Best Soundbar of 2021 - The best for your TV

As TVs get slimmer and slimmer, their audio capabilities suffer the most. Modern televisions cannot deliver impressive audio outputs on their own, unless they include a decent soundbar system. This means that if you want to truly enjoy a home-cinema experience, you need the best soundbar.

This much is certain: having the best soundbar can drastically improve the audio output of your TV but the question remains, by how much? To put it briefly: a lot. These are sophisticated gadgets meant to do just this one job, and they excel at it.

For this purpose, we have created a list of some of the best soundbar models available in the market. These models are generally well received and are guaranteed to improve your movie experience.

The Sonos Arc is, without a doubt, the champion of the best soundbar world. Its name is a matter of great speculation and the inspiration is still highly debated. However, the system offers excellent, perhaps unparalleled, results for its HDMI compatibility. It also creates the perfect surround sound effect to instill a second life to an otherwise sound-dead room.

This soundbar offers a wide compatibility spectrum, engulfing even giants like the recently developed Dolby’s TrueHD and Digital Plus sound types. This allows the system to deliver flawless and highly detailed sound results for movies (even those being played from Blu-ray) and songs. Employing the cutting-edge Dolby Atmos, this system delivers the ultimate 3D sound effect to turn your bland interior into a hotbed of audiophilia.

You may be driven away by the complex narrative and the complicated terminologies involved but the system couldn't be simpler. In practicality, the Sonos Arc does not force you to learn any complex or high-tech stuff. Its interface is simple and all you have to is to hook up a few cables and tap a few buttons on your smartphone's screen.

This simplicity, along with the myriad of features that it boasts, makes it one of the best soundbar models in the market.

The Sonos Arc is the ultimate soundbar system for your home. It will overhaul your movie nights and deliver an unparalleled experience. With this installed alongside your TV, you will redefine what it means to be entertained and thoroughly amazed.

The Samsung HW-Q90R Soundbar is a truly remarkable piece of engineering. This soundbar long remained the undisputed champion of this realm, until the Sonos Arc showed up at a relatively affordable rate. However, this model remains, to this day, well worth its price and delivers an overall premium experience when it comes to performance and user experience.

The framework is based on four drivers firing upwards, and speakers present in the rear. This configuration from 2019 is unique in that it offers support for Atmos and DTS:X by Dolby. The unique part is that Samsung HW-Q90R is the only model to have done so in this configuration. This rare achievement allows the model to steal its position on this list.

Be mindful that, out of the many wannabe products out there in the market, this is amongst the selected few that can perfectly produce Atmos and DTS:X. This naturally makes the model one of the most beautiful sounding soundbars available in the market. Just listening to it will make you feel elated and yet fully alert at once; the feeling is a bit hard to define, you just have to be there.

And to top it all off, it offers complete support for HDMI, making it perfect for watching Blu-ray based movies.

The Samsung HW-Q90R Soundbar may be a bit beyond what most people anticipated money-wise, but it is worth it. This model features excellent sound quality, wide connectivity options and a premium user experience.

Maybe you do want a premium quality sound system but not with a premium price tag. If that's your situation, then the Sony HT-X8500 Soundbar is the solution. It has managed to win the hearts and ears of audiophiles while not costing half as much as other competing models. To an experienced observer, these price cuts are not without their costs, but the sound quality is amazing so who can complain?

This is perhaps one of the most cost-effective soundbars that perform just as well as the high-end products, without pushing you back financially. This first-class performance is mainly attributed to the exclusive Vertical Sound Engine which gives the effect of being immersed and surrounded by the sound.

This sound-drowning effect is further bolstered by the unit’s ability to align itself perfectly with the Dolby Atmos and DTS:X formats. If you play movies using these sound codecs, then the effect will be ultra-realistic. It would be as if the things happening inside the movie are happening in real life.

Moving on to the construction of this model, it does not disappoint here either. The frame is durable and the design is impressive; as for the performance, the description above suffices to suggest that this is one of the best soundbar available in the market at an affordable rate.

