The best soundbars for 2023: TV audio upgrades for all budgets

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One of the best soundbars is essential if you’ve invested in a big TV and its speakers aren’t living up to its visuals. With one of the top soundbars, you get bigger, forward-facing speakers that deliver better speech clarity and immersion in movies. The best bit is they’re sleek and slim, often fitting below your TV on a cabinet or mounted on the wall. 

Some TVs may not need a soundbar, but plenty of the best TVs you can buy today need an external soundbar for better audio – especially cheaper ones. Many of the best soundbars come in three styles: all-in-one units with just a single soundbar, soundbars with subwoofers, and soundbars with subwoofers and rear speakers for surround sound. The first is ideal for people who want a minimal setup, the second is great for big sound on a budget, and the third is perfect if you want a real home theater audio experience. 

In expensive soundbars, you’ll find features like wireless connectivity, which can be used in multi-room speaker setups, while cheaper soundbars play the audio from your TV when linked via either an HDMI or optical digital connection. We’ve tested hundreds of soundbars and speaker systems over the years, including elite units with Dolby Atmos 3D sound, through to bargain soundbars that boost your sound. 

Written by
Matthew Bolton headshot against grey background
Written by
Matt Bolton

Matt is TechRadar's Managing Editor for Entertainment, and has over a decade of experience in tech publishing. He has been writing about the latest TVs and soundbars since 2017. This month, he helped to overhaul this guide to make it easier for you to find which soundbar best suits your needs, and get the essential info about it.

The quick list

In a hurry but need to find the best soundbar for you? Take a look at our quick list below which covers a soundbar that will suit every budget and situation. You can still check out more detailed reviews of each soundbar below. 

The best soundbars of 2023

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The best overall soundbar

Samsung HW-Q700B on wooden surface

(Image credit: Future)
The best soundbar for most people

Specifications

Dimensions: Soundbar: 1110 x 61 x 119 mm (W x H x D); Sub: 206 x 353 x 302 mm
Speaker configuration: 3.1.2
Claimed audio power: 320W
Connections: 1x HDMI eARC, 1x HDMI input, optical, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth

Reasons to buy

+
Dynamic Dolby Atmos & DTS:X sound
+
HDMI passthrough port
+
Can add rear surrounds later

Reasons to avoid

-
Lacks side-firing drivers
-
Some minor features are Samsung-only

The Samsung HW-Q700B is all the soundbar that most people will need, delivering a giant upgrade on the sound that any TV can produce, including Dolby Atmos height channels, at a very reasonable size and price.

You get 3.1.2 channels of sound, which means left, right and center channels at the front, bass from a wireless subwoofer, and two upfiring Dolby Atmos height channels. The end result is audio that's truly impressive for the price – in our full review, we said "It’s able to deliver crisp dialogue (which has long been a strong point of Samsung’s better bars), but can slam hard when the action demands it. It can also cut a rug with streamed Bluetooth music."

Its size is ideal for 55-inch to 77-inch TVs, and it could work for 48-50-inch TVs, but check the measurements of yours – it's a bit weird if your soundbar is wider than your TV.

It's great for features too, offering a 4K HDR HDMI passthrough port so you don't lose the use of one on your TV (though it's doesn't support 4K 120Hz passthrough), as well as Bluetooth, AirPlay 2 and Chromecast for audio streaming. It also has Samsung's Q-Symphony tech, which means if you have a compatible TV, it can combine its speakers with the TV's for even bigger sound – but this only works with certain Samsung models. Even without that, though, we still awarded it five stars… it's just nice if you can use it.

We rate this so highly because it's simply the most cinematic sound you can get for this price – but obviously, it has limitations compared to more expensive models. It doesn't deliver strong side-firing virtual surround, and there are no rear speakers out of the box, but you can but them separately and add them if you want.

Read our full Samsung HW-Q700B review

The best budget soundbar

Sony HT-G700 on a wooden surface with a TV

(Image credit: Sony)
The best budget soundbar with Dolby Atmos

Specifications

Dimensions: Soundbar: 980 x 64 x 108mm (W x H x D); Subwoofer: 192 x 387 x 406 mm
Speaker configuration: 3.1
Claimed audio power: 400W
Connections: HDMI eARC x 1, HDMI input x 1, optical digital x 1, Bluetooth

Reasons to buy

+
Impressively wide and tall sound
+
Dolby Atmos & DTS:X support
+
4K HDR HDMI passthrough

Reasons to avoid

-
Can't manage true height
-
Not as dynamic as higher -riced options

We think the Sony HT-G700 hits an excellent sweet spot for features, price and the scale of its sound. It's a soundbar and wireless subwoofer combo, and the soundbar is a good size for TVs of 48 inches and up.

