The best soundbar can make sure you get the best audio performance around, without any hassle or complicated setup.
While a lot of people might go for something like the best PC speakers when thinking about audio upgrades, we think the best soundbars are often a better shout. They pack loads of speakers into one unit, and can still manage Dolby Atmos thanks to amazing design.
Navigating all the options can be tricky though, which is why we've put together a list of top picks, taking into account a wide range of prices, features, and brands so you can make the upgrade and enjoy a whole new world of sound sooner rather than later.
Best soundbars
- Sony HT-A7000 - the best overall choice
- Creative Stage 360 - a great budget contender
- Samsung Q930C - an excellent wireless pick
- Sonos Arc - top-tier option for Dolby Atmos sound
- Razer Leviathan V2 - a great choice for gaming and PC setups
- Sonos Beam - a compact yet powerful device
- Vizio M-Series Elevate - best mid-range contender
1. Sony HT-A7000
Best soundbar overall
The Sony HT-A7000 is nothing short of an excellent pick for home entertainment systems. To begin with, it features 7.1.2 channels, which include seven main channels along with two height channels and a subwoofer. With all these speakers, the soundbar can deliver clear dialogue and bass to ensure optimal sound during whatever it is you're watching. With Dolby Atmos sound and a DTS:X codec too, you can expect a multi-dimensional realistic audio at all times.
To add to this, the inclusion of 360 Spatial Sound Mapping creates what's known as phantom speakers, meaning the sound has a wider reach in the room. Plus, the Sound Field Optimization sets the sound for the environment, ensuring you get the best audio possible wherever you position this thing.
The HT-A7000 also lets you customise your setup. For example, you can easily add SA-SW3 and SA-SW5 subwoofers, or SA-RS3S or SA-RS5 rear speakers if you want to further improve your setup. Moreover, the soundbar offers a wide range of connectivity options, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, as well as HDMI, and eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel). It's also Alexa and Google Assistant-enabled, which means you can link it to your smart home system for remote functionality.
On the whole, we'd say this Sony device is an excellent all-rounder to consider, particularly with Dolby Atmos and its 7.1.2 channel setup leading the way in terms of performance.
- Read More: Best soundbar deals
2. Creative Stage 360
Best budget soundbar
Soundbars can be quite expensive at times. However, this Creative Stage 360 might just be the device for you if you're looking to upgrade your home setup for less.
It sports a 2.1-channel configuration, giving you two main channels and a subwoofer for a wider audio range with sensational bass. More specifically, the subwoofer is long-throw, and it has a high excursion driver to deliver thumping lows with ease. The soundbar also makes use of Dolby Atmos technology, giving you realistic 3D sound. This is especially useful if you're looking to set up this device with your TV to improve upon its replication of film and television audio.
You can connect to the soundbar via HDMI 2.0 or HDMI ARC, or you can go wireless with Bluetooth. For added convenience, the device comes with a remote control that lets you adjust volume, bass, and far-field listening.
Finally, the soundbar is just 22.24 inches long, so won't take up much room if you're limited for space next to your TV or PC. All in all, a great compact device to consider.
- Read More: Best soundbars for a small room
3. Samsung Q930C
Best wireless soundbar
The Samsung Q930C is an incredibly good soundbar that not only comes with the bar itself but also two rear speakers and a subwoofer, allowing for a staggering 9.1.4 output that'll fill a room with the kind of sound your dreams would dream about.
Aside from including proper 3D sound thanks to Dolby Atmos, and being entirely wireless for a nice clean set-up, it also uses something called SpaceFit Sound Pro to optimise the audio it puts out to fit the space it's in.
It also has a Game Mode, which reduces latency which can be a huge boon if you're the kind of person who plays games on your lovely big TV that now has a fancy new soundbar. If you own a Samsung TV specifically, then you'll be able to get even more out of this soundbar thanks to Q-Symphony, which is basically Samsung's way of saying they'll work really well together.
To connect, all you need to do is tap your Samsung phone directly onto the soundbar to automatically pair them together. It's just filled with cool features that make it not only worth your money but worthy of any living room setup.
- Read More: Best budget PC speakers
4. Sonos Arc
Best Dolby Atmos soundbar
With an 11-channel configuration and a built-in subwoofer, the Sonos Arc is up there as one of the best soundbars on the market. The 11 channels are broken down to a built-in subwoofer, and two dedicated height channels, which are further complemented by Dolby Atmos. The result is an immersive 3D sound that engulfs you in the audio from whatever it is you're watching.
