The most effective soundbars to spice up your TV audio in 2025

The most effective soundbars can fully remodel your TV setup, turning flat, lifeless audio into one thing that really sounds cinematic. Whether or not you are watching blockbuster motion pictures, listening to music or gaming, a great soundbar delivers clearer vocals, deep bass and higher general playback than most built-in TV audio system ever might.

In 2025, there’s a soundbar for each form of residence leisure setup — from compact all-in-one models to full encompass programs with subwoofers and rear audio system. Some prioritize simplicity and smooth design, whereas others are full of immersive options like Dolby Atmos and sensible voice controls. Irrespective of your price range or your house, we’ve picked one of the best soundbars you should purchase proper now to assist elevate your audio expertise.

Desk of contents

The post-CES soundbar outlook for 2025

I usually come out of CES with a reasonably clear understanding of the brand new soundbars which might be coming for the yr, however that wasn’t precisely the case in 2025. LG determined to hold over its most premium soundbars from 2024, however it should add the compact S20A this yr. The corporate solely previewed the mannequin at CES, so full specs are nonetheless forthcoming.

Samsung will as soon as once more hold the identical general design and options for its top-end Q990 soundbar. Nevertheless, the corporate is including a number of new instruments and it drastically diminished the dimensions of the wi-fi subwoofer that comes within the field. Samsung does have one new mannequin for 2025, the QS700F, that’s designed to sit down on a desk or routinely modify to being mounted flat on a wall. Particulars are scarce on that soundbar for now and I anticipate a full spec sheet when the corporate is actually to promote it.

Of the massive three TV firms, Sony is the one one which didn’t announce any residence theater gear at CES. The corporate has determined to focus primarily on its automotive efforts on the present not too long ago, leaving TV and audio bulletins for later within the yr. The corporate debuted multiple soundbar options in 2024 and a four-speaker setup for the lounge within the Bravia Quad. That stated, it wouldn’t shock me if Sony launched new soundbars later within the yr since its most up-to-date fashions have been solely introduced final April.

One firm I might regulate is Sennheiser. The original Ambeo model is sort of six years previous and will use a refresh. The corporate has added medium and mini choices to the Ambeo lineup since then, however it could be good to see a refined model of the biggest mannequin too. The unique Ambeo soundbar is large, so irrespective of how good it sounds, it should all the time be a tricky promote for some folks.

Though I believe it’s much less doubtless, it’s additionally potential that Sonos has new soundbars this yr. Whereas the corporate’s subsequent gadget will doubtless be the rumored set-top streaming field, the Sound Motion tech inside the Arc Ultra would supply a giant enchancment to bass efficiency in compact fashions just like the Beam and Ray. The corporate might convey Sound Movement to standalone audio system first, however it’s destined for these smaller soundbars ultimately.

The most effective soundbars for 2025

Picture by Billy Steele / Engadget

Learn our full Sonos Arc Ultra review

At $999, the Arc Ultra is a dear addition to your lounge, and enlargement solely will get costlier from right here. Nevertheless, Sonos gives important upgrades over the Arc in a number of key areas. First, because of new Sound Movement tech, the Arc Extremely has much more low-end tone by way of elevated bass efficiency. Added bass makes this a greater speaker for music whenever you’re not watching TV. That improve additionally allowed the corporate to reconfigure its mid-range drivers and tweeters, increasing the soundbar’s dimensional sound and immersive talents.

The on-board controls have been relocated and up to date, which can also be an enchancment – as is the addition of Bluetooth connectivity. The expanded speech enhancement characteristic comes with a level of customization and there at the moment are two choices for room calibration. Plus, you’ll get every little thing that’s nice about Sonos merchandise: multiroom setups and crisp, clear audio high quality.

