Best budget soundbars 2023: excellent, affordable TV speakers

We test a lot of TVs here, so we feel entitled to say this: most TVs sound pretty bad. Built-in speakers have slowly lost the battle against the thin form factor that every premium TV strives for, sacrificing sound performance greatly. 

Many manufacturers use clever processing to do the best with what they've got, but they're fighting an uphill battle. Even premium TVs with bigger and/or more advanced sound systems tend to sound good only by the prevailing standards of TVs which, as we've said, is low.

In short, there are very few TVs that can't be improved through the addition of a soundbar. And you don't even need to spend much money – every model listed below costs less than $500, and every one of them sounds better than the vast majority of TVs. Go for our top choice, the Sonos Beam Gen 2, and you'll get better sound than you get from any TV costing less than $5000.

If you're looking for the latest cheap soundbars, check out our review of LG SE6S. Neither is good enough to feature on this list, but one of them could still be right for you.

Right then. Let's take a look at (and listen to) the best budget models around right now.

How to choose the best soundbar for you

Why you can trust What Hi-Fi? Our expert team reviews products in dedicated test rooms, to help you make the best choice for your budget. Find out more about how we test.

Soundbars add more powerful, direct and better quality audio to your TV but, unlike dedicated speaker packages, your lounge won't have to accommodate six chunky boxes. Instead, a soundbar sits demurely beneath your TV, quietly getting on with levelling up its sound. 

So what should you look for when buying one? Bluetooth is a fairly ubiquitous extra feature that allows the soundbar to wirelessly play music from an external device. While network connectivity is less common at the affordable end of the market, it is possible to find models that support other wireless technologies like Apple AirPlay 2, and a few work with smart assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, too.

As most of the models listed don't have app support, you should also look for a decent remote control, ample connections appropriate for your set-up and of course that all-important sound quality. But rest assured, all of the soundbars below sound good – you can read the full, in-depth review attached with each if you need further information. And, you can always visit our dedicated guide on how to choose and set up a soundbar for some extra tips and advice.

The best part is that some of the best soundbars on the market don't cost a fortune, as our list below illustrates, meaning you can make easily make an impactful change to your TV and film watching.

Right then. Let's take a look at (and listen to) the best budget models around right now.

Home cinema soundbar: Sonos Beam Gen 2

(Image credit: Sonos)
The dinky Sonos Beam delivers a refined sound and excellent Dolby Atmos interpretation

Specifications

Sound format support: Dolby Atmos DP / Dolby Atmos True HD / Dolby Digital / Multichannel PCM/ Dolby Multichannel PCM / stereo PCM
Connectivity: 1 x HDMI eARC, Wi-Fi, Ethernet
Streaming : Apple Airplay 2, Spotify Connect
Voice control: Works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Dimensions (hwd) : 7 x 65 x 10cm

Reasons to buy

+
Effective handling of Dolby Atmos
+
Warm, refined sound
+
Streaming smarts

Reasons to avoid

-
No additional HDMI ports
-
Doesn’t support DTS:X

Delivering Dolby Atmos from a small chassis is no mean feat and the Sonos Beam Gen 2 achieves a convincing, immersive performance without so much as a vertical speaker in sight. Instead, when watching Atmos content, two of the soundbars five front-facing arrays are dedicated to reproducing overhead and surround sounds. With its hefty processing power, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 uses psychoacoustic HRTF (head-related transfer function) technology to give the impression of height without needing to get vertical.

While genuine overhead sounds are perhaps a stretch too far for this petite performer, its virtual delivery of the Atmos format outstrips any similarly priced soundbar and even a few that are more expensive. The Beam Gen 2 offers an enveloping, spatial soundscape with rich, detailed audio as well as tangible motion and depth.

Not that many soundbars at this price point come with networking capabilities, but this being a Sonos product, the Beam Gen 2’s ability to integrate into a wireless multiroom system is fundamental to its design. This means you can stream to the Beam Gen 2 from a handheld device using Apple AirPlay 2, and Spotify Connect is built-in too. There will also be a forthcoming upgrade to add support for Amazon Music Ultra HD audio, which will give access to lossless 24-bit/48kHz tracks as well as Dolby Atmos Music.

Despite the lack of upward drivers, if space and budget are limited there isn't a better Dolby Atmos soundbar that we'd recommend.

Read the full review: Sonos Beam Gen 2

Roku Streambar soundbar

(Image credit: Roku)
This streamer-cum-soundbar represents very good value

Specifications

Connectivity: HDMI 2.0a (ARC), optical, USB 2.0
Remote control: Yes
Streaming: Bluetooth 5.0
Dimensions (HWD): 6 x 35.5 x 10.7cm

Reasons to buy

+
Direct, well-projected sound
+
Great feature list
+
Can go loud

Reasons to avoid

-
Doesn't sound cinematic

Think of the Roku Streambar as an upgrade on your TV, rather than an entry into proper home cinema, and it ticks pretty much every box. While it doesn’t quite ascend to five-star status, it easily nails the aspects for which it is most commonly going to be used: projection and clarity. The Streambar will work with any television with an HDMI input, outputting 4K HDR at up to 60fps for those with compatible sets. Everyone else will get 1080p Full HD, with lower resolution signals upscaled.

The bundled remote is splendid, and for an out-of-the-box boost to TV audio and older sets’ smart features, the Roku Streambar is extremely low risk for this price. In that sense, it’s something we can wholeheartedly recommend.