As we've come to expect from Sony, there's more to this soundbar than just stereo, as good as that is. It supports both the Dolby Atmos and DTS:X elite surround sound formats (which is not something that's guaranteed with even more high-end soundbars), and Sony uses its excellent sound processing and acoustic wizardry to create a real wall of sound that stretches way beyond the limits of your TV screen, but with convincing positioning and direction of specific sounds.

Sony hasn't forgotten about the basics, though. The subwoofer gives it depth in bass that something like the Sonos Arc can't match on its own, and speech is really clear even in busy action soundtracks – and that's without the speech-boosting mode turned on.

Downsides? There aren't any dedicated upfiring channels, so we found the Atmos performance a little lacking compared to our Sony AV amp with its dedicated Atmos speakers. And if we're being really picky we'd say that it's also slightly less dynamic for sudden explosions and swelling soundtracks than the likes of the Sonos Arc or JBL Bar 1300X – but it's a lot cheaper than either. 

Although impressive for the price, it doesn't quite hit top of the list as best for most people as the Samsung HW-Q700B just beats it in terms of overall sound quality and built-in features for not a lot more money.

Read our full Sony HT-G700 review

The best soundbar for Atmos surround sound

The Samsung HW-Q990C soundbar system pictured in a living room on a wooden table

(Image credit: Future/TechRadar)
The best soundbar for Dolby Atmos surround sound

Specifications

Dimensions: 1309 x 59.5 x 277mm (W x H x D)
Speaker configuration: 11.1.4
Claimed audio power: N/A
Connections: x2 HDMI inputs, x1 HDMI output (eARC), optical input, wi-fi, Bluetooth

Reasons to buy

+
Exceptional power and range 
+
Uniquely complete surround sound 
+
16 'real' audio channels 

Reasons to avoid

-
No 4K 120Hz HDMI passthrough 
-
Bass levels on music is inconsistent

The Samsung Q990C really is the best complete soundbar package around. With 11.1.4 channels split across the main bar, subwoofer and two compact rear speakers, the Q990C excels with Dolby Atmos playback and provides a powerful and immersive experience, be it movies or music. 

Even when the Samsung Q990C is being pushed to its limits, it maintains an excellent quality sound without distorting. We said in our review that "Even the most shrill trebles manage to avoid sounding harsh or exposed," and that the "bass from the subwoofer is deep, enthusiastic and reactive."

The Q990C also brings with it a couple of extra unique features, with the main being an update to the Q Symphony technology. This enables Samsung-compatible soundbars and TVs to communicate (even wirelessly) and work together to use all the available speakers between both systems to create an even bigger, bolder sound – which it succeeds in doing.

However, with this amazing package comes a higher price tag. Prices continue to drop slowly since its release, but it still sits at the premium end of the market, hence why it doesn't top our list. But, if you are after the complete Dolby Atmos experience from your soundbar and you have a bigger budget, the Samsung Q990C is the absolute best choice.

Read our full Samsung HW-Q990C review

The best compact Atmos soundbar

Bose Soundbar 600 on a wooden table beneath a TV

(Image credit: Bose)
The best small soundbar for Dolby Atmos

Specifications

Dimensions: 56.1 x 694 x 104mm (h x w x d)
Speaker configuration: 3.0.2
Claimed audio power: Not listed
Connections: Optical digital HDMI ARC/eARC Subwoofer output (3.5mm)

Reasons to buy

+
Compact, attractive design
+
Dolby Atmos with up-firing speakers
+
Extensive streaming options

Reasons to avoid

-
Single HDMI port
-
Limited bass
-
No DTS:X support

The Bose Smart Soundbar 600 is a fantastic choice if you’re looking for a budget soundbar that can really deliver. It pumps out big Dolby Atmos sound, but all from a relatively small package. At 27 inches wide by 2 inches high and 4 inches deep, it’s a fairly sleek and compact design for an all-in-one unit and a perfect choice for smaller homes or screens.

During our review, we noted that dialogue clarity is excellent, and while it doesn’t hit the low bass notes that other soundbar systems with an included subwoofer manage, it offers up consistently exciting sound when watching movies and TV. 

