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- We’ve reviewed soundbars for over a decade and tested over a hundred options of varying shapes and sizes.
- Our testing process involves a subjective analysis of sonic performance, usability and smart functionality conducted by an expert with years of experience reviewing audio products.
- We’ve named the Samsung HW-Q990H the best soundbar on the market. It’s an incredibly immersive true surround sound system that uses rear speakers and a subwoofer to place you at the heart of the action.
- Our favourite standalone soundbar under £500 is the WiiM Bar. This smart new arrival delivers great Dolby Atmos thanks to two up-firing drivers.
- If you want a cheaper, more versatile option, you should consider the Creative Stage Pro instead. It’s our favourite budget soundbar and works with PCs and laptops as well as TVs.
For a truly immersive home cinema experience, you need the best soundbar you can afford. Most people won’t look to spend more on a soundbar than their TV, so you’re probably looking at a budget of up to £500.
Our pick in that price bracket is the WiiM Bar, but there are lots of options whether you’re on a strict budget or have a heftier pot to play with. Having tested and reviewed dozens of soundbars in recent years, we’re qualified to advise you on which soundbars best meet your needs and fit your budget.
We’ve compiled a list of the best soundbars across a range of price points, style preferences and use cases, which you can read below. An audio expert with hundreds, if not thousands, of hours of experience testing audio equipment has put each through its paces, so you can rest assured we won’t endorse products that we wouldn’t want to own ourselves.
For more on the benefits of soundbars and the key features to look for, head to the buying guide at the bottom of the page. Or, keep scrolling for the best soundbars available.
READ NEXT: Mistakes people make when buying a soundbar
Best soundbar: At a glance
- Samsung HW-Q990H: Best soundbar overall | Check price
- WiiM Bar: Best soundbar under £500 | Check price
- Creative Stage Pro: Best budget soundbar | Check price
How we test soundbars
Our in-depth testing looks at every aspect of a soundbar, from build quality and ease of setup to audio performance and customisation options.
- After unboxing a soundbar, we measure and weigh it to see how easy it is to place and install, and check its sturdiness and build quality. We then connect it to a 4K TV via HDMI, or a desktop computer, depending on what it’s designed for.
- We then put each soundbar through its paces by feeding it a wide range of content, including films, sports and TV shows. We pay close attention to sound reproduction across the frequency spectrum, focusing on the three cornerstones of soundbar performance: bass response, dialogue clarity and treble.
- If different EQ presets are available, we’ll test these with appropriate content. Tests take place at varying volume levels, including maximum volume to push the product to its limits.
- We use 4K Blu-ray players and blockbuster movies to test how each soundbar handles DTS:X soundtracks. We also test Dolby Atmos using compatible content from Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+.
- After testing each soundbar with video sources, we test any wireless music streaming capabilities it may have, such as Tidal over Bluetooth or Spotify Connect over Wi-Fi. We also test Chromecast and AirPlay 2 to ensure they work as intended.
- If the soundbar integrates into a multi-room speaker system, we’ll test that and note how easy it is to integrate.
- If there’s a built-in voice assistant, we’ll trial it to see how accurately it picks up and executes requests. Finally, we always check whether any features are hidden in a companion or control app and test them as required.
The best soundbars you can buy in 2026
1. Samsung HW-Q990H: Best soundbar system overall
Price when reviewed: £1,199
- Powerful, impactful sound
- Seamless surround-sound staging
- Comprehensive connectivity
- Sub needs tweaking for music
Tested and reviewed by John Archer
The HW-Q990H is the latest in a long line of sensational flagship soundbars from Samsung, and the most immersive, engaging, and versatile home audio system on the market.
Its raw power blew us away during testing, but the sonic envelopment the bar, subwoofer and rear speakers create is the HW-Q990H’s greatest strength. It places you at the heart of the action in an incredibly immersive way, and each driver in the 11.1.4-channel arrangement plays its part superbly. A comprehensive set of connectivity options complements the Q990H’s cinematic impact and wonderful musicality, and Samsung also includes some handy new smart features this year.
