1. The list in brief
2. Best overall
3. Best mid-range
4. Best affordable Atmos
5. Best cheap
6. Also consider
7. How to choose
8. How we test
9. FAQ
10. Recent updates
A soundbar is pretty much an essential add-on to any modern TV. This simple addition can transform your TV-watching experience, making dialogue clearer, music more moving, and sound effects more impactful, so it’s important to pick the right one.
Our test rooms have played host to hundreds of different soundbars over the years, especially since they began to close the gap on full surround-sound systems, and they’ve now improved to the point that a soundbar is the best option for most people who are looking to improve their TV’s audio performance.
Sony makes some of the best soundbars on the market, including some seriously good Dolby Atmos models, and when partnered with a Sony TV they offer some unique features you won’t get with other models. That doesn’t mean you need to match the maker of your TV and soundbar, but it’s worth bearing in mind when it comes to choosing one.
Below are the best Sony soundbars, all of which have been fully tested and ranked by our expert reviewers, so you can be sure that what you’re buying is up there with the best, and we’ve even included links to the cheapest places to buy from.
Right, enough chatter, let's dive in…
In 20 years of reviewing and writing about home entertainment tech, I’ve seen more than my fair share of TVs that look brilliant, but sound terrible. Without great sound to immerse you in the experience, you may as well be watching the TV through a shop window. That’s why we always recommend partnering a TV with a decent soundbar, and Sony makes some of the best around…
The quick list
Best overall
An outstanding performer that we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend to anyone.
Best mid-range
The middle child in Sony’s soundbar offspring offers plenty of reasons to recommend it.
Best affordable Atmos
Looking for cinematic sound on a budget? Look no further than the affordable A3000.
Best cheap
This wallet-friendly soundbar is the ideal step up from your TV’s built-in speakers.
The best Sony soundbar overall
The HT-A7000 is one of the best Sony soundbars we've tested – it picked up a What Hi-Fi? Award in both 2022 and 2023.
You get 7.1.2 channels – including two up-firing speakers and a dual subwoofer – plus support for a wide range of audio formats including Dolby Atmos (in both the Digital+ and TrueHD formats), DTS:X, LPCM, hi-res wireless audio and Sony 360 Reality Audio.
The HT-A7000 is packed with streaming smarts too. Spotify Connect, Apple AirPlay 2 and Google Chromecast are all on board, along with support for Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit and Google Home. Already own a newer Bravia TV? You will find that this premium soundbar offers excellent integration.
In terms of height and precision, the performance is similar to that of the Sonos Arc, but the width of the soundstage and its forward projection is more convincing. There is no lack of musicality, detail or power – all of which are expertly controlled.
It's not the cheapest option, but the Sony HT-A7000 is an outstanding, future-proofed, all-in-one performer. Buy with confidence.
Read the full Sony HT-A7000 review
The best mid-range Sony soundbar
It doesn’t have the wow factor of Sony's What Hi-Fi? Award-winning A7000 soundbar (above), but the A5000 Dolby Atmos soundbar is still a more substantial sonic performer than much of the competition.
It has a lot to offer, including an HDMI 2.1 passthrough socket for gamers, a chunky little remote and excellent wireless connectivity (Bluetooth 5.0, AirPlay 2, Chromecast and Spotify Connect).
Sound is rich and well presented, growing in scale to a suitably epic room-filling sound. We find that the A5000 is excellent at digging out fine detail, even if the pricier A7000 does a much better job at projecting overhead height effects such as helicopters.
As a single-box sound solution, the Sony HT-A5000 is impressive and represents good value for money. That said, its underwhelming height drivers leave it lagging against class-leaders such as the Sonos Arc.
Read the full Sony HT-A5000 review
The best Sony soundbar for affordable Atmos
The A3000 is the smallest, cheapest model in the HT-A series – you can see the two pricier models further up this list. It still has Dolby Atmos, but a few corners have been cut: there are no upward-firing drivers or additional HDMI inputs.
It shares the same design DNA as its more premium range mates, namely a smooth black plastic build with subtle copper accents. There's a selection of capacitive touch buttons for power, input, streaming, Bluetooth and volume control, as well as a remote control, of course, so you don't have to get off the sofa to operate these functions.
It's big for a mid-ranger, dwarfing the Sonos Beam, and plays nice with plenty of formats, including DTS:X, Dolby Digital and Sony 360 Reality Audio, alongside Dolby Atmos.
The sound is natural, with well-placed effects, but if you want to enhance the dialogue, you'll need to turn Sound Field off, which also narrows the soundstage and flattens the audio. It aims for virtual surround effects and the imitation of height channels (despite the lack of upward-firing drivers), yet doesn't project sound as far into the room as we would like.
Still, for the money, it's a decent offering.
Read the full Sony HT-A3000 review
The best cheap Sony soundbar
Looking to level up your TV's sound without too much fuss or outlay? Sony's affordable SF150 soundbar offers a significant sonic enhancement for the money. Indeed, there is almost no other competition worth considering at this price – whether it be from Sony or a rival brand.
