The 10 Best Budget Friendly Soundbar, Tested And Researched

Nicolas Ward By, Nicolas Ward
Updated
Polk Audio Signa S2 Ultra-Slim TV Soundbar | Works with 4K & HD TVs
Image credit: Amazon.com

The Rundown

1. Best Of The Best: Polk Audio Signa S2 Ultra-Slim TV Soundbar | Works with 4K & HD TVs

Polk Audio’s Signa S2 Ultra-Slim TV Soundbar delivers the power and performance of full surround sound for home entertainment. Hear every word in crystal-clear, up to 5.1 Dolby Digital Plus surround sound with a built-in woofer and two tweeters. Polk Audio’s proprietary technologies provide unmatched sound quality so you can enjoy a richer listening experience with less distortion. Read Review

2. Best Bang For The Buck: BESTISAN Soundbar, TV Sound Bar with Dual Bass Ports Wired

The soundbar from BESTISAN is a perfect way to improve your home's audio experience. This wireless Bluetooth 5.0 transmission, booming bass, and astonishing sound bar will definitely make you fall in love with your TV again. Whether you're watching a movie, listening to music, or playing video games with friends and family, this soundbar will provide superior audio quality and surround sound. Read Review

3. Best Sound Quality: Samsung HW-A450/ZA 2.1ch Soundbar with Dolby Audio (2021)

With Samsung’s Adaptive Sound Lite technology, your TV sounds amazing, no matter what you are watching. This feature automatically adjusts the audio to match the content of your TV program. Plus, with a built-in subwoofer and wireless connectivity to your TV, this Samsung soundbar is one that won’t just look good on any living room wall, it will make all your room guests jealous. Read Review

4. Best Realiable: Sony HT-S350 Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer: S350 2.1ch Sound Bar

Sony HT-S350 soundbar is a compact but powerful sound system that delivers TV and movie sound with clarity. This speaker bar has an S-Force PRO front surround sound for richer, more accurate audio reproduction. The wireless subwoofer is powerful enough to fill any room with high-quality bass, ensuring the soundtrack you're listening to sounds as it should. With its simple setup and wall-mountable design, this soundbar is perfect for the bedroom or office. Read Review

Sounds can make or break your TV watching experience. While some viewers prefer to have their TVs soundless, others would rather hear music or a movie as opposed to seeing it. If you fall into the latter category, you might want to invest in a good soundbar. Soundbars are smaller and more affordable alternatives to the full-size surround sound systems that are so popular with AV enthusiasts today.

They come in all shapes and sizes, from under $100 models that act as simple auxiliary speakers for your TV, to high-end home theater systems that cost thousands of dollars and take up a big chunk of floor space. Sounds great right? But where do you start looking for a decent sounding bar? Read on to learn everything you need to know about buying the best budget friendly soundbar for your home theater setup!

You are strongly encouraged to pay close attention to the Polk Audio Signa S2 Ultra-Slim TV Soundbar | Works with 4K & HD TVs as our top product. Or you can check the BESTISAN Soundbar, TV Sound Bar with Dual Bass Ports Wired as the other great option, even if the first option didn't meet all of your requirements.