Sound Elevation lifts audio to screen level, Auto-Volume prevents volume disparities across sources, and the soundbar is compatible with the popular Roon music player. All three are welcome additions and help elevate the HW-990 series to new heights, which is saying something, given three of its predecessors won Soundbar of the Year.
Read our Samsung HW-Q990H review from May 2026
Key specs – Channels: 11.1.4; Total power output: 756W (RMS); Dimensions (WDH): Soundbar – 1,232 x 138 x 71mm, subwoofer – 249 x 249 x 252mm, rear speakers – 130 x 140 x 201mm; Weight: Soundbar – 7.3kg, subwoofer -8.3kg, rear speakers – 3.4kg; Connectivity: 2 x HDMI in, 1 x HDMI (eARC), 1 x optical, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
2. Creative Stage Pro: Best budget soundbar
Price when reviewed: £112
- Wonderfully compact soundbar
- Hefty bass response
- Works well for both TVs and PCs
- No Night mode
- Not great for music
Reviewed by Andy White
The latest entry in Creative’s Stage soundbar series is our top budget-friendly pick for people who want something simple. It’s not only eminently affordable and refreshingly flexible, but it also sounds great.
SuperWide mode successfully expands the 2.1-channel system’s soundstage and was our go-to mode for films with multi-channel soundtracks. Meanwhile, the near- and far-field modes make this soundbar a versatile choice for both your TV and PC or laptop.
We especially enjoyed the compact soundbar’s ability to deliver dialogue during testing; it integrated speech smartly with the robust low-end response delivered by the Pro’s subwoofer. The Pro’s balanced audio performance, flexibility, ease of use and various modes help it stand out from its numerous budget rivals.
Read our Creative Stage Pro review from September 2025
Key specs – Channels: 2.1; Total power output: 80W (RMS); Dimensions (WDH): Soundbar – 550 x 112 x 81mm, subwoofer – 125 x 265 x 420mm; Weight: Soundbar – 1.3kg, subwoofer – 3.4kg; Connectivity: 1 x HDMI (eARC), 1 x optical
3. WiiM Bar: Best soundbar under £500
Price when reviewed: £449
- Attractive touchscreen display
- Engaging sound
- Excellent companion app
- No AirPlay 2 or HDMI passthrough
Tested and reviewed by Andy White
WiiM’s debut soundbar finally knocked the Sonos Beam 2 off its lofty perch with a compelling mix of aesthetic charm, excellent audio quality and a comprehensive companion app offering customisation options and multi-speaker functionality.
The 3.0.2-channel bar impressed our reviewer with its ability to deliver height effects on Dolby Atmos and DTS:X soundtracks, and he also found it engaging with music, which is relatively rare in the standalone soundbar world. The in-app adjustments you can make to the soundbar’s audio are well beyond what most options at this price offer, and the touchscreen display gives the WiiM Bar a real point of difference from the competition.
That display doesn’t just look smart; it serves several practical purposes, including letting you jump straight to your favourite internet radio station. With style and bags of substance, the WiiM Bar is a soundbar we can’t speak highly enough of.
Read our WiiM Bar review from October 2026
Key specs – Channels: 3.0.2; Total power output: 135W; Dimensions (WDH): 1,060 x 105 x 80mm; Weight: 5kg; Connectivity: 1 x HDMI (eARC), 1 x optical, USB-A, line-in, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
4. Hisense AX5125H: Best soundbar under £300
Price when reviewed: £229
- Effective Dolby Atmos and DTS:X sound
- Clear dialogue
- Awesome value for money
- No calibration options
- Slightly underwhelming subwoofer
Reviewed by Stephen Withers
Hisense’s AX5125H 5.1.2-channel soundbar system offers astonishing value for money; no other bar we’ve tested under £300 gets close. Its soundbar has a dedicated centre channel for crisp dialogue, dedicated overhead channels for depicting height effects on Dolby Atmos and DTS:X soundtracks, and rear channels that create a strong sense of audio envelopment.
