7 Best Budget Soundbars to Give Your TV Audio an Upgrade in 2024

7 Best Budget Soundbars to Give Your TV Audio an Upgrade in 2024

As a tech enthusiast who’s spent countless hours immersed in the digital world, I can confidently say that the Roku Streambar SE is a game-changer! This little powerhouse is not just a soundbar but a gateway to a cinematic experience right at home.


If you’re looking for improved dialogue clarity and the ability to distinguish between loud and soft sounds, these soundbars are a great choice. They are also space-saving and provide multiple connection options, enabling you to link them with numerous devices. Whether you prefer them in your living room or kitchen, their portability makes it easy to set them up in various locations without much hassle.

Instead of simply searching for “the best budget soundbar on Reddit,” it’s important to be well-informed about what you’re purchasing. Just because you have a limited budget for a soundbar, doesn’t mean you should settle for any low-quality options. To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of 7 high-quality and affordable soundbars that will meet your modest entertainment needs.

Is a Cheap Soundbar Better?

Our Top Picks

Our Curation Process

Our Top Pick Reviews

FAQs

Is a Cheap Soundbar Better Than No Soundbar?

7 Best Budget Soundbars to Give Your TV Audio an Upgrade in 2024

As a gamer, I’ve learned that just because a soundbar is affordable doesn’t make it inferior. It might not be the top-tier model, but having a basic soundbar is far better than relying solely on your TV speakers. You see, a soundbar can provide features like immersive surround sound and enhanced bass effects that TV speakers simply can’t deliver authentically. So, even if you’re opting for a more budget-friendly option, it’s still a worthwhile investment.

MORE FROM COMINGSOON

7 Best 65-inch TVs to Turn Your Room Into a Theater

As a gamer, I can’t help but think about the thrilling action scenes in movies like Sicario or Civil War and how much more intense they would be if I could truly immerse myself in the sound. Unfortunately, not everyone has the luxury of a high-end surround sound system. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of 7 affordable soundbars that will help you upgrade your audio quality and get a better movie experience without breaking the bank.

Best Overall
Best for Bass
Best Under $50
Best for Surround
Best Modular
Best Home Theater
Best for Streaming
7 Best Budget Soundbars to Give Your TV Audio an Upgrade in 2024

BEST OVERALL

VIZIO V-Series 2.0 Compact Soundbar

READ MORE

Check Price on Amazon
7 Best Budget Soundbars to Give Your TV Audio an Upgrade in 2024

BEST FOR BASS

RIOWOIS DS6341M Soundbar

READ MORE

Check Price on Amazon
7 Best Budget Soundbars to Give Your TV Audio an Upgrade in 2024

BEST UNDER $50

Saiyin DS6301 17-inch Soundbar for TV

READ MORE

Check Price on Amazon
7 Best Budget Soundbars to Give Your TV Audio an Upgrade in 2024

BEST FOR SURROUND

Sony HT-S100F 2.0ch Soundbar

READ MORE

Check Price on Amazon
7 Best Budget Soundbars to Give Your TV Audio an Upgrade in 2024

BEST MODULAR

Ultimea Apollo S40 2.2ch Soundbar

READ MORE

Check Price on Amazon
7 Best Budget Soundbars to Give Your TV Audio an Upgrade in 2024

BEST HOME THEATER

VIZIO SB2020n-J6 2.0 Home Theater

READ MORE

Check Price on Amazon
7 Best Budget Soundbars to Give Your TV Audio an Upgrade in 2024

BEST FOR STREAMING

Roku Streambar SE

READ MORE

Check Price on Amazon
We’ve been independently researching and testing products for over 20 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

BEST OVERALL

VIZIO V-Series 2.0 Compact Soundbar

7 Best Budget Soundbars to Give Your TV Audio an Upgrade in 2024

PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON

Buy on Amazon

Why We Love

Easy installation

Textured surface

Includes a remote control

Compact and sleek design

Dolby Audio and DTS:X support

70Hz – 20kHz frequency response

But…

Max volume may be unsatisfactory

Kicking off our list is the VIZIO V-Series 2.0 Compact Soundbar, a top-notch audio solution boasting features typically found on mid to high-end soundbars. This soundbar comes equipped with two full-range speakers, providing exceptional clarity for 4K HDR content. It also includes Dolby Audio, DTS:X, and DTS TruVolume HD technology for an enhanced movie-watching experience. The compact design ensures it fits comfortably on most entertainment units, or simply position it in front of your TV for a seamless blend. Connectivity options include Bluetooth, HDMI ARC, and AUX, providing flexibility in use.

