Best soundbars 2025: upgrade your TV audio

A soundbar is an easy way to improve the audio on your TV. To help you choose, we explain the key features to look out for and show off some of the best soundbars for 2025
Martin PrattPrincipal researcher & writer
Soundbar-Main-Image

In this article

How our tests find you the best

Sound quality comparison

Our expert audio panel compares hundreds of soundbars directly against each other using a range of TV shows, films and music.

Dialogue clarity

We focus on the clarity of speech on default settings, as well as which soundbars have the best features to enhance dialogue, so can even hear whispers clearly.

Simple setup and use

Setting up a soundbar with your TV should be painless, and everyday use should be straightforward, with a well-designed remote control.

We also test…

Surround sound, smart features and apps, power consumption and more.

Soundbars pack several speakers into one box and usually only need to connect to your TV with one wire. It's the simplest way to boost your TV's sound quality – if you buy the right one.

We test dozens of soundbars every year from leading TVs brands, such as LG and Samsung, as well as audio-only brands, such as JBL and Sonos. There are plenty of speakers that will make your TV sound sensational, whatever your budget.

See all our Best Buy soundbars by reading our soundbar reviews.

Best soundbars 2025

The models we've highlighted below are among the best soundbars you can buy right now, from lovely-sounding cheaper models to high-end cinematic wonders. Only those that have excellent sound and are easy to use can be Which? Best Buys.

Every year we rigorously test soundbars on everything from audio quality to ease of use, helping you find the best model for you. Only logged-in members can see our full list of the best soundbars in our table below. Join Which? to get instant access to our Best Buys and expert reviews.

Soundbar reviews by popular brands

Soundbars by price

Why you should trust our soundbar reviews

We buy every single soundbar we test, and we don’t accept free samples of any models or brands. During our testing, for each model, sound quality is not only rated by five audio industry experts but also listened to from different angles and distances. We also push each soundbar to the limit to see how loud you can go before distortion kicks in.

In addition to subjective tests from audio experts, we put each soundbar into a room so well soundproofed that you can hear your own heartbeat in your ears. This anechoic room enables us to test the frequency response to further inform our overall sound-quality rating.

Our soundbar reviews are based on the thorough lab testing and assessments we carry out at Which? – nobody goes to the lengths we do. Read more on how we test our soundbars.

Want a big screen to match your new soundbar? Check out our pick of the best home projectors.

Popular soundbars reviewed

LG US60TR (£399)

LG US60TR black soundbar with separate subwoofer and two rear speakers

Many soundbars have separate subwoofers and some, like this LG, even have rear speakers to create true surround speakers (sometimes referred to as 5.1). LG is one of the most popular TV brands, and its soundbars can be an ideal complement, but they aren't all Best Buy worthy.

Find out if this soundbar is the perfect balance of performance and price in our LG US60TR review.

Denon DHT-S218 (£225)

Denon DHT-S218 black soundbar

Soundbars all look roughly the same, but differ when it comes to how many speakers are tucked behind the plastic cover. This Denon has two subwoofers, two mid-range speakers and two tweeters for the high tones, which is more than many soundbars at this price. It's one of the cheapest models we've tested, but is it any good?

We give the definitive answer in our Denon DHT-S218 review.

What to consider when buying a soundbar

A great soundbar will take your home entertainment to the next level, giving you exciting bass and audio clarity that create more atmosphere and ensure you won’t ever miss a word of dialogue. 

Important factors to think about include:

  • How much are you willing to spend? If your budget is limited, see our expert pick of the best cheap soundbars.
  • How big is your TV? Some soundbars are more suitable for TVs of a certain size, so use our reviews to help you buy the right one.
  • Where will the soundbar go? Can it sit comfortably in front of your TV? Does it need to be wall mounted?
  • Do you want to use it for music? Look for soundbars with Bluetooth, wi-fi or brand-specific tech, such as Apple AirPlay, so you can easily connect your phone and play music.
  • Do you want true surround sound? Most soundbars are claimed to simulate surround sound (and some do an OK job), but you need a model with rear speakers to create true surround sound.

Will a soundbar work with my TV?

