Home entertainment and technology go hand in hand these days. With endless streaming options, there’s a lot of ways to watch your favorite shows, movies, sports, and even concerts from the comfort of your couch. Adding one of the best TV soundbars can make your home viewing experience even better.
A lot of us turn on the television to relax and chill out after a long day. A recent poll of 2,000 adults reveals that 55 percent watch TV as a self-soothing technique for relieving anxiety or stress. That’s more than the number of respondents who relax by taking a bath (42%) or by doing yoga (33%).
High-definition video and audio is widely available and can make you feel like you’re at a movie theater, live concert, or local team’s stadium instead of in your living room. Whether you’re hosting a Super Bowl party or you want to turn your house into a rockin’ concert venue, a TV soundbar is a simple enhancement that can further elevate the experience.
So if you’re ready to step up your audio game, you may be wondering which are the best soundbars on the market today. StudyFinds compiled a list of the five best TV soundbars, from ten expert websites, to find the perfect sound system to enhance movie nights and Netflix binge sessions. As always, we’d like to see your own recommendations in the comments below!
The List: Best TV Soundbars, Top 5 According To Expert Reviews
1. Sonos Arc
This soundbar gets heaps of praise for its audio delivery capabilities. “The Sonos Arc uses 11 drivers to create your soundfield, several of which are upfiring and angled into your room to bounce sound off your walls and ceiling. It all adds up to one of the most convincing Atmos performances you can get from a soundbar,” according to What Hi-Fi?
If you want even more of an all-consuming audio experience, you can add additional Sonos speakers. When doing so, the Sonos Arc has the “ability to automatically calibrate to your living room,” points out Engadget.
“It’s incredibly easy to set up and use,” adds Digital Trends. “The Arc adds a solid sense of 3D space to action-oriented films like Avengers: Endgame and Ford v Ferrari, bringing the sounds of roaring cars and interplanetary battles to life in stunning form.”
Plus at $899, the price is in-line with its closest competitors. Just note, it only includes one HDMI port.
2. Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar
For about $2000, this premium soundbar could be considered a splurge purchase. As far as quality goes? It delivers.
Wired gave it “best luxury soundbar” accolades, pointing out it “doesn’t matter whether you’re watching Netflix Originals or listening to your favorite music; the Ambeo just offers rich, detailed sound.”
“You can think of Ambeo as a turbo-charger for immersive, 3D audio. Using the Soundbar Plus’ nine drivers and amps, it projects sound around even large rooms in such a way that you become convinced there must be speakers hiding behind your furniture or in your ceiling. It truly brings Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and even two-channel stereo to life in a way that is nothing short of mesmerizing,” according to Digital Trends.
“It’s a single unit, without a subwoofer, but it’s able to conjure up the most realistic overhead and true surround-sound effects we’ve ever heard. It’s also controlled entirely via remote control,” adds CNET.
This soundbar is not only very expensive, it’s also big and heavy, too. So, if space is an issue for you, consider another option.
3. Sony HT-A7000
Futurism labeled the Sony HT-A7000 “best overall” noting, this “7.1.2 soundbar takes spatial audio seriously: with great versatility, good bass coverage, and an immersive sound stage.”
“The Sony HT-A7000 soundbar is an elegant TV speaker solution with impressive sound that enhances the performance of even the best TVs. It achieves a wrap-around cinematic effect with the right content, and Dolby Atmos material has a more enveloping effect thanks to the Sony’s format handling and up-firing speakers,” points out Tom’s Guide.
As their top pick for music and gaming, Digital Trends says, “Sony’s virtual surround technology does a very good job creating an immersive sound field when listening to Dolby Atmos or DTS:X content, but it does a surprisingly good job upscaling regular two-channel content too. But the A5000’s secret sauce lies in its connections and audio compatibility.”
The cost? Not the cheapest, at $1,200. Plus, some reviews mention this soundbar performs best by adding a subwoofer.
4. Bose Smart Soundbar 900
Coming in at $699, this soundbar is a little more budget-friendly, and a nice fit for smaller spaces.
“You’re able to use a remote to operate your TV and soundbar, or you can adjust your soundbar’s settings further in the Bose app. We also like that voice assistants such as Google Assistant and Alexa are built-in, meaning that you can ask Google to change the channel without having to lift a finger,” according to Good Housekeeping.
“Bose delivers on its brand reputation with a soundbar that just sounds great. Dolby Atmos is a challenge: producing nuanced sonic immersion with a single soundbar. The seven-channel Soundbar 900 is Bose’s answer to the Atmos market and delivers great coverage of the whole sonic spectrum, except for the lower bass range,” notes Futurism.
Tom’s Guide adds, “Easy to setup with plenty of options to help you tune the sound to your own surroundings, the Bose performs well with movies, although the addition of a subwoofer would give movie soundtracks a useful further boost.”
5. Roku Streambar Pro
PCMag calls the Roku Streambar Pro the “best for media streaming”, adding it’s “a combination soundbar and Roku media streamer that plugs into your TV’s eARC port. It handles all sound output and offers the same streaming capabilities as a Roku Streaming Stick 4K.”
Plus, at $179, it’s the most affordable soundbar on our list. Good Housekeeping says it has the best value and writes, “you’ll get the perks of an integrated media player so you can stream shows and access all your favorite apps from Roku’s robust streaming platform. Our pros love that this soundbar is super lightweight, making it a great pick for smaller spaces, smaller TVs or even projectors.”
“The Streambar Pro now comes with an upgraded Voice Remote and a pair of wired earbuds that can be used with the new remote to privately and quietly listen to your show while a roommate or loved one sleeps nearby,” points out CNN.
However, some reviewers suggest adding Roku wireless speakers for a more immersive surround sound experience.
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Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This post may contain affiliate links.
We have tried to include a wide range of projectors for different needs, so there should be something for everyone on this list. All of these projectors are available now and are expected to be available in 2023 as well.