10 Best Affordable Sound Bars 2025 in the United States

The Bose TV Speaker is an affordable soundbar designed to enhance your TV's audio in a simple and effective way. Its compact size (just over 2 inches tall) allows for easy placement in front of your TV or wall mounting, making it a versatile option for various setups. This soundbar features 2 angled full-range drivers that provide a wide and natural sound, which helps create a more immersive and realistic audio experience for your TV shows and movies.

Additionally, it is particularly good at elevating and clarifying dialogue, which is beneficial for those who have trouble hearing speech clearly on their TV speakers. The soundbar comes with Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to wirelessly stream music and podcasts from your devices. The setup is user-friendly, requiring just one connection through either an optical audio cable (included) or an HDMI cable (sold separately). The included remote control offers convenient access to a dialogue mode for enhanced speech clarity and a bass boost mode for added depth in the audio.

Despite its strengths, the Bose TV Speaker does have some limitations. It does not come with a built-in subwoofer, although it is compatible with the Bose Bass Module 500 or 700, which are sold separately. This means that while the soundbar itself provides improved audio over standard TV speakers, it may lack the deep bass that some users might desire without additional investment. The connectivity options include Bluetooth, HDMI ARC, Optical in, and AUX in, but it lacks more advanced features like Wi-Fi connectivity or smart assistant integration. The Bose TV Speaker is a solid choice for those looking for an affordable and straightforward soundbar that enhances TV audio with clear dialogue and natural sound, though it may require additional components for users seeking enhanced bass performance.

The VIZIO 5.1 Soundbar SE is designed to enhance your home audio experience, especially if you're watching movies or playing games. With Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support, it aims to immerse you in surround sound, making it an appealing choice for anyone looking to upgrade their TV's audio without breaking the bank. The soundbar features three full-range speakers and a wireless subwoofer, providing a robust 180 watts of power, which is impressive for its size and ideal for medium to large rooms.

One of the standout features is its QuickFit mounting option, which allows it to attach seamlessly to compatible VIZIO TVs without tools, enhancing both practicality and aesthetics. The Bluetooth connectivity also makes it easy to stream music from your smartphone, giving it versatile use beyond just TV audio.

There are some drawbacks to consider. Notably, the soundbar remote control is not included, meaning you'll need to use your TV remote or the VIZIO mobile app to control the volume. This might be inconvenient for some users who prefer a dedicated remote. Additionally, while the sound quality is commendable, it may not fully satisfy audiophiles looking for high-end sound performance. The absence of an optical output may pose compatibility issues with some older TVs, but VIZIO provides support for alternative connections.

The Bose Smart Dolby Atmos Soundbar is a well-rounded choice for those seeking an affordable yet feature-rich soundbar. One of its standout features is the immersive audio experience, thanks to the Dolby Atmos and proprietary TrueSpace technology, which enhances the sound from various signal types. This makes it a great option for home theaters and general TV viewing. The A.I. Dialogue Mode ensures clear and crisp dialogue, which is a big plus for watching movies and TV shows.

The soundbar's compact size and modern design make it a good fit for most living spaces without being intrusive. It also features versatile connectivity options, including Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay 2, and Spotify Connect, allowing easy streaming from various devices. Voice control through Amazon Alexa and compatibility with Google Assistant offers convenient and hands-free operation.

However, there are some limitations: the soundbar does not come with a built-in subwoofer, which could affect the bass performance, and you might need to purchase additional Bose Ultra Open Earbuds for a more immersive surround sound experience. Also, its price point might be on the higher end for those strictly looking for budget options. Despite these drawbacks, the Bose Smart Dolby Atmos Soundbar offers a robust feature set that justifies its cost, making it suitable for users looking for a comprehensive soundbar solution with advanced audio and smart capabilities.