Honestly, we are freaks when it comes to watching movies or TV shows. That said, we don’t settle for anything short of perfect as far as the quality of time spent is concerned. So, speakers play a key role in making our experience as real and immersive as possible. Technically, soundbars are presently more in demand and are said to fare better than ordinary speaker sets. Therefore, this year, we tried out over a hundred soundbars at Best Buy to decide on and set aside our top choices. Well, after several rounds of field tests, we were left with just the top thirteen. These were solid soundbars with a top-notch performance in all aspects. Plus, they offered value for the buck. We put them together to create this exclusive roundup for all to select from. So, feel free to scroll and take your pick. Let’s begin!
Table of contents
- Roku Streambar Pro 4K
- LG – 3.1.3 Channel Soundbar
- Polk Audio – MagniFi Soundbar
- JBL – BAR 1300X soundbar
- Samsung – 3.1 Channel Soundbar
- Sonos – Dolby Atmos Arc Soundbar
- Bose – TV Speaker Bluetooth Soundbar
- VIZIO – M-Series Sound Bar
- Samsung – Channel B-Series Soundbar
- Bose – Smart Ultra Soundbar
- Hisense – 3.1.2 Dolby ATMOS Soundbar
- Samsung – Channel Q-series Soundbar
- JBL – Cinema SB170 Channel Soundbar
- Our Verdict!
- How to Choose the Best Soundbars at Best Buy?
- Do soundbars sound better than TV?
- What is the difference between 2.1 and 5.1 soundbars?
- Do soundbars need a subwoofer?
Roku Streambar Pro 4K
13
The Roku Streambar Pro 4K easily exceeded our expectations. Coming with a clear and sharp sound quality we can feel what everyone says on the screen. Plus, to contribute a bit to the cinematic simulation, we bought a subwoofer for a fuller sound overall. This soundbar is good enough for a medium-sized room. Honestly, we use these in the bedroom and the vigorous output makes sure that the sound is delivered to every corner of the space. In addition, the setup was straightforward. And it was ready to perform right out of the box. Look-wise the soundbar is very professional and has a well-built profile. So, it enhances our room’s decor as well. Not to mention, the system is reasonably priced given the value.
Check out the original listing for more info and customer reviews.
Pros
- The sound has a surrounding effect.
- It can wirelessly connect with devices.
- Roku is a user-focused platform.
Cons
- It might get foggy at times.
Buy on:
LG – 3.1.3 Channel Soundbar
12
Best Versatility. This is the first time we used a Dolby Atmos, and the experience has been surreal. The LG – 3.1.3 Channel Soundbar produces fantastic sound with clarity that’s hard to get elsewhere. We can hear each dialogue in a movie with precision plus thunders and explosions on screen have an overwhelming effect on us. Moreover, it’s a pleasure to listen to our favorite songs. It simply transports us into another world reproducing the vibes of the song with an immersive feel, be it nostalgia, love, or melancholy. What’s particularly impressive is that the soundbar is a pro with fewer cables than a speaker. So, it offers a tidier look to our room. And, believe it or not, we got the thing on sale, and for the price we paid, it was a steal.
Go through the official posting of the product for further details.
Pros
- The soundbar is light and compact.
- Its sound is really loud.
- It’s easy to set up and operate.
Cons
- There’s no built-in voice assistance.
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Polk Audio – MagniFi Soundbar
11
Best Connectivity. For a powerful output that will imitate a home theater, the Polk Audio – MagniFi Soundbar is our ultimate pick. We installed these in our living room – where we usually spend family time, etc. And, it’s ever since become a necessity among our household equipment. The amazing sound is super clear whereas the subwoofer delivers great bass. With a wide coverage, the sound reaches every part of the room thanks to the SDA technology that has a 3D quality. In addition to this, we loved the thoughtful feature of automatic sound adjustment. So, without having to manually turn the volume up and down, the MagniFi’s integrated center channel intuitively makes the main voices louder and clearer when there’s a need. Plus, the rest of the soundtrack is not affected. Great, right?
