8 Best Budget Soundbar [ 2020 Updated List ]

Today we are going to introduce you to some of the best budget soundbars in the market. We recently did a study of top-selling but affordably priced soundbars. We analyzed their sound, technology, features and design to come up with a list of the best cheap soundbars worth putting your money on. Here they are. Do take a look.

Let’s begin.

Best Budget Soundbar To Boost Your Audio Experience :

Bose Solo 5 TV Soundbar :

The Bose Solo 5 is perhaps the best budget soundbar currently sold in the Indian market. It is a single-unit soundbar with Dialogue Mode and proprietary sound technology. It is the perfect sound companion for your HDTV. It matches HD video with HD sound, replacing tinny lackluster TV sound with robust full-range audio. The Bose Solo 5 has excellent dialogue clarity, thanks to its unique Dialogue Mode. It enhances the legibility of spoken words and makes dialogues clearer and more understandable. The soundbar has multiple inputs and outputs. It has Bluetooth for wireless connectivity. You can directly stream music from Bluetooth-enabled devices like smart phones, laptops and tablets. Wireless range is 10 meters when there are no obstructions between the source and the soundbar. For wired connections, there is an optical audio input (digital), a coaxial audio input (digital) and a 3.5mm auxiliary input (analog). A USB port is provided for system software updates. The Bose Solo 5 connects with your flat-screen TV with just one cable. You can choose between optical, coaxial or analog, the device automatically knows what you are using. It comes with a universal remote which controls not just the soundbar and the TV, but also your Bluetooth connections, Blu-Ray player, gaming console and other video devices connected to the TV. You can also adjust the bass using the remote. The soundbar has a slender black frame with a mesh in front running the length of its body. It is 54.8 cm wide, 8.6 cm deep, 7 cm high, and it weighs 1.69 kg. It is ideal for flat-panel TVs with a screen size of 32 to 46 inches. There are no buttons on the bar, just a couple of LED status indicators that glow or change color to let you know when a feature has been enabled. They blink to acknowledge a change in volume. The Solo 5 has flexible mounting. It can be placed in front of the TV on a media console or on a shelf below or above the TV. You can also mount it to a wall using the optional Bose WB-120 wall mount bracket. The package contains the Bose Solo 5 soundbar, power supply cable, an optical digital audio cable and a universal remote control.  

Key Features :

  • Budget soundbar for 32 to 46-inch flat-screen HDTV.
  • Media input: Bluetooth, optical audio, coaxial audio, 3.5mm AUX.
  • Dialogue Mode, adjustable bass, universal remote.
  • Single-cable connection to TV, shelf-mountable, optional wall mount bracket.

Yamaha YAS-108 Soundbar :

The Yamaha YAS-108 is a top-notch budget soundbar for home entertainment. It has DTS Virtual X which produces virtual 3D surround sound. It has Dolby Pro Logic II, DTS Digital Surround Sound, Dolby Audio, Bluetooth, HDMI ARC and a bunch of other features for an unparalleled TV watching experience. The Yamaha YAS-108 consists of a pair of 2 1/8-inch cone woofers, a pair of 1-inch dome tweeters and a pair of 3-inch subwoofers. The subwoofers have a bass reflex design for extra slam. Output power of the bar is 120 watts (30 watts x 2 + 60 watts from the subwoofer). Power consumption is 27 watts. The soundbar has best-in-class virtual surround sound thanks to DTS Virtual X. It has Clear Voice which makes dialogues and vocals more intelligible. It has 5 surround sound modes: Music, Sports, Movie, TV programme and game. For wireless sound input, there is Bluetooth. You can connect up to two Bluetooth source devices at a time and enjoy Wireless Music Streaming. Bluetooth range is 33 feet. Connection through wires is pretty simple. The speaker bar comes with an optical cable for hassle-free single-cable connection with the TV. It has HDMI input and output ports that support 4K Ultra HD, HDR pass-through and HDCP 2.3. This increases the compatibility of the bar and helps it work seamlessly with 4K Ultra HD devices and flat-screen TVs. The bar further has a digital optical input and an analog audio input for non-HDMI connections. It also features an output for adding a separate powered subwoofer in case you feel the need to upgrade to deeper bass. The YAS-108 has a slender black body sheathed in an acoustically invisible fabric. It has a smooth surface, rounded edges and an illuminated control panel in front. It is accompanied by a remote control. If your TV supports HDMI-CEC technology, you can control the power, volume and input selection of the soundbar with the TV remote. The soundbar is wall and shelf-mountable. It has keyholes for easy installation on walls. It can also be placed vertically or flat. The bar’s built-in gyroscope makes sure the sound is optimized irrespective of the playing position. Dimensions of the soundbar are: 35 inches (W) x 2 1/8-inches (H) x 5 1/8-inches (D). It weighs 7.1 lbs.

