With so many options available, which is the best for your needs? Here’s our selection of the best soundbars available in 2023, along with the key features to consider when on the hunt for a soundbar.
Best soundbar 2023
Looks great Impressive connectivity Impressive sound
Expensive Wide build No Dolby Atmos
Using JBL’s own cinema-level MultiBeam technology within the system, the Bar 5.1 Surround sounds incredible, with the ability to easily project audio around the room with impressive detail, creating an immersive viewing experience. That’s backed up by the 10in wireless subwoofer that delivers thunderous bass, adjustable via the bundled remote. Overall, the JBL Bar 5.1 offers both great value and impeccable performance.
Incredible sound Powerful bass Premium design
No remote control No display Buggy app
It is high-end, admittedly, but it’s worth pointing out that you get a similar offering without a subwoofer from the competing Sonos Arc. The only real downside is the lack of a remote – the soundbar controls revolve around an app available for iOS and Android, and that’s not the most convenient way to control a soundbar.
Great Alexa integration Affordable Decent sound quality
No AirPlay 2 or Chromecast Limited inputs No display
The audio quality is decent for a soundbar at this price, and even without a bundled sub the bass is decent, but you’ll need to invest in one for the full bass experience.
Dolby Atmos support Great sound quality Included subwoofer
2.1 system Unusable USB port No 3.5mm input
Unlike other entry-level soundbars, the Creative Stage 360 comes with a subwoofer at no extra cost, adding extra oomph to your home cinema experience. It’s wired rather than wireless, but that shouldn’t be much of an issue for most consumers. Of course, it doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of more premium soundbars – including the full 5.1 speaker system, offering a simpler 2.1 setup, and AirPlay/Chromecast support – but it ticks many boxes at a cheaper price than we’ve seen previously.
Impressive 3D sound Multiple HDMI slots Great connectivity
Basic Virtual Assistant support Occasional playback issues Bulky
It offers great audio output customisation, making it easy to tweak the output depending on your own taste, and there are five presets to choose from if you’re not too confident. You’ve also got access to built-in Google Chromecast, allowing for wireless playback from the likes of Spotify and YouTube, and three HDMI 2.0 ports provide a handy extension for TVs devoid of HDMI ports. It’s a capable bit of kit for the price. The only downside? It’s a fairly hefty setup, which isn’t ideal for smaller TVs – we’d recommend 43in at a minimum.
Sonos Audio quality AirPlay & Digital Assistant Compact design
No subwoofer HDMI-only connectivity No remote
The main draw over the Beam compared to the Playbase and other Sonos speakers is its size: it’s much more compact than any other soundbar in our chart, making it perfect for smaller rooms. But despite the small dimensions, there’s no sacrifice in the audio department. There’s excellent sound quality on offer, although it has to be noted that the Beam, like most other Sonos speakers, doesn’t come with a subwoofer.
Spacious sound Dolby Atmos Smart functionality
Expensive No HDMI passthrough No subwoofer
Beyond all the usual features you get from Sonos devices like multi-room, the Arc is all about spacial sound, thanks to drivers pointing in all directions and support for Dolby Atmos. It’s easily one of the best sounding soundbars we’ve ever tested, and it looks rather nice too. It also benefits from eARC HDMI, although the problem here – apart from the Arc being expensive – is making sure your TV is compatible to get the most out of the soundbar. There’s also no HDMI pass-though which makes it tricky for those with limited ports.
Compact size Well-balanced audio Easy setup
Limited connectivity options Bland design
While the design might not be that eye-catching, it makes up for it in the sound department with the 2.1 output delivering great volume, prominent bass levels and presets that actually enhance the sound – most of the time, anyway – and levels can be adjusted via the bundled remote. It’s also much smaller than competing soundbars, making it a great fit for smaller rooms and compact spaces – and it’s wall-mountable too. Connectivity options include HDMI Arc, Optical and Bluetooth, albeit with the basic A2DP codec. The one downside is the lack of smarts, with no AirPlay, Chromecast or virtual assistant support available. Still, if you’re on the hunt for an affordable soundbar and wireless sub combo that won’t take up too much space on your TV stand, the Panasonic SC-HTB490 remains a solid option.
Rich sound for the size Excellent sound profiles Easy to set up and connect
Unappealing subwoofer design Middling optical performance More expensive than predecessor
Whilst the build of the soundbar itself is neat and small, the accompanying subwoofer is a bit of an eyesore. However, both fill the room with sound easily. You can connect the Polk Magnifi Mini AX via HDMI eArc and optical – though for the best performance you will want to stick with the eArc connection. There is also support for Google Chromecast, Apple AirPlay 2 and Spotify Connect. This model is also more expensive than the previous generation, so whilst it is a good all-round soundbar at a mid-range price, its not as competitive as the older models.
User-friendly UI Decent sound Range of video and audio content
Only supports HDMI Remote isn't customisable Weak bass
Audio quality is generally great, producing room-filling audio suited to both TV shows and big Hollywood blockbusters, complete with the ability to boost the bass when required. That said, the lack of a separate subwoofer means it isn’t quite as bass-heavy as some of the alternatives in our chart. Overall, it’s a feature-packed soundbar that’s also easy on the bank balance. Most soundbars feature more than just Optical and HDMI – many feature auxiliary and stereo phono jack ports – and while they offer lower quality, analogue feeds, the upside is that either will work with pretty much any TV (and other 3.5mm-enabled devices). Now, it’s all about wireless connectivity, so if you’ll be wanting to play music from your smartphone or tablet, we’d recommend investing in a soundbar with Bluetooth connectivity. It’s a fairly standard feature, admittedly, and all the soundbars we feature here offer Bluetooth support, but it’s worth keeping in mind. Some soundbars take it a step further, offering wireless connectivity via AirPlay 2 and Chromecast, but these soundbars are generally at the higher end of the market. There are two types of subwoofer – active and passive – with the latter ditching the built-in amp, and thus, the need for mains power. That’s made possible by using a wire to connect the sub to the soundbar and using the amp within the soundbar, but if you’re looking for a wireless subwoofer, you’ll need a second plug nearby to power the sub separately. Hannah Cowton is a Senior Staff Writer at Tech Advisor and Macworld, working across entertainment, consumer technology and lifestyle. Her interests and specialities lie in streaming services, film and television reviews and rumours, gaming, wearables and smart home products. She’s also the creator of The London Geek, a geek culture and lifestyle blog.
