The Best Wireless Soundbars for Transforming Your TV Into the Ultimate Entertainment System

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Soundbars have become a mandatory sidekick for just about every new TV out there — after all, these products can significantly amplify onscreen content, making it louder, clearer, and more immersive. Unlike clunky, wired home-theater sound systems of old, a quality soundbar can tangibly improve your listening experience while saving space and money.

Unlike complex audio systems that have numerous speakers and confusing technical specifications, soundbars are designed with simplicity and user experience at the forefront. Not only do they tend to feature sleek, minimalist aesthetics, but they're also easy to install and may offer a number of control options, from apps to dual-purpose remotes. Many modern soundbars also combine top-quality speakers with other convenience technologies like virtual assistants to enhance their practicality and versatility beyond the TV room. Although you can (and maybe should) shell out a good chunk of change for a top-of-the-line soundbar, complete with bells and whistles like Dolby Atmos and multi-room audio expandability, there are great wireless soundbars for all budgets. Whether you’re just getting started on your home-audio journey or an audiophile, there is a wireless soundbar that meets your needs, the only challenge is finding the best one.

The Best Wireless Soundbars

• Best Overall: Sonos Arc Wireless Smart Soundbar

• Best Budget: Samsung HW:B550 Wireless Soundbar

• Best for Everyday Users: Polk Signa4 Wireless Soundbar

• Best Bass on a Budget: Klipsch Cinema 400 Wireless Soundbar & Subwoofer
  

• Most Feature-Packed: Bose Smart Soundbar 900

What to Consider When Buying a Soundbar

Hardware

The hardware specs of any soundbar are headlined by the number of audio drivers it has — and the more, the better. Drivers are responsible for converting the electric energy sent to the speaker into the sound waves that the speaker puts out. There are different types of drivers, but the most common types are subwoofers, mid-range drivers, and tweeters. Soundbars equipped with numerous drivers are ideal not only because they create a more dynamic soundstage but also because each driver can be optimized for a specific frequency range. This leads to deeper bass, higher highs, and crisper mid-range notes. Regarding the external subwoofer, the bigger it is, the more powerful bass it will deliver. Compatibility with various types of enhanced audio content, such as Dolby Atmos or automatic reverb adjustment, is also important.

Size

Soundbars, like traditional surround sound and high-fidelity speaker systems, are identified by the amount of treble, bass, and height channels they have. Each channel is a point of departure for the audio into the room. Most soundbars fall into the 3.1 channel category, which means they provide three channels — a left, center, and right channel. On larger soundbars, the channels are spread farther apart to more adequately fill the space. On compact soundbars, the channels are closer together. Mismatching the size of your space with the size of your soundbar can result in a distorted sound. To avoid this, take stock of your current space and consider how much output you need and what type of soundstage you want. Although there are some complex calculations you can use to find the exact right size, a general rule of thumb to remember is that larger rooms don’t necessarily require more power but usually benefit from a longer soundbar with a wider soundstage. You can also check out Artnovion’s Impulso App, which is a free platform that intelligently uses your phone to find the ideal speaker placement in any given space. Also, to get the most out of your soundbar’s soundstage and surround effects, aim to place your speaker 8 to 25 feet away from the listening area. Being too far away or too close can negatively impact the sound quality.

Dolby Atmos

Top-quality soundbars support multi-dimensional Dolby Atmos Sound — a serious upgrade over standard surround sound from Dolby and DTS. Once reserved for top-shelf soundbars, such content makes the viewing experience more engaging, even during seemingly mundane scenes. Soundbars with onboard Dolby Atmos have upwards-facing speakers.

Dolby Atmos content is best showcased during action-packed sequences, and it’s abundant on all major streaming services. For example, scenes with flying objects, ambient nature sounds (e.g., rainstorms, wind gusts, etc.), and distant conversations not caught on camera will sound on a whole new level.

Connectivity

A good soundbar should play nicely — not only with your brand-new TV but also with your smartphone, tablet, or laptop. This makes both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth essential features to look for. Wi-Fi connectivity offers the ability to stream music with higher quality than Bluetooth. Wi-Fi also brings Google Chromecast and Apple AirPlay 2 wireless connectivity in many soundbars.