Most soundbars in this price range typically have a 2.1-channel or 3.1-channel arrangement. The AX5125H blows those options out of the water with its immersive presentation. It’s getting a bit long in the tooth, but its value for money has stood the test of time.
Read our Hisense AX5125H review from July 2024
Key specs – Channels: 5.1.2; Total power output: 500W; Dimensions (WDH): Soundbar – 920 x 90 x 60mm, subwoofer – 214 x 294 x 304mm, rear satellites – 91 x 109 x 144mm each; Weight: 9.5kg (total); Connectivity: 1 x HDMI input, 1 x HDMI eARC output, optical, 3.5mm, Bluetooth
5. Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9: Best all-in-one soundbar
Price when reviewed: £899
- Attractive and space-efficient design
- Excellent sound quality for films and music
- Simple to upgrade
- Not cheap to upgrade
- No digital display
Reviewed by John Archer
The Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9’s soundstage is so expansive and engrossing that we couldn’t believe its audio came from a single enclosure. The unusual 7.0.2-channel setup lacks a dedicated subwoofer, but the other channels place audio so precisely that it’s impossible not to get lost in the action.
Music is handled especially well, and if you want to add a subwoofer and rear speakers, Sony has ready-made options, though they don’t come cheap. Still, they’re by no means essential; the additional channels will elevate your experience, but the Bar 9 has more than enough muscle and musicality to be the only thing you need under your TV.
Read our Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9 review from February 2025
Key specs – Channels: 7.0.2; Total power output: Not stated; Dimensions (WDH): 1,300 x 113 x 64mm; Weight: 5.5kg; Connectivity: 1 x HDMI input, 1 x HDMI (eARC) output, Bluetooth (SBC), Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2
6. Sonos Arc Ultra: Best soundbar for multi-room audio
Price when reviewed: £999
- Top-notch multi-room functionality
- Great three-dimensionality to audio
- Impressive height effects
- Only one HDMI input
- No DTS:X support
Reviewed by Jonathan Bray
We described the Arc Ultra as a “triumph of audio hardware” in our review, and it sits proudly at the heart of Sonos’ home entertainment ecosystem. On its own, we found the 9.1.4-channel bar worked brilliantly; TruePlay room calibration ensured optimal sound quality, and the Ultra model’s improved bass response and three-dimensionality were immediately evident.
But you’ll get the most out of the Arc Ultra if you already own Sonos gear or plan to expand later. Paired with the Sonos Sub, Era 100 or Era 300 and managed in the Sonos app, you can enjoy magnificent multi-room audio over your wireless connection.
Read our Sonos Arc Ultra review from November 2024
Key specs – Channels: 9.1.4; Total power output: Not stated; Dimensions (WDH): 1,178 x 111 x 75mm; Weight: 5.9kg; Connectivity: HDMI (eARC), optical, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2
7. Samsung HW-S800D: Best slimline soundbar
Price when reviewed: £498
- Ultra-slim soundbar design
- Engaging soundstage
- Deep bass
- No DTS:X
- Limited sonic envelopment
Reviewed by Stephen Withers
Immersive soundbars are typically unwieldy and awkward-looking, unlike the slimline Samsung HW-S800D. The main soundbar unit is incredibly slender and fits beneath TVs with minimal clearance.
As aesthetically pleasing as it is practical, the S800D delivers a surprisingly large and convincing soundstage. In our testing, Atmos soundtracks had an impressive sense of scale, and height effects were communicated very cleanly. We were particularly impressed by the S800D’s mid-range reproduction and how its subwoofer integrated plenty of low-end punch.
Samsung’s SmartThings app enables effortless control, and voice assistant fans will appreciate built-in Amazon Alexa. Blending style and substance superbly, the S800D looks fabulous on any AV cabinet.
