The 5 Best Soundbars of 2024: Your Guide to Superior Audio
Ready to elevate your home entertainment setup? A top-tier soundbar can turn flat TV audio into a cinematic experience or make your music playlists come alive. In 2024, we’ve tested the latest models from leading brands like Bose, Sonos, Sony, Vizio, and more to pinpoint the five best soundbars for every budget, space, and preference. Whether you’re a movie buff craving immersive sound or a casual listener upgrading from built-in TV speakers, this guide has you covered. Let’s dive into our top picks, tested over weeks of movies, music, and real-world use.
Why a Soundbar Matters in 2024?
Modern TVs deliver stunning visuals, but their audio often falls short—tinny, quiet, or lacking depth. Soundbars solve this with a sleek, all-in-one solution, offering richer sound without the clutter of a full surround system. After evaluating over 150 audio products in the past five years, we narrowed down 2024’s top performers by testing sound quality, connectivity (Bluetooth, WiFi), ease of setup, and smart features. From action-packed blockbusters to acoustic streams, here’s what stood out.
The 5 Best Soundbars of 2024
1. Bose Smart Soundbar 700 – Best Overall
Price: $715
Key Features: Immersive soundstage, built-in Alexa/Google Assistant, WiFi, Bluetooth
Why It’s Top: The Bose Smart Soundbar 700 delivers exceptional audio clarity and room-filling sound, making it our go-to for 2024. Its sleek design hides powerful drivers that excel at dialogue and subtle sound effects, perfect for movies or shows. Smart assistant integration means you can control it with your voice, while WiFi and Bluetooth ensure seamless streaming from your phone or services like Spotify.
Who It’s For: Home theater enthusiasts who want premium sound and smart home compatibility.
Drawbacks: No Dolby Atmos support, and the glass top attracts smudges. At $715, it’s a splurge, but the quality justifies the cost.
Verdict: If you’re after a versatile, high-end soundbar that balances movies, music, and convenience, this is the one.
Key Features: Immersive soundstage, built-in Alexa/Google Assistant, WiFi, Bluetooth
Why It’s Top: The Bose Smart Soundbar 700 delivers exceptional audio clarity and room-filling sound, making it our go-to for 2024. Its sleek design hides powerful drivers that excel at dialogue and subtle sound effects, perfect for movies or shows. Smart assistant integration means you can control it with your voice, while WiFi and Bluetooth ensure seamless streaming from your phone or services like Spotify.
Who It’s For: Home theater enthusiasts who want premium sound and smart home compatibility.
Drawbacks: No Dolby Atmos support, and the glass top attracts smudges. At $715, it’s a splurge, but the quality justifies the cost.
Verdict: If you’re after a versatile, high-end soundbar that balances movies, music, and convenience, this is the one.
2. Sony HT-S350 – Best Value for Money
Price: $280
Key Features: External subwoofer, powerful bass, easy setup
Why It Shines: For under $300, the Sony HT-S350 punches above its weight with deep bass and clear audio, thanks to its wireless subwoofer. Setup takes minutes—just plug it into your TV via HDMI or optical—and it’s ready to bring movies to life. It’s not loaded with extras, but the sound quality rivals pricier models.
Who It’s For: Budget-conscious buyers seeking a cinematic boost without complexity.
Drawbacks: No WiFi, smart features, or EQ adjustments. Bass can dominate if not tweaked via your TV settings.
Verdict: Affordable and effective, it’s the best entry-level soundbar for most users in 2024.
Key Features: External subwoofer, powerful bass, easy setup
Why It Shines: For under $300, the Sony HT-S350 punches above its weight with deep bass and clear audio, thanks to its wireless subwoofer. Setup takes minutes—just plug it into your TV via HDMI or optical—and it’s ready to bring movies to life. It’s not loaded with extras, but the sound quality rivals pricier models.
Who It’s For: Budget-conscious buyers seeking a cinematic boost without complexity.
Drawbacks: No WiFi, smart features, or EQ adjustments. Bass can dominate if not tweaked via your TV settings.
Verdict: Affordable and effective, it’s the best entry-level soundbar for most users in 2024.
3. Vizio V-Series 2.1 (V21-H8) – Best Budget Cinematic Experience
Price: $190
Key Features: Robust subwoofer, dialogue enhancement, compact design
Why It Stands Out: At just $190, the Vizio V-Series 2.1 delivers surprising power. Its external subwoofer adds thump to action scenes, while a dedicated dialogue mode ensures you catch every word. It’s simple, affordable, and outperforms many competitors twice its price.
Who It’s For: Casual viewers or renters wanting theater-like sound on a tight budget.
Drawbacks: Lacks WiFi, smart features, and nuanced sound customization. Bass can overshadow mids if not balanced.
Verdict: A steal for the price, this is 2024’s budget king for movie nights.
