March 2023

Sound Bars: MetaRanking

This page highlights the aggregate summary of Sound Bar rankings posted by key online experts, as of March 2023.

Summary

Between 3 Mar 2023 and 4 Mar 2023, ReviewFinder team examined a total of 111 Sound Bar endorsements from 10 reputable publishers.

56 Sound Bars were endorsed in total, only 26 made it into this month's ranking (ReviewFinder requires a minimum of 2 endorsements to be included).

As of 4 Mar 2023, Sonos Beam Gen 2 takes the cake as the most critically-acclaimed sound bar with 9 expert endorsements. It is followed by Samsung HW-Q990B and Sonos Arc , with 8 and 6 expert endorsements respectively.

Brand breakdown
Show all brands

Price breakdown
As can be seen in the chart below, lowest high-ranking sound bars start at $98.95 (Creative Stage V2) and go up to $1699.95 (Sennheiser Ambeo 3D). Median sound bar costs $398 (Sony HT-G700).
$98.95
$1699.95

At a glance - March 2023 Ranking

Scroll horizontally to browse this ranking table
Rank Change Price Sound Bar
Digital Trends
PCMag
Rtings.com
Tom's Guide
SoundGuys
WIRED
What Hi-Fi
TechHive
TechRadar
World Wide Stereo
1
- $545
Sonos Beam Gen 2
-
8
6
4
2
5
2
4
6
5
2
- $1398
Samsung HW-Q990B
7
7
1
6
-
3
-
7
4
6
3
- $799
Sonos Arc
1
3
-
3
-
-
3
-
5
3
4
- $300
Vizio M-Series 5.1
8
4
4
-
-
2
-
3
-
-
5
- $1700
Sennheiser Ambeo 3D
-
-
-
-
1
12
4
-
-
8
6
- $279
Sonos Ray
-
-
-
9
-
-
5
-
-
1
7
- Check price
Devialet Dione
-
-
-
1
-
-
7
-
-
10
8
+2 $450
Klipsch Cinema 600
-
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
2
9
- Check price
Samsung HW-Q930
-
-
2
-
-
-
-
-
1
-
10
+2 $799
Vizio Elevate
5
-
3
-
-
-
-
6
-
-
11
- $1198
Sony HT-A7000
-
-
-
7
-
-
1
-
-
-
12
+1 $150
Polk Audio React
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1
-
15
13
+1 $798
Sony HT-A5000
6
-
-
-
-
-
6
8
-
-
14
-6 $120
Roku Streambar
-
-
-
-
-
9
17
2
-
-
15
- $799
Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3
-
-
-
2
-
-
13
-
-
19
16
+2 $449
Bose Smart Soundbar 600
3
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
3
-
17
- $899
Bose Smart Soundbar 900
-
-
-
11
-
-
15
-
-
14
18
+1 $179
Roku Streambar Pro
-
2
-
-
4
-
-
-
-
-
20
+1 $398
Sony HT-G700
-
-
-
-
-
-
19
-
2
-
21
+1 $1297
LG S95QR
-
-
-
-
-
-
10
5
-
-
22
-6 $230
Yamaha YAS-209
-
-
-
5
-
11
-
-
-
-
23
- $1000
JBL Bar 9.1
-
5
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
13
24
- $200
ZVOX AccuVoice AV157
9
-
-
-
-
10
-
-
-
-
25
- $250
JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
-
-
-
12
-
-
8
-
-
-
26
- $243
Polk Audio MagniFi Mini
-
-
-
10
-
-
-
-
-
18
27
- $990
Bluesound Pulse Soundbar+
-
-
-
-
-
-
18
-
-
11

Sorted by price:

