Best Soundbars That You Can Buy In 2025
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Let’s be honest: your fancy 4K TV probably sounds like garbage. Those paper-thin panels look stunning on your wall, but they’ve created an audio crisis that’s left dialogue mumbled and explosions neutered. The good news? Soundbars have evolved from simple speaker upgrades to full-blown audio ecosystems that can transform your living room into something resembling a proper theater.
We’ve spent months testing dozens of soundbars across every price point – from budget-friendly options that won’t stress your credit card to bank-account-emptying premium setups that neighbors three floors down will definitely hear. We’ve streamed shows, marathoned movies, blasted music, and played far too many hours of video games to determine which soundbars actually deliver on their promises.
This guide cuts through the marketing nonsense and spec-sheet gibberish to answer one question: Which soundbars are actually worth your money right now? Whether you’re looking for something simple to make Netflix dialogues intelligible again or a full Dolby Atmos system that makes you feel like you’re inside the action, we’ve got you covered. Let’s fix your TV’s sad audio situation once and for all.
Amazon Fire TV Soundbar
The Amazon Fire TV Soundbar delivers surprising value in a compact package that does double duty as both an audio upgrade and a complete streaming solution. Priced competitively in the budget soundbar market, this hybrid device essentially integrates a full-featured Fire TV Stick directly into a soundbar, eliminating the need for separate devices while streamlining your entertainment setup.
Connection is straightforward through HDMI, allowing you to access the complete Fire TV ecosystem directly from the soundbar itself. This means instant access to major streaming services like Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max without needing an additional streaming device or relying on your TV’s built-in smart features.
On the audio front, the soundbar supports Dolby Audio for enhanced sound quality, providing noticeably clearer dialogue and more immersive sound effects than most built-in TV speakers. While it doesn’t offer Dolby Atmos support—a premium feature typically found in soundbars at much higher price points—the audio quality remains impressive for everyday viewing and casual listening.
The inclusion of Bluetooth connectivity adds versatility, allowing you to stream music, podcasts, and other audio content directly from your smartphone or tablet. This effectively transforms the soundbar into a decent wireless speaker when you’re not watching TV.
For consumers looking to upgrade from their TV’s built-in speakers while simultaneously adding or upgrading their streaming capabilities, the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar represents a compelling two-in-one solution that saves both money and precious HDMI ports.
Buy at Amazon
Samsung HW-Q990F
Samsung’s Q990F soundbar hits the sweet spot between power and finesse. This 11.1.4-channel system wraps you in sound from every angle, thanks to its main bar, two rear speakers, and completely redesigned subwoofer.
Gone is the towering sub from previous models – Samsung’s new cubic design (measuring just 25cm in each direction) packs dual 8-inch opposing drivers that deliver chest-thumping 32Hz bass without rattling your furniture. Despite its smaller footprint, this thing still pumps out 300 watts of clean low-end.
The system speaks all the right audio languages – Dolby Atmos and DTS
are joined by the brand-new Eclipsa Audio format (Samsung and Google’s spatial audio baby). For gamers, the HDMI 2.1 inputs handle 4K/120Hz and VRR passthrough, ensuring your games look as good as they sound.
Samsung owners get extra perks with Q-Symphony integration, which lets your TV speakers join the party instead of fighting with them. The SpaceFit Sound Pro Plus feature acts like a sound engineer in a box, automatically tuning everything to your room’s acoustics.
All this premium audio goodness comes at $1,799.99 – serious money, but competitive for what you’re getting in this flagship territory.
Buy at Samsung
Sony Bravia Theater Bar 9
The Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 is a $1,399.99 flex that wants desperately to justify its eye-watering price tag — and honestly, it comes pretty close. Sony’s premium soundbar packs 13 speakers into its sleek frame, including those all-important upward-firing drivers that bounce sound off your ceiling in a way that makes your brain think “whoa.”
Let’s be real: this is Sony flexing its audio muscles. The 5.0.2 channel setup handles Dolby Atmos and DTS
like a champ, but it’s the “360 Spatial Sound Mapping” that’s the real party trick here. It creates phantom speakers where none exist, which sounds like marketing nonsense until you hear it filling your living room with sound that seems to come from impossible places.
Connection-wise, Sony didn’t skimp. HDMI 2.1, eARC, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.2, and AirPlay 2 are all here because it’s 2025, and anything less would be embarrassing. The one glaring omission: decent bass. You’ll need to shell out another $399 for the SA-SW3 subwoofer if you want your streaming binges to have proper low-end rumble.
Is it worth it? That depends on how much you value sound that makes your friends go “wait, where are all those speakers hidden?” For the price of a decent used car down payment, you could do worse — but you could also do cheaper.
Buy at Best Buy
Sonos Ray
The Sonos Ray packs a surprising punch for such a compact soundbar. At just 22 inches wide, it’s perfect for smaller TVs or tight spaces where bigger soundbars would feel like overkill. If you’ve been putting up with your TV’s built-in speakers, the Ray will be a revelation.
This little powerhouse houses two tweeters and two mid-woofers that deliver dialogue you can actually understand and music that doesn’t sound like it’s coming through a tin can. Unlike some soundbars that spray sound in all directions, the Ray’s forward-facing speakers keep everything focused where it matters.
Sonos kept things simple with the connections—maybe too simple for some. There’s no HDMI here, just an optical input. This makes setup dead easy but means you’ll miss out on some of the fancier audio formats and TV-control features found on pricier models.
