The 5 Best Budget Soundbars - Fall 2020
Reviews

The best budget soundbar we've tested is the Sony HT-S100F. This entry-level model from Sony can be a viable option if you're looking to upgrade the sound from your TV's integrated speakers without spending a fortune. The overall build quality is decent, and it has a simple, straightforward design that's easy to set up.

While it sounds a bit muddy, this standalone model still performs alright overall, especially compared to other cheap soundbars we've tested. It's not a top-of-the-line product, but it's an affordable option for streaming music over Bluetooth or watching some TV shows here and there. It can even downmix Dolby Digital surround content to stereo, which some cheap models can't do at all.

Unfortunately, it's quite large for a standalone bar. It might not fit directly under your TV, which can be an issue if you're tight on space. Still, if you don't mind it taking up a bit of room, it provides decent overall value for the price, making it the best cheap soundbar we've tested.

The best budget soundbar that we've tested is the Vizio V Series V21-H8. This 2.1 soundbar has a dedicated subwoofer that produces deep and boomy bass. It's decently well-built, and it's Bluetooth-compatible, so you can stream content from your phone to the bar.

Overall, this soundbar has a boomy, bass-heavy sound profile that adds an extra thump and punch to bass-heavy music genres and action-packed shows. If you prefer a different sound, a few EQ presets are available, including a dialogue enhancement feature that helps make voices sound clearer and crisper. There's also an auto-volume mode to help balance the volume level between different programs.

Unfortunately, while this soundbar gets pretty loud, there's a bit of compression when it's played at max volume. Also, it doesn't support Atmos content, and it downmixes surround content into stereo, so it may not be the best choice for an immersive movie-watching experience. That said, if you're on a budget, this soundbar is a solid upgrade over your TV speakers.

The best value soundbar under $300 that we've tested is the Yamaha YAS-209. Even though its current retail price is slightly above that price point, it's been seen at under $300 recently. Overall, this 2.1 setup has a decently versatile performance that should please many listeners.

It has a neutral, well-balanced sound profile that suits most music and movie genres. Thanks to its dedicated subwoofer, its bass extends low, so it can reproduce the low thumps and rumbles in bass-heavy content better than the Yamaha YAS-207. It also comes with six EQ presets to help you customize your sound, which is a decent selection for its price point.

Unfortunately, it doesn't support Atmos content. Like many budget bars, it downmixes surround content into stereo, which doesn't provide the most immersive listening experience. That being said, it supports 4k passthrough, so it can be used as a hub for your PC or your gaming console.