A good soundbar gets more out of your films, games and music than your TV's built-in speakers ever could. But not every model focuses on the same strengths. Some soundbars are designed for surround sound, while others focus more on ease of use, powerful bass or extra features. Discover the best soundbars of the moment here and see what each model does best.
These are the best soundbars available right now:
The TCL S45H is a stylish soundbar with Dolby Atmos and an integrated subwoofer. That gives you deeper low tones without needing to place a separate subwoofer next to your TV. With a width of 81 centimetres, this TCL soundbar fits easily on your TV unit or underneath a mid-sized television. DTS Virtual:X technology and Dolby Atmos create a more spacious sound, while the Dual Bass system puts extra emphasis on low frequencies. That means you'll enjoy fuller sound during action scenes and when listening to music. Bluetooth is also handy if you'd like to play music from your smartphone. The soundbar comes with different sound modes that adjust the audio to what you're watching or listening to.
Pros and cons:
+ Built-in subwoofer for full bass sound without needing extra separate devices.
+ Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual:X create a fuller soundstage.
- 2.0-channel audio is less spacious than a soundbar with separate rear speakers.
Without a separate subwoofer, the JBL Bar 2.0 All-in-One MK2 takes up less space and leaves you with fewer cables in your living room. Films, series and music sound fuller than they do through your TV's built-in speakers, partly thanks to JBL Surround Sound and Dolby Digital, which create a stronger surround effect. The deep bass tones add extra impact without the need to place an additional speaker. The compact design of this JBL soundbar keeps your setup neat and blends subtly into the room. You can connect the soundbar through HDMI using a single cable.
Pros and cons:
+ Soundbar without a subwoofer, so no separate devices are needed.
+ Dolby Digital and JBL Surround Sound create a stronger surround effect.
- Bass tones are less powerful than with a soundbar that includes a separate subwoofer.
If you're looking for a soundbar with powerful surround sound, the LG DS70TR is a strong choice. Dolby Atmos adds more depth to the audio and makes it seem as though sound is coming from different directions, creating a more immersive experience. The combination of a 5.1.1-channel setup, an up-firing centre speaker and a wireless subwoofer strengthens that effect even further. Dialogue stays clear and easy to understand, while sound effects come across with greater impact. This spacious sound presentation also helps during gaming, as it makes it easier to hear where sounds are coming from. With a total power output of 500 watts, this soundbar is suitable for medium-sized to larger living rooms.
Pros and cons:
+ 5.1.1-channel setup delivers convincing surround sound.
+ Adds extra depth to the audio.
- Takes up more space in your living room.
The Bose TV Speaker is a compact soundbar that easily fits underneath your TV or on a smaller TV unit. Despite its compact size, it delivers rich and deep sound. The dedicated dialogue mode on this compact soundbar puts extra emphasis on voices, making conversations, commentary and news broadcasts easier to understand. Thanks to its low weight of 1.9 kilograms, you can also move the Bose soundbar around easily if you'd like to connect it to a different device.
Pros and cons:
+ Compact design takes up very little space.
+ Dialogue mode makes voices easier to understand.
- For extra powerful bass, you'll need a separate bass module.
The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is part of the Sonos ecosystem, which means you can easily combine it with other Sonos speakers around your home. That lets you play music throughout the house and expand your audio setup further at a later stage. Thanks to Dolby Atmos, content sounds more spacious and delivers a stronger surround effect. Sonos Trueplay adjusts the sound to the acoustics of your room, so this Sonos soundbar performs well in different setups too. It's also handy that you can control the Sonos Beam through the Sonos app, with your voice, or via Apple AirPlay.
Pros and cons:
+ Integrates seamlessly with other Sonos speakers.
+ Trueplay adjusts the sound to your room.
- Some features depend on the Sonos app.
The Samsung B450F combines a wireless subwoofer with technology that automatically adjusts the sound to what is happening on screen. Adaptive Sound Lite analyses what's on the screen and adapts the sound profile accordingly, so voices stay clear and important sound effects stand out better. Low tones also gain more impact thanks to the wireless subwoofer on this Samsung soundbar. If you'd like even more emphasis on the bass, for example when listening to music, you can activate the Bass Boost function using the remote control. Through Bluetooth, you can connect the soundbar to your TV without using cables, which is handy if you'd like to keep cables in your living room to a minimum.
Pros and cons:
+ Connects wirelessly to your TV.
+ The subwoofer delivers powerful bass.
- No Dolby Atmos support.
Are you looking for a new soundbar? Then it's worth keeping a few things in mind so you choose the right model. Do you want deeper bass for fuller music and more impactful action scenes? Then it's best to go for a soundbar with a subwoofer. If you're looking for a stronger surround effect for films and games, technologies such as Dolby Atmos can offer the solution. A compact soundbar is a smart choice if you have a smaller TV unit or you're looking for a device that doesn't take up much space. It's also worth paying attention to how you'd like to connect your soundbar to your TV: some models only connect through a cable, while others can also be paired through Bluetooth.
