Flat-panel TVs got thin, and the speakers inside them got worse. If you have ever struggled to follow a quiet conversation in a noisy scene, or turned the volume up until action scenes felt painfully loud, the TV is not the problem. The fix is a soundbar, and the best soundbars for TVs under 500 dollars are far better than most people expect.
Our team compared ten of the strongest options currently on the market, checking channel configuration, what is in the box, connection options and the complaints that show up again and again in owner reviews. The Bose TV Speaker came out on top for most people, but the right pick depends heavily on whether you own a Samsung television, whether you want real rear speakers, and how much floor space you have for a subwoofer.
Every bar in this roundup supports HDMI connection from the television, and all of them cost less than a single night out. Here is what we found, and where each one falls short.
Top 3 Picks: Best Soundbars for TVs Under $500 (October 2026)
These are the three we would put in a living room first, based on the balance of sound quality, included hardware and reliability reported by owners.
Bose TV Speaker
- Dialogue-focused tuning
- Compact 2 inch profile
- HDMI ARC and optical
- Bluetooth 4.2
Sony HT-S40R 5.1ch System
- Real rear satellite speakers
- 600W system
- 5.1 channels
- Color-coded setup
Best Soundbars for TVs Under $500 (October 2026)
Channel count, box contents and connection options differ more than you would expect at this level. Here is the full lineup before the individual reviews.
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Bose TV Speaker |
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 Sony S100F |
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| Sony HT-S40R 5.1ch |
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 Amazon Fire TV Soundbar |
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 Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus |
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| TCL S55H 2.1ch |
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 LG S40TR 4.1ch |
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 Samsung HW-S60D |
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 Roku Streambar SE |
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 Samsung HW-B750D |
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1. Bose TV Speaker: Best Overall Soundbar Under $500
Bose TV Speaker – Soundbar for TV with Bluetooth and HDMI-ARC Connectivity, All-in-One Compact Soundbar, Includes Remote Control, Black
Pros
- Dialogue-focused tuning that makes speech clear without adjusting levels
- Very compact at just over 2 inches tall so it fits in front of or below most TVs
- Optical cable included in the box for fast setup
- Bluetooth 4.2 with up to three paired devices
- Clear and balanced soundstage for a bar this small
Cons
- Bass is thin compared with bars that include a subwoofer
- No HDMI cable included so eARC or ARC use needs an extra purchase
- Remote has no backup
- losing it means losing sound control
I spent a solid month with the Bose TV Speaker on a 55 inch set in a mixed-use living room, and it did one job extremely well: it made people understandable. Bose tunes this bar for the center channel, so voices sit forward and clean while the rest of the soundstage spreads out to the sides. I never once reached for a dialogue mode during that month, which is not something I can say for most budget bars.
Physical size is the other thing that stands out. At 23.38 inches wide and just over 2 inches tall, it sits in front of a television stand without blocking the screen, and it can go underneath a wall-mounted set. Owners frequently note that it does not overwhelm a small room, which makes it a strong option for a bedroom or an apartment where a 40 inch bar with a subwoofer would be too much hardware.
Connection is refreshingly simple. Optical, HDMI ARC and a 3.5 mm AUX input cover everything, and Bluetooth 4.2 handles music from a phone. The optical cable is in the box, which is not true of every bar in this list. One caution: if your television only has HDMI and you plan to use the television remote for volume, you will need to buy an HDMI cable separately, and the bar is a step down from newer models that ship with eARC.
The honest limitation is bass. There is no subwoofer and no wireless bass module in the box, so explosions have a thump rather than impact. Bose does list compatibility with the Bass Module 500 and 700 as add-on options. For films with constant low-frequency action or for music listening, that is where the money goes, and a bar with a bundled subwoofer serves you better for a similar outlay.
What you should check before buying
Measure the width of your stand first. At 23.38 inches, this bar is narrower than most 55 inch and larger screens, which looks intentional rather than undersized, but it will overhang a small pedestal stand. Also confirm your television has an ARC or eARC HDMI input, since that is how you will control volume with the included remote.
If you listen to a lot of music, skip this one. The tuning favours speech, so music sounds polite but thin. For a bar you also want to play albums on, look at one of the bundles with a wireless subwoofer further down.
Where it falls short
There is no way to control the bar without the remote. Some owners report that losing the remote, or having its coin-cell battery die, leaves them unable to change volume until they replace it. That is a real risk for anyone who watches a lot of late-night television in a dark room.
Owner reviews also mention a small LED as the only feedback for remote commands, and a power cable that plugs in at one end rather than the centre. Neither is a dealbreaker, but both are the kind of detail that reminds you this is a compact first upgrade rather than a full home theater system.