Key Features :

  • Cheap soundbar with virtual 3D surround sound.
  • DTS Virtual X, Dolby Pro Logic II, DTS Digital Surround Sound, Dolby Audio.
  • Bluetooth, HDMI input and output, digital optical input, analog audio input, subwoofer output.
  • Wall and table-top-mountable, vertical and flat placement, built-in subwoofers.

Polk Audio Signa S2 Ultra-Slim Universal TV Soundbar :

The Polk Audio Signa S2 is a budget soundbar with an external wireless subwoofer. It has HDMI ARC and works with 4K Ultra HD and HD TVs. It has Bluetooth, AUX and optical inputs. It can be secured to walls or placed on media consoles. The Signa S2 brings movies and characters to life. It replaces your TV’s built-in speakers and boosts the sound for an unmatched home theatre experience. It has Dolby Digital 5.1 Decoding which uses an array of performance-tuned drivers to deliver spacious surround sound. The decoding technology reduces sound lag and improves voice clarity. The soundbar has two 1.25-inch x 4.4-inch oval midrange woofers and two 1-inch round tweeters. The wireless subwoofer has a single 5.25-inch round woofer cone inside a ported enclosure. The Signa S2 has Voice Adjust Technology which makes dialogues clearer and vocals stronger. It has 3 sound modes – Movie, Music and Night – for personalizing the audio as per your need. For wired connections, the speaker bar has HDMI ARC input, Toslink Optical input and analog 3.5mm mini-jack auxiliary input. The HDMI input is a great way to send audio to the bar from smart TV built-in apps and sources connected directly to the TV using a single HDMI cable. You can control the volume of the soundbar through your CEC-enabled TV remote. For wireless input, there is Bluetooth. The bar is designed to fit tight spaces. It is 2.15 inches tall, 35.43 inches wide and 3.22 inches deep. It sits in front of your flat-screen TV without obscuring the IR remote sensor of the TV. It can be mounted to walls with the help of the keyhole hanger. Alternately, it can be placed on flat surfaces like tables, shelves and media consoles. The Signa S2 has a frequency response of 45 Hz to 20 kHz. It comes with a remote controller, a 1.5-meter HDMI cable, a 1.5-meter optical cable and a quick start guide. The drivers of the soundbar and the subwoofer have a warranty of 2 years. Overall electronics warranty of the gadget is one year.

Key Features :

  • Budget soundbar with wireless subwoofer.
  • Dolby digital 5.1 decoding, HDMI input for single-cable connectivity with TV.
  • Voice Adjust technology, 3 sound modes: Music, Movie and Night modes.
  • Bluetooth, AUX, Toslink Optical input, wall and shelf-mountable.
  • Compatible with 4K Ultra HD and HDTVs.

VIZIO SB3621n-F8M 2.1 Channel Soundbar System :

The Vizio SB3621n-F8M is a 2.1 channel soundbar and wireless subwoofer combo. It is the perfect companion for your 40-inch flat-screen TV. It is a reasonably priced home theatre system with virtual surround sound and HD audio. The SB3621n-F8M is armed with DTS Virtual X technology. It produces stunning 3D surround sound for a realistic cinematic and audio experience. It has Dolby Digital technology which gives you crystal clear dialogue and ground-shaking bass. It has DTS TruSurround, DTS TruVolume and DTS Studio Sound technology for tailoring the sound to the video playing on screen. Frequency response of the speaker bar is 50 Hz to 20 kHz. As the low end touches 50 Hz, you can literally feel the impact of the bass through your skin, so powerful is the bass. The volume can soar all the way up to 100 dB. From huge explosions to gentle whispers, every sound is highlighted with HD clarity and less than 1% total harmonic distortion. The Vizio SB3621n-F8M has Bluetooth for wireless audio input. It works with all iOS and Android source devices and offers a range of up to 30 feet without obstructions. For wired input, it has an analog audio (3.5mm AUX) input, an optical Toslink digital audio input and an RCA coaxial/ SPDIF digital audio input. The soundbar can be placed on table tops or housed inside a TV console. It can also be mounted on walls with the help of the included mounting equipment. The bar is 36 inches wide, 2.1 inches tall and 3.2 inches deep. It weighs 2.09 kg. The subwoofer is 6.7 inches wide, 11.8 inches tall and 7.9 inches deep. It can be placed next to the soundbar or near the sitting area. There are buttons on the bar for controlling power, volume, input and Bluetooth. You can also control the bar using the included remote. The box contains the soundbar, the wireless subwoofer, wall mount gear, power cord for soundbar and subwoofer, RCA to 3.5mm stereo mini jack, optical Toslink cable, digital RCA cable, and a user manual. Warranty period of the product is one year.

