Top 17 best soundbars: price/quality ranking 2021-2022 and what better choice for TV

TV manufacturers often invest in picture quality, completely forgetting that sound is no less important.

In this case, a soundbar, called a soundbar, serves as an auxiliary device.

A soundbar is a popular and very convenient gadget, which will not only complement the interior of any room and make it more modern, but also significantly improve sound quality when connected to the TV.

The functionality of many models allows you to control it with your smartphone, play music from different media and get maximum enjoyment from watching multimedia.

We tell you what criteria to consider when buying a product in the price/quality ratio.

Top 17 list of the best soundbars for 2021-2022

Place	Name	Price
Top 5 best TV soundbars by price/quality for 2021-2022
1	Samsung HW-T650	Check price
2	Sony HT-S700RF.	Learn the price
3	JBL Bar 5.1 Surround	Check out the price
4	JBL Cinema SB160	More information about the price
5	JBL Bar 2.1 Deep Bass	Check out the price
Top 4 best inexpensive soundbars
1	Xiaomi Redmi TV Soundbar	Learn the price
2	Xiaomi Mi TV Soundbar	Check out the price
3	JBL Bar 2.0 All-in-One	Check price
4	LG SJ3	Check price
Top 4 best soundbars 2.1
1	Denon DHT-S316	Check price
2	LG SL5Y	To know the price
3	Sony HT-S350	Ask the price
4	YAMAHA MusicCast BAR 400	Learn the price
Top 4 best 5.1 soundbars
1	Samsung HW-Q6CT.	To know the price
2	LG SL10Y	To know the price
3	Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR	Check out the price of
4	Samsung HW-Q60T	Check price

How to choose a soundbar for your TV?

A soundbar is a small sound panel, lightweight and compact..

When buying, you should first take into account the size of the device and its color, so that it looks harmoniously with the TV. You should also understand the way the speaker is installed: next to the TV, under it or on the wall.

Also take into account the technical parameters:

subwoofer (external, built-in, without it);
type of speaker system (active, passive);
outputs and interfaces;
sound formats;
power;
additional features (e.g. Dolby Atmos, control from a smartphone, etc.).

Top 5 best TV soundbars by price/quality for 2021-2022

These models received the best user reviews and good ratings for sound capabilities. The devices in this selection boast good volume and clarity of sound, high power and bright, surround sound.

Samsung HW-T650

The 3.1 standard speaker system with the ability to pump up to 5.1 features a wireless subwoofer and the shelf-mounted soundbar itself.

There is a small display on the left side of the panel that shows the volume and current input.

The device has good performance and power, and thanks to the presence of a central channel produces clear and crisp sound without extraneous noise.

There is support for Dolby Digital and DTS channels, but no Dolby Atmos support.

To connect to a TV and other devices there are 2 connectors NDMI and digital optical input.

There is also Bluetooth support, which allows you to connect the subwoofer to your smartphone.

You can control the sound system with the remote control.

Specifications:

speaker system type: standard, active;
power: 340 W;
wireless connection: subwoofer;
control: remote control.

Pros of

laconic design;
ease of installation;
easy operation;
high sound quality;
wide range of interfaces;
wireless subwoofer.

Disadvantages

No Dolby Atmos.

Sony HT-S700RF.

The speaker system consists of a subwoofer, sound bar, and a pair of speakers, which pretty much turns it into a full-fledged home theater..

Complementing the power of 1000 watts is the simple and elegant design, build quality and ease of operation.

The device is controlled with a remote or control buttons, each of which is located on top of the subwoofer.

On the front there is a USB input for playing music from a digital media. You can also connect to a smartphone via Bluetooth.

The soundbar has many personal settings, as well as 5 preset sound modes, including a night mode.

The high price is due to the fact that the model demonstrates not only clear sound, but also excellent volume, good balance and powerful bass.

Specifications:

speaker system type: standard, active;
power: 1000 watts;
wireless connection: subwoofer;
control: remote control.

Pros:

easy to set up;
long wires;
there is Bluetooth;
there is a night mode;
clear sound.

Cons

high price;
no adjustment of the balance of the rear speakers.

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround

5.1-channel audio panel with miniature subwoofer on sturdy feet and convenient control.

The model features JBL MultiBeam technology for even richer, cleaner and fuller sound.

It has wireless subwoofer connection, Bluetooth multimedia playback, 2 HDMI outputs, digital optical and stereo line input.

A wall bracket with screws is included.

The model supports Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby Pro Logic II standards. These technologies provide the best sound even when watching 4K video: soft bass, high volume and clear, natural speech.

