Best soundbars 2022: For TV shows, movies and music

Looking for the best soundbar? We've tested all the top models in 2022, from Dolby Atmos delights to budget TV-boosting bars for your home ... Skiptomaincontent TechRadar TechRadar TechRadarThesourceforTechBuyingAdvice Search Subscribe RSS (opensinnewtab) (opensinnewtab) (opensinnewtab) (opensinnewtab) AsiaIndiaSingaporeMiddleEastEuropeDanmarkSuomiNorgeSverigeUKItaliaNederlandBelgië(Nederlands)FranceDeutschlandEspañaNorthAmericaUS(English)CanadaUS(Español)AustralasiaAustraliaNewZealand TechnologyMagazines(opensinnewtab)(opensinnewtab)Whysubscribe?Thebesttechtutorialsandin-depthreviewsTryasingleissueorsaveonasubscriptionIssuesdeliveredstraighttoyourdoorordeviceFrom$12.99(opensinnewtab)View(opensinnewtab) News Best Reviews Opinion HowTo Versus Deals More Appliances Audiovisual Cameras CarTech Computing Downloads Entertainment Fitness Laptops Phones SmartHome Tablets TVs Wearables AboutUs TrendingAppleWWDCBestphone2022DJIMini3ProiPhone14BestVPN TechRadarissupportedbyitsaudience.Whenyoupurchasethroughlinksonoursite,wemayearnanaffiliatecommission.Here’swhyyoucantrustus PRICE VERDICT REASONSTOBUY REASONSTOAVOID VERDICT REASONSTOBUY REASONSTOAVOID Includedinthisguide:1SonosArcCheckPrice(opensinnewtab)2SonyHT-G700CheckPrice(opensinnewtab)3SamsungHW-Q950ACheckPrice(opensinnewtab)4SamsungHW-Q800ACheckPrice(opensinnewtab)5SonosBeam(Gen2)CheckPrice(opensinnewtab)6Bowers&WilkinsPanorama3CheckPrice(opensinnewtab)7LGSK8CheckPrice(opensinnewtab)8PolkAudioCommandBarCheckPrice(opensinnewtab)9LGSP11RACheckPrice(opensinnewtab)10DenonHomeSoundBar550CheckPrice(opensinnewtab)11SonyHT-A7000CheckPrice(opensinnewtab) (Imagecredit:TechRadar) Findingthebestsoundbarcanbeacomplicatedprocess.That'swhywe'rehere.Whetheryouwanttocreatetheultimatehometheatersystemofyourdreams,oryousimplywantamorereliableandinexpensiveaudiosourcetopairupwithyourTV,wecanhelpyoufindthesoundbarthat'sidealforyou.WethinkthatsoundbarsareessentialupgradestomodernTVsbecausemostofthebestTVsyoucanbuytodayareveryslim.Thatmeansthere'sonlysomuchroomforspeakers,andtheaudioqualityoftenlackspunchasaresult.Subwoofersbringthatpunchbackandmore. EventhebestSamsungTVandbestLGTVscoulddowithanexternalsoundbartoprovideyouwithbetteraudioperformance,andwhenitcomestothebestTVsunder£500,you'lldefinitelyneedtheextraoomphofasoundbar:audiotendstobeabitofanafterthoughtatthemoreaffordableendofthemarket.Fortunately,thebestsoundbarforunder$200/£200canhelphereifyou'reonabudget.We'vetestedstacksofsoundbarstoputtogetherthisguidetotheverybestones.Wehaven'tjustgoneforthebiggestormostexpensiveoptions:we'velookedatallbudgetsandspecificationsfromhigh-endmodelswiththelatestDolbyAtmosimmersivesoundtomoreaffordableplug-in-and-gosolutions. Ifyou'renotsurehowtosetupyoursoundbar,checkouthowtosetupTVspeakersandsoundbars:weaskedtheproshowtogetthebestresults. It'sworthnotingthatsoundbarsaren'ttheonlyoption.Takealookatourpickofthebestsurroundsoundsystemsforatrulycinematicaudioexperience,orcheckoutthebestDolbyAtmosspeakersandsoundbarsinstead.Bestsoundbars2022:thelist(Imagecredit:Sonos)1.SonosArcThebestsoundbaryoucanbuyrightnowSpecificationsDimensions:1141.7x87x115.7mm(