Despite the bargain price, the SF150 is a well-built speaker and wouldn’t look out of place perched beneath a high-end TV. Alongside HDMI ARC, it has an optical input supporting Dolby Digital, Dolby Dual mono and LPCM 2ch. There's also a USB port and Bluetooth 4.2 for music streaming.
The SF150 boasts Sony's S-Force Front Surround technology, which applies processing to give the acoustic impression of a more encompassing sound stage. It's not a patch on 'proper' surround sound, but it does add a dramatic sense of weight and separation.
Dialogue can sometimes feel a touch muffled, and anyone wanting a more musical, finely detailed speaker should aim for the HT-A7000 (above). Still, if you're on a budget, the SF150 is a cracking option.
Read the full Sony HT-SF150 review
Also consider
Sony HT-G700: The G700 isn't the smallest soundbar, but it’s big on sound and value. It’s pricier than the SF-150 but for your extra cash you get a convincing Dolby Atmos soundscape and a chunky subwoofer that adds plenty of heft to big explosions. A slight lack of crispness and the absence of music-streaming features do count against it, though.
How to choose the best Sony soundbar for you
Sony offers a decent choice of budget, mid-range and premium soundbar options, including some that integrate well with the firm's newer Bravia TVs, but there’s more than just money to think about when choosing the right one for you.
For starters, you really need to consider where your soundbar is going to live. Is there space for it to sit under your TV? If not, is there a suitable slot for it in your TV unit? (Although bear in mind that this isn’t an option if you want one that fires some of the sounds upwards to mimic overhead speakers as the drivers will be blocked.) If your TV is mounted on the wall, you might want to consider doing the same with the soundbar.
Most of Sony's soundbars use its S-Force Pro Front Surround wizardry to create a virtual surround-sound effect. More expensive models add features such as 4K and HDR passthrough, more convincing vertical effects, cutting-edge gaming features, Chromecast for wireless streaming, and voice controls. If you want the most immersive experience, choose one that supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X – multi-directional sound formats that aim to recreate a cinema-style 3D audio experience.
It’s also important to think about how many HDMI ports you’re going to need. Are there enough for your TV, games console, etc? If you think you might also use the soundbar to listen to music, it’s worth checking that your preferred streaming service (Spotify Connect, Tidal, Deezer, etc) is supported.
Once you've decided on a Sony soundbar that meets your needs, you can take a look at how to set up a soundbar.
How we test Sony soundbars
Every product that passes through the doors of What Hi-Fi? HQ is sent to one of our state-of-the-art facilities in London, Reading or Bath for testing – and Sony soundbars are no different.
As part of a thorough testing process, our in-house reviewers pair each Sony soundbar with an appropriate reference TV and ensure everything is calibrated correctly. After an initial period of running in – a process that allows the components to loosen up – each soundbar is put through its paces using a range of movies and TV shows, from big-budget blockbusters full of action to more intimate dramas packed with dense dialogue. All supported audio formats are fully evaluated, whether that’s expansive 3D sound or just standard stereo decoding, while standard music playback of various genres is also fully tested.
What Hi-Fi? believes in comparative testing, so products are never tested in complete isolation. All of the above Sony soundbars have been compared to their class-leading rivals and the latest What Hi-Fi? Awards winners, so we’re always able to tell you what’s just good and what takes the next step up to being the very best.
The reviews aren’t written in isolation either, with every verdict the result of a team decision. This ensures that no personal preferences are given undue weight and guarantees each review is as thorough as possible. Ratings are decided by the editorial team alone, with no influences from PR representatives or our sales team, so you can be sure all What Hi-Fi? reviews are honest and unbiased.
FAQ
How do I connect a Sony soundbar to my TV?
All soundbars, no matter the manufacturer, come with an optical input, which you can use to connect it directly to your TV, but many also now have HDMI sockets. You don’t always get the corresponding cables included in the box, so you might need to supply your own.
Is ARC or optical better?
Optical cables don’t support the full gamut of audio formats, so if you want to make the most of your Sony soundbar you’ll want to use the ARC (or eARC) connection if your TV has one. This will use up one of its HDMI sockets, so make sure you have enough to plug everything else in. It also allows you to control the soundbar using your main TV remote. You can go in-depth on HDMI ARC and eARC by reading our guide, but in terms of sound quality this is the best way to connect a soundbar.
It’s not without its potential downsides though. Using HMDI ARC/eARC can sometimes introduce a small but noticeable audio lag, which can usually be fixed by either adjusting the delay or limiting the codecs you use, although the latter may negate the point of buying such a capable soundbar in the first place.
Do I need a Sony TV to get the best out of a Sony soundbar?
You don’t need a Sony TV to use a Sony soundbar, but if you connect an HT-A7000, HT-A5000 or HT-A3000 to certain Bravias you’ll be able to use Acoustic Center Sync, which incorporates the TV’s built-in speakers as part of the centre channel to improve dialogue clarity.
Recent updates
- 4th April 2024: Updated with new intro, how to choose, how we test, FAQ, and author sections.
- 8th March 2024: Updated with also consider section.
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