair of tiny surround speakers that connect to a wireless subwoofer, making wiring and setup a breeze. Movies are the system's strong suit.

The SB3851-D0 delivers an impactful, engaging experience with television and movies on a tight budget, according to critics, and adds something to the mix that the comparably priced competitors do not.

Yamaha MusicCast BAR 400

The Yamaha MusicCast BAR 400 soundbar system is a fantastic deal. When you pair it with the company's MusicCast 50 wireless speaker for surround sound, you've got yourself a tremendous wireless five system that delivers an immersive experience while integrating seamlessly with your streaming music apps. Wi-Fi, AirPlay, Spotify Connect, and Bluetooth are all used to connect the system.

Yamaha's BAR 400 offers a sleek, attractive design. The speakers, metallic sides, and backplate are covered by a black metal grille, while the system's LED indicators and touch-sensor controls are on the top.

Dayton Audio BS36

The Dayton AudioBS36 is a powerful 36-inch passive soundbar with a single cabinet that houses left, centre, and right channel speakers. This speaker bar is ideal for plasma and flat-screen televisions. It boasts a simplistic style that mixes in seamlessly with any room's décor.

The Dayton AudioBS36 speaker bar is finished in a beautiful glossy black lacquer. Rubber feet are included in the packaging for installing the device on flat surfaces such as tabletops.

Klipsch RP-440D-SB

The Klipsch Gallery G-42 is a 5.1 channel home theatre speaker system with a one-piece crossover design. Because it lacks inbuilt receivers, it is a passive soundbar that serves as a receiver.

This is a significant benefit because it eliminates the need for a separate receiver. Furthermore, soundbars' built-in amplifiers are typically not extremely strong.

Instead, it employs cutting-edge horn-loaded speaker technology to deliver crystal-clear audio and sound effects. Three Tractrix horns with 1-inch titanium dome tweeters are used in the soundbar.

This results in higher-quality audio that focuses on the depth and detail of vocals and dialogues. The tweeters were designed specifically to project more volume per watt than ordinary flush-mounted dome tweeters.

Martin Logan Motion SLM

The SLM X3 is a three-channel passive soundbar featuring ultra-high-end electrostatic loudspeakers. It's part of Martin Logan's Motion Series of inexpensive and compact sound systems.

It has stereo sound on the left and right channels and a separate centre channel, and it's perfect for flat-screen TVs and home theatre systems.

The narrow-pleated tweeter diaphragms strain sound to produce outstanding high notes, while the hefty woofers give best-in-class mid-bass sound.

The bar has a 3000 Hz crossover with a bespoke air core coil, low DCR steel laminate inductors, polyester film capacitors in series, and low DF electrolytic capacitors parallel for crossovers.

Dali Kubik One

This fantastic soundbar has a highly engaging sound, and it also has a pretty stylish appearance. The bar creates a large, open soundstage and easily pings effects across the room, allowing them plenty of areas to manoeuvre. Even the busier scenes don't seem packed.

Add some powerful low-end heft to deepen the sound, and you've got a punchy soundbar that blows away many of its competitors.

LG SK8 Soundbar

The LG fits neatly behind your TV and produces clear, vivid, and open sound. Although the LG SK8's Dolby Atmos boasts should be taken with a grain of salt because of its lack of "true" sound channels and a hesitant subwoofer, it still has a lot to offer.

It has a more appealing appearance, a more powerful sound and is equally excellent with music at movies.

Denon S716H

The Denon S716H is pretty much anything you want it to be, with nine drivers grouped in trios for left, centre, and right channels and a virtual surround mode to give the idea of more speakers around the room.

With such a well-balanced soundscape, this soundbar excelled at music right away, with a dependably warm yet refined sound quality all its own.

Cinema Soundbar 600

The Klipsch Cinema 600 soundbar provides theatre-like rumbling and superb clarity for movies and music at a reasonable price.

It's a wireless subwoofer with Bluetooth streaming that delivers powerful audio with a deep, theatre-like subbase and sharp high-end quality.

Sonos Beam

The five-star Sonos Beam is currently the greatest soundbar you can buy in terms of sound per pound. Compared to the Sonos Playbar and Playbase, it has a few extra features, such as an HDMI connection and voice control support from Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, with Apple Siri to follow.

This is a low-cost soundbar that has the potential to improve your listening experience. It's compact, light, and fits in front of most televisions. There are elegant touch controls on the top, and on the back, there are HDMI and Ethernet connectors. The Beam may be wall-mounted; however, the extra bracket is expensive.

