The best soundbars of 2025 will transform your TV's audio for the better. Whether you're watching a blockbuster movie or listening to music, a soundbar or surround system will boost the sound, pump up the bass, and could give you a more immersive experience, too.
The best TVs of 2025 are often super slender – and while their panels can mean stunning visuals, this slim nature often means you lose out on sound quality. That's exactly why a soundbar pairing is an essential upgrade for most living rooms.
Whether you're looking for a fully immersive surround system with multiple boxes, a soundbar and subwoofer combination, or a single-box solution, there are options for all – and at every budget. We've got six of the best on this page, ranging from around £200 to £1,500.
There are some additional brand-specific features to keep in mind, however, which is why we've got separate best soundbar for Samsung TVs and best soundbar for LG TVs features. But if you're not aligned to any one TV brand, then here are the best soundbar options available today.
T3's Top 3
Best surround system
A massive soundbar with multiple channels, plus separate sub and rear speakers, this surround system will deliver the very best Dolby Atmos immersion. It's also the best option for Samsung TVs as it can pair with Q-Symphony technology.
Best for most people
A single-box solution (no sub included here – the Sub Mini is sold separately), this well-proportioned soundbar delivers great audio – it's great with other Sonos multi-room products too – and while there's no HDMI passthrough it's an ideal all-rounder for most.
Best premium
This single-box solution sounds absolutely massive – you’ll think there’s a subwoofer hiding somewhere, as the bass output is so significant. Its style might not suit everyone, though, but it's also one of the biggest reasons to love this soundbar too!
T3's Tech Editor, Mike covers all things audio-visual, including the best soundbars and surround systems. He's been doing so for over 13 years, and has experienced many dozens of solutions during that time.
The best soundbars you can buy in 2025
Update 16 October: Added Marshall Heston 120 to Top 3, adjusting position for Sonos Arc Ultra, and removing the 'Best for LG' specific to reside in Best Soundbars for LG TVs only. Update 15 October: Removed Yamaha SR-C20A as 'best small soundbar' for availability reasons; swapped for the Sonos Ray, given its now lower price point and small size. Update 3 July: Sonos Arc Ultra added to reflect its T3 Awards win for Best Soundbar. Changed 'Best for LG' to S95TR. Added 'Honourable Mentions' to consider too.
1. Best surround system
Samsung's flagship is not only the best at delivering Dolby Atmos for truly immersive surround sound, it's also the T3 2024 Award Winner for Best Soundbar. It's the best soundbar for Samsung TVs, too, thanks to Q Symphony compatibility pairing with relevant Samsung TVs' speakers.
The Q990D does demand a chunk of space though: that's because it comprises a large soundbar with a separate subwoofer, plus two rear speaker units. It's worth that sacrifice, though, as the wirelessly communication and 11.1.4 channel configuration means truly immersive sound with great Dolby Atmos delivery.
Where this model also levels up over its HW-Q990C predecessor is by adding HDMI 2.1 passthrough for next-gen consoles (and other devices) to benefit at 4K/120Hz. That's what makes the Q990D, as we said in our review, "a peerless soundbar system", especially for those wanting the best surround sound without a separate amp system.
2. Best for most people
Sonos is well known for its speakers first and foremost – but this second-gen Sonos Beam is just as excellent at handling music, as it is in handling movies as a superb soundbar. It's a one-box solution, so no separate sub included, which makes it nice and simple to connect and the best option for most people.
It's not a gigantic soundbar and there's no HDMI passthrough – that's why the larger and more advanced Sonos Arc is the top-tier Sonos pick, but it's far pricier – but for simple plug-and-play brilliance (there is eARC here), the sound upgrade the Sonos Beam Gen 2 brings to the party is undeniable.
As said in our Sonos Beam 2 review: "the sound quality for smaller TVs is just fantastic". So if you're disappointed by your TV's audio this is a significant upgrade, and it's the soundbar we'd recommend to most buyers (unless you've got one of the best 65-inch TVs or larger, which will need something bigger).
3. Best premium
There's hot competition between the Marshall and Sonos' Arc Ultra, both of which are fantastic, but it's the Heston 120's style that give it that foot up – a soundbar that's able to stand out for visual reasons, without compromising its audio abilities.
This single-box solution – there's a sub output if you wish to add one later – delivers huge sound, can decode Dolby Atmos and DTS:X three-dimensional formats for an immersive sensation, and there's fully up-to-date HDMI passthrough (4K/120Hz) which the Sonos lacks.
