Best soundbar UK 2025: Tried and tested options at every price point

If you want a true cinematic experience at home, there are no two ways about it: you need the best soundbar you can afford. Whether that be a premium or budget soundbar, this list has an option for everyone.

A good soundbar brings films, TV shows and sports to life with powerful, immersive audio. But with so many options available, finding one that meets your needs and is within your budget can be tricky.

That’s where we come in. We’ve tested and reviewed dozens of soundbars in recent years, and below you’ll find our top buying advice and recommendations. We’ve listed 15 of our favourite soundbars across a range of price points, all of which have been put through their paces by one of our audio experts.

For more information about the benefits of soundbars and the key features to look out for, head to the buying guide at the bottom of the page. Or, keep scrolling for the best soundbars currently available.

Best soundbar: At a glance

How we test soundbars

Our in-depth testing assesses every aspect of a soundbar, from build quality and ease of setup to audio performance and customisation options.

As soon as each bar is unboxed, we measure and weigh it to get a sense of how easy it is to place and install, and check its sturdiness and quality of finish. We then connect via HDMI to a 4K TV – or a desktop computer if that’s what it’s designed for use with.

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, with a focus on the three cornerstones of soundbar performance: bass response, dialogue clarity and crispness of treble. If there are different EQ presets available we’ll try these out with appropriate content. All tests are run at a variety of volume levels, including maximum volume to push the product to its limits.

We use 4K Blu-ray players and the latest blockbuster movies to test how each soundbar handles surround-sound audio encoded with DTS:X. We also test Dolby Atmos, using compatible content available from Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney Plus.

After testing each soundbar with video sources, we try out any wireless music streaming capabilities it may have, be that via Tidal over Bluetooth or Spotify Connect over a Wi-Fi network. We also try out features such as Chromecast and AirPlay 2 to ensure they work as intended.

If the soundbar can be integrated into a multi-room speaker system, we’ll test that too, and we’ll note in our review how easily achieved (or otherwise) it is. If there’s a built-in voice assistant we trial it to see how accurately it can pick up and execute requests – and we’re always sure to check whether there are any features hidden away inside a companion or control app, which again we’ll detail in our full review.

READ NEXT: Best budget soundbars

The best soundbars you can buy in 2025

1. Samsung HW-Q990D: Best soundbar system for immersion

Price when reviewed: £1,029 | Check price at Amazon

• Great for… cinematic surround-sound immersion, current-gen gamers
• Not so great for… those on a budget, small rooms

If you’ve got a big budget and want the best surround-sound experience available, the Samsung HW-Q990D is the system to buy. It incorporates a soundbar, subwoofer and a pair of rear speakers, and delivers exceptional Dolby Atmos and DTS:X experiences. We were blown away by how immersive it is and were particularly impressed by the system’s powerful and controlled bass.

The HW-Q990D handled stereo and 5.1-channel content admirably during our testing too. Music sounded warm, detailed and precise, while TV dialogue was clear and focused. The bar is also a great option for gamers, thanks to the inclusion of HDMI 2.1 ports that support 4K/120Hz signals and can pass through every version of HDR.

An easy installation process and control options including in-built Alexa further enhance the HW-Q990D’s appeal. We’re not so fond of the front display, which is hard to read and not very useful, but that barely detracts from what is overall an awesome sound system.

Read our full Samsung HW-Q990D review

Key specs – Channels: 11.1.4; Total power output: 656W; Dimensions (WDH): Soundbar – 1,232 x 138 x 69mm, subwoofer – 220 x 410 x 413mm, rear satellites – 130 x 140 x 201mm; Weight: Soundbar – 7.7kg, subwoofer – 11.7kg, rear satellites – 3.4kg each; Connectivity: 2 x HDMI 2.1 inputs, 1 x HDMI (eARC) output, optical, Bluetooth (SBC), Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2

2. Sonos Beam (Gen 2): Best soundbar under £500

Price when reviewed: £439 | Check price at Amazon

• Great for… engaging spatial audio from a standalone soundbar
• Not so great for… physical connectivity, films with DTS:X soundtracks

The original Sonos Beam delivered superb sound quality in a compact one-box package, and the second-generation iteration sounds even better thanks to the addition of Dolby Atmos support.

There’s no dedicated remote, but you can use the Sonos mobile app to control the bar from afar. The bar also has built-in voice support for Alexa and Google Assistant, and we found this worked so well that we never needed to fire up the app.