Even though these soundbars are wireless, they require connecting them to a TV with an HDMI or optical cable. We recommend products that use the former because it brings higher-quality audio with enhanced sound effects. The term “wireless” usually means that, in addition to Bluetooth and/or Wi-Fi connectivity, the soundbar has a separate subwoofer that doesn't require a cable to connect.

Do You Need an External Subwoofer?

Unless you opt for a premium soundbar like the Sonos Arc or the Bose Smart Soundbar 900, we suggest considering a soundbar with an external woofer. Whether you want to watch movies or blast music, an external subwoofer gives an extra punch to the soundscape that is difficult to replicate in a single-package speaker, especially for under $600. My experience with the Sonos Arc and the Sonos Ray confirmed that even when dealing with higher-end compact soundbars, the absence of true subwoofer bass rears its head from time to time.

Because bass is omnidirectional, you don’t have to worry too much about where you put an external subwoofer either, which mitigates the drawback of it taking up valuable floor space. Most systems, including Sonos, allow you to add a wireless subwoofer to your wireless soundbar after making the initial purchase if you want to try the soundbar alone first.

Additional Features

Some of the product category’s finest offerings are compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands, so keep this functionality in mind if you regularly use a virtual assistant: You will be able to play content and control compatible smart home products with voice commands. Many soundbars can work with both assistants, so you'll be able to choose the one you prefer.

A companion app is another bit to look for in a top-shelf soundbar. Having one will allow you to adjust the product’s sound, set up a virtual assistant, and even gain new features via firmware updates.

Learn more about our top picks now to discover the best wireless soundbar for your home.

How We Selected the Best Soundbars

To find the best wireless soundbars for every TV setup, we thoroughly researched each of our selections and tested our upgrade choice ourselves. We began by considering options ranging from affordable soundbars for less than $100 to luxury products that are design and tech masterpieces. We sifted through hardware specs, read reviews from industry experts, and analyzed consumer feedback to identify today’s finest soundbars. We scrutinized products from leading audio brands like Sonos, Bose, Klipsch, Polk Audio, and TCL, just to name a few. In doing so, we ensured that our final selections for testing performed well across a number of categories.

Throughout our hands-on testing process, we evaluated each soundbar based on the following criteria:

• Sound quality — how the products performed while delivering various types of audio content

• Design — their ability to blend in with one's home decor

• Ease of use — how easy it was to set up the product and access its features

• Connectivity features — availability of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

• Smart functionality — compatibility with virtual assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant

To analyze sound quality, we spent time watching movies — which is essential in order to experience the overall acoustic performance of every soundbar, including the ability to process enhanced surround sound. We also followed the news to determine each product's ability to deliver crisp dialogue and rocked out to an eclectic playlist to experience their bass, treble, and mid-range delivery.

We also factored in the soundstage presentation of each soundbar. Think of the soundstage as the intangible three-dimensional space created by your soundbar's sound output. Enhanced audio features like Dolby Atmos enhance the soundstage production by requiring upward-facing speakers to create an encompassing surround-sound environment. By utilizing a combination of built-in hardware and audio processing tech, the feature can make a product sound “bigger” than it is. A product's soundstage is most notable while listening to music and watching movies. For example, when playing the right content, a soundbar with a wide soundstage can create the impression that you're attending a live music performance.

Each of the wireless soundbars we selected performs well across each key category of consideration in addition to offering a unique value-add of its own. We also made sure that every soundbar on our list has a strong performance-to-cost ratio. Check out our top picks to find the best wireless soundbar for your budget and needs.

Arc Wireless Smart Soundbar

I tested the Sonos Arc in my New York apartment and was blown away at how crisp dialogue was at low volumes and how deep the bass was when cranked up. It is a fantastic speaker that's a part of an already terrific line of products from Sonos.

The Arc’s minimalist design goes beyond minimalist looks. The clean lines lend this wireless soundbar a sense of simplicity and ease of use that’s rarely associated with audio products. It only took me a few minutes to get the soundbar from unpackaged and set up. I barely touched the manuals in the process.

The beautiful simplicity of the Arc isn’t without its flaws though. Because the soundbar only has a single HMDI eARC port that it relies on to transmit Dolby Atmos, you may not be able to get the full value of the soundbar with your current setup. If your TV doesn’t have at least one HDMI eARC port in addition to another HDMI port, you may need to get additional hardware or a new TV to get the full experience. However, Sonos did include an adapter that connects a standard optical cable through the HDMI port. If you go this route, you get the benefit of Dolby Digital rather than Dolby Atmos.

