Any tv you purchase right now may have onboard audio system, however each single one will be improved with the addition of a great-sounding soundbar. With the correct mannequin, you get the advantages of a home theater system or AV receiver with out having to run messy wires or take up as a lot area. I’ve examined a whole lot of merchandise from big-name manufacturers through the years that will help you uncover the perfect soundbar to your wants. With Black Friday approaching there are many offers obtainable on soundbars, and undoubtedly extra to come back. From low-cost and cheerful fashions to these full of options like Dolby Atmos, Bluetooth, built-in streaming, multiroom audio and immersive encompass sound, listed here are my picks for the perfect soundbars of 2025.
Greatest soundbar of 2025
Like
- Immersive sound with DTS Digital:X that emulates a encompass system
- Versatile connectivity with 4 ports and Bluetooth compatibility
- Highly effective bass and expressive midrange with 2.1 channel audio
- 4 EQ presets for diverse listening
Do not like
- Subwoofer is small and never very articulate
- Voice assistant connection not tremendous helpful and tough to function
- Some sound distortion at louder volumes
What makes it stand out:
The Vizio 2.1 Soundbar (SV210M) is a good soundbar for the cash. This stereo soundbar incorporates a fashionable design with rounded edges and is paired with a wi-fi subwoofer that is so small it needs to be simple to discover a place for it. Regardless of its compact 30-inch width, the Vizio delivers room-filling sound — if I closed my eyes, I could not inform the place the speaker was, which is an achievement for a finances mannequin. For music and films, this soundbar is all that many individuals will want. The tiny sub can put out some damage when wanted, dealing with explosions with spectacular energy. It’s an absolute winner.
Good for these listeners:
The Vizio 2.1 is right for anybody with a restricted area and finances, due to its compact soundbar and wi-fi subwoofer for underneath $200. Music lovers will respect its pure and enjoyable contact with their favourite songs whereas nonetheless with the ability to hit deep bass notes. Film dialogue positively sizzles, and sound impact replica is uncooked and untamed (in a great way). With impressively-performing listening modes for each music and films, the Vizio 2.1 Soundbar is all that many individuals will want.
Contemplate alternate options if:
When you’ve got an older TV with out HDMI connections, you may have to look elsewhere; the Vizio 2.1 lacks analog or optical connections. House theater lovers looking for true Dolby Atmos results shall be upset — whereas it may learn Dolby Atmos and DTS alerts, it may’t produce real peak results. The soundbar additionally lacks a bodily distant management, offloading setting modifications to the Vizio Cell app, which requires a Bluetooth connection first. Audiophiles preferring a “direct mode” for music listening ought to notice that the soundbar bounces hold forth your partitions, even when set to Music mode.
Dolby Atmos NoConnections Bluetooth, optical, HDMI in/out, Wi-FiWi-fi subwoofer SureVariety of channels 2.1
Like
- Wonderful sound in a compact dimension with articulate, punchy subwoofer
- Function-packed, together with Amazon Alexa and 6 media-specific presets (music, TV, film, sports activities, gaming and stereo)
- Onboard DTS Digital:X for simulated encompass results
- Simple setup and use with companion Yamaha Sound Bar Controller app and an intuitive, giant distant
Do not like
- Makes use of LED lights which can be tough to learn as an alternative of on-screen show
- Encompass sound is simply OK, with solely two channels of drivers
What makes it stand out:
The Yamaha YAS-209 packs in every part I count on from a midpriced soundbar: ease of use, highly effective output ranges and a capability to replay each films and music to a excessive normal. The soundbar provides an immersive expertise with films, due to DTS Digital:X, and higher separation of devices and a broader stereo impact (in its Stereo mode) in comparison with opponents. The wi-fi subwoofer demonstrates higher articulation with music tracks, avoiding the bloated sound that some opponents can produce. As Yamaha’s first good speaker, it implements Amazon Alexa successfully — the microphones work effectively even in loud environments, and it is in a position to hear instructions with out shouting.
Good for these listeners:
The YAS-209 is right for these looking for a midrange soundbar with glorious efficiency for each films and music. House theater lovers will respect the DTS Digital:X for simulated encompass results from a single bar. Those that need connectivity choices will discover HDMI, optical digital and Bluetooth, plus Ethernet and Wi-Fi for Spotify Join. It is excellent for individuals who need the comfort of voice management, because it incorporates two microphones to be used with Amazon Alexa. The truth that you possibly can ask Alexa for a music — and have it sound higher than just about any smaller good speaker — makes it significantly interesting for music lovers who’ve embraced good house expertise.