Our Top Picks

  • UPGRADE YOUR HOME THEATER EXPERIENCE – Watch your favorite shows on your 4K HD Smart TV with exceptional picture quality & crystal clear sound. With numerous connection possibilities, plug in any audio source via HDMI ARC, optical input & AUX
  • SET UP YOUR SOUND BAR IN MINUTES — With the included subwoofer, HDMI and optical cables quickly connect your TV to the sound bar. Get set up and listening in minutes
  • EXCELLENT SOUND AND VALUE on par with any mid- to high-range sound bars available in the market. At just over 2" tall, it fits most spaces — easily wall-mount it or place in front of your TV. It won’t block your TV’s bottom edge or IR remote sensor
  • WIRELESSLY STREAM MUSIC from your favorite streaming apps like Pandora, Spotify, TuneIn, and others directly from your smartphone, tablet or other compatible device through the built-in Bluetooth technology
  • A PREMIUM ULTRA-SLIM SOUND BAR WITH INCLUDED WIRELESS SUBWOOFER – 5 powerful full-range drivers deliver BEAUTFUL RICH SOUND WITH DEEP BASS. POLK’S EXCLUSIVE VOICE ADJUST TECHNOLOGY & Dolby Digital Decoding maximizes sound clarity & reduces voice delays
TOP Choice #2 BESTISAN Soundbar, TV Sound Bar with Dual Bass Ports Wired
Our Score:
9.7
BESTISAN
  • power source type: DC
  • Room-filling sound: powerful speakers deliver a round, high-end audio experience for bed room and apartment.
  • Multiple Setups, multiple options: sits flat below the TV screen or securely mounts on the wall for a sleek, elegant home theater setup
  • included components: Soundbar; cables; speakers
  • 3 different equalizer modes: fine tune your sound bar with 3 distinct equalizer modes (movie, music, dialogue) via the remote control to match your favorite sound
  • Multiple wireless and wired connections: easily connect to the sound bar via Bluetooth 5. 0 or standard audio cable Connection, RCA, and optical input
  • Enhanced bass: 3 inches full range drivers and dual bass ports that bring the richer and deeper bass, boost A loud sound that fills the room without distortion.
TOP Choice #3 Samsung HW-A450/ZA 2.1ch Soundbar with Dolby Audio (2021)
Our Score:
9.6
SAMSUNG
  • SUBWOOFER INCLUDED - Wireless subwoofer is included so you can enjoy deep bass right out of the box All-in-one
  • ADAPTIVE SOUND LITE - Enhanced audio tracking for your content in real time, with technology that equalizes background music and consistent volume control
  • BASS BOOST - Give your bass an instant boost with the push of a button on the soundbar
  • WIRELESS SURROUND SOUND COMPATIBLE - Turn your soundbar into a complete surround sound system with optional rear Samsung speakers in a few simple steps without the mess of wires
  • BLUETOOTH TV CONNECTION - Set up is a breeze. Easily connect your soundbar to your TV by connecting wirelessly
  • ONE REMOTE - Streamline control of both your Samsung TV and soundbar with just the Samsung TV remote
  • GAME MODE - Boost your gaming experience with perfectly synced directional audio that moves with the action on-screen and crosstalk cancellation that minimizes distractions
  • Wirelessly Connect: Connect via Bluetooth to Send Audio to the Slim Soundbar and Sub from Anywhere
  • Audio Comes Alive:320W total power output brings content to life with incredible volume and clarity
  • Voice Enhancement: Isolates Voices and Amplifies Them over the Background Noise for Greater Clarity
  • S-Force Pro: Virtual Surround Sound Technology Emulates a Theater-Style Surround Sound Experience
  • One-Cable Connect: Send Audio and Control Information from the TV Using a Single Cable with HDMI Arc
  • Powerful Subwoofer: Large 6.30 Inches Speaker Unit and 6.16 Gallon Volume for a Deeper, Richer Bass Sound
  • 7 Sound Modes: Choose from Auto Sound, Cinema, Music, Game, News, Sports, and Standard Audio Mode
  • Ultimate Home Theater Upgrade: Sony 2.1 Channel Sound Bar System With Wireless Subwoofer for Optimized Audio
  • Bluetooth Streaming: Stream Your Favorite Movies, Shows, and Music from Your Smartphone or Tablet
  • In the Box: Soundbar, Subwoofer, Remote Control, Batteries, Optical Cable, Quick Setup Guide, Manual
  • Upgraded version high-sensitivity remote control displays the different modes by means of different colored LED lights Deep bass improved power-designed for your smart TV and sweet home
  • Wireless Bluetooth 5 0 transmission Bluetooth wireless transmission technology strong anti-interference lossless Audio transmission 360-degree sound let you have a high-quality home audio system Enjoy the luxury of music
  • Dsp technology This technology Let you have three choices for sound effects news movie and music you can choose according to your current situation
  • Easy to Use and Operate: High-sensitivity full function IR remote control displays the different modes by means of differently colored LED lights
  • Memory function and bass control the update remote's reset button could be memorized to the factory settings And you can control the treble and bass settings of the sound bar
  • Compact soundbar: This small soundbar is just over 2" tall for easy placement in front of your TV or mounted to a wall (wall brackets sold separately). Overall TV speaker dimensions are 2.21" H x 23.38" W x 4.02" D.
  • Enhanced dialogue: This TV speaker is designed to specifically focus on clarifying and elevating vocals and pronunciation.
  • Remote control: Compact TV speaker comes with a remote control that enables a dialogue mode to further enhance speech or add a bass boost for more depth.
