TV screens are getting flatter and sleeker, and that’s amazing. But to an extent, the lack of volume and mass comes at the cost of the sound quality. But when you’re streaming your music or watching a movie, you want to feel like the sound is filling up the room.
Soundbars are an excellent alternative for more complicated and more expensive home theater setups. And they’re becoming increasingly popular. So, let’s see the contenders for the best soundbar that will make watching TV a more immersive experience.
Best Soundbar Reviews
Sonos Beam Smart TV Soundbar
The Sonos Beam is the last in a line of fantastic and hugely successful Sonos products like Playbar and Playbase. And rightfully so. Sonos is a company that knows a thing or two about high sound quality.
Review
What this product brings to the table are multiple HDMI slots, and that’s just hardware. When Sonos Beam initially came out, it had built-in support for Alexa. Pretty soon, the Google Assistant, and Apple Siri followed. You could hardly think of Sonos Beam as a simple soundbar.
It functions as a wireless speaker as well, and you can play music or whatever you want from any streaming service, or your phone. And if you have any other Sonos product, you can have the same music at the same time on them as well. But what about the sound?
For a soundbar of its size, it sounds remarkably good. It is, above all else, a compact speaker that’s there for small to mid-size rooms. And Sonos has done a great job overcoming the scale and weight limitations that most manufacturers have when designing a smaller soundbar.
The sound is smoother than expected, and the audio special effects in a movie are bounce against the wall rather well. And if you’re worried about what kind of bass a small soundbar like this can produce, there is no need for concern. You might even feel like you’re in a club thanks to the sold and deep bassline.
Interestingly, this might be the best soundbar for watching sporting events. The Sonos Beam does a fantastic job in making you feel like you’re among the crowd or there in the field. And that’s the next best thing to going to a football game.
PROS
- Built-in voice assistants
- Quality Bass
- Sleek design
- Compact
CONS
- No sub-woofer
Yamaha YAS-209BL Soundbar
As a brand, Yamaha doesn’t need much introduction. They excel in the realm of quality home speakers, and the Yamaha YAS-209BL is no different. This soundbar came out in 2017, but the quality of sound and features still make it competitive to this day.
Review
This soundbar comes with a that is responsible for all those lower and deeper sounds. There are the HDMI output and input slots, as well as the optical Toslink port. On top of that, you get the USB service port.
When it comes to the setup, the Yamaha YAS-209BL isn’t too complicated. Keep in mind that you will need to buy the HDMI cable since it’s not in the box. The subwoofer is wireless, which makes things a lot simpler, and fewer cables will be lying around the room. Also, the soundbar and the subwoofer are already paired, so that’s one headache less.
You can also connect this soundbar using Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. You will need the Wi-Fi connection if you want to access the built-in Alexa feature. You can also download the Yamaha Soundbar Controller App, which will make many functions even more enjoyable.
The YAS-209BL is a well-designed soundbar with a thin look that will fit very well under most smart TVs without blocking the infrared signal. The overall sound quality of this soundbar is pretty satisfying. You will experience a rich sound and all the subtleties of the audio effects while the subwoofer will deliver the bass for music lovers. However, it’s still a soundbar designed for mid-sized rooms at most.
PROS
- Great sub-woofer
- Built-in Alexa
- Clear sound
- Bluetooth connection
CONS
- Only 1 HDMI port
ZVOX SB500 Soundbar
Despite being on the frontlines of soundbar innovation, Zvox is yet to dazzle the experts and the most discerning users. The SB500 soundbar changes that significantly. For a budget option, this lightweight soundbar packs a lot of power.
Review
In case you’re put off by the plastic cabinet that most soundbars come with, you might appreciate the fact that SB500 has a beautiful aluminum box. The design is minimalistic and will fit in any TV setup you have. You can connect this soundbar via an optical cable, stereo analog input, or with Bluetooth. The Bluetooth option means that you can connect your mobile device to iTunes, Pandora, Spotify, and your phone’s storage.
You can use your remote control to navigate the Zvox SB500. The paring process is super easy, and the result is excellent. When it comes to this soundbar’s display, things are looking good. You see it only when instructing a command, and it’s in no way overwhelming or bothersome. Also, giving owners the best possible user instructions is among Zvox’s strengths.
When it comes to sound quality, you can count on a lot of deep and powerful bass with the integrated subwoofer. There is a clear, realistic sound to this soundbar, which will make watching movies a lot more enjoyable. Instead of higher volume, there’s more clarity.
This soundbar will make loud commercials more bearable too. The output leveling will soften the loud sounds that might blast from the TV when the ads start, thus significantly improving your viewing experience.
PROS
- Integrated sub-woofer
- Loudness control
- Aluminum cabinet
- Classic design
CONS
- No HDMI ports
Vizio 4 M21d-H8R
A price tag says a lot, but things aren’t always that simple. The Vizio 4 M21d-H8R is an inexpensive addition to your home that will manage to impress you. You can lay this soundbar down or place it upright, and the sound delivery will be equally amazing.
Review
This soundbar might not look as elegant or sleek as some more expensive ones, but people who need affordable sound enhancement won’t care much about it anyway. Although, the slightly retro style might appeal to many. If what you need is a bit more clarity and full sound when watching an action movie, the Vizio 4 M21d-H8R will be up to the challenge.
You get a remote that gives you enough control. The woofers are on top of the soundbar. You also get DTS decoding and Dolby, which is pretty neat for a soundbar of this caliber. The main takeaway is that the Vizio 4 M21d-H8R sounds like it’s way more expensive. It’s the best soundbar for spaces like dorm rooms, shared apartments, or any small to mid-sized room.
If you’re looking for an earth-shattering bass, you will be disappointed. However, the bass sound is deep enough and will be able to deliver some genre of music pretty well. As for connectivity, there is no HDMI port, but you get both an analog input and an optical port.
You can use the Bluetooth for wireless streaming too. Also, there is a USB port you can use to play your music directly from your phone. Overall, the Vizio soundbar gives you a lot of value for the cost. It’s even more than many expect from a budget soundbar.
PROS
- Great value
- Dolby Audio
- USB port
- Great for small space
CONS
- No LCDs
Bose Solo 5 TV Soundbar Sound System
For those who are looking for an exceptionally stylish soundbar, the Bose Solo 5 Soundbar system can help you. It’s the best soundbar on a budget from Bose. The company’s reputation in the industry set the expectation bar high anyway.
Review
One of the first things you might notice with this soundbar is how easy it is to use it. You get a great remote controller that won’t leave you stranded as many soundbar remotes do. It’s also pretty easy to set it up. It won’t take more than a few minutes before you’re ready to sit down and watch a movie.
You get the digital optical audio input and coaxial audio input, and you have the option for Bluetooth connectivity if you want to stream some music or an audiobook wirelessly. When it comes to the sound, you can expect a pretty decent dept to the bass, especially for a relatively small soundbar like this one.
Quiet conversations in the movies will be much easier to hear, and the loud and sudden noises won’t overwhelm your senses. So, you can count on the clarity and the softness of the sound, which is what a soundbar should do.
PROS
- Minimalistic design
- Affordable
- Very easy to setup
- Great remote
CONS
- No USB ports
FINAL VERDICT
Any of these five bars would be an excellent addition to your home and would massively improve your music and movie streaming experiences.
The Sonos Beam is the best soundbar when you consider the price and all the great features you get. It’s especially neat that you get the virtual assistant of your choice, and the design is gorgeous as well.
Alternatively, the budget-friendly Vizio 4 M21d-H8R is the right choice for people who aren’t looking to spend much but want to boost the audio side of their home cinema experience.