BEST FOR BASS

RIOWOIS DS6341M Soundbar with Subwoofer

7 Best Budget Soundbars to Give Your TV Audio an Upgrade in 2024

PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON

Buy on Amazon

Why We Love

Low price tag

Easy to set up

Wall-mountable

Slim and portable design

40W two full-range speakers

Bluetooth, optical, and AUX connectivity

But…

Occasional connectivity issues

For enhancing the realism in your movie-viewing time, the RIOWOIS DS6341M Soundbar and Subwoofer would be a great choice. Though RIOWOIS may not be a household name, it should be. This soundbar is equipped with a 4-inch subwoofer that intensifies your immersion by producing low-frequency sounds, much like the physical vibrations you’d feel in a theater. It’s specifically designed for smaller spaces and packs enough punch to fill the room with premium audio. Plus, its wireless capabilities make it compatible with various devices such as TVs, computers, or mobiles. This budget-friendly soundbar with subwoofer combo is an outstanding product, offering great value for your money.

BEST UNDER $50

Saiyin DS6301 17-inch Soundbar

7 Best Budget Soundbars to Give Your TV Audio an Upgrade in 2024

PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON

Buy on Amazon

Why We Love

3 preset modes

Compact and lightweight

Includes a remote control

Includes a wall-mounting kit

Physical buttons on the side

Dedicated port for a subwoofer

But…

Provided power cable is short

You can get the Saiyin 17-inch Soundbar for under $40! This is an incredible deal for a basic soundbar that offers everything you’d expect from it. Unlike a lot of other soundbars in this price category, the Saiyin 17-inch soundbar can deliver a great surround sound effect that pulls you into the movie. The dialogs are much clearer and the music is more distinguishable when compared to TV speakers, too. This is mainly because of its two 40W full-range speakers that are built to generate life-like audio. You can further enhance it using its three equalizer modes — music, movie, and news. It is a great option for those who like to customize their audio systems. Lastly, it has an LED indicator that shows the active connection type, which will help you identify what device you’re connected to. This is definitely one of the best soundbars under $50.

BEST FOR SURROUND SPEAKERS

Sony HT-S100F 2.0ch Soundbar

7 Best Budget Soundbars to Give Your TV Audio an Upgrade in 2024

PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON

Buy on Amazon

Why We Love

Wall-mountable

Slim form factor

Integrated tweeter

Bass Reflex speaker

Touch buttons on the top

S-Force Front Surround support

But…

Doesn’t feature Dolby given the price

If you’re prepared to invest around $110, consider the Sony HT-S100F 2.0ch Soundbar for an exceptional audio experience. Known for their high-quality products, Sony has designed this soundbar to provide cinema-like sound directly in your living room. It boasts powerful bass effects that intensify the impact of action movie and video game scenes, and its voice-enhancement technology ensures clear dialog during movies. Connect it to your TV or other devices via HDMI (ARC), optical, USB, or Bluetooth – the choice is yours! With the Sony HT-S100F, the roaring sounds from Top Gun: Maverick will have an even greater impact on you.

