10 Best Budget Soundbars

The Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus is a compelling option in the budget soundbar category, offering a 3.1 channel setup with a built-in subwoofer. This setup enhances bass and dialogue clarity, making it a strong choice for rich audio delivery.

Supporting Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, it provides a dynamic and immersive audio experience suitable for enhancing movies and other entertainment. The dedicated center dialogue channel ensures discussions are crisp and clear, catering to users who prioritize clarity in dialogue-heavy content.

With versatile audio modes like Film, Music, Sport, and Night, users can customize sound based on their content preferences. Connectivity options include HDMI, optical, and Bluetooth, enabling easy integration with various devices and streaming audio from phones or tablets. The sleek all-in-one design minimizes clutter and is easy to set up with the included HDMI cable, offering significant features and value for those seeking an easy-to-use budget soundbar.

The Amazon Fire TV Soundbar is a compelling option for those seeking a budget-friendly audio upgrade for their TV. It features a 2.0 speaker system, which means it uses two main speakers without a separate subwoofer. This setup can produce a fuller sound than your standard TV speakers, though it may not match the punch of more expensive soundbars with dedicated subwoofers. The inclusion of DTS Virtual:X and Dolby Audio support is a notable strength, offering an immersive, three-dimensional sound experience that enhances movie nights with clearer dialogue and richer audio details.

Connectivity is straightforward, with a primary focus on HDMI eARC/ARC which facilitates easy setup and ensures your audio is in sync with your TV visuals. The Bluetooth capability is convenient for wireless music streaming directly from your phone or tablet. However, the lack of Wi-Fi connectivity might be a limitation for some users seeking advanced streaming options. With a power output of 40W (2 x 20W), it’s sufficient for small to mid-sized rooms but might struggle to fill larger spaces with sound.

Compact in design, the soundbar spans just over 60 cm, fitting seamlessly into most entertainment setups without being obtrusive. It’s designed to work seamlessly with Fire TV, offering additional convenience and ease of use with only one remote. While it’s not overly packed with features, the Fire TV Soundbar covers essential sound modes for different media types, such as films and music, making it versatile.

For environmentally conscious consumers, it's worth noting that the soundbar is made from partially recycled materials. Its affordability, combined with its functionality and ease of use, makes it ideal for users who prioritize simplicity and basic performance over high-end audio features. Audiophiles or users with expansive living spaces may want to explore more powerful options.

The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 is a sleek and stylish soundbar that aims to deliver an immersive audio experience with its Dolby Atmos support and custom-engineered upfiring speakers, which create a sense of sound coming from all around you, including overhead. It offers multiple connectivity options such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay 2, and Spotify Connect, making it easy to stream music or connect to your TV and other devices wirelessly.

The soundbar includes built-in voice assistants Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing hands-free control not only of the soundbar but also of your TV and cable box using Bose’s Voice4Video technology. Setup is straightforward with provided HDMI eARC or optical cables, and the Bose Music app helps with configuration and grouping compatible Bose devices for multi-room listening. However, despite its premium features, it lacks a dedicated external subwoofer, which might limit deep bass performance compared to other soundbars that include one.

Measuring about 115 cm wide and weighing 8 kg, the soundbar is designed for tabletop placement and suits most TVs. It delivers rich surround sound and convenience features, making it a strong choice for users who want a compact, modern soundbar with smart features and elevated sound quality. Those seeking the most bass power or a strict budget option might want to explore alternatives.