Read the full review: Roku Streambar

Yamaha YAS-207 soundbar

A compelling and class-leading budget soundbar.

Specifications

Connectivity: 1x HDMI, 1x optical, 1x 3.5mm headphone jack
Remote control: Yes
Streaming: Bluetooth
Dimensions (HWD): 60 x 930 x 108mm

Reasons to buy

+
Insightful, dynamic sound
+
Spacious, immersive performance
+
Slim, practical design

Reasons to avoid

-
Treble a little unrefined
-
Midrange lacks solidity

Another What Hi-Fi 2020 repeat Award-winner, this Yamaha does a fine job of emulating a surround sound system and deserves pride of place in most home cinema set-ups. Its soundfield is gloriously enveloping, and there are no fewer than seven sound modes to choose from, so you're bound to find one that suits your room and whatever you're watching. 

You also get a dedicated subwoofer for extra bass. Add in some beautifully layered detail, and you've got a fine-sounding, great-performing soundbar. 

Read the full review: Yamaha YAS-207

JBL Bar 5.0 Multibeam soundbar

(Image credit: JBL)
This compact soundbar won’t blow a hole in your budget

Specifications

Connections: HDMI in, HDMI out (HDCP 2.3 compliant, eARC & 4K HDR passthrough), Ethernet, Optical
Remote control: Yes
Wireless : Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay, Google Chromecast, Alexa, Google Assistant
Dimensions (HWD): 58 x 710 x 100mm
Weight: 2.8kg

Reasons to buy

+
Big, full-bodied presentation
+
Dolby Virtual Atmos
+
Multi-room options

Reasons to avoid

-
Could be more detailed
-
Dynamic expression poor
-
Slovenly sense of timing

For anyone wanting a big sound or hoping to fill a big room with a small soundbar for a reasonable amount of money, the JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam could be the ideal candidate.

That said, the sound isn't perfect. Although we might nudge you towards the better all-round sonic performance of the Sonos Beam, that isn’t really comparing like for like – the Bar 5.0 Multibeam boasts a long list of wireless connectivity and, considering its size, it positively kicks down the door and tramples the furniture as it announces its presence in your living room. 

Read the full review: JBL Bar 5.0 Multibeam

Sony HT-A3000 Dolby Atmos soundbar

(Image credit: Sony)
Cinematic sound and Dolby Atmos at an affordable price

Specifications

Connectivity: HDMI out (eARC), optical, USB, wi-fi, Bluetooth
Sound format support: Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, PCM
Streaming: Apple AirPlay 2, Chromecast
Voice control: Google Assistant, Alexa
Dimensions: (hwd) 6.4 x 95 x 13cm
Weight: 4.6kg

Reasons to buy

+
Clear dialogue
+
Solid dynamics
+
On-screen menu system

Reasons to avoid

-
Projection of sound could be better
-
Height channels are weak
-
Up against tough competition

We’ve tested its bigger and more adept siblings, but now it is time to turn our attention to the newest addition to Sony’s HT-A series of Dolby Atmos soundbars, the HT-A3000. It is the smallest, cheapest and lowest-specced soundbar of the currently available trio, alongside the Product of the Year-winning HT-A7000 and the not-so-Award-winning (but still good) HT-A5000.

So what sets this one apart? Well, it's still a Dolby Atmos soundbar, but Sony has cut a few features out in order to reach a lower price point – which means no upward-firing drivers or additional HDMI inputs. This puts it squarely in the sights of the mighty Sonos Beam (Gen 2). Can it compete? The short answer is no, but the A3000 still has plenty to offer.

The Sony HT-A3000 will almost certainly be a preferable alternative to your TV’s built-in speakers. However, it can’t quite match the Atmos performance of its similarly priced Sonos rival. That being said, it handles the basics well enough, especially when it comes to detail and tonal balance, making this Sony soundbar a solid choice if you want to upgrade your TV’s audio without breaking the bank.

Read our full Sony HT-A3000 review

How we test soundbars

We have state-of-the-art testing facilities in London, Reading and Bath, where our team of experienced, in-house reviewers test the majority of hi-fi and AV kit that passes through our door.

Each soundbar we test is paired with an appropriate reference TV and is directly compared to the best in its price and features class – whether that's the current What Hi-Fi? award winner or a few of the latest models we've been impressed by in recent reviews. What Hi-Fi? is all about comparative testing, and we keep class-leading products in our stockrooms so we can easily compare new products to ones we know and love.

We are always impartial and do our best to make sure we're hearing every product at its very best, so we'll try plenty of different styles of films and TV shows that show what each soundbar is capable of with both advanced and standard audio formats. We'll check all the features onboard including music playback with a variety of genres and allow for plenty of listening time as well as running them in before we begin reviewing.

All review verdicts are agreed upon by the team rather than an individual reviewer to eliminate any personal preference and to make sure we're being as thorough as possible, too. There's no input from PR companies or our sales team when it comes to the verdict, with What Hi-Fi? proud of having delivered honest, unbiased reviews for decades.

MORE:

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Tom Parsons

Tom Parsons has been writing about TV, AV and hi-fi products (not to mention plenty of other 'gadgets' and even cars) for over 15 years. He began his career as What Hi-Fi?'s Staff Writer and is now the TV and AV Editor. In between, he worked as Reviews Editor and then Deputy Editor at Stuff, and over the years has had his work featured in publications such as T3, The Telegraph and Louder. He's also appeared on BBC News, BBC World Service, BBC Radio 4 and Sky Swipe. In his spare time Tom is a runner and gamer.