The best soundbars of 2023 for clear and crisp TV audio

Pros: Easy setup, Alexa support, room-filling sound, sleek appearance, smartphone app makes fine-tuning a breeze

Cons: No onboard display, doesn't support Dolby Vision passthrough

The YAS-209 soundbar offers the perfect blend of solid audio quality, ease of use, sleek design, and affordable pricing. This is the type of space-saving audio option that most people think of when shopping for a soundbar, and it makes for a great upgrade to most built-in TV speakers.

The system includes a 36-inch soundbar unit and a wireless subwoofer for dedicated bass. The 2.1-channel hardware delivers a stereo playback experience, but it has DTS Virtual:X processing for a simulated surround sound effect. It's not as convincing as having actual rear speakers, but it does a decent job of creating an immersive experience.

The YAS-209 connects to your TV using its HDMI ARC port, and the soundbar has a handy HDMI-in port that supports 4K HDR video passthrough (but not Dolby Vision) from a connected device, like a gaming console or Blu-ray player. A Toslink optical audio port is also featured for older TVs without HDMI ARC, and you can wirelessly stream music from a mobile device via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

The YAS-209 even includes integrated support for Amazon Alexa thanks to built-in microphones, enabling digital assistant features and hands-free control for functions like volume.

Pros: Affordable, easy to set up, solid sound quality for basic needs, Bluetooth, HDMI ARC port

Cons: Doesn't support Wi-Fi, bass not as powerful as bigger soundbars

The Vizio V-Series V21d-J8 is a simple 2.1-channel soundbar built for buyers on a budget. Its audio performance can't match more expensive models, but it delivers a decent upgrade over the built-in speakers you'll find on most entry-level and midrange TVs. 

The soundbar has built-in woofers, meaning you'll get two main channels for pure stereo sound and a little extra bass even though the system doesn't come with a separate subwoofer. Vizio also uses DTS Virtual:X processing to create a bigger soundfield from the device's 2.1-channels, resulting in simulated surround and height effects. The tech employed here is nowhere near as advanced as what you'd get on a high-end soundbar like the Ambeo Max, but it can still help expand the device's soundstage.

Standing out from the typical boxy design we see on most soundbars, the V-Series has angled sides that slope down to create a hexagonal profile. Buttons for various controls rest on the side of the bar, including volume, source, Bluetooth audio, and the all-important power button.

The soundbar has an HDMI ARC port for easy connection to modern smart TVs, and you also get an Optical audio port if your TV doesn't have an HDMI connection. There's no HDMI video passthrough, but you can hook up other audio sources to the bar's 3.5mm auxiliary port.

For wireless playback, the soundbar supports Bluetooth, making it easy to stream music from your smartphone, but you can't stream via Wi-Fi. An included remote handles all your needs for adjusting volume, accessing basic equalizer options, and toggling various modes.

Pros: Best-in-class virtual surround sound with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, excellent music performance, premium build quality

Cons: Large for a soundbar, virtual surround sound still can't match a real multi-speaker system

Buyers who want an absolutely killer listening experience without the hassle of setting up multiple speakers should look no further than the Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Max. This is the high-end soundbar to buy if you want the best virtual surround sound experience you can get from a single audio component. 

The Ambeo Max is a beast of a soundbar, coming in at 50-inches wide and 40 pounds. But while this extra-large size makes it tricky to fit in some living room setups, it enables Sennheiser to pack in five tweeters, six four-inch drivers at the front and sides, and a pair of 3.5-inch upfiring drivers. The upfiring drivers are designed to bounce audio off your ceiling to make it sound like effects are coming from above your head. 

The impressive 13-driver configuration enables a full 5.1.4-channel experience with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support. By reflecting audio in different directions and utilizing Sennheiser's virtual processing, the Ambeo Soundbar Max creates a truly engaging and immersive soundscape with the most realistic sense of surround sound we've heard from a single soundbar. 

The effect isn't as convincing as having actual rear and overhead speakers in your room, but considering all the sound is coming from one device, it's a marvel to hear. And though the soundbar doesn't include a dedicated subwoofer, mid-bass performance is deep and impactful. You can also add a separate subwoofer if you crave more low-frequency oomph. 

When it comes to connectivity, you get lots of options with HDMI, Optical, and RCA audio ports, as well as three HDMI video passthrough connections to hook up other devices. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are supported as well for wireless music streaming. 

