There are many great soundbars out there and we don’t have space to feature them all. Here are some others you might consider.
LG’s S95TR for $1,000 to $1,300: LG 9.1.5 channel soundbar (8/10, WIRED recommends) doesn’t perform as well as Samsung’s flagship Q990 series, but it might be a better choice for those with newer devices. LG TVs like the C4which can connect wirelessly and use its speakers in tandem with the bar for more immersion. It also supports gaming features like 120Hz pass-through, but only includes a single spare input.
Vizio 2.1 Soundbar (SV210M) for $170: Vizio’s curvaceous little combo brings attractive value, with solid sound quality and a cinematic feel from the smallest subwoofer you’ve ever seen. There’s no optical input or remote included, but the Vizio app makes it easy to adjust settings or switch to Bluetooth. The main downside is that dialogue sometimes (but not always) gets lost, reducing the main appeal of a cheap soundbar. That said, good musical qualities and features like the DTS Virtual X extension are worth considering for sale.
Samsung HW-Q800C for $598: If Samsung’s all-bar HW-Q990C is too rich for your blood, the two-piece HW-Q800C (WIRED recommends, 8/10) could be a good compromise. This bar offers a similar sound signature to Samsung’s flagship bars, many of the same features, packed into a smaller bar and subwoofer combo for a notable discount, especially since it’s now almost always on sale .
Sennheiser Ambeo Mini for $700: This pint-sized luxury bar is ideal for those who have money to spend in very small spaces. Sennheiser’s built-in Ambeo virtualization technology brilliantly streams sound all around you for exhilarating TV shows and movies, and offers advanced features like support for Google Assistant and Alexa.
Sony HT-X8500 for $300: Sony’s HT-X8500 is getting harder to find, but it remains one of our favorite options for those looking for a single bar with solid bass response and expansive sound, including decent Dolby Atmos virtualization . While it’s more expensive than our top bar, it’s a great alternative for those looking for a little more, and worth considering while it’s still available.
Roku Streaming Bar for $130: If you’re looking for a soundbar that also serves as a great streaming device, WIRED reviewer Adrienne So swears by the Roku Streambar. After years of not having one, she was so impressed that she shouted it from the rooftops. Setup is simple, and because it includes Roku’s simple streaming interface, you can stream movies and shows in up to 4K HDR from almost any streaming service. You can also add a Roku subwoofer or surround speakers down the line. We encourage get a sub.
Vizio Elevate M-Series for $500: If you want full Dolby Atmos and like a little style, Vizio’s second Elevate Bar is worth considering. The drivers pop out from the side and aim at your ceiling when Atmos content is playing, giving it a nifty trick to show off to your friends. The sound quality is also solid and we like the compact design and easy setup. However, you will need to route some speaker cables for the surround back.
The Yamaha SR-C30A for $276: This SR-C30A soundbar model indeed looks a lot like the SR-C20A, and that’s because they are the same thing when it comes to dimensions, specifications, and sound quality. The difference is that the SR-C30A comes with a compact wireless subwoofer (335 x 160 x 364 mm) for authentic Hollywood-style rumble and punch. —Simon Lucas
Sennheiser Ambeo Plus for $1,200: Considering the price and physical dimensions of the soundbar, which doesn’t even include a subwoofer, the Ambeo Plus may seem like a bad deal. But thanks to its 400 watts of power and nine carefully developed and even more carefully positioned drivers, this Sennheiser is capable of powerful, enveloping sound with a strong suggestion of the sonic pitch on which Dolby Atmos soundtracks thrive . As a reminder, it turns out to be an extremely capable wireless speaker when you also want to listen to music. —Simon Lucas
The Polk React for $269: This soundbar works if you eventually want to get surround sound but don’t have the money right now. The Alexa-enabled soundbar works on its own, with surround speakers and subwoofers available from Polk if you want to upgrade.
The Vizio Elevate P Series for $700: This is an impressive soundbar with side-mounted speakers that swivel toward the sky when you’re watching content with object-based audio. It’s a great sounding bar, and this gadget is nice, but there are better options for under $1,000.
