Do I need a separate subwoofer with a soundbar?

Not strictly, but it makes a big difference. Slim soundbar cabinets can't move enough air for real low-end bass, so movies and music will sound noticeably thinner without one. Most bars worth buying today include or offer a wireless subwoofer for this reason.

Is Dolby Atmos worth paying extra for in a soundbar?

If most of what you watch is dialogue-driven TV, the difference is smaller. For movies and action content, Atmos-capable bars with upward-firing or added height drivers create a noticeably more immersive, three-dimensional sound field, provided your ceiling is a normal flat height for the reflection to work.

Can I add rear surround speakers to a soundbar later?

Many current soundbar lines sell matching wireless rear speakers as an add-on purchase, so you can start with just the bar and subwoofer and expand later. Check that the specific model you're buying supports rear speaker expansion before assuming it does.

Best Soundbars | Home Theater Vault

These picks span the range from a simple bar that fixes muddy TV dialogue to full Dolby Atmos systems with wireless subwoofers and rear surround speakers. None of these are the absolute cheapest bar you can find — we skipped bars with no eARC support or no dedicated subwoofer option, because those are the two features that most affect whether a bar actually sounds better than a TV's built-in speakers.

We've grouped these by use case rather than strict price order, since 'best' depends heavily on your room and whether you want a simple two-piece system or a full surround setup with rear speakers.

Gaming on a PS5, Xbox Series X, or PC? See our best soundbars for gaming roundup instead — it calls out which bars actually pass through 4K/120Hz, VRR, and ALLM, which isn't guaranteed just because a bar supports HDMI.

How we picked: We prioritized bars with HDMI eARC, a genuine wireless (or included) subwoofer, and real-world app and firmware support from established brands, then split picks across budget tiers so there's a sensible option whether you're spending $150 or $900.

At a glance

#PickWhy it stands outPrice

Sonos ArcTop Pickoverall for a Sonos or whole-home audio setup - Genuinely wide, immersive Dolby Atmos presentation from a single barCheck Amazon

Samsung HW-Q990DRunner-upfull Atmos system with wireless surrounds included - 11.1.4 channel layout with included wireless rear speakers and subwooferCheck Amazon

Bose Smart Soundbar 900Best Valueclear dialogue and simple voice control - Excellent dialogue clarity, which is the most common complaint with TV speakersCheck Amazon

Vizio ElevateAlso greata dedicated home theater on a mid-range budget - Rotating up-firing speakers physically redirect for Atmos content vs. stereo/surround contentCheck Amazon

Yamaha YAS-209Also greatbudget bar with a real wireless subwoofer - Included wireless subwoofer at a price where many competitors only offer a mono barCheck Amazon

Polk Signa S4Also greatbudget pick with wireless surround speaker option - Genuinely affordable while still supporting Dolby Atmos and DTS:X decodingCheck Amazon

The picks in detail

Sonos Arc

Top Pick

9.6/10Editor’s score

Best overall for a Sonos or whole-home audio setup

Genuinely wide, immersive Dolby Atmos presentation from a single bar
Expands cleanly into a full surround system with Sonos Sub and rear speakers later
Tight integration with the Sonos app and multi-room ecosystem

Watch out No HDMI inputs for other sources — it only accepts audio via your TV's eARC connection, and it's expensive once you add the sub and surrounds.

Check price on Amazon

Samsung HW-Q990D

Runner-up

9.3/10Editor’s score

Best full Atmos system with wireless surrounds included

11.1.4 channel layout with included wireless rear speakers and subwoofer
Excellent separation and height effects for the price versus buying components separately
Q-Symphony syncs with compatible Samsung TV speakers for extra fill

Watch out It's a large multi-piece system, not a simple single-bar install, and works best specifically with Samsung TVs for its extra sync features.

Check price on Amazon

Bose Smart Soundbar 900

Best Value

9.0/10Editor’s score

Best for clear dialogue and simple voice control

Excellent dialogue clarity, which is the most common complaint with TV speakers
Built-in voice assistant support and simple setup via the Bose app
Upward-firing drivers add a real sense of height without extra speakers

Watch out Bass is noticeably thinner without adding the separate Bose Bass Module subwoofer, which costs extra.

Check price on Amazon

Vizio Elevate

Also great

8.7/10Editor’s score

Best for a dedicated home theater on a mid-range budget

Rotating up-firing speakers physically redirect for Atmos content vs. stereo/surround content
Included wireless subwoofer with real low-end output
Strong channel count and separation for the price versus premium brands

Watch out The companion app and firmware have historically been less polished than Sonos or Bose, and setup takes more patience.

Check price on Amazon

Yamaha YAS-209

Also great

8.4/10Editor’s score

Best budget bar with a real wireless subwoofer

Included wireless subwoofer at a price where many competitors only offer a mono bar
Built-in Alexa voice control without needing a separate smart speaker
Simple setup with clear, uncluttered remote and app controls

Watch out No true height channels or Dolby Atmos decoding — surround effects here are virtual, not object-based.

Check price on Amazon

Polk Signa S4

Also great

8.3/10Editor’s score

Best budget pick with wireless surround speaker option

Genuinely affordable while still supporting Dolby Atmos and DTS:X decoding
Optional wireless rear surround speakers can be added later rather than all at once
Compact wireless subwoofer doesn't dominate the room

Watch out Height effects are modest compared to pricier bars with dedicated upward-firing drivers.

Check price on Amazon

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a separate subwoofer with a soundbar?: Not strictly, but it makes a big difference. Slim soundbar cabinets can't move enough air for real low-end bass, so movies and music will sound noticeably thinner without one. Most bars worth buying today include or offer a wireless subwoofer for this reason.
Is Dolby Atmos worth paying extra for in a soundbar?: If most of what you watch is dialogue-driven TV, the difference is smaller. For movies and action content, Atmos-capable bars with upward-firing or added height drivers create a noticeably more immersive, three-dimensional sound field, provided your ceiling is a normal flat height for the reflection to work.
Can I add rear surround speakers to a soundbar later?: Many current soundbar lines sell matching wireless rear speakers as an add-on purchase, so you can start with just the bar and subwoofer and expand later. Check that the specific model you're buying supports rear speaker expansion before assuming it does.

Best Soundbars

At a glance

The picks in detail

Sonos Arc

Samsung HW-Q990D

Bose Smart Soundbar 900

Vizio Elevate

Yamaha YAS-209

Polk Signa S4

Frequently Asked Questions

Keep reading

Soundbars Buying Advice

Soundbar vs. AV Receiver: Which Should You Buy?

How to Connect a Soundbar to Your TV (HDMI ARC, Optical, or Bluetooth)

What Size Soundbar Do You Need for Your TV?

Dolby Atmos in an Apartment: Getting Height Effects Without Ceiling Speakers

Why Is My Audio Out of Sync? Fixing Lip-Sync Delay in a Home Theater

Powered Bookshelf Speakers vs. a Soundbar for TV Sound: Which Should You Buy?