Best soundbar 2024: boost your TV's audio whatever your budget

The best soundbars will beef up your weak TV speakers, from cheap and simple to premium Dolby Atmos surround solutions

The best soundbars of 2024 will totally transform your TV set - whether you're watching a blockbuster movie or listening to music, a soundbar will boost the audio and give you a much more immersive experience. 

The best TVs of 2024 are super slim with stunning screens offering incredible visuals, but you often lose out on the sound quality because there's not enough space within the frame to fit powerful speakers in. Buying a soundbar will solve that problem.

Even if you're on a tight budget, there are some great cheap soundbars. They'll be suited to some of the best TVs under £500, which means you can build yourself a fantastic new living room setup without spending an eye-watering amount of money. You can also check out our guide to the best cheap soundbar deals for the cheapest options.

While soundbars are ideal for listening to music and having epic movie experiences at home, they are also great for gaming. So if you are looking for something to go with the best gaming TVs, a soundbar can upgrade your gaming experience.

The best soundbars 2024: The top 3

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The best soundbar for total immersion is the Samsung HW-Q990C. This soundbar plus sub plus rear speakers package isn't messing around, able to deliver 11.1.4 channels for total sonic immersion. 

The best soundbar for most people is the Sonos Beam (Gen 2). Great for boosting TV audio but also great for music as part of Sonos' wider system, the second-generation Beam is a little star that'll suit most people best.

The best cheap soundbar is the Yamaha SR-C20. Working on a budget? Yamaha has been in this game for a long time – and those years of experience show. The SR-C20 is basic but its sound punches well above its asking price. 

Samsung Q990C soundbar lifestyle imageT3 Awards 2023 Logo

(Image credit: Samsung)
The best soundbar for astounding Dolby Atmos cinema audio

Specifications

Dimensions: 1232x69.5x138mm (soundbar); 220x413x410mm (subwoofer), 129.5x 201x141mm (rear unit)
Connections: 1x HDMI out, 2x HDMI in, optical, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
eARC support: Yes
Dolby Atmos/DTS:X support: Both
Speaker configuration: 11.1.4-channel, 22 drivers
Quoted power output (total): 616W

Reasons to buy

+
Incredible 3D effect
+
Excellent audio quality overall

Reasons to avoid

-
Not everyone will want four boxes

The 2023 flagship and T3 Award Winner for Best Soundbar delivers over 600W of power from 22 different speakers, so really brings the cinema experience home. The system comprises a soundbar, a beefy subwoofer, and two small rear speaker units, all of which communicate wirelessly in an 11.1.4 channel configuration.

Our HW-Q990C review said: "This feature-packed and genuinely immersive soundbar powerhouse delivers Dolby Atmos and DTS:X object-based surround with enough cinematic scale to please even the most demanding movie fan. The subwoofer digs deep and is well-integrated thanks to sophisticated room correction, while the rest of the multichannel system seamlessly puts you in the middle of the action – you won’t find a better-sounding surround sound package from a modern soundbar."

You might find cheaper ones, though, as the previous Q990B model is very similar, but available for less cash, so certainly an alternative option. But if you want the all-out best then Samsung's offering is incredible – especially if you're looking for the best soundbar for Samsung TVs, as it can pair with Q-Symphony for even more effectiveness.

Sonos Beam 2nd Gen reviewT3 Award

(Image credit: Sonos)
Best soundbar for most people

Specifications

Dimensions: 68.5x651x100mm
Connections: 1x HDMI, 1x Ethernet, Wi-Fi
eARC support: Yes
Dolby Atmos/DTS:X support: Atmos
Speaker configuration: 5 speakers, 3-channel
Quoted power output (total): Not given

Reasons to buy

+
Deft, poised and weighty sound
+
Expansive sound stage
+
Excellent app and controls

Reasons to avoid

-
No HDMI passthrough
-
Atmos isn't as good as rivals'

Is it a fantastic-sounding soundbar? Is it a multi-room music speaker? Is it a home voice assistant? No, it's Sonos' super Beam, which does all these things at once. Like its predecessor, the 2nd Gen model is a superb soundbar that's small enough to fit under even a 32-inch TV but big enough to fill your room with brilliant sound. This version adds Dolby Atmos, and while you don't get the same performance with Atmos that you do with much bigger bars it's still pretty good.

