If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more. Please also consider subscribing to WIRED
Best Affordable Bar
Vizio M Series 2.1
Best Under $500
Vizio M-Series 5.1.2 Soundbar
Best Dolby Atmos Bar
Samsung HW-Q990B
Another Good Atmos Bar
Vizio M-Series Elevate
You probably already shelled out good money for a nice big TV and maybe a streaming gadget for your Netflix. But it doesn’t matter how large your screen is or how much it cost—the speakers in your TV probably sound awful.
You’d be surprised how much more you enjoy those shows with a halfway decent soundbar or surround system hooked up to your primo panel. Explosions pop, dialog sounds far crisper, and you may even notice sonic details in your favorite films that you’ve never picked up before.
Need some advice on how to find a perfect bar? Check our our full article on How to Buy a Soundbar before picking one below.
Updated February 2023: We’ve added information about the Sonos Ray, added the Vizio M-Series Elevate, and updated links and prices.
Why You Need a Soundbar
We have yet to test a new TV that didn’t sound crummy without some kind of audio accessory. That’s mostly due to the way televisions are designed. Great-sounding speakers are bulky, and as TVs have gotten thinner, with shrinking bezels and sleeker designs, manufacturers are having a harder time building good speakers into them.
You can spend as little as $150 on a new soundbar with a subwoofer, and it’s essential to getting the most out of your viewing experience. To help, we put together this list of the best soundbars we’ve tested, including soundbars sold on their own, as well as models that come bundled with a subwoofer. We’ve also compiled some advice on how to make the most of your purchase.
Special offer for Gear readers: Get a 1-year subscription to WIRED for $5 ($25 off). This includes unlimited access to WIRED.com and our print magazine (if you’d like). Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day.
-
Photograph: Vizio
Best Affordable Bar
Vizio M Series 2.1
This is a great entry-level soundbar if you don’t have much to spend. It has a sleek design and surprisingly good bass for a soundbar that doesn’t come with a subwoofer. We’ve recommended Vizio bars for years for their ease of use, and this one definitely ticks that box, with an HDMI ARC connection that allows your TV remote to control the volume and a Bluetooth connection for quickly playing your favorite tunes. The only downside? While it does have plenty of bass, a dedicated subwoofer would certainly help when watching Michael Bay films.
Inputs: HDMI ARC, optical cable, coaxial cable, and Bluetooth
-
Photograph: Vizio
Best Under $500
Vizio M-Series 5.1.2 Soundbar
If you’re into console gaming, you know how important it is to detect that opponent creeping behind you in the shadows. This affordable Dolby Atmos soundbar from Vizio (9/10, WIRED Recommends) helps you hear every footstep in real, physical space. Atmos bars fire sound upward, expanding your TV’s soundstage. This means gamers can hear what’s going on above them and have a better shot at avoiding that gun-toting helicopter flying overhead. Two upward-firing rear surround speakers also come in the box.
For under $500, it’s one of the most affordable Atmos-enabled soundbar bundles you’ll find with surround speakers, making it a no-brainer for anyone who values fantastic sound.
Inputs: 2 HDMI ports (one ARC), 3.5 mm, optical, USB, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi
-
Photograph: Samsung
Best Dolby Atmos Bar
Samsung HW-Q990B
For a few years, companies have been making giant soundbar systems meant to imitate old-school home theaters. For a few years, they’ve been pretty great. The Samsung HW-Q990B (8/10, WIRED Recommends), though, is the best I’ve ever heard, thanks to Samsung’s excellent audio processing, a massive 15 drivers, and the ability to bounce tones around your room. It’s also the first Samsung soundbar to feature wireless Dolby Atmos, which means you don’t need to connect the surround speakers and subwoofer to anything other than an outlet. It’s pretty nifty. The only downside? It’ll cost you about as much as a decent traditional system.
-
Photograph: Vizio
Another Good Atmos Bar
Vizio M-Series Elevate
If you want more full-featured Dolby Atmos and you like a bit of flair, this more expensive model from Vizio (8/10, WIRED Recommends) might be for you. Drivers pop out of the side and aim toward your ceiling when Atmos content is playing, giving it a nifty party trick to show your pals. Sound quality is solid too, and we like the compact design and easy setup. However, you will have to route some speaker cables for the rear surrounds.
