Match the soundbar size to your TV and room

The first decision is physical fit. A soundbar should be roughly the same width as your TV or slightly narrower — measure your TV's width before you shop. A 55-inch TV typically pairs with a soundbar between 40 and 50 inches long. If you place it on a TV stand, check that the stand is wide enough; if you mount it on the wall below the TV, make sure the wall bracket will support the weight (most soundbars weigh 3 to 8 pounds).

Room size matters for sound reach. A small bedroom or office (under 150 square feet) works fine with a compact soundbar — 30 to 36 inches — because sound travels a short distance. A living room larger than 250 square feet needs a longer bar, ideally 45 inches or more, so the sound spreads evenly across the seating area. If you sit more than 8 feet from the TV, a larger soundbar will feel more immersive.

Key Takeaways

  • Measure your TV width and room size before shopping, because a soundbar should match your TV's width and fill your room without overpowering it.
  • Decide whether you want a basic stereo bar or one with surround channels and a subwoofer, because adding those components costs significantly more but improves movie sound.
  • Check the inputs your TV and devices use — HDMI eARC, optical, or Bluetooth — and confirm the soundbar has at least one of them.
  • Listen to the soundbar in person if possible, because online reviews describe sound differently and your ears are the final judge.
  • Budget $150 to $300 for a solid all-in-one soundbar, or $400 and up if you want surround speakers and a subwoofer.

Decide between a basic bar and a system with surround speakers

A basic soundbar is a single unit that sits under your TV. It has multiple speakers built inside and improves dialogue clarity and volume compared to your TV's speakers. Most basic bars cost $150 to $300 and work well for everyday TV watching, news, and talk shows. They do not create surround sound — sound comes from the front of the room only.

A soundbar system includes the main bar plus separate surround speakers and often a subwoofer. The surround speakers sit to the sides or behind your seating area and create the sense that sound is moving around you — useful for movies and games. A full system costs $400 to $1,000 or more. If you watch mostly broadcast TV and streaming shows, a basic bar is enough. If you watch movies regularly or play video games, a system with surround speakers noticeably improves the experience.

Subwoofers are sold separately or bundled with higher-end bars. They handle low frequencies — explosions, thunder, bass in music — and make action scenes feel more powerful. A subwoofer adds $200 to $400 to your total cost. You can add one later if you start with a basic bar, though not all bars work with all subwoofers, so check compatibility before buying.

Check which inputs your devices actually use

Your soundbar needs to connect to your TV and possibly to other devices like a streaming box, game console, or phone. The three most common connections are HDMI eARC, optical, and Bluetooth.

HDMI eARC is the newest standard and the easiest to use. You plug one HDMI cable from your TV to the soundbar, and the TV sends sound through that same cable. Most TVs made after 2016 have an eARC port (usually labeled as such). This method works with all your TV's inputs — cable box, streaming apps, everything — without extra cables.

Optical is an older connection using a thin cable with a square connector. Many older TVs and all soundbars have an optical port. It works reliably but requires a separate cable, and you may need to turn on optical output in your TV's audio settings. If your TV has no eARC port, optical is usually your best choice.

Bluetooth is wireless and convenient for phones and tablets, but most soundbars cannot receive TV sound over Bluetooth — they use it only for music from your phone. Check the product description before assuming Bluetooth will work for your TV.

Before you buy, look at the back of your TV and note which ports it has. Then check the soundbar's port list to confirm at least one match. If your TV is very old and has only RCA audio ports (red and white connectors), you will need a soundbar with RCA inputs or an adapter cable.

Listen to soundbars in a store when possible

Online reviews describe sound in different ways — some emphasize bass, others clarity, others loudness — and what sounds good to one person may not suit your ears. If a store near you carries soundbars (Best Buy, Costco, and some electronics retailers do), spend 10 minutes listening to two or three models in the same price range.

Play the same content on each one — ask the staff to use a movie scene or music track you know well. Listen for dialogue clarity (can you understand speech without turning on subtitles?), volume (does it get loud enough for your room without distortion?), and bass (does it feel balanced or boomy?). Stand where you normally sit when watching TV, not right in front of the bar.

