The best soundbars can improve your television's audio quality and give you more control over how it sounds, allowing you to hear what's happening in your favorite shows and movies. They come in various designs (from single speakers to complete sound systems with a wireless subwoofer included). They are designed to complement modern flat-screen TVs with smaller speakers.
Without external speakers to compensate, the sound quality of an average television has dropped, making soundbars ever more popular. Many come with technology like Dolby Atmos that mimics surround sound, while you can connect others to a broader speaker system after the fact.
The best soundbars available right now have been rated on everything from their smart features and connectivity to their size and design, and we've reviewed them all. Scroll down to see what we thought. If you're looking for more, check out our roundup of the best surround sound systems.
The Quick List
RRP: $499
The updated Sonos Beam (Gen 2) soundbar boasts an improved design, additional channels, and impressive sound quality. Trueplay and Dolby Atmos support make it a worthwhile investment for those prioritizing excellent sound.
RRP: $125
The Majority K2 Soundbar is a budget-friendly option with impressive sound quality and a wireless subwoofer. It also has multiple connectivity options and supports sustainability by planting trees with every purchase.
RRP: $799
The Bose 900 soundbar has Dolby Atmos tech for cinematic sound and ADAPTiQ room calibration. It's voice-controlled and streams music via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Spotify Connect, and AirPlay 2. The tempered glass top is prone to fingerprints, though.
RRP: $600
The LG Eclair QP5 soundbar offers exceptional sound with four individual sound settings and Dolby Atmos technology. Its compact design and easy integration make it a top contender for best compact soundbar.
RRP: $999
The Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3 soundbar is sleek and easy to set up. Its design choices complement its simplicity and provide excellent sound quality, with adjustable bass and treble levels via its app.
The best soundbars we recommend in 2024
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Best soundbar overall
Buy it if
✅ You want impressive sound quality: The Sonos Beam delivers powerful and impressive audio performance despite its compact size.
✅ You value easy setup and customization: The soundbar is easy to set up and personalize using the Sonos app and Trueplay tuning.
✅ You'd like surround sound in the future: Sonos offers easy expansion options for creating a surround sound system with the addition of rear speakers and a subwoofer
Don't buy it if:
❌ You'd suffer from limited output options: The Sonos Beam has limited input/output options, which may be a drawback for users who require more connectivity flexibility.
❌ You have a larger TV: When placed in front of TVs larger than 40 inches, the soundbar's short length and cable exposure may not be suitable for some setups.
The bottom line
🔎 The updated Sonos Beam with two extra channels, Dolby Atmos, and improved design is worth the upgrade. While it's pricier than the previous model, the enhanced audio experience makes it a great investment for those who didn't own the original version. ★★★★★
The 2nd Gen Sonos Beam is a significant upgrade, offering all the features you'd want in a compact soundbar. While it has limited output options, the Sonos app and Trueplay make personalizing the excellent audio easy and enjoyable.
Setup: The Sonos Beam is easy to set up and comes with power and HDMI cables. While it can function without WiFi, the Sonos app allows iOS users to customize and use Trueplay tuning. Trueplay tuning involves using the app to adjust the sound to the room's specific acoustics by waving your phone around. Its effect may be subtle and vary depending on individual perception and room characteristics.
Design: The second-generation Sonos Beam resembles the first-generation model, with a few differences in addition to Dolby Atmos support. The fabric grille has been replaced with a plastic one, and the soundbar can be mounted using the separate Sonos Beam Wall Mount kit. It exposes cables and sockets in front of a TV that is larger than 40 inches due to its short length. The matte finish is attractive but prone to smudging. The Gen 2 Beam maintains the same dimensions and weight as its predecessor, with no other significant changes to its build.
Performance: After adjusting all the settings, the Sonos Beam delivers impressive sound quality. Thanks to its five Class-D digital amplifiers, center tweeter, four elliptical mid-woofers, and three passive radiators, the speaker produces powerful sound despite its compact size. Although it does not have dedicated upward-firing drivers, the HRTF (head-related transfer function) creates a sense of height.
While the Beam can function as a standalone sound system, Sonos' easy expansion options for surround sound and a subwoofer are a major selling point. Our setup was limited to the Beam, connected via HDMI to our Hisense Roku TV. Configuring Trueplay optimized the Dolby Atmos and significantly enhanced the TV's built-in speakers. Music is particularly impressive through the Beam and on-screen action gains impact without sacrificing dialogue clarity.