Pros: Built-in Alexa support, clear dialogue, compact design, Dolby Atmos support with upfiring drivers 

Cons: Minimal inputs, lacks separate subwoofer, doesn't support DTS

As its name implies, the Bose Smart Soundbar 600 is designed to be a soundbar and smart speaker in one. It has built-in microphones with Amazon Alexa voice control, and it also supports Google Assistant when paired with a separate device.

The soundbar makes use of the Bose Music App for easy access to popular streaming services like Spotify, and you can stream additional services using AirPlay 2, Chromecast, or Bluetooth. The Bose Smart Soundbar 600 can also be paired with other Bose speakers to create a multi-room audio system around your house.

Despite its compact size, the Smart Soundbar 600 delivers impressive audio performance. We were especially impressed by how well dialogue comes through, even when watching big action scenes. And unlike other smart soundbars in this price range, like the Sonos Beam, this Bose model has true upfiring drivers to deliver more convincing Dolby Atmos overhead audio effects.

On the downside, the soundbar doesn't support DTS audio formats and it lacks some kick in its lower bass registers. You can pair it with a Bose subwoofer, like the Bose Bass Module 500, but that almost doubles the price.

Still, even without a separate subwoofer, the Bose Smart Soundbar 600 is easily one of the best soundbars you can get for $500, especially if you want Dolby Atmos, clear dialogue, and Alexa smarts all in one compact device.

Pros: Full 5.1.4 Dolby Atmos and DTS:X capabilities, unique rotating speakers, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi

Cons: No voice assistant built-in, separate satellites and larger subwoofer take up more space than typical soundbar systems

When it comes to Atmos-capable soundbar systems, few options are as immersive as Vizio's Elevate soundbar. It's pricier than standard soundbar packages, but it's still one of the most affordable ways to enjoy a full 5.1.4 Dolby Atmos experience.

Dolby Atmos, if you aren't aware, is an audio format that allows soundbars to produce height effects, adding an extra layer of immersion to movies. For instance, when rain falls from the sky or a helicopter flies overhead, you can actually hear the sound coming from above.

The Elevate offers left, center, and right channels in the soundbar itself, along with two upward firing channels that bounce sound off your ceiling to create overhead effects. Two separate rear speakers with their own upward firing drivers are also included, along with an 8-inch wireless subwoofer.

The front height speakers also feature a rotating mechanism that allows them to automatically tilt up or forward depending on what you're listening to. When they're up you can hear overhead effects. When they're down, they help to create a wider front soundstage. 

The Elevate even includes support for DTS:X. Like Atmos, DTS:X provides height effects on certain Blu-ray discs. DTS:X titles are less common than Dolby Atmos, but it's still a nice option to have.

The Elevate's relatively large size and separate rear speakers make it less space-saving than most soundbar options, but the system provides audio performance that's nearly on par with some home theater packages.

Pros: Affordable, solid stereo playback, compact design, 4K HDR video streaming, includes a voice remote

Cons: Audio performance isn't as good as bigger soundbars, navigation isn't as snappy dedicated streaming devices, no Dolby Vision support

If you happen to be in the market for both a soundbar and a new streaming media player, then the Roku Streambar could be the convenient all-in-one device you're looking for. Not only is the Streambar smaller than any other soundbar on our list, but it also includes integrated video playback support for all of the best streaming services.

When it comes to audio performance, the 2.0-channel soundbar features four 1.9-inch full range drivers for basic stereo playback. There are no fancy virtualization options for simulated surround sound, and there's no included subwoofer for extra bass — but the Streambar sounds surprisingly engaging for a device its size.

To be clear, you won't get the range, accuracy, or separation you'd get on a bigger soundbar, but the Streambar still offers a nice upgrade over most built-in TV speakers. Its compact design also makes it an ideal fit for apartments, dorms, and bedrooms.

As a media player, the Streambar provides access to Roku's extensive library of channels, including popular services like Netflix, Disney Plus, Prime Video, Hulu, and more. You also get support for up to 4K playback with high dynamic range using the standard HDR10 format. But while navigation speed is decent, the Streambar isn't as snappy as the best streaming devices, like the Roku Ultra.

Roku's handy voice remote is included as well, enabling you to easily search for content. Though digital assistant functionality isn't built-in, the bar is compatible with separate Alexa and Google Assistant devices.

There are other soundbars on the market with built-in video playback, but the Streambar's compact size, affordable price tag, and reliable Roku interface make it our favorite of the bunch.