Specifications:

speaker system type: acoustic panel, active;
power: 550 W;
wireless connection: subwoofer;
control: remote control.

Pluses

wall bracket included;
soft bass;
easy installation and control;
good sound;
attractive design.

Cons

poor display;
no built-in equalizer.

JBL Cinema SB160.

Device with a powerful wireless subwoofer with deep bass, built-in Dolby Digital, Bluetooth connectivity to your smartphone or computer, optical cable, and HDMI Arc support..

This allows you to connect the soundbar with just one cord.

The budget soundbar has a simple and stylish design, so it will fit well in any interior.

When watching any multimedia, the sound is rich, voluminous, loud, with good bass.

It can be controlled both with the remote control and with conventional buttons. Three sound programs (movies, music and news) are preset. You can also calibrate the sound manually.

Technical specifications:

Type of acoustic system: acoustic panel, active;
power: 220 W;
wireless connection: subwoofer;
control: remote control.

Advantages

affordable price;
lightness and compactness;
easy to connect;
rich and spacious sound.

Cons

few preset modes;
no bass adjustment.

JBL Bar 2.1 Deep Bass

Mid-priced model with excellent sound, no background noise No distortion of voices.

The device supports Dolby Digital technology, connects to a PC or smartphone via Bluetooth, has two HDMI-outputs.

The name says it all: Deep Bass impresses - loud, rich and very soft.

Full-range speakers bring out lifelike music and crisp, clear speech. When you adjust the volume, the bass level increases proportionally, so you don't have to spend a lot of time adjusting.

The soundbar features 6 speakers for powerful and expansive sound, which will be loud enough even at levels as low as 25%..

At the same time, the volume and tonality are equally good in any corner of the room.

Specifications:

speaker type: sound control panel, active
power: 300 W;
wireless connectivity: subwoofer;
control: remote control.

Pros:

excellent sound;
affordable price;
pleasant design;
build quality;
The ability to connect via Bluetooth.

Cons

Does not support all codecs.

Top 4 best inexpensive soundbars

Budget models may be slightly worse in sound characteristics and functionality than more expensive options, but the audio multimedia will in any case be better than from conventional TV-speakers.

Xiaomi Redmi TV Soundbar

Plastic model of a promising Chinese manufacturer at a low price with Attractive design and the ability to mount on the wall.

This is the simplest possible device with a classic wired connection and mechanical control, which significantly increases the volume of multimedia and improves sound quality.

The gadget has a 2.1 standard, a low power of 30W, a stereo line input and connectors for AUX, S/PDIF.

You can also connect the soundbar to your computer or smartphone via Bluetooth.

The manufacturer has emphasized the build quality and durability of the device, as well as its compactness and lightness - the model weighs only 1.5 kg.

The sound when watching movies and video files will be much better than without the soundbar, but do not expect supereffects and full immersion from the model.

Technical Specifications:

Speaker system type: soundbar, active;
power: 30 W;
wireless connection: no;
control: mechanical.

Advantages

affordable price;
impressive design;
easy operation;
Bluetooth.

Cons

no remote control;
the body is prone to scratches.

Xiaomi Mi TV Soundbar

A stylish device in a plastic case in silver or black is quite justifies its price..

It significantly improves sound quality when connected to a small and relatively old TV, but when connected to a modern 4K device, many of which have Dolby Atmos technology, there will be no serious changes.

Of the wireless connections, only Bluetooth. In the rest the soundbar is connected with the help of S/PDIF wires, stereo RCA wires, as well as it has a 3.5 mm jack for headphones.

The power, volume and other parameters will have to be adjusted manually after installation of the device, as there is no remote control in the package.

However, the manufacturer has added special screws and plugs for attaching to the wall.

Technical characteristics:

speaker system type: sound panel, active;
power: 28 W;
wireless connection: no;
control: mechanical.

Pros:

2 color options;
impressive design;
Bluetooth connection;

Cons:

the socket is Chinese;
no remote control.

JBL Bar 2.0 All-in-One.

Compact 2-channel mono speaker at an affordable price with JBL Surround Sound technology for powerful, high-quality surround sound with crisp dialog and good bass.

Dolby Digital technology provides the entire room with uniform sound, creating a realistic movie theater effect.

The audio system is compact and miniature, with a minimalist design.

It is small, has an internal power supply and remote control, as well as indication. You can connect to a smartphone or computer via Bluetooth, but there is a significant drawback: after 10 minutes of "idle time" Bluetooth will turn off, so it is better to use a standard wired connection to listen to music or watch movies.

