The 10 Best Budget Soundbar Of 2024, Tested By Our Experts

Harlan Ellison By, Harlan Ellison
Updated
Bose Solo 5 TV Soundbar Sound System
Image credit: Amazon.com

The Rundown

1. Best Overall: Bose Solo 5 TV Soundbar Sound System

If you're looking for a small soundbar to add weight and clarity to a smaller TV in your home, this is a good option. Read Review

2. Best Bang For The Buck: Polk Audio Signa S2 Ultra-Slim TV Sound Bar

Great sound and great value for money with any mid to high range stereo on the market. Just over 2 inches tall, it fits easily into most spaces on the wall or in front of the TV. Read Review

3. Best Sound Clarity: TCL Alto 6+ 2.1 Channel Dolby Audio Sound Bar

We have tested the sound quality, and it has a good stereo frequency response. The middle frequency range is balanced and highlights vocals and most instruments. Read Review

4. Best Powerful: Sony HT-S350 Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer

The Sony HT S350 soundbar offers a variety of audio modes and thunderous sound from its wireless subwoofer, all at a very affordable price. Read Review

While technology has allowed TVs to get flatter, thinner, and lighter, it cannot overcome the laws of physics in audio. To fill a room with sound, you need large speakers that can move lots of air. These speakers won't fit in a TV chassis that is too thin. Soundbars are the solution.

You don't have to spend a lot on sound equipment if you don't have the budget. We have compiled a list of the best budget sound bar that will not break the bank and fit easily into your existing setup. You'll soon be surrounded by amazing sounds without spending a fortune. You'll only need a new packet of popcorn.

Our team spent about 14 hours researching, sifting, and selecting many high-quality models. Bose Solo 5 TV Soundbar Sound System is the product that receives the highest award from us. In addition to the other suggestions on this list, which are equally deserving of your consideration, we have also compiled a helpful buyer's guide to assist you in making your decision.

