Soundbars offer a few advantages over traditional home theater speaker setups: they tend to take up less space, are easier to set up, and are often more affordable. Whether you're looking for a soundbar that supports Dolby Atmos or want something you can plug your older MP3 player into, there's a model for you. However, not all soundbars are created equal; some provide a better listening experience than others. If you watch a lot of TV or listen to music at home, you'll want something that sounds good and is compatible with your existing devices, whether you want to hook it up to your smart TV or prefer streaming directly from your smartphone. The best soundbar for TV can reproduce dialogue in your favorite shows with clarity and detail.
We've tested over 225 soundbars; below are our top picks. See our recommendations for the best budget soundbars, the best Dolby Atmos soundbars, and the best 5.1 soundbars.
Check out our video rundown on the best soundbars.
Quick Look
Our recommendations are built upon our thorough testing and rigorous reviews. Every soundbar we evaluate goes through multiple testing stages with different teams to ensure accurate, authentic results. No cherry-picked units or data.
Curious how we've tested over 200 soundbars (and counting)? Look at our How We Test Soundbars article for a behind-the-scenes look at our lab and process.
Best Soundbar
The Samsung HW-Q990F is the best soundbar we've tested. This premium 11.1.4 setup is the next generation of the Samsung HW-Q990D with a redesigned subwoofer, though you may prefer either soundbar's bass. The newer subwoofer is sealed and rattles less than the ported version found on the HW-Q990D; that said, the HW-Q990F's sub compresses low- and mid-bass frequencies at max volume, which can cause effects to lose some of their punch. Like the previous gen, you can use the bar as a hub between your TV and another device, like a console. However, the Q990F model also has expanded support for Q-Symphony, the brand's feature for sound system expansion with compatible wireless speakers, to accommodate up to three additional devices.
This bar comes with two satellites and a subwoofer to create a balanced and immersive sound for all kinds of content. It also supports formats like Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital, and thanks to its satellites, the sound stretches all around you, making you feel like you're really there in your favorite blockbusters. You can crank up the volume to fill a large room without a ton of compression to ruin the purity of your sound. There are a lot of customization features like an EQ and presets, and the HW-Q990F lets you localize audio to the rear satellites for a more intimate audio experience that's less disruptive to your neighbors. It also supports Samsung and Google's new Eclipsa Audio, a spatial audio technology meant to compete with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. However, Eclipsa is still a fledgling technology with limited content that needs a bit more time to mature.
That said, the HW-Q990F's price point is quite high. If you aren't particularly interested in Eclipsa or the subwoofer redesign, the HW-Q990D may be the better option for you. It offers a very comparable overall sound performance and can be an attractive pickup if you can find it heavily discounted due to its status as a previous-generation product.
Best Upper Mid-Range Soundbar
The Samsung HW-Q930D is a great option if you want a more affordable premium soundbar. This 9.1.4 soundbar retains many of the same features as the Samsung HW-Q990F, such as room correction and a graphic EQ to tailor the sound profile to your space and taste. It has two discrete satellites and a dedicated subwoofer for a deep, extended low bass. You can enjoy a clear, detailed sound with all your favorite audio content right out of the box. In the U.S., it only seems to be available through a limited number of retailers, like Best Buy and the manufacturer's website.
Thanks to the four up-firing drivers, the soundbar reproduces object-based formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X all around you with the dimension of height. Meanwhile, other common formats, such as Dolby Digital and DTS, are correctly implemented for surround sound with a good amount of intensity during dynamic and explosive blockbusters. Handy sound tools like 'Night' mode and dialogue enhancement help round out the package. That said, compared to the step-up HW-Q990F, this soundbar comes with two fewer channels, and it can't pass through 4k video at 120Hz. Out of the box, it's not as bassy as the top pick either, but you can alter the bass in the EQ if you want more oomph. So, if you can forego those features, it's a great choice. But if you'd like to use your soundbar for gaming and need the passthrough functionality, you can check out the Samsung HW-Q910D, which supports 4k passthrough at 120Hz at a lower price. That said, the HW-Q910D has fewer up-firing speakers and requires its satellites to be wired to a wireless receiver, which can be a minor inconvenience.
Best Mid-Range Soundbar
The LG S90TR is one of the best soundbars we've tested at this price point. This 7.1.3 Dolby Atmos soundbar offers a versatile performance for all your content needs. With its room correction feature, it has a balanced sound that delivers satisfying thump and rumble while dialogue clearly shines. If you prefer a different sound, however, there are a few EQ presets available. This bar also supports a wide array of connectivity options and audio formats. It also supports common wireless connections like Spotify Connect and Apple AirPlay, which is great if you want to stream your favorite podcasts or playlists.
