The Best Low Budget Soundbar For 2024

Tim Powers By, Tim Powers
Updated
Polk Audio Signa S2 Ultra-Slim TV
Image credit: Amazon.com

The Rundown

1. Best Overall: Polk Audio Signa S2 Ultra-Slim TV

Discover beautiful, rich sound with 5 powerful full-range drivers. Polk’s exclusive Voice Adjust technology reduces voice delays and maximizes clarity, while Dolby Digital decoding ensures you have the best audio experience possible. A slim design and modern, durable finish makes it simple to put on your wall or TV stand. Read Review

2. Best Bang For The Buck: PHEANOO 2.1 Compact Sound Bars for TV with Subwoofer

The PHEANOO 2.1 Sound Bar System is the perfect sound solution for your TV, delivering a crisp and clear sound with deep bass response. The P15 features a variety of preset EQ modes including Dialogue, Movie, and Music creating suitable individual sound curves matched to the content type to boost the sound quality and enhance your viewing experience. Read Review

3. Best Control: Bose TV Speaker - Soundbar for TV

The Bose TV speaker offers a whole new level of sound. Designed to deliver clear, wide and natural sound, the Bose TV speaker has two angled full-range drivers that provide a more realistic and spatial audio experience for overall better TV sound from a small soundbar. Read Review

4. Best Compact: BYL 100Watt 40 Inch Soundbar Bestisan Sound Bar

The Bestisan Sound Bar is designed to provide a true surround sound experience with crisp, bright and powerful sound. With four built-in 3-inch imported and advanced full range drivers, dual high sensitivity spherical silk film tweeter drivers provide a smooth and natural listening experience. Read Review

5. Best Powerful: Hisense HS205 2.0ch Sound Bar

Enjoy better TV sound with the Hisense HS205 2.0ch Sound Bar. This sound bar offers Bluetooth technology for easy wireless connections to smartphones, tablets and laptops. The sound bar also includes a built-in subwoofer for powerful bass, and it can be placed anywhere in the room to provide great sound in any area. Read Review

If you’re looking to get the most bang for your low budget, soundbar is probably near the top of your list. After all, it can completely transform your TV and make movies come to life like never before. Instead of just hearing a show while lying in bed or sitting on the couch, you can actually feel like you’re right in the middle of the action - and that’s a pretty awesome feeling! But what is a soundbar? Well, it’s basically an audio device that lives under your TV.

That way, instead of having those speakers jutting out from either side or behind you; they sit neatly along the back of your set so they can produce stereo sound. However, there are only a handful of soundbars that meet this definition. In other words, if yours doesn’t look like one then it might not be a good soundbar choice.

We think the best low budget soundbar of 2024 is Polk Audio Signa S2 Ultra-Slim TV. However, in order to provide the reader with a wider variety of alternatives, we recommend adding PHEANOO 2.1 Compact Sound Bars for TV with Subwoofer if you are interested in purchasing another appealing one.

Here are the buying guides that we specially made for you guys. Follow all the words below for successful shopping!