Thankfully, I was able to test the Arc for all its worth, Atmos and all. Within the first few days of getting the Arc I watched movies and the news, and connected my Spotify account to play music. I was struck by how easy it was for me to switch from device to device. Even when I wasn’t using Dolby Atmos through Spotify, the sound experience was immersive and crisp at all levels.

I was also fond of the touch-sensitive controls because they didn’t release so much light they kept me up at night. Between these controls and the built-in voice assistant, which was helpful for checking the weather and train delays, it’s clear that the Arc was designed with convenience and user experience in mind.

If you’re in the market for a simple all-in-one solution to amplify your in-home entertainment and are willing to pay a premium for quality, ease of use and reliability from the construction to the sound output, look no further than the Sonos Arc.

HW-B550 Wireless Soundbar

This Samsung HW-B550 is a no-frills wireless soundbar that has the power and clarity to enhance your listening experience without including anything extra. The result of this combination is a wireless soundbar with a value that’s hard to beat.

Although you won’t get immersive surround-type sound projection from the HW-B550, you can certainly fill a room with clear vocals and a balanced soundtrack. On the other hand, you can also take advantage of this soundbar’s built-in bass booster if you’re looking for a speaker to play during social gatherings that you don’t have to worry about. The beauty of the HW-B550 is that it functions well in nearly any situation, and it doesn’t cost so much that you have to worry about where to put it, and it isn’t so complicated you have to think about what setting to use before you turn it in. The Samsung HW-B550 is an ideal everyday wireless soundbar.

Beam (Gen 2) Wireless Soundbar

Don’t let the small size and simple design fool you, the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) packs a serious punch. Complete with four full throated drivers and one dynamic tweeter, this little soundbar handled everything I threw at it during testing with prowess. I watched a few classic action movies with it, and while I didn’t experience the same level of sound projection that I did with the Sonos Arc, the dialogue and background were simultaneously enveloping and balanced.

Another great aspect of the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) is that you get nearly all the high-end convenience and connectivity features that you do with higher-end models such as the Arc in a smaller, more affordable package. I was pleased to discover that the Trueplay auto equalization had a tangible impact on the clarity and quality of the sound output. As I moved the speaker around the room, Truplay adjusted the sound configuration to optimize quality. It’s a shame that this feature is only available to iOS users, however.

Ultimately, If you live in a space constrained apartment like I do, the balance the Beam strikes between footprint, performance, and volume is an especially attractive aspect to consider. I wasn’t left wanting for more bass even without an external subwoofer, which only serves to enhance the space-saving aspect of the Beam. I even played a few recorded DJ sets from the music festival Tomorrowland and the bass was sufficient, but not downright booming. For most uses, the Beam (Gen 2) has more than enough bass, and dynamic range for that matter. However, it still can’t compete with a solid setup that includes an external subwoofer.

If you’re in the market for a high-quality, true all-in-one soundbar that doesn’t break the bank or occupy too much space, the Beam (Gen 2) is worth your consideration. The fact that it performs more than adequately in categories that are often mutually exclusive, such as a small size with a wide, immersive soundstage, is a testament to the attention to detail paid at every level, from design to sound production.

Signa S4 Wireless Soundbar

The Polk Audio Signa S4 is one of our top picks for most buyers. It has an elegant design with a fabric finish, an effortless setup, and stellar audio performance with support for Dolby Atmos-enhanced sound. The product also has a reasonable price, especially considering its design and acoustic capabilities. From classical rock and choir music to action movies and audiobooks, the Signa S4 handles heavy everyday tasks with ease.

The Signa S4 Wireless Soundbar delivers a cinematic sonic experience with powerful bass and crisp dialogue, which you're able to fine-tune via its minimalist remote. We wish it had Wi-Fi connectivity for more seamless music streaming from mobile devices. The cheaper Polk Audio Signa S3 has Wi-Fi but lacks Dolby Atmos capabilities.

More: Wi-Fi Speakers We Like at Various Price Points

Cinema 400 Soundbar

The Klipsch Cinema 400 soundbar stands out with its beautiful design, top-tier build quality with natural wood bits, and a robust 3-year warranty, all at an agreeable price. The product's bass output is also impressive and a contender for the best in its price range.