Position in ranking Price Sound Bar
#14 $120 Roku Streambar [buy] [more info]
#12 $149.99 Polk Audio React [buy] [more info]
#18 $179 Roku Streambar Pro [buy] [more info]
#24 $199.88 ZVOX AccuVoice AV157 [buy] [more info]
#22 $229.95 Yamaha YAS-209 [buy] [more info]
#26 $242.96 Polk Audio MagniFi Mini [buy] [more info]
#25 $249.95 JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam [buy] [more info]
#6 $279 Sonos Ray [buy] [more info]
#4 $299.99 Vizio M-Series 5.1 [buy] [more info]
#20 $398 Sony HT-G700 [buy] [more info]
#16 $449 Bose Smart Soundbar 600 [buy] [more info]
#8 $449.90 Klipsch Cinema 600 [buy] [more info]
#1 $544.88 Sonos Beam Gen 2 [buy] [more info]
#13 $798 Sony HT-A5000 [buy] [more info]
#3 $799 Sonos Arc [buy] [more info]
#10 $799 Vizio Elevate [buy] [more info]
#15 $799 Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3 [buy] [more info]
#17 $899 Bose Smart Soundbar 900 [buy] [more info]
#27 $990 Bluesound Pulse Soundbar+ [buy] [more info]
#23 $999.95 JBL Bar 9.1 [buy] [more info]
#11 $1198 Sony HT-A7000 [buy] [more info]
#21 $1296.99 LG S95QR [buy] [more info]
#2 $1397.99 Samsung HW-Q990B [buy] [more info]
#5 $1699.95 Sennheiser Ambeo 3D [buy] [more info]

We ranked Sonos Beam Gen 2 #1 in March 2023 because:

  • 9 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Sound Bars” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
PCMag

Best Affordable Sonos Soundbar

Pros
Big sound field for its size
Full and crisp sound, from low-mids to highs
Dolby Atmos audio sounds precise and immersive, even without rear speakers

Cons
Not much deep bass without optional (and pricey) subwoofer
No Bluetooth support
Trueplay audio tuning only available for iOS

Go to ranking

Rtings.com

Best Small Soundbar

Go to ranking

Tom's Guide

The best-sounding soundbar for small TVs

Pros
Impressive sound for its size
3D audio with support for Dolby Atmos
Reliable TruePlay tuning
Best option for 55-inch and smaller TVs

Cons
Expensive
Some new formats not available at launch

Go to ranking

SoundGuys

Best Smart Soundbar

Pros
Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant support
Size
Dolby Digital Support
Easy Setup
Simple to connect other Sonos Speakers

Cons
Not the biggest sound
Price

Go to ranking

WIRED

The Smartest Soundbar

Go to ranking

What Hi-Fi

If space and budget are limited there isn't a better virtual Dolby Atmos soundbar that we'd recommend

Pros
Effective handling of Dolby Atmos
Warm, refined sound
Streaming smarts

Cons
No additional HDMI ports
Doesn’t support DTS:X

Go to ranking

TechHive

Best mid-range soundbar, runner-up

Pros
Expansive sound
Dolby Atmost and HDMI eARC support
Can be upgraded to a full surround sound system with extra speakers and a subwoofer
Apple AirPlay 2 support in addition to Sonos' own fabled multi-room audio support

Cons
Virtualized height cues are subtle, and occasionally hissy
Drivers begin to struggle at high volume
DTS update didn't include DTS:X

Go to ranking

TechRadar

The best small soundbar with Dolby Atmos

Pros
Wide soundstage
HDMI eARC support
Hi-res audio compatibility

Cons
No upfiring drivers
No HDMI passthrough

Go to ranking

World Wide Stereo

The Best Smart Sound Bar

Go to ranking

We ranked Samsung HW-Q990B #2 in March 2023 because:

  • 8 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Sound Bars” rankings.
  • Out of those, 1 expert ranked Samsung HW-Q990B as #1.
Critic endorsements:
Digital Trends

The best home theater replacement

Pros
Excellent fidelity
Impressive Dolby Atmos effects
Solid bass performance
Granular-level controls
Handles large rooms easily

Cons
Power cords are too short

Go to ranking

PCMag

Most Features

Pros
Wide, accurate surround imaging with height channels
Powerful, balanced sound
Supports Apple AirPlay, Bluetooth, and Spotify Connect
Interesting Samsung TV-compatible features, like Q-Symphony

Cons
Higher frequencies aren't super crisp
Only supports SBC codec for Bluetooth
Expensive

Go to ranking

Rtings.com

Best Soundbar

Go to ranking

Tom's Guide

Dolby Atmos audio the way it was meant to sound

Pros
Impressive Dolby Atmos
Two HDMI inputs
Easy to set up

Cons
Missing UI and streaming apps
Weak 5.1 surround
Troubling disconnecting issues

Go to ranking

WIRED

Best Dolby Atmos Bar

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TechHive

Best high-end soundbar for Samsung TV owners

Pros
11.1.4 channels of terrific, room-filling audio
SpaceFit room correction now works for everyone
AirPlay 2 and built-in Alexa
Wireless Dolby Atmos connectivity

Cons
Q-Symphony and wireless Atmos only works with Samsung TVs
Power cords for the rear speakers are too short
No Chromecast support
4K video passthrough doesn’t support Dolby Vision

Go to ranking

TechRadar

The best soundbar for high-end Dolby Atmos immersion

Pros
Astounding Dolby Atmos positioning
Great connectivity

Cons
HDMI passthrough isn't 4K 120Hz
Music isn't as strong as movies

Go to ranking

World Wide Stereo

Best Sound Bar and Wireless Sub

Go to ranking

Methodology: combine opinions of key experts

Identify Experts

We identify key publishers and experts that consistently review and recommend Sound Bars.

Capture Rankings

For each publisher we find a currently recommended "top 10" list of Sound Bars, it must be updated in the last 9 months.

Aggregate Rankings

We put all those lists together and aggregate them. The more frequently a product is recommended, the higher it is in our ranking

Experts chosen for March 2023 ranking

We ranked Sonos Arc #3 in March 2023 because:

  • 6 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Sound Bars” rankings.
  • Out of those, 1 expert ranked Sonos Arc as #1.
Critic endorsements:
Digital Trends

The best overall

Pros
Excellent surround sound
Easy and simple setup
Decent Dolby Atmos from a single speaker
Choice of Alexa or Google Assistant

Cons
No HDMI inputs
Not ideal for all music genres

Go to ranking

PCMag

Best One-Piece, Multi-Room Soundbar / Editors' Choice

Pros
Large sound field with powerful bass, even without a subwoofer
Supports Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
Can easily be expanded with satellites and a subwoofer
Dolby Atmos compatibility with angled tweeters

Cons
Expensive
Only works with pricey Sonos subwoofer

Go to ranking

Tom's Guide

The best smart soundbar / Editor's Choice

Pros
Clear vocals and focused sound
Strong, Sonos-quality bass
Alexa and Google Assistant built-in

Cons
Will takes up quite a bit of space on a TV stand

Go to ranking

What Hi-Fi

Still one of the best Dolby Atmos soundbars for TV that we've heard for the money

Pros
Convincing Dolby Atmos
Dynamic, detailed and weighty
All of the usual Sonos smarts

Cons
Music could be better projected
Heavily reliant on your TV’s specs

Go to ranking

TechRadar

The best soundbar for Sonos fans

Pros
Dolby Atmos, TrueHD and Dolby Digital Plus
Discrete all-in-one soundbar
Amazing surround sound and music playback

Cons
Needs TV of 55 inches or bigger
No HDMI passthrough

Go to ranking

World Wide Stereo

The Best All-in-One Soundbar

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We ranked Vizio M-Series 5.1 #4 in March 2023 because:

  • 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Sound Bars” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
Digital Trends

The best budget soundbar

Pros
eARC, Dolby Atmos, DTS:X support
Impressive subwoofer
Seamless surround effects
Comprehensive control
Excellent fidelity

Cons
One HDMI input
Less suitable for larger rooms

Go to ranking

PCMag

Best Affordable 5.1-Channel System / Editors' Choice

Pros
Well priced for a system with a subwoofer and rear satellites
Good surround imaging with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support
Powerful bass

Cons
Treble isn't quite crisp as it could be
Small visual control panel on the remote

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Rtings.com

Best Lower Mid-Range Soundbar

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WIRED

Best Under $500

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TechHive

Best mid-range soundbar

Pros
Aggressively exciting audio performance
Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support
HDMI with eARC
Can be augmented with a smart speaker via 3.5mm input or Bluetooth

Cons
Bass can be boomy versus tight
No Wi-Fi adapter

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We ranked Sennheiser Ambeo 3D #5 in March 2023 because:

  • 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Sound Bars” rankings.
  • Out of those, 1 expert ranked Sennheiser Ambeo 3D as #1.
Critic endorsements:
SoundGuys

Best All-Around

Pros
Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support
Number of Inputs
Chromecast built-in

Cons
Price
Fairly large soundbar

Go to ranking

WIRED

Best Luxury Soundbar

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What Hi-Fi

The best soundbar for those with deep pockets.

