Top 5 Best Soundbars Under $600 in 2025: Affordable Audio Excellence

Explore the top soundbars under $600 for immersive sound and great value in 2025.

Why Choose a Soundbar Under $600?

If you're tight on space but crave immersive audio, a soundbar is a fantastic alternative to a bulky home theater system. You don’t have to break the bank to get a quality product that outperforms most built-in TV speakers. Whether you want a full Dolby Atmos setup or just a solid 2.1 system, there are plenty of options under $600 that deliver excellent sound for movies, music, and TV shows.

Hisense AX5125H — Best Overall Soundbar Under $600

• Channels: 5.1.2

The Hisense AX5125H is our top pick for soundbars under $600. It’s a versatile system that handles everything from music to blockbuster movies with ease. Equipped with two rear speakers, it creates a surround soundstage that accurately places sound effects around you. Whether you’re watching a 5.1 Dolby Digital movie or a Dolby Atmos title, you’ll feel completely immersed.

The built-in subwoofer adds enough bass to provide that authentic cinematic punch during intense scenes. The sound is balanced and clear, with vocals and instruments well-defined, and dialogue crisp enough for everyday viewing. Although it lacks advanced room correction features found in pricier models, you can still tweak bass and treble to your liking.

JBL Bar 500 — Best Soundbar Without Satellite Speakers

• Channels: 5.1

Not everyone has room for rear satellite speakers, and that’s where the JBL Bar 500 shines. This 5.1 system includes a soundbar and subwoofer only, delivering clear, clean audio suitable for diverse content like music and TV shows. The bass is a bit deeper than average, and you can customize the sound via a 3-band graphic equalizer in the companion app.

While it supports Dolby Atmos, it’s limited to downmixing Atmos tracks into stereo, so the immersive effect isn’t as strong as with soundbars featuring dedicated surround speakers. If you mostly watch stereo or 5.1 content and want a simple setup, the JBL Bar 500 is a solid choice. Prices can fluctuate just above $600, but it’s often found slightly below that mark.

Sonos Beam (Gen 2) — Best Compact Soundbar Under $600

• Channels: 5.0

Limited space? The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) is a compact powerhouse that fits neatly beneath most TVs under 25 inches wide. Unlike the JBL Bar 500, it doesn’t have a subwoofer included, making it even more space-friendly.

Don’t let the size fool you—Sonos delivers a wide, immersive soundstage that rivals some full home theater setups. It supports Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital, creating a lifelike listening experience. The Beam also features the TruePlay room tuning technology (available on iOS), which customizes the sound for your room’s acoustics. Android users can manually adjust bass and treble.

While lacking a dedicated subwoofer means less deep bass, the Beam is perfect if you primarily listen to content without heavy low-end demands.

Samsung HW-Q600C/Q60CC — Most Customizable Soundbar

• Channels: 3.1.2

For those who like to fine-tune their audio, the Samsung HW-Q600C/Q60CC is a dream come true. This 3.1.2 channel system comes with traditional bass and treble controls plus a graphic equalizer with presets like "Standard," "Surround," and "Adaptive Sound."

It supports popular formats such as Dolby Digital and Dolby Atmos and uses beam technology to bounce sound off walls for added vertical ambiance. While it lacks room correction features, its wide customization toolkit helps you tailor the sound to your room’s unique acoustics.

The only downside is slightly diminished surround effects compared to some competitors, especially in high-action scenes.

Samsung HW-B750D — Best Budget Soundbar Without Atmos

• Channels: 5.1

Not everyone needs Dolby Atmos. If you mainly enjoy stereo or 5.1 Dolby Digital content—like most music and TV shows—a soundbar without Atmos support can save you some cash without sacrificing sound quality.

The Samsung HW-B750D is that budget-friendly pick, featuring side-firing drivers that add immersive depth without satellite speakers. It offers a well-balanced sound profile with clear dialogue and moderate warmth. While it lacks advanced features like room correction, bass, treble, and subwoofer levels can be adjusted to compensate for room acoustics.

Honorable Mentions in Soundbars Under $600

• Vizio M Series M51ax-J6: A solid alternative to Hisense, focusing on 5.1 sound without upward-firing speakers for Atmos. It excels at clear dialogue via its center channel.
• Vizio SV510X-0806: Supports Dolby Atmos with strong surround sound but lacks HDMI In and Optical ports, operating solely via HDMI eARC.
• Bose Smart Soundbar: Louder than the Sonos Beam, and a good pick if you already own Bose products, though Sonos offers a wider stereo soundstage suited for music lovers.

"This system creates a surround soundstage that accurately places sound effects around you."

– Commentary on Hisense AX5125H

Ready to upgrade your sound experience without busting your budget?

• What should I consider when buying a soundbar under $600?
  Look for sound quality, channel configuration (like 5.1.2 for Atmos), connectivity options, and room calibration features to match your space and use.
• Is Dolby Atmos important for a soundbar?
  Dolby Atmos adds height and depth for immersive audio, but if you mostly watch stereo or 5.1 content, a non-Atmos soundbar can still deliver great sound.
• Can I connect external speakers to these soundbars?
  Some models support wireless rear speakers, but not all. Check the product specs to confirm.
• How important is room correction in a soundbar?
  Room correction helps tailor sound to your room’s acoustics, improving clarity and bass response, especially in tricky spaces.
• Are compact soundbars like Sonos Beam Gen 2 powerful enough?
  Yes, many compact soundbars deliver surprisingly wide and immersive sound, perfect for smaller rooms or minimalist setups.

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