There’s lots more to love here, too. Onboard streaming features, including AirPlay 2 and Chromecast, are plentiful, app-based setup is a breeze, and everything is packaged here in an attractive all-in-one form factor. This soundbar impressed us during testing, but its price also makes it excellent value. 

Read our full Bose Smart Soundbar 600 review

The best soundbar for gaming

The Sony HT-A7000 Soundbar underneath a Sony TV.

(Image credit: Future)
The best soundbar for gaming

Specifications

Dimensions : 1300 x 80 x 142mm (W x H x D)
Speaker Configuration : 7.1.2
Claimed audio power : 500W
Connections: x2 HDMI Input, x1 HDMI output (eARC), x1 optical output, x1 3.5mm output, x1 USB

Reasons to buy

+
Clear dialogue
+
Two HDMI 2.1 ports 
+
Atmos, DTS:X and 360 Reality Audio 

Reasons to avoid

-
Limited height channels
-
Small LED display

You might be wondering how there can be a best soundbar for gaming; let us explain. If you're a gamer and find yourself with both the PS5 and Xbox Series X, on a large number of TVs you will often find you only have two HDMI 2.1 ports. One of these will be dedicated to eARC, the HDMI audio channel, leaving you with just one HDMI port for both consoles if you want the full 4K 120Hz experience. 

Some manufacturers are introducing these HDMI 2.1 ports as inputs onto their soundbars, so what sets the Sony HT-A7000 apart from the rest here is that the two HDMI 2.1 ports not only passthrough at 4K 120Hz, which is perfect for gaming but, thanks to a firmware update, support VRR and ALLM to get the most of the PS5 and Xbox Series X.

The HT-A7000 also has excellent, clear dialogue levels that will suit any dialogue heavy video games and movies and features 360 Reality Audio music, which gives a room-filling sound when listening to music that we said in our review gives a "clear idea of where all the instruments are located."

Admittedly, with an optional subwoofer and rear speakers to purchase, there is more the HT-A7000 can do and its built-in bass levels don't quite hit the same levels as other soundbars like the Sonos Arc. But, in terms of gaming, the HT-A7000 covers gaming features better than any other soundbar.

Read our full Sony HT-A7000 review 

The best Sonos soundbar

sonos arc on a wooden TV table in front of a TV

(Image credit: Future)
The best soundbar for Sonos fans

Specifications

Dimensions: 1141.7 x 87 x 115.7mm (W x H x D)
Speaker configuration: 5.0.2
Claimed audio power: N/A
Connections: HDMI input (ARC), optical digital audio to HDMI converter, Bluetooth, Ethernet port, 802.11b,g Wi-Fi, Apple AirPlay 2, IR receiver

Reasons to buy

+
Great dynamic range
+
Discrete all-in-one soundbar

Reasons to avoid

-
Tall and chunky design
-
No HDMI passthrough

The Sonos Arc isn't cheap, but if you're already a fan of Sonos then we think you're going to love the way this soundbar delivers really impressive Dolby Atmos sound.

The Sonos Arc draws on Dolby’s latest TrueHD and Dolby Digital Plus sound codecs to deliver the best quality lossless audio found on cutting-edge Blu-ray discs and some of the leading streaming services. Crucially, that also includes Dolby Atmos support, and while the reflected height and side channels aren't as pronounced as some of the soundbars here can manage, they're still impressive, and the range of precision of the Arc is superb.

We also liked the simple setup, which involved just a couple of steps on the smartphone app, and as you'd expect it's easy to hook it up to other Sonos speakers. The minimalist cable connections and all-in-one system construction add to this no-fuss feeling and streamlined aesthetic – though it's a real shame that there's no HDMI passthrough.

Within the Sonos family, the Arc is undoubtedly top. Although the Sonos Ray and Sonos Beam (later in our list) have their own strengths, the Sonos Arc has incredible soundscape contained within one bar that the other Sonos bars can't quite achieve, although as we said, you will need to pay extra for the Arc to get this quality difference. But note that it's much taller than most Sonos soundbars – check whether it may be too tall for your TV before buying!

Read our full Sonos Arc review

The soundbar perfect for music

Sonos Beam gen 2 on TV stand

(Image credit: Sonos)
The perfect smaller soundbar for music

Specifications

Dimensions: 69 x 651 x 100mm
Speaker configuration: 3.1.2
Claimed audio power: N/A
Connections: HDMI input (ARC), optical digital audio to HDMI converter, Bluetooth, Ethernet port, 802.11b,g Wi-Fi, Apple AirPlay 2, IR receiver

Reasons to buy

+
Wide soundstage with Dolby Atmos
+
HDMI eARC support
+
Hi-res audio compatibility

Reasons to avoid

-
No upfiring drivers
-
No HDMI passthrough

It may not be the biggest or most powerful soundbar, but in terms of music performance, we found that the Sonos Beam captures a balance musically that makes it perfect for music.