Its satellites ensure a spacious sound for surround content, so movies feel more immersive and dimensional. That said, the Atmos performance is a bit lacking since it only relies on the bar's up-firing speakers, and it can make content like helicopters soaring overhead lack depth and fullness compared to the Samsung HW-Q930D, which has up-firing satellites.
Best Lower Mid-Range Soundbar
The Samsung HW-Q800F is a good choice for those tight on space or happy to compromise on rear satellites for other reasons. You get a similarly refined sound to more premium bars like the LG S90TR, with plenty of rumble in the bass alongside crisp, clear treble that ensures drum cymbals sound exciting. Its dedicated center channel also keeps voices clear in movies and TV shows, and Samsung includes handy extras like Voice Enhance and Night Mode to help when mixes are uneven or when you need to keep the volume down.
The main downside is obviously the lack of dedicated rear satellites. The Q800F can still play back surround content using side-firing drivers, but the effect isn't as convincing as the dedicated satellites of more premium setups from the brand, like the Samsung HW-Q930D. Still, with HDMI passthrough, the Q800F can double up as a hub for your system, and with support for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Chromecast, it's just as useful for streaming music or podcasts. If you're short on space, this bar might not even be a compromise purchase at all. That said, if you would like discrete rear satellites at a similar price, check out the TCL Q85H. Its sound isn't as balanced as the Samsung out of the box and has higher latency, and you can't adjust the height channels manually, but it unsurprisingly beats our pick for surround performance.
Best Budget Soundbar
The Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus with Sub + Speakers is the best budget soundbar we've tested. The 5.1 soundbar is more affordable than the Samsung HW-Q800F, but lacks the Samsung's superb customization options and sound enhancement suite, which includes room correction. However, the Amazon covers the essential necessities to produce a good sound without too much in the way of added luxuries, which helps keep the budget down. And you still get an outboard sub and two satellites. The sub reproduces a deep, rumbly bass, while the bar and satellites produce audio with plenty of definition and a decently wide soundstage. The soundbar does a good job with everything from music to movies, so rest assured, the budget price tier shouldn't impact your enjoyment too much.
The system can handle 5.1 formats such as Dolby Digital, as well as more advanced options like Dolby Atmos, but without dedicated up-firing drivers, the height effects aren't as convincing as the more expensive soundbars on this list. If you simply can't live without immersive Atmos content but are on a budget, the Vizio Elevate SE SL512X-0806 is worth a look. Since it has dedicated up-firing drivers, it produces more convincing height effects. The main downside is that its satellites and subwoofer require wired connections, which can limit where you place them. By contrast, the Amazon setup keeps things wireless, offers a more balanced overall sound, and delivers deeper, more impactful bass.
Best Small Soundbar
Low on space? Don't want to clutter your living room? Check out the Sonos Beam (Gen 2), our best soundbar for TV if you prefer a small footprint. This next-generation soundbar retains the same compact design of the original Sonos Beam at less than 26 inches in width. What's the difference between them? Well, this model supports Dolby Atmos content, which is increasingly common on both streaming platforms and Blu-rays. You can enjoy a wide, immersive sound with multi-channel content, as the bar can widen its soundstage well past its small frame. It's not quite as stellar a performance as the more premium Sonos Arc Ultra, but it stands out compared to other smaller soundbars.
This 5.0 setup has many of the same sound enhancement features as the Arc Ultra. First, you can access a room correction feature designed to optimize the bar's sound for your unique room. You can even add a sub and satellites to create the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers for the best possible performance. That said, the standalone bar still offers a solid performance, and it's worth a look for those without a lot of space. The ability to add on other components is an added benefit if you move to a bigger room down the line.
For more on self-contained bars, check out the best all-in-one soundbars.
Best Soundbar For Large Rooms
For those with larger, more open living spaces, finding a soundbar capable of filling your whole room with sound is important. The Nakamichi Shockwafe Wireless is one of the best soundbars for this use case, thanks to its 11.2.6 setup. Unlike most soundbars, it has two subwoofers to even out the bass reproduction throughout your room, as well as four satellite speakers, which you can position horizontally or vertically for the best possible sound. You can move these components around the room to fill any gaps in the soundstage, so no space goes without. Still, while the subwoofers ensure you hear plenty of thump and rumble, the treble can sound a bit dull at times, which hurts vocal intelligibility, especially when compared to our top pick, the Samsung HW-Q990F.
