Best Soundbar under $500 in 2024

Do you want to have the best soundbar under $500 so you can groove to the music at any hour of the day? Or do you want to make your TV lounge a cinema? If all of this sounds like a dream, keep reading, because we will make your dream come true with a list of the best soundbars on the market in this blog!

In this blog, we have listed the most amazing soundbars that are also affordable. We have ensured that all sound bars have powerful subwoofers, so you can enjoy music in every corner of your room. The soundbars are also compatible if you want to carry them around or mount them on the wall with your TV.

If you are unsure about which soundbar to buy, you can consult our buyers’ guide, which lists the most important factors to look for in any surround sound speaker. It will help you choose the best soundbar according to your needs and preferences!

5 Best Soundbar under $500 [2024]

Here is a table summarizing the salient features of the best soundbar 2024:

Find the 5 best wireless sound systems below:

Sony HT-S350 Bluetooth Soundbar—Best Overall

Editor’s Rating: 4.9 out of 5 

If you’re in search of the best all-in-one soundbar, your quest should conclude with the Sony HT-S350 Bluetooth Soundbar. It earns the title of the ‘best all-in-one soundbar’ due to its inclusion of a powerful subwoofer, along with features like HDMI Arc compatibility, S-Force PRO Front Surround, and Bluetooth streaming. This indicates its capability to integrate multiple audio components within a single unit, delivering a comprehensive sound solution without the necessity for separate speakers or amplifiers.

With 320 W of total power output, you will be able to feel every beat in your heart. The audio is not only clear but also has high bass and treble. It comes with a 6.30-inch speaker unit and a 6.16-gallon volume, which allows you to listen to rich and deep bass sounds. Also, a theater-style surround sound experience is created via virtual surround sound technology. Not only will it make you want to groove, but you will fall in love with music. 

The tactile punch finished soundbar and subwoofer isolate and amplify sound. Plus, the 2.1 Ch surround sound and seven different sound modes will give you the best sound experience you can get! Don’t worry much, as you can protect your purchase, saving you from spills and damages.  

What Customers are Saying?

With more than 6,000 reviews on Amazon, most people loved that this surround-sound speaker produced powerful and clear sound. They were happy that it was at a reasonable price, still delivered amazing sound, and had a ton of cool features. Setting it up is easy, and it makes life easier by controlling music with a remote from a distance. 

One issue that was brought up by a few people was that it has compatibility issues. People bought it without checking if their TV or laptop supported HDMI, and then they had to get it replaced. To save yourself from such a hassle, make sure to check the compatibility of your device first.  People said they spent on the best soundbar under $600 and the best soundbars under $1000, but still, their bass and mids weren’t as good as this one.”

Overall, Sony HT-S350 is the best all-in-one soundbar and is a good option if you don’t want to spend much money but still want to enjoy clear and loud music. 

Read More: Top Quality Best Budget Wired Earbuds in 2024

Yamaha SR-C20A Bluetooth Sound Bar—Best Performance

Editor’s Rating: 4.8 out of 5

Elevate your entertainment experience to new heights with the Yamaha SR-C20A Compact Sound Bar. Imagine having your own concert, anytime, anywhere—a promise fulfilled by its built-in subwoofer that brings every beat to life. Thanks to its ingenious passive radiators, the bass resonates with clarity and depth that’ll leave you immersed.

Say goodbye to asking “What did they say?” during movie nights. This sound bar ensures enhanced dialogue clarity, letting you catch every word effortlessly. Setting it up is a breeze, with options ranging from HDMI and optical connections to Bluetooth, all ready in minutes. If you prefer a fixed setup, it seamlessly mounts on the wall alongside your TV, thanks to its built-in keyholes.

Gaming sessions become a whole new experience, enveloped in immersive surround sound. Whether it’s a high-octane battle or a serene melody, the Yamaha SR-C20A delivers an audio adventure that transcends expectations. Say hello to endless entertainment, perfectly tailored for you.

What Customers are Saying?

With almost 70% five-star reviews, people love this soundbar thanks to its amazing, rich sound, surely without any connectivity issues! They were surprised at how good it is at delivering a range of subtle, smaller bass sounds to bigger bass sounds. 

Some people complained that the music sometimes felt muffled and they could not enjoy it. However, this could be an issue with the settings because a lot of other people have specifically mentioned that they love the sound quality!

