Any television you buy today will have its own onboard sound system, but getting a great sounding speaker for your living room setup totally changes the home entertainment game. With the right soundbar, you can get all the qualities of a home theater or AV receiver without running messy wires or taking up as much space. I've tested hundreds of the big-name brands in sound over several years to help you discover the best soundbar for your needs. From more basic models to those packed with features like Dolby Atmos, Bluetooth, built-in streaming, multi-room audio and immersive surround sound, here are my picks for the best soundbars of 2025.
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Best soundbar of 2025
Pros
- Compact and easy to set up with just one cable
- Excellent dialogue reproduction
- Tried-and-true user-friendly Roku experience with built-in streaming capabilities
- Side-firing speakers create a large sound image
- 5.1 audio processing allows for later hardware upgrades (subwoofer, surround speakers)
Cons
- Lacks bass and mid-bass in movies and music
- No dedicated music mode
What makes it stand out:
The Roku Streambar delivers impressive vocal clarity that makes dialogue easy to understand -- a standout feature often only available in high-end speakers. Its compact 14-inch design is remarkably easy to set up with just one cable and creates a surprisingly wide sound image thanks to its side-firing wide speakers. The bar's capabilities and user interface offer the tried-and-true Roku experience with excellent 4K HDR streaming. While its small size may inhibit bass and volume production, the Streambar makes up for it with excellent sound for dialogue and an ability to fill a room that belies its tiny footprint.
Perfect for these listeners:
The Roku Streambar is ideal for budget-conscious viewers who want to upgrade both their TV's sound and streaming capabilities without spending a lot. It's perfect for people with smaller spaces who need a compact audio solution that won't dominate their TV setup or overwhelm their room with sound. The Streambar particularly shines for those who primarily watch speech-heavy content like news and dramas, as it performs naturally with dialogue and provides articulation that makes it easy to follow. Those looking to upgrade their surround sound will appreciate the upgradable system, where users can later add Roku's wireless subwoofer and surround speakers or the Walmart-exclusive Onn products.
Consider alternatives if:
Movie enthusiasts expecting theater-like sound will be disappointed by its bass response, while music listeners will find some songs sound hollow despite its excellent vocal articulation. While adding the $130 Onn subwoofer helps significantly, that expansion doubles your investment. If, like many people, you already own a quality streaming device, half of what you're paying for on the Streambar becomes redundant. The Streambar also has limited connectivity, with just an optical digital input and HDMI with audio return channel capability, requiring you to use your TV as a switcher for game consoles and other devices.
Pros
- Immersive sound with DTS Virtual:X that emulates a surround system
- Versatile connectivity with four ports and Bluetooth compatibility
- Powerful bass and expressive midrange with 2.1 channel audio
- Four EQ presets for varied listening
Cons
- Subwoofer is small and not very articulate
- Voice assistant connection not super useful and difficult to operate
- Some sound distortion at louder volumes
What makes it stand out:
The Vizio 2.1 Soundbar (SV210M) is a great soundbar, especially for the money. This stereo soundbar's modern design with rounded edges is paired with a wireless subwoofer that's so small it should be easy to find a place for it. Despite its compact 30-inch width, the Vizio delivers room-filling sound -- if I closed my eyes, I couldn't tell where the speaker was, which is an achievement for a budget model. For music and movies, this soundbar is all that many people will need. The tiny sub can put out some hurt when needed, handling explosions with impressive power. It’s an absolute winner.
Perfect for these listeners:
The Vizio 2.1 is ideal for anyone with a limited space and budget thanks to its compact soundbar and wireless subwoofer for under $200. Music lovers will appreciate how naturally and fun it reproduces songs while still being able to hit deep bass notes. Movie dialogue positively sizzles and sound effect reproduction is raw and untamed (in a good way). For music and movies, the Vizio 2.1 Soundbar is all that many people will need, with impressively-performing listening modes for both.
Consider alternatives if:
If you have an older TV without HDMI connections, you'll need to look elsewhere; The Vizio 2.1 lacks analog or optical connections. Home theater enthusiasts seeking true Dolby Atmos effects will be disappointed -- while it can read Dolby Atmos and DTS signals, it can't produce genuine height effects. The soundbar also lacks a physical remote control, offloading setting changes to the Vizio Mobile app, which requires a Bluetooth connection first. Audiophiles who prefer a "direct mode" for music listening should note that the soundbar bounces sound off your walls even when set to Music mode.
