Top 10 Soundbars in 2025: Perfect Picks for Every Budget and Room

Explore the best soundbars in 2025 offering powerful bass and immersive sound for any space and budget.

Why Upgrade to a Soundbar?

Slim TVs look sleek on your living room wall, but their built-in speakers often leave much to be desired. No one wants their movie night ruined by disappointing audio. If you’re not keen on cluttering your room with bulky surround sound systems, a quality soundbar is your best bet. These all-in-one devices deliver deep bass, room-filling sound, and crystal-clear dialogue—all neatly packed beneath your TV.

Forget about lugging in separate components or blowing a fortune on high-end gear. Whether you want a cinematic experience in a huge theater room or just better audio in a cozy studio, our list covers the best soundbars for any setting and budget. Plus, many can pair with compatible multi-room Wi-Fi speakers to build a true 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound system.

Quick Picks: Which Soundbar is the Best?

1. Sonos Arc – Best Overall Soundbar

Sonos finally matches the big-screen visuals with sound that dazzles. The Arc’s wide, layered soundstage gives every sound room to breathe. Bass is deep and textured; highs sparkle without harshness until pushed loud.

Pros:

• Wide, immersive sound with impressive bass
• Excellent for both movies and music

Cons:

• Slightly uneven frequency response
• No MQA support

The Arc’s matte black or white finish and perforated grille feel premium. Its 114 cm length may overwhelm TVs under 55 inches, but its Atmos performance is worth it.

2. Sony HT-ST5000 – Best Dolby Atmos Soundbar

Sony’s HT-ST5000 is a beast—not just size-wise but in sound. It features upward-firing drivers for that coveted height effect, plus a separate subwoofer for punchy lows.

Pros:

• Fantastic sound quality and Atmos effect
• Versatile connectivity

Cons:

• Large footprint
• Pricey

Its brushed metal design means business. The S-Force Pro tech simulates surround sound without extra speakers, and Google Home support simplifies setup.

3. Sonos Ray – Best Affordable Sonos Soundbar

Ideal for Sonos system owners, Ray boasts a premium feel despite its affordable price. It relies on optical connection, which can complicate remote control setups but is straightforward otherwise.

Pros:

• Attractive Sonos design
• Affordable for a Sonos product

Cons:

• Unstable Bluetooth remote support
• No HDMI

Four amps, two tweeters, and two mid-range drivers deliver forward-focused sound that fills most rooms well—though no Atmos here.

4. Bowers & Wilkins Formation Bar – Best All-Round Soundbar

A luxury piece for upscale homes, the Formation Bar doesn’t just look the part—it sounds phenomenal. Its nine drivers, including three for the center channel, pump out 240 watts of sound with pinpoint accuracy.

Pros:

• Sleek design
• Outstanding sound quality

Cons:

• Large size
• No Dolby Atmos or HDMI

Although pricey, it justifies its cost with exceptional wireless features and integration with B&W’s Bass and Flex components for an immersive sound system.

5. Denon Home 550 – Best Compact Soundbar

Denon’s Home 550 stands out as a small but mighty soundbar with some Dolby Atmos support via clever algorithms rather than physical upward-firing drivers.

Pros:

• Strong features and connectivity
• Detailed sound at low volumes

Cons:

• Performance drops at high volumes
• Dolby Atmos effect is subtle

It’s an elegant fit under most 40-55 inch TVs, with a plastic exterior and neat acoustic fabric covering.

6. Roku Streambar – Best Budget Soundbar

Small and clever, the Streambar merges Roku’s streaming smarts with better-than-TV audio via its four drivers.

Pros:

• Great sound for the price
• User-friendly interface

Cons:

• Not powerful enough for large rooms

Bonus features include voice volume leveling and ad muting, plus easy access to tons of streaming apps.

7. Sonos Beam Gen 2 – Best Soundbar for Music

The Beam Gen 2 is a compact powerhouse with one HDMI eARC port, delivering enhanced Dolby Atmos using psychoacoustic tricks despite lacking upward-firing speakers.

