Everyone’s audio needs are different, so be sure to consider your unique preferences, space and listening habits. With the right model, you get the benefits of a home theater system or AV receiver without having to run messy wires or take up much space. Use this guide to navigate the options and find the best soundbar for you. If you need a little extra help, check out my complete guide to how to buy a soundbar in 2026.
Budget
The most important consideration when choosing a soundbar is working out how much you can spend, and I have found there are great soundbars at every price, starting at $100. If you’re looking for more premium, feature-packed models, be prepared to spend a lot more — upwards of $3,000. I do have one rule of thumb: Once the price of a soundbar exceeds $500, you may find it more worthwhile to save for an AV receiver and speakers.
If you’re a movie buff, consider splurging on features like Dolby Atmos to bring the theater experience home. Music lovers will want to prioritize audio reproduction and multiroom or wireless streaming to fill their space with sound. Gamers should look for soundbars with dedicated gaming presets that enhance dialogue clarity and directional audio cues.
Room size
Consider your room’s size and layout. Smaller spaces, like bedrooms and offices, might be overwhelmed by high-wattage soundbars with separate subwoofers. Single-bar systems are great for smaller rooms and TVs, as their length allows for built-in stereo sound while still being compact. Larger rooms or home theater setups will benefit from more robust soundbars with additional speakers and subwoofers to produce that booming surround sound.
Also think about where you’ll place it — will it sit on an entertainment console, be mounted on a wall or fit beneath your TV? Be sure that your soundbar can physically fit in the desired space by checking the dimensions and mounting capabilities.
Use the following guide to see which soundbar length we recommend for each TV size.
| Speaker length (in inches) | Recommended TV screen size |
|---|---|
| 12 | Any |
| 38 to 45 | 42-inch to 50-inch |
| 50 | 55-inch to 65-inch |
| 60 | 70-inch and larger |
Audio format compatibility
Match your soundbar’s audio format to the content you enjoy most. Here are a few of the most important audio formats and their use cases to consider when choosing a soundbar:
- Dolby Atmos for 3D soundscapes with height channels that create immersive experiences perfect for movie buffs
- DTS:X for object-based audio that adapts to your specific speaker setup, ideal for home theater enthusiasts
- PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) for uncompressed digital audio commonly found on Blu-ray discs and gaming consoles
- Dolby Digital 5.1 for traditional surround sound with five speakers and a subwoofer, the standard for DVD content
- Bluetooth audio codecs (AAC, aptX, LDAC) for wireless streaming with varying levels of quality, essential for music streaming from mobile devices
Check your TV’s connection options (HDMI ARC/eARC, optical) to ensure compatibility with the soundbar you choose.
