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The best soundbars you can buy right now

The best soundbars in 2022: give your Television receiver audio a boost

Included in this guide:

Best soundbars
(Image credit: Shutterstock)

A big TV deserves to be partnered with one of the best soundbars. With multiple drivers covering a wide sound expanse in front of your screen, even a relatively affordable soundbar can outperform the integrated speakers on almost TVs.

The consequence is that equally TVs get thinner, the congenital-in speakers often have to shrink to fit within the tiniest of cabinet spaces, and the sound lacks the kind of impact to match today'southward big TV screens. In that location's plenty of sophisticated digital betoken processing (DSP) tech to assistance get the best sound output possible, but fifty-fifty the all-time TVs aren't exempt from sounding thin and weedy.

A soundbar makes an constructive audio upgrade — and in many cases could fifty-fifty form the footing of a much more ambitious surround sound system. To make sure yous're choosing the right soundbar model for your needs, simply read on: we've ranked the best soundbars according to our own in-house testing.

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Editor'due south Note: The Tom's Guide Awards for sound have been announced, and the Artistic Stage V2 has won the Best soundbar award! Head to the audio awards page to encounter all the winners and recommended runners-upward.

The best soundbars: News and upcoming releases (updated January xx)

  • The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 is a super-stylish model with Dolby Atmos back up and an attractive buy for anyone who has already joined the Bose ecosystem. Sadly though, at $899, it doesn't outsmart rivals at the the price.
  • Denon has announced the introduction of the DHT-S517 soundbar due to arrive at the end of January (pricing TBC). A 3.i.2 configuration, information technology utilizes a seven-driver array comprised of left/right tweeters and midrange drivers, a dedicated eye-channel, plus two upwards-firing speakers for Dolby Atmos 3D surround sound. It comes packaged with a wireless subwoofer.
  • LG unveiled plans to introduce three new models to its soundbar lineup scheduled for later this year. The new additions include the S95QY, S90QY and S80QY, and volition innovate new built-in speaker arrangements with upward-firing center drivers to improve spoken communication clarity. The new models will also back up wireless Dolby Atmos compatible with the company's add-on wireless environment speaker packages. Prices are yet to be confirmed.
  • Phillips recently launched the B8905 Soundbar, a model that comes with iii.1.two channels to make full any room with loud, crystal-clear sound. It also offers the full Dolby Atmos feel and DTS Play-Fi compatibility for $599.99.
  • Hisense appear its new soundbar lineup, highlighted past the flagship HS312 iii.1 Channel Soundbar, which combines vi 30W speakers and a 240W subwoofer with Dolby Atmos. An HDMI (eARC) cable is as well included to easily connect to HDTVs.
  • The Sennheiser Ambeo has been updated with back up for Sony 360 Reality Audio, enabling 3D music playback from the all-in-one speaker.

What are the best soundbars?

Our superlative all-circular pick is the Yamaha YAS-209. With its excellent audio, bundled subwoofer, and built-in Alexa assistant, the YAS-209 is a superb bargain that will happily serve about users.

If y'all want a more premium option, we're also big fans of the Sonos Arc. With its auto-tuning capabilities that tailor the sound to your room, and phonation control back up via Alexa and Google Assistant, it'south ane of the smartest soundbars you can purchase.

Those on tighter budgets, meanwhile, should consider the Creative Stage V2: a simple nonetheless very capable soundbar/subwoofer combo that won't take upwardly too much space.

Here's our total list of the best soundbars on sale right now.

The best soundbars you tin buy today

best soundbars: Yamaha YAS-209 Top Pick

(Epitome credit: Yamaha)

1. Yamaha YAS-209

The all-time soundbar and subwoofer combo

Specifications

Size: 36.6 ten four.three 10 2.five-inches

Inputs/Outputs: HDMI in/out, digital optical in

Audio Channels: Stereo, DTS Virtual X Surround

Bluetooth: Yes

Reasons to purchase

+

Clear and resonant dialog

+

First-class for music

+

Alexa inside

Reasons to avoid

-

Lacks depression-frequency effects when movies are playing

-

Simply ane HDMI input

The Yamaha YAS-209 is an excellent bundle for the cost, getting yous great overall audio, a wireless subwoofer for beefy bass and Alexa support for handy voice controls. The soundbar itself is one of the sleeker models nosotros've tested, with a 36-inch design that should look great nether near TVs.