Like its predecessor, the Beam 2 has one tweeter, four ‘racetrack’ mid/bass drivers and three passive radiators for low-end punch, and it's all driven by five Class D amplifier blocks of unspecified power. But Sonos has massively improved the on-board processing to deliver meaningful height as well as width. No matter what you're listening to, the Beam 2 adds impressive clarity and depth.

The Beam 2 solves another issue with the original Beam, which lacked eARC HDMI. That's here now, but there's still no HDMI passthrough. As before, AirPlay 2 means you can stream from Apple devices, while the Sonos app connects to streaming services. You can then enjoy your audio in one or more rooms depending on your Sonos setup. 

If you're disappointed by your TV's audio this is a significant upgrade, and it's the soundbar we'd recommend for most people – it's easy to use, it's very versatile, and we think it is the best-sounding option for the price. You can find out more in our full Sonos Beam 2 review.

Yamaha SR-C20AT3 Award

(Image credit: Yamaha)
The best budget soundbar

Specifications

Dimensions: 600x64x94mm
Connections: 1x HDMI out, 2x optical line in, 3.5mm, Bluetooth 5.0
eARC support: No – just ARC
Dolby Atmos/DTS:X support: No
Speaker configuration: 2.1-channel
Quoted power output (total): 100W

Reasons to buy

+
Really well-balanced sound
+
Adds impressive width
+
Incredibly compact

Reasons to avoid

-
Not so good at high volumes
-
Nasty remote

If you're looking for the best cheap soundbar 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. And 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.

It's really simple to set up, too – it has a single HDMI ARC port for easy TV connection (which enables control from your TV remote), or twin optical connectors, or even a good ol' 3.5mm jack. The remote is awkward, but there are also controls on the top, and a great app you can use to make mode adjustments. This thing is cheap, versatile, discreet and sounds great. We love it – and our complete Yamaha SR-C20A review goes deeper into why.


Best soundbar 2024: The best of the rest

Philips Fidelio FB1 reviewT3 Approved badge

(Image credit: Future)
The best single-box bass solution

Specifications

Dimensions: 1200 x 73 x 125mm
Connections: 1x HDMI out, 1x HDMI in, 1x optical, 1x USB, Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi
eARC support: Yes
Dolby Atmos/DTS:X support: Yes
Speaker configuration: 7.1.2 arrangement, 13 speakers total
Quoted power output (total): 620W

Reasons to buy

+
Deep bass extension
+
Clearly defined dialogue
+
Attractive design and solid build

Reasons to avoid

-
Front-heavy delivery
-
No support for HDMI 2.1

If you're looking for a single-box soundbar solution, i.e. one with no separate subwoofer, but absolutely want big bass, then the Philips Fidelio FB1 is a great option. It's the low-end output that makes it a real sell.

As we said in our Philips Fidelio FB1 review: "this capable and stylish soundbar delivers deep bass despite the lack of a separate subwoofer. It's an ideal choice for anyone seeking a single-box soundbar solution to add Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and IMAX Enhanced audio to your big-screen TV."

Any downsides? Well, the audio is a little front-heavy, so don't expect the kind of surround sound capabilities of the top soundbar on this list, but given the price and convenience of this extensively featured soundbar, it'll be a savvy option for many. 

LG S95QR on yellow backgroundT3 Award

(Image credit: LG)
A gigantic Dolby Atmos experience

Specifications

Dimensions: 1200 x 63 x 135mm (soundbar); 201.7 x 407 x 403mm (subwoofer); 159 x 223 x 142mm (rear speakers)
Connections: 1x HDMI out, 2x HDMI in, 1x optical line in, USB, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0
eARC support: Yes
Dolby Atmos/DTS:X support: Yes
Speaker configuration: 17 speakers, 9.1.5 channels
Quoted power output (total): 800W

Reasons to buy

+
Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, IMAX Enhanced
+
Powerful delivery with plenty of scale
+
Attractive design and excellent build quality

Reasons to avoid

-
Very pricey
-
No 4K/120p or HDR10+ passthrough

The LG S95QR gives you a main bar, a subwoofer and two rear speakers that all connect wirelessly to create a real 'dome' of sound developed in conjunction with the Meridian audio brand. There's even the addition of a centre height channel – which is a world’s first.