WxHxD)Speakerconfiguration:5.0.2Claimedaudiopower:N/AConnections:HDMIinput(ARC),opticaldigitalaudiotoHDMIconverter,Bluetooth,Ethernetport,802.11b,gWi-Fi,AppleAirPlay2,IRreceiverToday'sBestDealsViewatCrutchfield(opensinnewtab)ViewatWalmart(opensinnewtab)(opensinnewtab)ViewatAmazon(opensinnewtab)Seeallprices(21found)Reasonstobuy+DolbyAtmos,TrueHDandDolbyDigitalPlus+Discreteall-in-onesoundbar+AmazingsurroundsoundandmusicplaybackReasonstoavoid-NeedsTVof55inchesorbigger-NoHDMIpassthroughSonoshasmanagedtocramanentiresurroundsoundsolutionintoitsArcsoundbar.Itisn'tcheap,butifyou'realreadyafanofSonosthenwethinkyou'regoingtolovethewaythissoundbardeliversreallyimpressivesurroundsound.TheSonosArcdrawsonDolby’slatestTrueHDandDolbyDigitalPlussoundcodecstodeliverthebestqualitylosslessaudiofoundoncuttingedgeBlu-raydisksandsomeoftheleadingstreamingservices.Itthenenhancesthe3DsoundscapeusingDolbyAtmosobjecttrackstobouncecertainsoundsoffthewallsaroundyousotheyfeellikethey’recomingatyoufromallangles.Wethoughttheeffectwasprettyconvincinginourtests,andwhileit'snotasimmersiveasoverheadspeakersmountedonyourceilingit'saloteasiertoinstall. Wealsolikedthesimplesetup,whichinvolvedjustacoupleofstepsonthesmartphoneapp,andasyou'dexpectit'seasytohookituptoother Sonosspeakers.Theminimalistcableconnectionsandall-in-onesystemconstructionaddtothisno-fussfeelingandstreamlinedaesthetic–makingitthebestDolbyAtmossoundbaryoucanbuyin2022.Readmore:SonosArcreview(Imagecredit:Sony)2.SonyHT-G700ThebestaffordableDolbyAtmossoundbarwithasubwooferSpecificationsDimensions:Soundbar:980x64x108mm(WxHxD);Subwoofer:192x387x406mmSpeakerconfiguration:3.1Claimedaudiopower:400WConnections:HDMIeARCx1,HDMIinputx1,opticaldigitalx1,BluetoothToday'sBestDeals(opensinnewtab)ViewatAmazon(opensinnewtab)ViewatCrutchfield(opensinnewtab)ViewatWalmart(opensinnewtab)Seeallprices(18found)Reasonstobuy+Impressivelywideandtallsound+DolbyAtmos&DTS:Xsupport+4KHDRHDMIpassthroughReasonstoavoid-Can'tmanagetrueheight-NotasdynamicashigherpricedoptionsWethinktheSonyHT-G700hitsanexcellentsweetspotforfeatures,priceandthescaleofitssound.It'sasoundbarandwirelesssubwoofercombo,andthesoundbarisagoodsizeforTVsof48inchesandup.Aswe'vecometoexpectfromSonythere'smoretothissoundbarthanjuststereo,asgoodasthatis.ItsupportsboththeDolbyAtmosandDTS:Xelitesurroundsoundformats(whichisnotsomethingguaranteedinevenmorehigh-endsoundbars),andSonyusesitsexcellentsoundprocessingandacousticwizardrytocreatearealwallofsoundthatstretcheswaybeyondthelimitsofyourTVscreen,butwithconvincingpositioninganddirectionofspecificsounds.ItmightnotbequiteasgoodastheSonos,butit'sdefinitelyupthere.Sonyhasn'tforgottenaboutthebasics,though.ThesubwoofergivesitdepthinbassthatsomethingliketheSonosArccan'tmatchonitsown,andspeechisreallycleareveninbusyactionsoundtracks–andthat'swithoutthespeech-boostingmodeturnedon.Downsides?Therearen'tanydedicatedupfiringchannels,sowefoundtheAtmosperformancealittlelackingcomparedtoourSonyAVampwithitsdedicatedAtmosspeakers.Andifwe'rebeingreallypickywe'dsaythatit'salsoslightlylessdynamicforsuddenexplosionsandswellingsoundtracksthanthelikesoftheSonosArcorSamsungHW-Q800A–butit'salotcheaperthaneither.Sofortheprice,it'sthemostcinematicexperienceyoucanget.Readmore:SonyHT-G700review(Imagecredit:Future)3.SamsungHW-Q950AThebestsoundbarfortotalDolbyAtmosimmersionSpecificationsDimensions:Mainsoundbar-1232x69.5x138mm/Subwoofer210x403x403mm/Rear-125x203x141(WxHxD)Speakerconfiguration:11.1.4Claimedaudiopower:616WConnections:TwoHDMIinputs,oneHDMIoutputwitheARC,opticaldigital-audioinput,USBport,Bluetooth/Wi-FiToday'sBestDealsViewatWalmart(opensinnewtab)(opensinnewtab)ViewatAmazon(opensinnewtab)ViewatBestBuy(opensinnewtab)Seeallprices(16found)Reasonstobuy+Hugelypowerfulmovieplayback+Remarkablywell-roundedDolbyAtmossoundstage+DolbyVisionandHDR10+passthroughReasonstoavoid-Expensivecomparedtorivals-AlittleunrefinedwithmusicSamsung’sHW-Q950Asoundbarhitsthegroundrunningbydeliveringnolessthan16separatechannelsofsound. Itsoundsparticularlyamazingwhenitcomestowatchingyourfavoritemovies,deliveringaremarkablywell-roundedDolbyAtmossoundstage.AswesaidinourSamsungHW-Q950Areview,it'sallkindsofawesome.The2020modelwasalreadyprettyimpressivewith14channels,buttheHW-950Aisevenbetter.ThisisthemostimmersiveDolbyAtmosperformancewe'veeverheardfromasoundbar.Whenwetesteditwithfast-pacedactionscenesitdidn'tmissabeat,evenwhenitwasthumpingoutthehardestimpactsounds.Polite?No.Enormousfun?Ohyes. Ouronlyrealdisappointmenthereisitsslightlylessimpressivemusicplayback.Atthispriceweexpectedittohavethewowfactor,butit'sjustquitegood.It'sdefinitelybeenmadewithmoviesandgaminginmindratherthanmusic.That'snottosayitsmusicalperformanceisbad.Butwe'veheardbetter,soifyou'reswitheringbetweenthisandadecentseparatessysteminstead,ifmusicisyourprioritythenseparatesmaybethebetteroption.Butifyou'remoreintomovies,youcan'treallybeatthepower,performanceandconvenienceofSamsung'ssoundbar.Readmore:SamsungHW-Q950Areview(Imagecredit:Future)4.SamsungHW-Q800AThebestsoundbarformid-rangecinematicthrillsSpecificationsDimensions:Mainsoundbar980x60x115mm/Subwoofer403x210x403mm(WxHxD)Speakerconfiguration:3.1.2Claimedaudiopower:330WConnections:HDMIinputandoutputwitheARC,opticaldigitalaudioinput,Bluetooth,Wi-FiToday'sBestDealsViewatAmazon(opensinnewtab)ViewatWalmart(opensinnewtab)ViewatDell(opensinnewtab)Seeallprices(15found)Reasonstobuy+Powerful,immersive,room-fillingsound+ExcellentbasssupportfromthesubwooferReasonstoavoid-SomefeaturesonlyavailablewithnewerSamsungTVsDon'thavespaceforrearspeakersanddon'twanttospendtoomuchmoney?TheSamsungQ800AisasuperbpackageforgettingDolbyAtmossoundthatyoucanreallyfeelwithoutputtingabigdentinyourwallet.It'snottoobigeither–we'drecommenditforTVsof48inchesandup.Oneofthereasonswelikethissoundbarsomuchisbecauseithasactualupfiringdrivers.ThatmeansitcandelivermoreconvincingAtmosheightthansoundbarswithoutupfiringspeakers,andwefoundthatthehorizontalsoundstagewasniceandwidetoo.Addinsomeimpressivelymeatybassandyou'vegottheidealhomeentertainmentexperiencewithouthavingtofillyourroomwithhardware.TherearesomeusefultricksfornewSamsungTVownerstoo:youcancombineitwiththesoundoptimizationfeaturesofthenewQ70AorhigherSamsungTVs,enablingyoutogetanevenbiggerandclearersound. Don'tworryifyoudon'thavethoseTVs,though:wethinktheQ800Aismorethangoodenoughtostandonitsown. Itprovidesyouwithroomfillingsoundthat'swonderfullyimmersive.It'sprecise,powerful,anddynamicenoughtoensurethatyoufeelthefullweightofeveryoneofitsavailable3.1.2channels.Andasanaddedbonus,youcanaddwirelessrearspeakerslaterifyou'rereadytoupgrade.Readmore:SamsungHW-Q800Areview(Imagecredit:Sonos)5.SonosBeam(Gen2)Thebestsmallsoundbar–greatDolbyAtmosfor32inchesandupSpecificationsDimensions:69x651x100mmSpeakerconfiguration:3.1.2Claimedaudiopower:N/AConnections:HDMIinput(ARC),opticaldigitalaudiotoHDMIconverter,Bluetooth,Ethernetport,802.11b,gWi-Fi,AppleAirPlay2,IRreceiverToday'sBestDealsViewatCrutchfield(opensinnewtab)ViewatBestBuy(opensinnewtab)(opensinnewtab)ViewatAmazon(opensinnewtab)Seeallprices(11found)Reasonstobuy+WidesoundstagewithDolbyAtmos+HDMIeARCsupport+Hi-resaudiocompatibilityReasonstoavoid-Noupfiringdrivers-NoHDMIpassthroughIfyou'retightonspace,theSonosBeam(Gen2)isthebestsoundbaryoucanbuy. ItscompactsizemeansitwilleasilyslotbeneathyourTV,whetheryoupopitonaTVstandormountittoyourwall,andasleekdesignmeansitwon'tlookoutofplacewithyourdecor. It'scompactenoughtoworkwith32-inchTVs(justabout),butit'saperfectfitwith40-inchTVsupto50-inchTVs.Itimprovesonthecompany’soriginalSonosBeamsoundbarwithvirtual DolbyAtmos,HDMIeARCcompatibility,andarefresheddesign. Whileitdoesn'thavetheupfiringtweetersnecessaryfor'true'DolbyAtmos(andasaresult,wefoundthesonicheightisn'tasimpressiveastheSonosArc),theSonosBeam(Gen2)boastsawidesoundstageandanimmersiveaudioperformance. It'sverydetailed,impressivelydynamicforswitchingbetweenloudandquietsuddenly,andisjustasgoodwithmusicasitiswithmovies.Infact,youcanstreammusictoitoverWi-Fi(AirPlay2orSonos'ownwirelesssystem),anditworksasasmartspeaker–ithasAmazonAlexaorGoogleAssistantbuiltin(youcanchoosewhich).Readmore:SonosBeam(Gen2)review(Imagecredit:TechRadar)6.Bowers&WilkinsPanorama3AnexcellentrivalfortheSonosArcSpecificationsDimensions:65x1210x140mmSpeakerconfiguration:3.1.2Claimedaudiopower:400WConnections:1xHDMIeARC1xDigitalAudioIn(Toslink)1xRJ45Ethernet1xUSB-C(serviceconnectiononly)Today'sBestDealsViewatAmazon(opensinnewtab)ViewatCrutchfield(opensinnewtab)ViewatBestBuy(opensinnewtab)Seeallprices(6found)Reasonstobuy+Preciseandengrossingsoundwithmovies+Genuinelyadeptwithmusic+NiceselectionofcontroloptionsReasonstoavoid-DolbyAtmoscouldbemoreeffectiveIfyou'relookingforaconvincingalternativetotheSonosArcatasimilarprice,we'drecommendtheBowers&WilkinsPanorama3.It'sagreatchoice. Thissleek-lookingsoundbaroffers3.1.2-channelsofcinematicsound,DolbyAtmossupport,andlotsofcontroloptionsincludingatouch-sensitivepanelonthebaritself. Inourtests,thePanorama3wasengrossing,punchyanddynamicwithoutsacrificingthenaturalandcoherentsoundBowersisknownfor.Thesoundstageiswideandspacious,althoughwefelttheDolbyAtmosfeaturecouldbemoreconvincing;wedidn'tgetthesamesenseofheightthatyou'dgetfromSennheiser'sAmbeosoundbarorapairofoverheadspeakers. Still,theAtmosperformancedoesmakethesoundmorethree-dimensionalandthesoundbarsoundsjustasgoodformusicasitdoesformovies.WithSpotifyConnect,AirPlay2,andBluetooth(withaptXAdaptive),you'vegotplentyofconnectivityoptions,too. Unfortunatelythere'snoHDMIpassthrough,butthat'sasmallbugbearforasoundbarthat'sotherwisesofeature-rich.You'llbeabletohookthePanorama3uptoamultiroomsystemwithBowers&WilkinsZeppelin,Formation,orotherPanoramaspeakers-butthisfeatureiscomingviaasoftwareupdate,soweweren'tabletotestthatparticularfeatureforourselves. Readmore:Bowers&WilkinsPanorama3review(Imagecredit:Amazon)7.LGSK8SoundbarAgreatsoundbarforsmallerhomesSpecificationsDimensions:1061(w)x57.5(h)x87(d)mmSpeakerconfiguration:2.1Claimedpower:360WConnectivity:OneHDMIin,oneHDMIout,Bluetooth4.0,Wi-Fi,opticalaudioinputToday'sBestDeals(opensinnewtab)ViewatAmazon(opensinnewtab)27Walmartcustomerreviews(opensinnewtab)☆☆☆☆☆Reasonstobuy+Stylish,compactdesign+Open,clearsoundbaraudioReasonstoavoid-Rather‘flat’subwoofersound-NorearchannelsoundTheLGSK8isgettingabitlonginthetoothnow,butit'sstillanelegantandcompactsoundbarthatdeliversaclean,detailedandopensoundforareasonableprice. We'drecommendtakingtheDolbyAtmosclaimsherewithabigpinchofsalt– itdoesn'thavethededicatedaudiochannelsforfullAtmossoundandthesubwooferisratherreticent,sodon'texpectclass-leadingperformancehere– butthere'sstillplentytolikehere,notleastitsaffordability.TheDolbyAtmosprocessingdoesmanagetodeliveragenuinefeelingofheight,andwefoundthathelicoptersflyingoverheadorvolcanicrocksflyingthroughtheairreallydidsoundliketheywereaboveus.TheLGsupportslotsofsources,itlooksattractive,itsoundsmorepowerfulthanitlooks,andit’sjustasadeptwithmusicasitiswithmovies.Anon-soundbardisplayandGoogleAssistantcompatibilitymakeiteasytouse,too. Greatvalueroundsoffthepackagenicely,ensuringthere'sagooddealtobehadhere.Readmore:LGSK8Soundbarreview(Imagecredit:TechRadar)8.PolkAudioCommandBarThebestsoundbarforAmazondevoteesSpecificationsDimensions:43x14.5x14.4inchesSpeakerconfiguration:2.1Power:N/AConnectivity:1xSPDIDF,1xHDMI,1xTOSLINK,1xmicro-USB,1xHDMIoutputwithAudioReturnChannel(ARC),BluetoothToday'sBestDealsViewatWalmart(opensinnewtab)(opensinnewtab)ViewatAmazon(opensinnewtab)ViewatBestBuy(opensinnewtab)1Amazoncustomerreview(opensinnewtab)☆☆☆☆☆Reasonstobuy+Alexabuilt-in+SpaceforaFireTVstick+InexpensiveReasonstoavoid-Audioisn'tasstrongasnewercompetitionIfyoucanspare$300forasmartsoundbar,thenwehighlyrecommendthePolkAudioCommandBar.It'sagreatlittlesoundbarforanysmallormedium-sizedlivingroom.ThisisverymuchanAmazondevice,withbuilt-inAlexaandspaceforaFireTVStick.It'sreallyaffordable,cominginat$250(£249/AU$649),andthatpriceincludesadecentsubwoofer.Thatmeansyou'regettingadefinedandpowerfullowend,somecoolsmartfeaturesandprettygoodlookstoo.We'dhavelikedtheaudiotobealittlemorepunchybutatthispricewecan'treallycomplain:thatsubwooferismorethancapableofpumpingoutenoughvolumeforimmersivemoviesituationsandwefounditmorethancapableoffloor-fillingbassatpartiestoo.TheCommandBarmaynotbethenewestkidinaudiotownanymorebutithassomeusefulfeaturesthatmakeitstandoutfromtherest,it'seasytosetupandit'swellpricedtoo.Readmore:PolkAudioCommandBarreview(Imagecredit:LG)9.LGSP11RAAsoundbarthatrevelsinthedetailsSpecificationsDimensions:Mainsoundbar-1443x63x146mm/Subwoofer221x390x312.8mm/Rear-130x211.5x191.2(WxHxD)Speakerconfiguration:7.1.4Claimedaudiopower:770WConnections:TwoHDMIinputs,oneHDMIoutputwitheARC,opticaldigitalaudioinput,USBport,Bluetooth,Wi-FiToday'sBestDealsViewatWalmart(opensinnewtab)CheckAmazon(opensinnewtab)Reasonstobuy+Exceptionallydetailedsound +Adaptswelltomusicaswellasfilms+VeryattractiveandcompactdesignReasonstoavoid-Soundcanlackgruntattimes-Doesn’tquitejustifyitspriceIfyouaskedustosumupthedifferencebetweenordinaryandpremiumaudiokit,we'dsay:detail.Andthat'ssomethingtheLGSP11RAreallydelivers.Itsabilitytobringouteverylastdetailinacomplexmoviemixisexceptional,enablingittobuildanimmersive,busysoundstagethatmakesmostsoundbars-andallbuilt-inTVsystems-soundpunyandone-dimensionalbycomparison. WethinkthattheSP11RAhitstherightnoteswithitsfeatures,too.The DolbyAtmos andDTS:Xsoundformatsarebothsupported-supportwhichextendstofourup-firingspeakers,twointhemainsoundbarandoneineachoftherears.It'sparticularlystrikinghowaccuratelytheSP11RAplaceseachelementinitsimpressivelylargesoundstage.Ifasoundissupposedtobecomingfromhighandtotheleft,that’swhereitappears.Ifit’ssupposedtobecomingfromsomewherebehindandaboveyourrightshoulder,that’swhereitappears.Detailsarealsoalwaysbeautifullyclearanddefined,evenwhentheon-screenactionisatitsmostintense.It'sexpensivebutitsexceptionallydetailedsoundandexpansivesoundstageadaptsbrilliantlyformusicaswellasfilms.Wethinkitlooksgreattoo,suitingamodernlookinglivingroom.Readmore:LGSP11RAreview(Imagecredit:Denon)10.DenonHomeSoundBar550Thebestsmallersoundbarforbigger,boldersoundSpecificationsDimensions:650x75x120mmSpeakerconfiguration:4.0Claimedaudiopower:N/AConnections:4KHDMI(1Xin/1xoutwitheARC),1xdigitaloptical,USBport,3.55mmauxinputToday'sBestDealsViewatBestBuy(opensinnewtab)ViewatWalmart(opensinnewtab)ViewatWorldWideStereo(opensinnewtab)Seeallprices(6found)Reasonstobuy+Wellspecifiedandflexible+Poised,large-scalesound(atreasonablevolumes)+NicelymadeandfinishedReasonstoavoid-Becomessociallyaggressiveathighervolumes-DolbyAtmoseffectislackingTherearemanybig,expensiveDolbyAtmossoundbarstochoosefrom,andplentyinexpensive,smallersoundbarsforupgradingyourTV.TheDenonHomeSoundBar550sitssomewhereinthemiddle,bringingyouDolbyAtmos-styleaudiothrillsinasmallerformfactor.It’sacompact,well-specifiedsoundbarwhoselooksarequiteunderstatedbutitssoundisanythingbut.Offeringplentyofconnectivityoptions,great(includinghi-resaudioabilityandsomeprocessingwizardrytodeliverasenseofspatialaudio)andagenuinefacilityasamusicspeaker.WefoundthesoundtheDenonservesupistallandquitewide,whichmakesforanengrossingandentertaininglisten.However,wealsofoundthatthisisn'tasoundbarthatwantstogotooloud:turnituptoomuchandthingsquicklygetoutofhand,withtheHome550baringitsteethandbecomingoverlyaggressive. Readmore:DenonHomeSoundBar550review(Imagecredit:Sony)11.SonyHT-A7000DolbyAtmosSoundbarSony’snewestflagshipisabig‘barforbigbucksSpecificationsSpeakerconfiguration:7.1.2Claimedaudiopower:500WConnections:HDMIeARC/ARC,OpticalIn,USB,BluetoothToday'sBestDealsViewatAmazon(opensinnewtab)ViewatWalmart(opensinnewtab)ViewatCrutchfield(opensinnewtab)Seeallprices(16found)Reasonstobuy+Supremelycleardialogue+TwoHDMI2.1ports+Atmos,DTS:Xand360RealityAudioReasonstoavoid-LimitedheightchannelsTheSonyHT-A7000mayhaveamassivestickerprice,butitpromisesalongshelflifethankstoitstwoHDMI2.1portsandsupportforallthemajorspatialaudioformats.Atthispricewewishitcamewiththesurroundandsubwooferunits,butthosewithincrediblydeeppocketscantackthoseonforafewhundredmore. WhathelpsmakethepricetagfeelalittlemorejustifiedisthefactthattheHT-A7000 