Contemplate alternate options if:
When you’re invested within the Apple or Google ecosystems you may be upset, because the Yamaha solely works with Amazon Alexa. There’s additionally no AirPlay 2 or built-in Chromecast. The subwoofer is sort of giant at roughly 16 inches sq. and seven.5 inches huge, making it probably intrusive in smaller areas. Those that favor visible suggestions when adjusting settings is perhaps annoyed by the dearth of a show, and the tiny LEDs on prime which can be too small to see from throughout the room. Lastly, music purists would possibly notice that its Music mode provides reverb to vocals and fewer separation between devices than its Stereo mode, and it may sound barely compressed throughout advanced musical passages.
Like
- Wonderful sound with two midwoofers and two tweeters that characteristic waveguide to focus excessive frequencies outward
- Compact, enticing design that is available in two colours (black and white)
- Easy connection and straightforward setup
- Unmatched multiroom system for all-over sound
Do not like
- No HDMI connection
- Lacks further options like voice assistant or Dolby Atmos functionality
- No designated distant management (should management with telephone or TV distant)
What makes it stand out:
The Sonos Ray is the closest factor but to a Sonos One speaker in soundbar type, and that is excessive reward. Regardless of its compact 22-inch width and easy design, the Ray delivers sound that belies its bodily dimensions. The important thing to this efficiency lies in its proprietary tweeters with waveguides that focus excessive frequencies outwards, permitting it to provide a surprisingly huge soundstage. The vocals sound tremendous crisp, and each the highs and bass are full. It delivers a decent, contained sound and provides respectable dialog replica. At $279, it is a part of the thrilling pattern towards reasonably priced audio gear that really sounds good.
Good for these listeners:
The Sonos Ray is right for individuals who primarily use their soundbar for music, because it performs significantly effectively with this content material, generally even outshining the dearer Sonos Beam. The Ray makes an ideal complement to a bed room TV and would additionally work effectively to improve a tv in a smaller front room. Those that wish to begin constructing a Sonos multiroom system will discover the Ray a wonderful entry level, because it consists of all of the streaming capabilities that make Sonos the gold normal of multiroom audio system. It options dozens of streaming providers and connections with Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Join and Tidal Join. Individuals who favor simplicity will respect the easy optical connection and lack of pointless options.
Contemplate alternate options if:
The Sonos Ray is not for everybody, significantly these searching for probably the most bang for his or her buck in pure house theater efficiency. The Ray lacks HDMI connectivity, which appears an odd omission given that nearly each new soundbar — even the $80 ones — now consists of an HDMI port. Whereas most TVs have an optical output, this connection limits the soundbar to Dolby Digital sound codecs. The Ray additionally would not embody a voice assistant like Alexa or Google Assistant inbuilt (although you possibly can management it utilizing a separate good speaker). These looking for highly effective bass results ought to think about alternate options with separate subwoofers, because the Ray sounds positively anemic in comparison with speaker methods. The Speech Enhancement characteristic can also be fairly delicate in comparison with opponents, which provide quite a few ranges of voice enhancement and are more practical for making dialog extra comprehensible.
Like
- The Flexus Core 100 provides nice sound from a single bar
- The soundbar is surprisingly loud and dynamic
- It has no actual competitors to talk of
Do not like
- There aren’t any Atmos results regardless of being appropriate
- It comes with minimal options
- Its three inch peak may block TV’s IR port
What makes it stand out:
Klipsch has made among the greatest soundbars obtainable and, in its first collaboration with stablemate Onkyo, the corporate continues its dream run. At $350 (or $298 for walnut), the Flexus Core 100 has settled right into a intelligent area of interest between the Sonos Ray and Beam. It is a wonderful single-bar system with loads of bass and extraordinary dynamics. In order for you muscular sound in a single soundbar for under $400, the Core 100 is the place to get it.
Good for these listeners:
The Flexus Core 100 is compact and would go well with smaller areas, and whereas that is excellent for individuals who do not desire a soundbar, it is also good to have the choice. Even and not using a sub, the Flexus Core 100 provided loads of bass slam and was loud sufficient for small to medium-sized rooms.
Contemplate alternate options if:
The Flexus Core soundbars come and not using a subwoofer, and including one tacks an additional $350 or extra onto your invoice. Additionally, whereas I really like the 100, the bigger 200 would not impress as a lot for the additional outlay. When you’re spending $350 on this single bar, you possibly can think about the Sonos Ray or Beam — which additionally characteristic multiroom music — or the superb Yamaha YAS-209, which comes with a sub, and is best for films.