As said in our Marshall Heston 120 review: "Marshall's first-ever foray into the TV audio market doesn't lose sight of its musical history, while embracing all the mod cons that make it such a master for movies too. Sure, the design may prove divisive... However, the Heston 120's bass response is seismic, its control over width and height generates a gigantic soundstage, and its handling of Dolby Atmos will take on even the best of its well-oiled rivals."
Any downsides? Well, its look is as much its upsell as its downsell. You might not love the look, the Sonos would integrate into more 'normal' setups, and Marshall lacks any remote control handset (there's the physical on-device controls that are awesome, though) or on-device display. All of which aren't reason enough to not consider it!
4. Best Sonos
While the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) is the best soundbar for most people, it's the Sonos Arc Ultra that really steps up a level, delivering huge sound, convincing Dolby Atmos, and big bass – all from a single-box solution.
Yep, that's right, the Ultra doesn't feature a subwoofer or any surrounds, but you can add those into your system later via other Sonos product purchases. Not that you'll need to, as it sound stellar straight out of the box. But it's nice to know you can further it.
As said in our Sonos Arc Ultra review: "Arguably the best-sounding single-box soundbar on the market right now, delivering five-star audio and giving a decent bash at immersion through virtual surround processing. As an upgrade over the original Arc its bigger bass profile, clearer vocal presentation, and broader soundstage all make it worthwhile."
Any downsides? It has only a single HDMI port, with no passthrough, so you'll lose an HDMI port from your TV when connecting it. And if your TV doesn't decode or passthrough Dolby Atmos itself, then you won't actually be able to make full use of this soundbar's potential.
But, judging on audio quality alone, this is a 5-star monster that's hard to argue with. So much so, that this Sonos Arc Ultra 'bar won the T3 Award for Best Soundbar in 2025.
4. Best budget option
If the Sonos above isn't appealing and you're pining for a subwoofer to be included in your soundbar package then look no further: the Denon DHT-S316 is a two-box solution for a snip of the price. That makes it our favourite budget offering right now.
As said in our Denon DHT-S316 review: this two-piece package "definitely bears consideration in the world of best soundbar options for smaller and sensible sums of money". And it's really the price that's the winning point about this product.
Sure, there's lots of competition out there, and you're not going to get Dolby with as convincing a surround presence (but it is supported!), but when cash is king the Denon does exactly what it needs and will be a crowd pleaser.
6. Best for small screens
If you're looking for a great cheap soundbar that's perfectly matched to smaller screens, then your journey has just ended. The audio quality from Sonos' smallest soundbar is excellent for the price (now it's dropped!) adding so much more balance, clarity and depth than any budget TV speakers could hope to produce.
Despite this soundbar not being even as wide as your average 32-inch TV (meaning it's just as at home with monitors as TVs), the sound has really impressive width. Do note, however, that you cannot connect via HDMI – it's optical only – which could be a big limiting factor for some.
As said in our Sonos Ray review: "Anyone already in the Sonos ecosystem who requires a smaller soundbar can consider the Ray a no-brainer. It’s a diverting option for non-Sonos folk too, with its robust and organised sound being a big plus." That said, don't expect giant bass – but you could add a Sonos Sub and two Sonos Era 100 speakers for a full 5.1 surround setup at a later stage.
Honourable Mentions
LG S95TR: If you specifically have an LG TV then this will work in harmony with the TV's speakers for more pronounced height, making it ideal. If you don't own an LG, however, then the above Top 3 picks are likely the better solutions for you.
Sonos Arc: While the Ultra version gets our approval, its predecessor can be picked up for a little less – if you can find remaining stock. It's still an incredible single-box solution, with plenty of bass, without the need for a subwoofer. There's no HDMI passthrough, though, just one HDMI port.
Amazon Fire TV Soundbar: Amazon's first soundbar isn't the greatest sounding kit ever, but it's sell is its affordability. And when every penny counts, this could be a sensible purchase in an Amazon sale – it'll still improve weak TV audio, especially dialogue.
Yamaha SR-C20A: If you're looking for one of the best small soundbars – perhaps for a monitor rather than a TV; or a desktop PC gaming setup – then, should you be able to locate it, Yamaha's little offering is super for its size.
JBL Bar 1300: Great for flexibility, this soundbar's ends detach to act as surround speakers – but only for when the occasion calls for it. It's an incredibly immersive sonic experience with Dolby Atmos/DTS:X decoding.