It's astoundingly good at enveloping you with audio, with convincing positioning of sounds around and above you. There's excellent dynamic range, and it makes a hell of a noise without anything getting overwhelmed. It's even excellent at upscaling regular surround or stereo soundtracks into really convincing Atmos-like audio. What's more, is the AI Room Correction which helps bring the numerous speakers together into a single cohesive system while eliminating acoustic distractions from its environment. 

With twin HDMI inputs (plus the eARC output to the TV), useful wireless streaming options and Google Assistant support, and a really easy setup process. This is for 65-inch TVs and up, really, and it's very much priced for the premium end of the market, which is why we don't recommend it for more people. But as our full LG S95QR review reveals, if you tick the right boxes, it's one hell of a sound system.

Sonos Arc on grey backgroundT3 Award

(Image credit: Sonos)
An excellent one-box soundbar that uses Dolby Atmos for a rich upgrade

Specifications

Dimensions: 1141.7x115.7x87mm
Connections: 1x HDMI eARC, 1x optical line in, 1x Ethernet, Wi-Fi
eARC support: Yes
Dolby Atmos/DTS:X support: Dolby Atmos only
Speaker configuration: 11 speakers
Quoted power output (total): Not given

Reasons to buy

+
Excellent Atmos height and width
+
Sound glorious for movies or music
+
Good streaming features

Reasons to avoid

-
No HDMI passthrough at all

The Sonos Arc is a Dolby Atmos soundbar with eleven drivers at various angles, for projecting sound upwards as well as out to your left and right. As a single-box soundbar, it's not able to fake sound truly coming from all around you, but instead it creates a clear sense of the sound filling the space in front of you, which is just as good, in its own way.

Instead of the noise seeming like it's coming from a speaker, it's projecting from the entire wall, spanning the full width and height to the room. And it really makes use of that space: Atmos' height channels mean that something moving up and down really has a sense of that height in motion, and when a noise travels across the screen it's matched to what you're seeing on screen, adding immersion even if it doesn't surround you. If you want to go with the full surround experience, you can add two smaller Sonos units, such as Sonos One SLs, as wireless rear speakers.

The audio quality is just fantastic, no matter whether you're watching movies or listening to music (this is a full multi-room speaker, with streaming via the Sonos app or Apple AirPlay 2) – everything is finely balanced (including totally clear dialogue even without the Speech Enhancer option) and beautifully smooth.

However: it has only a single HDMI port, with no passthrough at all, 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 what it can do anyway. This is incredibly frustrating, and feels bizarrely cheap for a premium soundbar. It's a good thing the audio quality is so good that our full Sonos Arc review review still rates it as one of the best soundbar buys, provided it's a good fit with your TV.

Sony HT-A7000 soundbarT3 Approved badge

(Image credit: Sony)
The best Dolby Atmos one-box soundbar for big TVs

Specifications

Dimensions: 1300 x 80 x 142 mm
Connections: 1x HDMI out, 2x HDMI in, digital optical, USB, 3.5mm jack, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
eARC support: Yes
Dolby Atmos/DTS:X support: Yes
Speaker configuration: 11 drivers, 7.1.2 channels
Quoted power output (total): 500W

Reasons to buy

+
As good as Dolby Atmos without rear speakers gets
+
Powerful and clear sound
+
HDMI passthrough with 4K 120Hz

Reasons to avoid

-
No VRR or ALLM over HDMI at launch
-
Fairly tall, so not great for low-slung TVs

The Sony HT-A7000 delivers basically the best Dolby Atmos width and height we've heard from a one-box soundbar – certainly at this kind of price. When we say "one-box" soundbar, we mean there's no separate subwoofer here, making it great for those who want a simpler setup. Although it's still a big unit, suitable for TVs of 55 inches and up…

With its array of drivers and clever audio processing (Sony always excels at this), it gives the impression of precise sound that really envelops you from the front, wrapping to your sides and just about above you. We also noted that despite the lack of separate subwoofer, you get a big and deep bass response that makes soundtracks feel full and meaty.

