Best Soundbars of 2025: Comprehensive Buying Guide

Are you looking for a way to upgrade your TV sound and enjoy a cinematic experience at home? If so, you might want to consider getting a soundbar. A soundbar is a long and slim speaker that sits under or above your TV and delivers a powerful and immersive sound. Soundbars are easy to set up, take up less space than traditional speakers, and often come with extra features such as wireless subwoofers, Bluetooth connectivity, voice control, and Dolby Atmos support. But with so many soundbars available in the market, how do you choose the best one for your needs and budget? In this blog post, we will help you find the answer by reviewing some of the best soundbars of 2025 based on various criteria such as price, performance, features and reviews.

Whether you are looking for a budget-friendly option, a premium option, or something in between, we have got you covered. Read on to discover our top picks for the best soundbars of 2025 and learn how to make the most of your TV audio.

Samsung HW-Q700B

The Samsung HW-Q700B soundbar is a 3.1.2 channel soundbar that features a wireless subwoofer and supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X formats. It delivers a dynamic and powerful sound that can fill a large room with ease. It also has an HDMI input with 4K HDR passthrough, a digital optical input, and built-in Airplay 2 and Chromecast. It’s a great choice for movie lovers and gamers who want to enjoy a cinematic surround sound experience without breaking the bank.

Key Specifications of the soundbar are:

• Connectivity Technology: The product utilizes Bluetooth for wireless connectivity, eliminating the need for HDMI cables.
• Special Feature: It features wireless speakers, providing a convenient and clutter-free audio setup.
• Dolby Atmos: The soundbar offers a wireless Dolby Atmos experience, delivering surround sound and an immersive audio experience.
• True 3.1.2ch Sound: With 3 channels, 1 subwoofer, and 2 up-firing channels, it creates a true 3.1.2 channel sound setup, placing you at the center of the audio action.
• Q-SYMPHONY: The product synchronizes audio with compatible Samsung TVs and soundbars, enhancing the overall audio experience.
• Adaptive Sound: It offers dynamically optimized audio with enhanced voice clarity, making it ideal for action-packed games and blockbuster films. Additionally, it works with voice assistants for hands-free operation.

This soundbar is a great choice for anyone who wants to enjoy a realistic and immersive Dolby Atmos sound without breaking the bank. It has a perfect size that fits most TV screens and does not block the remote sensor. It also has detachable wireless rear speakers that can be used as portable Bluetooth speakers, which is a very convenient feature. You can use this soundbar for watching movies, shows, sports and gaming, as it delivers a clear and balanced sound with deep bass and crisp highs.

Sony HT-G700

The Sony HT-G700 soundbar is a 3.1 channel soundbar that comes with a wireless subwoofer and supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X formats. It uses virtualization technology to create a simulated surround sound effect that can enhance your audio experience. It also has an HDMI input, an HDMI output with eARC, a digital optical input, and Bluetooth connectivity. It’s a simple and stylish soundbar that can handle dialogue, music, and effects well, but it may lack some clarity and detail compared to other models.

Key Specifications of the soundbar are:

• Speaker Type: The product consists of a Soundbar and a Subwoofer, offering a comprehensive audio experience.
• Connectivity Technology: It supports various connectivity options, including Bluetooth, USB, Optical, HDMI, and NFC, ensuring versatility in connecting to different devices.
• Special Feature: The soundbar has a 3.1-Channel Configuration with up to 400W of Total Power and supports Bluetooth Audio Streaming for wireless playback.
• Immersive Audio: It features 3.1ch Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support, as well as a Vertical Surround Engine for an immersive audio experience.
• Wireless Subwoofer: The wireless subwoofer delivers powerful bass sound, enhancing the overall audio quality.
• EARC and HDMI ARC: The product supports EARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) and HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel), making it easy to enjoy immersive Dolby Atmos audio and offering a simple, clean connection with one cable to your TV.

This soundbar is a budget-friendly option for those who want to experience Dolby Atmos sound without spending too much. It has a powerful and dynamic sound with three front-firing drivers and a wireless subwoofer that can fill any room with rich and detailed audio. It also has a virtual surround mode that simulates height and rear channels, creating a convincing 3D soundstage. You can use this soundbar for any content that supports Dolby Atmos or DTS:X, such as Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video and Blu-ray discs.