The soundbar's iv 1.75-inch drivers deliver immersive audio for movies and shows. What's more, the built in Alexa functionality makes it easy to command any smart device in your home — even when the soundbar is off. We wish there was more than only one HDMI port on the back, just even despite that nitpick, the YAS-209 offers a lot to like.

Read our total Yamaha YAS-209 review .

The Editor's Choice Sonos Arc

(Image credit: Sonos)

2. Sonos Arc

The all-time premium soundbar

Specifications

Size: 45 ten four.v x iii.4 inches

Inputs/Outputs: Ethernet, HDMI ARC

Sound Channels: N/A

Bluetooth: No (Wi-Fi and AirPlay 2 capable)

Subwoofer: No

Wattage: N/A

Wall Mountable: Yes

Reasons to buy

+

Clear vocals and focused sound

+

Strong, Sonos-quality bass

+

Alexa and Google Banana born

Reasons to avoid

-

Very large

The Sonos Arc is the best soundbar you lot tin can purchase if you're able to splurge. This premium speaker stands out with its gorgeous curved design, which is congenital to be a centerpiece of your living room as much equally it's meant to enhance your TV'due south sound. And information technology certainly doesn't skimp on sound performance, delivering deep bass and clear treble for your favorite movies and Television set shows complete with Dolby Atmos support.

Thanks to Sonos' TruePlay technology, the Arc can automatically tune itself to whatsoever room it's in to deliver the crispest, most accurate audio possible. Information technology as well supports voice controls via Alexa and Google Assistant, making it one of the smartest soundbars you can buy. If you have a larger entertainment area — and big upkeep, the Sonos Arc is the height premium soundbar out there.

Read our total Sonos Arc review .

The Creative Stage V2 set up on the entertainment center

(Paradigm credit: Time to come)

three. Creative Stage V2

The all-time cheap soundbar and subwoofer combo

Specifications

Size: 26.8 x iii x iii.9 inches, iv.iv pounds

Inputs/Outputs: Optical, 3.5mm, HDMI ARC, USB

Audio Channels: ii.one

Bluetooth: Yes

Subwoofer: Yes

Wattage: 160W

Wall Mountable: Yep

Reasons to buy

+

Very inexpensive

+

Varied ports

+

Adjustable audio

Reasons to avoid

-

Short subwoofer cable

-

Plastic attracts dust

Cheap and meaty only deceptively rich-sounding, the Creative Stage V2 is some other fantastic choice for those on tight budgets. The dedicated subwoofer treats lower frequencies much better than the majority of cut-price standalone soundbars, and the clearness of dialog impressed in our testing.

There's too a "Surround" mode that widens the soundstage beyond the Stage V2's small dimensions, and you lot can tweak the sound even further with bass and treble boost settings. Connectivity is very adept for the money, too — in add-on to the expected optical and iii.5mm inputs, at that place's HDMI ARC, USB and Bluetooth to play with likewise.

Read our total Creative Stage V2 review .

The Polk MagniFi Mini on a static backdrop

(Image credit: Polk Audio)

four. Polk MagniFi Mini

The all-time soundbar for smaller spaces

Specifications

Size: 13.four x 4.3 x 3.i inches

Inputs/Outputs: HDMI, Digital Optical, Ethernet, USB

Audio Channels: 5.one, stereo

Bluetooth: Yeah

Subwoofer: Yes

Wattage: North/A

Wall Mountable: No

Reasons to buy

+

Powerful bass and clear vocals

+

Wireless subwoofer

+

Google Cast sound integration

Reasons to avert

-

No onscreen display or mobile app

-

Harsh treble

No soundbar packs huge audio into a tiny parcel quite like the Polk MagniFi Mini does. This unassuming speaker will fit seamlessly into any setup, and delivers crisp dialogue and deep bass with the help of its included wireless subwoofer. Plus, with Google Cast support, the MagniFi Mini doubles as a nifty dwelling house music speaker.

The MagniFi Mini gets loud enough to make full most bedrooms and small apartments, and we found it reliable for getting immersed in movies and TV shows. Factor in a handy remote and an easy setup procedure, and you lot've got the best soundbar out in that location for folks short on space. And at $300, it won't set you lot dorsum much, either.

Read our total Polk MagniFi Mini review .