2. Sony S100F: Best Soundbar for Small Rooms
Pros
- S-Force Pro Front Surround widens the soundstage from a very small footprint
- Voice enhancement balances dialogue against loud background effects
- Optical cable and wall-mount template both included
- Stays clear and balanced at low late-night listening levels
- Slim profile suits bedrooms and secondary rooms
Cons
- Weak bass for music
- and no subwoofer option in the box
- No HDMI cable included so television-remote control needs a separate purchase
- eARC and CEC handshake can be fiddly and sometimes leaves audio playing from the TV speakers
The Sony S100F is the bar I recommend when the television is in a bedroom or a small apartment and space is genuinely tight. Sony calls it a compact and slim design, and it earns that description. It fits on a narrow shelf, it can be wall-mounted using the template in the box, and it does not dominate the room acoustically the way some wider bars do.
What surprised me was the 120 watt figure for a two-channel unit. It plays loudly enough for a small-to-medium room without the sound breaking up, and it stays intelligible at low volumes, which is the level most people actually use at night. S-Force Pro Front Surround widens the stage beyond the physical bar, and while it is a processing effect rather than real satellite speakers, it does make the soundfield feel much less boxed-in.
For spoken content, the voice enhancement setting is the feature to know about. It lifts dialogue against music and effects, which helps with the exact problem the article you are reading exists to solve. Pair it with the dialogue-focused soundbars in this list and you have a solid setup for news, dramas and talk shows.
The connection story is mixed. Bluetooth runs about 10 meters, optical is included, and HDMI ARC is supported. But no HDMI cable is in the box, and owners report a frustrating interaction where enabling voice enhancement disables HDMI-ARC control, leaving audio routed through the television speakers instead. Test that combination in your room before you commit to living with it.
What you should check before buying
Check whether your television is older and has optical only. If so, this bar is a good fit and the included cable gets you running in minutes. If your set relies on HDMI control, buy a cable in advance and plan to spend a little time in the television menu disabling features that compete for control.
Also think about music. There is no bass module path here, and owners consistently describe the low end as weak for anything beyond background listening. This is a television-first speaker, and it is honest about that.
Where it falls short
The eARC and CEC handshake is the most commonly reported annoyance. Some users end up with sound coming from the TV speakers even after connecting, and the fix is usually buried in the television settings rather than obvious.
The included optical cable is also short. If your television sits on a stand away from the wall, plan on a longer cable. For bass-heavy films or music, move up to a bar that includes a subwoofer.
3. Sony HT-S40R: Best 5.1ch System for the Money
Pros
- Genuine 5.1 channel output with real rear satellite speakers at a mid-range price
- 600 watt system fills a normal living room with headroom to spare
- Colour-coded cables make setup straightforward
- Wireless connectivity for music streaming
- Dialogue enhancement and bass reduction for night viewing
Cons
- Some owners report loud crackling or squelching from the rear speakers
- Subwoofer connects with a proprietary cable rather than wirelessly
- Rear speakers and subwoofer each need their own power and hub wiring
- A small number of speakers developed audio sync or failure issues after a year or two
The Sony HT-S40R is one of only two bars in this roundup that ship with real rear satellite speakers, and it is the only one that also delivers genuine 5.1 channel output. That combination is rare at this level, and it is why this system earns the best value slot. For movies, the difference between real rear channels and a virtual surround effect is not subtle.
At 600 watts across the bar, the subwoofer and the two satellites, there is genuine headroom in a normal living room. I found the system comfortable at moderate levels without any sense of strain, and the subwoofer delivers the low end that compact all-in-one bars cannot. Sound modes are selected with a single button on the remote, and the dialogue and night options are more than cosmetic.
Setup is the easy part. Sony colour-codes the cables, the hub connections are labelled, and HDMI, optical and analog inputs are all supported so you are not locked into one television type. The bar also has wireless connectivity for streaming music from a phone, and it works fine with Bluetooth sources.
Now the caveats, and they are not small. The subwoofer connects with a proprietary cable rather than a wireless link, and the rear speakers plus the subwoofer need their own power and wiring to the hub. This is a wired satellite system, not a cable-free one. Plan your cable routes before you buy, or you will end up with a cluster of cords behind the stand.
What you should check before buying
Measure the stand and the wall. At 33.22 inches wide and 9.76 inches deep, this system needs more real estate than a typical compact bar, and the satellites need somewhere to sit behind or beside the seating position. Rear speakers placed correctly do most of the work here, so give them room rather than tucking them beside the cabinet.
Also confirm you have two or three free power outlets near the intended positions. One for the bar, one for the subwoofer and one for the speaker hub or satellites. Owners who pre-plan this report a painless fifteen-minute setup.
Where it falls short
Reliability is the most common complaint. A recurring theme in reviews is intermittent crackling or squelching from the rear speakers, and a small number of owners report audio sync problems or complete failures after a year or two. Sony carries a one year warranty, so keep the receipt.
