Top 4 Budget Soundbars for Crisp, Balanced Audio

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Soundbars offer a great method to enhance your television’s audio quality; however, less expensive versions might not include all the functionalities available in higher-end models. Choosing the right cost-effective soundbar for your particular requirements could be somewhat challenging. However, you're in luck as our specialists evaluated numerous economical choices and have identified top-notch budget-friendly soundbars suitable for different types of consumers.

Our number one choice is the Vizio V21d-J8 , frequently available at a price slightly below $100. This budget-friendly stereo soundbar offers a straightforward solution for enhancing your movie, television, and gaming audio experience without breaking the bank. However, those seeking superior performance might want to explore alternative options. Bose Smart Soundbar Although more expensive, that model comes with Dolby Atmos support featuring upward-facing speakers that reflect sound effects off your ceiling.

Our carefully curated recommendations are informed by more than a decade of experience covering home audio products. All of our picks for the best budget soundbars are within the $100 to $500 price range.

Our recommendations for the finest affordable soundbars

Best overall: Vizio V-Series V21d-J8 - See at Amazon

Best with Dolby Atmos: Bose Smart Soundbar - See at Amazon

Best midrange pick: Yamaha YAS-209 - See at Amazon

Best for apartments: Sonos Ray - See at Amazon

Best overall

The Vizio V21d-J8 stands out as an excellent choice for those seeking an affordable soundbar that requires minimal effort to install and use. It provides reliable basic audio quality within a stylish package designed not to dominate your room’s aesthetics, eliminating the necessity of accommodating additional pieces like large subwoofers.

The V21 links to your television using HDMI ARC, enabling control of both power and volume functions directly from your TV’s remote. If your television lacks an HDMI ARC interface, there’s also an optical input provided as an alternative option. Additionally, this device supports Bluetooth connectivity, allowing wireless streaming of audio content from smartphones or tablets. With the supplied remote controller, you can easily navigate various settings including different sound modes, switch between multiple inputs, and adjust equalizer preferences. Although the speaker system isn’t equipped with an extra HDMI port for passing video signals, it features an analog input designed specifically for connecting traditional audio equipment.

The V21 provides fundamental two-channel stereo playback featuring integrated woofers for handling lower frequency sounds. Compared to standard television audio, this system brings about a reasonable enhancement, particularly through amplified speech clarity and an increased impact during intense moments. However, the absence of a dedicated subwoofer restricts deep bass performance. Despite this limitation, the inclusion of DTS Virtual:X technology simulates surround sound, allowing the speaker setup to surpass its compact 36-inch size and generate a more expansive auditory field.

Like you would anticipate, the V21 does not match up to more expensive soundbars or multi-speaker home theater systems, yet Vizio’s skill for offering quality audio at a lower cost shines through. For those seeking an economical solution to enhance their television's sound quality, this feature-rich bar serves as an excellent starting point.

Best with Dolby Atmos

The Bose Smart Soundbar stands as the best Dolby Atmos soundbar You can acquire within your means. Dolby’s widely favored audio technology distributes sounds in every direction, even overhead. Unlike other options at a comparable price point, Sonos Beam The Bose Smart Soundbar features specialized upward-facing speakers that create more realistic overhead effects. These drivers send sounds toward your ceiling to mimic audio originating from above.

The Smart Soundbar is a moderately updated iteration of the previously discontinued model. Bose Smart Soundbar 600 This updated version of the model remains identical in design but comes with enhanced software supporting two additional features: improved AI-driven conversation management and compatibility with Bose Ultra Open Earbuds for use as rear speakers.

Using Bose’s sophisticated acoustic engineering and virtual surround sound technology, this soundbar delivers an encompassing and lifelike auditory experience. However, the Smart Soundbar goes beyond merely supporting Dolby Atmos. In our evaluations, we found that despite its compact size, it boasts impressive performance with sharp dialogues and well-balanced tones suitable for various types of content, which makes it an excellent choice regardless of what you listen to.