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 Bose Solo 5 TV Soundbar Sound System
Our Score:
9.8
Bose
  • Bluetooth connectivity to wirelessly stream music from any of your devices
  • Speaker:2.6 H x 21.6 W x 3.4 D (3.73 lbs), Remote control:4.1 H x 1.6 W x 0.4 D (5 oz)
  • Single sound bar provides better sound quality compared to your TV.The Solo 5 TV sound system is an easy solution, with advanced technologies that deliver the clear audio your TV can’t.
  • Dialogue mode to make every word and detail stand out
  • Universal remote controls TV, bass, Bluetooth connections and more
  • One connection to your TV. Optical audio input (digital); Coaxial audio input (digital); 3.5 mm aux input (analog)
TOP Choice #2 Polk Audio Signa S2 Ultra-Slim TV Sound Bar
Our Score:
9.6
Polk Audio
  • A PREMIUM ULTRA-SLIM SOUND BAR WITH INCLUDED WIRELESS SUBWOOFER – 5 powerful full-range drivers deliver BEAUTFUL RICH SOUND WITH DEEP BASS. POLK’S EXCLUSIVE VOICE ADJUST TECHNOLOGY & Dolby Digital Decoding maximizes sound clarity & reduces voice delays
  • UPGRADE YOUR HOME THEATER EXPERIENCE – Watch your favorite shows on your 4K HD Smart TV with exceptional picture quality & crystal clear sound. With numerous connection possibilities, plug in any audio source via HDMI ARC, optical input & AUX
  • SET UP YOUR SOUND BAR IN MINUTES — With the included subwoofer, HDMI and optical cables quickly connect your TV to the sound bar. Get set up and listening in minutes
  • EXCELLENT SOUND AND VALUE on par with any mid- to high-range sound bars available in the market. At just over 2" tall, it fits most spaces — easily wall-mount it or place in front of your TV. It won’t block your TV’s bottom edge or IR remote sensor
  • WIRELESSLY STREAM MUSIC from your favorite streaming apps like Pandora, Spotify, TuneIn, and others directly from your smartphone, tablet or other compatible device through the built-in Bluetooth technology
TOP Choice #3 TCL Alto 6+ 2.1 Channel Dolby Audio Sound Bar
Our Score:
9.5
TCL
  • SPECIALIZED SOUND MODES: Specialized sound modes bring Movies, Music, and News to life.
  • QUICK AND HASSLE-FREE SETUP: With HDMI, optical, or Bluetooth connections, you can go from unboxing to listening in minutes.
  • STREAM MUSIC WIRELESSLY: You can use your Bluetooth-enabled device to wirelessly stream music on your sound bar.
  • DOLBY DIGITAL: Dolby Digital decoding maximizes sound clarity and creates incredible room-filling virtual surround sound.
  • DEEP BASS WITH WIRELESS SUBWOOFER: Experience deep, rich bass to make movies and music truly come to life.
  • S-Force Pro: Virtual Surround Sound Technology Emulates a Theater-Style Surround Sound Experience
  • Audio Comes Alive:320W total power output brings content to life with incredible volume and clarity
  • One-Cable Connect: Send Audio and Control Information from the TV Using a Single Cable with HDMI Arc
  • 7 Sound Modes: Choose from Auto Sound, Cinema, Music, Game, News, Sports, and Standard Audio Mode
  • Powerful Subwoofer: Large 6.30 Inches Speaker Unit and 6.16 Gallon Volume for a Deeper, Richer Bass Sound
  • In the Box: Soundbar, Subwoofer, Remote Control, Batteries, Optical Cable, Quick Setup Guide, Manual
  • Voice Enhancement: Isolates Voices and Amplifies Them over the Background Noise for Greater Clarity
  • Wirelessly Connect: Connect via Bluetooth to Send Audio to the Slim Soundbar and Sub from Anywhere
  • Ultimate Home Theater Upgrade: Sony 2.1 Channel Sound Bar System With Wireless Subwoofer for Optimized Audio
  • Bluetooth Streaming: Stream Your Favorite Movies, Shows, and Music from Your Smartphone or Tablet
  • Compact, versatile design – Sleek, rounded all-black finish with easy-to-clean textured surface, optimized for small-med rooms.
  • Full-Range Speakers – 2 full-range speakers in the sound bar provide coherent sound and brilliant clarity.
  • 70Hz – 20kHz Frequency Response – Wide, natural frequency response means you can hear what the artist intended.
  • 95dB Loudness – Experience startling dynamics with minimal distortion or compression for remarkable room-shaking sound.
  • DTS Virtual:X – Sound Enhancement for room-filling, floor-to-ceiling virtualized sound
  • BLUETOOTH TV CONNECTION - Set up is a breeze. Easily connect your soundbar to your TV by connecting wirelessly
  • GAME MODE - Boost your gaming experience with perfectly synced directional audio that moves with the action on-screen and crosstalk cancellation that minimizes distractions
  • WIRELESS SURROUND SOUND COMPATIBLE - Turn your soundbar into a complete surround sound system with optional rear Samsung speakers in a few simple steps without the mess of wires
  • BASS BOOST - Give your bass an instant boost with the push of a button on the soundbar
  • ONE REMOTE - Streamline control of both your Samsung TV and soundbar with just the Samsung TV remote
  • SUBWOOFER INCLUDED - Wireless subwoofer is included so you can enjoy deep bass right out of the box All-in-one
  • ADAPTIVE SOUND LITE - Enhanced audio tracking for your content in real time, with technology that equalizes background music and consistent volume control
  • Loud and Clear: The 96dB sound pressure level and 50Hz – 20kHz frequency range deliver dynamic and accurate Sound.
  • 5” Wireless Subwoofer Place the wireless subwoofer anywhere in the room to add deep booming bass.
  • Voice Assistant Input Use our voice to control your Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant devices through the sound bar with a dedicated 3.5 Aux or Persistent Bluetooth connection.
  • DTS Virtual:X: Enhances any content with room-filling, floor-to-ceiling virtualized 3D sound.
  • Optimized for 4K HDR content with Dolby Audio 5.1 Bring out the best audio performance from your 4K HDR content with Dolby Audio 5.1 when connected through HDMI.
8 YAMAHA SR-B20A Sound Bar with Built-in Subwoofers and Bluetooth
Our Score:
8.6
Yamaha Audio
  • DTS Virtual: X virtual 3D surround sound
  • Included components: Remote control
  • Clear Voice for enhanced dialogue clarity
  • Simple setup with HDMI or optical
  • Bluetooth streaming that allows easy switching between two devices
  • Built-in subwoofers for deep bass in one slim sound bar
  • High power with a slim design that matches any room and is perfect for small living spaces
  • Deep sound with Bass Reflex speaker
  • Easy TV set up with HDMI ARC
  • In the box: Remote Commander (RMT-AH411U), Batteries for remote commander, Cable (Optical Cable, AC Cord), Wall Mount Template, Warranty Card, Quick Setup Guide, Instruction Manual
  • Straight from the theater to your home: easy set-up, built-in tweeter, 2-ch speaker with simple Bluetooth connection
  • Voice enhancement feature is great for TV content with hushed dialogue, or to make conference call participants easier to hear
  • Hear sound come from all around you with S-Force Pro Front Surround
  • Rockville ROCKBAR 40" 400W soundbar with wireless subwoofer/Bluetooth/HDMI/optical
  • Wireless subwoofer and recessed input panel allows you to enjoy a clutter free setup and easy installation.Hdmi(arc): easily connect to your TV or other device with HDMI (ARC).DSP modes: music, movie, 3D, news.110//20 volt auto switching power supply for use worldwide.Unit weight: 14.4 lbs.Sound bar dimensions: 2.75"" X 3.07"" X 37.8"".Subwoofer Dimensions: 6.7"" X 14.96"" X 12.05"".
  • Controls: volume, bass, treble, DSP mode.Includes a wall bracket and mounting hardware.Recessed input panel makes it easy to plug in your device).drivers: sound bar has (4) 2.25"" Drivers and the subwoofer has a 6.5” driver.No distortion even at max volume.Wireless subwoofer with 6.5"" Driver delivers powerful deep bass.
  • (1) RCA line in, (1) optical digital Audio in, (1) digital USB in, and an (arc) HDMI.Multi-channel stereo sound to deliver a cinematic experience.Led display shows volume and track.Powered by a digital amplifier with DSP for audiophile sound quality.Pcm decoder.Remote control.Frequency response: 45hz-20khz.S/n Ratio: = 72dB.
  • Rockville ROCKBAR 40"" 400 watt sound bar with wireless subwoofer/Bluetooth/HDMI/optical.400 watts peak power/ 160 watts RMS power (continuous).pairs with included wireless subwoofer seamlessly.Built in Bluetooth wireless Audio streaming with long range and distortion free playback.Usb input plays back music stored on a thumb drive (up to 32 GB).
Product Images, Product Titles, Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API