MORE FROM COMINGSOON

James Gunn Explains Why Krypto Isn’t a Labrador in DCU Superman Movie

BEST MODULAR

Ultimea Apollo S40 2.2ch Soundbar

7 Best Budget Soundbars to Give Your TV Audio an Upgrade in 2024

PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON

Buy on Amazon

Why We Love

3 preset modes

7-degree tilt design

Includes cables for all its ports

Distinguishable highs and lows

Synchronization with TV remote

Bluetooth 5.3 range of up to 49 feet

But…

Higher price category

The Ultimea Apollo S40 gives users the ability to split the soundbar into two speakers and place them vertically, adding the possibility of multiple variations to set up their entertainment unit. Its built-in tweeters and subwoofer deliver surprisingly loud and clear audio that brings movies to life. It uses a DSP chip that minimizes audio static and improves clarity. The soundbar easily achieves both highs and lows, for a dynamic audio experience. It even comes with preset modes that you can switch between for more optimized audio settings. Additionally, its exclusive BassMX technology delivers an excellent bass effect, adding more value to the soundbar.

BEST HOME THEATER SOUNDBAR

VIZIO SB2020n-J6 2.0 Home Theater Soundbar

7 Best Budget Soundbars to Give Your TV Audio an Upgrade in 2024

PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON

Buy on Amazon

Why We Love

Room-filling 3D sound

Includes remote control

DTS Virtual:X technology support

Bluetooth, USB, optical, and AUX

Additional port to connect subwoofer

But…

Doesn’t include HDMI

Vizio soundbars have been one of our favorites for their amazing audio and build quality. The VIZIO SB2020n-J6 is as impressive as the higher-end models from the brand. It is compact and has a pretty decent price tag attached to it, making it ideal for small setups. Even with its 2-channel setup, it utilizes its built-in full-range speakers to create an audio experience that would usually be achieved on higher-end models. It can reach up to 90dB of total SPL output, outperforming other soundbars in its category. So, be it watching movies or playing games on your PS5, it’s going to be extremely immersive with this one.

BEST FOR STREAMING

Roku Streambar SE

7 Best Budget Soundbars to Give Your TV Audio an Upgrade in 2024

PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON

Buy on Amazon

Why We Love

Bluetooth support

4K HDR streaming

User-friendly interface

Compatible with any TV

Dedicated audio presets

All-in-one remote controlled

But…

Finicky connection

The Roku Streambar SE is a great option for anyone who’s looking for Roku’s streaming features and an upgrade to their TV speaker. This is definitely one of the most compact soundbars that we’ve come across, yet it delivers impactful audio. This soundbar is a 2-in-1 device that is capable of streaming 4K HDR content on all its supported applications while also offering enhanced audio for a better viewing experience. There are two front-facing speakers that deliver crisp and clear dialog so that you don’t ever have to use subtitles. Plus, it also intelligently reduces volume during commercials and normalizes it when the show or movie resumes.

MORE FROM COMINGSOON

The Wild Robot 2: Sequel in Development at DreamWorks Animation

How We Chose the Best Budget Soundbar

These budget soundbars were chosen by our team of expert technicians who have years of experience testing out all kinds of home entertainment devices. The team chose over a dozen soundbars to test that fall under the affordable category and then began testing them. These soundbars were tested for their audio quality, build quality, and all their additional features. The tests were run while watching movies and playing games, giving them a broad understanding of their quality. So, go ahead and pick the one you like, they’re sure to impress you like they impressed us.

FAQ

What is the best budget soundbar for clear speech?

The Saiyin DS6301 17-inch Soundbar for TV is one of the best soundbars for clear speech.

What is the best quality sound bar?

As a passionate audio enthusiast, I can wholeheartedly vouch for the VIZIO V-Series 2.0 Compact Soundbar. It strikes an exceptional balance between superior audio quality and affordable pricing, making it a go-to choice for many like-minded audiophiles.

Is there an alternative to a soundbar?

Surround-sound speakers could be a cost-effective choice compared to soundbars, as they often come with lower price tags.

Do you really need a soundbar with a smart TV?

If you’re looking for improved audio clarity beyond your TV’s speakers, then it would be beneficial to incorporate a soundbar into your entertainment system.

Which is better, a 2.1 or 5.1 sound bar?

5.1 soundbars offer a significantly superior audio experience due to their 5-speaker channel setup, delivering richer and more enveloping sound compared to 2.1 systems. However, it’s important to note that they tend to come at a higher price point.

Read More

Sorry. No data so far.

2024-10-25 23:40