If you don’t want to spend a lot of time setting up your soundbar, Yamaha SR-C20A is the best option because it is extremely simple to set up. 

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VIZIO M213AD-K8 Bluetooth Soundbar—Best Features

Editor’s Rating: 4.7 out of 5 

The VIZIO M213AD-K8 Soundbar is a great option for having a sound system that gives you an immersive sound experience. This award-winning company has been making great audio products for 10 years, which means you can trust this device for listening to podcasts, watching shows, and dancing to songs!

You could call it magic, but it’s psychoacoustics! Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual:X technologies create an audio environment that sounds incredibly real by making it seem like speakers are all around, above, and behind you! Also, you can carry around your minimalist and compact speakers with you anywhere.

You can listen to your favorite songs with 98 dB of premium sound from six high-performance speakers. This soundbar also has built-in tweeters and woofers, so you can enjoy crystal-clear music with a sense of space and impact all the way down to 50 Hz.

What Customers are Saying?

This soundbar has gotten over 70% of five-star reviews on Amazon, which shows that it produces great sound. There were a lot of comments stating that after listening to its sound quality, they can say that this is what “high fidelity” really means. The remote is also not complex, so you don’t have to spend hours on its settings.

Some people thought that the control could have more sound options because the background sound while watching a movie felt more elevated than the actual dialogue. The reason could be the inability to fine-tune the sound.

If you want a soundbar that allows you to convert your home into a cinema, then you should add VIZIO M213AD-K8 it to your list.

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JBL Bar 2.1 Bluetooth Soundbar—Best Quality

Editor’s Rating: 4.6 out of 5

This soundbar will make sure that you fall in love with your favorite songs all over again. The amazing and immersive sound quality of the JBL Bar 2.1 takes you right into the movie. Plus, you can relax on your sofa and control the volume from a distance with a remote control.

With a 165mm wireless subwoofer, you can listen to deep bass music at home! As it works with 300 watts of power, you can imagine the outstanding clarity and sound quality. You can use these compact speakers for not only listening to music but also playing games and watching movies.

The Protect Your Purchase feature allows you to use them without worrying about their damage. It has everything you need, including HDMI, AUX, and USB wired connections, so you can connect a wide range of devices and enjoy a lot of home entertainment options.

What Customers are Saying?

With more than 3000 reviews and 74% 5-star ratings on Amazon, it is clear that many people are pleased with this soundbar. They think the audio fills the entire room, and you feel like dancing. Some people said it was “bang for the buck,” meaning that they received a better speaker than what they paid. Some people compared its sound quality with the best soundbar under $600 and the best soundbars under $1000.

Only some people said that they were annoyed by the auto-shutdown that happens every 5 minutes. It means that if you stop playing the songs, then after five minutes, it will disconnect. You will have to connect your device again to listen to music.

If you want a good-quality speaker that you can easily place at home, the JBL Bar 2.1 should be one of your options.

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PHEANOO D2 Bluetooth Soundbar—Best Budget 

Editor’s Rating: 4.5 out of 5 

Are you looking for the best budget soundbar? Well, for just $27, the PHEANOO D2 Bluetooth Soundbar is the top choice for budget-friendly audio quality. Having your own soundbar at home solves half of the problems, as you can listen to loud and amazing music whenever you want. With the Phanooo D2 Soundbar, the best budget soundbar, you can enjoy upbeat music as it has four well-tuned full-range drivers and a powerful subwoofer!

It also features Dolby Digital, through which you will have an unreal movie experience as if the hero is speaking to you in real-time! You can think you’re inside your show or concert, as it has four different sound modes and gives the best and most realistic listening experience. 

You can connect it to your satellite speakers, TV, projector, computer, or smartphone wirelessly using Bluetooth 5.0 or use one of the wired connections like HDMI (ARC), optical, AUX, or a USB flash drive. Also, it is extremely easy to set up in minutes!

What Customers are Saying?

With 77% 5-star reviews and a 4.6 rating on Amazon, it was clear that many people loved this Soundbar. Many thought it was easy to have a dedicated subwoofer for TV because it delivered excellent, clear, and bassy sounds. There was no doubt that it provided an amazing cinematic experience. 

There were a few comments saying that they received damaged packaging with missing cables. This instance did not happen with many people and could not be considered the company’s fault. Overall, people believe the soundbar offers excellent quality at a reasonable price, and they have labeled it as the best budget soundbar.

