Typically soundbars are a single long speaker with several drivers inside, but some come with external subwoofers for extra low-end extension and rear speakers for surround sound effects. Some Atmos soundbars even have upward-firing drivers on the satellite speakers. If floor-shaking bass and encompassing sound are high on your priority list, then these are models you'll want to consider.

Thanks to the careful deployment of a total of 11 drivers inside the bar (including a couple facing upwards and one at each ‘cap’ end of the ‘bar), the Sonos is capable of frankly unlikely audio width and height. The way it places sound effects is convincing, the amount of detail it’s able to retrieve (no matter if it’s describing whispered dialogue or full-on action-movie overload) is impressive. Only a tiny tendency for the highest frequencies to get a little strident in extremis prevents the Arc from being pretty much perfect. SpaceFit Sound Pro has been enhanced to automatically optimise the audio in your room to correct dialogue, surround effects and bass. Adaptive Sound 2.0 uses AI-enhanced processing to give content an added boost and has been upgraded to provide clearer sound at lower volumes. In addition to Adaptive Sound 2.0, there are other sound modes that include Standard, Surround Sound and Game Pro 2.0. There’s also a Night mode if you need to flatten the dynamic range so you don’t disturb others, and a Voice Enhancement mode to boost hard-to-hear dialogue.These are some of the matters you need to be clear about, and then they will help you understand what channel configuration you need to move forward. You can find a soundbar with a 2.0 system that has two up-firing speakers, but you can also get a 5.0 or 7.0 system with speakers at the front, sides, and center to boost your music listening experience. There is little more frustrating than not being able to hear dialogue when watching a TV show or movie, but inevitably, varying levels of speech clarity combined with how busy the soundscape is and the overall style of the mix can mean that whispery, mumbly vocals hinder even a top-quality, room-tuned soundbar. This is because as TVs have become slimmer, their in-built speakers have shrunk and are often positioned at the rear or underneath the screen – hardly the ideal position as large speakers that face forward will always be clearer and louder than tiny speakers pointing in another direction. It also raises the bar with great stereo performance and clear vocals, making you understand all the whispers for immersive listening. Once a product has been unboxed, we measure and weigh it and give it a good going over to gauge its sturdiness and quality of finish. It’s then typically connected to a 4K TV via HDMI, though we also test soundbars with laptops and desktop computers if that’s what they’re designed for use with. We then put the soundbar through its paces by feeding it a wide range of content, including films, sports and TV shows.

As most of the models listed don't have app support, you should also look for a decent remote control, ample connections appropriate for your set-up and of course that all-important sound quality. But rest assured, all of the soundbars above sound good – you can read the full, in-depth review attached with each if you need further information and if a model's not on this list, it's because we wouldn't recommend it. Despite what you play, Sony ST-5000 can deliver the best cinematic experience with clear, spacious, and high-resolution audio performance. We have added the soundbar to this category for voice control, excellent performance, and reasonable price. The Multibeam 1100 looks as good as it sounds, too, with an attractive and relatively compact design that houses a beautifully detailed LED display. Sadly, that display is positioned on top of the bar rather than on the front of it, meaning you can’t see it when watching TV. That minor gripe aside, there’s very little not to like about the Multibeam 1100. The absence of DTS:X support will be an issue for those with large Blu-ray collections, and adding rear speakers and a subwoofer for true sonic envelopment is costly, but neither issue prevents the Multibeam 1100 from rising above almost all of the single-speaker solutions on the market. Audio Qualities: All smart speakers connect with your phone and can stream music online. The availability and accessibility of online streaming stations are worth keeping in mind. It’s always good to go for a 2.1 or a 5.1 channel soundbar that offers multi-room support. The multi-room support coupled with the smart assistants can play music with different connected devices at the same time.What we have here is a surround-sound audio system disguised as a soundbar. Well, a soundbar with a fairly hefty wireless subwoofer accompanying it, anyhow. For those who want compelling 3D sound without all the speakers, this is the best soundbar with a premium price tag that we've ever tested, which is why it retained its title once again at the 2023 What Hi-Fi? Awards. Sony has excellent form with soundbars, and the What Hi-Fi? Award-winning HT-A7000 is no different.

Wireless connectivity with Bluetooth and WiFi is also a luxurious addition, making it flexible to pair with other devices. But it also contains RCA and AUX cable inputs for gaming consoles, Blu-ray players, and other similar devices. The Stage V2 is also one of the best-connected cheap soundbars around, offering optical, HDMI ARC, AUX and USB-C connections along with wireless streaming over Bluetooth 5.0. If you’re after a cheap soundbar with a discrete subwoofer, this is the bar to buy. Though it has a series of buttons to control the bar, the voice control support with Alexa expands the usage and responds to every voice command.

The Denon DHT-S216’s big selling point is its incorporation of DTS Virtual:X, an audio format that creates a sonic experience resembling surround sound without the need for additional speakers. It’s available while using two of the soundbar’s four sound modes – Movies and Music – and works extremely well, adding height and scale to audio to increase your immersion in the onscreen action. It is a plug-and-play device that starts running in only three steps. Connect the bar to the power, pair external devices, and ask Alexa to play music. Aside from being a TV audio booster, the Streambar is also a video streamer that offers built-in access to streaming apps within Roku's vast library. The Streambar will work with any television with an HDMI input, outputting 4K HDR at up to 60fps for compatible sets. Everyone else will get 1080p Full HD, with lower resolution signals upscaled.

Operating a soundbar should be easy enough because some devices are quite hard to get used to, even with the voice control system. It is better if the navigating buttons are on the front panel, and if the soundbar has a blinking lights system, it will be more entertaining, especially when the party gets real with thumpy bass and loud volume. Size and Weight The other two sound modes are less impressive, but useful nonetheless. The processing-free Pure setting delivers audio as intended by its creator, while Night mode decreases the dynamic range to improve low-volume listening. There are also three dialogue enhancement options available, all of which successfully accentuate speech. Get a soundbar that fits nicely to your space, whether big or small, and doesn’t feel like an unnecessary tool in the house. It should complement your house décor, not ruin it. Many people neglect this factor because sometimes it does not matter, but other times it can create real trouble in houses. The absence of an in-built voice assistant and the decision not to include a remote sting a little, particularly given how much the Dione costs, but in terms of style and performance, few standalone soundbars get close to the Dione. The soundbar also has the feature of a far-field microphone with Alexa-on to pair up to 6 speakers on your WiFi that are easy to control with the smartphone-compatible app.While genuine overhead sounds are perhaps a stretch too far for this petite performer, based on experience using it, its virtual delivery of the Atmos format outstrips any similarly priced soundbar and even a few that are more expensive. The Beam Gen 2 offers an enveloping, spatial soundscape with rich, detailed audio as well as tangible motion and depth. The Sharp HT-SBW460 is one of a limited number of budget soundbars to support Dolby’s surround-sound technology, Atmos, and it delivers surprisingly effective virtual height effects given its price. The bar uses four front-firing drivers to successfully convince your brain that certain sounds are coming from above you, and also does a great job of positioning effects to the left and right of the soundstage.