Pros
- Innovative motorized speakers rotate up with Dolby Atmos/DTS:X signal
- Excellent, loud sound with 13 main drivers and wireless subwoofer
- Plenty of connections with six ports and Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Spotify Connect and Chromecast capabilities
Cons
- Difficult setup and use
- Surround cables are short and hard to place
- Lacks built-in voice assistant and Apple AirPlay
What makes it stand out:
The Vizio Elevate is a revolutionary 5.1.4 Dolby Atmos soundbar that tries something radically new: motorized speakers that rise up and revolve according to whether you're listening to music or a compatible movie. The craziest part is, it actually works! This soundbar is a sturdy, well-built unit with a two-tone finish -- part thick vinyl wrap and part gun-metal aluminum. The main speaker has a whopping 13 drivers, including a dedicated center channel and five tweeters in total.
Perfect for these listeners:
The Vizio Elevate is perfect for serious home theater enthusiasts who want immersive sound without having to set up a traditional receiver-based system. It's ideal for those who value both movie and music performance equally, as the Elevate excelled with both types of content. The system claims 107 decibels of output, able to fill even the largest living spaces with sound. Connectivity options are excellent with two separate HDMI inputs, an HDMI eARC output, optical digital input, 3.5mm analog audio, USB and Bluetooth. The Elevate also connects to your network via Wi-Fi and supports Spotify Connect and Chromecast built-in. Home theater enthusiasts who want to mount their equipment will appreciate the included wall-mount bracket. The Elevate represents a significant step up from Vizio's more affordable models, offering refined performance for those willing to invest in premium sound.
Consider alternatives if:
Budget-conscious shoppers will find the price tag steep, while people with small rooms might struggle with the system's massive size. Similarly, those with complex room layouts might have issues with the surround speaker cables, which at 30 feet may be too short for some installations. The system lacks Apple AirPlay support, making it less attractive for Apple ecosystem devotees. Setup can be complicated and isn't helped by the confusing remote, with both Effect and EQ options performing similar tasks. Users who prefer voice assistants built into their soundbar will need to look elsewhere, as the Elevate lacks this feature. Finally, those concerned about mechanical reliability might worry about the rotating speakers becoming a weak point down the road.
Pros
- Unmatched sound with 13 drivers, including five high-fidelity tweeters and six long-throw woofers
- Great connectivity with six ports including HDMI eARC and Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Google Chromecast
- Same price as buying separate receiver and speakers, but more compact
- Unique calibration microphone determines acoustics of room for best possible surround effects
Cons
- Very, very expensive
- No subwoofer included
- Not great with music (too midrange-forward)
- Massive size won't fit under most TVs
What makes it stand out:
The Sennheiser Ambeo is the best surround experience I've had from a single speaker. I don't know what kind of black magic this is, but you should hear it for yourself. While competitive soundbars like the Sony made movie dialogue sound big and atmospheric, the Sennheiser sounded both big and precise. Without rears, the Sennheiser made voices hover over the top of my head -- I've never heard anything seem behind me on any system, at any price.
Perfect for these listeners:
The Ambeo is perfect for serious home theater enthusiasts who value cutting-edge surround sound technology and want the absolute best performance from a single soundbar without the hassle of separate speakers. The Ambeo's precision with surround effects and dialogue clarity make it excellent for movie lovers who want to hear every detail in soundtracks. It's also great for those who want to future-proof their system, as it supports newer functionality such as HDMI eARC, unlike some competitive models. People who enjoy genres like blues and folk music will find the Ambeo performs especially well with these musical styles. For those who want to be at the very apex of cutting-edge surround sound from a single bar, the Sennheiser Ambeo is where you'll want to be.
Consider alternatives if:
Despite its impressive surround performance, the Sennheiser Ambeo isn't for everyone. Budget-conscious shoppers should look elsewhere, as there are excellent Atmos soundbars available for a fraction of the price. The Ambeo underperforms with music, exhibiting a midrange-forward sound that makes harsh music sound harsher, especially in the dedicated music mode. The Ambeo also lacks dynamic heft and deep bass, making explosive movie sound effects sound somewhat inconsequential. While adding a subwoofer can give the speaker more authority, it also pushes the system cost to around $4,000. Those who want features like Bluetooth output for wireless headphones or a headphone jack will be disappointed, as neither is included despite the premium price.