Read our Samsung HW-S800D review from May 2024
Key specs – Channels: 3.1.2; Total power output: Not stated; Dimensions (WDH): Soundbar – 1,160 x 40 x 38mm, subwoofer – 238 x 238 x 241; Weight: Soundbar – 1.4kg, subwoofer – 6.4kg; Connectivity: HDMI (eARC), Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi
8. Sonos Ray: Best soundbar for small screens
Price when reviewed: £169 | Check price at John Lewis
- Superb sound
- Compact and minimalist
- Room calibration tech
- No voice control
- Doesn’t include a remote
Reviewed by Jonathan Bray
The Ray is the most affordable soundbar in the Sonos lineup and ideally suited to 32in or 43in televisions. But while its compact design doesn’t look out of place under such small screens, its sonic delivery belies its size.
In testing, it showed great tonal balance across the frequency spectrum; bass was well articulated and punchy, and treble was crisp. This is partly due to Sonos’ ingenious app control, which lets you tune the audio profile to suit your room acoustics. If space is at a premium, and you want an inexpensive soundbar that packs a punch, the Sonos Ray is perfect.
Read our Sonos Ray review from November 2022
Key specs – Channels: 2.0; Total power output: Not stated; Dimensions (WDH): 559 x 95 x 71mm; Weight: Soundbar – 2kg; Connectivity: 1 x optical, Wi-Fi
How do I choose the best soundbar?
What size soundbar should I buy?
Pick a soundbar that suits your TV and living room. Check the size: if it’s too wide, it may not fit on your AV cabinet, or it might stick out well beyond your TV, which may look unsightly, especially if you plan to wall-mount the bar. If you plan to put the bar in front of your TV, check its height, too: you don’t want it obscuring the bottom of the screen.
How many channels do I need?
A basic two-channel soundbar reproduces stereo sound and is referred to as 2.0, with the first number relating to the front section of a soundstage.
A 2.1-channel setup adds a dedicated subwoofer (built-in or discrete), with the .1 reflecting the component that handles low frequencies.
Adding two up-firing channels to a 2.1-channel system makes it a 2.1.2-channel arrangement, where the third number refers to the number of up-firing drivers.
2.1: Stereo sound plus a subwoofer. Good for music and TV shows.
5.1: True surround sound. Good for movies.
11.1.4: Multiple front channels, subwoofer and up-firing speakers. Immersive 3D audio.
Generally, the more channels you have, the more immersive your listening experience is, though you do need to consider cost and space.
Do I need a separate subwoofer?
A separate subwoofer adds richness and body to your audio and can deliver room-shaking low-frequency sound effects when called upon. If a standalone soundbar has a dedicated subwoofer, it should do a decent job articulating low frequencies, but for maximum impact, get a discrete sub.
What are HDMI ARC and eARC?
The most important connector is HDMI. More expensive bars often have multiple HDMI inputs to connect devices like a Sky box or a game console. A single HDMI output then passes the video signal onto your TV.
HDMI eARC (enhanced audio return channel) is increasingly important. This reroutes audio that would normally play through your TV’s speakers (such as audio from external devices connected to the TV via HDMI) through your soundbar.
Are voice controls useful?
Some soundbars support popular voice assistants such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.
How useful these are depends on how smart your home is and how invested you are in using voice commands to control your technology. We consider them additional options, not essentials, when buying a soundbar.
Is it worth buying a Dolby Atmos or DTS:X soundbar?
Dolby Atmos and DTS:X are object-based surround-sound standards that add height to 5.1- and 7.1-channel setups. Where older systems could produce sound from the sides and rear of the room, gear that supports Atmos or DTS:X can also make sounds come from above you. We’ve explained the key differences between the two formats in our Dolby Atmos vs DTS:X article.
Soundbars with Atmos and DTS :X generally use upward-firing speakers to bounce audio off your ceiling. How effective this is depends on your ceiling height and shape. If you’re considering a system like this, check the specifications to confirm the recommended room dimensions.
Dolby Atmos soundbars tend to cost more than non-Atmos units, and don’t always support non-Dolby surround-sound standards. This isn’t the end of the world, but many Blu-ray movies use DTS:X encoding for surround sound, so if you have a large collection of those, make sure the soundbar you buy supports both Atmos and DTS:X.