The Beam 2 has two blind spots: it lacks support for DTS:X and only has one HDMI port. If you can look past these limitations, you won’t find a better-sounding soundbar for the money.

Read our full Sonos Beam 2 review

Key specs – Channels: 2.0; Total power output: Not stated; Dimensions (WDH): 651 x 100 x 68mm; Weight: 2.8kg; Connectivity: 1 x HDMI (eARC), 1 x optical

3. Creative Stage V2: Best soundbar and subwoofer under £100

Price when reviewed: £80 | Check price at Amazon

• Great for… those seeking big sound on a small budget
• Not so great for… maximum volume or immersion

Value-for-money soundbars don’t get much better than the Creative Stage V2. For less than a ton, you get not only a high-quality bar to sit under your TV but also a subwoofer that adds rich, powerful bass.

There are a few different sound modes to choose from: Surround mode widens the soundstage to create a more immersive impression without the need for physical surround speakers, while Dialog mode boosts the EQ to enhance voices on screen. We found this worked well, with the bar articulating mid-range and treble frequencies very capably.

The Stage V2 has connection options aplenty, too. Optical, HDMI ARC and AUX connections are all on hand, while a USB Type-C port also allows you to hook the bar up to your PC and use it as a desktop soundbar. Wireless connectivity via Bluetooth is available for those wanting to stream content from external devices.

It can’t quite match the volume or spatial imaging of a top-shelf, multi-speaker sound system, but if you’re looking for a wallet-friendly way of improving your TV’s audio, the Creative Stage V2 offers incredible bang for your buck.

Read our full Creative Stage V2 review

Key specs – Channels: 2.1; Total power output: 160W; Dimensions (WDH): Soundbar – 680 x 100 x 78mm, subwoofer – 116 x 250 x 423mm; Weight: Soundbar – 2kg, subwoofer – 3.3kg; Connectivity: Bluetooth, 1 x HDMI (ARC), 1 x optical, 1 x 3.5mm, 1 x USB-C

4. Sonos Ray: Best compact soundbar

Price when reviewed: £279 | Check price at Amazon

• Great for… small TVs and confined spaces
• Not so great for… physical and wireless connectivity options

The Ray is the smallest and cheapest soundbar in the Sonos lineup, but it delivers the kind of high-quality sonic performance we’ve come to expect from the American audio manufacturer.

For a compact 2.0 bar, it sounds superb. There’s great tonal balance across the frequency spectrum, bass is well articulated and punchy (despite the lack of a subwoofer) and treble is perfectly crisp. Some of this is down to Sonos’ ingenious app control, which lets you tune the audio profile to suit the acoustic needs of your room. The bar itself has an elegant design that will fit just about anywhere, and it’s available in either black or the striking white finish pictured above.

The Ray isn’t without its faults. It lacks Bluetooth, it has only a single optical port, and – to be clear – it doesn’t match the detail and energy of the much pricier Sonos Beam 2 or Arc soundbars. But if space is at a premium and you want an inexpensive soundbar that can pack a punch, the Sonos Ray is perfect.

Read our full Sonos Ray review

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

5. LG US95TR: Best soundbar for LG TV owners

Price when reviewed: £1,499 | Check price at Amazon

• Great for… powerful, immersive audio, current-gen gamers
• Not so great for… HDR10+ passthrough, HDMI inputs

It’s common for television manufacturers to design soundbars to complement their TVs and LG has doubled down on this in the past couple of years. The US95TR is the perfect foil for premium OLEDs like the LG G4 and LG C4 and its 9.1.5-channel arrangement produces extremely immersive audio.

The US95TR has a centre height channel to help improve audio elevation with object-based formats such as Dolby Atmos. This works well, and the soundbar, subwoofer and rear speakers combine to create a realistic bubble of sound around you.

4K/120Hz passthrough is a big draw for gamers and there’s also support for LG’s various WOW technologies. WOW Orchestra syncs audio from the soundbar and TV into one cohesive system, while WOW Interface allows you to control the bar using the TV’s remote and menus. This is very useful functionality and helps cement the US95TR as our top pick for LG TV owners.