Are soundbars really worth it?

A soundbar is a worthwhile purchase if you're someone who doesn't have the space or budget for traditional speakers. Soundbars can't match the experience that the best home theater systems deliver, but they're a convenient and often cheaper alternative that will still give your TV a solid audio upgrade. 

Are soundbars better than TV speakers?

Generally, even cheap soundbars deliver better audio quality than the speakers you'll find built into most TVs. To keep costs down and ensure that the speakers fit within a flat-screen design, TVs usually include small divers and poor placement that can result in thin, muddy sound. The best soundbars can add more dimension, clarity, and bass to your TV-watching experience. 

How many speaker channels should a soundbar have?

The best soundbars can support multiple audio channels. These channels refer to how many directions sound can come from through the device. Entry-level soundbars support two channels for basic left and right stereo playback, but high-end models can support five or more channels via extra audio drivers, satellite speakers, or advanced virtualization techniques. 

Channel specifications are listed as a string of up to three numbers separated by decimal points. The first number represents how many standard ear-level channels are included (left, right, center, surrounds). The second number indicates if the device includes a dedicated low-frequency channel or separate subwoofer for extra bass. The final number indicates how many height channels are included for Dolby Atmos support.

Buyers who just want a simple upgrade from their TV's integrated audio will likely be satisfied with a compact 2.0 or 2.1 soundbar system. But if you're looking for a more complete home theater experience you'll want to opt for a 5.1 system or above.

What is Dolby Atmos?

Dolby Atmos is an immersive surround sound format that uses object-based audio mixing. In practice, this means that sounds can be more precisely positioned around your room, with effects placed in all directions, including above your head. 

Dolby Atmos is supported on a lot of the best streaming services, including Netflix, Disney Plus, and Amazon Prime Video. Though not every movie or TV show on these services features an Atmos mix, many big new releases and original series do. Atmos is also supported on many Blu-ray and 4K Blu-ray discs.

In order to hear a Dolby Atmos mix, you need an Atmos-compatible sound system. Many soundbars now include Dolby Atmos support, but their actual performance capabilities can vary a lot depending on how many channels they support. The more audio channels they offer, the more directions you'll be able to hear sound from. 

In order to create overhead sound effects, Dolby Atmos soundbars can use one of two methods. The first involves using audio processing to try and create a simulated sense of height from regular ear-level speakers. The second method involves using upfiring drivers. Upfiring drivers are speakers built into a soundbar that are angled up instead of forward in order to bounce sound effects off your ceiling. In general, good upward firing drivers provide a much more convincing sense of overhead sound than audio processing can produce alone.

Dolby Atmos has competition from a similar audio format called DTS:X. DTS:X essentially offers the same performance but it's not supported on as many streaming services, Blu-ray discs, or soundbars. DTS:X is a nice bonus to have when shopping for a soundbar, but we don't think it's as important as Dolby Atmos support. 

When testing models to determine the best soundbars we examine a variety of key factors, including audio quality, format support, connectivity options, smart features, and overall value. 

Using a mix of test movies and shows across different genres we evaluate low, mid, and high frequency quality. We also take into account how easy it is to hear dialogue using multiple settings, and whether the soundbar can get loud without losing quality. We also listen to an assortment of music tracks to determine if the soundbar sounds tinny or distorted, and if it maintains good sonic detail for a variety of styles like rock, pop, and hip-hop.

At the very least, most soundbars support basic stereo PCM and Dolby Digital audio formats, but we also look for models that step things up with simulated surround sound tech like DTS Virtual:X, and true immersive audio formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, which can provide a more enveloping listening experience. High-res music support is also a nice bonus to have.

Most modern soundbars use HDMI ARC or eARC ports to connect to your TV, but it's also nice when models include extra wired options like Optical and 3.5mm to connect to older TVs or additional audio components. Extra HDMI ports to pass through video from connected devices like a Blu-ray player or gaming console are also great to have, but shouldn't be expected on entry-level models.

Bluetooth music streaming support is common on a lot of the best soundbars, but we give extra marks to bars that also include Wi-Fi for better quality playback. We also look for integrated AirPlay 2 and Chromecast support since these features make it easier to stream from Apple and Android devices. Integrated digital assistant support isn't a requirement, but soundbars that have built-in Alexa or Google Assistant offer the added convenience of doubling as a smart speaker.