How to Choose the Right Soundbar (2025): Size, Price, Surround Sound, and Subwoofers

for those who’ve simply purchased a elaborate new TV, chances are you’ll be shocked to search out it sounds simply as dangerous as your outdated one (or worse).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 implausible shows. However it may be powerful figuring out the place to start out with regards to upgrading your TV audio. By no means worry, intrepid purchaser: The best and most inexpensive resolution is to only get a soundbar. Trendy soundbars are available all shapes, sizes, and costs. Right here, we have made a guidelines of kinds to contemplate earlier than urgent the Purchase button.You should definitely take a look at our Greatest Soundbars and Greatest Bookshelf Audio system guides, in addition to our recommendation on How one can Purchase a TV and How one can Set Up a TV, with in-depth image adjustment recommendation.Desk of ContentsUpdated June 2025: We have the most recent info and up to date mannequin suggestions from our newest spherical of intensive testing.Why You Want a SoundbarPhotograph: Ryan WaniataSoundbars are an amazing first step into dwelling theater audio as a result of they’re usually compact and straightforward to arrange and sound vastly higher than most built-in TV audio system. Severely: almost all TV audio system are dangerous! The spectrum of high quality you may get from a soundbar ranges from primary enhancements to the bass and general soundstage to the kind of room-filling sound you may count on from a extra conventional dwelling 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 SizePhotograph: Ryan WaniataSoundbars are available a number of sizes and configurations, denoted by the scale 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 not less than two individually powered audio system and a devoted subwoofer. A 5.1 system has not less than 5 foremost audio system (a middle, left, proper, plus two surrounds) and a subwoofer.Whereas most price range bars might be stereo solely, our favourite performers normally have not less than three channels in entrance (left, middle, and proper) and a subwoofer. That is a 3.1 system. The middle channel is usually crucial as a result of that is the place TV and movie mixers put dialog. Have bother listening to dialog in films and exhibits? Get a three-channel (3.0) bar on the very least.Typically, you may 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 pontificate the ceiling, simulating ceiling-mounted audio system for content material combined 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 programs will include extra devoted rear- and side-firing drivers that bounce pontificate 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 verify no matter you purchase will match in your media console (ideally, it will 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 HallFor most areas, it is extremely value contemplating a soundbar with a devoted subwoofer. If these are too costly otherwise you’re frightened concerning the neighbors, some soundbars have a much less overt bass channel in-built, whereas different programs allow you to add a subwoofer later, together with fashions from Sonos, Klipsch, Bose, and others. Every of those examples permits you to add {surround} audio system later as effectively, letting you improve to a full surround-sound system.