  • Simple setup: A single connection from this compact soundbar to the TV via an optical audio cable (included) or an HDMI cable (sold separately) has you up and running in minutes.
  • Hear your TV better: Designed with simplicity in mind, the Bose TV Speaker is a small soundbar that clarifies speech and is a simple fix for better TV sound.
  • Wide, natural sound: 2 angled full-range drivers deliver a more realistic, spatial audio experience for overall better TV sound from a small soundbar.
  • Bluetooth TV speaker: Pair your device to this Bluetooth soundbar to wirelessly stream your favorite music and podcasts.
  • Build and expand: The Bose TV Speaker is compatible with the Bose Bass Module 500 or 700 and requires the Bose Bass Module Connection Cable or a standard 3.5 millimeter audio cable, sold separately.
  • DSP Technology: Thanks for the Digital Signal Processing, there are three different modes (Movie, Music, Dialog) for your option. Be footloose and start to enjoy what you like.
  • Beef Up Version: Noise-free Sound,Boosted Bass, Bigger Power (Max up to 100Watt).Utilized Noise-free technology to ensure every layer of Audio is delivered flawlessly. Extended length to 40 Inch which is Meticulously- designed for your smart TV and sweet Home.
  • Rock-Solid Sound: Quad built-in 3-Inch imported and advanced full-range drivers; dual high-sensitivity spherical silk film tweeter drivers, twin craftsman-processed bass reflex tubes. All they only serve for serious stereo sound with exceptional clarity and zero distortion. According to our substantial survey, most speaker drivers are less than 3-Inch in the market.
  • Button and Remote Control : Use BYL’s remote control to switch between dialogue, movie, and music modes to tailor the sound output to your entertainment.Moreover, Bass and Treble can be adjustable as your favor.
  • BUILT-IN SUBWOOFER: Delivering high definition sound, the Teton’s stereo speakers fill the room with your favourite sounds using the provided remote control.
  • MULTI-CONNECTION: The Teton boasts a wide range of connections including Bluetooth, Optical input, RCA, and AUX-input. The Teton comes with an RCA cable. Designed for the eager audiophile, you can select which mode you want to listen to: Music, Movies or Dialogue.
  • ROOM-FILLING SOUND: With 2.1 Channel Sound, the Teton offers a superior audio experience for any home entertainment set-up.
  • COMPATIBLE WITH TV, PHONE AND PC: Using the range of connectivity options, the Teton can be connected to your phone, computer and most TVs using Bluetooth, Optical Input and RCA input.
  • DIMENSIONS: 32in x 4.8in x 4in; 3.3lbs
  • 3D SURROUND SOUND - The powerful 3D surround sound of DTS Virtual: X turns your living room into a theater.
  • SURROUND SOUND CHANNEL CONFIGURATION: 5.1
  • ADAPTIVE SOUND - Adaptive sound technology optimizes sound for every scene, allowing you to hear voices clearly even at the lowest volumes
  • SAMSUNG ACOUSTIC BEAM - Acoustic Beam technology delivers sound that seems to come from precisely where the action is happening
  • MULTI-CONNECTION - Bluetooth multi connectionConveniently switch between two different connected smart devices
  • Q-SYMPHONY - Syncs your Q-Series Soundbar speakers with your Samsung QLED TV speakers for the most immersive sound
  • BLUETOOTH 5.0, THE SUPERB SOUND QUALITY - Our newest sound bar adopts Bluetooth 5.0 & DSP technology to ensure faster transmission speeds, stable connectivity, and smooth transmission in long distance with low consumption. This soundbar is so versatile you can place it almost anywhere. And with Bluetooth connectivity, you can play your favorite music anywhere. We’ve carefully engineered a custom sound bar material so we can provide you with true 3D stereo premium sound.
  • 2.1 CHANNEL IMMERSIVE SOUND EXPERIENCE - 120W Sound bar delivers noticeably better sound than your TV alone. With advanced technologies, TV sound bar delivers the clear audio your TV can’t. Sound bar with subwoofer produces powerful bass and surround sound, let you enjoy a dynamic home audio experience; With 110dB sound level pressure, VMAI sound bar delivers the heavy-bass performance, a detailed midrange, crisp treble, and beyond. Enjoy all the details of your music and movies.
  • MULTIPLE INPUT OPTIONS AND EASY SET UP - Aside from one of our newest feature Bluetooth 5.0 from your smartphones, tablet, PC and other Bluetooth enabled devices; there are also wired connection including HDMI ARC, Optical, USB (Flash drive only), and AUX input, compatible with TVs, projectors, computers, Blu-ray players, tablet, PS5, Amplifiers, and more! We upgraded the package to include both premium 5 ft Optical cable and 5 ft RCA to 3.5 mm cable.
  • FOUR DIFFERENT SOUND MODE - Music, Movie, News & 3D mode adjusting by using the included remote control! The remote also allows you to increase or reduce treble and bass based on your preference. The additional volume and power control are conveniently located at the right side of the sound bar.
  • A DILIGENT DESIGN & 12 MONTHS WARRANTY - VMAI engineered the soundbar almost impossibly thin measuring less than 2.5-inch-high, and a jet-black surface. With luxury Touch-button design, you can control power/ volume on the side easily. VMAI sound bar comes with mount bracket in the package, which allows you to mount this elegant sound bar on your living room. Every VMAI sound bar will go through a strict quality test process before sending out. We offer 12 months warranty to our customer!
Product Images, Product Titles, Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API