The Sony HT-X8500 is an impressive all-in-one compact soundbar featuring premium audio quality comparable to that of competing models but at a much affordable rate.

The Q Acoustics M4 Soundbar may not entice you with its looks, which are a bit prosaic if you ask anyone. However, performance-wise, it will get you hooked in no time. Just wait till you listen to what this model can do with its humble framework, be it a song or movie; this unit will add a new element of liveliness to the sound.

If you had any doubts about buying this unit, they will be swept over by confidence when you analyze its performance. While it is not the most tech-forward option out there, it delivers perfectly performance-wise. If you've set it up with your entertainment system, be prepared to be immersed in a sea of realistic surround sound effects.

This unit sells out fast, which shows how much faith customers put into it. If you frequently watch movies and listen to music like an addict, then this unit will make things much cooler for you. It is not the cheapest model in the market but is a pretty decent option available at a very affordable rate.

The only downside is that it does not feature HDMI support which is somewhat of a drag but, considering the price, it offers some pretty decent features.

The Q Acoustics M4 Soundbar is an impressive model. Not only does it feature an excellent sound quality, but also a well-designed body. It is easy to hook up and operate and, best of all, features a Bluetooth connectivity option. The only limitation is that this model does not feature HDMI support.

The Samsung HW-Q70R Soundbar is the successor to the award-winning HW-650 model, and was also preceded by the HW-850. All of these models are the brainchild of Samsung's commitment towards excellence and the tireless efforts of its California-based branch. This model not only offers an excellent performance, but it also boasts amazing aesthetics to deliver flawlessly on all fronts.

This model is a revised edition of the previously manufactured and highly acclaimed HW-650 model and, although it is a bit pricier, it features more functions as well. Most notably, the new soundbar features support for the Doly Atmos, allowing it to outperform its predecessor in the sound quality arena.

Whether you’re an audiophile or just hooked on movies, you will find a completely revamped and refreshed experience with this soundbar. The immersive nature of the sound stage and the surround effects are simply immaculate; add HDMI compatibility to the mix and you’ve got a party at your hands with friends gathered to watch the latest James Bond movie on Blu-ray.

The price, though a bit more than that of its predecessor, is not too high. You also get a high performing unit that boasts an excellent design to feast your eyes. The Bluetooth connectivity is another bonus; all in all, this product is a must-buy.

The Samsung HW-Q70R Soundbar is an excellent option for bringing a lively and immersive sound component to your videogames and movies. Though it may lack some advanced features, for what it is worth, it offers a pretty decent deal.

The Ambeo 3D Soundbar is Sennheiser’s attempt to set foot in uncharted territory. This techno-giant is well known for its excellent microphone and headphone products, but this soundbar is a new deal. However, Sennheiser has proven that its commitment and enthusiasm coupled with years of excellence in manufacturing can help them ace all fields and they have done exactly that with this soundbar.

This model is jam-packed with the latest technological advances. No leaf was left unturned by the manufacturers who also included support for Doly Atmos and DTS:X. The duo allows this soundbar to create stunning surround sound effects and to flawlessly deliver sound effects across the room. The 3D sound effects are also a feat of artistic engineering, allowing users to dive into whatever is being played and feel as if things were happening all around them.

Couple this with 3D visuals and you’ve got the ultimate fusion of realism and entertainment. While the main emphasis remains on delivering the ultimate home entertainment experience, the WiFi connectivity suggests that the model is not meant to be limited to your TV. It can virtually connect with anything and deliver excellent sound effects to whatever music or video you’re streaming.

The price tag is a major deterrent and, for such a heavy unit, it takes a lot to be included in such a list. Fortunately, what it lacks in these two areas, the model more than makes up for elsewhere and delivers an excellent experience overall.

The Sennheiser Ambeo 3D Soundbar may be a bit pricey but is surely worth every penny. This premium quality soundbar delivers excellent sound quality and a superior immersive experience. It also features support for Dolby Atmos but weighs a bit too much, which can be a drag.