If no store is nearby, read reviews from sites that test soundbars with the same equipment and describe what they hear in plain language. Watch video reviews where you can hear the soundbar in action. Avoid reviews that only list specs — wattage and driver count do not tell you how it actually sounds.

Set a budget and compare features at that price point

Soundbar prices break into rough tiers. A basic bar under $150 handles TV dialogue and everyday use but may sound thin on movies. A mid-range bar from $150 to $300 offers better sound quality and often includes a small subwoofer or the option to add one later. A premium bar from $300 to $600 has more drivers, better build quality, and often comes with surround speakers included.

Within each price tier, compare what you actually get. Two bars at $250 may differ significantly — one might include a subwoofer while the other does not; one might have Bluetooth and optical while the other has only HDMI. Read the full spec sheet and the box contents list, not just the price.

Decide what matters most to you. If dialogue clarity is your priority, focus on bars with center-channel speakers. If you want movie immersion, prioritize surround speakers or a subwoofer. If you have limited space, choose a compact bar. Once you know your priorities, compare only bars that meet those needs, not every option in your price range.

Confirm the soundbar works with your TV's audio format

Most modern soundbars handle standard audio formats like stereo and Dolby Digital without any setup. However, if your TV supports newer formats like Dolby Atmos (surround sound that includes height channels) or DTS:X, check whether the soundbar supports them. Some soundbars advertise Dolby Atmos support but can only simulate it with their existing speakers — they cannot truly deliver Atmos without height speakers mounted above you.

For most viewers, this does not matter. Standard Dolby Digital and stereo sound fine on a soundbar. But if you plan to watch a lot of 4K movies or play next-generation games, confirm the soundbar's format support matches your devices. The product manual or spec sheet will list supported formats.

Also check whether the soundbar requires any setup in your TV's audio settings. Some soundbars need you to turn on optical audio output or disable the TV's internal speakers. The manual will walk you through this — it usually takes one or two minutes.

Plan for placement and cable routing

Decide whether you will place the soundbar on a TV stand or mount it on the wall. If you use a stand, the soundbar should sit in front of the TV, not behind it or to the side — sound travels forward, and obstacles muffle it. Make sure the stand is sturdy enough to support the soundbar's weight without tipping.

If you mount it on the wall, use the included wall bracket and follow the installation instructions carefully. Most soundbars mount directly below the TV, centered on the wall. Avoid mounting it too high (above ear level when seated) or too low (below knee level), because sound will seem to come from the wrong place.

Plan your cable route before you buy. If you are using HDMI eARC, you need one cable from the TV to the soundbar. If you are using optical, you need one optical cable. If the soundbar has a subwoofer, that connects wirelessly to the bar in most cases, so no extra cable is needed. Run cables behind the TV or along the wall using cable clips to keep them hidden and safe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a soundbar with an older TV that has no HDMI eARC?

Yes. If your TV has an optical audio port, use an optical cable — this works with TVs from the 2000s onward. If your TV has only RCA audio ports (red and white connectors), buy a soundbar with RCA inputs or use an RCA-to-optical adapter cable. Check your TV's manual or the back panel to see which ports you have.

Do I need a subwoofer right away, or can I add one later?

You can add one later if the soundbar supports it. Check the product manual to confirm the bar is compatible with external subwoofers before you buy. Some budget bars cannot connect to separate subwoofers, so if you think you might want one eventually, choose a bar that allows it.

What is the difference between a soundbar and a home theater system?

A soundbar is a single unit (or bar plus subwoofer) that sits under your TV. A home theater system includes a receiver, separate speakers for left, center, and right channels, surround speakers, and a subwoofer — all wired together. Home theater sounds better for movies but costs more, takes up more space, and requires more installation work. A soundbar is simpler and works well for most people.

How loud should a soundbar get?

For a typical living room (15 by 20 feet), a soundbar that reaches 85 to 90 decibels is loud enough for movies without distortion. Most mid-range and premium soundbars hit this level. If you sit very far from the TV or have a large room, look for a bar rated at 90 decibels or higher. The product specs will list maximum output.

Will a soundbar improve my TV's picture quality?

No. A soundbar only improves sound, not picture. If your TV's picture quality is poor, a soundbar will not fix that. However, better sound makes movies and shows feel more immersive overall, so the viewing experience improves even though the picture itself does not change.