I test soundbars for a living — upgrade your TV audio for under $300 with these budget picks
You could be cynical — "It's because the manufacturers want you to buy the matching soundbar!" — and there's a part of that which could be close to the truth. But. That doesn't mean you have to go out and buy the expensive matching soundbar option for your TV.
We've tested loads of the best soundbars at Tom's Guide, and there are some great options out there that won't stretch your budget. Here are three at slightly different price points to give you what you want for less.
If you're looking for the best way to get excellent sound for your TV without spending hundreds and hundreds of dollars on a more expensive option, the Sony HT-S100F is an excellent way of making dialogue clearer and movies sound bigger for only $150.
You're not going to get a full surround experience or a big, floor-rumbling subwoofer with this option, but you are going to get some very good separate speakers that make watching TV a joy. Voices that are muffled and annoying on your TV are now much clearer and easier to make out, and soundtracks sound much fuller and exciting.
The soundbar earned 4 stars in our review thanks to its boost in sound quality over your (awful) TV speakers. Just plug it in and you're away, with a simple-to-use remote control to keep on top of volume level and sound mode. You're not going to do better for $150.
A very solid soundbar for a very solid price, the HT-S100F brings excellent sound for your TV without emptying your wallet. It's even been spotted for under $100, so it might be worth watching that price over deals events like Black Friday or Amazon Prime Day.
"Oh, it's a Sonos, that means it's going to be really expensive, right?" Not so, weary soundbar traveler, your patience wearing thin as you scan the Amazon listings for 'cheap soundbars.' The Sonos Ray is the cheapest of the Sonos family, and it's actually really not all that expensive when compared to the competition.
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It's $200, and brings all the smarts of the more expensive models into a more affordable package. That means AirPlay 2 and the Sonos app so that you can stream all your favorite tunes without the need to dip into a Bluetooth menu. It connects to the TV really easily as well, and then plays some excellent sound for your movies and TV.
There's no Dolby Atmos or surround sound here, but it's a great option for smaller TV sets and smaller rooms. A great option for a not world-ending price.
Sonos' smallest soundbar still packs a massive movie punch, with massive bass and excellent dialogue. The smart features are what make it though, with AirPlay 2 and connection to the Sonos app so that you can stream music to it.
The compact Samsung HW-B650 sounds much bigger than it's size would suggest, thanks to a 3.1 setup inside. That's about as surround-y as you're going to get for this price, and it does a marvelous job of making your movies and TV sound larger than life.
It's the seperate subwoofer that comes in the box which really comes in clutch, though. It produces some lovely bass for explosions, music, and other sounds that need some more power behind them. It's the most expensive on the list, but if you want your movies to get more cinematic on a budget, this is the way to go.
The HW-B650 is a great soundbar, especially if you're after a bit more bass. There's a dedicated subwoofer in the box for the low stuff, and the soundbar itself does a great job at some pseudo-surround thanks to its 3.1 setup. The price is right — this could be the soundbar for you.
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