You've probably already shelled out for a nice big TV, and maybe a streaming gadget to play your Netflix, but what about your sound?
It doesn't matter how large your screen is or how much it cost—it probably sounds awful. You'd be surprised by how much more you enjoy those Netflix Originals with a halfway decent soundbar or surround system. Explosions pop, dialog sounds far crisper, and you may even notice details you’ve never picked up on before.
Why You Need a Soundbar
We have yet to test a modern TV that didn't sound crummy without some kind of audio accessory added. That's mostly due to the way they're designed: Great-sounding speakers are bulky, and as TVs have gotten thinner, with shrinking bezels and sleeker designs, manufacturers are having a harder time building them in.
Even if you can only afford to spend $150 on a new soundbar with a subwoofer, it’s essential to getting the most out of your viewing experience. To help, we put together this list of the best soundbar bundles we've tested, and a little advice on how to make the most of them.
Updated November 27: We've added the Vizio SB3821-C6, Sonos Arc, Enclave Audio CineHome Pro, Roku Streambar, and ZVOX AccuVoice AC157. Be sure to check out our Black Friday TV and soundbar picks.
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Photograph: Vizio
Best Value
Vizio 2.1 Soundbar (SB3821-C6)
Vizio is one of the best brands in the business when it comes to delivering good sound at palatable prices, and its most recent 2.1-channel model is a shining example of this ethos. The SB3821-C6 soundbar is sleek, easy to set up, and has a wireless subwoofer that can sit next to your couch.
With 3.5-mm, USB, and optical cable inputs—plus Bluetooth for playing music from your smartphone—you can enjoy its crystal-clear audio from virtually any device you own, though you will have to shell out for a more expensive bar if you want to use HDMI ARC to control your sound using your TV’s remote control instead of the included Vizio remote (though it does have IR codes to program your TV remote manually if you’re tech-savvy).
Inputs: Optical, coaxial, USB, 3.5-mm audio, and Bluetooth
Photograph: Yamaha
Best Smart Soundbar With a Built-In Sub
Yamaha YAS-109
I always recommend snagging a soundbar with a separate subwoofer included for maximum audio enjoyment, but if you live in a small apartment, or just don’t have room for a subwoofer in your living room, the Yamaha YAS-109 is for you. It might not have a sub, but this small Yamaha bar comes packed with great tech.
With the same great built-in Alexa, Spotify Connect, and the same dual HDMI inputs as the YAS-209 (also on this list), you’ll get a stripped-down bar that’s capable of being the center of your living room audio experience—from playing your favorite movies to telling you the news and weather—without making you touch a remote.
Inputs: 2 HDMI ports (one ARC), optical, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth, and mics for voice-activated Alexa
Photograph: Yamaha
Best Smart Soundbar With a Dedicated Sub
Yamaha YAS-209
If you’re looking for a soundbar and sub combo that doubles as a smart speaker for your living room, there is no better option than the Yamaha YAS-209. It has Amazon Alexa built in, two virtual surround sound modes, Wi-Fi, Spotify Connect, and Bluetooth. You can do everything from play Taylor Swift to check the weather. That’s a heck of a lot of features for such an affordable bar.
The YAS-209 also sounds better than it has any right to at this price. Audio comes through crisp and clear, with impressive width and depth, and the included subwoofer bolsters explosions, footsteps, and your favorite bassy tunes.
Inputs: 2 HDMI ports (one ARC), optical, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth, and mics for voice-activated Alexa
Photograph: Roku
A Bar With Roku Built In
Roku Smart Soundbar
If you're after a soundbar that also doubles as an awesome streaming device, WIRED senior writer Adrienne So swears by the Roku Smart Soundbar (7/10, WIRED Review). After years without a soundbar, I sent her home with Roku's latest model, and she was so impressed that she shouted it from the rooftops. Setup is extremely easy, and because it comes with Roku's simple streaming interface (and support for 4K, surround sound, and High Dynamic Range), you'll be able to stream your shows easier than ever. You can also add on a Roku subwoofer or surround-sound speakers down the line, should you want even bolder, more immersive sound.
We've also linked to the Onn Walmart version below. It's cheaper and slightly weaker, but still a lot nicer than standard TV speakers, and it still comes with Roku.
Inputs: 1 HDMI port (with ARC), optical, Wi-Fi (2.4 and 5 GHz), USB 2.0, Bluetooth, voice remote.
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Photograph: Vizio
Best Affordable Atmos Surround Sound
Vizio TV Sound System With Dolby Atmos (SB36512-F6)
If you’re into console gaming, you know how important it is to detect that opponent creeping behind you in the shadows. This affordable Dolby Atmos soundbar from Vizio helps you hear every footstep in real, physical space. Atmos bars fire sound upward, expanding your TV's soundstage. At under $500, this is the most affordable Atmos-enabled bar you’ll find, making it a no-brainer for film buffs too.
Dolby Atmos support means that gamers can hear what’s going on above them too, which is perfect for avoiding that gun-toting helicopter above you.