Key Features: Robust subwoofer, dialogue enhancement, compact design
Why It Stands Out: At just $190, the Vizio V-Series 2.1 delivers surprising power. Its external subwoofer adds thump to action scenes, while a dedicated dialogue mode ensures you catch every word. It’s simple, affordable, and outperforms many competitors twice its price.
Who It’s For: Casual viewers or renters wanting theater-like sound on a tight budget.
Drawbacks: Lacks WiFi, smart features, and nuanced sound customization. Bass can overshadow mids if not balanced.
Verdict: A steal for the price, this is 2024’s budget king for movie nights.
4. Sonos Arc – Best for Movies and Music
Price: $899
Key Features: Dolby Atmos, Sonos ecosystem, stellar music playback
Why It’s Special: The Sonos Arc is a powerhouse, blending immersive Dolby Atmos sound with audiophile-grade music performance. Its wide soundstage wraps you in action, while WiFi connectivity ties it into the Sonos app for multi-room audio. It’s pricey, but the versatility is unmatched.
Who It’s For: Audio lovers who want a premium soundbar for both films and playlists.
Drawbacks: No Bluetooth, and its large size needs space. At $899, it’s an investment.
Verdict: For those willing to splurge, the Arc offers a near-perfect blend of home theater and music mastery.
Key Features: Dolby Atmos, Sonos ecosystem, stellar music playback
Why It’s Special: The Sonos Arc is a powerhouse, blending immersive Dolby Atmos sound with audiophile-grade music performance. Its wide soundstage wraps you in action, while WiFi connectivity ties it into the Sonos app for multi-room audio. It’s pricey, but the versatility is unmatched.
Who It’s For: Audio lovers who want a premium soundbar for both films and playlists.
Drawbacks: No Bluetooth, and its large size needs space. At $899, it’s an investment.
Verdict: For those willing to splurge, the Arc offers a near-perfect blend of home theater and music mastery.
5. Sonos Beam – Best for Small Spaces
Price: $449
Key Features: Compact size, great sound, Alexa/Google Assistant
Why It Works: The Sonos Beam packs impressive audio into a small frame, ideal for apartments or minimalist setups. It supports voice controls and integrates with the Sonos ecosystem, delivering crisp dialogue and decent bass for its size. It’s not as immersive as larger models, but it’s a smart compromise.
Who It’s For: Small-room dwellers who still want quality sound and smart features.
Drawbacks: Limited depth compared to premium options, and the price feels steep for its scope.
Verdict: Compact yet capable, it’s the top pick for tight spaces in 2025.
Key Features: Compact size, great sound, Alexa/Google Assistant
Why It Works: The Sonos Beam packs impressive audio into a small frame, ideal for apartments or minimalist setups. It supports voice controls and integrates with the Sonos ecosystem, delivering crisp dialogue and decent bass for its size. It’s not as immersive as larger models, but it’s a smart compromise.
Who It’s For: Small-room dwellers who still want quality sound and smart features.
Drawbacks: Limited depth compared to premium options, and the price feels steep for its scope.
Verdict: Compact yet capable, it’s the top pick for tight spaces in 2025.
How We Tested These Soundbars
We put these soundbars through a month-long gauntlet: explosive action films (think Dune), acoustic concerts, and Bluetooth/WiFi music streaming. We scored them on sound clarity, bass depth, ease of installation, and extras like voice control or app support. Connectivity options (HDMI ARC, optical, wireless) and design fit for different room sizes also factored in. The result? A lineup that caters to audiophiles, casual users, and everyone in between.
What to Look for in a Soundbar
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Sound Quality: Prioritize clear dialogue and balanced bass. Dolby Atmos adds immersion if your budget allows.
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Connectivity: HDMI ARC is a must for modern TVs; Bluetooth/WiFi expands streaming options.
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Size and Fit: Match the soundbar to your room—compact for small spaces, larger for open layouts.
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Extras: Smart assistants (Alexa, Google) and app controls enhance usability.
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Budget: Great sound starts at $190, but premium features push prices to $900.
Which Soundbar Is Right for You?
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High-End Seekers: Bose Smart Soundbar 700 or Sonos Arc for top-tier audio and features.
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Budget Buyers: Sony HT-S350 or Vizio V-Series for value-packed performance.
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Small Spaces: Sonos Beam for quality without the bulk.
Why Upgrade Your Audio in 2025?
A soundbar isn’t just an accessory—it’s a game-changer. Flat TV speakers can’t match the depth of a good soundbar, whether you’re watching Oscar contenders or streaming your favorite playlist. With options ranging from $190 to $899, there’s never been a better time to invest in your audio experience.
Final Thoughts on 2024’s Best Soundbars
From the Bose Smart Soundbar 700’s all-around brilliance to the Vizio V-Series’ unbeatable price, these five soundbars lead the pack in 2024. Each offers a unique mix of power, practicality, and style to suit your needs. Ready to hear the difference? Pick one and transform your living room today.