Not all soundbars are created equal, though. Depending on what you’re looking for, you’ll want to weigh the pros and cons of each soundbar. Do you prefer a more surround-sound feel? Consider upgrading to a soundbar with more channels. You’ll also want to consider the pros and cons of some soundbars in terms of connections, voice-enabled support, and much more. Choosing the perfect one for your space can be daunting. That’s why, ahead of March Madness and the 2023 Academy Awards, I’ve scoured the internet for my expert picks on the best soundbars. With most TVs sacrificing great audio today, a soundbar can be the answer to that awesome surround sound that will keep you right in the moment. Check out my picks for the best soundbars for your home below. Also: The best TVs you can buy right now For more options, check out our expert picks for the best speakers, the best Bluetooth speakers, and the best stereo speakers! The soundbar has 3D sound with Dolby Atmos for full immersion. Dolby Atmos maps sound in 3D space so that you feel the music and you hear sounds where they would be spatially oriented. For example, you might hear planes as if they were flying overhead. You can record and playback videos in full HD, and there are multiple ways to control it, including voice control and your TV remote. It’s a versatile device for streaming music, radio, podcasts, and more with high-quality audio. Roku is already famous for its best streaming devices, so it makes sense that it would make one of the best soundbars, too. The Roku Streambar is not just a soundbar – it includes 4K streaming of all your favorite programs, including over 300 live TV channels and access to Roku Originals. Dolby Audio brings movies and shows to life with a 4K resolution for a better picture. Benefit from wide connectivity that includes Bluetooth, USB, HDMI, and WiFi connections. A remote control comes included in case you prefer that over voice control. You can customize your home screen with your favorite streaming services, like Netflix and Disney Plus, so that you don’t have to scroll as much to get to your favorite entertainment. Roku says that this soundbar is “smarter than your average soundbar” because of better engineering within the Roku operating system. What that means for you, if you’re considering purchasing this device, is that you’ll get better volume and speech clarity whenever you watch a show or listen to music. Samsung already offers some great TVs on the market, and if you’ve been sleeping on its soundbars, it’s time to take a serious look at them. If you are looking for quality bass, the Samsung HW-Q990B is the best soundbar with a subwoofer. This wireless soundbar provides Dolby Atmos sound with room-filling Q-Symphony audio and SpaceFit Sound+ for a more powerful experience that puts you right in the action. It includes 11 channels, with four up-firing channels in addition to the subwoofer, and a rear speaker kit. For greater convenience, use Alexa or AirPlay2 to control your soundbar. The soundbar does not require HDMI cables to deliver surround sound. It has a built-in wireless Dolby Atmos connection (the world’s first, according to Samsung) that allows for immersive sound without any cables. The soundbar takes in the room and automatically calibrates audio to create the best atmosphere for your entertainment. The up-firing speakers that are included with the soundbar go behind you and project audio up and around so that you truly feel immersed in the sound that you’re hearing. The splurge-worthy Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar comes with a series of services already built in, including Chromecast, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, and Tidal Connect. Thirteen premium drivers mean better sound for your home, which you can easily adjust using the built-in equalizer. There is also the option to tune your music using three AMBEO 3-D technology modes. Use Bluetooth to get the music going and feel 3D surround sound with deep 30Hz bass. DTS:X and MPEG-H are compatible, as well. However, just keep in mind that this is a wired model and not wireless like some of the other best soundbars on this list. The sound quality of this soundbar is top-notch. You don’t need an additional subwoofer for immersive 5.1.4 channel 3D-quality sound, because of Sennheiser’s AMBEO audio technology. You can still connect a subwoofer to this device if you want, through the mono subwoofer pre-out. The soundbar comes with a calibration microphone, remote control, and an owner’s manual. Another Sonos option, the Sonos Beam has the smart features you want in a soundbar and incorporates Dolby Atmos for a superior, panoramic sound – a new addition to this second-generation model. Advanced audio processing makes for better-balanced sound, plus there is Speech Enhancement to enunciate dialogue, so no more mumbling during your shows. You also have the option of Night Sound in order to switch to a quieter volume when the rest of the house is sleeping, too. There’s a 40% faster chip in this small device so that its audio capabilities are pushed to the max. It’s put together well and elegantly designed so that it fits well with the rest of your setup whether you mount it or place it on a TV stand. This soundbar is equally made for music as well as home theaters. You can stream music, radio, audiobooks, and podcasts easily with high-quality sound. This is not only the best smart soundbar, but also a compact option to consider. A soundbar should last for 6-16 years, so even if the technology improves, you can still keep using your soundbar of choice until it needs to be repaired. A soundbar doesn’t need a subwoofer to generate great audio, so if you’re hesitant about the additional costs associated with soundbars, know that you do not have to purchase add-ons.
