Best soundbar for 2020 – CNET
Soundbars now sell traditional home theater speaker, receiver and subwoofer packages many times over, and it’s not hard to understand why. They are compact, affordable and easy to set up. And their audio quality is often so much better than one TV Standard built-in speakers. Basically a soundbar and one TV go together like peanut butter and jelly. The problem? Too many options.
This soundbar speaker list is a solution. We listened to the soundbars in our audio lab below and tested their sound quality with both movies and music. We also considered things like the number of HDMI ports and whether the soundbar offers high-resolution audio, Bluetooth, or multi-channel audio. From smart speakers with Alexa drive to solid bare-bones bars, this is the CNET series of the best sound bars at various prices and functional levels. We will update this list of the best soundbars regularly as we review new products.
Continue reading:: Soundbar buying guide for 2020
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Vizio’s $ 150 soundbar is one of the best you can buy
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If you want to do without your TV speakers, we recommend that you start here. The Vizio SB3621n-E8 is hands down the best sound bar for the money. This Vizio soundbar offers excellent sound quality in a compact package. The wireless external subwoofer ensures a balanced sound, whether you are watching movies or listening to music. The Vizio SB3621n-E8 is the best soundbar we have ever heard.
Read our Vizio SB3621N-E8 review.
Best sound bar under $ 100
Creative stage
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If your price range is limited to less than a C-note, the Creative Stage soundbar offers a number of unprecedented features, including HDMI connectivity and a subwoofer. Even more noteworthy, however, is that it sounds better than most of its ultrabudget competitors with a soundbar subwoofer that fills the room with sound. A variety of modes make this speaker a great soundbar speaker for music, concerts and games. Excellent audio quality for gamers and movie fans.
Read our Creative Stage test.
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With a full 4K HDR Roku streamer and a single voice remote that controls everything, this bar offers a simple all-in-one audio / video solution. This soundbar setup is a breeze. Just add a TV with a simple HDMI connection. The sound quality was very good for a single bar, and you can add the optional Roku wireless subwoofer for more punch. It also comes with a popular Roku remote.
Read our Roku Smart Soundbar review.
Continue reading: Best Dolby Atmos soundbar of 2020
Best budget Atmos soundbar
Vizio SB36512-F6
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The Vizio SB36512-F6 proves that you don’t have to spend a ton to get a high quality soundbar that can handle the latest Dolby Atmos soundtracks and get multi-room audio. The Vizio SB36512-F6 is a fully fledged 5.1.2 immersive audio system for the price of an AV receiver, and its height channels bring out atmospheric effects perfectly. You can also stream music from any Google Chromecast-enabled audio app like Spotify, Pandora, iHeartRadio, and Google Play.
Read our Vizio SB36512-F6 review.
Sarah Tew / CNET
If you want to set up a multiroom audio system, a Sonos soundbar sound system is still the best option. The Sonos Beam Soundbar not only offers the most flexible music system available, but also a selection of Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, which are integrated into the bar itself. The sound is designed for movies, and adding a pair of Ikea Symphonisk bookshelves will really improve your home theater sound experience. Since there isn’t a Sub, it doesn’t sound quite as powerful as its competing full-range speakers, but it’s still a great little package.
Read our Sonos Beam Test.
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The Yamaha YAS-209 offers excellent audio quality in a compact soundbar. Adding Amazon Alexa is useful so this smart soundbar with voice control can stream music and the microphones work well in noisy environments. The implementation of DTS Virtual: X through the soundbar offers a rich effect that is reminiscent of surround speakers. The wireless subwoofer is more precise and offers more headroom than the competing and excellent Polk Command Bar. However, it is not a MusicCast sound system, so it cannot be synchronized with other Yamaha MusicCast speakers.
Read our Yamaha YAS-209 review.
Sarah Tew / CNET
The trapezoidal appearance may be separating, but the Vizio SB362An-F6 is the best all-in-one bar for people who want to spend a minimum on their audio sound bar in the living room. This Vizio soundbar offers increased audio quality for the money and sounds unexpectedly good with music.
Read our VIZIO SB362AN-F6 test.
Best bass without a subwoofer
Zvox SB500
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While you could Pay $ 2,500 for the Sennheiser Ambeo subwooferless (see below). The Zvox SB500 is a cheaper audio soundbar for people who don’t want to dirty their living room with subwoofers or rear speakers and still value sound quality. This speaker offers excellent sound modes and a denser bass than any other option with a speaker.
Read our Zvox SB500 review.
Sarah Tew / CNET
If you simply have to have the least number of speakers and remote controls in your living area and still want the best sound performance in Atmos quality, this Sennheiser speaker is just right for you. It’s a single device without a subwoofer, but it can conjure up the most realistic overhead and true “surround” sound effects we’ve ever heard. It is also controlled entirely by remote control. It’s not cheap, but the price is comparable to a full set of surround speakers without the bulk and with 85% of the power.
Read our Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Test.
