When searching for the perfect addition to your home entertainment system, the quest for the best compact soundbars can be a pivotal step.
These sleek, space-saving devices offer an impressive audio experience without dominating your living space. Ideal for those who appreciate minimalist design yet refuse to compromise on sound quality, compact soundbars are engineered to blend seamlessly into any room, providing crystal-clear audio that brings movies, music, and games to life.
Whether you’re dealing with limited space or simply prefer a clutter-free environment, a compact soundbar could be the missing piece in your audio setup, offering an optimal balance of size and performance.
Our Top Picks
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Best Overall: Bose Smart Soundbar 600
Meet the Bose Smart Soundbar 600: a sleek, compact powerhouse designed to transform your movie nights and music sessions into fully immersive experiences. With Dolby Atmos and Bose’s proprietary technologies, it delivers captivating sound quality that fills your room, ensuring you don’t just watch, but live each moment of your entertainment.
Specifications:
- Microphones: 2 Microphones for Voice
- Sound Options: Surround Sound Configuration
- Controls: Microphone Off, Remote Control (Infrared), In-App Control
- Speaker Dimensions: 2.21″ H x 27.34″ W x 4.09″ D; Weight: 6.91 lb
- Material: Metal, Plastic
- Wireless Connectivity: Bluetooth, WiFi Enabled
- Bluetooth Version: 5.0
- Bluetooth Range: up to 30 ft (9 m)
Who Is It For?
The Bose Smart Soundbar 600 is the perfect match for entertainment enthusiasts who crave a deep, immersive audio experience without the clutter of a traditional home theater setup.
Whether you’re a cinephile seeking to feel the action unfold around you, a music lover wanting every note to resonate, or someone who loves hosting movie nights, this soundbar brings the cinema and concert hall into your living room.
Its compact size and wireless capabilities make it a seamless addition to any home, appealing to both tech-savvy individuals and those seeking simplicity and superior sound quality.
Best Budget: Roku Streambar
Introducing the Roku Streambar: Elevate your TV audio experience with the Roku Streambar! It’s more than just a soundbar; it’s a compact powerhouse designed to deliver crisp sound and stunning visuals, all in one sleek package.
Specifications:
- Sound Quality: Immersive Dolby Audio.
- Connectivity: Built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
- Streaming Capabilities: Access to thousands of channels and apps.
- Voice Control: Hands-free control with Roku Voice Remote.
- Size: Compact design fits perfectly under your TV.
- HDMI Ports: Easy setup with HDMI ARC or optical audio.
- Compatibility: Works with any TV.
- Easy Setup: Quick and hassle-free installation.
Who Is It For?
The Roku Streambar is perfect for anyone looking to enhance their TV audio without breaking the bank. Whether you’re a movie enthusiast, avid gamer, or just love binge-watching your favorite shows, the Roku Streambar offers an affordable solution with premium features.
Its compact design makes it ideal for smaller living spaces, while its easy setup and intuitive interface cater to users of all ages. Say goodbye to muffled dialogue and tinny sound – with the Roku Streambar, you’ll enjoy crystal-clear audio that brings your entertainment to life. Upgrade your viewing experience today!
Best for TV Use: The Bose TV Speaker
Meet the Bose TV Speaker: a compact soundbar that breathes life into your favorite TV shows and music with clarity and depth. Designed with simplicity in mind, it offers an easy setup and seamless integration with your TV, enhancing your audio experience effortlessly. It’s the perfect addition to your home entertainment system, bringing Bose’s renowned sound quality into your living space.
Specifications:
- Connectivity: HDMI ARC, Optical Input, Aux, Bluetooth 4.2
- Compatibility: Works with most TVs and Roku TV Ready™
- Design: Wall-mountable (Bracket sold separately)
- Audio Support: Dolby Digital, DTS
- Control: Simple remote included, HDMI-CEC and Roku TV remote compatibility
- Expandable: Connectable with Bose Bass Module 500/700
- Weight: Approximately 6.61 lbs / 1.95 kg
- Dimensions: 23.4″ x 2.2″ x 4″ / 593 mm x 56.1 mm x 102.1 mm
Who Is It For?
The Bose TV Speaker is ideal for anyone looking to significantly enhance their TV audio experience without the complexity of a full home theater system. It’s perfect for small to medium-sized rooms where space is at a premium, but audio quality cannot be compromised.
Whether you’re a movie enthusiast seeking clear dialogue and rich sound effects or someone who enjoys streaming music with the convenience of Bluetooth, this soundbar delivers.
Its straightforward setup and ease of use make it a great choice for those who prioritize both performance and simplicity. With the ability to expand the system with a Bose Bass Module and its compatibility with Roku TVs, it’s versatile enough to fit a wide range of needs and preferences.
Best for Computer Use: Samsung HW-S60B/S61B
Meet the Samsung HW-S60B/S61B, a soundbar that redefines your audio experience with its compact design and impressive sound.
Designed to complement your computer setup, this soundbar delivers big sound in a tiny package, ensuring your gaming, streaming, and music listening are more immersive than ever.
With easy setup and seamless integration into your smart home, it’s the perfect addition to enhance your computer use without cluttering your space.
