Bose, Sonos, Vizio, Sony, Roku

BEST SOUNDBAR OVERALL

1. Sonos Arc Soundbar with Dolby Atmos

For its sleek Arc soundbar, Sonos collaborated with Oscar-winning sound engineers to specifically amplify the human voice, creating crystal clear audio. It has a handsome curved shape and 11 speakers on all sides to give it a unique, fresh look while ensuring that sound reverberates throughout the listening space, thanks to Dolby Atmos (which offers the most realistic surround sound right now).

This soundbar boasts voice control, allowing switching between streaming services, or even toggling specifics on sound. Perhaps the biggest appeal of the Arc, though, is its practicality. Given the slim and creative design, it’s easy to mount on a wall. And the simple color schemes — either all black or all white — don’t make it an eyesore like some other soundbars out there.

BEST SOUNDBAR WITH BUILT-IN STREAMING

2. Roku Streambar with Wireless Bass Subwoofer

If you’re looking to upgrade your TV’s streaming and sound capabilities, Roku Streambar with Wireless Bass Subwoofer is the way to go. Also available in expanded options with a subwoofer and surround sound speakers, the streaming platform’s soundbar delivers stunning cinematic sound via Dolby audio and vibrant 4K quality for video streaming. The speaker lets you automatically lower the volume on commercials, optimize sound for dialogue or nighttime watching and plug in headphones to the remote so you watch without disturbing the rest of the household.

BEST SOUNDBAR FOR SMALL SPACES

3. Vizio M-Series 60-Inch Soundbar

One of the best cheap soundbars that doesn’t sacrifice quality, Vizio M-Series Soundbar is a great option for small spaces, as the wireless slim subwoofer can be placed under a couch or discreetly in corners while still delivering booming bass. The DTS Virtual:X technology (which rivals Dolby Atmos) offers virtualized 3D surround sound for immersive audio, and the soundbar also features Bluetooth for playing audio from smartphones and other devices.

BEST HIGH-END 5.1-channel SOUNDBAR

4. Sennheiser Ambeo 5.1 Speaker

Sennheiser’s first foray into the soundbar market is an authoritative one. The German manufacturer’s Ambeo 5.1 speaker system may look chunky and imposing, but it’s one of the best high-end soundbars out there right now as it’s equipped with Dolby Atmos. Featuring 13 mini speakers, Sennheiser claims its soundbar will “merge with the acoustics of your environment to create a 3D sound experience.”

Users get the standard specifications to accompany the price, too. The Ambeo is equipped with Bluetooth, allowing for phone connection and music streaming. Furthermore, it comes with Chromecast, so streaming radio or other media is easy. Though it isn’t wireless, the aforementioned features make it clear that Sennheiser has put in plenty of effort into making one of the best soundbars on the market.

BEST SOUNDBAR FOR QLED TVS

5. Samsung HW-Q600C 3.1-Channel Soundbar

Another affordable home theater audio option is Samsung’s 3.1-channel soundbar, which pairs well with the electronics brand’s QLED TV series. This speaker system boasts Dolby Audio for transforming your living room into a home theater with 3D surround sound makes it feel as if the sound is coming at you from the action onscreen.

BEST WIRELESS SOUNDBAR

6. JBL Bar 500 5.1 Soundbar

From its top-notch range of wireless speakers to its reliable workout headphones, JBL has an affinity for premium sound in a practical manner. The JBL Bar 500 5.1 Soundbar certainly delivers an HD experience with its 10-inch subwoofer, as the entirely wireless speaker system features detachable units that are strategically positioned around your home theater space for immersive Dolby Audio. It also boasts Bluetooth connectivity with MultiBeam so you can hook up your phone for music streaming from anywhere around the home.

BEST SMART SOUNDBAR

7. Bose Smart Soundbar 600

Bose has consistently provided some of the best-sounding headphones on the market — and its Smart Soundbar 600 expands that capability to speakers. It’s compatible with virtual assistants such as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing the user to seamlessly switch between music and TV using voice control. Bose has ensured that the 600 will pick up any commands, fitting the speaker with eight microphones to register commands from users.

But the real appeal in the 600 is its capacity to pair with Bose wireless headphones. So, if users want to enjoy the big screen without disturbing the world around them, they can simply connect their headphones to the soundbar — keeping the visual experience without sacrificing sound. Bose also offers affordable bundle packages, making it easy to group the soundbar with a few other speakers for surround sound.

BEST SOUNDBAR FOR CUSTOMIZATION

8. Sony HT-S400 Soundbar

Compared to the sheer volume of speakers on other options, the fact that Sony HT-S400 Soundbar only has a mere three might make it seem like an under-equipped system. However, the HT-S400 features Dolby Digital technology, which packs a lot of punch by creating a surround-sound feel despite only having one unit.

The real appeal in the HT-S400, though, is its sheer number of options for customization. The speaker can be manipulated for different viewing experiences, offering different settings and profiles for movies, news, sports, gaming and music. Each mode amplifies a certain element of the audio to create a realistic listening experience — a distinctive feature available on few other high-end speakers.