Pros
- Excellent sound with two midwoofers and two tweeters that have waveguide to focus high frequencies outward
- Compact, attractive design that comes in two colors (black and white)
- Simple connection and easy setup
- Unmatched multi-room system for all-over sound
Cons
- No HDMI connection
- Lacks extra features like voice assistant or Dolby Atmos capability
- No designated remote control (must control with phone or TV remote)
What makes it stand out:
The Sonos Ray is the closest thing yet to a Sonos One speaker in soundbar form, and that's high praise. Despite its compact 22-inch width and simple design, the Ray delivers sound that belies its physical dimensions. The key to this performance lies in its proprietary tweeters with waveguides that focus high frequencies outwards, allowing it to produce a surprisingly wide soundstage. The vocals sound super crisp, and both the highs and bass are full. It delivers a tight, contained sound and offers respectable dialog reproduction. At $279, it's part of the exciting trend toward affordable audio gear that actually sounds good.
Perfect for these listeners:
The Sonos Ray is ideal for those who primarily use their soundbar for music, as it performs particularly well with this content, sometimes even outshining the more expensive Sonos Beam. The Ray makes a perfect complement to a bedroom TV and would also work well to upgrade a television in a smaller living room. Those who want to start building a Sonos multiroom system will find the Ray an excellent entry point, as it includes all the streaming capabilities that make Sonos the gold standard of multiroom speakers. It offers dozens of streaming services and connections with Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect. People who prefer simplicity will appreciate the straightforward optical connection and lack of unnecessary features.
Consider alternatives if:
The Sonos Ray isn't for everyone, particularly those looking for the most bang for their buck in pure home theater performance. The Ray lacks HDMI connectivity, which seems an odd omission given that almost every new soundbar -- even the $80 ones -- now includes an HDMI port. While most TVs have an optical output, this connection limits the soundbar to Dolby Digital sound formats. The Ray also doesn't include a voice assistant like Alexa or Google Assistant built in (though you can control it using a separate smart speaker). Those seeking powerful bass effects should consider alternatives with separate subwoofers, as the Ray sounds positively anemic compared to speaker systems. The Speech Enhancement feature is also quite subtle compared to competitors, which offer numerous levels of voice enhancement and are more effective for making dialog more understandable.
Pros
- Ultra-affordable option
- Tiny, industrial design that's user-friendly and perfect for small spaces
- Four ports, including USB for MP3s and Bluetooth connectivity
- Clear sound with available bass and treble adjustments
Cons
- Lacks true low-bass and stereo separation
- Limited sound projection and volume due to smaller size
What makes it stand out:
The Creative Stage delivers a compelling mix of sound quality and features at an ultra-affordable price. It includes both a separate subwoofer and an HDMI ARC input -- something unheard of at this price. The system comes with a comprehensive remote control, which includes four sound modes and independent volume control for the sub. The Creative's separate sub really helps bring out the best in movies and video games, and while it may not be the most articulate model, it's relatively deep. When set to gaming mode, the Creative system was able to keep up with gunfire, explosions and spatial cues without folding into a hard ball of distortion.
Perfect for these listeners:
The Creative Stage is especially well-suited for PC gamers who want to make every penny count. It truly excels as a desktop or gaming system, creating a better stereo image at 3 versus 6 feet. Its compact dimensions make it ideal for smaller spaces and TVs for those on a tight budget -- its sound will trounce the built-in speakers of just about any TV. The connectivity options make it versatile for various setups: it includes Bluetooth wireless, an optical input, HDMI ARC and even a USB port for playing MP3s from an external drive. People sharing walls or floors with neighbors will appreciate the ability to independently adjust the subwoofer volume for more considerate listening.
Consider alternatives if:
Those looking for a primary TV soundbar for average to large living rooms should look elsewhere, as the Stage doesn't play as loud as you might want in a living room environment. Due to the physical length restrictions of the cabinet, it offers little stereo separation when heard from a couch -- it's all vocals and mostly mono at that distance. The subwoofer is tethered by an 8-foot cable that, while perfect for going under a desk, isn't long enough to be effective when placed alongside a couch in a living room setup. Music enthusiasts might find the Creative less engaging than competitors. While the Creative does well with movies and TV shows compared to systems without a soundbar, it can't compete with competitors’ ability to go much louder without losing control.