Sonos Arc

The Sonos Arc soundbar is a 5.0.2 channel soundbar that comes with Dolby Atmos support, HDMI eARC compatibility, and a refreshed design. It has a wide and spacious soundstage that can create a convincing Atmos effect by bouncing sounds off the walls and ceiling. It also integrates well with the Sonos ecosystem, allowing you to expand your setup with additional speakers and subwoofers. It’s an excellent soundbar for both music and movies, with a balanced and detailed sound quality that can adapt to different genres and content.

Key Specifications of the soundbar are:

• Connectivity Technology: The product uses Wi-Fi for wireless connectivity, allowing seamless integration into your home network.
• Special Features: It includes Bass Boost and Hi-Res Audio capabilities, enhancing the audio quality for an immersive experience.
• Dolby Atmos: The Sonos Arc offers 3D sound with Dolby Atmos, providing precise and immersive audio for shows, movies, and games.
• Trueplay Tuning: Enhanced Trueplay tuning technology optimizes the sound to suit the unique acoustics of your room, ensuring the best possible audio quality.
• Voice Control: The soundbar features built-in Amazon Alexa, enabling hands-free control for tasks such as playing music, checking news, setting alarms, and more.
• Expandable Home Theater: You can wirelessly connect the Sonos Arc with a Sub and a pair of One SL rear speakers to create an even more immersive home theater listening experience.

This soundbar is a premium option for those who love Sonos products and want to integrate them into their home theater system. It is a sleek and smart soundbar that supports Dolby Atmos and works seamlessly with other Sonos speakers, creating a multi-room audio system. It also has voice control, AirPlay 2 and eARC support, making it easy to control and stream your favorite music and podcasts. You can use this soundbar for any content that supports Dolby Atmos, as well as music streaming services such as Spotify, Apple Music and Tidal.

Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Plus

The Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Plus is a 5.1.4 channel soundbar that boasts an impressive Dolby Atmos performance with dedicated up-firing drivers for height channels. It has a crisp, clear, and immersive sound that can rival some home theater systems. It also has two HDMI inputs, one HDMI output with eARC, a digital optical input, an analog input, and Bluetooth connectivity. It’s an expensive but premium soundbar that can satisfy even the most demanding audiophiles.

Key Specifications of the soundbar are:

• Connectivity Technology: The product uses Bluetooth for wireless connectivity, allowing you to connect your devices easily.
• Special Feature: It includes a Subwoofer for enhanced bass and audio quality.
• AMBEO Virtualization: This technology replicates a full 7.1.4 home theater system and captures your room’s acoustic properties to create a 3D sound experience.
• Immersive 3D Surround Sound: The soundbar features 7 speakers and built-in 4″ dual subwoofers for sharp fidelity, clear mids, and booming bass. It also supports adding an additional subwoofer like the AMBEO Sub for even deeper bass.
• Music and Streaming Support: It is compatible with various audio codecs and streaming services, including Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify, Tidal Connect, and Chromecast built-in. It supports audio formats like Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, MPEG-H, and 360 Reality Audio.
• Customizable Sound: The soundbar offers customization options with an integrated equalizer, sound modes, AMBEO virtualization levels, voice enhancement for speech clarity, audio presets, and a night mode for optimal and discreet listening. It can be controlled via a remote, the Sennheiser Smart Control App, a web interface, or voice commands with built-in Alexa and compatibility with Google Home and Apple Home.

This soundbar is a luxury option for those who want to have the ultimate Dolby Atmos experience from a single speaker. It is a massive and expensive soundbar that delivers an incredible 3D audio experience with 13 drivers and six amplifiers that can produce up to 105 dB of sound pressure level. It also has a built-in Chromecast, Bluetooth and HDMI eARC, allowing you to connect various devices and sources. You can use this soundbar for any content that supports Dolby Atmos or MPEG-H, as well as high-resolution audio formats such as FLAC, WAV and ALAC.

Vizio Elevate

The Vizio Elevate soundbar is a 5.1.4 channel soundbar that comes with two satellite speakers, a wireless subwoofer, and Dolby Atmos support. It has a unique design that features rotating speakers that flip up when playing Atmos content, creating a more enveloping soundfield. It also has two HDMI inputs, one HDMI output with eARC, a digital optical input, and Bluetooth connectivity. It’s a bass-heavy and loud soundbar that can make your movies and games more exciting and fun.