Read our full LG US95TR review

Key specs – Channels: 9.1.5; Total power output: 810W; Dimensions (WDH): Soundbar – 1,250 x 135 x 63mm, subwoofer – 202 x 403 x 407mm, rear speakers – 159 x 142 x 223mm each; Weight: Soundbar – 5.65kg, subwoofer – 10kg, rear speakers – 4kg each; Connectivity: 1 x HDMI input, 1 x HDMI (eARC) output, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2

6. Sonos Arc Ultra: Best Sonos soundbar

Price when reviewed: £999 | Check price at Amazon

• Great for… multi-room speaker functionality, three-dimensional sound
• Not so great for… HDMI connectivity, DTS:X

The Arc Ultra is the jewel in Sonos’ soundbar crown and makes several meaningful improvements to its predecessor, which was a fantastic standalone option in its own right. By increasing the number of drivers inside the chassis from 11 to 14, Sonos has created an immersive 9.1.4-channel setup that handles Dolby Atmos object-based audio excellently. The addition of a “Sound Motion” woofer double the bass output of the original Arc, and we were thoroughly impressed with the results. Low-end frequencies were articulated much more cleanly but didn’t dominate the Arc Ultra’s overall presentation.

Multi-channel content sounds far more three dimensional on the Arc Ultra than the Arc thanks to the extra channels, and new speech settings enable you to enhance dialogue in a more granular fashion. The Arc Ultra still only has one HDMI port, which is frustrating, and there’s no support for DTS:X, but if you’re already invested in the Sonos multi-room audio ecosystem, this soundbar will enhance your home audio experience significantly.

Read our full Sonos Arc Ultra review

Key specs – Channels: 9.1.4; Total power output: Not stated; Dimensions (WDH): 1,178 x 111 x 75mm; Weight: 5.9kg; Connectivity: Wi-Fi, 1 x HDMI ARC/eARC

7. JBL Bar 1300: Most versatile soundbar

Price when reviewed: £1,299 | Check price at Hughes

• Great for… flexibility, surround sound immersion
• Not so great for… HDR10+ and 4K/120Hz content

The JBL Bar 1300 takes a fresh approach to surround sound. While rivals typically include mains-powered rear speakers, the Bar 1300 uses battery-powered units that charge over USB Type-C and then deliver up to 12 hours of fully wireless audio – brilliant for anyone who doesn’t want cables trailing around their room. The wireless speakers can also be used as standalone Bluetooth speakers or as a stereo pair for streaming, making the whole package an extremely versatile one.

With the soundbar, subwoofer and rears all working together, we found the sound created was powerful and highly immersive. The various channels all pull together cohesively, and there are bags of fine directional detail, with sound effects steered effortlessly around the room. Atmos and DTS:X soundtracks are handled brilliantly too: the 11.1.4-channel soundstage makes you feel as though you’re sitting in the middle of a bubble of sound.

A slick companion app offers numerous ways in which you can customise your experience and is the icing on what is a very tasty cake.

Read our full JBL Bar 1300 review

Key specs – Channels: 11.1.4; Total power output: 1,170W; Dimensions (WDH): Soundbar – 1,000 x 139 x 60mm, subwoofer – 305 x 305 x 440mm, rear speakers – 202 x 139 x 60mm each; Weight: Soundbar – 4.3kg, subwoofer – 10kg, rear speakers 1.25kg each; Connectivity: 3 x HDMI inputs, 1 x HDMI (eARC) output, 1 x optical, 1 X Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Chromecast, Apple AirPlay 2

8. Creative Stage 360: Best cheap Atmos soundbar

Price when reviewed: £200 | Check price at Amazon

• Great for… Atmos support on a budget, connection options
• Not so great for… analogue inputs, impatient people

Dolby Atmos soundbars are becoming increasingly popular and the Creative Stage 360 is a great budget option. Although it’s only a 2.1-channel system, we were impressed by how effectively the soundbar and subwoofer combo rendered Atmos content: the soundstage is wide, audio cues to the left and right are positioned accurately and you get a sense of sound coming from above you too.

In addition to Atmos support, the Stage 360 offers a decent range of connection options, including two HDMI 2.0 inputs and Bluetooth. There are four sound modes to choose from – Music, Movie, Wide and Night – along with near-field and far-field profiles that take into account how close you are to the bar. If you want to enjoy Atmos content but can’t stretch your budget to a true surround-sound system, the Creative Stage 360 is the affordable answer.