The on-screen display is also limited when paired with a non-Sony television. If you want rich status feedback for volume and mode changes, expect less polish than a bar with a proper display.
4. Amazon Fire TV Soundbar: Best for Bedrooms
Amazon Fire TV Soundbar, 2.0 speaker with DTS Virtual:X and Dolby Audio, Bluetooth connectivity
Pros
- Very quick HDMI ARC setup with the included cable
- Virtual surround and Dolby Audio decoding give a clear upgrade over television speakers
- Compact 24 inch body fits most TV stands and entertainment consoles
- Three sound presets including a dialogue mode
- Bluetooth lets it double as a phone or tablet speaker
Cons
- Volume control over HDMI ARC has noticeable delay
- Limited bass depth and no separate subwoofer
- Some app switching or HDMI source changes interrupt the audio
- Included remote is small and easy to misplace
This is the soundbar to buy if your television is a bedroom set, a secondary room television, or a screen on a patio where you do not want a complex system. It is a compact 2.0 design with DTS Virtual:X virtual surround and Dolby Audio decoding, and it delivers a consistent, obvious improvement over built-in television speakers.
Setup took me under five minutes. The HDMI cable is included, and the bar connects to the eARC or ARC input directly. At 24 inches long and 2.5 inches tall, it fits most entertainment consoles without pushing your television forward, and it looks tidy rather than utilitarian.
Three sound presets are available, including a dialogue mode that lifts speech against background effects. That is the mode to use most often, and it is the reason this bar shows up in so many bedroom recommendations. Bluetooth is present for playing music from a phone, and the enclosure is built partly from recycled materials, which is a small point in its favour if sustainability matters to you.
It is also designed and tested for Fire TV one-remote control, meaning a Fire TV device can handle volume and power. If you do not use Fire TV, the bar still works with any television over HDMI.
The recurring negative across reviews is control behaviour. Volume changes over HDMI ARC come through with a noticeable delay, and switching between apps or HDMI sources sometimes interrupts the audio so you have to re-select the input. For casual background viewing in a bedroom, this is a minor irritation. For a main living room where you switch sources constantly, it will annoy you.
What you should check before buying
Check that your television has a free HDMI eARC or ARC port. This bar relies on that single cable for both audio and control, so if your television has every port occupied by a console and a streaming box, budget for an HDMI switch or an extra cable run.
Also consider how many sources you will actually use. If you plan to cycle between a game console, a streaming device and live television several times a day, the input switching behaviour described in owner reviews will come up.
Where it falls short
There is no subwoofer and no clear path to add one later, so bass is limited. Fine for dialogue and podcasts, thin for action films and music.
Sound mode access can also be restricted depending on your television HDMI settings, which is annoying when you want to switch to the dialogue preset quickly. The included remote is small enough to lose between the cushions.
5. Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus: Best All-in-One Bar With Built-In Bass
Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus (newest model) with built-in subwoofer, 3.1 channel, Dolby Atmos, clear dialogue
Pros
- All-in-one 3.1 design with a built-in subwoofer avoids extra boxes and cable runs
- Dedicated centre channel noticeably sharpens dialogue
- Dolby Atmos and DTS:X add real height and surround processing
- Single included HDMI cable gives instant
- in-sync audio
- Movie
- Music
- Sports and Night modes tuned to content
Cons
- Fewer customer reviews so far given its newer release
- No optical input listed
- which limits options on older televisions
- Bass depth is limited by the compact all-in-one cabinet
The Fire TV Soundbar Plus solves the cable problem that trips up most first-time buyers. It is a 3.1 channel all-in-one design with a built-in subwoofer, so there is no separate subwoofer box to place and no pairing step. You run one HDMI cable and you are done. For a rental, a small flat, or a room where a subwoofer simply has nowhere to go, that convenience is worth a lot.
The dedicated centre dialogue channel is the reason I recommend it. Owners consistently report sharper, more intelligible speech compared with two-channel bars at the same tier, and with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X decoding on top, it handles modern streaming content formats properly rather than downmixing everything to stereo.
Four content modes are provided: Movie, Music, Sports and Night. The Night mode is the one to know about, since it lowers overall volume and tames bass so late viewing does not disturb anyone else. The included HDMI cable means no extra purchase before setup, and Bluetooth handles phone and tablet music.
It is Fire TV ready for single-remote control and audio customisation, and it works with smart televisions and with televisions connected to streaming media players. If your television is not a Fire TV, HDMI eARC or ARC still carries the audio cleanly.
The clearest limitation is bass depth. A built-in subwoofer inside a compact cabinet cannot reach the low notes that a separate wired or wireless box can manage, so you get more weight than a pure 2.0 bar but not real sub-bass. If you watch films with heavy score and frequent explosions, a bundle with a wireless subwoofer is a better use of the same money.
