Best soundbars for every budget
If you have a flat-screen TV, you may have noticed it leaves a lot to be desired in terms of audio quality. This can be improved with a soundbar upgrade. Even the best TVs with impressive pictures typically come with subpar speakers, which is why it’s worth investing in a separate dedicated speaker for your TV. Soundbars are a more affordable alternative to home theater speakers and AV receivers while still providing powerful and immersive audio, and they’ll take up a lot less room in your house as well.
If you’re on the hunt for the best soundbar 2023 has to offer, we’ve rounded up some excellent speakers starting from $100 extending all the way to more than $2,000; the full list can be found at cnet. co/3Sq59RO. The three presented here are some of CNET’s favorites, ranging from relatively inexpensive to the best we’ve found for under $1,000.
BEST SOUNDBAR UNDER $1,000: VIZIO ELEVATE
The Vizio Elevate’s main draw may be its motorized-height speakers, but once you get over their novelty, you’ll find that the speaker system also sounds great.
The separate sub and height-enabled rear speakers really help pull this Vizio soundbar ahead of the Sonos Arc sonically.
With Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and Chromecast built in, multiple HDMI inputs and Bluetooth, the only thing the Vizio doesn’t provide is Apple AirPlay support.
Key features
Number of channels: 5.1.4
Wireless subwoofer: Yes
Connections: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 2x 3.5mm, optical, 2x HDMI in/1x HDMI out, USB
Dolby Atmos: Yes
BEST SOUNDBAR UNDER $300: KLIPSCH CINEMA 400
Easily supplanting our previous favorite, the JBL Bar 2.1 Deep Bass, the Klipsch Cinema 400 adds great design and an even bigger wireless subwoofer. Sound quality is still king, though, with a real sense of dynamics and excellent music replay. If you want to make your TV the next best thing to a movie theater, this is one of the most affordable ways to do it.
Key features
Number of channels: 2.1
Wireless subwoofer: Yes
Connections: Bluetooth, 3.5mm, optical, HDMI, USB, subwoofer out
Dolby Atmos: No
BEST BUDGET SOUNDBAR, BEST STREAMING VIDEO:
ROKU STREAMBAR
While we really like the Roku Streambar Pro, the Roku Streambar does essentially the same job for $50 less. With a fullfledged 4K HDR Roku streamer built in and a single voice remote controlling everything, this bar gives you audio and video in one simple bar.
The Roku soundbar setup is a breeze; just add to a TV with a simple HDMI port connection.
This affordable soundbar has sound quality that’s acceptable for the size and price, and you can add a $129 wireless subwoofer for more punch.
Key features
Number of channels: 2
Wireless subwoofer: No
Connections: Bluetooth, optical, HDMI, USB
Dolby Atmos: No