Also, the soundbar is fine-tuned by Oscar-winning sound engineers, helping to ensure all dialogue is clear and easy to understand through the speaker system. Dialogue can also be tweaked with the Speech Enhancement feature in the Sonos App to ensure you never miss crucial storyline beats.
As far as connectivity is concerned, you get multiple options, including HDMI, Bluetooth, and WiFi. This makes it fairly straightforward to set up. All you have to do is plug in the two cables and you're good to go.
Plus, for an even more immersive experience, you can connect subwoofers and rear speakers. As all this can be linked wirelessly, you don't have to worry about cables running across your room, thus making it a great option to consider for your home system.
- Read More: Best budget Bluetooth speakers
5. Razer Leviathan V2
Best PC soundbar
Razer is known for manufacturing high-quality equipment for PC and gaming. So, when it comes to the best PC soundbar, it's perhaps unsurprising we've picked this Razer Leviathan V2.
The soundbar's channel configuration is 5.1, giving you five main channels and a subwoofer. The device also has multiple drivers, which deliver full-range, high-fidelity sound for a better audio experience. Plus, it's designed to provide a 7.1 surround sound with THX's certification ensuring the uncompromised quality of your spatial audio.
Connectivity-wise, you get Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity with low latency, which ensures a seamless connection with minimal delay. This is also handy as it helps keep your setup free from wires. Furthermore, the soundbar is compact, meaning it can fit at your gaming desk with ease, whether that's under your monitor or beside your PC.
Finally, as with most Razer items, you can illuminate this thing with Razer's Chroma RGB lights, providing you with 18 lighting zones and dynamic in-game lighting effects to take your setup to the next level.
- Read More: Best wireless gaming headsets
6. Sonos Beam Gen 2
Best small soundbar
Back to Sonos and the Beam Gen 2, which might just be your answer if a small, compact soundbar is what you're searching for.
To start with, it boasts a "panoramic soundstage" which, combined with the promise of clear speech, makes the device suitable for movies, TV shows, and even video games and music. Plus, with Dolby Atmos, you can expect 3D sound effects and cinematic audio from this device.
The Sonos App is a handy tool as you can quickly customise the soundbar's output on the fly. For instance, the 'Night Sound' mode reduces louder audio, but turns up the quieter ones for when you're watching TV in the evening and don't want to disturb your neighbours. By contrast, for your music and podcasts, you can switch the settings to stereo sound and enjoy crystal-clear speech.
Finally, just like other Sonos soundbars, this Beam device is quick and easy to set up. All you have to do is plug the two-cable setup in place and hit the play button. So, make sure you check it out if a small, easy-to-setup soundbar is what you're after.
- Read More: Best gaming headsets
7. Vizio M-Series Elevate
Best mid-range soundbar
Vizio is one of the popular brands in the US for speakers, so it doesn't come as a surprise that we have included a Vizio soundbar in this list. The M-Series Elevate is a great mid-range option that strikes a balance between price and performance.
To start with, the soundbar comes with two tweeters and a woofer, which should deliver a more immersive auditory experience. Plus, with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, the sound is wrapped around and above you, ensuring a cinematic feel whenever you place this thing in your room.
It also produces a sound pressure of 103dB which, along with the 45Hz – 20kHz frequency range, means you get a really broad soundscape that'll help optimise your listening experience.
Overall, this Vizio soundbar is suitable for all kinds of audio, whether it’s gaming, movies, or even music, making it a great mid-range option to consider.
- Read More: Best soundbars for the LG C3
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
While you're searching for the best soundbar, you may encounter these questions...
What is Dolby Atmos technology?
Dolby Atmos is, at its core, surround sound technology, but taken up a notch to give you a cinematic audio experience from the comfort of your own home.
It works by using 118 simultaneous sound objects, which can be as simple as a ball bouncing or a door slamming. These objects are placed by designers to exact points in a sound field rather than simply assigned to a specific channel for more accurate results.
This is what helps give Dobly Atmos sound that 3D effect, despite simply using a compact soundbar for your audio.
What is DTS:X?
DTS:X is an audio codec that aims to mimic the sounds objects would make in real life rather simply on a TV screen. For example, DTS:X aims to make you hear a helicopter hovering in the sky as if it were above you, thus giving you a sense of multi-dimensional sound.
This differs from Dolby Atmos as DTS:X works with standard surround speaker setups, rather than Atmos, which requires 5.1 or 7.1.
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