In our full Sony HT-A7000 review, we said "There’s really dynamic potency on display, so when the going switches from ‘very quiet’ to ‘very loud indeed’ (as it surely must in any modern movie soundtrack at some point) the A7000 breathes deeply enough to make the difference explicit. It’s very detailed in general, and especially through the midrange/centre channel – so dialogue is plain, easy to follow and packed with character."

And best of all, this soundbar 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, as well as movie fans. It's not cheap, but you get a seriously future-proofed bit of kit.

Denon Home Sound Bar 550 in front of TV on wooden surfaceT3 Approved badge

(Image credit: Denon)
The best soundbar for compact TVs with HDMI passthrough and Dolby Atmos audio

Specifications

Dimensions: 650 x 75 x 120mm
Connections: 1x HDMI out, 1 x HDMI in, digital optical, USB, 3.5mm jack, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
eARC support: Yes
Dolby Atmos/DTS:X support: Yes
Speaker configuration: 6 drivers
Quoted power output (total): Not listed

Reasons to buy

+
Great sense of width and height
+
Small size works with 32-inch TVs and up
+
Strong connectivity options

Reasons to avoid

-
Weaker at high volume
-
Doesn't match 'real' Atmos height

The Denon Home Sound Bar 550 is a small soundbar (it'll sit happily under 32-inch TVs, and it's a good match with sets up to 55 inches) that's able top produce an impressively wide and tall soundstage, thanks to smart processing and its six drivers (plus three passive radiators). Its support for both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X mean it's future-proofed for advanced sound no matter the source.

Its connection options include two HDMI ports – allowing for 4K HDR HDMI passthrough – an optical connection for older TVs, 3.5mm jack, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Over Wi-Fi, you can stream to it using Apple AirPlay 2, or Denon's own multi-room streaming app.

You might be thinking that overall, this is a very similar proposition to the Sonos Beam further up the list – and you'd be right. The Denon is more flexible, and its HDMI passthrough alone may make it the better choice for you – but as our full  Denon Home Sound Bar 550 review explains, we found that at loud volume, the quality of its audio starts to wobble. Many people will never listen that loud, but it still means that the Sonos Beam remains the marginal winner in our eyes.

Samsung HW-Q990B soundbarT3 Awards 2022 Highly Commended logo

(Image credit: Samsung)
The best soundbar for astounding Dolby Atmos cinema audio

Specifications

Dimensions: 1232x69.5x138mm (soundbar); 220x413x410mm (subwoofer), 129.5x 201x141mm (rear unit)
Connections: 1x HDMI out, 2x HDMI in, optical, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
eARC support: Yes
Dolby Atmos/DTS:X support: Both
Speaker configuration: 11.1.4-channel, 22 drivers
Quoted power output (total): 616W

Reasons to buy

+
Incredible 3D effect
+
Excellent audio quality overall
+
Good range of features too

Reasons to avoid

-
Not everyone will want four boxes

Just like the newer Q990C model, this previous release delivers super sonic immersion, using angled drivers to bounce audio to the left and right to create real width, plus two upfiring drivers for height channels. The dedicated rear speakers seal the deal with immersion, while the subwoofer delivers exactly the kind of deep bass you want. That's what an 11.1.4 channel configuration using 22 speakers can do for you!

Our HW-Q990B review said it "continues Samsung’s domination of the premium home cinema soundbar market, delivering a combination of power, detail, dynamics and full surround sound cohesion with movie soundtracks that no rival we’ve seen to date can match."

