If you have a small room but are looking to add a little extra edge to your entertainment setup with a quality soundbar, then we've got you covered.
Small form-factor soundbars are a great solution for most people who either want to stick to a budget or simply don't need a colossal sound system in their living space.
Just like the best monitor light bars, soundbars are brilliant additions to both your monitor or TV setups, especially as, due to the thin profile of most displays nowadays, built-in speaker quality can take a slight hit.
We'd recommend it's always worth considering a soundbar to pair with most TVs, especially those under circa $400. These are usually game-changers when it comes to hearing dialogue and adding a bassy punch when gaming.
The more expensive options will typically be larger, boasting top-of-the-range audio quality and immersion, but for a small room, this can be overkill.
The good news is though, that smaller doesn't mean worse by any means, and we've hunted around for what we think are some of the best on the market, based on specs and features.
So let's dive in and take your setup to the next level.
Best soundbar for a small room
Best premium soundbar for small room - Sonos Beam Soundbar
While being the largest product featured here, The Sonos Beam packs a mighty strong punch and can be a great choice if you have a little more room available, or are simply looking for fantastically rich audio.
The soundbar features a room correction feature to optimise audio reproduction based on your room's unique acoustic layout and puts it alongside some of the best speakers for home theatres too.
The Beam syncs up nicely with other Sonos products, with Sonos One SLs being available for surround sound, and for maximum noise quality, you may even want to consider adding the Sonus Subwoofer, for some additional bass.
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If you're after audio in other parts of the house, you can check out some of the best wireless speakers to pair with this, although with remote and voice control, the Sonos Beam should be more than capable of being moved around to suit your needs.
Best wireless soundbar for small room - Bose Solo 5 TV Soundbar
Bose is a brand well known for delivering quality audio products, and the Bose Solo 5 should be seen as a continuation of this trend.
It features Bluetooth connectivity to wirelessly stream music to various devices, and could even rival some of the best wireless speakers out there, due to its high versatility and universal remote control allowing for clear, accessible audio.
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You can fully adjust the Solo 5's audio settings via this remote, including alterations such as upping or downing the bass, depending on your current situation, such as listening to music or watching TV, which we think is rather handy.
Best gaming soundbar for small room - Razer Leviathan
If you're after a soundbar to enhance your gaming experience, then look no further than the Razer Leviathan.
Immersive 5.1 Channel Surround Sound combines with Dolby technology for some truly great sound, and its 4 drivers come with some nice pre-set options to alter its settings depending on the game type.
Holding its place as one of the best soundbars for gaming, the Leviathan also comes with its own downward-firing vertical subwoofer, for that all-important deep and powerful bass.
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We think it's one of the best-looking soundbars too, with a modern, compact design letting it blend seamlessly into your gaming setup, although if you're still after something more expensive you can opt for of the best speakers for gaming.
Best budget soundbar for small room - BESTISAN S6520 Soundbar
When it comes to soundbars, the price range can vary wildly. The more premium options will set you back upwards of $500, whereas the more budget versions can be found for less than $100.
The BESTISAN S6520 is on the lower end of the scale and brings some features you may not expect for such an affordable soundbar, including Bluetooth and HDMI connectivity as well as an included remote.
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A fine-tuned Digital Signal Processor should offer audio with rousing highs and deep lows, and you can customise both the bass and treble to your desired preference.
One of the best budget soundbars around, the S6520 features a slim, lightweight design, and with DSP audio mode and enhanced bass output, this soundbar can deliver the goods, without breaking the bank.
Best sized soundbar for small room - Roku Streambar
If you only have a small space available for creating a home theatre or gaming set-up, then you shouldn't be looking to compromise on your soundbar's size. Thankfully, the Roku Streambar has you covered.
A tiny size of just 14 x 4.2 x 2.4 inches means the Streambar can be positioned in any location and it's also very reasonably priced too.
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There are a variety of optional purchases to go along with the soundbar, such as a surround sound subwoofer, but the Streambar should be more than capable of delivering strong audio quality on its own.
Being able to utilize Alexa or Siri allows the soundbar to fit snuggly into your setup, and in our opinion, it seems to be one of the most accessible soundbars around, which we think is a vital quality to possess.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a soundbar?
A soundbar is typically an optional purchase, as it primarily serves to enhance audio quality, rather than provide the function in the first place.
Upgrading from a standard TV or PC speaker is not a niche purchase, however, especially if you are looking to recreate a home cinema experience, or seeking to create an awesome gaming set-up.
Soundbars are much more affordable and easy to place than a proper surround sound speaker system, and you can easily maximise a small room's capacity with a cheaper soundbar option.
Do I need a mount for my soundbar?
Mounting your soundbar is again, entirely optional, as the products are designed to work when placed at ground level.
However, the acoustics will generally always be improved when your soundbar is mounted at ear height, so investing in a soundbar mount could be a great option if you are looking to further improve your set-ups audio quality.
Is a soundbar better than a TV for audio?
Soundbars excel in providing clear, high-definition audio, with a wide frequency range. Most TVs will focus on maximising their picture quality, rather than their audio output, so a great soundbar can prop up that particular aspect of your viewing experience.
Great for both movie watching and gaming, even a low-cost soundbar is going to rival a TV for audio quality, however, one of the best speakers will typically be the best option for the very loudest and clearest sound.
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