Key Specifications of the soundbar are:

• Speaker Type: The product includes both a Subwoofer and a Soundbar, offering a complete audio setup.
• Connectivity Technology: It supports HDMI, USB (for .WAV Audio Playback), analog input (3.5mm stereo mini jack), Wi-Fi (802.11n), and Bluetooth (Version 4.1).
• Special Features: The soundbar includes features like Bluetooth connectivity, Chromecast support, remote operation, and voice command functionality.
• Unrivaled Home Theater Performance: The soundbar boasts 18 high-performance speakers for exceptional home theater audio quality.
• Dolby Atmos and DTS:X: It supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X for a cinematic sound experience that extends around and above the listener.
• Adaptive Height Speakers: The height speakers automatically rotate to optimize the audio experience, enhancing the immersive sound.

This soundbar is an innovative option for those who want to have a versatile and adaptable Dolby Atmos system. It is a unique and stylish soundbar that has rotating speakers that automatically adjust to the audio format, enhancing the height and width of the sound. It also comes with a wireless subwoofer and two rear speakers, creating a complete 5.1.4 surround sound system. You can use this soundbar for any content that supports Dolby Atmos or DTS:X, as well as gaming consoles such as Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5.

JBL Bar 2.0 (MK2)

The JBL Bar 2.0 All-In-One soundbar is a basic and budget-friendly soundbar that offers a decent sound quality with stereo content. It has a compact and sleek design that can fit in small spaces easily. It also has an HDMI ARC port, a digital optical input, and Bluetooth connectivity. It’s a good option for improving your TV’s sound quality without spending too much money or adding too much clutter to your room.

Key Specifications of the soundbar are:

• Connectivity Technology: The product utilizes Bluetooth for wireless connectivity, making it easy to connect your mobile devices.
• Special Feature: It includes a Subwoofer, enhancing the audio experience with deep bass.
• Deep Bass: The JBL Bar 2.0 All-in-One is designed to provide deep bass, making it suitable for enhancing the drama in movies or enjoying music with impactful low-frequency response.
• JBL Surround Sound: It offers JBL Surround Sound technology, which instantly elevates your audio experience for movies, sports, and music, creating an immersive sound environment without the need for extra wires or speakers.
• Built-in Dolby Digital: The soundbar has built-in Dolby Digital support, delivering an authentic cinematic experience right in your home.
• Wireless Music Streaming: In addition to movies, you can also stream music wirelessly via Bluetooth from your mobile or tablet, providing flexibility for your entertainment choices.

This soundbar is a simple and affordable option for those who want to improve their TV sound without any hassle. It has a clear and balanced sound with decent bass, thanks to its improved driver design and increased power output. It also has Bluetooth connectivity and HDMI ARC support, making it easy to connect various devices and sources. You can use this soundbar for everyday TV viewing, such as movies, shows, sports and gaming, as it delivers a crisp and dynamic sound with dialogue clarity

Sonos Beam (Gen 2)

The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) is another soundbar that you might want to consider for your blog. It is a 3.0 channel soundbar that supports Dolby Atmos and works well with other Sonos speakers. It also has voice control, AirPlay 2 and eARC support. It is a compact and smart soundbar that can fit in small spaces and deliver a wide and spacious soundstage. It also has TruePlay tuning, which calibrates the soundbar’s audio to your room’s dimensions using its built-in microphones. However, it does not have a wireless subwoofer or up-firing speakers, so it may not produce as much bass or height effects as some other models.

Key Specifications of the soundbar are:

• Connectivity Technology: The product uses Wi-Fi for wireless connectivity, allowing seamless integration into your home network.
• Special Feature: It includes Bass Boost for enhancing the audio with vibrant bass.
• Audio Quality: The soundbar delivers vibrant bass, crystal clear dialogue, and a panoramic soundstage for an immersive audio experience.
• Dolby Atmos: It offers a 3D surround sound effect with Dolby Atmos, providing an enhanced audio experience.
• Music Streaming: You can stream music, radio, podcasts, and audiobooks from various services even when the TV is turned off, making it versatile for different entertainment options.
• Control Options: The soundbar can be controlled using the Sonos app, your TV remote, Apple AirPlay 2, and voice commands via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. It also features easy setup with only two cables, step-by-step guidance from the Sonos app, and smart Trueplay tuning for optimal audio performance. Additionally, it can be expanded over time to create a true surround sound setup and support multi-room listening, all connected over Wi-Fi.