Pros:

• Impressive Atmos performance
• Stylish, compact design

Cons:

• Only one HDMI port
• No pass-through HDMI

Add a subwoofer for more bass, and you’re set for amazing sound in a small footprint.

8. Dali Katch One – Best Wall-Mount Soundbar

If you want a soundbar that breaks the mold, Katch One is a great alternative with 10 drivers and minimalist wall mounts that look like art deco hooks under your TV.

Pros:

• Stunning sound and style
• Excellent spatial imaging

Cons:

• Unusual size
• Top panel display may distract

Its 200 W Class D amp powers four woofers, four passive radiators, and two tweeters for a punchy, room-filling sound.

9. Sennheiser Ambeo Max Soundbar – Best Soundbar with Subwoofer

Priced beyond $2000, the Ambeo Max is a massive, 18.5 kg powerhouse with 13 drivers and 500 W of Class D amplification.

Pros:

• Convincing Dolby Atmos and DTS:X 3D audio
• Plenty of power and inputs

Cons:

• Very large
• Very expensive

It includes a microphone for room calibration, and although no voice control is built-in, its sound will drown out any commands anyway.

10. Samsung HW-S60B – Best Samsung Soundbar

A robust and compact soundbar with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, plus a smart assistant built-in.

Pros:

• Wide soundstage with Atmos and DTS:X
• Built-in smart assistant

Cons:

• No HDMI pass-through
• Only one HDMI port

Best for those with Samsung TVs using Q Symphony for an enhanced sound experience.

How to Choose the Right Soundbar for You

When picking a soundbar, keep these essentials in mind:

• Sound Quality: Look for clear audio, punchy bass, and overall performance. Our picks have been expert-approved.
• Configuration: Options range from 2.0, 2.1 (with subwoofer), to full 5.1 or 7.1 setups. For cinematic audio, seek Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support.
• Compatibility: If adding wireless speakers, ensure same-brand compatibility for seamless surround sound.
• Size: Measure your space to ensure your soundbar fits comfortably.
• Connectivity: Decide on your preferred input — HDMI ARC/eARC is ideal for simplicity and quality, but optical and Bluetooth are alternatives.
• Extras: Voice assistants and smart features are nice-to-have but not deal-breakers.

Soundbar vs. Traditional Speakers: Which is Better?

Soundbars are loved for their slim design and simple setup, perfect for small rooms and minimal fuss. They often include built-in subwoofers, Bluetooth, and virtual surround sound technology.

Traditional speaker systems provide richer, more immersive audio with proper spatial separation and flexibility but require more space, wiring, and budget.

Is a Soundbar Worth Buying?

Definitely! If you want a major audio upgrade over TV speakers without complicated installations or space issues, a soundbar is a smart choice. They offer clearer, more vibrant sound with extra bass and easy wireless streaming.

How We Test the Best Soundbars

We live with soundbars like you do—installing them in real living rooms, testing with blockbuster movies, quiet indie films, music, and even dance parties. This hands-on approach ensures our recommendations reflect everyday experiences, not just lab tests.

“We tested countless soundbars in real-world conditions—right where they’ll be used most.”

FAQs About Soundbars

• What formats should I look for in a soundbar? Look for support of Dolby Atmos and DTS:X for immersive sound, plus Dolby Digital and PCM for compatibility.
• Can soundbars work with wireless speakers? Yes, many models allow pairing with brand-compatible wireless speakers for surround sound setups.
• Is HDMI ARC important? Yes, HDMI ARC or eARC simplifies connection and improves audio quality and control.
• Do I need a subwoofer with my soundbar? If you want deep, cinematic bass, a subwoofer is recommended, though some soundbars have built-ins.
• Are soundbars good for music? Many soundbars, especially from Sonos and Denon, provide excellent music playback with clear highs and rich bass.

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