Pros
- It can connect with devices wirelessly.
- The bass is deep and thumping.
- It’s perfect for movies and music.
- This is among the top Polk sound bars at Best Buy.
Cons
- A user experienced a bit of lag.
Buy on:
JBL – BAR 1300X soundbar
10
For a really loud experience that will make your walls vibrate, the JBL – BAR 1300X soundbar makes perfect sense. We like to keep the sound at 35 units for a mild impact. However, if you’ve got thick or sound-proof walls, turning the volume up can deliver a cinema-like experience with all the trembles and rumbles feeling as live and happening around you. Moreover, the sound is clean and firm. So, we can pick all the dialogs clearly and without confusion. Moving on, the soundbar can connect with Alexa, Airplay, Google Home, Chromecast, etc. for seamless connectivity with all our devices. Not to mention, the machine has a decent profile and adds a touch of beauty to our room’s look.
Pros
- The installation is effortless.
- The sound is immersive and 3D.
- It offers value for money.
Cons
- The bass may not be top-notch.
Buy on:
Samsung – 3.1 Channel Soundbar
9
The Samsung – 3.1 Channel Soundbar creates a realistic 3D sound with a feel that imprints your brain. We decided to expand our listening experience and added these to our audio arsenal recently. So far, the performance has had us in awe. Featuring enhanced voice clarity with the built-in central speaker, we found the audio perfect for all brands of video content. The sound is particularly suited for musical shows as well as TV series. On top of that, the vibrant bass from the included subwoofer enriches our reception of action movies. Additionally, the wireless connection with most smart devices allows exceptional convenience. It’s a godsend for those tired of jumping back and forth between viewing sessions.
Pros
- It can be mounted on the wall.
- You can connect two devices simultaneously.
- The system cancels crosstalk noise.
Cons
- There’s no app compatibility.
Buy on:
Sonos – Dolby Atmos Arc Soundbar
8
The Sonos – Dolby Atmos Arc Soundbar is just a wonderful all-rounder for playing movies, music, and games. We liked the sound better than most similarly configured devices from other brands. The profile is slim and long, however, we’ve installed it on the TV stand and it nicely blends into the theme. To talk of sound reproduction, we loved the clean quality that delivers each word with clarity. Not only is it clean but inherently full. So, it can take care of an entire living room and we rarely need to go above 50% volume level. While streaming movies in 4K, the surround effect is stellar. Also, that brings us to the fact that this is a version of the Dolby Atmos, and now we perfectly understand all the hype. With an easy set-up which we got through within ten minutes, the machine is genuinely designed all and sundry.
Browse the brand website to expand your choice range.
Pros
- The device has a sturdy make.
- Can be controlled with the app.
- It has a nice and powerful bass.
Cons
- The price may be a bit expensive.
Buy on:
Bose – TV Speaker Bluetooth Soundbar
7
Best Bass. If you’re into movies that have plenty of talking, the Bose – TV Speaker Bluetooth Soundbar will fit the bill for you. This amazing soundbar is a class apart when it comes to voice clarity so you would know exactly what the actor on the screen is saying. That’s not to say that it’s not fit for streaming music. The round and punchy bass makes the sound much more impactful for music. It comes with mounting brackets so we put it right up on the wall for coverage of the entire room. Oh, yes the set-up was no sweat. Also, the soundbar connects to the TV with an HDMI cable. That’s a convenient feature because it automatically turns on the bar as the TV is switched on. No wonder, this has been a top-rated Bose soundbar at Best Buy.
If you’re into outdoor fun, these outdoor waterproof speakers might be of interest to you.
Pros
- You can wirelessly stream music.
- It has compatibility with Roku TV.
- The subwoofer offers a theater-like sound.
Cons
- The woofer has no wireless connection.