The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) set up with an HDTV

(Image credit: Future)

5. Sonos Beam (Gen two)

The best-sounding soundbar for small TVs

Specifications

Size: 25.half-dozen x 2.iii x three.9 inches, six.2 pounds

Inputs/Outputs: HDMI eARC, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Apple tree AirPlay ii

Audio Channels: Stereo

Bluetooth: No

Subwoofer: No

Wattage: Not stated

Wall Mountable: No

Reasons to buy

+

Impressive audio for its size

+

3D audio with back up for Dolby Atmos

+

Reliable TruePlay tuning

+

Best selection for 55-inch and smaller TVs

Reasons to avoid

-

Expensive

-

Some new formats not available at launch

An upgrade to ane of the best soundbars available, the 2nd-gen Sonos Beam brings a new CPU, tweaked profiles, more audio formats, and HDMI eArc support into the mix. The drivers have been re-tuned, resulting in a crisper cardinal channel that emphasizes vocal clarity and dialog. Dolby Atmos and other home-theater sound formats grant you numerous means to feel wide 3D audio in your living room. Other unique features like NFC for seamless setup, as well as TruePlay to curate sound to your space and optimal couch position, bring more than value to this small speaker arrangement. It also pairs perfectly with 55-inch (or smaller) HDTVs.

You should know that Sonos products don't come up cheap and the price tag on this beauty might be a bit steep for the average consumer. Those who tin can afford it will detect this to exist a welcome addition to their ecosystem of Sonos products.

Read our full Sonos Beam (Gen 2) review .

The JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam propped on a wooden table

(Image credit: Future)

vi. JBL Bar five.0 MultiBeam

The best soundbar for affordable Atmos

Specifications

Size: 27.9 10 two.3 x three.9 inches

Inputs/Outputs: HDMI ARC, Digital Optical, Ethernet, USB

Sound Channels: 5.0

Bluetooth: Yes

Subwoofer: No

Wattage: 250W

Wall Mountable: Yes

Reasons to buy

+

Good Dolby Atmos performance

+

Auto calibration

+

Doesn't need a subwoofer

Reasons to avoid

-

Limited sound controls

-

No mobile app

Yet more proof that you don't need to spend big to get quality Dolby Atmos integration, the JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam defies its standalone grade gene with a respectable attempt at digital surroundings sound — not to mention powerful bass, fifty-fifty without a subwoofer.

Although we'd accept liked a few more ways to manually adjust the sound output, the Bar 5.0 MultiBeam also features a handy auto calibration feature that tunes Atmos playback for the dimensions of your living room specifically. This helps contribute to a stiff sense of audio positioning, over again something you can't e'er be sure near with single soundbars. Nonetheless, information technology works, and is just another reason the Bar five.0 MultiBeam is one of the best soundbars.

Read our full JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam review .

The Sonos Beam displayed on a static backdrop

(Image credit: Sonos)

7. Sonos Beam (Gen 1)

The best soundbar for sound and smart features at the toll

Specifications

Size: 25.6 x 3.9 x 2.vii inches, 6.2 pounds

Inputs/Outputs: HDMI ARC, optical audio, Wi-Fi, Apple AirPlay 2

Sound Channels: Stereo

Bluetooth: No

Reasons to buy

+

Easy prepare up

+

Alexa inside

+

Wide soundstage

Reasons to avoid

-

Bass lacks detail

-

No Bluetooth audio

The Sonos Beam is a pocket-size, affordable and great-sounding soundbar that also doubles as a neat smart home gadget. This speaker has full Alexa integration, allowing you to, say, control your Fire TV with only your voice, or inquire about the weather or control your smart lights while binging Netflix from the couch.

It as well delivers big on the audio front end for its price, with a wide soundstage and crisp dialogue that will make your favorite movies and shows sing. We'd really like the Beam to embrace Bluetooth (you'll need the Sonos Move for that), but information technology'due south yet an excellent pick if yous want an Alexa-ready soundbar with great performance.

Read our full Sonos Beam review .

The Roku Streambar set up with an HDTV

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

8. Roku Streambar

The best soundbar with integrated media histrion

Specifications

Size: xiv 10 four.2 x 2.4 inches

Inputs/Outputs: HDMI, USB, optical audio

Audio Channels: Stereo

Bluetooth: Aye

Subwoofer: No

Wattage: N/A

Wall Mountable: Yes

Reasons to buy

+

4K streaming

+

Articulate, loud sound

+

Compact blueprint

Reasons to avoid

-

Relatively weak bass

-

No Ethernet port

The Roku Streambar is Roku's second soundbar outing, and just might be the company's best yet. This unique all-in-one device is both a meaty soundbar and a 4K Roku streaming role player at once, allowing yous to enjoy great audio for shows and movies while tapping into your favorite streaming services all from the aforementioned hardware.