Technical characteristics:

Type of acoustic system: sound panel, active;
power: 80W;
wireless connection: no;
control: remote control.

Advantages

remote control is possible;
support for Dolby Digital;
there is Bluetooth;
deep stereo sound.

Cons

no Aux input.

LG SJ3.

A system of 2 elements, a soundbar and a separate subwoofer, which are connected between each other via Bluetooth.

The same interface allows you to connect the speaker to a smartphone or computer.

The soundbar automatically turns on together with the TV set, which allows you to avoid constant adjustment of the device and save the selected settings.

High quality sound with smooth bass and clear speech due to high power, 6 speakers and Dolby Digital and DTS decoder.

You can control the device with the remote control, which comes with the unit, or manually with the buttons on the top of the device. There you can find all the necessary connectors, including USB and digital optical input.

Specifications:

Speaker system type: active sound control panel;
power: 300 W;
wireless connection: subwoofer;
control: TV remote.

Pros:

remote control;
high power;
rich bass;
build quality;
wireless subwoofer connection.

Disadvantages

no HDMI-connector;
no preset equalizer modes.

Top 4 best 2.1 soundbars

Mono speakers with a 2.1 configuration are the most common. They provide high-quality sound with deep bass, are suitable for most users and televisions, and have a low cost.

Denon DHT-S316.

Compact and lightweight device of the Japanese manufacturer with good sound and The ability to connect to a variety of sources: TV, computer, smartphone.

Despite the low power and cost, the soundbar produces excellent, clear sound, soft bass and clear dialogues. The speaker has several preset modes with optimal settings.

The device is equipped with Dolby Digital and DTS technologies, Bluetooth, HDMI, a stereo line input and a digital optical input.

It comes with a remote control and wall mounts.

The model will perfectly fit into any interior due to its laconic design, smooth shape and small size.

Technical characteristics:

speaker system type: sound panel, active;
power: 40 W;
wireless connection: subwoofer;
control: remote control.

Advantages:

attractive design;
wireless subwoofer connection;
good sound;
there are several sound modes;
remote control included.

Cons

sound indication;
Automatic Bluetooth shutdown after 15 minutes.

LG SL5Y

Budget soundbar suitable for most consumers. The system consists of soundbar with 2 main channels, wireless subwoofer, and remote control.

The compact device has HDMI and digital optical inputs as well as a Bluetooth interface.

Dolby Digital decoder provides clear bass tones and superior sound at all frequencies. In addition, the model supports USB multimedia playback, including the rare FLAC and WAV formats.

Users note the smooth and uninterrupted Bluetooth connection, the even distribution of sound throughout the room and the support for wireless rear speakers that make the sound even better

Specifications:

speaker system type: sound bar, active;
power: 400W;
wireless connectivity: subwoofer;
control: remote control.

Pros:

there are 2 HDMI connectors;
the ability to control from a smartphone;
DTS Virtual X technology;
high power;
clear rich sound.

Disadvantages

no AUX.

Sony HT-S350.

A sound panel with a quality case, stylish design, easy controls and Excellent functionality for its price.

Despite its compact size, the soundbar is heavy, so you should choose a flat surface for its stable placement.

The power of the device is enough to make a flat and mediocre TV sound powerful and surround, almost like in a movie theater.

You can also listen to music or watch movies and videos from other devices that connect via Bluetooth.

The main advantage of the soundbar is Dolby Digital support. The system consists of a soundbar and a wireless subwoofer, there is also a remote control included, and there are light indicators on the device for easy calibration.

Specifications:

speaker system type: soundbar, active;
power: 320 watts;
wireless connection: subwoofer;
control: remote control.

Advantages:

uniform sound distribution;
Uninterrupted Bluetooth connection;
affordable price;
build quality;
good bass.

Minuses

No equalizer setting.

YAMAHA MusicCast BAR 400

Mid-priced model with a neat design, simple controls and high quality build.

The soundbar provides not only high-quality and voluminous sound with soft bass, which is evenly distributed throughout the room, but also realistic special effects.

This applies not only to movies, but also to music.

The volume is enough to watch immersive video content and even throw parties.

Bluetooth-connection is not interrupted, the volume does not "jump". The device can even handle 4K video.

The soundbar is light and compact and can be easily mounted on the wall with the fasteners provided in the package.

Technical characteristics:

speaker system type: soundbar, active;
power: 200 W;
wireless connection: subwoofer;
control: remote control.

Pros:

excellent sound;
build quality;
control via app;
support for Dolby, DTS, DTS Virtual:X;
soft bass.