Read our Klipsch Flexus Core 100 review.
Like
- Nice sound for films and music
- One of the vital enticing soundbars obtainable
Do not like
- Streaming ecosystem not as strong as Sonos
- It now not consists of Google Assistant
What makes it stand out:
Bose is an innovator in beam-forming sound, which may make results sound like they’re popping out of the corners of your room. The Good Extremely has among the greatest immersion in any soundbar on the worth. Its Dolby Atmos integration implies that peak results are additionally well-placed above you, and there is loads of kick from the onboard “subwoofers.”
Good for these listeners:
The Bose Good Extremely is the perfect single soundbar I’ve examined for underneath $1,000, and it sounds nice whether or not you are listening to music or watching a film, and it isn’t half-bad wanting both.
Contemplate alternate options if:
There are many choices at $1,000, together with the Sonos Arc Extremely, which features a extra strong streaming ecosystem and is cheaper to improve with the addition of the Ikea Symfonisk as rears.
Read our Bose Smart Ultra review.
Dolby Atmos NoConnections Bluetooth, 3.5mm, optical, HDMI ARCWi-fi subwoofer Sure (wired)Variety of channels 2.1
Like
- Extremely-affordable choice
- Tiny, industrial design that is user-friendly and excellent for small areas
- 4 ports, together with USB for MP3s and Bluetooth connectivity
- Clear sound with obtainable bass and treble changes
Do not like
- Lacks true low-bass and stereo separation
- Restricted sound projection and quantity on account of smaller dimension
What makes it stand out:
The Inventive Stage delivers a compelling mixture of sound high quality and options at an ultra-affordable worth. It consists of each a separate subwoofer and an HDMI ARC enter, one thing that is unparalleled at this worth. The system comes with a complete distant management, which incorporates 4 sound modes and unbiased quantity management for the sub. The Inventive’s separate sub actually helps convey out the perfect in films and video video games, and whereas it will not be probably the most articulate mannequin, it digs comparatively deep. When set to gaming mode, the Inventive system was in a position to sustain with gunfire, explosions and spatial cues with out folding into a tough ball of distortion.
Good for these listeners:
The Inventive Stage is very well-suited for PC players who wish to make each penny depend. It really excels as a desktop or gaming system, creating a greater stereo picture at 3 ft versus a couch-based 6 ft. Its compact dimensions make it splendid for smaller areas and TVs for these on a decent finances — its sound will trounce the built-in audio system of nearly any TV. The connectivity choices make it versatile for numerous setups: it consists of Bluetooth wi-fi, an optical enter, HDMI ARC and even a USB port for enjoying MP3s from an exterior drive. Folks sharing partitions or flooring with neighbors will respect the flexibility to independently regulate the subwoofer quantity for extra thoughtful listening.
Contemplate alternate options if:
These searching for a major TV soundbar for common to giant residing rooms ought to look elsewhere, because the Stage would not play as loud as you may want in a front room surroundings. Because of the bodily size restrictions of the cupboard, it provides little stereo separation when heard from a sofa — it is all vocals and largely mono at that distance. The subwoofer is tethered by an 8-foot cable that, whereas excellent for going underneath a desk, is not lengthy sufficient to be efficient when positioned alongside a sofa in a front room setup. Music lovers would possibly discover the Inventive much less partaking than opponents, and whereas it does effectively with films and TV exhibits in comparison with methods and not using a soundbar, it may’t compete with its opponents’ potential to go a lot louder with out shedding management.
Elements to think about when selecting a soundbar
Everybody’s audio wants are completely different, so make sure you think about your distinctive preferences, area and listening habits. Use this information to navigate the choices and discover the perfect soundbar for you. When you want a bit of further assist, try my full guide to how to buy a soundbar in 2025.
Price range
Crucial consideration when selecting a soundbar is understanding how a lot you possibly can spend, and I’ve discovered there are nice soundbars at each worth, beginning at $100. When you’re searching for extra premium, feature-packed fashions, be ready to spend so much extra — upwards of $3,000. I do have one rule of thumb: As soon as the value of a soundbar exceeds $500, you could discover it extra worthwhile to avoid wasting for an AV receiver and audio system.
When you’re a film buff, think about splurging on options like Dolby Atmos to convey the theater expertise house. Music lovers will wish to prioritize audio replica and multiroom or wi-fi streaming to fill their area with sound. Players ought to search for soundbars with devoted gaming presets that improve dialogue readability and directional audio cues.