Key Features :

  • 1 channel 36-inch budget soundbar with wireless subwoofer.
  • DTS Virtual X, DTS TruSurround, DTS TruVolume, DTS Studio Sound.
  • Bluetooth, 3.5mm stereo mini jack, optical Toslink input, RCA coaxial/ SPDIF input.
  • Wall and tablet-top placement, includes wall mount, remote control.
  • Height 2.1 inches, fits narrow spaces, suitable for 40-inch+ TVs.

Samsung 2.1 Soundbar HW-R550 with Wireless Subwoofer :

Another top-performing budget soundbar is the Samsung HW-R550. It is a 2.1 channel soundbar with a wireless subwoofer. It upgrades your TV’s sound with Dolby Digital Surround Sound Technology and Surround Sound Expansion. It is perfect for watching movies, playing video games and listening to music. The Samsung HW-R550 is a budget soundbar with unbeatable features. It connects to your smart TV via Bluetooth. Yes. Unlike other soundbars that need a cable to link up with the TV, this bar has it all figured out over Bluetooth. It is neat, clutter-free and easy to use. You can also connect the bar and the TV using any one of the wired inputs. There is an Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC) input, an optical input and an audio input – the choice is yours. The soundbar also has Wireless Music Streaming and accepts input via Bluetooth from smart phones, iPods, etc. It has a special Game Mode. This mode has something called Cross-Talk Cancellation technology which removes distracting sounds so that you only hear the sounds you want to hear. The function gets automatically activated when you start gaming. It is available on PlayStation 4, Xbox and select 2019 Samsung TVs with HDMI. We suggest you check the product details for this feature before buying. The Sony HW-R550 constantly evaluates the content you are watching and optimizes the sound to deliver the best possible sound. It has four built-in speakers with a total power of 320 watts. It has a frequency range of 42 Hz to 20 kHz. It is Rear Surround Sound Ready. You can add the optional SWA-8500S to expand the sound system. The bar can be controlled with the Samsung OneRemote (available on select Samsung TVs). You can also control the functions of the bar from your phone with the Samsung Audio Remote app. The soundbar is wall and shelf mountable, and includes wall-mounting equipment. It is 904mm wide, 55mm high, 80mm deep, and weighs 2.2 kg. The subwoofer is 200mm wide, 353mm high and 290mm deep. It is an active sub with a 6.5-inch driver.

Key Features :

  • 1 channel 320-watt cheap soundbar with wireless subwoofer.
  • Dolby Digital Surround Sound, Surround Sound Expansion, connects via Bluetooth with TV.
  • Game Mode with Cross Talk Cancellation, compatible with Samsung OneRemote.
  • Bluetooth, Anynet+, digital optical input, digital audio input, app-controllable.

Razer Leviathan Dolby 5.1 Suround Soundbar :

The next budget soundbar on our list is the Razer Leviathan. It is a 5.1 channel soundbar with Dolby Surround Sound, Dolby Pro Logic II, Dolby Digital and Dolby Virtual Speaker technology. It is suitable for gaming, listening to music and watching TV. The Razer Leviathan sound bar features four fine-tuned drivers that deliver power audio. It has a pair of 2.5-inch full-range drivers and a pair of 0.74-inch tweeters that process midrange and high frequencies respectively. It has a separate wired subwoofer with a 5.25-inch down-firing woofer. In fact, the Leviathan is known more for its beefy bass and is considered one of the best PC gaming soundbar systems. It amplifies your gaming experience with realistic sound and crystal clear voices of your co-players. It has Dolby 5.1 virtual surround sound technology for breath-taking sound clarity and engaging audio. It has 3 preset equalizers – Games, Movies and Music – for fine tuning the sound. Frequency response of the soundbar is 180 Hz to 20 kHz. It has wireless play with Bluetooth aptX. You can connect your Bluetooth-enabled devices like smart phones and tablets and enjoy Wireless Music Streaming. Bluetooth transmission range is 30 feet in the absence of obstructions. The Leviathan has NFC one-touch pairing. If your phone has NFC, just tap it gently on the soundbar to instantly connect the two and send audio from your phone to the bar. For wired connectivity, there is an optical digital input and a 3.5mm AUX input. The Razer Leviathan has a space-saving cabinet for under-monitor placement. It is 30% shorter that ordinary soundbars and is only 50 cm wide. It has interchangeable feet for adjusting to height and angle requirements of different placements. It comes with two cables – one connects with the subwoofer and the other plugs into the wall power socket. The package contains the gaming soundbar, a wired subwoofer, a 3.5mm AUX cable, an optical cable, a power adapter with interchangeable plugs, speaker feet and a user manual.