Buy on:
VIZIO – M-Series Sound Bar
6
A high-performer soundbar with immersive audio, the VIZIO – M-Series Sound Bar is a next-level gadget. The Dolby Atmos technology captures our attention in a breeze. And provides depth and realism to our favorite movies and TV shows. Apart from that, the soundbar equally places the sound throughout the room to create balanced acoustics. Another high-value feature is the integration of woofers and tweeters in the package. The synergy of the multiple powerful devices creates an experience that we can never get on plain TV. Also, note that the bar is just two inches. So, it has a very decent and minimalistic profile that adds to the visual appeal of our TV station. Needless to say, it’s a gadget we’ll buy anytime again.
Feel free to check out this detailed review by Digital Trends on YouTube.
Pros
- There’s no hotchpotch of wires.
- You can wirelessly stream music.
- It can work with Alexa, Siri, and Google.
Cons
- Needs pairing each time you use it.
Buy on:
Samsung – Channel B-Series Soundbar
5
Best Value for Money. This is the best-sounding Samsung sound bar at Best Buy for people with a tight budget. The Samsung-Channel B-Series Soundbar optimizes sound quality for our standard-size lounge thanks to the advanced voice quality and big-boom subwoofer. Also, the woofer comes with a full-toned bass which sounds very natural, or real, to say so. An amazing fact with the option is the ability to direct sound according to our gameplay. So, the action dictates where and how the sound places the most impact. The soundbar will effortlessly connect with a Bluetooth TV. Plus we link it to optional speakers at times for a loud and life-like impression. That sounds more awesome, right?
P.S. See the best outdoor speakers for RV if you’re interested.
Pros
- The night mode works like a charm.
- The voices cut through any noise.
- It offers good value for the price.
Cons
- The sound is not truly immersive.
Buy on:
Bose – Smart Ultra Soundbar
4
For big-time immersion no matter what you’re watching, the Bose – Smart Ultra is one of the best sound bars at Best Buy. It has not disappointed us in the least bit. The soundbar is smart and intuitive. It can capture areas in the room that need the sound most with the ADAPTiQ calibration. Further, with the six full-range transducers, the sound fills the space from every angle. Moreover, the solid construction from premium materials looks up-scale and confers a touch of elegance on the TV furniture. In addition to this, there’s voice control through Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. We found the feature super handy because we control the device from anywhere in the room. Not to forget, the sound quality is very crisp and fresh and offers a balanced reproduction of acoustics. Overall, a convincing performance in all aspects, we should say.
Pros
- It’s suited for indoor and outdoor use.
- There’s wireless connectivity.
- You can mount it on the wall.
- The Bose app is a breeze to use.
Cons
- A user suffered poor connectivity.
Buy on:
Hisense – 3.1.2 Dolby ATMOS Soundbar
3
The Hisense – 3.1.2 Dolby ATMOS Soundbar makes a nice home theater setup at an affordable cost. The system is a perfect upgrade to an ordinary set of speakers for a better experience with your TV. At first, we were hesitant to purchase the Hisense bar because we are mostly used to Sony. However, this proved a steal for the price with a solid sound that fills up our TV room nicely. And the Dolby Atmos technology takes it to the next level for a strong surrounding effect. Plus, the bass is rich and sonorous. And, for that matter, we can feel every bang and thunder in a movie. Also, the versatile connectivity is to be noted. It can connect through an HDMI cable or wirelessly via Bluetooth.
“A user-centric soundbar with unbelievable depth to audio, this came out to be a gamechanger for us!”
WOW Travel
Pros
- The soundbar is no sweat to install.
- The sound has a 3D feel.
- You will love the snappy black theme.
Cons
- A user had issues with the quality.
Buy on:
Samsung – Channel Q-series Soundbar
2
We were so happy with the Samsung – Channel Q-series Soundbar that we recommended the gadget to a friend within a week’s usage. The soundbar has a nifty and well-rounded build that adorns the look of our living room. Besides that, we found it as easy as pie to hook up with a very user-friendly manual to follow. The bar has an awesome sound quality. As a matter of fact, it’s superior to most of its counterparts in the same price range. The dialogue sounds crystal clear which is a huge plus because we can’t just stand the frustration of muddled or muffled dialogue. Additionally, as a result of Dolby Atmos technology you get a deep 3D surround effect for a real-life feel. So, you feel the flick is happening just about you or you’re a part of it. Considering the value, it’s surely a yes from our end.