Our only drawback was intermittent issues with controlling the soundbar using our TV remote, necessitating manual volume adjustments using the touch controls. However, this may be an isolated issue with our TV, not the soundbar.
Read more: Sonos Beam (Gen 2) review
The best budget soundbar
Buy it if
✅ You care about the environment: The Majority K2 Soundbar and subwoofer offer an eco-friendly design.
✅ You want good connectivity: The soundbar provides great sound quality and offers multiple connectivity options, including HDMI ARC, Optical Audio, RCA, Bluetooth, and USB.
✅ You're on a budget: The Majority K2 Soundbar and subwoofer provide impressive features at an affordable price point.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You don't have space for a subwoofer: Some users might find the size of the subwoofer challenging for their living space.
❌ You don't want automatic playback: One drawback is that the soundbar automatically plays the last podcast or music when connected via Bluetooth.
The bottom line
🔎 The Majority K2 soundbar is a budget-friendly model with impressive features and excellent audio quality. Its sleek design and user-friendly settings make it easy to personalize the sound. It can form a basic sound system when combined with an external subwoofer. This is an ideal option for those looking for great value and wanting to support Majority's green mission. ★★★★
The Majority K2 Soundbar and subwoofer offer an eco-friendly design, great sound, and connectivity at an affordable price. Their stylish appearance adds to their appeal.
Setup: To set up your soundbar, you have three connection options: HDMI ARC, Optical Audio, or RCA. Plug in the soundbar and subwoofer, position the soundbar on your TV stand or wall, and use the remote to switch between modes. You can also play music from your mobile device using Bluetooth and connect a device through the USB port.
Design: The K2 soundbar and subwoofer may not exude a "high-end" vibe, but their solid design fits well in most living rooms. The wireless connectivity allows for flexible subwoofer placement, even though some people might find its size challenging. However, accessing the ports on the back of the soundbar could be tricky if you have a small TV unit.
The soundbar itself has an attractive mesh front and convenient physical buttons. It seamlessly blends in with the TV setup, making it a visually pleasing addition. Just plan your setup carefully before committing to ensure everything fits well together.
Performance: The K2 soundbar provides versatile sound options, including adjustable bass and treble levels and three EQ options for personalized audio preferences. The sound quality is generally impressive while it doesn't have presets for specific media types. Bluetooth connectivity works well, making it easy to pair with devices and play media from a USB device.
However, one drawback is that the soundbar automatically plays the last podcast or music when connected via Bluetooth. The subwoofer is great for audiophiles but may be considered unnecessary for the average user. After testing the soundbar with the subwoofer, disconnecting it didn't significantly impact the audio quality, making us question the need for the extra space it occupied.
Read more: Majority K2 Soundbar review
Best soundbar for customizable sound
Buy it if
✅ You want the best surround sound: The speaker delivers immersive surround sound using adaptive audio and Dolby Atmos.
✅ You like the design: The soundbar's stylish design is available in white and black, and the glass top adds a touch of elegance.
✅ You want hands-free control: The soundbar, which is built-in with Amazon's Alexa and Google Assistant, allows for hands-free TV control and seamless connectivity for streaming music.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You have a smaller space: It may be too big for smaller spaces, so it might not be the best fit if you have limited room.
❌ You're not technically minded: The LED lights indicating the status have around 25 variations of color changes and pulses, making it challenging to discern the status.
The bottom line
🔎 The Bose 900 Soundbar comes close to replicating the cinema experience at home. Thanks to ADAPTiQ room calibration, it delivers immersive sound for everyone. The user-friendly app and enhanced audio further enhance the experience. Now, the only tough choice is deciding on black or white! ★★★★½
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 is an attractive and powerful speaker with adaptive audio and Dolby Atmos to deliver impressive surround sound. It may be too big for smaller spaces, but if you have the room, it's worth it.
Setup: The Bose soundbar setup was smooth using the Bose app. It has minimal packaging, a sleek design, and a Bluetooth connection. The white version we tested looks great, but the glass top can reflect TV glares and fingerprints. The included headset and ADAPTiQ software calibrate the sound for an impressive Dolby Atmos experience.
