The Best Budget Soundbar
By: John W. Defeo
Tags: Home Audio, Soundbar, Product Reviews, Home Audio Speaker, Home Theater

The Best Budget Soundbar

From a statistical perspective, these are the best soundbars for the money. Several were priced under $100 in the past year.

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A soundbar isn’t worth buying unless it sounds better than your TV speakers. Unfortunately, many cheap soundbars suffer from the same problems that TV speakers do (e.g. rattling, distortion, etc.).

Why Do TV Speakers Sound So Bad? Blame Physics.

Sound and noise are both a mixture of pressure variations. Whether something sounds “good” or “bad” depends on the fluctuation and separation of those variations (i.e. the phase, frequency, and amplitude). When all frequencies play at the same average sound level, it’s called “white noise.” Unlike full-sized speakers (that use a woofer, squawker and tweeter), many television speakers use a single driver to recreate all frequencies. It doesn’t take much power to vibrate these speakers, and even the movement of electrons and air molecules can create noise. On top of that, small speakers don’t have the force (or surface area) to generate enough sound pressure to be perceived as “loud” or “full.” This results in tinny, muffled TV sound.

A good $100 soundbar will sound better than most TV speakers. Soundbars in the $200 range often include simulated surround-sound effects and a separate subwoofer (which makes sounds richer, but isn’t likely to shake a room). Some soundbars in the $250-$500 range include Dolby Atmos and other advanced surround-sound technologies. However, the higher a soundbar’s price, the harder it becomes to justify.

Using a Cheap Bluetooth Speaker as a Soundbar

If your television has a 3.5mm headphone jack and a USB port, it’s possible to use an inexpensive Bluetooth speaker in lieu of a soundbar. (For example, the Anker Soundcore has great reviews and a low MSRP of $29.99.) How does it work? A 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable passes the audio signal from the TV to the speaker, via the AUX input. Meanwhile, the speaker uses the television as its power source, via the USB cable.

Alternatively, a good 2.1 stereo system like Klipsch’s ProMedia 2.1 THX Computer Speakers (which also connects via 3.5mm and has sold for as little as $89.99) can rival soundbars that cost three times as much.

Choosing the Right Audio Connection

If you opt for a soundbar, make sure the input on the soundbar matches the output on your TV. HDMI is the best connection option: It’s more secure and future-proof than a TOSLINK (optical) connection or a 3.5mm headphone jack. On top of that, HDMI-ARC allows a soundbar’s volume to be controlled with a TV remote. Note: Optical cables use a protective plastic tip to protect their delicate lenses; these caps must be removed.

How Much Does a Good Soundbar Cost?

A good sound bar (with verified, above-average reviews) costs approximately $133, according to a 12-month analysis of price trends. Those same soundbars cost around $111 while on sale: an average discount of 17%. Here are the best inexpensive soundbars for the money:

Methodology for Selecting Products

I use data science to discover above-average products that are selling for below-average prices. To find soundbars with below-average prices, I first assemble a list of candidates, then organize those products by their 12-month average sale price, determine the median value and then exclude any soundbar with a price above the mid-point.

To find budget soundbars with above-average reviews, I measure the relationship between 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 star ratings and flag outliers that fall outside of a normal statistical distribution. I also discount paid, sponsored and unverified reviews as well as unhelpful review behaviors from verified customers. Models with an average adjusted rating of less than 3.9 out of 5 are excluded; in the end, fewer than 10% of the analyzed products remain.

Roku Smart Soundbar (With Built-In 4K HDR Streaming)

Smart Soundbar (With Built-In 4K HDR Streaming) — Image Credit: Roku

Good Value: $165 | Great Deal: $150

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Connectivity Options: HDMI (ARC), Toslink Optical, USB, WiFi, Bluetooth

Audio Formats: PCM, Dolby Audio

Works With: Alexa, Google Assistant

Roku’s all-in-one streaming soundbar is easy to set up and sounds better than TV speakers, according to several online customers. Some customers wish that the soundbar included an ethernet port; others had issues turning their TVs on and off with the included Roku remote control.

Bose TV Speaker With Enhanced Dialogue Mode

Bose TV Speaker With Enhanced Dialogue Mode (838309–1100) — Image Credit: Bose

Good Value: $250 | Great Deal: $200

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Connectivity Options: HDMI (ARC), Bluetooth, Toslink Optical, 3.5mm Aux

Audio Formats: Dolby Digital; PCM 2.0

This entry-level Bose soundbar is easy to install, it includes an ergonomic remote and it has an effective dialogue enhancement mode that is especially useful for those who suffer from hearing loss, according to several online customers. Some reviewers say this soundbar has weak bass and struggles with music.

Polk Audio Signa S2 Ultra-Slim TV Sound Bar

Signa S2 Ultra-Slim TV Sound Bar — Image Credit: Polk Audio

Good Value: $178 | Great Deal: $130

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Connectivity Options: HDMI (ARC), Toslink Optical, 3.5mm Aux, Bluetooth

Audio Formats: Dolby Digital

Polk’s budget soundbar has great sound, lively bass and a convenient HDMI ARC connection, according to several online customers. Many reviewers were frustrated by the remote control and auto shut-off feature.

Note: This item was heavily discounted on Black Friday.

Zvox AccuVoice AV203 Sound Bar For Hearing Impaired

AccuVoice AV203 Sound Bar For Hearing Impaired — Image Credit: Zvox

Good Value: $200 | Great Deal: $160

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Connectivity Options: Toslink Optical, 3.5mm Aux, Subwoofer Out

Audio Formats: Dolby Digital, Zvox PhaseCue

This Zvox soundbar is ideal for those with hearing loss because it strongly emphasizes dialogue, according to several online customers. Some reviewers say that the overall sound quality is tinny and mediocre.