What to Look For in a best budget friendly soundbar?

We're sure you've purchased something and afterward regretted it. We are all concerned about the items we purchase. The easiest method to prevent these concerns is to conduct a thorough study before purchasing the best budget friendly soundbar.

That is also why we decided to introduce this post in order to provide you with advice on how to avoid buying errors when selecting the best budget friendly soundbar.

Wi-Fi And Bluetooth

Bluetooth is an important soundbar feature that allows you stream music from compatible phones, tablets and computers to your soundbar. Wi-Fi connectivity allows you to stream music from your Spotify account or access cloud music libraries.

Wired/wireless Speakers

Some soundbars allow for wired and wireless connection to other speakers. Some soundbars only support a subwoofer. However, a few models offer "surround sound" connectivity, which allows you to connect other speakers to the rear of the room to replicate 5.1. You can purchase these speakers separately or as a bundle at an extra cost.

Size

To ensure that the unit will not block the screen, or interfere with the remote control or display of your TV's remote, check its dimensions. You should also check that the design of the unit matches your TV.

Additional Features

You might also want these features in your soundbar:
There are special sound modes for various audio types, such as watching movies, listening to music, or gaming. You can adjust the treble and bass settings depending on what you are watching/listening too.
Compatible with Google Assistant and Alexa for voice-controlled music.
Front-panel displays that display important information, such as volume levels. Make sure to check if this display is able to be switched off when it's not in use so that it does not become distracting.

Connectivity

Soundbars typically only require one cable to connect with your TV. HDMI is the best choice. Make sure that your soundbar is equipped with all necessary ports for connecting to Blu-ray players and USB storage. You should check if your soundbar has a pass-through function that transmits 4K HDR video from your 4K HDR TV.

