Best TV Soundbars for 2018

We round up the best TV soundbars to provide the best TV experience for you and your family. The specs of today’s 4K TVs are staggering! Especially the OLED ones. TV is much more than just for viewing in my opinion. It is a time of family bonding. Having friends and relatives over the weekend usually involves watching sports or a movie marathon.

Best TV Soundbars for 2018

A television is supposed to be audio-visual. When you shop for TVs, you usually forget to check the sound quality. How do you get the best of both worlds? Sound and Image quality? This was the challenge for TV manufacturers was resolved in 1998. In case you’re not sure on buying a TV soundbar, here’s a quick explanation on why you need one.

See also: Things You Need to Consider Before Buying a TV Soundbar

And since then, big players like Bose, Samsung, Sony, and Sonos and others have been perfecting the art of having TVs sound as good as they look.

Our Picks for the Best TV Soundbars

Bose Solo 5 TV Sound System - Black
SONOS PLAYBAR Wireless Home Cinema Soundbar-Black
Samsung HWMS650 Sound + All in One Smart Soundbar
LG Electronics SJ2 Soundbar with 2.1 Channel 160 W...
Samsung HW-K450 soundbar speaker - soundbar...
Bose Solo 5 TV Sound System - Black
SONOS PLAYBAR Wireless Home Cinema Soundbar-Black
Samsung HWMS650 Sound + All in One Smart Soundbar
LG Electronics SJ2 Soundbar with 2.1 Channel 160 W...
Samsung HW-K450 soundbar speaker - soundbar...
5,108 Reviews
323 Reviews
543 Reviews
815 Reviews
322 Reviews
Bose Solo 5 TV Sound System - Black
Bose Solo 5 TV Sound System - Black
5,108 Reviews
SONOS PLAYBAR Wireless Home Cinema Soundbar-Black
SONOS PLAYBAR Wireless Home Cinema Soundbar-Black
323 Reviews
Samsung HWMS650 Sound + All in One Smart Soundbar
Samsung HWMS650 Sound + All in One Smart Soundbar
543 Reviews
LG Electronics SJ2 Soundbar with 2.1 Channel 160 W...
LG Electronics SJ2 Soundbar with 2.1 Channel 160 W...
815 Reviews
Samsung HW-K450 soundbar speaker - soundbar...
Samsung HW-K450 soundbar speaker - soundbar...
322 Reviews

Last update on 2023-01-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API


Best TV Soundbars Reviews


Bose Solo 5

Price Reduction
Bose Solo 5 TV Sound System - Black
5,108 Reviews
Bose Solo 5 TV Sound System - Black
  • Single sound bar provides higher sound quality...
  • Dialogue mode to make every word and detail stand...
  • Bluetooth connectivity to wirelessly stream music...

Last update on 2023-01-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Bose came up with Solo 5 soundbar that is engineered to reproduce sound. It is designed in a way that you will clearly hear the dialogues of whatever you are watching. The fact that Bose has already established itself with audio-enhancing equipment such as speakers gives me a sense of assurance. In addition to this, a lot of people would tell you how easy it is to hook this up to your TV.

All the cables you need like coax, optical, etc are supplied.What is unique about this Bose soundbar is that it comes with a universal remote that you can use with players, gaming consoles, or any video sources connected to your TV.


Sonos Playbar

SONOS PLAYBAR Wireless Home Cinema Soundbar-Black
323 Reviews
SONOS PLAYBAR Wireless Home Cinema Soundbar-Black
  • Two-in-one: Adds cinema sound for your TV, and...
  • Simple two-cable setup: One connects to the power...
  • Works with your existing TV remote

Last update on 2023-01-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Sonos Playbar features 9 internal speakers that produce cinematic-quality sound as you watch TV. You can mount it on a wall or just lay it flat below the TV. The Bose Solo 5 features a universal remote. Sonos counter this by having the Playbar adapt to your TV remote. You can also control the Playbar using the Sonos Playbar App. It actually rivals Bose in terms of sound specialisation in my own opinion. The Playbar is also Amazon Echo and Alexa-related devices compatible. However, Sonos does not have Bluetooth or HDMI connectivity. This may mean that the 4K formats you wish to watch are at a halt.


Samsung HWMS650 Smart Soundbar

Samsung HWMS650 Sound + All in One Smart Soundbar
543 Reviews
Samsung HWMS650 Sound + All in One Smart Soundbar
  • Number of Channels: 3
  • Power Output: 20 X 9
  • 4K UHD Passthrough: No

Last update on 2023-01-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Samsung’s HWMS650 Smart Soundbar is one of the few soundbars that works very well even without subwoofers. Being compatible with almost any music device, I like how I don’t need to my TV on just to play music. This is one of those sound-producing equipment that I am thankful for being heavy. To me, being heavy gives the impression of a compact and well-engineered component. If you are don’t have the luxury of space in setting up a set of speakers, then this standalone soundbar might be the one you are looking for. I’ve yet to know the difference but Samsung HWMS650 also comes in a curved-shaped variation.


LG SJ2 Soundbar

LG Electronics SJ2 Soundbar with 2.1 Channel 160 W...
815 Reviews
LG Electronics SJ2 Soundbar with 2.1 Channel 160 W...
  • Multi-channel sound - Two speaker drives are...
  • Wireless subwoofer - Free your living room from...
  • Cinematic Sound - Tweeter and woofer components...

Last update on 2023-01-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

It is quite compact and lighter when compared with other soundbars in its price range. This may be an advantage at the same time a disadvantage. Light and easy to move, but perhaps will not be on par with the high-priced counterparts. This budget-friendly soundbar maybe the one you need if you are on a tight budget. It also comes with a matching subwoofer for those low beats. However, the connecting the cable is something you need to purchase separately.


Samsung HW-K450

Samsung HW-K450 soundbar speaker - soundbar...
322 Reviews
Samsung HW-K450 soundbar speaker - soundbar...
  • Product features 300 W Wireless subwoofer...
  • 5 Number of Sound Modes (DSP)
  • 2.1 Channel Number of Channel

Last update on 2023-01-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Samsung HW-K450 is a fair-priced soundbar that can up the sound capability of your TV. What is unique with this is that instead of focusing the speakers in one direction, they are actually angled tactically. This gives the surround system effect. When combined with its wireless subwoofer, it produces quality bass. Yes, it does not have the same sound quality of Sonos or Bose devices. But then again, it is not in the same price range.


Conclusion


Overall, if you are looking for a budget soundbar for your TV, choose the
LG SJ2 Soundbar. But if you are looking for value for money, the Samsung HWMS650 Smart Soundbar might be the only soundbar you need. It is standalone and needs no subwoofer.

If you don’t care about the budget and you just want the best sound possible, there is no contest. Sonos Playbar will give you what you expect and more.

But for me, the best TV soundbar would be Bose Solo 5. It is not over-priced, and you would instantly notice how every sound seem to amplify the dialogues and add new life to the music you listen to. Bose already established a respectable reputation as far as sound enhancement is concerned. So this is a safe choice.