comeswithupfiringdriversfortrueDolbyAtmos,althoughwefelttheheightchannelscouldbealittlemoreconvincing. Intermsofmusicality,though,theHT-A7000isaverytalentedsoundbar,withexcellentstereoimagingandareallyroom-fillingsound-especiallyifyoutakeadvantageofitssupportforSony's360RealityAudio.Connectivityisverygood,too.ThesoundbarsupportsHDMI,ofcourse,butitalsohas3.5mmauxiliary,Bluetoothaudio,USBdevices,Spotify,Chromecast,AmazonAlexaand360RealityAudioviaDeezer,TidalandAmazonMusic.That'saverywideselectionofsources,givingyoulotsofflexibilityintermsofwhatyouwanttoconnect. Readmore:SonyHT-A7000DolbyAtmossoundbarreviewHowtobuythebestsoundbarforyouIfyoulovetheslimaestheticofyournew4KTV,wecanbetitdoesn’thavetheaudioneededtomatchthevisuals.ThatmeanspickingthebestsoundbartogowithyourTVisyourbestoptiontogetthemostoutofyourfavoriteTVshowsandfilms. Thebestsoundbarsof2022arebuilttobejustaspleasingtotheeyeastheyaretotheear.Mostofthemaresleek,minimalanddesignedtositflushagainstawallorhomecinemaset-up.They'realsoagoodsolutionforsmallerhomesandroomswithlittlespacethatwouldn'tbeabletosqueezea7.1channelspeakersystemin. Themajorityofthesoundbarsonthislistaremadetositinfrontofyourscreen,buttheycanalsobewall-mountedaboveortothesideofitaswell,dependingonhowyourroomislaidout.Thisprovidesyouwithultimatechoiceastohowyourhomeentertainmentset-uplooks.Despitemostofthesoundbarsonthislistonlyfeaturingfront-facingspeakers,manyareabletoconfidentlyprojectsoundinawaythatmakesitseemasthoughthere'sboomingaudiocomingfromeverydirection.Ifyou'relookingforanalternativesolutiontoasoundbar,checkouttheSonyHT-A9HomeTheaterSystem.Itcomprisesfourspeakersthatcommunicatewitheachotherwirelesslyviaatinyboxthat'sslightlylargerthanan AppleTV,workingtogethertocreateafurther12"phantom"DolbyAtmosspeakers. IfyouhaveaniPhoneoraniPad,youshouldalsotakealookatourguidetothebestAirPlayspeakers.Theseallowyoutostreammusicdirectlyfromyourdevicestoyourspeaker.Thatmeansroom-fillingsoundfromyourphonewithouttheneedforamorecomplexentertainmentset-up.Somearesmallandportable,butplentyofsoundbarscomewithAirPlayintegrationbakedintoo. SoundbarFAQsAresoundbarsworthit?Absolutely.Evenifyoudon'tconsideryourselfahardcorecinephile,thebestsoundbarsmakeaworldofdifferencetoyourTVwatchingexperience–built-inTVspeakersjustdon'tdoyourfavoritefilms,TVshows,andgamesjustice. HowmuchshouldIspendonasoundbar?Itreallydependsonwhatyou'relookingfor.Ifyouwanttheverybestsoundbartechnologyhastooffer,youmightbelookingatpricesof$800/£800/AU$1,000andupwards.However,therearelotsoffantasticbudgetsoundbarsonthemarket,withsomecostinglessthan$100/£100/AU$150.Justbearinmindthatyougenerallygetwhatyoupayfor,andthesebudgetmodelsprobablywon'tcomewithpremiumfeatureslikeDolbyAtmos,includedrearspeakers,andhi-resaudiosupport. WhereshouldIputasoundbar?Yougenerallyhavetwooptionswhenitcomestosoundbarplacement:wall-mountingit,orplacinginbelowyourTVonyourTVcabinet.Ifyoursoundbarisquitetall,wall-mountingmaybethebestoption,asitcouldobscuretheIRreceiveronyourTV,renderingyourremotecontroluseless.Aftersomerealsurroundsound?CheckoutthebestDolbyAtmosspeakersTVstands:findingthebestTVstandtosuityourlivingroomcinemaneeds