There's a lot to consider when buying a soundbar: price, features such as Dolby Atmos, whether you go for a solo bar or one with a subwoofer and surround speakers…
But one of the most important factors is its physical dimensions. Just how big is each soundbar?
That's why we put together this quick guide. All of these soundbars sound excellent – they are all Award winners, after all. And for each, we have suggested a TV that will not only sit around the same area of the market as the soundbar (budget, mid-range or high-end), but will also be a perfect fit in terms of dimensions.
The whole system: Samsung HW-Q990F
Pair it with... Samsung QE65QN90F
This soundbar's 123cm width works nicely with the 65-inch QN90F's width of 145cm, and with the TV on its stand, it shouldn't block the bottom of the screen. But there's another reason to pair the stablemate devices: extra features.
Because they are both from the same brand, the soundbar's settings appear within the TV's menus (and Samsung's SmartThings mobile app), making them easier to tweak. There's also the Samsung Q Symphony feature, which makes the soundbar and TV speakers work in concert for a more expansive sound (though this can be a little hit and miss).
Brand-matching aside, the QN90F is a mighty fine TV, earning five stars from us. That's thanks to its outstanding backlight control, punchy colours and four HDMI 2.1 ports. True, it didn't win any Awards, due to seriously fierce competition and its relatively high price, but it's still a great TV. Paired with the Q990F soundbar system, it's a compelling proposition.
Read our Samsung HW-Q990F review
And our Samsung QN90F review
The small option: Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
Pair it with… Sony XR-42A90K
Not everyone wants, needs or can accommodate a larger soundbar/TV setup, of course. And if that's you, the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) is a great shout. It has won a What Hi-Fi? Award every year since 2021 – and, in 2020, its predecessor picked up the gong!
It's just 65cm wide, so will sit nicely under the Sony XR-42A90K (which is 93cm wide). And if you're thinking that the Sony TV looks very close to the cabinet on which it sits, that's because it's not pictured on its stilts. These raise the TV by about 7cm – which is exactly the height of the Beam (Gen 2).
The A90K is getting on a bit now, but it's still a fantastic small TV. Its picture is sharp and detailed, its motion handling is typically excellent for the brand, and it's even great for gamers.
The only downer is the price – it's currently about £350 pricier than the Award-winning 42-inch LG C5. But if it's a seamless fit with the Beam (Gen 2) you're after, the A90K could be worth the extra.
Read our Sonos Beam (Gen 2) review
And our Sony A90K review
For bigger TVs: KEF XIO
Pair it with… Sony Bravia 8 II
Despite its monstrous width of 121cm, the KEF XIO is relatively low – its height of 7cm is the same as the dinky little Sonos Beam (Gen 2) above.
In their higher position, the Sony Bravia 8 II's feet will add about 7.5cm to the TV, allowing the XIO to tuck in nicely below – though don't push it too far under, as that will affect the sound from the up-firing speakers.
While the soundbar won't quite fit between the feet of the 55-inch model, there's plenty of space for it with the 65 incher.
You are pretty much guaranteed a good time. The KEF XIO won an Award not only as the best soundbar over £1000, but also for its Velocity Control Technology, which won our coveted Innovation of the Year gong.
In our review, we praise the XIO's sound, which manages to be detailed and precise without losing any excitement. Bass is tight and agile – and the soundbar fares equally well with music as it does with movies.
The Bravia 8 II is every inch its equal. Another Award winner, it manages to improve on the Sony A95L, which is quite a feat, considering that was one of the best TVs of recent years.
It is an exceptionally bright TV (though not quite as bright as the LG G5) and vibrant, with a real three-dimensionality to its picture. Black levels are perfect, with excellent shadow detail, and it delivers an authentic picture straight out of the box.
Like the XIO, it's certainly not cheap, but this level of performance rarely is. Fingers crossed for a deal this Black Friday.
Read our KEF XIO review
And our Sony Bravia 8 II review
MORE:
The best early Black Friday soundbar deals
And best early Black Friday TV deals
Or go big with the best projector deals
Black Friday quick links
- Amazon: browse all of today's best deals
- B&W speakers: save £200
- Bluetooth speaker: 48% off five-star JBL
- Bose QC Ultra Earbuds: save £100
- Bravia 8 TV: save 34% on 55in Sony TV
- Denon AV receiver: save £500
- Dolby Atmos soundbar: down to £299
- ELAC Debut 2: five-star speakers now £199
- Headphones: Sennheiser Momentum 4 now £169
- John Lewis: £500 off LG and Sony OLED TVs
- Richer Sounds: browse Black Friday deals
- Sevenoaks: £150 off Award-winning speakers
- TVs, movies, home cinema: browse the best deals
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