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 Polk Audio Signa S2 Ultra-Slim TV
Our Score:
9.9
Polk Audio
  • 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
  • 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.Mounting Type: Tv Sound Bar,Bar Mount
  • 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
  • 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
TOP Choice #2 PHEANOO 2.1 Compact Sound Bars for TV with Subwoofer
Our Score:
9.8
PHEANOO
  • Set Up with Multiple Options: The HDMI ARC connection allows you to control the volume on the soundbar with the TV remote control, and the Optical and RCA connections ensure compatibility with all the older TV models. There’s also a 3.5 mm AUX input for connecting external devices.
  • Small Design, Big Sound: Only the size of a keyboard, the PHEANOO P15 sound bar offers louder, more powerful TV sounds with up to 107 dB of total SPL output and 140W maximum audio output. Significantly improve dialogue clarity and broaden your TV’s soundstage a lot. It can easily make an impactful change to your TV sound and film-watching experience.
  • Professionally Tuned EQ Modes: To suit different audio needs, the PHEANOO P15 features a variety of preset EQ modes including Dialogue, Movie, and Music creating suitable individual sound curves matched to the content type to boost the sound quality and enhance your viewing experience.
  • Wireless Streaming with Bluetooth: Easily stream all your favorite music, podcasts, or audiobooks from your smartphone, tablet, or any smart device via Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity to the TV soundbar.
  • Deep Bass with Dedicated Subwoofer: A dedicated subwoofer delivers punchy, rich bass to get a more engaging and immersive listening experience in movies, music, and games. Undoubtedly, the dedicated subwoofer cavity space is big enough to reproduce deeper, richer bass than most systems with a built-in subwoofer. We also developed a subwoofer extension cable (sold separately), which you can use to make the subwoofer placement more flexible.
TOP Choice #3 Bose TV Speaker - Soundbar for TV
Our Score:
9.7
Bose
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Wide, natural sound: 2 angled full-range drivers deliver a more realistic, spatial audio experience for overall better TV sound from a small soundbar.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Bluetooth TV speaker: Pair your device to this Bluetooth soundbar to wirelessly stream your favorite music and podcasts.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
5 Hisense HS205 2.0ch Sound Bar
Our Score:
9.3
Hisense
  • Roku TV Ready: As Roku TV Ready device, the Hisense HS205 Soundbar is fully compatible with any Roku Tv through the HDMI (ARC) connection. You can even use the Roku Tv remote to control both the Tv and soundbar for easier setup and better navigation experience.
  • Simple, Compact Design: The HS205 includes Bluetooth technology for easy wireless connections to smart device. Enjoy music from your smartphone, tablet or laptop.
  • Enjoy Better Tv Sound: Easy to place and connect to your television, the Hisense H205 is a soundbar that improves your TV sound experience and is perfect for TV’s 32” or larger. Instead of just hearing the scene, you’re transported into it.
  • Quick Touch EQ Modes: Get the best audio performance from music, movies, and news with a simple touch of the remote with multiple preset EQ settings.
  • Easy Connectivity: With HDMI (ARC), the Hisense HS205 can connect to your TV through a single HDMI cable (included), connect wirelessly via Bluetooth, and control both with one remote. You'll be enjoying better TV sound in minutes.
  • Wireless Music Streaming: The compact and elegant all-in-one design with built-in subwoofer will easily fit your living room, bedroom, or family room space. You won’t need to find a space for a big sub and still get big sound.
  • Accessories included: Includes the Hisense 205 Sound Bar, HDMI cable, optical cable, and a wall mounting kit to make sure that you have what you need to make the most of your Hisense audio experience right out of the box.
6 Sony S100F 2.0ch Soundbar
Our Score:
9.2
Sony
  • Deep sound with Bass Reflex speaker
  • In the box: Remote Commander (RMT-AH411U), Batteries for remote commander, Cable (Optical Cable, AC Cord), Wall Mount Template, Warranty Card, Quick Setup Guide, Instruction Manual
  • Straight from the theater to your home: easy set-up, built-in tweeter, 2-ch speaker with simple Bluetooth connection
  • Voice enhancement feature is great for TV content with hushed dialogue, or to make conference call participants easier to hear
  • Easy TV set up with HDMI ARC
  • Hear sound come from all around you with S-Force Pro Front Surround
  • High power with a slim design that matches any room and is perfect for small living spaces
  • Essential Connectivity & Control - Get setup and listening in seconds with the included cables plus Bluetooth connectivity for wireless streaming of your favorite music and podcasts.
  • 2.0-Channel Sound - Experience a powerful room-filling, true stereo experience ideal for movies, music, and gaming.
  • Full-Range Speakers - 2 full-range speakers in the sound bar provide rich, clear sound.
  • America's #1 Sound Bar* - VIZIO has been filling homes with truly immersive audio for over 10 years, and our sound bars just keep getting better. We are proud to provide our customers with top-tier audio products that bring movies, shows, podcasts, music, and more to life like never before. (*#1 Sound Bar Brand in 1H 2022 Source: The NPD Group/Retail Tracking Service, U.S., based on units, Jan. - June 2022 combined.).Mounting Type:Sound Bar.Speakers maximum output power:10 watts.Total hdmi ports:1