Pros
Rich, balanced sound
Excellent dynamics
Impressive surround effect

Cons
Large
Fussy about positioning
Hugley expensive

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World Wide Stereo

The Best Dolby Atmos Soundbar

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We ranked Sonos Ray #6 in March 2023 because:

  • 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Sound Bars” rankings.
  • Out of those, 1 expert ranked Sonos Ray as #1.
Critic endorsements:
Tom's Guide

Most affordable Sonos soundbar yet and a great entry to its ecosystem

Pros
Pleasingly compact
Nicely balanced sound
All the usual plus-points of Sonos multi-room

Cons
Not the most expansive sound
No HDMI

Go to ranking

What Hi-Fi

An assertive, punchy and petite soundbar with sparkling vocal clarity

Pros
Excellent vocal clarity
Punchy, forthright projection
Detailed high end

Cons
Not much low-end extension
Delivery a touch clinical
Narrow soundfield

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World Wide Stereo

The Best Compact Sound Bar Under $300

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We ranked Devialet Dione #7 in March 2023 because:

  • 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Sound Bars” rankings.
  • Out of those, 1 expert ranked Devialet Dione as #1.
Critic endorsements:
Tom's Guide

Bags of power to deliver big movie thrills at home with gusto / Editors' Choice

Pros
Expansive, informative and assertive full-range sound
Intriguing design and high-quality finish
Flexible about placement

Cons
Eye-wateringly expensive
No HDMI passthrough
No remote control

Go to ranking

What Hi-Fi

A premium Dolby Atmos soundbar that performs well with music

Pros
Excellent clarity and lack of distortion
Rhythmically responsive
Clear, crisp dialogue

Cons
Not the most immersive
Expensive
Dynamically restricted

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World Wide Stereo

The Best High End Dolby Atmos Soundbar

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We ranked Klipsch Cinema 600 #8 in March 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Sound Bars” rankings.
  • Out of those, 1 expert ranked Klipsch Cinema 600 as #1.
Critic endorsements:
PCMag

Best Affordable 3.1 Audio / Editors' Choice

Pros
Powerful audio performance with deep, theater-like sub-bass and crisp high-end definition
Wireless subwoofer
Bluetooth streaming
Virtual surround mode sounds good
Can be expanded to a true 5.1 system

Cons
No user-adjustable EQ

Go to ranking

World Wide Stereo

The Best For The Money Soundbar

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We ranked Samsung HW-Q930 #9 in March 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Sound Bars” rankings.
  • Out of those, 1 expert ranked Samsung HW-Q930 as #1.
Critic endorsements:
Rtings.com

Best Upper Mid-Range

Go to ranking

TechRadar

The best soundbar for most people

Pros
The most immersive sub-£1k Dolby Atmos soundbar experience
Powerful but also nuanced and balanced sound
Expansive channel count

Cons
Not great with music
Shrill trebles can very occasionally sound a touch harsh

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We ranked Vizio Elevate #10 in March 2023 because:

  • 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Sound Bars” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
Digital Trends

The best Dolby Atmos for under $1,000

Pros
Simple setup, clear chart showing connections
Wonderfully unique design
Deep control over sound output levels
Exceptionally clear dialogue

Cons
Effects dependent on room
Costly

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Rtings.com

Best Mid-Range Soundbar

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TechHive

Best high-end soundbar, runner-up

Pros
Thrilling 3D sound
Rotating height drivers can also bolster stereo channels
Chromecast built in
Three HDMI ports, with eARC support on one

Cons
Bass is a bit overdone
SmartCast app frequently disconnected from the soundbar
Clunky, non-backlit remote control
No native music service support (e.g., Spotify Connect)

Go to ranking

We ranked Sony HT-A7000 #11 in March 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Sound Bars” rankings.
  • Out of those, 1 expert ranked Sony HT-A7000 as #1.
Critic endorsements:
Tom's Guide

Best soundbar with Dolby Atmos and 360 Reality Audio

Pros
High build quality
Best for surround format support
Clear sound with dialog

Cons
Small display
Subwoofer sold separately
High price compared to rivals

Go to ranking

What Hi-Fi

Powerful and muscular room-filling Dolby Atmos from a single soundbar

Pros
Robust low-end
Excellent Atmos performance
Feature-rich

Cons
No VRR or ALLM at launch
EQ controls would be nice
Slightly confused styling

Go to ranking

We ranked Polk Audio React #12 in March 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Sound Bars” rankings.
  • Out of those, 1 expert ranked Polk Audio React as #1.
Critic endorsements:
TechHive