Sonos Arc

Sonos is no stranger to soundbars, but the Arc is the brand's first soundbar to be fully compatible with Dolby Atmos. In terms of cost, it replaces the Playbar and Playbase and lies above the Beam (located above). The Arc is an excellent match for 55 and larger TVs, and it can be set directly on your furniture or wall-mounted with the £79 wall-mounting kit.

This Sonos soundbar uses 11 drivers to generate your sound field, some of which are firing and directed towards your room to bounce sound off your walls and ceiling. All of this adds up to one of the most convincing Atmos performances a soundbar can deliver. You've been whisked away to the centre of the action. Surround effects are expertly placed, and the sound has a lot of vitality and weight.

Dali Katch One

Five distinct audio inputs, three different mounting options, and ten different drivers all work together to give an immersive sound experience. It's fairly tall, so you'll have to put it on a wall, but that will only help the rear-firing drivers produce more bass.

Samsung HW-Q90R Soundbar

The Samsung soundbar HW-Q90R was the brand's all-singing, all-dancing flagship tv soundbar for 2019, and the newer Q950T has just pipped it in 2021.

It's not only the only soundbar from 2019 to offer object-based audio in the form of Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, but it's also the only one to do so with true rear speakers and four upward-firing drivers.

LG SN11RG Dolby Atmos Soundbar

The LG SN11RG was the company's flagship soundbar. It's more than just a soundbar, though, because it comes with a powerful external subwoofer and a pair of powerful back speakers. It's a comprehensive audio arsenal with a 7-channel design. The main soundbar has a stylish and functional design.

Samsung HW-Q950A

This soundbar delivers the movie experience home with over 600W of power from 22 separate speakers while maintaining all of the space and convenience advantages of a soundbar.

The 7-channel system includes a soundbar that fits TVs up to 55 inches, a subwoofer, and two small back speaker units, all of which are wirelessly connected.

Sony HT-X8500 Soundbar

Sony's patented Vertical Sound Engine, which works with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X content to produce a convincing illusion of wraparound sound, allows Dolby Atmos movies to play with a distinct feeling of extended height and breadth, is the secret to the HT-gutsy X8500's performance.

This Sony soundbar's quality and design are outstanding, and its audio performance is crystal clear.

Bose Smart Soundbar 300

This Bose Soundbar is the best soundbar for small-screen laptops. This well-built 3.0 system has a tiny form that you can simply integrate into your existing computer configuration, and it won't impede your screen.

It's quite loud for its compact size, plus it has Bluetooth connectivity so that you can stream music from your phone wirelessly. If you’re looking for a Bluetooth soundbar, this is a great option.

This soundbar has a slightly v-shaped sound profile that gives the bass a little more thump and punches while keeping vocals and lead instruments dazzling and bright. If you prefer a different sound, there are also bass and treble tuning capabilities.

TCL Alto 6+

The greatest tiny soundbar with a subwoofer is the TCL Alto 6+. This two-speaker configuration doesn't take up a lot of room and is loud enough to be used in large spaces or at packed events.

It's also Bluetooth-enabled so that you can stream music from your phone to the bar wirelessly. It offers a very neutral, balanced sound profile that makes it excellent for listening to a wide range of audio sources.

Unfortunately, it does not support Dolby Atmos content, and to play it, it must downmix surround video into stereo, which results in a less immersive experience.

It also lacks more advanced sound customization features such as a graphic equalizer and a room correction mode, which may disappoint some listeners.

JBL Bar Studio

With the compact, powerful, and easy-to-use JBL Bar 2.0 All-in-One soundbar, you can immerse yourself in your favourite film, experience the intensity of the crowd during a game, or rock out in your living room.

Connect JBL Surround Sound to an HDMI ARC or optical connection to bring TV, movies, and sports to life, or simply listen to music via built-in Bluetooth on your smartphone or tablet.

Polk Audio Command Bar

If you're looking for a sleek soundbar for around £300, the Polk Audio Command Bar is ideal for any small or medium-sized living area. The Command Bar comes with Alexa embedded directly into it, as you can see from the soundbar's design, making it unmistakably smart.

It's also a reasonably priced option. It offers a well-defined and strong bass end, some great smart features, and a nice appearance.

Roku Streambar

Although it doesn't quite reach five stars, it excels in the areas where it will be most frequently used: projection and clarity.

The Streambar may be used with any television with an HDMI input and can produce 4K HDR at up to 60 frames per second for compatible televisions. Everyone else will get 1080p Full HD, upscaled from lower quality feeds.

The included remote is fantastic, and for an out-of-the-box boost to TV audio and older sets' smart capabilities, the Roku Streambar is a low-risk purchase at this price. In that sense, it's something we can enthusiastically endorse.