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.
The best TVs of 2025 are often super slender – and while their panels can mean stunning visuals, this slender nature often means you lose out on sound quality. That's exactly why a soundbar pairing is an essential upgrade.
Whether you're looking for a fully immersive surround system with multiple boxes, a soundbar and subwoofer combo, 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 brand, then here are the best soundbar options available today.
T3's Top 3 soundbars
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. It lacks an HDMI passthrough, which is disappointing, but the sound is premium and the Dolby Atmos effect truly encapsulating.
Mike is Tech Editor at T3.com, covering all audio-visual tech, including the best soundbars. He's been doing so for over 13 years (lucky!), and has wrapped his ears around many dozens of soundbars during that time.
The best soundbars you can buy in 2025
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
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.
5. Best for LG
The LG S95TR is our pick as the best soundbar for LG TVs because it's the most complete surround package from the brand. You get the main bar, a separate subwoofer and two wireless rear speakers all in the one package – and the sound quality is second to none.
As said in our LG S95TR review: "This feature-packed system delivers immersive Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and IMAX Enhanced audio that will delight". It's astoundingly good at enveloping you with audio, with convincing positioning of sounds around and above you – in part thanks to the world's first implementation of a height channel.
Downsides are the lack of support for HDMI 2.1 passthrough, which is a shame on a flagship model at this price (as that means no 120Hz passthrough at 4K with variable refresh rate), but with twin HDMI inputs plus the eARC output to the TV, useful wireless streaming options, and a really easy setup process, this LG soundbar is ideal for the best 55-inch TVs and larger.
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 this Yamaha is excellent for the price, adding so much more balance, clarity and depth than budget TV speaker could ever hope to produce.
Despite this soundbar being not 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 and stereo positioning. The dynamic range is great too, in everything from movies to games. It's even pretty good with music, and has Bluetooth for easy streaming.
As said in our Yamaha C20A review: "This is an incredibly strong option to boost the weedy audio of a budget TV into something altogether more accomplished. It creates a little niche for itself by being so usefully compact and so very adept". That plus it's easy to setup, with a single HDMI ARC port meaning easy TV connection. The remote is naff, but we can forgive it.
Honourable Mentions
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.
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.
Matt was a former T3 magazine editor and has a host of A/V experience under his belt. Matt currently works for T3's sister publication, TechRadar, as the boss of Entertainment. In his over-10-years of experience he's seen and commissioned reviews for many dozens of soundbar products.