Specifications:
- Weight: 2.9 kg (Lightweight and compact)
- Dolby Atmos support: Immersive audio experience
- Wireless connectivity: Bluetooth and WiFi for easy streaming
- Built-in center speaker: For clear dialogue and vocals
- Q-Symphony: Synchronizes with Samsung TV speakers for richer sound
- Adaptive Sound: Automatically optimizes audio
- Game Mode: Enhances gaming audio
- Tap Sound: Quick connection with your device
Who Is It For?
The Samsung HW-S60B/S61B is a gem for anyone looking to elevate their computer audio without the bulk of traditional speakers.
Whether you’re a casual gamer, a movie buff, or someone who appreciates crystal-clear music, this soundbar’s blend of Dolby Atmos support, wireless connectivity, and compact design makes it a standout choice.
Its seamless integration with smart homes, courtesy of built-in voice assistants like Alexa, adds convenience to your audio experience.
If you value space-saving technology without compromising on sound quality, the HW-S60B/S61B is your go-to soundbar.
Best for Small Rooms: Sonos Beam Gen2
Meet the Sonos Beam Gen2, the compact soundbar that’s stealing the spotlight in the mid-range category. With its sleek design and superior sound quality, it’s designed to elevate your home audio experience without cluttering your space.
Imagine crystal-clear dialogues and immersive sound that fills the room, all packed in a small, stylish package that fits almost anywhere. Perfect for movie nights, music enjoyment, and everything in between, the Beam Gen2 makes every listening moment a pleasure.
Specifications:
- Type: Compact soundbar & multiroom speaker
- Drivers: 4x elliptical woofer, 1x center tweeter, 3x passive radiator with 5x Class-D amplifiers
- Network Connectivity: Ethernet, Wi-Fi (802.11n), AirPlay 2, and Spotify Connect
- Inputs: HDMI eARC, and TOSLINK (with HDMI-to-TOSLINK adapter)
- Microphones: Far-field microphone array with multichannel echo cancellation
- Format Support: Includes Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, and DTS Digital Surround
- Extra Features: Voice control via Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant, Speech Enhancement, Night Sound
- Dimensions and Weight: 651 x 69 x 100 mm, 2.8 kg.
Who Is It For?
The Sonos Beam Gen2 is ideal for those who crave an audio experience that transcends the ordinary, without taking over their living space.
Whether you’re a movie lover wanting to dive deeper into your favorite films, a music enthusiast seeking to fill your home with high-quality sound, or a tech-savvy individual looking for a smart, multi-functional soundbar that seamlessly integrates into your smart home ecosystem, the Beam Gen2 is for you.
Its compact size makes it perfect for small to medium-sized rooms, while its advanced features like Dolby Atmos support and voice control ensure a modern, immersive listening experience.
Plus, its multiroom capability means you can enjoy your favorite tunes throughout your home, making it a versatile choice for anyone looking to upgrade their audio setup.
What I Wish I Knew Before I Got The Best Compact Soundbars?
- Match Soundbar and TV Width: It’s advisable to ensure the soundbar and your TV are very close in width for aesthetic harmony and sound dispersion. This consideration is especially important for maintaining a visually appealing setup.
- Room Size and Soundbar Power: The size of the room where the soundbar will be used can significantly affect the choice. Larger rooms might require a more powerful soundbar to fill the space with sound effectively.
- Soundbar Features: Modern soundbars come with a range of features including various audio inputs (AUX, RCA, digital coax, fiber optic), HDMI inputs, wireless connectivity (Bluetooth or AirPlay), the number of audio channels, wireless subwoofer compatibility, and potentially wireless surround sound speakers.
- Wireless Surround Sound: Higher-end models might offer the ability to pair with wireless surround speakers to create a more immersive sound environment. This feature, however, tends to significantly increase the cost.
- Connectivity and Portability: Some compact soundbars, like the Creative Stage Air V2, offer a mix of wired and wireless connectivity options, making them versatile for different setups.
- Optical Connection: While many soundbars offer a variety of connectivity options, not all include an optical connection. This may limit compatibility with some TVs, so it’s worth considering models that include this port if direct TV connection is desired.
- Consideration of Price vs. Features: It’s important to balance the cost with the features offered. While you may be drawn to high-end features like wireless surround sound, assess whether the additional expense is justifiable for your usage and enjoyment.
Is a soundbar worth it in a small room?
Yes, a soundbar is worth it in a small room for enhancing audio quality. Opt for compact models with clarity, bass range, and tonal balance. Models like TCL Alto 6+ are designed for small spaces, offering a balanced sound profile and connectivity options, including Bluetooth for music streaming.
Are expensive soundbars worth it?
Expensive soundbars offer superior sound quality, enhanced features like Dolby Atmos, and better bass compared to cheaper models, making them worth the investment for those seeking a premium audio experience.
However, for compact spaces, affordable soundbars can still significantly improve TV sound and offer clear dialogue, making them a cost-effective choice. Your decision should consider room size, desired features, and budget.
Is 5.1 or 2.1 soundbar better?
A 5.1 soundbar offers true surround sound, enhanced dialogue clarity through a center channel, and immersive audio depth with rear satellite speakers, making it ideal for larger rooms and a more cinematic experience.
In contrast, a 2.1 soundbar provides a compact, more affordable option with straightforward setup, suitable for smaller spaces or those prioritizing basic improvements in sound quality over the full surround sound experience.