Execs

Improved bass efficiency
Crisp, clear and immersive sound
Expanded Speech Enhancement
Suitable with Ace headphones

Cons

Nonetheless only a single HDMI port
Enlargement stays expensive
Massive footprint

$999 at Sonos

Sony

Sony has an extended monitor document of wonderful high-end soundbars and its latest is one other great-sounding product. The A7000 is a sturdy Dolby Atmos soundbar, able to immersive 7.1.2 audio because of Sony’s 360 Sound Mapping, Sound Subject Optimization, vertical encompass expertise and S-Pressure Professional entrance encompass. There’s lots of tech at work right here, and I haven’t even talked about 360 Actuality Audio or DSEE Excessive upscaling, each helpful with regards to listening to music. Talking of audio, you’ll have the choice of utilizing Chromecast, Spotify Join or Apple AirPlay 2 to ship your tunes to the A7000. The general soundstage is immersive, with wonderful readability for each TV reveals and music.

Two HDMI eARC inputs imply you’ll be able to hook up a number of streaming containers or gaming consoles. And due to HDMI 2.1 assist, you’ll be able to count on 8K and 4K/120 passthrough to your tv, so the A7000 is a good choice for players. This soundbar is pricey at $1,198 and it doesn’t include a separate subwoofer (although it does have one in-built). Nevertheless, Sony does provide you with a number of choices for each a sub and rear satellite tv for pc audio system. The SA-SW3 sub is $298 whereas the SA-SW5 is $699. For rear audio system, the SA-RS3S is $350 whereas the actually wi-fi speaker (and significantly better wanting) SA-RS5 set is $598. Should you’re wanting to avoid wasting cash on the soundbar itself, Sony gives the HT-A5000 for $999 (though we’ve seen it on sale for $798 not too long ago). It packs nearly all of the same bells and whistles because the A7000, solely in a 5.1.2-channel configuration.

Execs

Dolby Atmos assist and 360 Sound Mapping
Works with AirPlay 2
Consists of two HDMI eARC ports

Cons

Costly
Does not embody a separate subwoofer

$1,098 at World Wide Stereo

Sennheiser Shopper Audio

Learn our full Sennheiser Ambeo Mini review

Whereas that is essentially the most compact of Sennheiser’s Ambeo soundbars, the Mini stays within the premium class for 2 causes. First, you’ll have so as to add a subwoofer to maximise its potential, which provides one other $600. Secondly, the Mini is already $700, so an entire bundle places you at a comparable place to flagship models from the competitors. After you have each although, the Ambeo Mini is actually spectacular for a small soundbar.

The principle characteristic is Sennheiser’s spatial Ambeo expertise that first debuted on the large Ambeo Soundbar Max in 2019. With it, the corporate gives extra immersive sound with a mixture of driver placement and 3D virtualization. On the Mini, the audio profile is extra reliant on virtualization than the larger Ambeo soundbars due fewer audio system inside. Nevertheless, you’ll nonetheless get a virtualized 7.1.4-channel speaker setup that works properly for motion pictures and music. That’s, as long as you splurge for the Ambeo Sub too.

Execs

Compact design
Glorious readability
Nice bass
Straightforward setup

Cons

Costly
No bundled sub
Ambeo impact is proscribed
One HDMI port

$700 at Macy’s

Engadget

Learn our full Sonos Beam review

Stable sound high quality? Verify. Dolby Atmos? Yep. Compact and simple to arrange? Uh huh. Suitable with different Sonos audio system for a extra sturdy system? You betcha. The primary-gen Sonos Beam has been one among our favorites since it arrived in 2018, however there was one factor it didn’t have: Dolby Atmos. That was the massive addition to the 2021 model, although it’s a bit restricted because the Beam doesn’t have any upward-firing audio system. Sonos manages to make issues appear extra directional by tweaking audio timing and frequency as a substitute of including extra drivers. The new Beam nonetheless solely has the one HDMI port which implies you received’t be connecting a gaming console or set-top field on to this. It additionally signifies that if in case you have an older TV with an optical jack, you’ll want an adapter.

Execs

Comparatively compact design
Good sound for its dimension
Helps Dolby Atmos

Cons

One consists of one HDMI port

$449 at Sonos

Billy Steele for Engadget

Learn our full Samsung HW-QS700F soundbar review

If design issues to you, the QS700F is the best-looking soundbar on this checklist. Plus, Samsung outfitted it with an orientation characteristic that routinely adjusts the audio output whenever you wall mount it. There are many different helpful instruments too, however essentially the most enticing ones, like room calibration, require a Samsung TV. Nonetheless, the audio efficiency right here is nice for smaller areas, the place the constraints of three.1.2-channel Dolby Atmos are excusable.