Sony HT-A7000: A great solution for Dolby Atmos and perfect match for Sony TV owners who don't want to buy a Sonos. Best of all, it includes two HDMI inputs, as well as the HDMI connection to your TV, and it can pass through 4K HDR at up to 120Hz, meaning it's absolutely ideal for next-gen gamers. Its replacement, the Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9, is the next step in its evolution.
FAQs / How to choose the best soundbar
In this best soundbar guide I've presented more than out-and-out 'soundbars', because the included multi-box solutions are more surround sound systems. With that in mind, here's a summary of the most important factors to consider when buying:
Single or with subwoofer or added separates?
1. Many soundbars are single-box products, meaning just the one unit in front of your TV. No extra boxes, such as a subwoofer. However, that can limit their frequency range, especially at the bassier low-end. Certainly better than basic TV sound.
2. However, many soundbar packages include a subwoofer, as a separate box, which means you'll need the space for it and an extra plug socket available. Wireless connectivity is the norm, though, so connecting is easy. Subs vary in size and low-end ability, but make a huge difference for movies in particular.
3. Surround systems are the next step, with a number of soundbar products offering additional boxes for true surround – without the need for additional receivers or amplifiers. The Samsung Q990D and LG S95TR are such examples, but you'll need the extra space and sockets for the rear speakers.
3D audio: Dolby Atmos vs DTS X
While some soundbars offer left/right stereo output, many deliver three-dimensional audio – irrelevant of how many speakers or channels are involved in a product.
The two biggest formats you'll hear about are Dolby Atmos and (less commonly) DTS X. These can create side and overhead sound, whether by using psychoacoustic processing, and/or additional speakers.
If you choose a soundbar with rear speakers included, you'll get an even more immersive experience from these formats. It's the closest thing you'll get to having cinema sound at home.
Connectivity & Passthrough
Simple soundbars only have an optical connection, which you'll need to cable directly from your TV.
The more practical and modern solution, however, is an HDMI port. The latest eARC (enhanced audio-return channel) makes it simpler to connect for a quick-and-easy handshake and the utmost quality.
Advanced soundbars feature additional HDMI ports though. This allows for additional products to be plugged in – which is one way to expand beyond a TV's typical three or four slots.
Do note, however, that you'll want HDMI 2.1 to passthrough 4K at the 120Hz refresh rate, which is the highest current gaming standard (HDMI 2.0 will cater for 4K, but 60Hz instead). Some TVs now offer 144Hz and 165Hz, too.
To use your soundbar for music, most will also feature Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for streaming. Extras such as Spotify Connect, AirPlay 2, and Chromecast are a bonus for quickly accessing your music sources.
Some soundbars also have microphones with support for Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant voice control. This is increasingly less common from a privacy perspective, however, with most makers now opting for app-based connectivity to achieve this.
How we test the best soundbars
Our dedicated How We Test page tells you what you need to know about T3's testing process.
The 'FAQ' section above tells you about the importance of certain specifications in a soundbar. That's a major factor in our testing process too, from the HDMI ports on offer to their maximum passthrough ability.
When unboxing and setting up – another important part of the test process, as we live with products as if they're our own – we'll also analyse the number of speakers, the channel arrangement and power (if known), whether the soundbar can handle three-dimensional audio from Dolby Atmos to DTS X.
We also put soundbars into context with their nearest rivals, as per this guide. Whether in terms of current pricing, or how they compare sonically. That can make all the difference in a score or recommendation.
Audio performance is obviously a key area – and this is where our expertise comes in. As myriad reviewers listed on this page shows, T3 has extensive experience in audio products, so we know what sounds good and why.
We strive to be as consistent as possible in our testing, but as we do test in multiple environments – echoing the experience of any at-home reader – that is one consideration to variation in results and opinion.
Reviewer panel
I've reviewed soundbars for over a decade as part of my role as an AV editor. From my first-hand knowledge, to the other expert voices I've collated on this page, you can be assured that the soundbar picks in this guide are the very best available.
Simon is a technology journalist with a particular focus on A/V and home entertainment. Before contributing for T3 he was editor of What Hi-Fi? – a highly reputable industry publication (and sister title of T3) with independent testing facilities for AV products, such as soundbars.
Stephen is an A/V encyclopedia, with his knowledge extending over decades. He is a professional calibrator, with Level 2 certification with THX, the Imaging Science Foundation (ISF) and the Home Acoustics Alliance (HAA). He knows the ins and outs of soundbars, too, and has reviewed many of them over the years.