Pros
- Excellent stereo soundstage with Dolby Digital 5.1 surround
- All-in-one unit doesn't need a separate subwoofer
- Feature-packed including Amazon Alexa or Google voice assistant and multi-room music system
- Calibration system tunes sound output based on room for perfect sound balance
Cons
- Single HDMI eARC port limits Dolby Atmos connections for older entertainment systems
- More expensive than other single-bar competitors
- No Bluetooth streaming or full EQ adjustment
- No designated remote control (must use TV remote or phone)
What makes it stand out:
At 45 inches wide, the Arc is long and sleek, with a beautifully curved cabinet available in black or white. It looks and feels like a premium product, complete with a mesh grill and touch-based controls. It boasts a sophisticated sound system with eight elliptical woofers including upfiring drivers for Dolby Atmos effects and three precisely angled silk-dome tweeters. Despite being a single unit without a subwoofer, the Arc produces surprisingly deep bass -- I never felt like I needed a subwoofer with it. For movies, the Arc creates a super-wide soundstage with impressive height effects.
Perfect for these listeners:
The Sonos Arc is perfect for those looking for a feature-packed premium soundbar that doesn't compromise on sound quality or require the complexity of multiple speakers. It's ideal for audiophiles who want excellent musical performance along with immersive movie sound. The Arc works seamlessly with Sonos' superb multiroom music system and includes built-in Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant for hassle-free voice control. The Arc is particularly well-suited for newer homes with 4K TVs that can pass through Dolby Digital Plus for streaming Atmos content. If your shoplist includes a single "smart" sound bar that does Dolby Atmos, then the Sonos Arc is the model to beat.
Consider alternatives if:
Budget-conscious shoppers should look elsewhere, as the price tag is significantly higher than competing Atmos soundbars. Those with older TVs may face compatibility issues -- if you have a pre-2016 1080p TV, you won't get Dolby Atmos at all. Even more demanding are 4K Blu-ray discs, which require an eARC port to deliver their high-bandwidth version of Atmos to the Arc. Setup can be complicated -- even with newer TVs, getting Atmos to work properly might require adjustments to TV settings. Those who frequently use Bluetooth to stream music from their phones will be disappointed by its absence (though the Arc does support AirPlay and Spotify Connect).
Pros
- Excellent sound in a compact size with articulate, punchy subwoofer
- Feature-packed, including Amazon Alexa and six media-specific presets (music, TV, movie, sports, gaming and stereo)
- Onboard DTS Virtual:X for simulated surround effects
- Easy setup and use with companion Yamaha Sound Bar Controller app and intuitive, large remote
Cons
- Uses LED lights that are difficult to read instead of on-screen display
- Surround sound is just OK, with only two channels of drivers
What makes it stand out:
The Yamaha YAS-209 is everything I expect from a midpriced soundbar: ease of use, powerful output levels and an ability to replay both movies and music to a high standard. The implementation of DTS Virtual creates an immersive experience with movies. With music, the Yamaha provides better separation of instruments and a broader stereo effect (in its Stereo mode) compared to competitors. The wireless subwoofer demonstrates better articulation with music tracks, avoiding the bloated sound some competitors produce. As Yamaha's first smart speaker, it implements Amazon Alexa effectively -- the microphones work well even in loud environments, able to hear commands without shouting.
Perfect for these listeners:
The YAS-209 is ideal for those seeking a mid-range soundbar with excellent performance for both movies and music. Home theater enthusiasts will appreciate the DTS Virtual for simulated surround effects from a single bar, plus the media-specific presets: Music, TV program, Movie, Sports, Game and Stereo. Those who want connectivity options will find HDMI, optical digital and Bluetooth, plus Ethernet and Wi-Fi for Spotify Connect and Alexa support. Budget-conscious shoppers who still want premium sound will appreciate that it delivers value that justifies its price. It's perfect for people who want the convenience of voice control, as it incorporates two microphones for use with Amazon Alexa. The fact that you can ask Alexa for a song -- and have it sound better than pretty much any smaller smart speaker -- makes it particularly appealing for music lovers who've embraced smart home technology.
Consider alternatives if:
Users invested in the Apple or Google ecosystem will be disappointed, as the Yamaha only works with Amazon Alexa. There's also no AirPlay 2 or built-in Chromecast. The subwoofer is quite large at roughly 16 inches square and 7.5 inches wide, making it potentially intrusive in smaller spaces. Those who prefer visual feedback when adjusting settings might be frustrated by the lack of an onscreen display and the tiny LEDs on top that are too small to see from across the room. Finally, music purists might note that its Music mode adds reverb to vocals and less separation between instruments than its Stereo mode, and it can sound slightly compressed during complex musical passages.