Buy your Phanooo D2 Soundbar and enjoy music with the best budget soundbar.

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How to Choose the Best Soundbar Under $500 [Buyers Guide 2024]

Here is a buying guide for the best Soundbar, so you can choose the best one!

Key Factors for Choosing the Best Soundbar

You must consider several factors before buying the Soundbar for yourself. To help you, we have listed the main factors below:

1. Subwoofer

Subwoofers enhance the clarity and bass of your soundbar. If you place them in the right position in your room, since they are unidirectional, you can have the best bass music experience. A good subwoofer will also give your music the depth and realism you would love to see while watching any movie.

2. Remote Control

It is important that your TV speakers come with a separate remote control because, in this way, you will be able to control the volume, bass, and various other functions from a distance. This is especially useful if you use the soundbar with the TV, so you don’t have to get up every time to control the music.

3. Low Profile Design

Some soundbars are too tall or too large, which makes it difficult to place them anywhere. So whether you opt for the best soundbar under $600 or the best soundbars under $1000, You should keep an eye on a low-profile soundbar, which is black in color and seems camouflaged wherever you place it. It should not become a distraction when you watch a movie!

4. Size

It’s very important to buy speakers that are small and easy to put anywhere. If the surround sound system is not too large, you can place it below your TV without worrying, as it will not cover the screen or sensor. So, make sure to keep an eye on a compact soundbar and check the length and width before buying!

5. Dolby Atmos Support

Dolby Atmos is a height-channel-enabled object-based surround sound format. Soundbars with Dolby Atmos allow for sound to come from above the listener. Depending on how your home theater is set up, you’ll be able to hear sounds from all angles, making for a more immersive listening experience. So, if you are searching for the best soundbar for music, consider one with Dolby Atmos support.

To get a more clear idea of what to look for in a soundbar, watch the video.

What are the Different Types of Soundbars?

These speakers are available in different sizes and with additional features, as discussed below:

1. Two Channel Soundbar

If the number is 2, then your Soundbar has stereo speakers (one each on the left and right). The 2-channel sound bars that are still on the market are essentially glorified mini-stereos. It should do the trick if you’re searching for a simple solution to increase your TV’s audio.

2. Three Channel Soundbar

Three channels—left, right, and center—as well as a subwoofer, are part of a 3-channel soundbar. The main difference is that a 3-channel soundbar will make sure that all dialogue is clear and loud because the center channel is mostly for dialogue.

3. Five Channel Soundbar

Five speakers make up a 5-channel soundbar, often the front left, front right, front center, surround left, surround right, and subwoofer. Most of the time, the surround speakers are separate, but the front channels are usually all built into the soundbar. Theoretically, because it is more immersive, the 5-channel model’s audio quality is “superior.” The 5-channel soundbar is considered best soundbar for music.

How Did We Select the Best Soundbar?

While selecting the best soundbar 2024 on our blog, we aimed to compile a list of soundbars that provide top-notch sound delivery and quality and are the best soundbar for music. We did this by carefully looking at the good reviews of soundbars on Amazon and adding the ones that had higher ratings and reviews. 

Secondly, we focused most of our attention on features that improve the customer experience, so we made sure to include speakers with clear sound, deep bass, and a subwoofer. We also ensured that these sound systems were compact and mountable. Furthermore, we considered the sound range of the speakers to ensure users can thoroughly enjoy their music. Elevate your music experience like never before by choosing the best soundbar for music from our curated list of the best soundbar 2024 

Frequently Asked Questions about Soundbars

Q: What is the best Dolby Atmos soundbar under $400?

Ans: The Sony HT-G700 is considered the best Dolby Atmos soundbar under $400, offering immersive audio quality at an affordable price point. Its advanced technology and impressive performance make it a top choice for home theater enthusiasts on a budget.

Q: Do soundbars sound better than speakers?

Ans: Soundbars are designed to enhance audio quality, especially for TVs. They can provide a better audio experience compared to built-in TV speakers, offering improved clarity, bass, and virtual surround sound. However, dedicated speakers in a well-configured setup can still offer the highest audio fidelity, particularly for audiophiles or those seeking a premium listening experience.

Q: Is soundbar necessary for TV?

Ans: No, a soundbar is not necessary for a TV, but it can significantly improve audio quality and enhance the viewing experience.