Execs

Automated orientation adjustment
Crisp and balanced sound
Refined design
Straightforward setup

Cons

3.1.2-channel audio constrains film sound
Room calibration and different main options solely work with Samsung TVs

$468 at Amazon

VIZIO

Should you’re in search of a means to enhance your TV sound on a price range, Vizio has some high-quality options. With the V21t-J8, you get a 2.1-channel setup in a compact soundbar and 4.5-inch wi-fi sub combo for $160. This might be a terrific alternative when you don’t need your add-on TV speaker to take up lots of house. There’s no Wi-Fi connectivity, however that’s actually the one sacrifice with regards to the fundamentals. HDMI ARC/eARC and optical connections hyperlink to your tv whereas a 3.5mm aux jack and Bluetooth let you play music out of your telephone or one other gadget. DTS Digital:X compatibility gives a number of the impact of encompass sound with no greater unit or extra audio system.

Execs

Compact design
Consists of wi-fi subwoofer

$90 at Amazon

What to search for in a soundbar

Options

With regards to options, the extra you pay the extra you are going to get in your new audio system. Most reasonably priced choices ($150 or much less) will enhance your tv’s audio high quality, however that is about it. Step into the $300 to $400 vary and you will find all-in-one soundbars with issues like built-in voice management, wi-fi connectivity, Google Chromecast, AirPlay 2 and even Android TV. They’re all useful whenever you wish to keep away from in search of the distant management, however one of the best playback high quality is normally solely within the prime tier and the codecs these premium soundbar programs assist. I’m speaking about issues like Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and different high-resolution audio requirements — necessities when you’re constructing a really cinematic residence leisure setup. And never all Atmos soundbars are equal, so you will want to take a look at the finer particulars rigorously earlier than you break into the financial savings account. Should you’re in search of probably the greatest Dolby Atmos soundbars, dimension, channels and subwoofer choices can be essential elements to think about. Some fashions even embody a devoted subwoofer to boost bass efficiency, bringing an additional punch to motion scenes and soundtracks.

Ports

It is a large one. Quite a lot of the extra reasonably priced soundbars are restricted with regards to connectivity choices. They both supply an optical port or one HDMI jack and, when you’re fortunate, each. Issues get barely higher within the mid-range part, however that is not all the time the case. The Sonos Beam, for instance, is $449, however solely has a single HDMI port. Even on the higher-end, the $899 Sonos Arc nonetheless solely has one HDMI port. Should you plan to attach a number of gadgets like a set-top field, gaming laptop computer or console on to your soundbar for one of the best audio expertise, you’ll need an choice with not less than two HDMI (eARC) inputs. HDMI connections are crucial for supporting Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital audio codecs, in addition to high-res passthrough for HDR and 8K/4K content material.

Channels

One other large factor you’ll wish to take note of when in search of one of the best soundbar is channels. That’s the two.1, 7.1.2 or different decimal quantity that firms embody in product descriptions. The primary determine corresponds to the variety of channels. A two would simply be left and proper whereas a extra sturdy Atmos system, particularly one with rear encompass audio system, may very well be 5 or seven (left, proper, heart and upward). The second quantity refers back to the devoted subwoofer, so in case your new soundbar comes with one or has them in-built, you’ll see one right here. The third numeral is up-firing audio system, essential for the immersive impact of Dolby Atmos. Not all Atmos-enabled models have them, but when they do, the third quantity will let you know what number of are in play and the way they contribute to the general soundstage.

Wi-fi

Most soundbars as of late supply both Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or each. With regards to Wi-Fi, that connectivity affords you luxuries like voice management (both built-in or with a separate gadget), Chromecast, Spotify Join and AirPlay 2. Relying in your preferences, you would possibly be capable to dwell with out a few of these. For me, AirPlay 2 and Chromecast are necessities, however the remainder I can dwell with out. These two give me the power to beam music and podcasts from my go-to apps with out having to accept — or wrestle with — a Bluetooth connection. As an illustration, Sonos audio system usually supply seamless integration with iOS gadgets, making it straightforward to attach and stream music wirelessly. Should you’re in search of a wi-fi speaker that may improve your TV setup whereas additionally providing flexibility for audio all through the home, it is value contemplating a multi-room system.