Roundupoftoday'sbestdeals(opensinnewtab)SonosArc(opensinnewtab)(opensinnewtab)$899(opensinnewtab)View(opensinnewtab)SeeallpricesReducedPrice(opensinnewtab)SonyHT-G700(opensinnewtab)(opensinnewtab)$599.99(opensinnewtab)$398(opensinnewtab)View(opensinnewtab)SeeallpricesReducedPrice(opensinnewtab)SamsungHW-Q950A(opensinnewtab)(opensinnewtab)$1,799.99(opensinnewtab)$1,397.99(opensinnewtab)View(opensinnewtab)Seeallprices(opensinnewtab)SamsungHW-Q800A(opensinnewtab)(opensinnewtab)$613(opensinnewtab)View(opensinnewtab)Seeallprices(opensinnewtab)SonosBeam(Gen2)(opensinnewtab)(opensinnewtab)$449(opensinnewtab)View(opensinnewtab)SeeallpricesReducedPrice(opensinnewtab)Bowers&WilkinsPanorama3(opensinnewtab)(opensinnewtab)$999(opensinnewtab)$954(opensinnewtab)View(opensinnewtab)Seeallprices(opensinnewtab)LGSK8(opensinnewtab)(opensinnewtab)$366.99(opensinnewtab)View(opensinnewtab)Seeallprices(opensinnewtab)PolkAudioCommandBar(opensinnewtab)(opensinnewtab)$279(opensinnewtab)View(opensinnewtab)SeeallpricesReducedPrice(opensinnewtab)LGSP11RA(opensinnewtab)(opensinnewtab)$1,699.99(opensinnewtab)$999(opensinnewtab)View(opensinnewtab)SeeallpricesReducedPrice(opensinnewtab)DenonHomeSoundBar550(opensinnewtab)(opensinnewtab)$649.99(opensinnewtab)$499.99(opensinnewtab)View(opensinnewtab)SeeallpricesWecheckover250millionproductseverydayforthebestpricespoweredby OliviaTambini (opensinnewtab) (opensinnewtab) SeniorEditor-HomeEntertainment OliviaisTechRadar'sSeniorEditor-HomeEntertainment,coveringeverythingfromheadphonestoTVs.BasedinTechRadar'sLondonoffices,she'sapopularmusicgraduatewhoworkedinthemusicindustrybeforefindinghercallinginjournalism.She'spreviouslybeeninterviewedonBBCRadio5Liveonthesubjectofmulti-roomaudio,chairedpaneldiscussionsondiversityinmusicfestivallineups,andherbylinesincludeT3,Stereoboard,WhattoWatch,TopTenReviews,CreativeBloq,andCrocoMagazine. InhersparetimeOlivialikesgardening,painting,andhangingwithhercatEthelandgoldenretrieverDora. Withcontributionsfrom NickPino SeniorEditor,HomeEntertainment SeemoreHomeCinemaaudionews TechRadarNewsletter Signuptogetbreakingnews,reviews,opinion,analysisandmore,plusthehottesttechdeals! ContactmewithnewsandoffersfromotherFuturebrands Receiveemailfromusonbehalfofourtrustedpartnersorsponsors ThankyouforsigninguptoTechRadar.Youwillreceiveaverificationemailshortly. Therewasaproblem.Pleaserefreshthepageandtryagain. MOSTPOPULARMOSTSHARED1Apple,youbrokemyheartwiththeMacBookAirredesign2ItriedSamsung'sultra-slimDolbyAtmossoundbar,andit'sagame-changer3TheAppleWatchnowhasanewmystery,thankstowatchOS94IsNetflixabouttobuyRoku?5Windows11desktopisgettinganiOSandAndroid-stylemakeover115yearsago,Blinkscaredthehelloutofme-DoctorWhoneedstorecapturethatpower2IusethishiddeniPhonefeatureeveryday...andyoushouldtoo3Commentempêcherlepiratagedevotresmartphone?4OldPSPlusendsonahighwithfinalmonthlygamereleases5Appleunlocksroom-scanningpowersfordevs TechnologyMagazines(opensinnewtab)●(opensinnewtab)Thebesttechtutorialsandin-depthreviewsFrom$12.99(opensinnewtab)View(opensinnewtab)