What We Updated: April 2025
We moved the Vizio M512a-H6 soundbar out of our top picks and to the "other products we've tested" section. We also added more detail to our listicles and information on how we test soundbars.
Compare soundbars
Compare the best soundbars based on size, audio channels, subwoofer inclusion, power output, connectivity options and supported audio formats.
| Product | Size | Number of Channels | Subwoofer | Peak Power | Connections | Supported Audio Formats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roku Streambar | 14.0 x 4.2 x 2.4 inches | 2.0 | Available Seperately | 64 watts | USB, Optical, HDMI, Bluetooth | Dolby Digital |
| Vizio SV210M | 36.0 x 3.28 x 2.24 inches | 2.1 | Yes | 80 watts | HDMI, Optical, AUX, USB, Bluetooth | Dolby Atmos, DTS Virtual:X |
| Vizio Elevate | 41.38 x 4.73 x 2.60 inches | 5.1.4 | Yes | 500 watts | HDMI, WiFi, Bluetooth, Optical, AUX, USB | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS, DTS:X, DTS-HD MA |
| Sennheiser Ambeo Max | 49.80 x 6.73 x 5.31 inches | 5.1.4 | Available Seperately | 500 watts | WiFi, AUX, RCA, Bluetooth, HDMI | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS, DTS:X, DTS-HD MA |
| Sonos Ray | 22.0 x 3.74 x 2.79 inches | 2.0 | Available Seperately | 55 watts | Optical, Ethernet, WiFi | Dolby Digital, DTS |
| Creative Stage | 16.14 x 4.25 x 2.68 inches | 2.1 | Yes | 160 watts | HDMI, Optical, AUX, Bluetooth | 2.0 PCM |
| Sonos Arc | 44.96 x 4.57 x 3.43 inches | 5.0.2 | Available Seperately | 110 watts | HDMI, Ethernet, WiFi | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS |
| Yamaha YAS-209 | 39.75 x 4.0 x 2.4 inches | 2.1 | Yes | 100 watts | Bluetooth, Optical, HDMI, WiFi | Dolby Digital, DTS |
Factors to consider when choosing a soundbar
Everyone's audio needs are different, so be sure to consider your unique preferences, space and listening habits. Use this guide to navigate the options and find the best soundbar for you. If you need a little extra help, check out my complete guide to how to buy a soundbar in 2025.
Budget Priorities
The most important consideration when choosing a soundbar is how much it costs, and I have found there are great soundbars at every price, starting at $100. If you're looking for more premium, feature-packed models, be prepared to spend a lot more -- upwards of $3,000. I do have one rule of thumb: Once the price of a soundbar exceeds $500, you may find it more worthwhile to save for an AV receiver and speakers.
Determine your budget by deciding which features matter most to you. If you're a movie buff, consider splurging on features like Dolby Atmos or wireless streaming to bring the theater experience home. Music lovers might prioritize high-fidelity audio reproduction and multi-room connectivity options to fill their space with sound. Gamers should look for soundbars with low latency modes and dedicated gaming presets that enhance dialogue clarity and directional audio cues.
Room Assessment
Consider your room's size and layout. Smaller spaces, like bedrooms and offices, might be overwhelmed by high-watt soundbars with deep bass. Single-bar systems are great for smaller rooms and TVs, as their length allows for built-in stereo sound while still being compact. Larger rooms or home theater setups will benefit from more robust soundbars with additional speakers and subwoofers to produce that booming surround sound.
Also think about where you'll place it -- will it sit on an entertainment console, be mounted on a wall or fit beneath your TV? Be sure that your soundbar can physically fit in the desired space by checking the dimensions and mounting capabilities.
Use the following guide to see which soundbar length we recommend for each TV size:
| Speaker length (in inches) | Recommended TV screen size |
|---|---|
| 12 | Any |
| 38 to 45 | 42-inch to 50-inch |
| 50 | 55-inch to 65-inch |
| 60 | 70-inch and larger |
Audio Format Compatibility
Match your soundbar's audio format to the content you enjoy most. Here are a few of the most important audio formats and their use cases to consider when choosing a soundbar:
- Dolby Atmos for 3D soundscapes with height channels that create immersive experiences perfect for movie buffs
- DTS for object-based audio that adapts to your specific speaker setup, ideal for home theater enthusiasts
- PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) for uncompressed digital audio commonly found on Blu-ray discs and gaming consoles
- Dolby Digital 5.1 for traditional surround sound with five speakers and a subwoofer, the standard for DVD content
- Bluetooth audio codecs (AAC, aptX, LDAC) for wireless streaming with varying levels of quality, essential for music streaming from mobile devices
Check your TV's connection options (HDMI ARC/eARC, optical) to ensure compatibility with the soundbar you choose.