Measurement

This one might sound apparent however humor me for a minute. Nothing is extra soul-crushing than getting a dear soundbar in your lounge solely to find you must rearrange every little thing to discover a spot for it. This was my plight when the Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar arrived at my door. Sure, that speaker is absurdly massive (and heavy), and most soundbars aren’t almost as large. I discovered a beneficial lesson: Make sure that the house the place you wish to put a soundbar will accommodate the factor you are about to spend a whole bunch (if not 1000’s) of {dollars} on.

Mainly, all of it comes all the way down to the TV you have got (or are planning to get) and what the first aim is in your living-room audio. Is it ease of use? Would you like the very best sound from a single speaker or speaker/sub combo? Do you simply need to have the ability to really hear your TV higher? Or would you like a full residence leisure expertise with crisp vocals, thunderous deep bass, and immersive encompass system audio?

By listening to every of these areas, you need to have a good suggestion of what to search for in a soundbar, soundbar/subwoofer combo, Dolby Digital system or a extra sturdy setup. With that stated, we have put quite a few merchandise by their paces at Engadget and have a number of favorites for greatest soundbar at numerous value factors to get you began.

Different soundbars we examined

Sonos Arc

There’s little doubt that the Arc is Sonos’ best-sounding soundbar, however it’s additionally the corporate’s costliest. With a brand new mannequin based mostly on the Arc rumored to be on the way, it’s troublesome to suggest this product over the likes of Samsung and Sony. The Arc works properly as each a soundbar and a speaker, and the gadget will slot in properly with different Sonos gear you would possibly have already got for a multiroom setup. It solely has one HDMI port although, the place a lot of the competitors lets you join streaming and gaming gadgets on to their soundbars.

Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Plus

I don’t suppose Sennheiser’s medium-sized model gives sufficient to face out from the extra highly effective Ambeo Soundbar Max or the Ambeo Soundbar Mini. The Mini is extra reasonably priced and does a stable job with immersive audio in its personal proper. Like the remainder of the Ambeo lineup, there’s no choice for satellite tv for pc audio system as you’ll be able to solely add a subwoofer to the soundbars. Nevertheless, the Ambeo Soundbar Plus does have RCA enter, so you should utilize it with a turntable when you’re into vinyl.

Greatest soundbar FAQs

Is a soundbar higher than audio system?

It actually is determined by what you’re after. A soundbar is certainly a less complicated, extra compact resolution in comparison with a full speaker setup. If you’d like higher sound than your TV’s built-in setup however don’t wish to take care of a number of audio system and wires in every single place, a soundbar might be the best way to go. Some soundbars may even ship spectacular encompass sound results, because of options like Dolby Atmos and digital audio expertise.

Nevertheless, when you’re an audiophile or need true encompass sound for an at-home theater expertise, a multi-speaker setup with a receiver, encompass audio system and subwoofer provides you with a richer soundstage and extra management over your expertise.

What connection do I want for a soundbar?

Most trendy soundbars connect with your TV by way of HDMI ARC or eARC, which is the simplest and most suitable choice for attaining high-quality audio. In case your TV helps this, all you want is an HDMI cable, and also you’ll get not solely nice sound but in addition some additional options like controlling the soundbar along with your TV distant.

If HDMI ARC isn’t an choice in your TV, you should utilize an optical cable, which additionally delivers stable audio high quality. Some soundbars even supply Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connections for streaming music, and some nonetheless have a 3.5mm aux jack for connecting to older gadgets.

Do all soundbars include subwoofers?

Not all soundbars include subwoofers, however many do or not less than supply one as an optionally available add-on that you may buy individually. A subwoofer is what provides you that deep, booming bass, so when you like motion motion pictures or need a fuller sound for music, having one could make a giant distinction. Some soundbars have a built-in subwoofer, however these typically don’t present the identical punch as a separate one.

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