SAMSUNG HW-T550 2.1ch Soundbar With Subwoofer

HW-T550 2.1ch Soundbar With Subwoofer — Image Credit: Samsung Electronics

Good Value: $229 | Great Deal: $178

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Connectivity Options: HDMI (ARC), USB, Toslink Optical, Bluetooth

Audio Formats: DTS, DTS:X, Dolby Digital

This affordable Samsung soundbar/subwoofer combo has crisp audio and a painless installation, according to several customers. Some reviewers wish the bass was punchier; other customers warn that wireless surround speakers (sold separately) are ill-advised because this soundbar lacks a 5.1 decoder.

Note: This item was heavily discounted on Black Friday.

Bose Solo 5 TV Soundbar Sound System with Universal Remote

Solo 5 TV Soundbar Sound System with Universal Remote — Image Credit: Bose

Good Value: $220 | Great Deal: $149

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Connectivity Options: Toslink Optical, Coaxial Digital, 3.5mm Aux, Bluetooth

Audio Formats: Dolby Digital, PCM 2.0

This inexpensive Bose soundbar has a quick setup and clear dialogue, according to several online customers. Many reviewers say that this soundbar has weak bass; others wish the remote was smaller.

Note: This item was heavily discounted on Amazon Prime Day.

Sony HTS200F Soundbar With Internal Subwoofer

HTS200F Soundbar With Internal Subwoofer — Image Credit: Sony Electronics

Good Value: $174 | Great Deal: $148

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Connectivity Options: HDMI (ARC), Toslink Optical, USB, Bluetooth

Audio Formats: Dolby Digital, Dolby Dual Mono, LPCM

Sony’s affordable soundbar is compact, easy to install and it sounds better than its price would suggest, according to several customers. Many reviewers say the bass is weak and the default volume is too low.

Note: This item was heavily discounted on Black Friday.

Samsung 2.1 Soundbar/Subwoofer HW-R450

2.1 Soundbar/Subwoofer HW-R450 — Image Credit: Samsung

Good Value: $162 | Great Deal: $128

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Connectivity Options: Toslink Optical, Bluetooth

Audio Formats: Dolby Digital, DTS, Wireless Surround Sound Ready

Dialogue is clear and easy to understand on this affordable soundbar, according to several online customers. Some reviewers expected “bigger sound” and stronger bass from the subwoofer.

Yamaha YAS-108 Sound Bar With DTS Virtual:X

YAS-108 Soundbar With DTS Virtual:X — Image Credit: Yamaha

Good Value: $171 | Great Deal: $149

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Connectivity Options: HDMI (ARC), Toslink Optical, 3.5mm Aux, Bluetooth, Subwoofer Out

Audio Formats: Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic II, DTS, DTS Virtual:X

Works With: Alexa

Yamaha’s surround-sound simulating soundbar is easy to set up using HDMI-ARC and sounds noticeably better than TV speakers, according to several online customers. Many reviewers don’t like the way that cables protrude from the back of this soundbar (especially when it is mounted to a wall).

JBL Bar 2.1 — Channel Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer

JBL Bar 2.1 — Channel Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer (JBLBAR21BLKAM) — Image Credit: Harman International

Good Value: $200 | Great Deal: $150

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Connectivity Options: HDMI (ARC), USB, Toslink Optical, 3.5mm Aux

Audio Formats: Dolby Digital, PCM

JBL’s budget soundbar/sub combo delivers strong bass and room filling sound despite its small footprint, according to several online customers. Some reviewers wish this model included a wall mount kit; others complain that this soundbar briefly “cuts out” when the source switches between digital and PCM.

TCL Alto 5+ 2.1 Sound Bar with Wireless Subwoofer

Alto 5+ 2.1 Sound Bar with Wireless Subwoofer (TS5010) — Image Credit: TCL

Good Value: $120 | Great Deal: $95

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Connectivity Options: Toslink Optical, 3.5mm Aux, Bluetooth, USB

Audio Formats: Dolby Digital, PCM

TCL’s inexpensive soundbar delivers clear dialogue, a reliable Bluetooth connection and it is particularly easy to install, according to several online customers. Many reviewers wish this unit supported HDMI-ARC and had stronger bass response; others caution that the remote control doesn’t work well and is easy to lose.

VIZIO SB2920-C6 29-Inch 2.0 Channel Sound Bar

SB2920-C6 29-Inch 2.0 Channel Sound Bar — Image Credit: VIZIO

Good Value: $80 | Great Deal: $44

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Connectivity Options: RCA, Coaxial, Toslink Optical, 3.5mm Aux, Bluetooth, USB, Subwoofer Out

Audio Formats: DTS Studio Sound, DTS TruSurround, DTS TruVolume, PCM

Vizio’s soundbar has good sound quality at a great price, according to several online customers. Even happy reviewers say that this compact soundbar isn’t designed for large rooms or televisions. Some customers warn that the Bluetooth connection syncs poorly with onscreen action; others hate the remote control.

Insignia 2.0-Channel Soundbar with Digital Amplifier

Insignia 2.0-Channel Soundbar with Digital Amplifier (NS-HSB318) — Image Credit: Best Buy

Good Value: $75 | Great Deal: $50

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Connectivity Options: Toslink Optical, RCA, 3.5mm Aux, Bluetooth, USB

Audio Formats: PCM

Best Buy’s inexpensive soundbar projects voices clearly, especially in a small room, according to several online customers. Many reviewers hate the included remote; others say this soundbar is difficult to set up.

Note: This item was heavily discounted on Amazon Prime Day.

About the Author: John DeFeo is a movie lover, a former A/V salesman, and more recently, he was the head of editorial insights for Tom’s Guide.