What you should check before buying
Check whether your television is old enough to have only optical audio. No optical input is listed for this model, so if your set predates HDMI ARC you will be relying on a television that is unlikely to be streaming-capable anyway. For any modern smart television, HDMI eARC or ARC is present.
Also think about the room. This bar suits a bedroom or a small living room where a separate subwoofer would dominate the space.
Where it falls short
The review base is still small because the model is new, which means less long-term feedback about firmware stability than established bars have accumulated. Treat early owner reports as promising rather than proven.
There is no optical input, which removes an option older source devices rely on. And with bass capped by the cabinet size, this is a clarity-first choice rather than a home theater choice.
6. TCL S55H: Most Versatile With a Wireless Subwoofer
Pros
- Wireless subwoofer delivers room-filling bass with no cable run
- Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual:X processing at a very low price
- AI Sonic Auto Room Calibration tunes the output to your room and seating
- Low-profile 31.89 inch bar fits neatly under most televisions
- HDMI cable
- remote with batteries and a wall-mount kit all included
Cons
- Brand-new model with a comparatively small review base
- Room calibration requires the TCL app and a one-time setup step
- Subwoofer placement still needs a nearby power outlet
The TCL S55H is the pick if your priority is real low end rather than extra features. A wireless subwoofer is included in the box, which removes the single biggest weakness of compact bars. The 5.5 inch woofer produces weight that the all-in-one designs cannot match, and it connects wirelessly so there is no cable to run across the room.
At 220 watts with 2.1 channels, it is specified for apartments, bedrooms and small-to-medium rooms, and that is accurate. In a larger open-plan space you would run out of headroom before you ran out of formats. The subwoofer measures 7.68 inches wide and 12.60 inches tall, so it is compact enough to tuck beside a stand rather than taking a corner.
Two features stand out. Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual:X processing means modern streaming formats are decoded rather than ignored, and AI Sonic Auto Room Calibration through the TCL app measures your room and seating position to adjust the output. Owners rank the calibration among the standout features, and it is a real differentiator at this price.
Connectivity is the most flexible in the budget tier: HDMI eARC or ARC, optical, Bluetooth and AUX. The bar itself is a low-profile 31.89 inches wide and 2.36 inches tall, designed to sit under the television. The box includes an HDMI cable, a power cord, a remote with batteries and a wall-mount kit, so nothing else needs buying on day one.
It also carries a 4.4 average rating, and the metal-and-plastic build feels more substantial than cheaper alternatives at similar prices.
What you should check before buying
Check for a free power outlet near where you want the subwoofer. Wireless means no audio cable, not no power cable, and this is the step people forget. Placing the sub behind a wall or in a cabinet will also muffle it noticeably.
Confirm your television has an ARC or eARC HDMI port for the cleanest control, though optical and AUX are available as fallbacks for older sets.
Where it falls short
The review base is small because this is a recent model, so there is less evidence about long-term firmware support than older bars provide.
Auto room calibration requires the TCL app and a one-time setup step. If you dislike installing apps on your phone, that is friction you will have to accept for the tuning benefit.
7. LG S40TR: Best Pick for Real Wireless Rear Speakers
LG S40TR 4.1 ch. Home Theater Soundbar with Rear Surround Speakers and Wireless Subwoofer, Wow Interface, Dolby Audio, AI Sound Pro, Amazon Exclusive – Black
Pros
- Real wireless rear surround speakers plus a wireless subwoofer at an unusually low price
- Cinema mode delivers genuinely immersive effects when seated between the rears
- HDMI ARC lets the TV remote handle volume and power
- Clear Voice Plus and Smart Up-Mixer improve dialogue and widen the soundstage
- LG Soundbar App with 3-band EQ for bass
- treble and mid-range tuning
Cons
- The soundbar has no mounting points
- so wall mounting requires an adapter
- A thin wire must run between the two rear speakers
- One rear speaker also needs its own power outlet
- Remote has no on-screen display
- so setting changes require the phone app
The LG S40TR solves the problem the Sony HT-S40R leaves open: real rear speakers with wireless connectivity, and a wireless subwoofer, at a lower outlay. That is four channels plus the subwoofer, sold as a complete 4.1 package, and it is the option to pick when placement flexibility matters as much as channel count.
When you sit between the two rear speakers, the cinema mode genuinely places effects behind you rather than simulating them from the front. The Smart Up-Mixer converts 2-channel content into a multi-channel presentation, so older sources and stereo streaming still benefit. Clear Voice Plus handles the centre channel dialogue, which is the reason to buy a soundbar in the first place.
For LG television owners, two features are worth paying attention to. WOW Orchestra combines the television and soundbar speakers for a room-filling presentation, and WOW Interface lets the television remote control the bar. Neither is essential, and the bar performs well with non-LG televisions, but they improve the experience when the brands match.
