The best soundbars to enhance your TV’s sound

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If you’re looking for the best sound bar to pair with your new TV, you’ve come to the right place. Soundbars are discreet and less invasive than home theatre systems and can be more affordable than full-speaker setups. Great for TV, music and movies, they will enhance all your favourite media to create memorable experiences.

While less expensive soundbars play the audio from your TV, more expensive soundbars have capabilities like wireless connectivity that can be used in multi-room speaker setups. Shopping Essentials has reviewed several soundbars and speaker systems, from high-end models featuring Dolby Atmos 3D sound to budget soundbars that improve your audio.

Below are our picks for the top soundbars in every price range and taste.

Best overall: Samsung Q990C 11.1.4 Ch Dolby Atmos Soundbar Also consider: Samsung HW-Q800C/ZC 5.1.2ch Soundbar w/Wireless Dolby Audio, 8-Inch Subwoofer Best splurge: JBL Bar 1300: 11.1.4-Channel soundbar with Detachable Surround Speakers Most affordable: Polk Audio Signa S2 Ultra-Slim TV Sound Bar Sleeper pick: Sony HT-A7000 7.1.2 Channel Dolby Atmos BRAVIA Soundbar Popular choice: Bose TV Speaker Bluetooth Soundbar

Key specs

Why buy: It brings cinematic sounds to your living room. And most importantly, it has Dolby Atmos speaker quality that will light up your home entertainment systems. This premium audio bundle delivers 656 watts of power and offers 11.1.4 channels to supply crystal-clear sound from all angles. It also comes with a compact subwoofer function to enhance the bass, allowing you to connect wirelessly to stream your favourite content. Users say it’s great for gaming and that having a voice assistant makes a major difference, which doesn’t exist in all models.

Price: $1,398 Where to buy: Amazon | Samsung Fine print: One-year warranty on parts and labour

Key specs

Why buy: Similar to the previous model, this Samsung soundbar is cheaper but has a lot of the same features. It has Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and AirPlay 2 connections and a bonus is that it’s lighter and smaller than the model mentioned above. Some users say it’s great for music and movies and works well with most TVs.

Price: $630 Where to buy: Amazon | Samsung Fine print: One-year warranty on parts and labour

Key specs

Why buy: It might be one of the most expensive soundbars on this list, but it’s surely one of the best. It brings almost 1,200 watts of output power for movies, music, games, and immersive content. It is equipped with Dolby Atmos to boost sound for movies, music, games, and more. Moreover, the soundbar has built-in AirPlay, Alexa Multi-Room Music, and Chromecast. Users say the JBL One app brings an easy-to-control setup system to adjust settings on command.

Price: $2,500 Where to buy: Amazon | Best Buy Fine print: One-year warranty on parts and labour

Key specs

Why buy: The Polk Audio system is one of the most affordable soundbars on this list. That’s because it doesn’t come with a voice assistant and doesn’t have Dolby Atmos sound. But it’s still a solid buy if you’re looking for an affordable soundbar that is also compatible with 4K televisions. Instead, you can enjoy the wireless compact subwoofer and at just two inches tall, it can fit under most TV setups. Additionally, it has HDMI setups and Bluetooth connectivity; there is no wireless setup.

Price: $349 Where to buy: Amazon | Best Buy Fine print: One-year warranty on parts and labour

Key specs

Why buy: Great with Sony TVs and others, the Sony HTA7000 soundbar carries the thunderous bass and subwoofer sound that is ideal for all sports, including basketball, football, hockey, baseball and more. While you have to buy the subwoofers separately, it comes with Dolby Atmos-level sound. Users say buyers can enjoy 500-watt power and 360-audio sound, and the soundbar is also great for gaming, including VR and other immersive gaming experiences. Lastly, it has connectivity to Spotify, Chromecast, Apple Airplay 2, Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.

Price: $1,698 Where to buy: Amazon Fine print: One-year warranty on parts and labour

Popular choice: Bose TV Speaker Bluetooth Soundbar

Key specs

Why buy: The granddaddy of them all — it was one of the first soundbars on the market, and decades later, it’s still here. The Bose TV Bluetooth Speaker delivers crisp audio and sounds to your home theatre experience. It has a compact design stands just over five centimetres (two inches) tall and features small LED lights. Users say it’s great for home movie nights and gaming. Moreover, it has good HDMI connectivity, even though you’ll have to have one on hand. It doesn’t come with the product.

Price: $329 Where to buy: Amazon | Bose Fine print: One-year warranty on parts and labour

Not all soundbars are created equal. Some have features that others don’t so before you buy, it’s important to assess the features you’ll need. For instance, some come with voice assistants and others don’t. Meanwhile, some have Wi-Fi connectivity and others don’t. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions and things to consider before buying a soundbar.

Do I need Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity?

If you enjoy playing music during your gaming sessions, it’s for sure something to consider. Bluetooth is the easiest way to stream music, and many options listed above have Bluetooth built-in to connect to streaming platforms like Spotify and Tidal. Voice assistants have also become popular, but other systems have apps you can connect and control from your smartphone.

Do I need surround sound or Dolby Atmos?

Yes. It’s basically the point. Try and find one soundbar with 360 sound.

How important are the specs?

Very. Consider the size and weight before buying. Some soundbars are bigger than you think and might require a new TV stand setup. Not all of them can fit under your TV, so factor in whether you’ll have to install a shelf or buy a new home entertainment unit to hold all your devices.

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