Cons

no custom equalizer;
no USB.

Top 4 best 5.1 soundbars

The 5.1 configuration works with any content, including music. They are superior in quality to two-channel models, but slightly inferior to variants with Dolby Atmos technology.

Samsung HW-Q6CT.

A stylish soundbar with excellent build quality and functionality, built with cutting-edge technology..

In addition to the main element, the system also includes a wireless subwoofer with excellent power, which conditions the sound quality.

The sound is excellent at any volume: the device can cope with music, conversations and special effects of any frequency.

At the same time, the device is equipped with Bluetooth-interface for connecting to other devices, three HDMI connectors and digital optical input.

Uniform distribution of clear, loud, detailed sound occurs thanks to decoders DTS-HD High Resolution Audio, DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby TrueHD, which in addition cause a soft bass.

Specifications:

speaker system type: sound panel, active;
power: 330 W;
wireless connection: subwoofer;
control: remote control.

Pluses

DTS Virtual:X technology;
many playback modes;
stylish appearance;
powerful bass;
easy operation.

Disadvantages

Requires bass calibration when watching videos, movies, listening to music.

LG SL10Y

A great device for its price that supports many decoders, including DTS-HD High Resolution Audio, DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby TrueHD.

All necessary settings are made with the remote control, which is included.

The model consists of 2 elements - a subwoofer and a soundbar.

The first one can be connected without a wire, and the second one has HDMI and digital optical input. For connection to a computer or smartphone there is Bluetooth.

A special feature of this unit is support for Dolby Atmos, if this feature is provided in the TV to which it is attached.

Specifications:

Speaker system type: sound bar, active;
power: 570 W;
wireless connection: subwoofer;
control: remote control.

Pros:

excellent sound;
a lot of options for connecting to other devices;
can be used as a music center;
compactness.

Cons

heavy;
dust is very visible.

Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR

Not a cheap model, but totally worth the price.. It supports wide frequency range - 35-20000 Hz - and in all cases it provides excellent sound quality.

The system consists of a soundbar, a subwoofer and 2 rear speakers to distribute the sound evenly throughout the room.

Also included are a remote control and all the necessary accessories to mount the unit on the wall.

The model supports Dolby Digital, DTS decoders, has a Bleutooth interface and all necessary connectors: 4 HDMI outputs, line input stereo and digital optical input.

Specifications:

speaker system type: sound panel, active;
power: 400 W;
wireless connection: subwoofer, rear speakers;
control: remote control.

Pros:

sound quality;
equipment;
neat appearance;
presence of rear speakers;
fasteners for wall mounting included.

Disadvantages

Requires calibration, which takes a long time.

Samsung HW-Q60T

An excellent mid-priced model that provides an even distribution of clear, high-quality sound.

For fans of complete immersion may be suitable option with the connection of additional speakers.

The small display, judging by user reviews, is poorly located, but it displays all the necessary settings, volume level and type of connection.

The stereo frequency component is good, but at high volume the bass may seem weak. Although the need for maximum volume may arise only in a private home at a party.

The soundbar has HDMI connections and a digital optical input. The kit includes a remote control for easy control of the device.

Specifications:

speaker system type: soundbar, active;
power: 360 W;
wireless connection: no;
control: remote control.

Pros of

high-quality sound;
even sound distribution;
remote control included;
HDMI connectors;
reasonable price for such a range of frequencies.

Disadvantages

inconvenient location of the display.

Do I need a soundbar for my TV?

The average user who turns on the TV from time to time to watch their favorite TV show does not need a soundbar.

But for those who like to watch movies, TV series and videos on YouTube, video games with high-quality sound with the effect of full immersion, this device will be very useful.

It does not take up much space, is easy to operate and does its job well, making the sound richer, louder, clearer.

Which is better - a soundbar or a home theater/music center?

Until recently, the home theater was the only acoustic device for home use.

It, unlike the soundbar, is a complex system of elements: player, receiver, subwoofer, speakers, which must be placed in the room.

That is the main difference between a soundbar and a home theater. It is better to choose the latter for large living rooms, spacious rooms and private houses, and it is more reasonable to place a soundbar in small rooms.

In terms of functionality and sound quality, the miniature gadget is in no way inferior to its older and more oversized counterpart.

Which firm should I choose?

In 2021-2022, the following soundbar manufacturers received the best ratings from users and experts: the Korean firm LG Electronics, Denon from Japan, the time-tested Samsung, as well as brands YAMAHA, JBL, Sony and XIAOMI.

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