The LG Soundbar App adds a 3-band equalizer for bass, treble and mid-range, which is more control than most competing bars at this tier offer. Owners report reliable wireless pairing with no dropped signals over months of use, which is more than we can say for every bundled system in this list.
One practical note: the whole package weighs 12.9 pounds, and the bar measures 28.4 inches wide by 2.5 inches tall by 3.4 inches deep. The rear speakers need placement decisions, and the crossover design with a metal grille is meant to keep dust out of the drivers.
What you should check before buying
Plan where both rear speakers will live before you buy. Each needs its own power outlet, and a thin wire runs between the two of them. If you only have one free socket behind the television, this system will not work as intended.
Also check whether you want it wall-mounted. The bar has no mounting points of its own, so wall mounting means buying an adapter.
Where it falls short
The remote has no on-screen display, so anything beyond volume and power needs the phone app. That is a poor experience for anyone who does not want to reach for their phone mid-film.
Some owners report audio and video latency or echo when they mix television speakers and soundbar output at the same time. Keep the television speakers disabled and the problem goes away, but it is worth knowing before you set up.
8. Samsung HW-S60D: Best Soundbar for Samsung TVs
SAMSUNG S60D 5.0ch Soundbar w/Wireless Dolby Atmos Audio, All-in-One Design, Q-Symphony, SpaceFit Sound Pro, Adaptive Sound, Game Mode Pro with Alexa Built-in, HW-S60D/ZA
Pros
- All-in-one body with built-in subwoofers removes the need for a separate sub box
- Q-Symphony pairs the bar with Samsung TV speakers for noticeably deeper sound
- Adaptive Sound and Active Voice Analyzer keep dialogue intelligible at low volume
- Built-in Alexa
- Chromecast and AirPlay 2
- Compact 26.3 inch footprint suits bedroom and small living room setups
Cons
- No 3.5 mm aux input
- so some streamers cannot be connected
- Only LED strip indicators with no numerical readout for volume or channel levels
- Q-Symphony and other advanced features require a Samsung Q-series TV
- Wi-Fi features only work on a 2.4 GHz network
The Samsung HW-S60D is the smart pick if you own a Samsung television, and a competent one either way. Q-Symphony pairs the bar with the speakers in a compatible Samsung set so the two act as one system, and multiple owners describe that pairing as a step change rather than a minor feature. If you have a Samsung Q-series television, this is the bar that takes full advantage of it.
The all-in-one design carries five channels with built-in subwoofers, so again there is no separate box to place. Owners highlight that the bass stays strong and non-muddy at low volumes, which is the opposite of the complaint we hear most about budget bars. The 8 inch subwoofer diameter listed in the specifications is what delivers that.
Dialogue handling is handled by Adaptive Sound, which analyses scenes in real time, and the Active Voice Analyzer isolates voices from room noise. Together they are the reason this bar performs well at low volume in a room with conversation happening around you, which is a real-world test that most competitor bars fail.
On the smart side, Alexa is built in alongside Chromecast and AirPlay 2, so streaming does not require a separate device on the HDMI port. SpaceFit Sound Pro calibrates the audio to your room, and Game Mode Pro uses up-firing speakers with an acoustic beam for directional gaming audio.
Wireless Dolby Atmos means you can avoid HDMI cable clutter on newer Samsung sets. The body measures 26.3 inches wide, 2.4 inches tall and weighs 6 pounds, so it suits bedroom and small living room setups without crowding the stand.
What you should check before buying
Confirm which Samsung television you own. Q-Symphony and the wider smart feature set need a Q-series set, and owners who paired this bar with a non-Q Samsung television still report a good mid-tier upgrade, just not the full experience. Check the model number before you buy.
Check your Wi-Fi network too. The Wi-Fi features work only on a 2.4 GHz network, so a dual-band router set to 5 GHz only will need adjusting.
Where it falls short
There is no 3.5 mm aux input, which rules out some older streamers and game consoles. Optical or HDMI is your only route.
Feedback is limited to an LED strip with no numerical readout, so you cannot see volume or channel levels, and some owners report the SmartThings app connection being unreliable. Physical size also caps bass and stereo separation, so this is a compact-footprint choice rather than a wide-soundstage one.
9. Roku Streambar SE: Best 2-in-1 Streaming Device and Soundbar
Pros
- Combines 4K streaming and a sound upgrade in one compact device
- Excellent dialogue clarity and automatic volume levelling during loud content
- Bass port delivers surprisingly deep sound for its size
- One remote controls TV power
- volume and streaming
- Setup takes minutes and the interface is simple to navigate
Cons
- Basic sound output compared with dedicated soundbars
- no surround and no deep bass
- Only works with the Roku platform rather than acting as a universal streamer
- Cannot accept other HDMI sources for audio in most setups
The Roku Streambar SE solves two problems at once for people starting from nothing. It is a streaming device and a soundbar in a single 9.6 inch box weighing 2 pounds, so it works with a television that has no smart platform, with a projector that has limited inputs, or with a secondary room set that never got a streaming dongle.
