Best Soundbar under $200 in 2024

If you have a limited budget, you can still find inexpensive sound-producing devices that look good, sound great, and are not worth your kidney. Finding the best soundbar under 200 is the issue not only about the price tag, but also sound quality, design, compatibility, connectivity, and more.

So, we have put together the best options in an informative list with brief but useful reviews. Here are our the most decent deals for the most durable and reliable gadgets.

All the available soundbars on this list have Bluetooth (for streaming music wirelessly from your phone and Bluetooth devices).

With separate subwoofer

All models in this section can connect to the subwoofer wirelessly.

Polk Audio SIGNA S2 - best overall

The soundbar has a classic configuration and consists of the main speaker system as well as a wireless subwoofer. The speaker's height does not exceed 2 inches. Therefore, even when installing the Polk Audio Signa S2 on a shelf in front of the TV (although, of course, the soundbar can also be hung on the wall), it will not block its IR command receiver. The soundbar was created using proprietary technologies and high-quality components. Therefore, even with such a small height of the case, it can develop significant sound pressure.

The Polk Audio Signa S2 soundbar features a built-in two-channel stereo speaker system consisting of an oval subwoofer and a tweeter. The soundbar has a Dolby Digital decoder and high-quality amplifiers, which allows you to get natural sound for TV shows and movies. To accurately convey the dialogue, which is an important condition for the correct perception of what is happening on the screen, the soundbar uses Polk VoiceAdjust technology. Also, in the Polk Audio Signa S2 model, there are various settings of the frequency response that are optimally suited for viewing this or that content. And if you watch movies late in the evening, you can use the "night" mode, in which the dynamic range of sound will be limited.

The reviewed unit is the best tv soundbar under 200. To support the sound of the lower case system, it includes a wireless subwoofer. It is equipped with a 5.25-inch diameter woofer, and despite its rather compact size, it sounds assertive and powerful. There is a wireless connection of the subwoofer to the soundbar at the touch of a button.

The Polk Audio Signa S2 soundbar has an HDMI input with support for the return audio channel and the ability to receive 4K video. Also available are optical and analog inputs, and Bluetooth, for convenient wireless connection of mobile devices. Simple installation, robust construction, and high-quality sound make the Polk Audio Signa S2 an excellent choice for many users interested in obtaining high-quality sound when watching TV.

Externally, the soundbar looks very traditional, as well as the included wireless subwoofer - the front panel is completely covered with fabric, black, compact size.

The body of the soundbar is completely made of plastic. It is also encouraging that its height does not exceed five centimeters. This means that when placed on a stand in front of the TV, it is guaranteed not to cover even a small part of the image at the bottom of the screen. All speakers are located on the front panel. Their set includes two oval midrange drivers and two tweeters 25 mm in size.

VIZIO SB3821-C6 - best budget

Perhaps the greatest value of this soundbar is the wireless subwoofer that comes with it. For this price, very few manufacturers include a wireless subwoofer with their own sound panels. If you manage to find one that is likely to bring limited functionality, poor bass response, and mediocre sound quality.

However, the SB3821-C6 subwoofer has impressive performance, and hard, powerful low-frequency sounds with frequencies up to 50 Hz. Of course, the more expensive subwoofer will offer better performance and better low-frequency response. But for the money, SB3821-C6 can be invincible in this regard.

This thing is loud. The SB3821-C6 delivers a crisp, clear sound up to 100 dB, which is much louder than you might need. It is impressive that this model has less than 1% harmonic distortion even at the loudest volumes.

Some soundbars do not work when it comes time to figure out where to install them and provide limited editing options. SB3821-C6 can be mounted on a wall or on a table. It can also be integrated into your entertainment center, which ensures that this soundbar is as versatile as you need when it comes to installation options.

One of our favorite features of this best budget soundbar on the market is the ability to connect via Bluetooth, which allows you to wirelessly stream your favorite music from any connected device when you are not watching TV or a movie.

The SB3821-C6 provides superior audio streaming with well-tuned drivers and a powerful subwoofer.

For the selected music lover, this feature is likely to be the most important. The SB3821-C6 offers full Dolby Digital support, which means you get rich cinematic sound from your soundbar.

Perhaps most importantly, this model also supports DTS TruSurround and Truvolume, which help provide the highest possible cinematic sound environment thanks to virtual surround sound technology specially developed for sound panels.