This soundbar doesn't have a traditional room correction feature since it lacks a microphone to analyze your room's unique acoustics. Still, you can input your room dimensions to optimize the sound for your space, and also customize the level of each output channel to taste. The bar also comes with a few presets to toggle between, including 'Music,' 'Movie,' 'Game,' 'News,' and 'Sports.' Connectivity-wise, the bar offers support for all the major formats via eARC and optical. It also supports HDMI 2.1 and can passthrough 4k signals @ 120Hz @ 10-bit. With two HDMI In ports, the bar can easily act as a hub for your different devices and displays.
Notable Mentions
- Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 with Speakers + Bass Module:
The Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 with Speakers + Bass Module is a versatile 7.1.4 setup with Dolby Atmos support. Compared to other premium models, its stereo soundstage is a bit narrower and has fewer sound enhancement tools than the Samsung HW-Q990F.
See our review - Sonos Ultimate Immersive Set with Arc Ultra:
The Sonos Ultimate Immersive Set with Arc UItra is a premium alternative to the Samsung HW-Q990F. It offers an immersive sound and a modular design you can add speakers to, but it's more limited than the Samsung with wired connectivity due to its single eARC port.
See our review - LG S95AR:
The LG S95AR is LG's flagship soundbar. It's a solid alternative to the Samsung HW-Q930D, especially for LG TV owners, who can take advantage of the WOWCAST and WOW Orchestra features to incorporate their TV speakers into the bar's 9.1.5 setup. That said, the Samsung is a bit cheaper and has lower
See our review - Samsung HW-Q900C: The Samsung HW-Q900C is a good alternative to the LG S90TR if you want a bar without satellites. It has a better center channel performance and can get louder with a bit less compression at max volume. However, its surround sound performance isn't quite as impressive. See our review
- Klipsch Flexus Core 300:
The Klipsch Flexus Core 300 is an all-in-one soundbar that makes a good alternative to larger setups like the LG S90TR, especially if you're short on space. Of course, since it lacks a dedicated sub and satellites, the Klipsch's sound isn't as immersive as the LG's, but it still offers a balanced, versatile sound in a simple package.
See our review
Recent Updates
Sep 29, 2025:
We've added the Samsung HW-Q800F as a new lower mid-range pick to better serve different price points. The Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus with Sub + Speakers is our new budget pick, with the Vizio Elevate SE SL512X-0806 as an alternative for Atmos fans. The Nakamichi Shockwafe Wireless replaces the Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 eARC as our pick for large rooms. Finally, in our Notable Mentions, we added the Klipsch Flexus Core 300 for anyone looking for an all-in-one solution, removed the Sony BRAVIA Theater Quad with Bass Module, and replaced the LG S95TR with the newer LG S95AR.
Jul 17, 2025:
We've replaced our 'Best Soundbar' pick, the Samsung HW-Q990D, with the Samsung HW-Q990F due to marginal improvements in connectivity and format support (Eclipsa Audio). We've also updated the text for clarity and mentioned more recently reviewed products throughout the article, including the Nakamichi DRAGON and Samsung HW-Q910D.
Mar 31, 2025:
This article's Notable Mentions have been updated to replace the Vizio M Series M512a-H6 (which is frequently unavailable) with Vizio Elevate SE SL512X-0806 and to add the TCL Q85H. Otherwise, the article has been checked for accuracy with very minor text edits.
Jan 24, 2025:
This article has been updated with the Samsung HW-Q930D, replacing the last-generation Samsung HW-Q930C. The Hisense AX5125H is the new budget pick. We've revised the text with updated references to the Samsung HW-Q800D and the Sonos Arc Ultra. We've also refreshed the Notable Mentions with the Sonos Ultimate Immersive Set with Arc Ultra, Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar with Speakers + Bass Module, and Vizio M Series M512a-H6.
Oct 21, 2024:
We've checked this article for accuracy but have made no changes to the picks, as they still represent the best for each category. Otherwise, we've made only minor changes to the text.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the top soundbars for most people to buy. We factor in the price (a cheaper soundbar wins over a pricier one if the difference isn't worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no soundbars that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).
If you would like to choose for yourself, here's the list of all our soundbar reviews, including the top soundbars for TV. Be careful not to get caught up in the details. No soundbar is perfect. Personal taste, preference, and listening habits will matter more in your selection.
Comments
Best Soundbars: Main Discussion
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We’ve just released a new video that mentions the Sonos Beam (Gen 2), Samsung HW-Q930D, LG S90TR, Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus with Sub + Speakers, Samsung HW-Q990F, Nakamichi Shockwafe Wireless, and Samsung HW-Q800F here.
Outdated. The “best budget soundbar,” the Hisense AX5125H, is not available anywhere linked. Please update.
We’ve just released a new video that mentions the Samsung HW-Q990F here.