Although the dialogue already sounded excellent with the standard settings, if you're having trouble hearing speech clearly, the updated AI Dialogue mode can be quite useful. This feature enhances spoken parts without affecting the quality of other audio elements. Additionally, we tried out the enhanced personalized surround sound option, allowing for more customized acoustic experiences. Bose Ultra Open Earbuds As for the rear speakers, they functioned effectively, enabling us to enjoy surround sound effects via the earbuds while also picking up audio from the soundbar. Nonetheless, we believe this feature comes across as an impressive bonus rather than a significant reason to purchase.

Additionally, it's important to mention that the soundbar has somewhat restricted bass performance. Due to its small form factor and absence of an independent subwoofer, intense scenes from your beloved movies often fall short in delivering strong low-frequency sounds. Upgrading this setup with a wireless subwoofer could enhance the overall experience. Bose subwoofer , but that significantly increases the expense.

Fortunately, the Smart Soundbar offers numerous additional features. With Wi-Fi compatibility and Bose’s user-friendly app, you can enjoy your preferred music from various sources. best music streaming services Spotify Connect, Apple AirPlay 2, Chromecast, and Bluetooth are available features, with the soundbar’s integrated microphones supporting Amazon Alexa for voice control, enhancing its functionality as a smart speaker.

Similar to numerous soundbars of comparable dimensions, the Smart Soundbar offers restricted connectivity choices. You can connect it to your television via an HDMI eARC or optical port; however, there aren’t any additional HDMI passthrough ports available. Despite not supporting DTS audio formats, its TrueSpace virtual surround technology performs remarkably well with most types of audio content fed into it.

While the Bose Smart Soundbar may not be the most budget-friendly choice in our guide, its blend of enveloping audio quality, Dolby Atmos upward-facing speakers, and stylish design make it a worthwhile investment—yes, even intelligent—that justifies its cost.

Check out our guide to all of the best Bose soundbars .

Best midrange pick

The Yamaha YAS-209 is a top-notch choice in the mid-range soundbar category. Among affordable models, it distinguishes itself by coming with a separate subwoofer. For those looking for superior sound quality and useful features without breaking the bank, we have not found another system that surpasses it yet. Actually, the YAS-209 tops our comprehensive list of recommended soundbars in the full guide. best soundbars you can buy.

We were quite pleased with this 2.1-channel soundbar for its impressively rich and well-balanced audio output, featuring a soothingly warm midrange, crisp dialogues, and robust bass provided by the accompanying wireless subwoofer. Although it lacks Dolby Atmos capability, it does come equipped with DTS Virtual:X technology designed to enhance the soundscape outside the unit’s boundaries. In regular use, the YAS-209 provides an enthralling listening experience that elevates whatever content you're enjoying.

The YAS-209 provides simple connectivity to your television via HDMI ARC along with an unexpected array of additional features such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi compatibility, integrated Amazon Alexa for hands-free operation, and an extra HDMI port for linking up peripheral gadgets. However, despite these capabilities, the bar can still manage to pass through. 4K video with HDR , it does not support Dolby Vision or 120Hz signals. However, extra HDMI ports are seldom available at this price point, making these omissions easy to overlook.

The 209 features a round design enclosed in acoustically transparent material for a refined look, complete with intuitive touch controls at the top. Standing under 2.5 inches tall and spanning about 36 inches wide, it fits comfortably in most spaces. media consoles and blends smoothly into the background. We do wish there was a full display up front, but given that we rarely found the need to make any audio adjustments, it's another forgivable omission.

To find additional soundbars with strong bass performance, take a look at our comprehensive guide to various options. best soundbars with subwoofers .

Best for apartments

The moment we listened to the Sonos Ray, we were thoroughly impressed by its audio quality. Despite its compact design, which resembles a Bluetooth speaker rather than a typical soundbar, Sonos demonstrates that smaller dimensions do not necessarily mean compromised performance.

The Ray boasts a rich, crisp, and silky audio profile. It offers such vivid detail that it nearly reaches high-end quality. While the bass response might be understated, the strength in the lower midrange adds depth to both movies and TV shows. Additionally, this device serves as an excellent music partner, adeptly handling genres ranging from jazz to electronic sounds. However, at higher volumes, certain middle-range tones can sometimes get muddled; nonetheless, this seldom interfered during our tests.