Inputs: 2 HDMI ports (one ARC), 3.5 mm, optical, USB, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Google Chromecast built in
Photograph: Sonos
The Smartest Soundbar
Sonos Arc Soundbar
WIRED editor Jeffrey Van Camp loved his time with this larger Sonos Bar, giving the Dolby Atmos-enabled bar a 9/10, WIRED Recommends in his full review. It's a fantastic-sounding option for larger TVs, thanks to its ability to 'fire' sound around your room. We also consider it the brainiest of all soundbars. Thanks to Alexa and Google Assistant integrations (plus Siri, via Airplay), you can use the ARC (and optional subwoofer) as the centerpiece of your home's smart speaker system.
It's a bit smaller, but we also like the Sonos Beam if you're looking for a well-connected bar without the ability to project object-based surround sound.
Inputs: HDMI ARC, optical, Ethernet, Wi-Fi.
Photograph: Roku
For Small Spaces
Roku Streambar
If you've got a small TV in the kitchen, office, or tiny home, space is of the essence! That's why I'm excited about the new Roku Streambar. It's a petite little soundbar with true stereo sound and a Roku streaming player built in. The WIRED team hasn't spent enough time with one to write a complete review yet, but on physical specs alone, this is a hard bar to beat for tight spaces. No more tiny TV speakers!
Inputs: HDMI ARC, Optical, USB.
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Photograph: ZVOX
Best for Those With Hearing Loss
ZVOX AccuVoice AV157
If you or someone you love is having a hard time hearing what the voices are saying on screen, consider this awesome little soundbar from lesser-known (but long-standing) brand ZVOX. The company has perfected what it calls "AccuVoice" technology, which uses digital signal processing to make voices sound clearer than any other bar I've tested.
Inputs: Optical, 3.5 mm.
Photograph: SENNHEISER
Absolute Best Soundbar (If Price Is No Object)
Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar
Acclaimed audio brand Sennheiser waited decades to launch its first home soundbar, and it shows. The company’s massive—and massively expensive—Ambeo Soundbar showcases some of the most advanced processing and audio quality we’ve ever heard from a bar. Even without the addition of satellite speakers for surround, the Ambeo uses its tech to throw sound around your space with full Dolby Atmos immersion. At times it sounds so good you might think there are little tiny speakers flying all around your room.
It's the best-sounding bar we’ve ever heard. It doesn't matter if you're listening to Netflix Originals or your favorite music, the Ambeo offers rich, detailed sound. It’s not for the budget-conscious, sure, but it doesn’t have to be: This is the crème de la crème of compact home theater audio, and much like LG, Samsung, and Sony can use exceptional image quality to convince people to shell out thousands for their flagship TVs, Sennheiser’s Ambeo does the same with sound.
Inputs: 3 HDMI ports (one ARC), optical, RCA, Bluetooth, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Google Chromecast built in
Photograph: Enclave Audio
Not Quite a Soundbar
Enclave Audio CineHome Pro
The Enclave Audio CineHome Pro (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is a $1,500, THX-certified surround-sound system, but it still has many of the same characteristics as our favorite larger soundbar systems. For one, the 5.1 system is completely wireless. Thanks to clever use of the WiSA (a new-ish wireless surround sound) protocol, all you have to do is find a power outlet for each speaker and plug in a small Roku-size box to your TV's ARC port. Bada bing, bada boom: THX-certified surround sound! It's a bit spendy, but if you're after truly great sound with soundbar-like convenience, it doesn't get better than this.
Inputs: HDMI ARC, Bluetooth, 3.5 mm.
Photograph: Best Buy
These Didn't Quite Make the Cut
They're OK, but Not Great
There are a lot of great soundbars out there, and we don't have room to feature them all. Here are some others you might want to consider.
Sonos Playbar is an excellent (older) Sonos bar: Sonos replaced the Playbar with the new Arc soundbar, but if you see a Playbar for less than $400, it's still a very nice soundbar that can outpower the Beam, and it will connect to the Sonos ecosystem.
The Samsung THW-T450 is great for those who love Bluetooth: It's only got a Bluetooth connection, but this $150 soundbar with subwoofer does pretty well for the price. With easy one-time pairing to your TV, you don't even need to plug in a cable.
Photograph: Amazon
Get Hooked Up
Properly Connect Your Soundbar
We've included a list of connectivity features next to every soundbar on our list. The vast majority of soundbars will connect to your TV best via optical or HDMI cables—HDMI being preferable in most cases.
If your TV and soundbar both have an HDMI-ARC port (looks like HDMI, but labeled ARC), try connecting that way. It will allow you to use your TV remote for volume. Also make sure CEC is enabled. Use an optical cable only if HDMI isn't available.
Finally, check your TV audio menus to make sure your TV's internal speakers are set to off (so you don't get any weird audio fluttering), and find the best spots to place your speakers and sub.
Source: https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-soundbars/
