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10 Best Soundbars 2025 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Bose TV Speaker - Soundbar for TV with Bluetooth and HDMI-ARC Connectivity, Black, Includes Remote Control

Rating
9.8
Chosen by1,268
Size and Design

Most important from
12807 reviews

Size and Design
The compact design integrates perfectly with the TV, enhancing the overall aesthetic.

The Bose TV Speaker is a compact soundbar that aims to enhance your TV audio experience, especially when it comes to dialogue clarity. With its two angled full-range drivers, it provides a wide and natural sound, making it a good choice for movie watching, sports events, or just enjoying your favorite shows. One standout feature is its enhanced dialogue mode, which specifically focuses on making voices clearer, a major plus for those who often struggle to catch every word during dialogue-heavy scenes.

Connectivity is user-friendly, supporting Bluetooth, HDMI-ARC, Optical, and AUX, allowing you to easily pair your devices for streaming music or podcasts. The setup is straightforward, as a single cable connection links the soundbar to your TV, making it accessible even for those who aren't tech-savvy.

In terms of size, the Bose TV Speaker is just over 2 inches tall, making it easy to fit in front of your TV or mount on a wall, which is perfect for smaller spaces. The included remote control adds convenience, enabling features like bass boost and the dialogue mode. However, there are a few drawbacks to consider. While the sound performance is solid for a small unit, it lacks a dedicated subwoofer, which might disappoint those looking for deeper bass. Although you can connect it to an external Bose Bass Module, that requires extra investment and isn't included. The soundbar is also not waterproof, limiting its use in more diverse environments.

The Bose TV Speaker is well-suited for individuals who primarily watch TV shows and movies and prioritize dialogue clarity. It’s user-friendly and compact, making it a practical choice for enhancing home entertainment. If you're seeking a robust bass experience or a more immersive sound setup, exploring additional speaker options or investing in the compatible subwoofer may be beneficial.

Rating
9.8
Chosen by1,268
Size and Design

Most important from
12807 reviews

Size and Design
The compact design integrates perfectly with the TV, enhancing the overall aesthetic.
#2

Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus with subwoofer and surround sound speakers (newest model), 5.1 channel, Dolby Atmos, clear dialogue

Rating
9.6
Channels
Connectivity
Subwoofer

Most important from
191 reviews

Channels
The wireless subwoofer and surround speakers connect instantly and maintain stable performance, enhancing the immersive 5.1 surround sound experience.
Connectivity
Setup is incredibly straightforward, especially when paired with Fire TV Cube, enabling seamless integration and control with a single remote.
Subwoofer
The subwoofer is notably substantial for a soundbar package, delivering satisfying bass without overwhelming the room.
Sound Quality
The soundbar delivers crystal-clear dialogue that significantly improves voice clarity, making it easier to hear conversations even for those with hearing sensitivities.

The Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus is designed to create a true home theater experience with its 5.1 channel system, including a wireless subwoofer and two surround speakers. This setup means you get immersive surround sound with clearer dialogue, thanks to a dedicated center channel, which is great for movies and TV shows where voices matter. It supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, which add a 3D effect to sound, making it feel like audio is coming from all around you instead of just the front.

The soundbar is fairly compact and comes with wireless surround speakers and subwoofer, which helps reduce cable clutter and makes placement more flexible. It also offers easy setup and integration with Fire TV, allowing you to control the soundbar and TV with one remote, plus customize sound settings for different types of content like movies, music, or sports. Bluetooth support lets you stream music directly from your phone or tablet, adding to its versatility. On the downside, while the wireless connectivity of the subwoofer and surround speakers is convenient, some users might experience occasional syncing delays or connection hiccups typical with wireless audio setups.

The soundbar and speakers are relatively modest in size, which is good for smaller rooms but might not deliver the same power in very large spaces. Also, the subwoofer’s size is moderate, so bass might not be as deep or punchy as larger, standalone subwoofers. This soundbar is a solid choice for anyone with a Fire TV or smart TV who wants an upgrade from TV speakers without the hassle of a complex setup. It balances good surround sound, clear dialogue, and smart TV features in an easy-to-use package, especially suited for average-sized living rooms and casual to moderately serious home theater fans.

Rating
9.6
Channels
Connectivity
Subwoofer

Most important from
191 reviews

Channels
The wireless subwoofer and surround speakers connect instantly and maintain stable performance, enhancing the immersive 5.1 surround sound experience.
Connectivity
Setup is incredibly straightforward, especially when paired with Fire TV Cube, enabling seamless integration and control with a single remote.
Subwoofer
The subwoofer is notably substantial for a soundbar package, delivering satisfying bass without overwhelming the room.
Sound Quality
The soundbar delivers crystal-clear dialogue that significantly improves voice clarity, making it easier to hear conversations even for those with hearing sensitivities.
#3

Sonos Beam Gen 2 - Black - Soundbar with Dolby Atmos

Rating
9.4
Channels
Subwoofer

Most important from
1985 reviews

Channels
With additional wireless Sonos speakers, the Beam Gen 2 delivers an impressive surround sound experience.
Subwoofer
Pairing the Beam Gen 2 with a Sub mini creates an excellent sound system, perfect for smaller spaces like a bedroom.