This soundbar is a smart and sophisticated option for those who want to enjoy Dolby Atmos sound in a compact and elegant design. It works well with other Sonos speakers, allowing you to create a multi-room audio system with voice control, AirPlay 2 and eARC support. It also has TruePlay tuning, which calibrates the soundbar’s audio to your room’s dimensions using its built-in microphones. You can use this soundbar for any content that supports Dolby Atmos, as well as music streaming services such as Spotify, Apple Music and Tidal.

Which Soundbar is for Me?

 Here is a list of some common use cases for soundbars that might help you decide which one is best for you. Here are some examples:

Watching movies

If you love watching movies and want to experience a cinematic sound quality, you might want to look for a soundbar that supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X formats, which create a 3D surround sound effect by adding height information to the sound. You might also want to look for a soundbar that has a wireless subwoofer, which can enhance the bass and impact of the sound. Some of the soundbars that are good for watching movies are the Samsung HW-Q700B, the Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Plus, and the Vizio Elevate.

Listening to music

If you enjoy listening to music and want to hear every detail and nuance of your favorite songs, you might want to look for a soundbar that has a balanced and detailed sound quality, with a wide frequency response and low distortion. You might also want to look for a soundbar that has Wi-Fi connectivity and supports various music streaming services, such as Spotify, Apple Music, or Tidal. Some of the soundbars that are good for listening to music are the Sonos Arc, the Sonos Beam (Gen 2), and the Samsung HW-Q700B.

Gaming

If you are into gaming and want to immerse yourself in the game world, you might want to look for a soundbar that has a low input lag, which is the time it takes for the soundbar to process the audio signal from your console or PC. You might also want to look for a soundbar that has a game mode, which can optimize the sound for gaming content, such as enhancing dialogue clarity, boosting sound effects, or creating a more directional sound. Some of the soundbars that are good for gaming are the Sony HT-G700, the Vizio Elevate, and the Sony HT-A5000.

Small rooms

If you have a small room or limited space, you might want to look for a soundbar that has a compact and sleek design, which can fit in small spaces easily. You might also want to look for a soundbar that does not have a wireless subwoofer or up-firing speakers, as they might not work well in small rooms or with low ceilings. Some of the soundbars that are good for small rooms are the JBL Bar 2.0 All-In-One (MK2), the Sonos Beam (Gen 2), and the Samsung HW-Q700B.

What do the Specifications all Mean?

Here is a detailed explanation of what some of the common soundbar specifications mean and how they can help you make an informed decision when buying a soundbar. Here are some of the specifications that you might encounter:

Number of channels

This indicates how many speakers or drivers are in the soundbar and how they are arranged. The first number represents the number of horizontal channels, such as left, center, and right. The second number represents the number of subwoofers, which are responsible for producing low-frequency sounds or bass. The third number, if present, represents the number of upward-firing or height channels, which are used to create a Dolby Atmos or DTS:X effect by bouncing sound off the ceiling. For example, a 3.1.2 soundbar has three horizontal channels, one subwoofer, and two height channels. The more channels a soundbar has, the more immersive and realistic the sound will be, but it will also be more expensive and complex to set up.

Total power output

This measures how much power the soundbar’s built-in amplifier can supply to the speakers or drivers. It is usually given in watts (W) or root mean square (RMS) watts, which is a more accurate measure of continuous power. The higher the power output, the louder and clearer the soundbar can be, but it will also consume more energy and generate more heat. However, power output alone is not enough to determine the sound quality or loudness of a soundbar, as other factors such as speaker sensitivity, frequency response, and distortion also play a role.

Wireless subwoofer

This indicates whether the soundbar comes with a separate subwoofer that connects wirelessly to the main unit. A subwoofer is a speaker that produces low-frequency sounds or bass, which can enhance the impact and depth of the sound. A wireless subwoofer gives you more flexibility in placing it in your room, as you don’t need to run wires from the soundbar to the subwoofer. However, you still need to plug the subwoofer into a power outlet, and it will take up more space than a soundbar without a subwoofer.