Where the Ray really shines is as a gateway drug to the Sonos ecosystem. Fire up the app and you can stream basically any music service, group it with other Sonos speakers around your home, or fine-tune the sound to your liking. If you’re an Apple fan, AirPlay 2 support means you can beam audio straight from your iPhone or iPad.
Don’t expect room-shaking bass or height channels for Dolby Atmos, and you won’t find Alexa or Google Assistant built in. But what the Ray does, it does exceptionally well. It’s a straight-shooting soundbar that delivers crisp, balanced audio without unnecessary frills or complexity.
Buy at Best Buy
Sonos Beam Gen 2
The Sonos Beam 2 is easily one of the best compact soundbars you can find, packing impressive audio quality into a small footprint. Perfect for apartments, smaller rooms, or setups where space matters, the Beam delivers surprisingly powerful sound that feels larger than its size suggests. Despite its compact design, it provides clear, room-filling audio that’s great for movies, music, and gaming.
A standout feature of the Beam 2 is its built-in support for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. This turns your soundbar into a smart home hub, letting you control everything from volume to playlists using just your voice. Checking the weather or streaming your favorite tracks becomes effortless and intuitive.
If you’re already part of the Sonos ecosystem, the Beam fits in seamlessly. You can easily pair it with other Sonos speakers like the Sonos One or PLAY:5 to create a wireless surround sound system. The synchronization is smooth and creates a genuinely immersive listening experience.
The audio quality on the Beam 2 is excellent, with punchy bass that doesn’t drown out voices, while mid-range and high notes stay sharp and clear. It even includes an adjustable EQ, so you can tweak the sound exactly to your liking.
Another nice touch is the Beam 2’s simplicity—it doesn’t require its own remote, as it automatically syncs with your TV’s remote. This cuts down on clutter, making your setup neat and easy to use. Overall, the Sonos Beam is an ideal pick for anyone looking for a compact, powerful, and user-friendly soundbar.
Buy at Best Buy
Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar Max
The Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar Max stands out as a premier choice for enhancing your TV’s audio experience. Equipped with 13 drivers, including front, side, and upward-firing speakers, it delivers a true 5.1.4 channel setup, immersing listeners in a rich, three-dimensional soundscape.
One of its remarkable features is the AMBEO 3D mode, which utilizes advanced virtualization technology to adapt to your room’s acoustics, creating an enveloping surround sound effect without the need for additional speakers.
The soundbar supports a wide array of audio formats, including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, ensuring compatibility with the latest high-definition content. Its robust build quality and premium materials not only contribute to its durability but also complement modern home aesthetics.
While the AMBEO Soundbar Max comes at a higher price point, its exceptional sound performance, comprehensive feature set, and sleek design make it a worthwhile investment for those seeking a top-tier, all-in-one audio solution for their home entertainment system.
Buy at Amazon
Bose Soundbar 500
If you’ve ever owned a pair of Bose headphones or speakers, the Soundbar 500 will feel like reconnecting with an old friend. This sleek, low-profile soundbar delivers that signature Bose sound profile – crystal clear highs, well-defined mids, and a deliberately restrained bass response that prioritizes accuracy over overwhelming thump.
Standing just 1.75 inches tall and spanning 31.5 inches wide, the Soundbar 500 strikes a balance between compact design and proper stereo separation. Its understated black or white finish and minimalist aesthetic allow it to blend seamlessly with most home entertainment setups without drawing unnecessary attention.
Buy at Amazon
Roku Smart Soundbar
Here’s when we get into the fun soundbars on this list, that do more than just offer great sound. The Roku Smart Soundbar is exactly that. You can think of it as a soundbar, with a Roku built-in. That means that it does connect to your TV using HDMI ARC. But with this, you won’t need to buy a Roku, as all of that is inside this soundbar.
It comes with a Roku remote, so you can control it and your TV using this remote. It’s also going to provide some really great sound for your TV. This is a small-ish soundbar, but the sound is definitely not small. It can easily fill your room with sound. And it’s super simple to set up as well.
The Roku Smart Soundbar does also includes support for up to 4K HDR. So, if you have a 4K HDR TV already, then this is a great addition. As you can watch Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube TV, and more via your soundbar. Which sounds kinda crazy when you say it out loud. But it’s true.
Roku Smart Soundbar – Amazon
Sonos Arc
If you’re invested in the Sonos ecosystem, then the Arc is a really good choice. But then again, why would you buy this over the Beam, which is half the price?
Two reasons. One, this has Dolby Atmos support – the first Sonos product to offer it. And two, it’s a larger speaker with more audio. Making it better for larger rooms, and larger TVs.
The Sonos Arc can still work with a surround sound setup – using two Sonos One speakers, PLAY:5’s, etc. Which is one of the more compelling reasons to buy the Arc. It also offers up some really deep bass, with crystal clear mids and highs. Like the Beam, the Arc can also be controlled via the Sonos app. So you can adjust the EQ to your liking and also group speakers together, much easier.
With Dolby Atmos and 3D sound available on the Sonos Arc, it makes it a really great soundbar to pick up. Even though the price is a bit tough to swallow.
It’s worth noting that the Arc is unavailable almost everywhere. Due to the pandemic, and how popular the Arc is, Sonos has had a hard time keeping it on store shelves. Just a heads up.
Buy at Best Buy