Also, feel free to check out the best Bose speakers at Best Buy for travel.
Pros
- A top pick for realistic gaming.
- It can connect with two devices simultaneously.
- It’s a no-brainer to use.
Cons
- The price point may be too high.
Buy on:
JBL – Cinema SB170 Channel Soundbar
1
Best Overall. After our full-fledged research into the market, JBL – Cinema SB170 Channel Soundbar stood tall with an akin-to-perfect sound. We waited for this kind of sound for so long. Being among the highest-rated soundbars, this gadget has an extra immersive output of 220 watts with a bass that is all mighty. So, we enjoy action-packed movies and they impart a feel that feels so real. The scenes seem to be happening right around us not behind some screen. Next, connectivity is immaculate. We can connect wirelessly with our smartphones to stream loud music all day long. Or it can be hooked to a tablet or laptop without trouble. Adding further functionality to the thing, the sound is enhanced with voice clarity so we never miss a word from our favorite movies. Of course, not to mention, the decent profile brings a tinge of charm to our TV lounge as well.
Pros
- The setup is a user-friendly experience.
- It comes with a wireless subwoofer.
- Allows connection with an HDMI cable.
Cons
- The warranty is only one year.
Buy on:
Our Verdict!
We found the JBL – Cinema SB170 Channel Soundbar the Best Overall option because of its amazing acoustics and budget-friendly price. However, there are other interesting options from that list that end up as runner-ups. These are based on one specific feature that stands out. Let’s see them below.
- Best value for money: Samsung – Channel B-Series Soundbar
- Best bass: Bose – TV Speaker Bluetooth Soundbar
- Best connectivity: Polk Audio – MagniFi Soundbar
- Best versatility: LG – 3.1.3 Channel Soundbar
How to Choose the Best Soundbars at Best Buy?
When we were picking the best soundbars for the round-up, we looked at several features to make the best choices. Having said that, of course, you can’t get the best of both worlds so you need to let go in certain areas. Amid all, three key features simply stood out to us as the most essential. If you get these right, they decide the success of your purchase. Let’s see them below.
Sound
Of course, this is a no-brainer. You need to make sure that the sound can make an immersive impact on the listener. Further, for a theater-like experience, there has to be a surrounding effect as well. Therefore, checking on the depth, clarity, and crispness is a must. Also, don’t forget about the bass. Going through reviews will be a good help, without a shadow of a doubt.
Versatility
The more versatile the soundbar the better. Generally speaking, people invest in soundbars to set up a home theater indoors. So, they expect to play all sorts of content on these. Music movies, TV shows, sports, etc. all of it. With each entry on this round-up, we ensured that they were versatile enough to produce the best sound for any type of content. Checking on specs and seeking expert opinions will certainly be well-advised.
Price
Many options on the market are expensive beyond explanation. You need to watch out for these. The best soundbars are not necessarily high in cost. So, to steer clear of getting ripped off, make sure you have a budget to follow. Do market research. Ask regular users for their advice on the best-sounding bars on a budget before making your move.
Do soundbars sound better than TV?
A soundbar can be a massive upgrade to the quality of your TV sound. Well, most TV sets these days are very slim and are fitted with a small speaker. Therefore, a soundbar can add extra power and depth to the acoustic side of the TV.
What is the difference between 2.1 and 5.1 soundbars?
Of course, a 5.1 soundbar produces better sound quality and a richer listening experience than a 2.1 version. However, which one fits the bill for you depends entirely upon your personalization needs and how deep you want the experience to be.
Do soundbars need a subwoofer?
A subwoofer is not always included in a soundbar package. However, it can be a valuable addition to the audio system because a woofer helps deliver lower frequencies better and with a great deal of clarity.