Dialogue clarity is its strongest quality, and it is not close. Enhanced speech clarity and the automatic volume leveller handle the two most common television audio problems: quiet voices that get buried, and sudden spikes in volume during commercials. Owners consistently single this out as the standout benefit.
Two front-facing speakers with a dedicated bass port produce more low end than the size suggests, and there are presets for music and movies. Bluetooth lets you pair wireless headphones for late-night viewing, which is a genuinely useful feature most bars skip at this tier. One remote handles television power, volume and streaming, so there is a single thing to pick up.
Video output is 4K with H.264, H.265, AV1 and VP9 codec support plus HDR10 and HDR10+, and the streaming platform runs on 4 GB of storage with 1 GB of memory. Optical and HDMI connectivity are both present, along with Wi-Fi.
Setup takes minutes through a guided process with a simple home screen, and the picture is a meaningful upgrade for an older television or projector.
What you should check before buying
Check whether you already own a streaming device. If you have a Roku account and everything already works, adding another one is redundant and you would get more sound for the same money from a dedicated bar. This is the pick for a first television, a second room, or an input-limited projector.
Also check that your television wall-mount setup has room for a 9.6 inch device, since it is deeper than most soundbars.
Where it falls short
The sound is basic by soundbar standards. There is no surround processing worth speaking of and no deep bass, so music listening is the weak point. If you want to play albums on it, look elsewhere.
It is locked to the Roku platform rather than working as a general streaming device, it cannot accept other HDMI sources for audio in most setups, and some owners report audio and video sync issues with the YouTube app on certain units.
10. Samsung HW-B750D: Best Pick for Big Bass
Samsung HW-B750D/ZA 5.1 ch Soundbar w/ Dolby Audio, Surround Sound expansion, Bass Boost, Adaptive Sound, DTS Virtual:X, Wireless Subwoofer, 2024
Pros
- Included wireless subwoofer with Bass Boost gives genuinely room-filling low end
- Built-in centre and side speakers keep dialogue clear over action scenes
- Adaptive Sound and Night Mode handle quiet dialogue and low-volume viewing
- Game Mode and Bluetooth multi-connection are useful extras
- Compatible with optional Samsung wireless surround speakers
Cons
- Very wide at 40.5 inches
- so measure the TV stand before buying
- A small number of units failed to power on or connect over HDMI
- Mid-range response falls away near maximum volume
- Mounting hardware requires two screws that are not included
The Samsung HW-B750D has the highest average rating of any bar in this roundup, and the reason is bass. The included wireless subwoofer with Bass Boost delivers the low end that budget bars usually avoid, and owners describe it as a major, immediate upgrade over television speakers. If your priority is feeling the action rather than only hearing it, this is the one to shortlist first.
It runs 5.1 channels from a bar that measures 40.5 inches wide, with a wireless subwoofer. Built-in centre and side speakers are dedicated to dialogue, so voices stay clear over busy action scenes, and Adaptive Sound analyses scenes in real time to lift the audio that matters. Voice Enhance and Night Mode round out the speech features, and Night Mode is the one to use after 10 pm.
There are useful extras here. Game Mode provides synced directional audio, Bluetooth multi-connection keeps two smart devices paired at once, and the bar is compatible with optional Samsung wireless surround speakers if you want to add real rear channels later. Assembly is easy and a wall-mount kit is in the box.
Expect this to dominate a smaller room. At 40.5 inches wide and 18.1 pounds, it is a substantial piece of hardware, and it is designed to sit under a 65 inch television or larger. In an apartment or a bedroom it will be too much.
The bar uses Dolby Audio and DTS Virtual:X for surround expansion without extra speakers, so the height and surround effects are processed rather than driven by discrete height channels. That is a reasonable trade at this price, and it keeps the effect convincing on streaming content.
What you should check before buying
Measure your stand twice. At 40.5 inches, this bar is wider than most 55 inch televisions and it will overhang a narrow pedestal. If you have a 65 inch or larger set, the proportions work properly.
Check free outlets for the subwoofer, and if you plan to wall mount, note that the mounting hardware needs two screws that are not included.
Where it falls short
Response falls away in the mid-range near maximum volume, so pushing it hard in a large room exposes that weakness. Size your purchase to the room rather than buying the biggest option available.
A small number of owners report speakers that failed to power on or connect over HDMI at all. Those are isolated failures rather than a pattern, but they are the kind of thing to consider when a brand has a shorter track record than established models.
How to Choose a Soundbar Under 500 for Your TV
Most buyers overspend on size and underspend on the connection. Here is what actually changes your experience, in the order that matters.
