As great as television technology is today, the audio leaves a lot to be desired. Most speakers are built into the back or bottom of a flatscreen, which aren’t ideal locations for quality audio — which is why you should consider investing in a soundbar.
Besides delivering generally better audio, a soundbar can become the foundation for turning your living room into a personal movie theater — without requiring too much equipment, installation, or other tedious work that used to go into planning a promising at-home sound system.
Soundbars are also a great option for anyone who prefers a minimal amount of on-display tech in their living room or entertaining area. The slim speaker can easily be mounted right underneath a wall-mounted TV for a neat, cord-free look. It’s also small enough to sit directly in front of most TVs if you’re hoping for a less permanent — but still clean-looking — solution. Read more…
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OUR TOP PICK
Samsung HW-Q950T
This high-end Samsung soundbar system will not disappoint even the most discerning audiophiles.
- Dimensions: 51 x 24 x 11 inches
- Weight: 50 pounds (including speakers)
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, WiFi, HDMI
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BEST FOR VOICE CONTROL
Sonos Beam Smart TV Sound Bar
This high-end soundbar by Sonos offers the ideal intersection of efficiency, ease of use, and quality sound.
- Dimensions: 25.6 x 2.7 x 3.9 inches
- Weight: 6.35 pounds
- Connectivity: HDMI-ARC, WiFi, included optical adapter
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BEST BUDGET-FRIENDLY OPTION
TaoTronics Three Equalizer Mode Audio Speaker for TV
Budget-friendly and easy to use and install, the TaoTronics TV soundbar will do just fine for anyone looking to improve their television sound quality without spending a ton of cash.
- Dimensions: 31.5 x 2.36 x 2.36 inches
- Weight: 3.90 pounds
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, optical, aux
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BEST MINIMALIST DESIGN
Bose TV Speaker
Minimal in design but certainly not in sound quality, this affordable TV soundbar is an excellent option for audiophiles looking for a clean, minimal device.
- Dimensions: 4.02 x 23.38 x 2.21 inches
- Weight: 5.94 pounds
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, optical
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BEST SOUND QUALITY
Sony ST5000 Soundbar
This top-of-the-line speaker might come with a pretty steep price tag — but if you’re looking for the best of the best regardless of price, you can’t go wrong with the premium Sony ST5000 soundbar.
- Dimensions: 12.8 x 12.8 x 2.7 inches
- Weight: 51 pounds (with subwoofer)
- Connectivity: WiFi, Bluetooth, HDMI