However, if you want the latest and greatest, with more bass precision, then the newer Samsung HW-Q990C is the best of best. But saving a few quid on this 'B' model is certainly a very savvy purchase decision too.

Samsung HW-Q800B soundbar reviewT3 Approved badge

(Image credit: Future)
The best soundbar for high-end features without the premium price

Specifications

Dimensions: 1110 x 61 x 119mm (Soundbar); 211 x 404 x 404mm (Subwoofer)
Connections: 1x HDMI out, 1x HDMI in, 1x Optical, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
eARC support: Yes
Dolby Atmos/DTS:X support: Yes
Speaker configuration: 10 speakers, 5.1.2 channels

Reasons to buy

+
Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support
+
Room calibration
+
Optional rear speakers

Reasons to avoid

-
Bass can overpower

If you like the idea of the top Samsung entry on this list but you're less keen on its jaw-dropping price then the Samsung HW-Q800B packs in a lot of the same features for a lot less cash.

Made up of a 5.1.2-channel speaker layout that delivers front left/centre/right channels, a pair of side channels, twin up-firing channels, and a wireless subwoofer - this soundbar undoubtedly ticks the immersive audio box.  

In the Samsung HW-Q800B review, we said that "the soundstage is understandably front-heavy, but there’s plenty of width, height and scale to the presentation" so you'll get a bold cinematic experience across all sorts of movies and music. 

To boost the audio even further, you can add wireless rear surround and height channels, the Q800B can also integrate with certain Samsung TVs using Q Symphony. Plus, with Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and audio calibration to deliver a cohesive system optimised for your room, you won't be short on features.

How to buy the best soundbar for you

As televisions get slimmer they may look more attractive, but the audio quality is thin, too. A soundbar puts back some power and bass without the intrusive cables and clutter of a home cinema system. 

First thing to bear in mind is they don't all supply surround sound – just as many soundbars deal only in stereo, so choose accordingly. Stereo is more reliable from a fixed unit; surround sound can be magical, or it can be a mess. Of course, it's excellent in all the soundbars we've chosen, but if you're look at others, keep that in mind.

Some have subwoofers built-in to the main unit, while others include separate woofers, often wireless (in that they connect to the bar wirelessly – they still need power). 

Many now also boast Bluetooth and/or Wi-Fi to stream music wirelessly from phones. Some will also include microphones with support for Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.

The main thing to bear in mind with soundbars is where to position them. If your TV is on a media unit, and you're planning to just plonk the soundbar in front of it, you may find it blocks your remote control, or even the bottom of the TV, depending on your TV's stand. Some soundbars are lower profile than others, so be sure to factor this in.

Another key thing to look out for is the number and type of wired connections on offer. HDMI ARC is standard now, because it's the easiest way to plug and play, and it means you don't need a remote just for your soundbar, because the TV passes all controls over the cable.

However, some older TVs don't have HDMI ARC connections, or will only have one, which may already be in use by another box of yours, so most soundbars will have the option of an optical audio connection instead. So make sure that you choose a soundbar with the connection types that suit your TV.

Most high-end soundbars (and many budget ones) will have an HDMI passthrough, which can solve the issue of your TV only having one HDMI ARC port – this means you plug a console, set-top box or whatever into the soundbar, which passes the video onto the TV, while still receiving all audio from the TV.

Mike Lowe
Tech Editor

Mike is the Tech Editor and AV Editor at T3.com. He's been writing about consumer technology for 15 and, as a phones expert, has seen hundreds of handsets over the years – swathes of Android devices, a smattering of iPhones, and a batch of Windows Phone products (remember those?). But that's not all, as a tech aficionado his beat for T3 also covers tablets, laptops, gaming, home cinema, TVs, speakers and more – there's barely a stone unturned that he's not had a hand on. Previously the Reviews Editor at Pocket-lint for a 10 years, he's also provided work for publications such as Wired, The Guardian, Metro, and more. In addition to his tech knowledge, Mike is also a flights and travel expert, having travelled the globe extensively. You'll likely find him setting up a new mobile phone, critiquing the next MacBook, all while planning his next getaway... or cycling somewhere.

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