  • Ultra-Compact 2.0 Design - Experience the performance of larger, more complex home theater systems in a simple, ultra-compact solution designed fit anywhere and blend seamlessly into any environment.
  • Bold Performance - Experience rich, clear sound with up to 91dB of total SPL output for performance that belies its size.
  • WALL MOUNTABLE & YOUR INVESTMENT IS FULLY GUARANTEED - The ultra-slim design of the sound bar fits comfortably under any size TV or can be easily mounted on the wall with the mounting bracket included. LIFETIME SUPPORT WARRANTY. Every vmai sound bar will go through a strict quality test process before sending out. For any problem, you can contact us via Amazon; then, we will solve all of your problems in 24 hours!
  • BLUETOOTH 5.0 & DSP THE MOST STABLE TRANSMISSION - Our latest sound bar adopts Bluetooth 5.0 & DSP technology to ensure the fastest transmission speeds, and stable connectivity up to 50 ft with low consumption. With the newest Bluetooth 5.0 feature, you can play your favorite music anywhere. To make it even more convenient, we added a Bluetooth button on the sound bar body which allows you to pair your device easily.
  • ELEGANT & IMMERSIVE HOME THEATER EXPERIENCE - With upgraded 36 inches in length, under 2.5 inches high, matte black finished design, the TV sound bar delivers your elegant home cinema experience. Two 6-inch mid-range driver, 1-inch tweeters, and exclusive Power Bass technology contribute to intense low frequencies and 110dB of clear sound. It is also engineered to dual side symmetrical bass reflex ports, with deeper bass and more power. Hear the sound, feel the difference!
  • OPTIMIZE ENTERTAINMENT WITH DIFFERENT SOUND MODE - Music, Movie, News, and 3D mode adjusting by using the included remote. In Movie mode, turn an ordinary movie into the extraordinary home theater experience. Add additional clarity and melodious to your playlist in Music mode. In New modes, vmai engineers to emphasize the sound of the human voice so you can always follow the story. The additional volume and power are conveniently located at the center of the sound bar.
  • VARIOUS INPUT CONNECTIONS AND EASY SET UP - Our 2.0 TV sound bar support multiple wired option including HDMI ARC, Optical, AUX input, and USB (Flash drive only) compatible with TV, projector, computer, Blu-ray player, tablet, XBOX, PS5, Amplifier, and more. Simply make sure your TV audio setting to PCM for optical mode before use. Now, a premium 5 ft Optical cable and 5 ft RCA cable are included in the package.
  • 【Soundbar for tv with Bluetooth 5.0】 sound bar for tv Bluetooth to be very easy to pair and has worked reliably. Fast connection between mobile phone and sound bar, efficient and stable transmission, and strong anti-interference. Pair the bluetooth soundbar to your phone via Bluetooth to soundtrack your next party, or to set the mood for when you want to relax with a good album in rich, audiophile quality.
  • 【Mini soundbar has 6 Connection methods】Wired(HDMI/ARC/AUX/COA/OPTI),Wireless(Bluetooth 5.0 soundbar work with windows Android iOS system) ,USB
  • 【Sound bar built-in DSP & 3 EQ modes】TV sound bar built-in DSP technology ensured sound output is more stable and accurate. 3 Equalizer modes sound system (Music, Movie, Game) to match your favorite voice. Movie Mode: Home theater audio for TV.You hear every rip and rumble from your favorite action film, with deeper bass and loud, room-filling sound; Music mode Add clarity and pleasant surround sound; Game mode powerful and shocking sound quality ,immersive feeling.
  • 【Sound bar for TV Warranty and Service】Mini Small compact soundbar L16*W3*H2.8in. If you have any problems with the wireless soundbar, please feel free to contact us via Amazon, We will get in touch with you asap.
  • 【Small soundbar for tv Easy to Set up】The Soundbar with hdmi input and output supports 3.5mm (AUX&RCA) and optical wired audio input, support for use with mobile phones, tablets, TVs, computers, projectors, set-top boxes, etc. Please make sure your TV audio setting to PCM for ARC/optical input before use.
10 Sonos Ray Essential Soundbar
Our Score:
8.5
Sonos
  • Zero-stress setup with only two cables and help from the Sonos app
  • Experience clearer, more powerful sound than ever before possible by a small standalone soundbar
  • Stream all your content from your favorite services over WiFi using the Sonos app, Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, and more
  • Dynamic sound that enhances the drama and creates a surprisingly wide soundstage
Product Images, Product Titles, Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API

What to Look For in a best low budget soundbar?

 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

 

FAQs

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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 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.

Conclusion

So, what's the easiest approach to get the best low budget soundbar you need quickly? You may use what we know about cognitive neuroscience concepts in your marketing approach. 

When choosing the ideal product, you must have a clear idea of what you want in terms of price, quality, and function. If you don’t like any model in this list, then the Majority Sierra 2.0.2 Dolby Atmos Soundbar will be your new buddy.


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About Tim Powers

Tim Powers

Tim Powers is an audio equipment & home theater gadget reviewer and the editor of TheAudioInsights.com. He has been involved in the home theater hobby since the late 1990s when he purchased his first AV receiver. Tim is also a writer, with articles appearing in various online and print publications.