The 14 best soundbars we tested and reviewed (2025): Sonos, Sony, Bose
There are so many great soundbars out there, and we don’t have enough space to showcase them all. Here are some others you might want to consider.
LG’s S95TR for $1,000-1,300: LG 9.1.5 channel soundbar (8/10, WIRED recommended) doesn’t perform as well as Samsung’s flagship Q990 series, but it may be a better choice for those with newer devices LG TVs like C4can connect wirelessly and use the speaker in parallel with the bar for more immersion. It also supports gaming features like 120 Hz passthrough, but only includes one spare input.
Vizio 2.1 Sound Bar (SV210M) for $170: Vizio’s compact combo offers compelling value, with solid sound quality and some cinematic touches from the smallest subwoofer you’ll ever see. There’s no optical input or remote included, but the Vizio app makes adjusting settings or switching to Bluetooth simple enough. The main drawback is that dialog is sometimes (but not always) lost, reducing the main appeal of cheap soundbars. That said, good features and music like the DTS Virtual X expansion make it worth considering for sale.
Samsung HW-Q800C for $598: If Samsung’s HW-Q990C everything bar is too rich for your blood, then the two-piece HW-Q800C (WIRED recommended, 8/10) might be a good compromise. This bar offers the same sound signature as Samsung’s flagship bars with many of the same features, packaged in a smaller bar and subwoofer combo for a notable price reduction – especially because it’s almost always on sale right now.
Sennheiser Ambeo Mini for $700: This pint-sized luxury bar is great for those with a lot of money to burn in very small spaces. Sennheiser’s built-in Ambeo virtualization technology brilliantly channels sound around you, delivering an enjoyable TV and movie viewing experience, while also providing advanced features like Google Assistant and Alexa support.
Sony HT-X8500 for $300: Sony’s HT-X8500 is getting harder to find, but it’s still one of our favorite picks for those who love a single bar with solid bass response and expansive sound, including good Dolby Atmos virtualization too. Although it’s more expensive than our top bar, it’s a great alternative for those looking to buy a little more, and worth considering while it’s still available.
Roku Streaming Stick for $130: If you’re after a soundbar that doubles as a great streaming device, WIRED reviewer Adrienne So swears by the Roku Streambar. After years without one, she was so impressed that she shouted it from the rooftops. Setup is easy, and because it includes Roku’s simple streaming interface, you can stream movies and shows in up to 4K HDR from almost any streaming service. You can also add a Roku subwoofer or surround sound speakers. We recommend get a sub.
Vizio Elevate M-Series for $500: If you want full-featured Dolby Atmos and like a little flair, Vizio’s second Elevate bar is worth considering. The driver pops out of the side and toward your ceiling when Atmos content is playing, making for a nifty party trick to show your friends. Sound quality is also solid, and we like the compact design and ease of setup. However, you will have to route some speaker cables around the back.
Yamaha SR-C30A for $276: This SR-C30A soundbar model actually looks very similar to the SR-C20A, and that’s because they’re similar in size, specs, and sound quality. The difference is that the SR-C30A is equipped with a compact wireless subwoofer (335 x 160 x 364mm) to produce authentic Hollywood-style rumbling and powerful sound. —Simon Lucas
Sennheiser Ambeo Plus for $1,200: Given the soundbar’s price and physical size—not even including the subwoofer—the Ambeo Plus might look like a poor product. But thanks to 400 watts of power and nine carefully developed and even more carefully placed speaker drivers, this Sennheiser is capable of producing big, enveloping sound with a strong hint of richness. high sound that Dolby Atmos soundtrack thrives on. By way of an encore, it turns out to be an incredibly capable wireless speaker for when you want to listen to some music too. —Simon Lucas
Polk Reaction for $269: This soundbar works if you want to finally get surround sound but don’t have the money right now. The Alexa-enabled soundbar itself works just fine, with surround speakers and a subwoofer available from Polk if you want to upgrade.
Vizio Elevate P series for $700: This is a great looking soundbar with side speakers that can rotate up toward the sky when you watch content with object-based audio. It’s a good sounding bar and the gimmick is neat, but there are better options for under $1,000.