How CNET tests soundbars
At the AV Lab in New York City, I test soundbars head to head with a variety of reference equipment.
CNET follows a rigorous, unbiased evaluation process for all of its soundbar testing. In the CNET AV Lab, I do comparative testing, pitting similar soundbars against each other side by side.
I evaluate the sound performance of each soundbar with several different types of content, including movies, music, TV shows and games. I use several test scenes, mainly from action movies, including the opening of Mad Max: Fury Road for playback of the spatial audio standard Dolby Atmos for soundbars that support it. I also use the Thanator attack scene of Avatar (26.53) to test a system's dynamics and detail retrieval.
CNET's dedicated audio lab in downtown New York includes a selection of recent televisions (with HDMI eARC), plus Apple TV 4K streamer and Roku Ultra streamer, a Microsoft Xbox Series X and an Oppo UDP-205 4K Blu-ray player. I also use Roon music software to stream to individual devices or the Oppo player as needed.
From top: Sony UXP-700 Blu-ray player, AVPro 8x8 4K UHD Matrix Switch and Oppo BDP-203 Blu-ray player.
When it comes to music, I use several CNET test tracks, which you can find here in a Tidal or Spotify playlist. Tracks such as Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds' Red Right Hand, with its deep bass notes and tenor vocals, help determine a system's ability to track male voices in particular, without sounding congested. The song also helps with uncovering hidden details and the relative dynamics a speaker is capable of. Using both types of content -- movies and music -- I then grade the sound quality of each soundbar. I evaluate characteristics such as speech clarity, dynamics/volume, bass response and musical playback.
My reviews also account for things like features, design and value. Here's a quick breakdown of our testing categories for more details on what I'm looking for:
| Subrating Category | Weight | What we looked for |
|---|---|---|
| Design | 25% | Assessment of build quality, aesthetics, size relative to TVs, remote functionality, display readability, and placement flexibility (wall-mountable, low profile, etc.). |
| Features | 25% | Evaluation of audio format support, connectivity options, wireless capabilities, room calibration, voice assistant integration, and specialized modes like night listening or dialogue enhancement. |
| Sound | 25% | Overall audio performance across movies, music, and games. We test clarity, bass response, maximum volume without distortion, and surround sound accuracy in various room sizes. |
| Value | 25% | Analysis of overall performance and features relative to price point compared with similar models in the same category. Higher-priced models must deliver proportionally better experiences. |
Other soundbars we've tested
JBL Bar 500 ($600): Alongside Klipsch, JBL has long had a reputation for being a rock 'n' roll brand with a big sound and even bigger cabinets. During my tests, the JBL Bar 500 fulfilled both parts of the brief by pairing excellent sound with one of the largest subwoofers I've ever seen with a soundbar. Yet, while it includes both HDMI and networked music streaming, the JBL is missing Dolby Atmos height speakers -- which is disappointing for the price. You can save yourself a lot of money by getting the even bigger-sounding Klipsch Cinema 400 instead.
Polk Signa S3 ($300): If you're looking for a speaker that can do music as well as play the latest episode of The Last of Us, then the Polk Audio Signa S3 has a lot to offer. It's great for accessing streaming services, as it has Chromecast built-in in addition to Bluetooth and an HDMI input. Read my Polk Signa S3 review.
Sony HT-S2000 ($298): Better in some ways than the competition and worse in others, the Sony HT-S2000 boasts a better bass response than the Sonos Beam. For its original price of $500 it missed a lot of the features of its single-bar competition, namely Dolby Atmos compatibility and Wi-Fi streaming. Can now be found on sale for closer to $300. See how it stacks up against the Sonos Beam in our Sony HT-S2000 Soundbar vs. Sonos Beam review.
ZVOX SB500 ($400): If you're looking for a single audio bar that's even cheaper than the Sonos Arc, the Zvox SB500 is a great option for people who still prize sound quality. This speaker offers multiple sound mode options, tighter bass and better sound than most other single-speaker options. While it may lack the Sonos' Wi-Fi streaming, the Zvox still includes Bluetooth connectivity for streaming audio from your phone or tablet. Read the Zvox SB500 review.