Klipsch has equipped the Cinema 400 with four audio drivers, including two with the brand’s legendary Tractrix Horn design and a beefy 8-inch subwoofer. Although the bass is more powerful than you’ll likely ever need, the Cinema 400 manages to keep a balanced output that doesn’t sound distorted or muffled because of the deep low notes. The hardware produces a powerful sonic experience with a wide soundstage. If you consider yourself a bass-head on a budget, this is the best wireless soundbar for you.

The Cinema 400 boasts more than 1,950 5-star reviews on Amazon. One verified purchaser noted that the Cinema 400 “sounds fantastic right of the box” and that it “can get very loud easily” thanks to the quality of the Klipsch drivers. Another verified purchaser wrote that the bass “shakes the front door and walls.” On websites traditionally frequented by the more technologically savvy, like B&H, the Cinema 400 has raving reviews. One verified purchaser wrote that ‘for the price and confidence, I don’t think you can beat this soundbar,” which neatly sums up the value of this speaker.

Ultra Soundbar

Expensive, yes - but the DOlby Atmos-compatible Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar is elegant and feature-rich in equal measure. As the next top-of-the-line model for Bose, taking the place of the Bose Smart Soundbar 900, this soundbar adds even more to an already technology-heavy speaker. In addition to sporting a sleek glass and metal housing, the Smart Ultra Soundbar from Bose includes all the smart features you’d expect, such as Amazon Alexa, Apple AirPlay 2, Chromecast, and Google Assistant. To top it all off, this soundbar boasts an innovative new feature called AI Dialogue Mode, which automatically analyzes and enhances vocal clarity.

The product’s audio performance is worthy of its high price tag. The Smart Ultra Soundbar produces immersive and spacious sound, creating the impression of an audio system with multiple speaker units spread around your space - not just one soundbar.

Smart Soundbar 600

The Wi-Fi-equipped Bose Smart Soundbar 600 is the compact soundbar to get, offering a fusion of sleek design, immersive Dolby Atmos sound, and a ton of smart features, including Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant integration to go with Chromecast and Apple AirPlay 2 connectivity. The latter also includes the option to connect a pair of Bose headphones wirelessly to enjoy content without disturbing anyone.

The 27-inch device’s five built-in drivers — two of which are upward firing — made it sound much bigger during my testing. The immersive sonic experience was second only to bigger and more expensive Dolby Atmos soundbars. You can supplement it with an external bass module and surround speakers, just like the bigger Soundbar 900.

HT-A5000 Wireless Soundbar

If music quality is as important as enhancing the on-screen sound, you need to have the Sony HT-A5000 soundbar on your radar.

The high-end product is compatible with audiophile-grade Hi-Res Audio content, as well as 360 Reality Audio, with the latter being a cutting-edge audio format for lifelike listening. To top things off, like the tech giant’s headphones and audio players, the soundbar can make compressed audio content sound better via sophisticated upscaling tech.

Of course, the Sony HT-A5000 can also produce awe-inspiring Dolby Atmos sound that’s worth every penny of its hefty price tag. The device’s onboard wired and wireless connectivity features are just as impressive.

Unlike similarly priced soundbars that cost a pretty penny to upgrade with additional hardware, the HT-A5000 has a rich selection of reasonably priced optional subwoofers and surround speakers.

MagniFi Mini AX Soundbar

The Polk MagniFi Mini AX is the best soundbar for enjoying cinematic sound in small spaces. Measuring less than 15 inches wide — on par with a good portable Bluetooth speaker — the Dolby Atmos product will instantly transform your space into a private movie theater with multidimensional sound and rumbling bass via its down-firing wireless subwoofer.

Polk Audio equipped the MagniFi Mini AX with five audio drivers, which deliver crisp and powerful audio that defies its impossibly compact housing. Another great feature is the sound optimization buttons on the included remote; with a single click you can select the best configuration for your content. Unlike Sonos’ Trueplay, which serves a similar function, you don’t need any type of device other than the remote to do this. Best of all, despite its tiny size, the device doesn’t skimp on essential audio streaming features like Wi-Fi, Apple AirPlay 2, and Google Chromecast, among others.

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