Read our full Creative Stage 360 review

Key specs – Channels: 2.1; Total power output: 120W; Dimensions (WDH): Soundbar – 566 x 88 x 75mm, subwoofer – 115 x 250 x 422mm; Weight: Soundbar – 1.7kg, subwoofer – 3.4kg; Connectivity: Bluetooth, 1 x HDMI (ARC), 2 x HDMI input, 1 x optical

9. Samsung HW-S800D: Best slimline soundbar

Price when reviewed: £475 | Check price at Amazon

• Great for… style, space-conscious consumers
• Not so great for… enveloping sound, films with DTS:X soundtracks

Immersive soundbars are typically unwieldy, awkward-looking things but not so the Samsung HW-S800D. The main soundbar unit is incredibly slender at 40mm deep and, at 38mm tall, will neatly fit beneath TVs with minimal clearance under their panel.

As aesthetically pleasing as it is practical, the S800D is also able to deliver a surprisingly large and convincing soundstage. We were impressed by its clear mid-range reproduction and the detail it articulates further up the frequency spectrum, while the discrete subwoofer generated plenty of low-end punch despite being relatively compact.

We should point out that there’s no support for DTS:X and that the audio is a little front-heavy due to the absence of rear speakers. However, those wanting to rectify the latter issue can do so by buying Samsung’s SWA-9500S (£249) separately, and the omission of DTS:X isn’t a deal-breaker given there’s limited support for the format.

Read our full Samsung HW-S800D review

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

10. Philips TAB6309: Best budget slimline soundbar

Price when reviewed: £247 | Check price at Amazon

• Great for… TVs with minimal clearance, low-end punch
• Not so great for… convincing Atmos, voice assistant fans

This soundbar and subwoofer combo is our pick of the cheap alternatives to Samsung’s HW-S800D. The bar is short and incredibly slender, meaning its footprint on your AV cabinet is relatively minimal and it can be slotted in front of TVs of any height without obstructing the screen.

While its design caught our eye, we were also impressed by its audio chops. The crossover point between the bar and wireless subwoofer is sensibly judged, there’s plenty of clarity and detail across the frequency spectrum, and the sub delivers an almighty wallop when necessary. A decent selection of control and customisation options further its appeal, despite the absence of a built-in voice assistant and somewhat unconvincing virtualised surround sound.

Read our full Philips TAB6309 review

Key specs – Channels: 2.1; Total power output: 320W (160W RMS); Dimensions (WDH): Soundbar – 811 x 42 x 37cm, subwoofer – 155 x 161 x 391mm; Weight: Soundbar – 0.61kg, subwoofer – 3.7kg; Connectivity: 1 x HDMI (eARC), 1 x optical, 1 x 3.5mm, 1 x USB-A, Bluetooth 5.3 (SBC)

11. Bose Smart Soundbar: Best mid-range soundbar for dialogue

Price when reviewed: £499 | Check price at Amazon

• Great for… clear dialogue, Bose Ultra Open Earbuds owners
• Not so great for… HDMI passthrough, potent bass reproduction

Bose streamlined its soundbar lineup in late 2024 and the cheaper of its two options – the Smart Soundbar – has a lot going for it. It’s compact, sleek, easy to set up, goes very loud for a bar of its size and produces a surprisingly wide soundstage. The absence of an in-built subwoofer sees it fall a little short where bass reproduction is concerned, but its two up-firing drivers convey height effects on Atmos soundtracks successfully. However, its greatest strength is an AI Dialogue mode that senses when there’s a vocal component to an audio mix and tweaks the tonal balance to enhance dialogue. It worked fantastically well during testing and didn’t negatively impact the overall soundstage.

It’s not the best-connected soundbar around – physical inputs are limited to just one HDMI port and an optical input – but Chromecast is built in and there’s support for Amazon Alexa, both of which are welcome inclusions. The Smart Soundbar also has clever trick up its sleeve when used with Bose’s Ultra Open Earbuds. Pairing the buds with the bar unlocks Personal Surround Sound, which sees the earbuds to on the role of surround sound speakers. This functionality really enhanced our immersion, it’s just a shame that you’ll have to fork out over £200 for the headphones to access it.

Read our full Bose Smart Soundbar review

Key specs – Channels: 3.0.2; Total power output: Not stated; Dimensions (WDH): 694 x 104 x 56mm; Weight: 3.1kg; Connectivity: HDMI (eARC), optical, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth

12. Polk MagniFi Mini AX: Best compact soundbar with subwoofer

Price when reviewed: £350 | Check price at Amazon

• Great for… connectivity options, impactful cinematic sound
• Not so great for… convincing height effects, musical reproduction

When space is tight, a standalone soundbar might be your best pick – but if you’re able to accommodate a subwoofer, this compact option from Polk is a superb choice. The tiny bar delivers a clean, arresting sound that belies its size, while the sub fills in all the necessary body and punch. We were impressed by how well the 3D sound mode handles Atmos and DTS:X content, with onscreen audio cues and the movement of sound articulated precisely – though in the absence of up-firing speakers, the system doesn’t quite manage to deliver fully convincing height effects.