Design: The Bose 900 Soundbar has a sleek and minimalist design, available in white and black. The glass top may require frequent cleaning and is prone to glare. The soundbar features only two physical controls: an 'action' button and a mute/unmute button for the built-in microphone. However, the LED lights indicating the status have around 25 variations of color changes and pulses, making it challenging to discern the status. Despite this, it is still an aesthetically pleasing device. Users may find themselves referring to the troubleshooting guide due to these complexities.
Performance: The app has a wide range of customizable settings with a simple, streamlined interface. However, there were occasional issues with the app incorrectly indicating that it was streaming audio from the TV, which could only be resolved using the physical mini remote's volume buttons. When watching the second series of Bridgerton, enabling the 'dialogue mode' in the 'audio' settings enhanced the speech, ensuring that none of Anthony Bridgerton's romantic whisperings were missed.
On a different note, the soundbar truly shines in action-packed films, adding depth and weight to battle scenes and creating an immersive experience, such as making a Fast & Furious car sound as if it were in the room. Additionally, the soundbar boasts built-in Amazon's Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing for hands-free TV control and seamless connectivity for streaming music via various platforms.
Read more: Bose Smart Soundbar 900 review
The best compact soundbar
Buy it if
✅ You want great audio performance: The LG QP5 Eclair soundbar delivers powerful and immersive sound, creating a surround sound experience as promised by Dolby Atmos.
✅ You need a compact speaker: At 11.7 inches, the soundbar is exceptionally compact, allowing it to fit neatly in front of the TV without obstructing the screen.
✅ You want lots of features: The four sound settings for cinema, gaming, and music, along with an internal AI feature, provide versatile audio customization options.
Don't buy it if:
❌ The subwoofer puts you off: The larger and heavier subwoofer may not be suitable for those looking for a truly compact soundbar option.
❌ You're on a budget: The soundbar is slightly pricey, which may deter budget-conscious buyers, especially considering other more affordable options in the market with similar features.
The bottom line
🔎 The LG Eclair Dolby Atmos soundbar is a pleasant surprise due to its compact design and impressive audio quality. Although it lacks in-built smart home compatibility, its sleek appearance, Bluetooth connectivity, and the option to link with other LG speakers make it a versatile choice for creating a wider audio system. ★★★★½
The LG QP5 Eclair soundbar is impressive with its compact design and powerful audio performance. While the subwoofer's bulkiness may deter some, the sleek appearance and impressive sound settings make it a desirable option for those seeking Dolby Atmos quality without the typical bulk. Although slightly pricey, it is worth it.
Setup: The LG QP5 Eclair soundbar is exceptionally compact at 11.7 inches, fitting neatly in front of the TV without obstructing the screen. The larger and heavier subwoofer can be placed nearby for wireless connection. Connecting to your TV is simple via HDMI or Optical, providing a quick and hassle-free setup.
Design: The main drawback of the LG QP5 Eclair is its bulky subwoofer, which detracts from the soundbar's compactness. Weighing 16.9 lbs, it's larger than expected for a space-saving option. However, its sleek, curved design and fabric covering blend well with the soundbar. The minimalist approach extends to the rear placement of controls, maintaining a clean look.
You'll find the power, volume, and Bluetooth controls there, or you can use your phone's remote and LG app. If you have space near your TV setup, the subwoofer won't be an eyesore and adds a stylish touch to your home entertainment system.
Performance: This soundbar offers four sound settings for cinema, gaming, and music and an internal AI feature for automatic adjustment, although its precision is not absolute. Additionally, it includes voice confirmation for added convenience.
Despite its compact size, the LG QP5 Eclair delivers impressive audio performance. Whether playing music through Spotify or immersing in action-packed scenes from the latest Marvel film, the soundbar's output is excellent, effectively creating a surround sound experience as promised by Dolby Atmos. Its performance in our small space exceeded expectations, making it a suitable choice for those seeking a powerful audio experience from a compact device.
Read more: LG QP5 Eclair Soundbar review
The best soundbar for mounted TVs
Buy it if
✅ You appreciate the design: The Panorama 3 features a stylish, minimalist design with its sleek, unobtrusive look, which adds a touch of luxury to any entertainment setup.
✅ You want something easy: Setting up the soundbar is simple, making it convenient for users to connect it to their TV and enjoy enhanced audio performance.