Room dimension
Contemplate your room’s dimension and format. Smaller areas, like bedrooms and workplaces, is perhaps overwhelmed by high-wattage soundbars with separate subwoofers. Single-bar methods are nice for smaller rooms and TVs, as their size permits for built-in stereo sound whereas nonetheless being compact. Bigger rooms or house theater setups will profit from extra strong soundbars with further audio system and subwoofers to provide that booming encompass sound.
Additionally take into consideration the place you may place it — will it sit on an leisure console, be mounted on a wall or match beneath your TV? Make certain that your soundbar can bodily match within the desired area by checking the scale and mounting capabilities.
Audio format compatibility
Match your soundbar’s audio format to the content material you take pleasure in most. Listed below are just a few of an important audio codecs and their use circumstances to think about when selecting a soundbar:
- Dolby Atmos for 3D soundscapes with peak channels that create immersive experiences excellent for film buffs
- DTS:X for object-based audio that adapts to your particular speaker setup, splendid for house theater lovers
- PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) for uncompressed digital audio generally discovered on Blu-ray discs and gaming consoles
- Dolby Digital 5.1 for conventional encompass sound with 5 audio system and a subwoofer, the usual for DVD content material
- Bluetooth audio codecs (AAC, aptX, LDAC) for wi-fi streaming with various ranges of high quality, important for music streaming from cellular units
Verify your TV’s connection choices (HDMI ARC/eARC, optical) to make sure compatibility with the soundbar you select.
How CNET assessments soundbars
On the AV lab in New York, I take a look at soundbars in opposition to a wide range of reference gear.
CNET follows a rigorous, unbiased analysis course of for all of its soundbar testing. Within the CNET AV lab, I do comparative testing, pitting comparable soundbars in opposition to one another aspect by aspect.
I consider the sound efficiency of every soundbar with a number of several types of content material, together with films, music, TV exhibits and video games. I exploit a number of take a look at scenes, primarily from motion films, together with the opening of Mad Max: Fury Street for playback of the spatial audio standard Dolby Atmos for soundbars that support it. I additionally use the Thanator assault scene of Avatar (26:53) to check a system’s dynamics and element retrieval.
CNET’s devoted audio lab in downtown New York features a choice of recent televisions (with HDMI eARC), plus an Apple TV 4K streamer and Roku Extremely streamer, a Microsoft Xbox Series X and an Oppo UDP-205 4K Blu-ray participant. I additionally use Roon music software to stream to particular person units or the Oppo participant as wanted.
From prime: Sony UXP-700 Blu-ray participant, AVPro 8×8 4K UHD Matrix Change and Oppo BDP-203 Blu-ray participant.
In relation to music, I exploit several CNET test tracks, which you will discover here in a Tidal or Spotify playlist. Tracks equivalent to Nick Cave and the Dangerous Seeds’ Crimson Proper Hand, with its deep bass notes and tenor vocals, assist decide a system’s potential to trace male voices particularly, with out sounding congested. The music additionally helps with uncovering hidden particulars and the relative dynamics a speaker is able to. Utilizing each varieties of content material — films and music — I then grade the sound high quality of every soundbar. I consider traits equivalent to speech readability, dynamics/quantity, bass response and musical playback.
Different soundbars we have examined
Sonos Arc Ultra ($1,099): The high-end Sonos Arc Extremely has even higher bass than the earlier mannequin, and it is nice for music particularly. But it is not as expansive-sounding as earlier than and it prices greater than the unique, in addition to its essential rival: the Bose Good Extremely Soundbar. Learn my review of the Sonos Arc Ultra.
JBL Bar 500 ($600): Alongside Klipsch, JBL has lengthy had a popularity for being a rock ‘n’ roll model with an enormous sound and even larger cupboards. Throughout my assessments, the JBL Bar 500 fulfilled each elements of the temporary by pairing glorious sound with one of many largest subwoofers I’ve ever seen with a soundbar. But, whereas it consists of each HDMI and networked music streaming, the JBL is lacking Dolby Atmos peak audio system — which is disappointing for the value. It can save you your self some huge cash by getting the even bigger-sounding Klipsch Cinema 400 as an alternative.
Polk Signa S3 ($300): When you’re searching for a speaker that may do music in addition to play the most recent episode of The Final of Us, then the Polk Audio Signa S3 has so much to supply. It is nice for accessing streaming providers, because it has Chromecast built-in along with Bluetooth and an HDMI enter. Read my Polk Signa S3 review.
