Methods to Select the Proper Soundbar (2025): Dimension, Value, Encompass Sound, and Subwoofers

when you’ve simply purchased a elaborate new TV, you might be stunned to seek out it sounds simply as unhealthy as your outdated one (or worse). Even the most effective TVs we have examined want a hand to supply sound that retains up with their incredible shows. However it may be powerful understanding the place to begin on the subject of upgrading your TV audio. By no means worry, intrepid purchaser: The best and most inexpensive answer is to simply get a soundbar. Trendy soundbars are available in all shapes, sizes, and costs. Right here, we have made a guidelines of types to think about earlier than urgent the Purchase button.

Make sure you take a look at our Finest Soundbars and Finest Bookshelf Audio system guides, in addition to our recommendation on Methods to Purchase a TV and Methods to Set Up a TV, with in-depth image adjustment recommendation.

Desk of Contents

Up to date June 2025: We have the most recent info and up to date mannequin suggestions from our newest spherical of in depth testing.

Why You Want a Soundbar

{Photograph}: Ryan Waniata

Soundbars are an ideal first step into house theater audio as a result of they’re typically compact and simple to arrange and sound vastly higher than most built-in TV audio system. Significantly: practically all TV audio system are unhealthy! The spectrum of high quality you may get from a soundbar ranges from fundamental enhancements to the bass and general soundstage to the kind of room-filling sound you may anticipate from a extra conventional house theater audio system (a system with wired audio system and a devoted receiver). No matter what you are watching, a soundbar is a low-effort manner of getting extra out of your viewing expertise.

Discovering the Proper Dimension

{Photograph}: Ryan Waniata

Soundbars are available in a number of sizes and configurations, denoted by the dimensions of the acoustic chamber and the variety of built-in full-range, bass, and top channels. You possibly can consider soundbar channels because the variety of particular person zones emitting sound. A “2.1” soundbar system has no less than two individually powered audio system and a devoted subwoofer. A 5.1 system has no less than 5 primary audio system (a middle, left, proper, plus two surrounds) and a subwoofer.

Whereas most price range bars can be stereo solely, our favourite performers often have no less than three channels in entrance (left, heart, and proper) and a subwoofer. That is a 3.1 system. The middle channel is mostly crucial as a result of that is the place TV and movie mixers put dialog. Have bother listening to dialog in motion pictures and reveals? Get a three-channel (3.0) bar on the very least.

Generally, you will see a further quantity on the finish, like a 3.1.2 system. The “.2” means there are two top channels. In soundbars, these are upward-facing audio system that bounce hold forth the ceiling, simulating ceiling-mounted audio system for content material blended in 3D audio codecs like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. Mainly, these soundbars attempt to re-create a spatial audio expertise with out requiring you to string up audio system on the ceiling. Pricier soundbar techniques will include extra devoted rear- and side-firing drivers that bounce hold forth your partitions for extra immersion, utilizing a configuration of 5.1.2 (or larger).

The extra channels, the larger your soundbar system will possible be. An important step is to ensure no matter you purchase will match in your media console (ideally, it’s going to match proper between your TV’s legs, too). We’ll go over {surround} sound and Dolby Atmos in additional element under.

Do You Want a Subwoofer?

{Photograph}: Parker Corridor

For many areas, it is extremely price contemplating a soundbar with a devoted subwoofer. If these are too costly otherwise you’re anxious concerning the neighbors, some soundbars have a much less overt bass channel in-built, whereas different techniques allow you to add a subwoofer later, together with fashions from Sonos, Klipsch, Bose, and others. Every of those examples lets you add {surround} audio system later as effectively, letting you improve to a full surround-sound system.