What Should You Know Before Selecting best budget soundbar?

Our website is an online source that provides clients with a diverse selection of best budget soundbar. Many items on the site perfectly suit the demands of clients and serve their intended function.

So, how can you determine which of the best budget soundbar is the best fit for your needs? Don't be concerned! This article will walk you through all you need to know about the best budget soundbar before you buy it.

Connectivity

Soundbars typically only require one cable to connect with your TV. HDMI is the best choice. Make sure that your soundbar is equipped with all necessary ports for connecting to Blu-ray players and USB storage. You should check if your soundbar has a pass-through function that transmits 4K HDR video from your 4K HDR TV.

Subwoofer

In large rooms, a soundbar with an external subwoofer (or dedicated soundbar) can be more effective than one without it. A subwoofer that is well made will enhance low-end sound quality and add a cinematic vibe to your system. A sub that is poorly designed can cause a drop in sound quality. A soundbase is a great option if you need bass, but aren't able to fit an external sub. They include an integrated subwoofer.

Wi-Fi And Bluetooth

Bluetooth is an important soundbar feature that allows you stream music from compatible phones, tablets and computers to your soundbar. Wi-Fi connectivity allows you to stream music from your Spotify account or access cloud music libraries.

Additional Features

You might also want these features in your soundbar:
There are special sound modes for various audio types, such as watching movies, listening to music, or gaming. You can adjust the treble and bass settings depending on what you are watching/listening too.
Compatible with Google Assistant and Alexa for voice-controlled music.
Front-panel displays that display important information, such as volume levels. Make sure to check if this display is able to be switched off when it's not in use so that it does not become distracting.