Don't permit its size fool you, though — the Streambar delivers impressive sound for its size and toll. Packing iv 1.nine-inch drivers, this small soundbar can hands fill up a living room with well-baked audio for your next Netflix or Disney Plus rampage. And since you're getting Roku software within, you'll be able to spotter just about every streaming service out at that place, with an intuitive interface and an included remote for navigation. Better yet, you can pair the Streambar to the Roku TV Wireless Speakers and Roku Wireless Subwoofer if y'all desire even more immersive audio.

Read our full Roku Streambar review .

The Cleer Crescent on display

(Image credit: Future)

9. Cleer Crescent

All-time smart 3D soundbar with sleek aesthetics

Specifications

Size: 4.7 x 26 x 7.2 inches, 12.three pounds

Inputs/Outputs: 3.5mm aux in, optical in, Ethernet

Audio Channels: Stereo

Bluetooth: Aye

Subwoofer: Yeah

Wattage: 50W (total)

Wall Mountable: No

Reasons to buy

+

Good sound with distinct playback modes

+

Luxe styling

+

Google Assistant is reliable

Reasons to avoid

-

Very expensive

-

3D Mode needs specific seating position

Take the clean appearance of Harman Kardon's wireless speakers and combine information technology with the ultramodern appearance of the Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin wireless smart speaker and you get the Cleer Crescent. However, this soundbar isn't just about its hitting looks. Underneath the wide, gold wedge design are some serious specs, including viii front-facing, full-range drivers and ii larger woofers. The Crescent produces wide sound that is elevated through three distinct playback modes: Room Make full for consistent audio to fill up large spaces, Stereo Widening to expand the soundstage, and 3D to create digital 3D environment sound effects. All of them work well, along with the built-in Google Assistant.

Ane caveat near 3D Mode is that yous demand to exist in a modest spot for the Crescent's beamforming applied science to deliver the desired furnishings. The speaker doesn't come cheap either.

Read our full Cleer Crescent review .

How to choose the best soundbar for you

There are a number of factors that play into deciding which soundbar you should buy. Size will likely be prohibitive for about customers; you obviously demand a soundbar that volition arrange your TV and space constraints within your amusement console. And, because a soundbar is one of the centerpieces of your home theater setup, information technology has to look good and fit stylistically.

Then you have to factor in the size of the room you're dealing with, and the altitude viewers would typically exist sitting from the TV. If you're dealing with a larger space, information technology'due south probably best to target soundbars that come up with a subwoofer — you'll surely capeesh the extra bass.

Connectivity is crucial too, both in terms of wired and wireless admission. Not every soundbar comes with an HDMI port; some strength you to make practise with optical sound. That's perfectly fine if you want to utilize your Television receiver as a pass-through, just those who are in dire need of more HDMI ports — because their capacity is limited between game consoles, streaming boxes and so on — will need to prioritize options that offering those boosted connections.

Finally, more of the best soundbars are embracing Dolby Atmos, which is a surround audio engineering designed to simulate the immersive 3D audio y'all'd get from a movie theatre. The big difference between Atmos and traditional environs audio is that you'll hear audio move up and down and non only side-to-side, allowing you lot to get extra immersed when, say, a car flies overhead in an activity moving picture. In that location are already lots of soundbars that support Atmos, including the LG SJ9, Sony HT-ST5000, and Yamaha YSP-5600.

How we examination the all-time soundbars

When testing for inclusion in our best soundbars page, we play a range of media — including movies, music and games — in guild to evaluate overall sound quality. We also exam any companion software that may come up with a soundbar, and factor in how like shooting fish in a barrel it is to gear up and apply each device.

Other features nosotros consider include a soundbar'south inputs, outputs and ability to be wall mounted, all of which determine how well it will work with your home entertainment setup. Nosotros also have into business relationship each soundbar's wattage, its supported audio channels and whether it includes a subwoofer — all factors that greatly bear upon how each speaker volition audio in your living room.

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Michael Gowan covers soundbars, TVs, portable speakers and other sound- and video-related topics for Tom's Guide. He's written about music and technology for more than than 20 years for a raft of publications including Wired, Men's Journal, PC World and Macworld. When he's not reviewing speakers, he's probably listening to one anyway.

Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/us/best-soundbar-speakers,review-2004.html

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