In our review we found when listening to Little Simz's Woman "the bass sounds deep and well-controlled, while synth strings are warm and rich." This balance across bass and treble and clear vocals make the Beam ideal for getting the best out of your music. 

The Sonos Beam is also compatible with hi-res audio files, meaning that through streaming sites such as Tidal, you'll get higher quality versions of your favorite songs played back through the Beam's impressive speakers – and at a moderate price range, the Beam often outdoes its rivals in terms of musical performance.

You can hook it up to one of Sonos' subwoofers if you're looking for more bass in your music, but the Beam's built in speakers provide a rich sound that make it an ideal choice for those who are looking for their soundbar to double as a speaker.

Read our full Sonos Beam (Gen 2) review 

The best soundbar for flexibility

JBL Bar 1300X soundbar on TV stand

(Image credit: Future)
The best soundbar for flexibility

Specifications

Dimensions: 1376 x 60 x 139 mm (W x H x D)
Speaker configuration: 11.1.4
Claimed audio power: 1170W
Connections: HDMI (eARC), Optical in, Bluetooth, USB

Reasons to buy

+
Dolby Atmos and DTS:X processing
+
Rechargeable wireless surround speakers
+
Four HDMI ports (one with eARC)

Reasons to avoid

-
Pricey
-
No HDMI 4K 120Hz pass-through
-
Surround speakers need regular recharging

The JBL Bar 1300X provides a fantastic level of flexibility. With Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support and a big, beefy sound aided by its larger than average subwoofer, its the connections and features packed into this soundbar that make it so versatile compared to other soundbars on the market. 

There are multiple HDMI inputs here, meaning you can connect a stack of extra sources without worry, and the system’s rechargeable rear speakers can also be used as portable Bluetooth speakers. That might be a "so what?" feature for some people, but to us it's a design flex that heightens the Bar 1300X's overall value.

We think the JBL Bar 1300X would suit anyone looking for a powerful and immersive soundbar option, but particularly those who are after the visceral excitement that the best home theater systems effortlessly deliver, while also being relatively easy to setup and not becoming a burden on your living room.

Although the JBL Bar 1300X doesn't take up too much space, it is designed to fill larger rooms with sound so we wouldn't recommend it in smaller homes. This soundbar also isn't going to suit serious gamers. While there are multiple HDMI ports here, none of them have 4K 120Hz pass-through to support that resolution and frame rate when playing games on PS5 or Xbox Series X, a feature you can find on our choice on the best soundbar for gaming, the Sony HT-A7000. 

However, the rechargeable rear speakers that can also be used as bluetooth speakers, number of HDMI ports, easy setup and immersive sound make this such a flexible soundbar. (Note: in some countries, you get the JBL Bar 1300 – without the X – which has a smaller 10-inch subwoofer driver instead of the 12-inch in the X version. This is a relatively small difference, and doesn't alter our overall opinion.)

Read our full JBL Bar 1300X review

How to choose the best soundbar

There are several things to consider when you’re looking for the best soundbar.

The first is the size. You’ll want to make sure that your soundbar fits under—or next to, depending on your set-up—your TV. For example, the long Sonos Arc soundbar is designed specifically for large screens, so won’t look right with a smaller 50-inch TV. You’ll need to know the size of your current TV and the size of the space you have to fit it and compare those figures to the dimensions listed alongside the soundbar you want to buy.

You’ll also want to consider whether you need a Dolby Atmos speaker or not. Dolby Atmos is surround sound technology, placing sounds and voices all around you so that whatever you’re watching or listening to is more immersive. The thing is, Dolby Atmos-enabled soundbars tend to be more expensive. You’ll need to weigh up whether Dolby Atmos sound is worth it for you. Otherwise, consider a capable but cheaper option, like the Yamaha SR-C30A, our choice for best cheap soundbar. 

Another thing you’ll want to watch out for is the kind of connection you need. You’ll find most modern soundbars have HDMI connectivity, but there's also optical connectivity—so what's the difference? These are two ways that audio is passed from your TV to your soundbar, but HDMI passes high-resolution audio, including Dolby Atmos. 

