10 Best Soundbars Under $1000 Spring 2023 Updated Guide

One can not enjoy his/her favorite movie or music if the sound isn’t of top-notch quality. Have you ever watched a movie in the cinema that you thoroughly enjoyed but wasn’t that much fun at home? Then here are the best soundbar under $1000 that you can for to have the same kind of experience.

A soundbar can exponentially enhance your TV or laptop’s sound quality and deliver an immersive experience. When attached to a soundbar, the sound produced by speakers is far more detailed and dynamic than it gives you a cinema-like vibe.

So, here are some of the options For the Best Soundbar under $1000 that you can consider.

1.Sonos Playbar – The Mountable Sound Bar under 1000

Sonos has been developing high-quality speakers and soundbars for a long time. Their products are made out of high-quality components and offer an impeccable experience. The Sonos Playbar holds stellar ratings on Amazon and provides a great sound which is why it made it to the top of our list.

Features: The best thing about this soundbar is that it is suitable for music and dialogues. It offers incredible details and surrounds sound system, making it a model worth considering. It also has many advantages, including streaming music over Wi-Fi, connecting different Sonos speakers, and continuing listening to your favorite music even between a phone call.

The soundbar also features a night mode that enhances the sound quality and turns on the light to create a more dynamic experience.

Bottom line:

The Sonos Playbar is a very efficient and versatile soundbar that you won’t be able to get enough of. You can conveniently connect it to different sources; an HDMI hub offers great support for creating your own private home theater system. If you like to have a cinema-like experience at home, this soundbar is worth spending on.

2.SAMSUNG HW-Q60T 5.1ch Soundbar

Samsung is a global brand with a top-notch reputation that has never disappointed its customers. The HW-Q60T 5.1ch Soundbar is an incredible soundbar with a 3D surround sound system of DTS virtual. It fulfills the purpose of being an incredible soundbar and delivers sound quality of remarkable quality.

Features: The selling point of this model is the Samsung acoustic beam. This feature projects sound from the exact position where it originates. As far as compatibility is concerned, the device comes with a multi-Bluetooth feature that will let you switch between various devices.

However, some people have found issues with the connectivity when paired with the TV. So, before purchasing, ensure your TV supports this kind of Soundbar if that is what you’re buying it for.

The overall sound quality is very adaptive and improves every second giving you a more immersive experience. We also loved the build quality of the HW-Q60T 5.1ch Soundbar. It’s excellent and highly sturdy with shock-resistant properties.

Bottom line:

The Samsung HW-Q60T 5.1ch Soundbarallows you to watch your favorite movies and listen to music with incredible clarity even at the lowest sound level. It is easy to set, ranked highly, and delivers an immersive experience you will enjoy.

3. Bose Soundbar 700 with Alexa Voice Control Built-in

Looking for high-quality sound that will rejuvenate you in your alone time? Take a look at the Bose Soundbar 700 with Built-In Alexa Voice Control. It comes in several color options and the fact that it can be controlled with a voice assistant makes it one of the best soundbars under $1000.

Features: The Bose Soundbar 700 has an incredible aesthetic appeal and comes at a very affordable price point. And as far as compatibility is concerned, you can link it to various sources. It can answer phone calls while you can connect it through Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, HDMI, Apple AirPlay, and Bose music application.

The soundbar produces incredible sound and is perfect for people who want to connect small soundbars to their gadgets. The model is also quite portable and can be taken along on journeys as conveniently as possible.

Bottom line:

The Bose Soundbar 700 has proven to make an incredible difference to the sound quality of your home audio system. You can conveniently stream music from various sources and enjoy even the minutest details of your favorite song with this bad boy.

4.Samsung Harman Kardon 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos Soundbar

The 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos Soundbar is the invention of two top-notch companies, Samsung and Harman Kardon, both known for coming up with the latest tech gadgets with incredible support. If you are a music enthusiast, then you would know the quality sound produced by Harman Kardon speakers, and that is precisely why this model has ended up on our list.

Features: The first thing we want to tell you about this soundbar is that it is 5.1.2, which means it has five speakers, two subwoofers, and one center channel. It outputs cinematic audio while boosting sound incredibly, whether in a room or a theater.

Furthermore, it is compatible with Digital Atmos and DTS, giving a more dynamic and immersive audio experience.

It has also been integrated with a 4K pass to connect it to your 4K TV for better results. The subwoofers accompanying this soundbar are all wireless, so you won’t have to worry about wires messing up your aesthetics.