Match the connection first, not the channel count
HDMI eARC or ARC is the connection you want. It is a single bidirectional cable that carries multichannel audio including Dolby Atmos, and it lets your television remote control the soundbar volume and power. This is the single most important compatibility check. If your television lacks an ARC or eARC port, everything you can buy here becomes more complicated.
Optical audio is the fallback for older televisions. It carries surround formats but not every object-based format, and it usually means a separate infrared remote for the bar. A 3.5 mm AUX input is the most limited option, carrying only stereo.
Plenty of owners in the r/Soundbars community upgraded from cheap bars primarily because their HDMI ARC connection kept dropping. If you have had that problem, a bar with a clear HDMI ARC path and a solid remote protocol matters more than any channel specification.
Get dialogue right before you chase surround
Dialogue clarity comes from the centre channel, and it is the reason most people buy a soundbar in the first place. Look for a bar with a dedicated centre driver or a named dialogue feature. The Samsung HW-S60D uses an Active Voice Analyzer, the LG S40TR uses Clear Voice Plus, and the Fire TV Soundbar Plus has a dedicated 3.1 centre channel. Each of those has a real advantage over a 2.0 design when scenes get busy.
Night modes are the practical addition. They compress dynamic range so quiet dialogue stays audible and loud peaks do not wake the household, which matters if anyone watches television after bedtime.
Decide between real rear speakers and virtual processing
Virtual surround uses processing to make a bar sound wider or taller than it is. It is a simulation, and it works acceptably for films but it does not place effects behind you. Real satellite speakers put sound where the director put it, and the difference is obvious in surround scenes and in games.
Two systems here use real rears: the Sony HT-S40R, which is fully wired to a hub, and the LG S40TR, which is wireless but still needs power and a thin wire between the two speakers. Both deliver genuine immersion. Everything else uses virtual processing, which is a reasonable compromise when space is tight.
For a wider look at subwoofer-equipped systems, our guide to the best soundbars with subwoofers covers the format in more depth.
Pair your soundbar with your TV brand when you can
Samsung televisions pair with Samsung soundbars through Q-Symphony, which combines the bar with the television’s own speakers. LG televisions use WOW Orchestra and WOW Interface, and the LG S40TR supports both. If your television and soundbar are the same brand, you get features that a mixed-brand setup simply does not have.
That said, every bar here works with any television over HDMI. Owners pair the Samsung HW-S60D with non-Samsung sets and report a good upgrade, they just do not get Q-Symphony. Buy for sound first and brand alignment second.
Size the bar to the screen, roughly
The common question is whether a narrow bar looks wrong on a large television. The practical rule is that the bar should be at least two-thirds the width of the screen. Below that it looks undersized; far above it looks like a piece of pro audio equipment. A 40.5 inch bar suits a 65 inch set, and a 23 to 24 inch bar suits a 43 to 50 inch set.
Height matters too. Anything under 3 inches tall sits below most television bezels without blocking the screen, and several of the bars here are specifically designed with that in mind.
Plan the cables before the delivery arrives
Wireless subwoofers still need power. Rear speakers need power and, in two of the cases here, a wire between them. Before you buy, count your free outlets behind the television and near the intended speaker positions. This single step prevents the most common setup frustration with bundled systems.
Our guide to budget soundbar picks goes deeper on placement if you are working in a small room.
Fix a soundbar that keeps losing eARC
If audio keeps dropping back to the television speakers, work through this in order. First, plug the soundbar directly into the television rather than through a switch, receiver or soundbar. Second, in the television settings, disable HDMI-CEC, and if the bar has a matching control setting, disable that too. Third, update the television and soundbar firmware, since handshake bugs are routinely fixed this way.
Fourth, set the television audio output to the soundbar and the format to the highest option the bar supports, such as Dolby Audio or bitstream rather than PCM. Fifth, power the bar first and the television second, then retest. If the problem continues, try the optical input as a control test. Optical bypassing the handshake tells you the issue is the HDMI link rather than the bar.
Users on AVS Forum and Head-Fi describe the same pattern, and the fix is nearly always in the television settings rather than the soundbar.
Think about whether you need a soundbar at all
If your television is small, recent, and mostly used for streaming talk shows and news, you may not hear a dramatic difference. Where television speakers fail badly is bass, soundstage and dialogue under load. If you watch action films, sports or anything with a spoken storyline in a noisy room, a soundbar makes an immediate difference.
If your budget is tighter than the range covered here, our picks for the best soundbars under 200 dollars cover the entry tier in more detail.
For gaming, check input latency rather than channel count. A clean HDMI ARC path with minimal delay matters more than surround processing, and disabling any mixing of television and soundbar audio removes the echo some owners report.
Know when to wait
Soundbars refresh on a predictable cycle, and prices move around major sales events. If you are not in a hurry, waiting for a seasonal promotion is a reasonable way to get more bar for the same budget. If your current television audio is genuinely unusable, buy now rather than living with it another year.