Best budget soundbar

Pros
Clean, nuanced sound given its price tag
Alexa onboard, including multi-room audio support
Expandable with wireless subwoofer and surround speaker options
Night mode and dialog volume level adjustments

Cons
No support for Dolby Atmos, DTS-X, or DTS Virtual:X
HDMI ARC only (doesn't support eARC)
Remote control buttons are flat and difficult to find in the dark

Go to ranking

World Wide Stereo

The Best Sound Bar Under $300

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We ranked Sony HT-A5000 #13 in March 2023 because:

  • 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Sound Bars” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
Digital Trends

The best for music and gaming

Pros
8K-ready HDMI input
Excellent movie and music sound
Easy on-screen setup
Tons of connection options
Hi-res, Sony 360RA, and DTS:X

Cons
No EQ adjustments
Some settings are buried
Poor integration of music services

Go to ranking

What Hi-Fi

Can Sony bring its A-game to this mid-range Dolby Atmos soundbar?

Pros
Powerful, deep, well-measured sound
Excellent connectivity
Onscreen set-up

Cons
Limited EQ control
Voices lack a little sparkle
No VRR or ALLM at launch

Go to ranking

TechHive

Best high-end soundbar and wireless speaker package

Pros
Delivers a theater-like experience with a fully wireless speaker setup
Immersive Dolby Atmos performance
Frictionless setup and sound field optimization
Can use the speakers in certain Sony TVs as the center channel

Cons
Optional SA-SW3 subwoofer calls attention to itself
Some boxiness to the sound, particularly with music

Go to ranking

We ranked Roku Streambar #14 in March 2023 because:

  • 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Sound Bars” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
WIRED

For Small Spaces

Go to ranking

What Hi-Fi

A great value budget soundbar with streaming onboard

Pros
Direct, well-projected sound
Great feature list
Can go loud

Cons
Doesn't sound cinematic

Go to ranking

TechHive

Best budget soundbar, runner-up

Pros
A pretty good soundbar integrated with a very good media streamer
Excellent remote control, with support for voice commands
Can be upgraded with a wireless subwoofer and surround speakers
Can also stream content from a NAS box or USB drive

Cons
Not as good as a speaker as it is a streamer
A little weak on bass response
HDR support does not include Dolby Vision

Go to ranking

We ranked Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3 #15 in March 2023 because:

  • 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Sound Bars” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
Tom's Guide

The best soundbar overall for movies and music / Editor's Choice

Pros
Lively, muscular and expansive movie sound
Properly accomplished with music
Useful touch controls and app

Cons
Dolby Atmos effect not as pronounced as some
Close rivals cost less

Go to ranking

What Hi-Fi

A competent and weighty soundbar for those who only want a single speaker

Pros
Sleek low profile design
Weighty bottom end
Self-contained

Cons
Voices lack clarity
Not a particularly expansive soundstage
Tonally inconsistent

Go to ranking

World Wide Stereo

The Best Dolby Atmos Sound Bar Under $2,000

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We ranked Bose Smart Soundbar 600 #16 in March 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Sound Bars” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
Digital Trends

The best small soundbar

Pros
Easy setup
Excellent Atmos for its size
Clear and engaging dialog
AirPlay and Chromecast
Good music quality

Cons
No HDMI inputs
Smart speaker is Alexa-only
Limited in-app music services

Go to ranking

TechRadar

The best budget soundbar with Dolby Atmos

Pros
Compact, attractive design
Dolby Atmos with up-firing speakers
Extensive streaming options

Cons
Single HDMI port
Limited bass
No DTS:X support

Go to ranking

We ranked Bose Smart Soundbar 900 #17 in March 2023 because:

  • 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Sound Bars” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
Tom's Guide

Best soundbar with Dolby Atmos and multiroom

Pros
Slim and sleek design
Automatic room correction
Alexa and Google Assistant built-in
Dolby Atmos support
Good overall levels of sound for movies

Cons
Bass output is so-so
Not so great for music listening

Go to ranking

What Hi-Fi

An impressively wide-sounding, articulate and crisp Dolby Atmos soundbar

Pros
Expansive breadth
Sleek design
Clear vocal projection

Cons
No DTS support
Noticeably processed sound
Not as Atmos-y as the best

Go to ranking

World Wide Stereo

The Smartest Sound Bar for Surround Sound

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We ranked Roku Streambar Pro #18 in March 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Sound Bars” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
PCMag