Key Features :

  • Budget soundbar for PC gaming and music.
  • Bluetooth, NFC one-touch pairing, AUX input, optical input.
  • Dolby 5.1 virtual surround sound, 3 preset EQ profiles – Games, Movie, Music.
  • Wired down-firing subwoofer, includes standing feet for soundbar.

JBL Bar Studio 2.0 Channel Soundbar :

The JBL Bar Studio is another budget soundbar worth checking out. It is a 2.0 channel all-in-one soundbar with an integrated dual bass port design. It has JBL Surround Sound which creates an outstanding cinematic experience without additional speakers or wires. It sits pertly in front or under your flat-panel TV and pumps out spacious sound that surrounds the viewer from all sides. The best thing about the JBL Bar Studio is that is supports HDMI ARC technology. This means you can connect the soundbar to the TV with just a single HDMI cable. It is a great way to reduce clutter and keep your media stand free of messy cables. The other good thing is that you can access and control the soundbar using your existing TV remote. It is designed to be universally accessible through different TV remote controls, irrespective of brand. It simplifies control and makes the bar more user-friendly. The JBL Bar Studio has Dolby Digital HD sound. It is fitted with a pair of 2-inch woofers and a pair of 1.5-inch tweeters. It has a dual bass port design for maximum bass effect. The bar is 24.2 inches wide, 2.3 inches high and 3.4 inches deep. It weighs 3.1 lbs. It has a minimalistic design and occupies very less space. It can be placed under the TV or in front of it on a table. It can also be affixed to the wall under a TV. The JBL Bar Studio has Bluetooth 4.2 technology for wireless input. For cabled audio input, it has an analog, an optical and a USB input. For cabled video input, as mentioned already, it has one HDMI ARC port. HDMI HDCP version is 1.4. Peak power handling of the soundbar is 30 watts. Frequency response is 60 Hz to 20 kHz and maximum SPL is 90 dB. The box contains the soundbar, a remote control, optical and AUX cable, a power adapter, wall mount bracket, a warranty card and a quick start guide.

Key Features :

  • All-in-one budget soundbar with JBL Surround Sound.
  • Built-in dual bass port design, two 2-inch woofers, two 1.5-inch tweeters.
  • Bluetooth, HDMI ARC, analog, optical and USB input.
  • Includes remote control, also works with your existing TV remote.  

JBL Boost TV Compact Bluetooth Soundbar :

The final product on our list is the JBL Boost TV compact soundbar. It is a cheap soundbar with a space-optimized enclosure. It is a small soundbar for small TVs and desktop computers. The Boost TV is a single-unit all-inclusive budget soundbar with JBL Virtual Surround Sound. It sits under your TV or monitor without getting in the way. It costs the same as some high-end Bluetooth speakers but sounds way better. It has Bluetooth Music Streaming. You can connect your Bluetooth devices to the soundbar and listen to your favorite songs directly on apps like Spotify and Pandora. It also has a 3.5mm auxiliary input and a digital optical input for wired connectivity. The Boost TV is shaped like a rugby ball with two large bass ports on either end. It is 14.8 inches wide and 3.3 inches high. It has two 2-inch transducers, a 30-watt built-in amplifier and two bass ports. The bar is covered by a black acoustic cloth. There is a row of backlit buttons on top and plastic end caps on both ends of the bar. It has a slip-resistant foot for a firm grip on the mounted surface. Please note that the soundbar does not have any provision for mounting it to walls. The JBL Boost TV is multi-room ready. It lets you link up multiple JBL devices in different parts of the house to create a multi-room sound system. It has Harman Display Surround which produces virtual surround sound. It also has JBL SoundShift technology. This technology allows you to seamlessly switch between your TV and connected Bluetooth devices like phones and tablets. The soundbar is accompanied by a remote control which let you manage the power, volume, mute, song skip, Bluetooth, Virtual Surround Sound and JBL Connect. The speaker bar includes an optical cable for digital connections and an auxiliary cable for analog ones. The ports are grouped together on a bright orange rubber panel at the back, making it easier to identify ports even in semi-darkness. All in all, if you want better TV sound for an affordable price, we highly recommend the JBL Boost TV. It has awesome dialogue and music clarity. It is perfect for small TVs and computers. It does not have an internal battery though. But that shouldn’t stop you from giving it a go. You can plug it into a power supply socket like any other soundbar.

Key Features :

  • Compact budget soundbar with JBL Virtual Surround Sound.
  • Multi-room connectivity with JBL Connect, JBL SoundShift technology, Dolby Digital HD sound.
  • Bluetooth, AUX, digital optical input, includes remote control.
  • Slip-resistant foot, suitable for small TVs and desktop computers.

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Know more about best computer soundbar and our study on should you buy a soundbar or full fledged surround sound system.

Check our recommendation on best integrated amplifier for home stereo system.
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