For its price tag, the Sonos Beam is an excellent soundbar. It is undoubtedly a smart option, in more than one way. For instance, it is compatible with Alexa-based voice command and delivers excellently performance-wise. If you want something close to the Sonos Arc but at a much affordable rate, then you can’t go wrong with this model.

Don't be deceived by the cheap price tag; though it may have sacrificed a few features, the overall performance is still pretty impressive. It employs the Sonos ecosystem to its fullest and offers a simple setup and excellent performance especially with HDMI. If you decide to watch a Blu-ray movie, you will be thoroughly amazed by the sound quality.

It has a compact body design but it’s not too small; in fact, it is just the right size. It offers a decent bass component but not a dominant one, and some people may be taken aback by the lack of support for Dolby Atmos. However, at such a price tag, no one can expect such premium features. Overall, the model performs in an excellent manner and delivers more than what it is worth.

The Sonos Beam Soundbar is a version of the Sonos Arc. This model may not feature all functionalities of the Arc Soundbar but it does excel in everything it has to offer. It offers excellent sound quality and a wholesome entertainment experience and that much it can deliver flawlessly.

The Denon HEOS Bar is an impressive soundbar, to say the least. This model is perfect for creating the illusion of being surrounded by speakers, when it’s just one. The unit has nine drivers arranged in trios, meaning there are three groups of three and they collaborate to create the surround sound effect. Versatility is the main strength of this unit; the Denon HEOS Bar can be whatever you need and it perfectly reinforces your TV.

HDMI support means that Blu-ray movies should sound just perfect while the overall audio experience is by no means subpar. You can listen to music like never before owing to the impressive sound output. And while you cannot tweak individual aspects of the audio output, the overall result is undeniably excellent. All in all, the performance is pristine.

There are some limitations to performance; for example, in some instances, initial segments of the songs were cut off. But this much can be overlooked when you are provided with an overall impressive performance for such an affordable price. The wireless connectivity options like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi also add to the productivity of this model, making it increasingly versatile.

The Denon HEOS Bar offers powerful sound and will overhaul the home entertainment experience.

Often dubbed as the 36-inch 2.1 Soundbar, the Vizio SB362An-F6 is an excellent companion for your TV set. It's time to turn your screen into something more lively and entertaining, and what better way to do so than adding a sound system to it? Not only is this model highly affordable, it offers excellent features to its users, earning it a rank amongst the best soundbars on this list.

It has a nice, sleek design, perfect for feasting the eyes before you turn it on and lose yourself to its sound. It can be placed easily underneath a TV screen or, if you prefer otherwise, you can mount it on a wall using wall-mounting brackets. It may not be the perfect option, given that it costs significantly lesser than other models, but for what you’re paying, you’re getting your money’s worth out of it.

If you're sick and tired of standard TV sound quality, then this model can help you enjoy the screen better. With enhanced sound-producing capabilities and compatibility for Dolby DTS and Audio, this soundbar can deliver excellent results. Most importantly, if you don't need advanced features like HDMI support and simply want to enhance your TV watching experience, then this model is a perfect way to avoid overpaying for features you'll never use.

The Vizio SB362An-F6 is an impressive soundbar, perfect for enhancing your TV’s entertainment value.

The LG SK8 Soundbar is another affordable soundbar for your TV. This option lacks any advanced features but performs excellently considering what you’ll have to pay for getting one. It is highly compact and features a sleek design. You can easily place it underneath your TV and experience movies and TV shows like never before. The sound result is both powerful and highly detailed, delivering the best on all fronts.

It features support for Atmos by Dolby and is even compatible with HDMI. However, the lack of any real channels creates a problem in this area. Overall, the design is impressive and the unit is far more powerful than what its looks will lead you to believe. Overall, it is an impressive model with excellent performance capabilities.

The LG SK8 Soundbar is an impressively designed model that also offers HDMI compatibility that will overhaul your movie experience.