The significant auditory capabilities of this soundbar come with certain trade-offs. Primarily, it lacks an HDMI ARC connection, providing just an optical input instead. As such, the soundbar cannot handle high-quality audio formats like Dolby Atmos. Another downside is that you're unable to utilize your TV remote for controlling both power and volume directly; rather, you have to set up your TV remote using IR commands through the Sonos app.

Fortunately, many television remote controls are interoperable, and the Sonos application guides you through the entire installation procedure. Additionally, because this is a Sonos product, the app offers extensive capabilities beyond just managing the soundbar’s output and configurations; it allows for integration with other Sonos speakers to create a multi-room audio network or an advanced surround-sound setup—features that few competitors within this cost range can rival. Furthermore, the Ray model permits coupling with additional devices. Sonos Ace headphones, So you have the option to switch to private listening.

Although numerous users encountered difficulties with the Sonos app following an update in the previous year, most of these issues have since been resolved. While the application remains imperfect, based on our experience, its remaining flaws do not significantly impact usability.

Although The Ray lacks Bluetooth capability, its compatibility with bar WiFi allows for improved streaming quality from wireless devices. Getting accustomed to the distinctive features of The Ray might take some time, yet this compact bar offers exceptional sound performance along with top-tier functionalities, making it a great value choice for potential buyers looking for robust audio solutions in their living spaces, particularly suitable for apartments.

As another option, we suggest the compact model as well. Bose TV Speaker soundbar That model provides comparable sound quality but swaps Wi-Fi for Bluetooth connectivity and lacks DTS audio support. However, it does include an HDMI port.

Check out our guide covering all of the best Sonos soundbars .

How we evaluate affordable soundbars

Our specialists evaluated numerous budget soundbar models across different usage scenarios with an emphasis on assessing their audio performance. Besides evaluating sound quality, they considered aspects such as compatible audio formats, connection options, user-friendliness, and additional functionalities including Wi-Fi streaming and integration with smart assistants.

We assess elements intended for everyday usage, ranging from initial setup and dimensions to dependability and user-friendly features such as an application for tweaking equalization and other settings. Whenever feasible, we integrate each soundbar into our routine for several days, employing it across different situations as our primary audio equipment to gain insight into the actual ownership experience.

To evaluate the test materials, we utilize a meticulously chosen selection of clips from popular movies and television series. Our focus is on assessing an integrated performance throughout low, middle, and high-frequency ranges. We closely monitor how dialogue is handled—particularly amidst chaos as well as during serene intervals.

We have a specialized playlist featuring tracks across various musical styles and streaming platforms such as Spotify along with high-quality audio available on sites like Amazon Music. It’s crucial for us to assess every setup regarding their Bluetooth and Wi-Fi stability, alongside evaluating how smoothly they interact with voice-controlled helpers such as Amazon Alexa.

Given that our aim for this guide is to showcase top-tier affordable soundbars, we paid extra attention to overall value. We aimed to pick models that offer performance levels similar to more expensive alternatives.

What criteria should you consider when choosing an affordable soundbar?

While looking for an affordable soundbar, focus particularly on its connectivity options. Preferably choose one with HDMI ARC or eARC when connecting to a television because these provide greater data transfer capacity compared to a digital optical link. Additionally, HDMI supports CEC (Consumer Electronics Control), allowing seamless operation of the soundbar using your TV’s remote control. However, some cost-effective models such as the Sonos Ray only support digital optical connections instead of HDMI. Although this setup will function well enough with current televisions, controlling the soundbar via the TV remote may require additional configuration steps.

Afterwards, consider examining the available audio channels. Numerous affordable options typically offer only 2.0 stereo audio or a basic 2.1 setup that includes an additional dedicated low-frequency effect channel or standalone subwoofer for enhanced bass performance. However, some higher-end choices provide better integration of a central channel, labeled either as 3.0 or 3.1 systems. Even advanced setups may feature full-blown 5.1-channel surround sound complete with rear speakers. Investing more money might secure access to soundbars equipped with Dolby Atmos technology. For example, Bose’s Smart Soundbar boasts a sophisticated 3.0.2-channel design, featuring not just three primary channels but also two extra “height” channels designed to deliver a heightened sense of spatial immersion.

