There are a lot of great soundbars out there, and we don’t have room to feature them all. Here are some others you might want to consider.
Vizio 2.1 Soundbar (SV210M) for $170: Vizio’s curvy little combo brings enticing value, with solid sound quality and some cinematic punch from the teensiest subwoofer you’ll ever see. There’s no optical input or remote included, but the Vizio app makes adjusting settings or swapping to Bluetooth simple enough. The main drawback is that dialog sometimes (but not always) gets lost, reducing the main draw of a cheap soundbar. That said, good musical chops and features like DTS Virtual X expansion make it worth considering on sale.
Samsung HW-Q800C for $598: If Samsung’s HW-Q990C everything bar 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 as 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 great for those with money to burn in very small spaces. Sennheiser’s built-in Ambeo virtualization technology brilliantly throws sound all around you for exhilarating TV 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’s still one of our favorite options for those after a single bar with solid bass response and expansive sound, including decent Dolby Atmos virtualization. While it’s pricier than our top bar, it’s a great alternative for those after a bit more, and worth considering while it’s still available.
Roku Streambar for $130: If you’re after a soundbar that doubles as a great streaming device, WIRED senior editor Adrienne So swears by the Roku Streambar. After she spent years without one she was so impressed that she shouted it from the rooftops. Setup is easy, and because it includes Roku’s simple streaming interface you can stream movies and shows at up to 4K HDR from just about every streaming service. You can also add a Roku subwoofer or surround-sound speakers down the line. We encourage getting a sub.
Vizio Elevate M-Series for $500: If you want full-featured Dolby Atmos and you like a bit of flair, Vizio’s second Elevate bar is worth considering. Drivers pop out of the side and aim toward your ceiling when Atmos content is playing, giving it a nifty party trick to show your pals. Sound quality is solid too, and we like the compact design and easy setup. However, you will have to route some speaker cables for the rear surrounds.
The Yamaha SR-C30A for $276: This model SR-C30A soundbar looks very similar indeed to the SR-C20A, and that’s because they’re the same thing where dimensions, specification, and sound quality are all concerned. The difference is that the SR-C30A ships with a compact (335 x 160 x 364mm) wireless subwoofer for some authentic Hollywood-style rumble and punch. —Simon Lucas
Sennheiser Ambeo Plus for $1,200: Given the price and the physical dimensions of the soundbar—which doesn’t even include a subwoofer—the Ambeo Plus might look like a poor deal. But thanks to its 400 watts of power and its nine carefully developed and even more carefully positioned speaker drivers, this Sennheiser is capable of big, enveloping sound with a strong suggestion of the sonic height that Dolby Atmos soundtracks thrive on. By way of an encore, it turns out to be a hugely capable wireless speaker when you want to listen to some music, too. —Simon Lucas
The Polk React for $269: This soundbar works if you want to get surround sound eventually but don’t have the cash right now. The Alexa-enabled soundbar is fine 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 awesome-looking soundbar with side speakers that swivel skyward when you’re watching content with object-based audio. It’s a nice-sounding bar, and that gimmick is neat, but there are better options for under $1,000.