The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is a versatile soundbar designed to elevate your home entertainment experience with its Dolby Atmos support, providing a 3D surround sound effect. With a power output of 200 Watts, it offers vibrant bass and clear dialogue for an immersive audio experience. This soundbar is highly compatible, featuring Wi-Fi, Ethernet, HDMI, and wireless connectivity for the subwoofer, making it easy to integrate into your existing setup.

Controlling the soundbar is convenient with multiple options including the Sonos app, TV remote, Apple AirPlay 2, and voice control through Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Setting up the Sonos Beam Gen 2 is straightforward, requiring only two cables and guided assistance from the Sonos app, along with smart Trueplay tuning for optimal sound performance. The compact design with dimensions of 3.9 inches deep, 25.6 inches wide, and 2.7 inches high makes it suitable for various living spaces without being intrusive.

However, it lacks a standalone subwoofer, which may impact the depth of bass for some users. Additionally, while it supports multiroom audio and has a built-in microphone, it does not include an MP3 player or water resistance, which limits its versatility in certain environments. The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is ideal for users looking for a compact, easy-to-use soundbar with advanced audio features and seamless integration into a smart home ecosystem.

Rating
9.4
Channels
Subwoofer

Most important from
1985 reviews

Channels
With additional wireless Sonos speakers, the Beam Gen 2 delivers an impressive surround sound experience.
Subwoofer
Pairing the Beam Gen 2 with a Sub mini creates an excellent sound system, perfect for smaller spaces like a bedroom.

Buying Guide for the Best Soundbars

Choosing a soundbar can greatly enhance your TV or home entertainment experience. A soundbar is a simple way to get better sound quality without the hassle of setting up a full speaker system. The goal is to pick a soundbar that’s easy to set up, matches the size of your room and TV, and offers the audio features you’ll actually use. Start by thinking about what you mainly watch or listen to (like movies, sports, or music), what types of devices you want to connect, and how important things like bass or voice clarity are to you. Understanding the main features will help you make a choice that fits your space and your listening preferences.
ChannelsChannels in a soundbar refer to the number of separate audio outputs or speakers built into the unit, often described as numbers like 2.0, 2.1, 3.1, or 5.1. The first digit is the number of speakers, and the second shows if it has a subwoofer. More channels mean a fuller, more immersive sound, and some high numbers support surround sound formats. For typical TV watching in a small room, a 2.0 or 2.1 soundbar is often enough, while movie lovers or those with larger rooms may benefit from 3.1 or even 5.1 models with rear speakers. Choose based on the size of your room and how important surround sound is to your experience.
Subwoofer PresenceA subwoofer handles the deep, low sounds (bass) that add punch to music, action movies, and games. Some soundbars come with a built-in or separate subwoofer, while others don’t. Having a subwoofer is important if you want rich, powerful bass, especially for movies and music with lots of depth. If you mostly watch news or sitcoms, a soundbar without a subwoofer might be fine, but for a more cinematic or bass-heavy experience, look for one with a dedicated subwoofer.
ConnectivityConnectivity refers to how the soundbar connects to your TV and other devices, such as HDMI (including ARC/eARC), optical, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi. HDMI connections (especially with ARC or eARC) provide the highest sound quality and allow your soundbar to work smoothly with TV remotes. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are handy for streaming music from your phone or computer. Pick a soundbar with the connection options that match your TV and any other devices you plan to use, ensuring setup will be simple and future-proof.
Size and PlacementThe size of a soundbar relates to its length and height, which should match or complement your TV and fit comfortably in your room, either on a TV stand or mounted on a wall. Too small, and it might not deliver enough volume or presence; too large, and it could look awkward or block your TV’s remote sensors. Measure the space where you plan to put the soundbar and choose one that fits both physically and visually.
Sound Modes and EnhancementsSound modes and enhancements are built-in settings that adjust the audio for different situations, like movies, news, sports, or music. Some soundbars offer special features like voice enhancement for clearer dialogue, night mode for softer sound at night, or virtual surround sound to mimic a multi-speaker setup. Think about what you’ll use most often—a movie fan might want surround sound and voice clarity, while a music listener might prefer a rich music mode.
Smart FeaturesSmart features include things like built-in voice assistants (such as Alexa or Google Assistant), app control, or integration with smart home systems. These features let you control your soundbar with your voice or phone, play music directly from streaming services, or sync with other smart devices. Consider whether convenience is important to you, and if you already use a specific voice assistant or smart home platform, look for a soundbar that’s compatible.

FAQ