A lot of affordable soundbars come with basic audio support for both PCM and Dolby Digital stereo. Some even extend this capability to include DTS formats. Among the top-budget models that we evaluate, many feature advanced virtual surround technologies such as DTS Virtual:X. These systems use digital algorithms to simulate a wider soundscape. While they provide a significant enhancement over standard stereo, they still fall short compared to genuine multi-channel surround sound setups in terms of performance effectiveness.

Soundbars excel at playing streamed music as well. Most affordable soundbars come with basic Bluetooth functionality, allowing you to play audio directly from your smartphone. Higher-end versions often add Wi-Fi capabilities, enabling high-quality streaming through platforms such as Spotify or Apple Music. Additionally, this Wi-Fi capability can provide compatibility with smart speakers like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Should intelligent functions be crucial for you, check whether the soundbar includes integrated voice command technology powered by internal mics.

Budget soundbar FAQs

Is a budget soundbar going to outperform your television’s built-in speakers?

In short, yes. While some of the best TVs Can provide audio quality that rivals inexpensive soundbars; generally speaking, the top budget soundbars will still significantly enhance your television’s sound compared to stock options. Several elements contribute to this improvement, such as the placement of the soundbar directly in front of the display, its dimensions and acoustical characteristics, along with specialized amplifiers and speakers. Because of these aspects, we suggest consumers incorporate a soundbar—or perhaps even a complete speaker system—into their home theater configuration to elevate their viewing enjoyment.

If you're looking for a new TV to go with your soundbar, take a look at our guides to the best options. best 4K TVs , best smart TVs , best OLED TVs , and best budget TVs .

What amount should you allocate for purchasing an affordable soundbar?

Our recommended choice in this guide has a price slightly above $100, which we believe serves as the starting point when looking for an affordable soundbar. Nevertheless, those who prioritize superior sound quality should aim to invest between $200 and $300 for enhanced auditory experiences. For additional functionalities and compatibility with technologies like Dolby Atmos, be prepared to allocate a larger budget; however, achieving excellent performance without breaking the bank remains possible within the range of less than $500.

High-quality budget soundbars frequently go on sale during major shopping events such as Prime Day and Black Friday.

What is HDMI ARC?

HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) serves as a connectivity option designed for sending both audio and visual data. This feature is commonly incorporated into various devices such as televisions, sound bars, and AV receivers.

When both your television and soundbar feature an HDMI ARC port, you can connect them using an HDMI cable to enable bidirectional transmission of audio signals. These HDMI ARC links support not only stereo sounds but also various compressed surround sound formats such as Dolby Digital, DTS, and Dolby Atmos through Dolby Digital Plus.

Certain gadgets utilize an enhanced variant of HDMI ARC known as HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel). This improved version accommodates high-bandwidth audio signals, facilitating the delivery of uncompressed Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, and DTS:X soundtracks for superior auditory experience.

HDMI ARC and eARC connections typically include a functionality known as CEC (Consumer Electronics Control). With this feature, you can utilize your TV’s remote to manage fundamental settings on your soundbar such as turning the power on/off and adjusting the volume.

Take a look at our guide to the best HDMI cables For suggestions on utilizing HDMI ARC connections.

Is it possible for budget soundbars to support Dolby Atmos?

Certainly! Our guide features an affordable soundbar model equipped with Dolby Atmos technology. It’s worth noting that although cost-effective Dolby Atmos soundbars provide vertical audio elements, many options within this price bracket usually do not come with dedicated surround speakers. As such, lower-end Atmos models might not deliver the same level of immersion compared to more economical setups consisting of basic soundbars paired with genuine rear satellite speakers, even though these simpler systems often forego Atmos capabilities. If you're looking for suggestions including rear speakers, please refer to our comprehensive guide on the subject. best surround sound systems .

To learn more about Atmos technology, refer to our detailed guide covering every aspect of it. Dolby Atmos .

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