Bottom line:

The Samsung Harman Kardon 5.1.2 Soundbar is a commendable soundbar that can be used for various purposes. It also features Alexa for maximum convenience, but the only off point about this model is that it comes at a higher price point.

5. Soundbar 500 with Alexa Voice Control

When it comes to buying audio components, Bose is one of the top brands that we recommend and suggest you go in blindsight and purchase their products. The brand has held up its reputation for years and offers some of the most affordable devices on the market.

The Bose Soundbar 500 with Alexa Voice Control is the top soundbar that you can go for. It comes at a reasonable price point and is possibly the lightest model we have reviewed on this list.

Features: You can control this soundbar with the Bose music application while there are plenty of connectivity options, including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and AirPlay.

What we loved most about this speaker was the surround sound delivered by the Bose bass module. You can easily place the speaker and soundbar in one corner and watch it spread incredible sound throughout the room. You can easily take it anywhere you want because of its lightweight design and small size.

Bottom line:

The Bose Soundbar 500 is a new surround sound on the market that you can go for. It comes in a commendable lightweight and slim design that offers robust sound. It comes with built-in Google Assistant and Alexa for maximum convenience.

6. JBL Bar 5.1 – Channel 4K Ultra HD Soundbar

With a soundbar from JBL, we have all the surround sound we could want. It’s a fantastic system gives you the cinematic surround sound you’ve always wanted.

You can customize the design of this soundbar to your liking. The main soundbar features a wireless subwoofer on its side and two additional speakers, which can detach. By doing so, you can customize your soundbar to suit your preferences.

Similarly, you can use different configurations for different applications if you wish. For instance, in the evening, you can detach your rear speakers from the soundbar to give you two rear speakers for movie night.

Powered by batteries, these detachable parts last for up to ten hours. It is an imposing setup when it comes to sound. This subwoofer is fantastic for bass and has a great rumble. In addition to the precise audio, the dialog is also evident.

The soundbar is very well balanced overall. DTS, Dolby Pro Logic II, and Dolby Digital enhance the sound. Bringing your movies to life has never been easier!

With JBL Bar 5.1, you can connect via HDMI and enjoy 4K viewing. Using Bluetooth, you can stream music or other audio from your smartphone or tablet.

 If you want an adjustable soundbar, this is an excellent choice. On top of that, it just sounds great.

It is undoubtedly worthwhile to invest in the JBL Bar 5.1.

Bottom line

The Bar 5.1 offers a fantastic home entertainment experience in a sleek and stylish design. It combines a 5.1 channel surround sound system with the latest technology to create a more immersive entertainment experience.

7. Sony Z9F 3.1ch Soundbar with Dolby Atmos

The Sony HT-Z9F is an excellent soundbar for both home and office use. This might be for you if you’re looking for a simple, great-quality bar that’s all-around good.

You won’t be disappointed with the HT-Z9F if you’re looking for that immersive high-end experience. Sony’s soundbar is blessed with three channels and a wireless subwoofer, so the sound is wonderfully balanced and can handle both bass and vocals. Since this soundbar only has 3.1 channels, it will not be able to match the audio quality of an entire home theater system.

This small bar can deliver surprisingly good surround sound, considering its size. Vertical Sound Engine, Dolby Atmos, and DTS:X enhance the virtual surround sound. I highly recommend this soundbar if you want superb virtual surround sound without breaking the bank or needing rear speakers.

As a result, the HT-Z9F is also fantastic for watching TV shows, listening to the news, and listening to podcasts. You can also use the vocal enhancement feature to improve dialog clarity. Music is also perfect on this soundbar!

Providing the perfect balance of a smooth midrange and first-class performance when it comes to music, Sony’s Xperia Z5 offers it all. It can also easily stream your music via Bluetooth and WiFi.

With this Sony bar, you will enjoy a truly fantastic cinema experience in the comfort of your own home. It can also be controlled using Alexa, so that option is available if you want to use voice commands. This soundbar performs exceptionally well for various applications and is highly versatile.

Anyone would appreciate the Sony HT-Z9F soundbar.

Bottom line

This Sony Z9F 3.1ch soundbar is a perfect home entertainment solution to bring the best audio quality and entertainment to your living room. It comes with Dolby Atmos for a surround sound experience like never before.

8. Polk Audio Signa S2 Ultra-Slim TV Sound Bar

Polk Audio Signa S2 delivers a better audio experience than its competitor brands in the market. It is a combo of a 2.1 channels soundbar and a high-quality subwoofer. Further, its full-range drivers provide you with high-quality sound with clarity.