If you want a premium, immersive listening experience you’ll want to be sure you have an HDMI connection to use from your soundbar and an HDMI ARC (that's audio return channel) port on your TV for it to connect to.

But this means one of your TV's HDMI ports is used up by the soundbar, so some bars come with HDMI 'passthrough' ports, meaning you can connect a console/set-top box/etc to the soundbar, and it passes the visuals back to your TV. If your TV has few HDMI ports, you'll want a soundbar with this feature.

There’s more to think about, but getting the size, audio features and connectivity nailed down early on should make finding the best soundbar for you much easier.

What connection do I need for a soundbar?

The best way to connect a soundbar to your TV is with an HDMI cable. You'll need to make sure you have an HDMI port on your soundbar and an HDMI ARC port on your TV. This allows you to use a cable to connect them.

An HDMI port means that the highest quality audio can pass from your TV to your soundbar, like Dolby Atmos. 

If your TV or soundbar doesn't have HDMI ports, the second best option is an optical. This can still transfer digital sounds, but not the high-resolution ones you'd get with HDMI.

However, you will still get quality audio and an optical connection does work with soundbars and surround sound systems. 

What size soundbar should I get?

You need to get a soundbar that fits in the space you have available. Some people have their TV mounted and a soundbar could happily be mounted underneath. Others have their TV on a stand and the soundbar can sit in front of it. 

Consider the space you have free but also the size of your TV. A compact soundbar might look silly with a massive screen and vice versa. There are many different-sized soundbars available to suit your TV, so make sure you check the dimensions and match them up.

Can soundbars do surround sound?

True surround sound means speakers are positioned around you. Some soundbars on this list, like the Samsung Q990C also come with a subwoofer and two smaller rear channel speakers, meaning you can place them around your room.

However, other devices with only one soundbar claim to offer surround sound. What this means is they deliver a stereo effect, which seems more like sound is coming from different directions, but isn't. 

Many of the high-end soundbars in this list also have Dolby Atmos built-in. Again, this isn't technically surround sound, but the audio tech is advanced and creates the illusion of immersive sound by bouncing sounds off the walls and ceiling around you.

Are Dolby Atmos soundbars really worth it?

Although not all the soundbars on this list capture Dolby Atmos as well as a home theatre system, more and more soundbars are supporting Dolby Atmos, making it available to people with all budgets. 

Yes, the level of detail you get from a full home theater system compared to soundbars with 'virtual' Atmos or surround soundbars isn't quite as high, Dolby Atmos soundbars are becoming more sophisticated and provide an extra level of immersion to your cinema experience. 

Are soundbars worth it?

Absolutely. Even if you don't consider yourself a hardcore cinephile, the best soundbars make a world of difference to your TV watching experience—even the built-in speakers that come with the best TVs just don't do your favorite films, TV shows, and games justice. 

How much should I spend on a soundbar?

It depends on what you're looking for. If you want the very best soundbar technology has to offer, you might be looking at prices of $800 / £800 / AU$1,000 and upwards.

However, there are lots of fantastic budget soundbars on the market, with some costing less than $100 / £100 / AU$150. Just bear in mind that you generally get what you pay for, and these budget models probably won't come with premium features like Dolby Atmos, included rear speakers, and hi-res audio support. 

But, the mid-range market is getting more competitive and it really is easy to get a lot of bang for your buck, with soundbars  (on our list above) providing Dolby Atmos and a subwoofer for under $400/£400/AU$650 becoming more and more common.

Where should I put a soundbar?

You generally have two options when it comes to soundbar placement: wall-mounting it, or placing in below your TV on your TV cabinet. If your soundbar is quite tall, wall-mounting may be the best option, as it could obscure the IR receiver on your TV, rendering your remote control useless.

Matt Bolton
Managing Editor, Entertainment

Matt is TechRadar's Managing Editor for Entertainment, meaning he's in charge of persuading our team of writers and reviewers to watch the latest TV shows and movies on gorgeous TVs and listen to fantastic speakers and headphones. It's a tough task, as you can imagine. Matt has over a decade of experience in tech publishing, and previously ran the TV & audio coverage for our colleagues at T3.com, and before that he edited T3 magazine. During his career, he's also contributed to places as varied as Creative Bloq, PC Gamer, PetsRadar, MacLife, and Edge. TV and movie nerdism is his speciality, and he goes to the cinema three times a week. He's always happy to explain the virtues of Dolby Vision over a drink, but he might need to use props, like he's explaining the offside rule.

With contributions from