Best for Built-In Media Streaming / Editors' Choice

Pros
Affordable
Solid audio performance
Lots of media streaming options
Remote with headphone jack

Cons
Relatively weak bass response

Go to ranking

SoundGuys

Best Features

Pros
Integrated Roku Player
HDMI ARC output
Google Assistant and Alexa support
Bluetooth and Wi-Fi streaming
Remote access via Roku app
Value

Cons
Sound clarity lacking

Go to ranking

We ranked Sony HT-G700 #19 in March 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Sound Bars” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
What Hi-Fi

A good entry-level soundbar with plenty of bass and Dolby Atmos support.

Pros
Big, weighty sound
Impressive Atmos effect
Solid and stylish

Cons
Lack of crispness and clarity
No streaming functionality

Go to ranking

TechRadar

The best affordable Dolby Atmos soundbar with a subwoofer

Pros
Impressively wide and tall sound
Dolby Atmos & DTS:X support
4K HDR HDMI passthrough

Cons
Can't manage true height
Not as dynamic as higher priced options

Go to ranking

We ranked LG S95QR #20 in March 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Sound Bars” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
What Hi-Fi

LG’s latest flagship soundbar offers full surround and plenty of features

Pros
Excellent connectivity
Clear centre channel
Comprehensive format support

Cons
Overhead sound is not effective
It doesn’t look premium
Music sounds cluttered

Go to ranking

TechHive

Best high-end soundbar

Pros
Terrific Dolby Atmos and DTS:X performance
Center upfiring driver bolsters dialogue
AirPlay 2 and Chromecast support
AI-powered room correction

Cons
Glitchy Wi-Fi setup
Power cords for rear speakers are too short
Pricey

Go to ranking

We ranked Yamaha YAS-209 #21 in March 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Sound Bars” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
Tom's Guide

Best soundbar speaker with a subwoofer and Alexa / Best Value

Pros
Clear and intelligible dialog
Excellent for music
Alexa voice control

Cons
Subwoofer lacks punch with some movie effects
Only 1 HDMI input

Go to ranking

WIRED

A Smart Soundbar With a Sub

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We ranked JBL Bar 9.1 #22 in March 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Sound Bars” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
PCMag

Best 9.1-Channel System

Pros
Powerful audio with thunderous bass depth
Dolby Atmos drivers
Wireless rear channel speakers
Easy setup

Cons
Expensive
Large
Could use more precise EQ controls

Go to ranking

World Wide Stereo

Best Sound Bar for Surround Sound

Go to ranking

We ranked ZVOX AccuVoice AV157 #23 in March 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Sound Bars” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
Digital Trends

The best for dialog enhancement

Pros
Small footprint
Easy connections and setup
Super-clear and adjustable dialog

Cons
Expensive for a small speaker
No wireless connections for music

Go to ranking

WIRED

Best for Those With Hearing Loss

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We ranked JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam #24 in March 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Sound Bars” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
Tom's Guide

The best soundbar for affordable Atmos

Pros
Good Dolby Atmos performance
Auto calibration
Doesn't need a subwoofer

Cons
Limited sound controls
No mobile app

Go to ranking

What Hi-Fi

A compact, budget soundbar with virtual Dolby Atmos

Pros
Big, full-bodied presentation
Dolby Virtual Atmos
Multi-room options

Cons
Could be more detailed
Dynamic expression poor
Slovenly sense of timing

Go to ranking

We ranked Polk Audio MagniFi Mini #25 in March 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Sound Bars” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
Tom's Guide

The best soundbar for smaller spaces

Pros
Powerful bass and clear vocals
Wireless subwoofer
Google Cast audio integration

Cons
No onscreen display or mobile app
Harsh treble

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World Wide Stereo

The Best Small Sound Bar Under $500

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We ranked Bluesound Pulse Soundbar+ #26 in March 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Sound Bars” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
What Hi-Fi

A direct and detailed, virtual Dolby Atmos soundbar for TV

Pros
Satisfying Dolby Atmos delivery
Direct and solid presentation
Detailed, open sound

Cons
Music lacks drive and drama
No 'native' sound mode
No auto-detect of HDMI input

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World Wide Stereo

The Best Sound Bar for Hi-Res Audio

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