It is a product of a reputable and respectable brand, Polk Audio. It comes with some premium features, making it the successor to the preceding model of the Signa S1 soundbar. The front side of a dark grille covers the soundbar, and five circular buttons are on the top for basic functioning.

Streaming music wirelessly through different apps, such as Spotify and Pandora. Plus, there is an availability of Bluetooth technology that lets you connect with other devices. It also performed different functions with five LED light display controls on the front side of the soundbar.

This soundbar holds a simple design for performing efficiently. It’s effortless to install; connect the subwoofer and soundbar to a power source and turn it on.

Bottom line

This ultra-slim soundbar has a built-in subwoofer and provides sound to your TV with incredible depth and clarity. It also allows you to enjoy movies, TV shows, or other audio sources on multiple channels. The volume control is easy to use, so you can easily adjust the volume as you wish.

9. Sony HT-S350 Soundbar

Among the best soundbars, this Sony model is another excellent choice. Sony makes high-end speakers as well. HT S350 is equipped with a wireless surround system with 2.1 channels. In addition, the stereo content makes the soundstage feel wider at home.

Moreover, this soundbar features S-Force Pro virtual surround technology to provide a cinematic sound experience. You can add this to your small theater if you have one.

Seven different sound modes let you adjust the sound based on your performing activity. Dialog enhancements allow the sound to sound more personalized.

Bottom line

The Sony HT-S350 soundbar combines a wireless subwoofer and a soundbar with a built-in TV speaker. You can use this to create an immersive entertainment experience by linking it to a compatible TV.

10. Sonos Arc

Among the underrated companies that make high-quality soundbars is Sonos.

Home movie watching is enhanced with these soundbars because they provide realistic sound.

Additionally, the Sonos app can tweak the soundbar, allowing every user to customize their sound experience.

The soundbar features 3D sound and Dolby Atmos, an immersive experience for movies, TV shows, and games.

The soundbar optimizes the sound based on the room’s characteristics using enhanced accurate play technology.

Furthermore, the 11 drivers deliver deep resonating bass that emphasizes the movie’s sound effects.

A sleek and compact design makes this soundbar easy to mount on the wall or below the television.

The soundbar is one of the best under 1000 since it includes Alexa, allowing you to control the volume, change channels, and play music using your voice.

Bluetooth allows you to use the soundbar as a device to play music from your mobile device.

Additionally, the company says its sound engineers tweaked the soundbar to enhance the human voice, making it ideal for watching television since dialogue is crisp and clear.

In a nutshell, Sonos is a platform that lets you find all the podcasts, music, television shows, and movies you enjoy in one place.

Bottom line

With the Sonos Arc, you can enjoy the sound from your home theater system in any room of your house and even the outdoors. With the Sonos Arc, you can easily connect any Sonos device to the HDMI ARC port and connect them to an amplifier. Using your mobile device, you can control all connected Sonos devices from one app.

Buying guide

1. Where will it live?

You will need to consider how much space you have around your TV and which type (soundbar) will work best for you, impacting where you place it.

Soundbars can be hung on the wall or placed under (and in front of) your TV when it comes to installation. Setting them up is also straightforward. The soundbar can be placed directly below the TV on the same table that your TV is on.

It is important to ensure enough space between the TV and the table – check the soundbar specs and measure the area before buying.) Mount your soundbar directly below your TV if it is wall-mounted. There are even soundbars that come with mounting kits for easy DIY installation. In contrast, sound bases are designed to be placed on top of a table or shelf beneath the TV (which is why they’re so heavy). 

Tips from our experts

• Whether can place a soundbar above a TV is often asked. What are our thoughts? Of course, you can if that’s all you have… However, it won’t sound as good as it should. Although, it will be better than the built-in speakers on your TV.
• You can raise your TV a few inches by putting a sound base under it (where it belongs). It may seem trivial, but knowing that now will help you measure how much space you have.
• The looks of some soundbars range from sharp to understated, and some are specially designed for specific TV models, so they pair with each other well. Check with your TV manufacturer to see if soundbars are available for your particular model. For instance, some Sony 4K TVs look gorgeous with their ultra-low-profile soundbars. 

2. What size soundbar should you get?

If you want an even look, your TV and soundbar should be the same width. However, it can technically pair a soundbar with nearly any TV size. Use your discretion when selecting the correct size. Especially if your TV is eight years old or older, ensure it has the proper connectivity to connect to your soundbar.