✅ You want great sound without the bells and whistles: The soundbar delivers well-balanced and clear sound, significantly enhancing the viewing experience and outperforming standard TV speakers.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You're skeptical about build-in subwoofers: The built-in subwoofer has limitations, and adjusting bass and treble levels may only partially improve the sound experience.
❌ You want a remote: The absence of a dedicated remote could be inconvenient for some users, as the soundbar relies on the app for adjustment.
The bottom line
🔎 The Panorama 3 soundbar didn't meet our expectations, especially in delivering Atmos punch, but it's still a solid choice. Its sleek design, luxurious appearance, and added features such as Alexa compatibility make it a recommendable option for those seeking a compact alternative to top surround sound systems. ★★★★
The Panorama 3 soundbar is known for its sleek design, easy-to-use controls, and impressive audio performance, exceeding expectations for its price range.
Setup: Setting up the Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3 is simple. Just power it on and connect it to your TV using the provided cable via optical or HDMI eARC inputs. Then, download the B&W app to link music services. If you have Alexa, you can control the soundbar with voice commands.
Design: Upon receiving the Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3, the first thing we noticed was the large box it came in. We had expected a smaller soundbar, but it actually measured 46.6 inches, which is longer than the Sonos Arc by almost two inches and the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) by 21 inches.
At a launch event, it looked sleek and unobtrusive when mounted beneath a large TV, and at home with our 50-inch TV, it felt even more luxurious. The Panorama 3's size and weight add to its high-end feel, and its sleek, minimalist design is complemented by its 2.5-inch height, angular corners, and fabric grille, making it versatile for wall mounting or placement on a TV cabinet.
Performance: The B&W Panorama 3 significantly enhances general viewing with well-balanced and clear sound, outperforming TV speakers. However, its performance with music and action-packed movies is not as impressive. Considering its price point, the soundbar competes well. Adjusting bass and treble levels can improve the sound experience, although the built-in subwoofer has limitations.
Dolby Atmos also subtly simulates surround sound. It's important to note that the absence of a dedicated remote may be inconvenient for some users as it relies on the app for adjustment. Thankfully, HDMI eARC connectivity allows volume control via the TV remote. Despite these drawbacks, the Panorama 3 delivers a satisfying overall performance, making it a good option for those looking to significantly upgrade their TV sound, albeit with some less essential features.
Read more: Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3 review
About this guide
Livingetc's reviews are based on genuine experience with the products in question, and we choose products for our buying guides based on this experience. With our writers' expertise in tech, smart homes, and interiors, we ensure that all recommendations we provide are as informed and as honest as possible.
Our content will clearly indicate when we have reviewed an item, along with links to more detailed reviews and information if we don't have experience with everything. Look at our page on how we create buying guides to learn more about our process.
Caroline is the smart home editor for Living, etc., testing and reviewing all the technology designed to make our home lives easier and more convenient and save us money. This roundup of the best soundbars combines her experience using them in her home and her knowledge of the smart home market. A lifelong love of TV, film, and music and a decade in technology journalism means she's keen to use her knowledge to help people make good choices when bringing devices into their homes.
How to choose the best soundbar for your home
Where should a soundbar be placed?
Soundbars are designed to be placed underneath your TV without blocking any action, but you should ensure enough space before committing to a soundbar that doesn’t fit. Alternatively, many people mount their soundbars to the wall - especially effective if your television is mounted. You can read our advice on mounting a soundbar to find out more.
What is a subwoofer?
You'll hear about subwoofers a lot when you're shopping around for a soundbar, and that's because they're an essential element. A subwoofer is a speaker that emits low frequencies to extend your sound and make it more dimensional. This is what makes them ideal for adding more bass to your output.
In addition, some soundbars have a subwoofer built-in, while others come with an accompanying subwoofer that you can connect to. If your chosen soundbar doesn't include its wireless unit, you can see that we rated it highly in our guide to the best subwoofers.
Are soundbars worth it?
The answer to this depends on whether you’re satisfied with your television’s current audio output and what kinds of things you tend to watch regularly. For example, if you’re a music fan, then a soundbar is a must to get the most out of live concerts, YouTube, or even music from your phone. However, those happy watching the news and cooking shows might not get as much out of one.
That said, even the occasional movie night makes having a soundbar a worthy investment, and once you watch an action movie this way, there’s no turning back.
There's also the question of whether the better investment might be a more expansive speaker system. To help you choose, can you head over to our comparison - soundbar or surround sound system?
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