Sony HT-S2000 ($298): Higher in some methods than the competitors and worse in others, the Sony HT-S2000 boasts a greater bass response than the Sonos Beam. For its authentic worth of $500, it missed a variety of the options of its single-bar competitors, specifically Dolby Atmos compatibility and Wi-Fi streaming. It might now be discovered on sale for nearer to $300. See the way it stacks up in opposition to the Sonos Beam in our Sony HT-S2000 Soundbar vs. Sonos Beam comparison.
Zvox SB500 ($400): When you’re searching for a single audio bar that is even cheaper than the Sonos Arc, the Zvox SB500 is a good choice for individuals who nonetheless prize sound high quality. This speaker provides a number of sound mode choices, tighter bass and higher sound than most different single-speaker choices. Whereas it could lack the Sonos’ Wi-Fi streaming, the Zvox nonetheless consists of Bluetooth connectivity for streaming audio out of your telephone or pill. Read the Zvox SB500 review.
Sennheiser Ambeo Max ($3,000): The Sennheiser Ambeo is the perfect encompass expertise I’ve had from a single speaker. With out rears, the Sennheiser could make voices hover excessive of your head, even when it nonetheless cannot persuade you that issues are behind you.
Soundbar FAQ
HDMI vs. optical: Which connections do I need?
Relying on the age of your TV, there are two essential methods to output to a soundbar: Digital optical and HDMI.
Each HDMI and optical go digital audio out of your TV to your soundbar. Each are higher than analog (the crimson and white cables, or RCA). Each can go multichannel audio, like Dolby Digital. Each cables will be had fairly low-cost.
The most important distinction is that HDMI can go higher-resolution audio, together with the formats found on streaming services equivalent to Dolby Atmos and DTS HD Master Audio. These codecs cannot be transmitted throughout optical.
The underside line? Use HDMI when you possibly can. The cables are cheap, and having only one wire simplifies setup. If you cannot, optical is ok. In case your TV or soundbar would not have HDMI, it may’t benefit from the high-resolution audio codecs from streaming services anyway. However, Dolby Digital is surprisingly good, and until you have got first rate gear, you in all probability will not hear a lot (if any) enchancment with Dolby Atmos and DTS HD MA.
Before you purchase a soundbar, make certain it accepts the identical connections that exist in your TV. The most typical enter on soundbars is now HDMI-ARC, and in case your TV is lower than 5 years previous, it needs to be appropriate, nevertheless it’s value double-checking.
Do I want Bluetooth or Wi-Fi on my soundbar?
When you plan on taking part in music by way of your soundbar, wi-fi streaming by way of Bluetooth or Wi-Fi is a must have. Wi-fi streaming permits you to play music from a large number of sources — like Spotify in your telephone, or iTunes in your pc — through your soundbar. Increased-end soundbars often have each Wi-Fi and Bluetooth streaming, however most finances and mid-range choices have one or the opposite.
Bluetooth is the best method to wirelessly stream audio to your soundbar. It really works with the music saved in your machine and any music app, plus it is platform-agnostic — just about all iOS, Android and Home windows telephones and tablets have built-in Bluetooth. Likewise, nearly each soundbar in the marketplace options Bluetooth, and if it would not you should purchase an adapter like these made by Belkin or Logitech.
Nonetheless, Wi-Fi provides a number of upgrades to Bluetooth together with the flexibility to pay attention in a number of rooms and even management it with Google Assistant or Alexa. Wi-Fi streaming typically sounds higher, too, as its increased bandwidth permits for uncompressed audio (in contrast to Bluetooth). That stated, most individuals will not discover a distinction in most conditions.
So, when you prioritize comfort and fast connections from a number of units, Bluetooth works effectively. But when sound high quality is your major concern, Wi-Fi streaming is usually superior.
Do I want separate audio system with my soundbar?
When you’re searching for the best potential resolution to improving TV sound, a stand-alone soundbar is the proper place to begin.
When you’re severe about sound high quality although, including separate audio system to your soundbar is the easiest way to go. You may combine and match in accordance with your wants, and it is simpler to improve as soon as new codecs are available in — you will not want to switch every part if you wish to add 8K video functionality, for instance. Many retailers supply a soundbar-subwoofer bundle to jumpstart your speaker setup.
When you’re not able to improve to a full speaker system simply but, search for a soundbar with a number of HDMI ports. That means you possibly can join further audio system to the soundbar if you’re prepared.
We now have a full piece designed that will help you pick between a soundbar and speaker system, when you want a bit extra assist. Whichever choice you select, you’ll by no means be capable of return to tinny, little TV audio system ever once more.
