For a TV whose dialogue gets lost, the best soundbar depends on room size, budget and ports: compact for small rooms, wireless subwoofer for movies, and a connection your TV supports.
Soundbars sit inside a wider audio decision, and the guide on how to choose headphones, earbuds and speakers covers the alternatives when a bar is not the right fit.
- Movies in a living room: choose a bar with a wireless subwoofer.
- Bedroom or small space: choose a compact bar and measure the TV stand first.
- Tight budget: start with the under $300 bracket and move up only if a specific feature is missing.
How this shortlist is built
The shortlist is organised by documented channel layout, connection standards, physical size and price tier, because those four attributes decide whether a soundbar suits a given room and TV. Brand reputation and marketing language matter less than what the spec sheet states.
The review database at RTINGS reports 256 soundbars bought and tested, and it filters them by price, size, subwoofer, Dolby Atmos and channel layout. Those filters mirror the decisions below, so the table that follows maps each need to the matching category. RTINGS also notes that it may earn an affiliate commission on purchases, which is worth remembering when reading any review list.
| Your situation | Category to browse | Planning use |
|---|---|---|
| Movies and music with weight | Subwoofer | Allow floor space beside the TV stand for a separate unit. |
| Bedroom, desk or apartment | Small | Compare the bar’s listed width with the TV stand before ordering. |
| Fixed budget | Under $100, $200, $300 and $500 brackets | Pick the bracket first, then compare features within it. |
| Overhead sound effects | Dolby Atmos | Confirm the TV and source devices can pass the format along. |
| Surround-style layout | 5.1 channel | Check whether rear speakers are included and where they would sit. |
These categories come from the filter list on the RTINGS soundbar reviews page.
Best soundbar with subwoofer for movie nights
A wireless subwoofer is the strongest upgrade for film soundtracks and bass-heavy music, because it moves low-frequency work out of the slim bar and into a dedicated box. It suits medium to large living rooms where a bar alone tends to sound thin during action scenes.
RTINGS keeps a separate subwoofer category, which makes it easy to shortlist bars sold with one. The trade-off is space and cabling. A wireless sub still needs a mains socket, and it needs a floor position that does not block furniture or sit hard against a wall. Renters and anyone with a very narrow TV unit may prefer a bar with no separate unit.
Best soundbar for a small room
A compact bar is the right choice for a bedroom, study or small flat, where a large bar and subwoofer would overwhelm the space and the TV stand. RTINGS lists a dedicated small category for this reason.
Width is the deciding spec. Read the manufacturer’s dimensions and compare them with the TV stand or the gap beneath a wall-mounted screen. In a small room, a bar without a subwoofer is often enough, because less space needs filling. If a portable, battery-powered option appeals more than a fixed bar, the guide to the best bluetooth speakers covers that alternative.
Best soundbar under $300
A good soundbar under $300 is realistic, since RTINGS organises its reviews into brackets for under $100, $200, $300 and $500. That structure shows how much choice exists at each spend level, including budget bars with a subwoofer.
Treat the brackets as a way to compare like with like. Within one bracket, rank bars by the attributes that matter in your room: a subwoofer for movies, compact width for a small space, or the right ports for your TV. Stepping up to the next bracket only makes sense when a specific feature is missing, such as a subwoofer or Dolby Atmos support. Paying more without a named reason rarely fixes weak dialogue.
Dolby Atmos and channel configuration
Dolby Atmos is a surround format built around overhead effects, and RTINGS lists Atmos soundbars as their own category. Channel configuration describes how many speaker positions the bar provides, and RTINGS also has a 5.1 channel category.
In names such as 5.1, the figure before the decimal point counts the main channels and the figure after it counts the subwoofer channel. A bar that lists more channels aims for a wider, more enveloping soundstage, but it generally costs more and needs more room to work. Atmos suits viewers who watch films or streaming content mixed in that format and have a reasonably normal ceiling. In a small room, a simple stereo-style bar may serve better than a feature-heavy one.
Premium and named models worth comparing
Three models appear among the soundbars RTINGS reviews and are useful comparison points: the Klipsch Flexus Core 300, the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 and the Ultimea Skywave X100 Dual.
- Klipsch Flexus Core 300: suits buyers who want a fuller system and are ready to read the spec sheet for channel layout and included components.
- Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5: a sensible check for owners of a recent Sony TV, though compatibility should be confirmed on the manufacturer’s page.
- Ultimea Skywave X100 Dual: worth including when comparing value-focused options against the brackets above.
For each, open the manufacturer’s spec sheet and note the channel layout, whether a subwoofer is included, the listed dimensions and the ports before comparing price at retailers. Retail prices move, so the bracket a model falls in can change.
Connections and ports
The connection between soundbar and TV decides whether the setup is a single-cable job or a compromise. The usual options are an HDMI ARC or eARC port and an optical port, and both the TV and the bar need to offer the one you plan to use.
Check the TV’s rear panel before buying. If the TV labels an HDMI port for eARC, that is generally the cleanest route, particularly for richer formats such as Dolby Atmos. If the TV has only an optical output, confirm that the bar accepts it, and expect that route to suit simpler stereo or surround setups better.
Setup and everyday control
Daily convenience comes down to remote control. Many TVs can pass volume commands to a bar over the HDMI connection, which means one remote can handle both, but this depends on the specific TV and bar pairing.
If the bar’s own remote is fiddly, or if late-night quiet matters more than room-filling sound, a headset can be the better answer for gaming sessions, and the guide to the best gaming headset covers that route.
Decision checklist
- Measure the space. Note the TV stand width and any floor space available for a subwoofer.
- Set the price bracket. Choose among the under $100, $200, $300 and $500 tiers.
- Check the TV’s ports. Look for an eARC-labelled HDMI port or an optical output.
- Pick the layout. Decide between a bar alone, a bar with a wireless subwoofer, or a 5.1 or Atmos system.
- Read the spec sheet. Confirm channel layout and dimensions on the manufacturer’s page before buying.
Frequently asked questions
Is a subwoofer necessary?
No. A bar alone improves on built-in TV speakers, especially in small rooms. A subwoofer matters most for film soundtracks and music in larger spaces.
Which soundbar is best for a small room?
A compact bar from the small category, matched to the width of the TV stand, usually fits best. A bar without a separate subwoofer is typically enough in a bedroom.
Can I get a good soundbar under $300?
Yes. RTINGS tracks an under $300 bracket, alongside under $100, $200 and $500, so there is a tested pool to compare within that budget.
Does Dolby Atmos matter for a soundbar?
It matters if you watch content mixed in that format and want overhead effects. Otherwise, channel layout, size and ports will do more for everyday listening.