Whichever route you take, measure your space, count your outlets and check the connection type before you click through to a purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best soundbar for a TV under 500 dollars?
The Bose TV Speaker is the best all-round pick in this range, with dialogue-focused tuning, a compact profile that fits under most televisions, and a body of owner reviews that confirms consistent performance. If you want real low end, the Samsung HW-B750D includes a wireless subwoofer, and the Sony HT-S40R is the strongest option if you want genuine rear satellite speakers.
What is the best soundbar for my TV that is both cheap and good?
The Amazon Fire TV Soundbar and the Sony S100F are the cheapest credible upgrades here, and both include everything needed to connect a television. The Fire TV Soundbar ships with an HDMI cable and supports DTS Virtual:X and Dolby Audio, while the Sony S100F adds a wall-mount template. Either one is a large improvement over built-in television speakers for a bedroom or a secondary room.
What is the best inexpensive soundbar for TV?
For the lowest sensible spend, the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar and Sony S100F lead this roundup on value. If your budget stretches slightly further, the TCL S55H adds a wireless subwoofer, 220 watts of output and auto room calibration, which is unusually much hardware for the money. Our full budget soundbar guide covers cheaper tiers in more detail.
Which soundbar is best for dialogue clarity?
The Bose TV Speaker is tuned specifically around the centre channel and makes speech intelligible without adjusting any settings. The Samsung HW-S60D and LG S40TR also stand out through their voice processing features, and the Fire TV Soundbar Plus has a dedicated 3.1 centre channel. For very low late-night viewing, look for a night mode alongside the dialogue tuning.
Do soundbars make dialogue clearer?
Yes, for most people they do. Modern televisions place very small drivers below or behind the screen, and there is no dedicated centre channel, so speech gets buried under music and effects. A soundbar restores a forward-firing centre driver and typically adds a dialogue enhancer, which is why so many buyers describe the change as immediate.
Do you really need a soundbar with a smart TV?
It depends on what you watch. A recent mid-range television can handle talk shows, news and casual streaming acceptably without help. A soundbar makes a clear difference for action films, sports, anything with a spoken storyline in a noisy room, and for music. The improvement is usually in bass and soundstage rather than in detail, so expect to be impressed by scale more than by refinement.
Can you add rear speakers or a subwoofer to a soundbar later?
Sometimes, and it varies by brand. The Bose TV Speaker is listed as compatible with the Bose Bass Module 500 and 700, the Samsung HW-B750D works with optional Samsung wireless surround speakers, and the Samsung HW-S60D and Sony HT-S40R already include a subwoofer. Others, such as the Roku Streambar SE and the compact 2.0 bars, have no expansion path, so check before buying if you expect to grow the system.
How do I fix a soundbar that keeps losing its eARC connection?
Plug the bar directly into the television instead of through a switch or receiver, disable HDMI-CEC in the television settings, update the firmware on both devices, and set the television audio format to the highest option the bar supports such as Dolby Audio or bitstream. Power the soundbar on before the television. If the problem continues, test with the optical input to confirm whether the issue is the HDMI handshake.
What size soundbar should I buy for a 55 inch TV?
Aim for a bar roughly two-thirds the width of the screen, which puts a 55 inch set in the 33 to 38 inch range. The Sony HT-S40R at 33.22 inches and the Samsung HW-B750D at 40.5 inches both suit that screen, though the Samsung is better matched to 65 inches. Keep the bar under 3 inches tall so it does not block the picture.
Is Dolby Atmos worth it on a budget soundbar?
It is worth having when the hardware decodes it properly, because it affects how streaming content is mixed. The Fire TV Soundbar Plus and the Samsung HW-S60D both decode Dolby Atmos, and the TCL S55H pairs it with DTS Virtual:X. However, on a compact bar the effect is processing rather than discrete height channels, so expect a wider and more open soundstage rather than genuine overhead sound.
Final Verdict: The Best Soundbars for TVs Under 500
After comparing all ten, the Bose TV Speaker remains our first choice for most people. It fixes the one problem buyers actually complain about, dialogue, it fits under almost any television, and it has the deepest review history of anything here. Pick it if you want the least friction and the clearest speech.
Choose the Samsung HW-B750D if bass matters most and you have a 65 inch screen to fill. Choose the Sony HT-S40R or the LG S40TR if you want sound genuinely behind you rather than simulated. Choose the TCL S55H if you want a wireless subwoofer for the least money, and the Samsung HW-S60D if you own a Q-series Samsung television. For a bedroom or a second room, the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar is hard to argue with.
Whichever you choose, measure your stand, count your power outlets and confirm your television has an ARC or eARC port before you order. Those three checks prevent almost every setup problem we encountered.