Given the low price of this soundbar, it will not be easy for you to find a competing model that offers support for Dolby Digital and DTS. This provides the most out of your sound. VIZIO a low profile and elegant design that does not attract attention but looks great wherever you mount it.

Management is simple and straightforward. On the rear panel of the sound panel, there are coaxial and optical inputs for connecting the speaker to its source, a USB input, and a 3.5 mm jack. USB only plays WAV audio, which is the first, strange, and second, which is not very useful.

Our only other problem is with the LED display hidden behind the speaker grill. If you are familiar with VIZIO soundbars, you probably know all about this useless small display. Although the displayed dots are useful for adjusting the volume, we still cannot understand what the other dots on display mean. Fortunately, this function is insignificant, and it should not bring you grief in one direction or another.

LG SL5Y

LG's 2.1-channel soundbar and wireless subwoofer with DTS Virtual X completely surprised me with its small size and great sound! But this LG 2.1 Soundbar, a wireless subwoofer, does not take up much space and has many ways to connect to a TV, adjust sound and play DTS Virtual:X settings. Most crucially, it will save you money if you want this simple setup.

The sound coming from the two components really sounds better because of the soundbar directional, and the auxiliary - omnidirectional, which means that sound comes to you from the soundbar left and right speakers and subwoofer as a whole.

The soundbar has a total power of 400 watts. It can definitely get loud without a problem. You can hide the soundbar under the TV or place the subwoofer behind the plant or entertainment stand. It really will be difficult for you to guess where the sound will come from.

Another thing we liked about this LG soundbar is the clarity of voice. With a dual-channel soundbar, it's much easier to hear voices. I will say that in high-profile films, voices can be lost simply by exploding. Use subtitles or adjust the high or low frequencies on the soundbar to hear voices the way you want.

The LG soundbar itself sounds decent with two channels. The subwoofer really matters for the overall sound quality when it is connected and is close to the soundbar. You can connect the LG 2.1 soundbar to sub in several different ways. A wireless subwoofer connects easily when a subwoofer is connected. The soundbar can be connected to an HDTV in several ways, including an HDMI input, an optical input, Bluetooth, a 3.5 mm jack, and a USB input. The LG Sound Bar comes with an optical cable.

ASC (Adaptive Sound Control, where the soundbar) is reproduced and adapted to the levels appropriately received from the HDTV. Standard is a simple mode in which the settings correspond to the level. In addition, there is a Bass Blast for the subwoofer, which amplifies the low frequencies and rounds the sound well. Finally, there is a DTS Virtual:X sound mode. LG Dual Channel Soundbar with DTS Virtual:X simulates surround / high-pitched sounds.

The included subwoofer measures 171 x 393 x 248.5 mm. Its weight is 11.7 5.3 kg. Both devices are interconnected via wireless. Obviously, when talking about a cheap soundbar costing less than $200, you should not expect anything fantastic. SL5Y offers a basic, but at the same time, nice-looking design with its rounded corners and a decent appearance.

LG SL5Y is equipped with an LED display, which is located in the center of the front panel. It provides information on input selection and volume. If no keys are pressed for 15 seconds, the display automatically dims. Having an LED display certainly gives SL5Y an edge over many other competing soundbars that don't have one.

The power connector is located away from the rest of the connectors, which may seem very inconvenient when you try to connect all these cables together. It should also be noted that the SL5Y has a low profile layout. Therefore, placing the SL5Y soundbar under the TV is not a problem.

The SL5Y front grill is not removable, but LG will kindly provide us with the necessary information about the types of speakers that come with the device. What is inside is two oval 40 x 100 mm woofers, which are accompanied by a pair of 20mm Silk Dome tweeters.

With built-in subwoofer

Yamaha YAS-108

An easy way to make your TV sound as good as we would like. There is a built-in subwoofer, DTS Virtual:X, virtual 3D surround sound, and slim enough to fit your TV or wall-mounted.

The YAS-108 can virtualize breathtaking 3D surround sound by simulating sound effects. They seem to move around the customer and even have a sense of pitch. It is ideal for use with any multichannel content, including DTS and Dolby encoded audio tracks, creating a more spacious, realistic sound for all your favorite TV shows, movies, and games.

The Clear Voice option brings the sound of storytelling and dialogue to the forefront while maintaining consistent sound quality. Films, television shows, sports commentaries, and news releases are becoming more clear and audible.

Enjoy rich, deep low frequencies without the need for a separate subwoofer. Wirelessly connect up to two devices with Bluetooth for listening to music directly from the soundbar. They are designed for easy operation with fast switching between paired devices.