Dolby Atmos and DTS:X

These are two advanced audio formats that create a 3D surround sound effect by adding height information to the sound. They require a compatible source device, such as a Blu-ray player or a streaming service, and a compatible soundbar that has upward-firing or height channels. Dolby Atmos and DTS:X can make you feel like you are in the middle of the action, as you can hear sounds coming from above and around you. However, they also require more bandwidth and processing power than standard audio formats, and they may not work well in rooms with high or uneven ceilings.

HDMI eARC

This stands for enhanced Audio Return Channel, which is a feature of HDMI 2.1 that allows high-quality audio signals to be sent from your TV to your soundbar via a single HDMI cable. HDMI eARC supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X audio formats, as well as uncompressed audio formats such as LPCM. HDMI eARC also enables automatic lip-sync correction and device control via your TV remote. HDMI eARC is backward compatible with HDMI ARC, which is a feature of HDMI 1.4 that has similar functions but with lower bandwidth and quality.

Bluetooth and Wi-Fi

These are two wireless technologies that allow you to stream audio from your smartphone, tablet, laptop, or other devices to your soundbar without using cables. Bluetooth is more common and easy to use, but it has lower quality and range than Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi is more reliable and stable, but it requires a Wi-Fi network and an app to connect your devices to your soundbar. Some soundbars also support other wireless technologies such as AirPlay 2, Chromecast built-in, Spotify Connect, or TIDAL Connect, which allow you to stream music from various online services directly to your soundbar.

I hope this helps you understand what some of the common soundbar specifications mean and how they can affect your buying decision.

So What is The Best Soundbar of 2024?

That’s a difficult question to answer, as different soundbars may suit different needs and preferences. The best soundbar for you may depend on factors such as your budget, your room size, your TV model, your audio sources, and your personal taste. However, based on my web search results, I can give you some general recommendations for some of the best soundbars of 2024:

• If you want the best soundbar overall, you might want to consider the Samsung HW-Q700B, which delivers a superb Dolby Atmos performance, has a perfect size for most TV screens and is very well-priced. It also has detachable wireless rear speakers that can be used as portable Bluetooth speakers.
• If you want the best budget soundbar with Dolby Atmos, you might want to consider the Sony HT-G700, which offers a powerful and immersive sound with three front-firing drivers and a wireless subwoofer. It also has a virtual surround mode that simulates height and rear channels.
• If you want the best Sonos soundbar, you might want to consider the Sonos Arc, which is a sleek and smart soundbar that supports Dolby Atmos and works seamlessly with other Sonos speakers. It also has voice control, AirPlay 2 and eARC support.
• If you want the best Dolby Atmos soundbar from a single speaker, you might want to consider the Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Plus, which is a massive and expensive soundbar that delivers an incredible 3D audio experience with 13 drivers and six amplifiers. It also has a built-in Chromecast, Bluetooth and HDMI eARC.
• If you want the best Dolby Atmos soundbar for under $1,000, you might want to consider the Vizio Elevate 5.1.4 Home Theater Soundbar, which is a unique and innovative soundbar that has rotating speakers that automatically adjust to the audio format. It also comes with a wireless subwoofer and two rear speakers.

Of course, these are just some of the possible options for the best soundbars of 2024 from our review of the best.

Wrap Up

In conclusion, soundbars are a great way to enhance your TV audio and enjoy a cinematic experience at home. They are easy to set up, take up less space than traditional speakers, and often come with extra features such as wireless subwoofers, Bluetooth connectivity, voice control, and Dolby Atmos support. But with so many soundbars available in the market, how do you choose the best one for your needs and budget? In this blog post, we have reviewed some of the best soundbars of 2024 based on various criteria such as price, performance, features and reviews. We have also provided some common use cases for soundbars that might help you decide which one is best for you. Whether you are looking for a budget-friendly option, a premium option, or something in between, we hope you have found our top picks for the best soundbars of 2024 helpful and informative. Thank you for reading our blog post, and please share it with your friends and family if you liked it. If you have any questions or feedback, please leave a comment below or contact us through our social media channels. We would love to hear from you!