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There are a lot of great soundbars out there, and we don’t have room to showcase them all. Here are some others you may want to consider.
LG’s S95TR model is $1,000-$1,300: LG’s 9.1.5 channel soundbar (8/10, WIRED Recommends) doesn’t perform as well as Samsung’s flagship Q990 series, but may be a better option for newer ones. LG TVs are like C4can connect wirelessly and use its speakers in tandem with the bar for even more immersion. It also supports gaming features like 120-Hz switching, but only includes one spare input.
Vizio 2.1 Soundbar (SV210M) for $170: Vizio’s curvaceous little combo delivers compelling value, with solid sound quality and some cinematic punch from the youngest subwoofer you’ll ever see. There’s no optical input or remote, but Vizio’s software makes it simple enough to adjust settings or switch to Bluetooth. The main drawback is that dialogue is sometimes (but not always) lost, reducing the main appeal of a cheap soundbar. Features like good soundtracks and DTS Virtual X expansion make it worth considering on sale.
Samsung HW-Q800C for $598: If Samsung’s HW-Q990C all-in-one bar is too rich for your blood, the two-piece HW-Q800C (WIRED Recommends, 8/10) may be a good compromise. This bar offers a similar sound signature as Samsung’s flagship bars, packed into a smaller bar and subwoofer combo for a significant discount – especially since it’s almost always on sale now.
Sennheiser Ambeo Mini for $700: This pint-sized luxury bar is great for those on the money to burn in very small spaces. Sennheiser’s built-in Ambeo virtualization technology brilliantly diffuses the sound around you for thrilling TV and movies, and offers advanced features like support for Google Assistant and Alexa.
Sony HT-X8500 for $300: Sony’s HT-X8500 is getting harder to find, but it’s still one of our favorites, bar its solid bass response and expansive sound, including good Dolby Atmos virtualization. Although more expensive than our top bar, it’s a great alternative for those arriving a little later and worth considering while it’s still available.
Roku Streambar for $130: If you’re after a soundbar that doubles as a great streaming device, WIRED reviewer Adrienne So swears by the Roku Streambar. After years without him, she was so moved that she shouted from the rooftops. Setup is easy, and since it includes Roku’s simple streaming interface, you can stream movies and shows from almost any streaming service in up to 4K HDR. You can also add a Roku subwoofer or surround sound speakers. we encourage buy bottom.
Vizio Elevate M-Series for $500: If you want full-featured Dolby Atmos and like a bit of flair, Vizio’s second Elevate bar is worth a look. When playing Atmos content, the drivers come out of the side and aim at your ceiling, giving you a fun game to show off to your friends. Sound quality is also solid, and we like the compact design and easy setup. However, you will need to run some speaker cables for the rear surrounds.
Yamaha SR-C30A for $276: This model SR-C30A soundbar is really very similar to SR-C20A and therefore they are the same in terms of dimensions, specifications and sound quality. The difference is that the SR-C30A packs a compact (335 x 160 x 364mm) wireless subwoofer for some authentic Hollywood-style grunt and punch. —Simon Lucas
Sennheiser Ambeo Plus for $1,200: Considering the soundbar’s price and physical dimensions (not even including a subwoofer), the Ambeo Plus might seem like a bad deal. But thanks to 400 watts of power and nine carefully designed and even more carefully placed speaker drivers, it’s capable of big, enveloping sound, with the powerful suggestion of pitch enhanced by Sennheiser Dolby Atmos soundtracks. With the Encore, it’s a very capable wireless speaker when you want to listen to some music too. – Simon Lucas
The Polk React for $269: This soundbar works if you want to eventually get surround sound but don’t have the money right now. The Alexa-equipped soundbar is fine on its own, with surround speakers and subwoofers from Polk available if you want to upgrade.
Vizio Elevate P-Series for $700: It’s an awesome-looking soundbar with side speakers that flip to the sky as you watch content with object-based audio. It’s a great sounding bar and the trick is neat, but there are better options for under $1,000.