In the YAS-108, Yamaha decided to move away from rectangular shapes to flowing lines. The edges of the soundbar received neat bends. Most of the outer surface is covered with acoustically transparent fabric. To prepare the review, a black model came, but the company managed to release limited versions in red and dark green colors. Black is extremely versatile and goes well with any technique and color schemes in the room. The dimensions of the device are very compact: length - 89 cm, height - 1.31 cm, and thickness - only 5.3 cm. The smooth surface of the front side in the middle is complemented by a glossy panel with indicators and touch buttons. Thanks to this, the most popular functions for adjusting the volume and switching the sound source can be used without a remote control.

For quick and easy setup, the YAS-108 comes with an optical cable to connect one cable to the TV output.

For maximum performance, the YAS-108 offers HDMI input and output, which can be used with the separately sold HDMI cables. It supports 4K Ultra HD and HDR streaming, and HDCP 2.2 provides compatibility with the latest TVs and 4K Ultra HD devices.

Keys for simple wall mounting and a built-in gyroscope to optimize sound depending on whether the soundbar is mounted vertically or flat.

Use the supplied remote control, or if your TV is compatible with HDMI-CEC and you use the separately sold HDMI cables to connect it, you can turn the power on and off, insert inputs, adjust the volume and easily perform other operations using your existing TV remote.

While the YAS-108 is equipped with built-in subwoofers, it also has an output that allows you to connect an additional subwoofer powered by a power source if necessary.

Adding another subwoofer provides even deeper and stronger bass to enhance your perception.

Without subwoofer (in package)

Bose Solo 5

Another device from our rating of the best soundbars under 200, which will not yield to the above models if you buy a separate subwoofer for it. The American company Bose has expanded its line of small-sized acoustics with the new Solo 5, the sound capabilities of which are best manifested in conjunction with television equipment. Monoblock soundbar, universal in its sound characteristics and various functions, is ready to prove itself perfectly in home operating conditions.

According to the manufacturer, the compact sound projector Bose Solo 5 TV Sound system is able to replace the speakers and provide high-quality sounding of the room from 20 to 30 m2. With a built-in amplifier and two-way playback circuitry, the compact 6.35 kg system delivers a maximum sound power of 100 watts per channel.

A speaker with shallow depth and height of the cabinet is suitable for placement on a shelf, TV stand, or for wall mounting. The material of the case is durable plastic, which provides the necessary rigidity of the frame and resistance to spurious vibrations. The design of monoblock acoustics is as concise as possible, the sound emitters are hidden by a protective grill on the floor, and the switching connectors are located on the backside and are not striking.

To connect the Bose Solo 5 to the source, you can use the digital optical, coaxial connectors, or the analog 3.5 mm AUX input. Near the audio connectors are the power supply interface and the USB service port. In addition to wired switching interfaces, the sound projector boasts an integrated Bluetooth module, with which you can provide fast wireless streaming of files from a smartphone, tablet, or personal computer.

The speakers located on the front panel are designed to form an assertive frontal sound wave with a three-dimensional scene. With a state-of-the-art reproduction scheme and high-quality amplifier, the Bose sound projector delivers the rich sound output with decent 100 watts of power. It is worth noting that the Solo 5 TV Sound system model perfectly copes with playing TV audio content and music from mobile sources.

Especially to achieve a comfortable viewing of movies and TV programs, the manufacturer implemented a dialogue mode, thanks to which the listener can get the most distinct voices of the main characters of the film or show. A wide range of sound reproduction options with the ability to conveniently adjust the bass thanks to a separate button offers a functional remote control. The universal remote control included in the acoustics package also allows you to conveniently interact with a TV and Blu-ray player.

Speakers directed in different directions to cover as much space as possible. In real life, sitting on a couch three meters from the TV, you don't feel the lack of Solo 5 sound, no matter where you are. Favorite TV shows will give your loved ones more impressions when using the Bose Solo 5 monoblock universal soundbar, which can be placed anywhere. It reproduces all the details of the dialogue purely and provides a rich and vibrant sound.

The small-sized soundbar Bose Solo 5 with a strict external design in terms of quality and power of the output sound is really capable of replacing larger speakers. In addition, the dialogue mode can provide more comfortable viewing of TV, and the built-in Bluetooth module for wireless music playback from a smartphone will be highly appreciated by music lovers.