When it comes to diminutive soundbars capable of room-filling sound, you won’t find a better option than the MagniFi Mini AX. Just make sure that the main unit will fit underneath your TV – despite being extremely narrow, at 79mm it’s a little taller than the average soundbar.

Read our full Polk MagniFi Mini AX review

Key specs – Channels: 3.1; Total power output: Not stated; Dimensions (WDH): Soundbar – 366 x 104 x 79mm, subwoofer – 182 x 396 x 371mm; Weight: 1.7kg; Connectivity: HDMI (eARC), 3.5mm, optical, Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi

How to choose the best soundbar for you

How do I choose the best soundbar?

It’s important to pick a soundbar that suits your TV and living room. The first thing to look at is the size of the bar: if it’s too wide it may not fit on your AV cabinet – or it might stick out well beyond the sides of your TV, which may look unsightly, especially if you plan to wall-mount the bar. If you plan to situate the bar in front of your TV, check its height too: you don’t want it to obscure the bottom part of the screen.

Next, consider whether you want a standalone soundbar or one with extra speakers to enhance the audio experience. A standalone unit is the neatest and easiest to set up, but it naturally won’t be able to provide true all-around sound, and such units often struggle to deliver convincing bass. A separate subwoofer will add richness and body to your audio and can deliver room-shaking low-frequency sound effects when called upon. Ideally, you want your subwoofer to be wireless, so you can easily hide it away out of sight – it doesn’t need to be in the centre of your home cinema setup, as bass frequencies aren’t very directional.

Some soundbars also come with rear speakers that deliver 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound, for a truly enveloping, immersive aural experience. Naturally, these push up the price; it’s sometimes possible to start with a single unit and add speakers later on.

READ NEXT: Best UK TV deals

What’s the best way to connect a soundbar?

The most important connector is HDMI. Many bars have multiple HDMI inputs, which can be connected to different sources such as a Sky box, a games console and so forth. A single HDMI output then passes the active video signal onto your TV.

A particular feature worth looking for is HDMI ARC (audio return channel) support; this lets the soundbar receive and play audio directly from the TV – useful for smart TV apps such as BBC iPlayer or Netflix. ARC is also handy if you run out of HDMI inputs on the soundbar, as any audio that would normally play through the TV speakers is routed back to the soundbar.

Many bars have other connectors too, for different types of audio source, which give you more flexibility. One connector worth looking for is an optical digital (also called TOSlink or S/PDIF) socket; this can’t carry a lossless surround-sound signal such as Dolby True HD or DTS:X, but it’s an easy way to hook up a music source – or a TV if the soundbar doesn’t support HDMI ARC.

You may also see analogue connectors such as stereo RCA and 3.5mm inputs; these provide an easy way to connect older audio gear, but they’re becoming less common on soundbars, and it’s normally not a disaster if your soundbar doesn’t have these. If you want to play music from a phone or tablet, many soundbars support Bluetooth for wirelessly streaming audio. Some also have Wi-Fi capabilities that allow for higher-quality streaming, integration into a multi-room wireless speaker network (if the bar supports it) and support for digital voice assistants such as Alexa and Google Assistant.

Is it worth buying a Dolby Atmos soundbar?

Dolby Atmos is a relatively new surround-sound standard that expands upon the established 5.1- and 7.1-channel setups to add audio height. In other words, where older systems could produce sound from the sides and rear of the room, new Atmos gear can also make sounds come from above you.

Soundbars with Atmos generally work by using upward-firing speakers to bounce audio off your ceiling. This can be very effective, but for the best results your ceilings will need to be the right height: if you’re thinking of investing in a system like this, check the specifications to confirm the recommended room dimensions.

It’s worth noting too that Dolby Atmos soundbars tend to be more expensive than simpler 5.1-enabled units, and they have a nasty habit of excluding support for non-Dolby surround-sound standards. This isn’t the end of the world, but many Blu-ray movies use DTS encoding for their surround sound; if you’re watching such a disc on a Dolby-only soundbar you’ll be limited to the standard stereo soundtrack.

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