Wired/wireless Speakers

Some soundbars allow for wired and wireless connection to other speakers. Some soundbars only support a subwoofer. However, a few models offer "surround sound" connectivity, which allows you to connect other speakers to the rear of the room to replicate 5.1. You can purchase these speakers separately or as a bundle at an extra cost.

Ease Of Set-up And Use

It is easy to hook up the soundbar with your TV or other device and get started using it immediately. This can be gauged by looking at the manual or reading some user reviews.

Number Of Channels And Speakers

A soundbar with just 2.1 channels may be enough to enhance the audio quality of your TV. A 5.1 and 7.1 models might offer better sound quality when you watch TV/movies or listen to audio. Dolby Atmos is available on 5.1.2 and 7.1.2 models. This technology allows for a richer experience. It involves placing speakers higher than the roof, to create sound from above.

Size

To ensure that the unit will not block the screen, or interfere with the remote control or display of your TV's remote, check its dimensions. You should also check that the design of the unit matches your TV.

FAQs

Will A Soundbar Improve Sound Quality?

Modern TVs have very tiny speakers which bounce sound off of your TV. As a result, they can be distant and harsh. A soundbar can be added to most TVs to improve their sound quality, particularly when it comes down to reproducing spoken words. It will also allow you to listen to music.

Are Soundbars Really Worth It?

They are well worth the investment when compared to how loud your TV sounds. A soundbar costs only $100 and can make your TV viewing experience 10x better. A soundbar can make it easier to understand speech by allowing TV speakers to face down.

Can A Sound Bar Be Used As A Center Speaker?

There are some that can and others that can't, but it's not something we recommend. Although a passive soundbar could technically be used to provide center channel speakers, this is not what it was designed for. This is like asking a pitcher to play both catch and second base instead of the only position that he excels at.

Can You Add Speakers To A Sound Bar?

There are both yes and no. Some sound bars have additional speakers that can be added to the system, which brings you closer to home theatre sound. If the soundbar is multi-room compatible, then wireless rear speakers can be added. This is a good option for those who have or want to install a multi-room sound system in their home.

Can You Use Any Soundbar With Any TV?

There are very few exceptions to this rule. However, you can still use your soundbar with any TV. It is helpful sometimes to match soundbar and TV brands. New soundbars often use HDMI ARC to transmit the audio from the TV's speakers through the soundbar. If both of your devices have this port, you are good. An optical connection is available on some older soundbars, and almost all TVs have them.

Can You Use A Soundbar To Play Music?

A soundbar can make music play through your TV much more enjoyable. Bluetooth is a feature that many soundbars offer, so you won't have to turn on the TV to hear your music. A soundbar that has a wireless subwoofer will work best to reproduce deep bass and dynamics.

Where Do I Place My Soundbar?

The soundbars can be placed directly in front of your TV using a stand, or any other type of furniture. They are usually less than 2 inches high so they won't interfere with the infrared remote port of your TV or block it. Some soundbars are also wall-mountable and include brackets. There are third-party kits that can be used to mount soundbars on the wall.

Can You Add A Subwoofer To A Sound Bar?

Wireless sound bars often come with a subwoofer. You can also add your own wireless subwoofer to the sound bars that do not have one. If you desire an immersive experience, you'll want it.

Conclusion

In short, you have just been shown all the things related to best budget soundbar, including the top models, buyer’s guides, and the comparison between products as well. At this moment, it’s obvious that you acquire the mentioned information and are ready to pick one among the list of best budget soundbar above. In case there is no model that suits your needs, then Bestisan Sound Bar Wireless and Wired Audio Bluetooth 5.0 will be the best to pay attention to. Hopefully, our sharing today will help you choose the best item for your requirement. 


0 ratings

About Harlan Ellison

Harlan Ellison

Harlan Ellison is a writer and audio equipment enthusiast. He's particularly interested in home theater HiFi audio, and he has been the editor of The Audio Insights since its inception. Harlan is known for his sharp wit and scathing critiques, but he also has a great love of music and audio gear. When he's not writing or editing, Harlan can be found listening to music or watching movies with his wife.