Yes, almost always, regardless of the brand. That's because soundbars connect via HDMI, which is something every TV released in the past decade has. If your TV is older, then make sure it has an HDMI input spare. If it doesn't, look for an optical connection; this transmits audio just like HDMI, but it's not as common a connection on soundbars.

Do I need a soundbar that's the same brand as my TV?

No. Pairing soundbars and TVs from the same brand can unlock some interesting features, usually using the TV speakers to act as a centre channel while your soundbar takes care of the rest, but it's not essential.

Learn more about the benefits and drawbacks of matching your TV and soundbar brands.

Best soundbar features to look for

Beyond great audio quality, there are a few things you should expect from a good soundbar.

  • High max volume You don't want a soundbar that crackles and buzzes if the action gets loud. We test to see how loud the soundbar can go before distortion sets in.
  • Good speech quality Muffled speech is a common complaint levelled at TV speakers, so we test audio clarity specifically for dialogue. We have a star rating for it, so you can easily see how clear speech will be. 
  • Wireless connectivity Most soundbars have Bluetooth, which is great for listening to music without having to turn on your TV. Some soundbars even come equipped for wireless multi-room music streaming. 
  • The right connections Any good soundbar will have at least one digital connector: optical, coaxial or HDMI. HDMI ARC/eARC are the most common and best connections to use, as they support the highest-quality audio.
  • Dolby Atmos This tech is designed to send sound over your head, and it's crammed into just about every TV and soundbar. It's often simulated, not always particularly well, but some soundbars have speakers pointing upwards to really create the effect, so look out for those.
  • DTS:X This is a codec that processes digital sound and creates the effect that audio is coming from different parts of your room. It's sometimes known as object-based sound.   
  • Surround sound speakers Without rear speakers, surround sound will only ever be simulated, which is difficult for a soundbar to achieve on its own. Some come with rear speakers, either connected to the soundbar with wires, or wirelessly. This is best if you want true surround sound like you'd find in the cinema.

How much do I need to pay for a good soundbar?

Soundbars vary wildly in price – from less than £100 to well over £1,000.

We’ve seen fantastic models, as well as some disappointing ones, in every price range. Generally, though, mid-range and premium soundbars tend to outperform budget models – both in terms of sound quality and features.

You're far more likely to get a poor soundbar if you spend around £100 and, honestly, you'd be better off sticking with your TV speakers. High-end models aren't always the best either, though – some are easily outperformed by cheaper models, so don't feel like there's nothing out there for you if you've got a smaller budget.

Do I need a soundbar with a subwoofer?

Not necessarily, but most soundbars come with one, either built into the bar itself or sitting separately. Bass is important for balanced sound, richness and immersion, and a subwoofer helps to create the very low tones that give a foundation for the mid and high tones to build on.

Our tests have found subwoofers to be a very mixed bag, though. Some totally overpower the sound no matter where you’re sitting, and others produce the bass notes so late it’s distracting. You can often add a subwoofer later, too, so if you find that the bar you buy doesn't provide enough bass, you can still upgrade.

Which soundbar brands offer the best software and security support policies?

As soundbars become more featured-packed in their own right, the importance of security and software support increases, as you’ll want to keep all the devices connected to your soundbar secure.

The brand’s level of support tells you how long it plans to keep your soundbar up to date both with the latest features, and with security patches to guard against emerging threats. We’ve contacted a range of soundbar brands to see how long they commit to supporting devices with updates for after launch. Disappointingly, many have not been willing to tell us, and support periods from brands that did is a mixed bag.

  • Sonos typically supports soundbars for three to six years, depending on the model. 
  • Samsung said it will support its soundbars for a minimum of five years from launch. 
  • Sony wasn't clear on a general support policy, but appears to support its soundbars for around three years from launch. 
  • Harmon and JBL also didn't have a general policy, but appear to support products for four to five years. 
  • Bose appears to support its products for three to four years, depending on the model. 
  • Philips offers support of between two and three years.

Other brands, including Panasonic, didn't respond with specific support policies.

While you may not be immediately at risk from using a soundbar that's no longer supported, it's best to choose one that will maintain update support for a decent period of time. To find out more, read our guide to smart devices and security.

Know what you're looking for? Time to find the soundbar with the features you've decided on. Visit our full list of expert soundbar reviews to compare models.

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