Ease Of Set-up And Use

It is easy to hook up the soundbar with your TV or other device and get started using it immediately. This can be gauged by looking at the manual or reading some user reviews.

Number Of Channels And Speakers

A soundbar with just 2.1 channels may be enough to enhance the audio quality of your TV. A 5.1 and 7.1 models might offer better sound quality when you watch TV/movies or listen to audio. Dolby Atmos is available on 5.1.2 and 7.1.2 models. This technology allows for a richer experience. It involves placing speakers higher than the roof, to create sound from above.

Subwoofer

In large rooms, a soundbar with an external subwoofer (or dedicated soundbar) can be more effective than one without it. A subwoofer that is well made will enhance low-end sound quality and add a cinematic vibe to your system. A sub that is poorly designed can cause a drop in sound quality. A soundbase is a great option if you need bass, but aren't able to fit an external sub. They include an integrated subwoofer.

FAQs

Can You Add A Subwoofer To A Sound Bar?

Wireless sound bars often come with a subwoofer. You can also add your own wireless subwoofer to the sound bars that do not have one. If you desire an immersive experience, you'll want it.

Can You Use A Soundbar To Play Music?

A soundbar can make music play through your TV much more enjoyable. Bluetooth is a feature that many soundbars offer, so you won't have to turn on the TV to hear your music. A soundbar that has a wireless subwoofer will work best to reproduce deep bass and dynamics.

Can You Add Speakers To A Sound Bar?

There are both yes and no. Some sound bars have additional speakers that can be added to the system, which brings you closer to home theatre sound. If the soundbar is multi-room compatible, then wireless rear speakers can be added. This is a good option for those who have or want to install a multi-room sound system in their home.

Are Soundbars Really Worth It?

They are well worth the investment when compared to how loud your TV sounds. A soundbar costs only $100 and can make your TV viewing experience 10x better. A soundbar can make it easier to understand speech by allowing TV speakers to face down.

Will A Soundbar Improve Sound Quality?

Modern TVs have very tiny speakers which bounce sound off of your TV. As a result, they can be distant and harsh. A soundbar can be added to most TVs to improve their sound quality, particularly when it comes down to reproducing spoken words. It will also allow you to listen to music.

Can You Use Any Soundbar With Any TV?

There are very few exceptions to this rule. However, you can still use your soundbar with any TV. It is helpful sometimes to match soundbar and TV brands. New soundbars often use HDMI ARC to transmit the audio from the TV's speakers through the soundbar. If both of your devices have this port, you are good. An optical connection is available on some older soundbars, and almost all TVs have them.

Where Do I Place My Soundbar?

The soundbars can be placed directly in front of your TV using a stand, or any other type of furniture. They are usually less than 2 inches high so they won't interfere with the infrared remote port of your TV or block it. Some soundbars are also wall-mountable and include brackets. There are third-party kits that can be used to mount soundbars on the wall.

Can A Sound Bar Be Used As A Center Speaker?

There are some that can and others that can't, but it's not something we recommend. Although a passive soundbar could technically be used to provide center channel speakers, this is not what it was designed for. This is like asking a pitcher to play both catch and second base instead of the only position that he excels at.

Conclusion

Finally, the best budget friendly soundbar may be readily used and offers a range of options to meet your needs. When looking for another kind of best budget friendly soundbar, which we recommend  ZVOX Dialogue Clarifying Soundbar with Patented Hearing Technology, all of these characteristics are significant. 

We've combed through all of this data in order to assist you in making the best decision possible. Let us know if there's anything else we can do to help you discover the best budget friendly soundbar in the comments section below!


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About Nicolas Ward

Nicolas Ward

Nicolas Ward is an elite author with many years of experience in the music field and the owner of many engaging articles at TheAudioInsights. He studies music production and has many years of passionate research into sound systems. Appearing in many popular newspapers, Nicolas Ward provides useful knowledge and the latest information on music and sound.