3. Does it matter whether a soundbar is active or passive?

Passive

 A passive soundbar does not have a built-in amplifier, so it needs an external receiver or amplifier to operate. Nevertheless, their speakers are better than ours – better speakers mean better sound. You will have to connect more components to a passive soundbar so that it will be more expensive. Additional bass is available by clicking a traditional subwoofer.

Active

With an active soundbar, the soundbar has built-in amplifiers to power everything and channel processors to separate the left, right and center speakers. It does not require an extra receiver (or buy one). 

You may want to consider an active soundbar if you are only looking to upgrade your TV’s audio. Soundbars with passive circuitry are best suited for custom installations. You can also have your soundbar disappear as part of the TV or install a full-blown Dolby Atmos system (for instance).

4. How many “channels” do I need for the soundbar?

You can think of channels as individual speakers or sound sources. Currently, most television shows and movies offer five different audio tracks (with surround sound being a bonus in some cases): the center, left, right, plus two in the rear (left rear and right rear). Unlike a typical home theater setup, a soundbar contains all channels and speakers in one unit. The logic goes as follows:

2-channel soundbar: right and left speakers.

3-channel soundbar: a center speaker, a right speaker, and a left speaker.

5-channel soundbar:    

   Five speakers are mentioned above: two front speakers, two back speakers, and two center speakers. Currently, five-channel home theater systems are the standard for home theaters.

7-channel soundbar: 

There are seven speakers. Seven channels essentially mean five channels plus one more: You get seven channels by splitting surround and rear channel information into four channels. It’s the best and newest standard.

Dolby Atmos soundbar: 

An audio bar with 5 or 7 channels uses the “Holy Cow” sound technology. You are differentiated by upward-firing speakers, which reflect sound above you for a heightened, three-dimensional sound stage. Therefore, when you see channel numbers like 5.1.2 or 7.1.2, the third represents speakers firing upwards (the first represents traditional channels, and the second indicates a subwoofer). The soundbar is best used in rooms with hard, reflective surfaces and flat ceilings up to 11 feet high.

Bottom line: 

So to the question “what are the best number of channels?” More is better… and the more immersive experience there are more channels.

5. What connections do I need?

Modern soundbars offer various options for connecting and different methods of connecting. Among the most important connections to look for are:

HDMI ARC

It’s so simple. An HDMI cable connects your soundbar to your TV’s audio return channel (ARC).

 Multi-channel soundbars work exceptionally well with HDMI cables.

Wireless Connectivity

Would you like to stream music straight to your soundbar from your phone or tablet? Check out these features: 

• Bluetooth: Play music wirelessly from your computer, smartphone, or tablet with today’s soundbars equipped with Bluetooth.
• WI-Fi: Wireless soundbars are connected to your home’s Wi-Fi network, so they can stream anything from anywhere (Spotify, TIDAL, Pandora, etc.).

Optical Port

You will get a solid, best-case scenario connection by connecting your soundbar to your TV using an optical patch cord. As well as being the most straightforward, most accessible and most reliable link available. However, it does not have the capacity needed to carry 5.1 signals.

USB Inputs

Firmware updates are usually the only reason for USB inputs. But software updates are generally the best method for updating soundbars today. If you don’t want to plug in a thumb drive with your songs, you don’t need this.

Tip from our experts

• The Sonos Arc or Beam can double as a stereo (a wireless soundbar). You can stream it directly from your computer, phone, or tablet to go from the TV room to Party City.

6. How will I control the soundbar?

Is it necessary to use yet another remote control with a new device? It depends. In other words, your new soundbar comes with remote control, but you can usually program your existing TV remote to control it. We can show you how to simplify your life with just one remote that contains everything. (We all hate cocktail tables full of remotes.)

Additionally, some soundbars come with a free mobile app so you can control the device with your phone or tablet.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best soundbar for the best price?

Five Best Budget Soundbars under $1000 for Spring 2022

1. Sony HT-S100F is the best cheap soundbar. …
2. Samsung HW-A450 is the best budget soundbar under $200. It is the HW-A450. …
3. As an alternative to ARC, consider the Vizio V21-H8. …
4. Vizio V51-H6 is the best budget soundbar. …
5. TCL Alto 8i is the best budget soundbar for Dolby Atmos.

Are cheap soundbars worth it?

You will benefit from more clarity if you opt for something with a sub because there will be less auditory masking. Even though cheap soundbars are great, it’s essential to keep an eye on future audio trends and recognize that 3D audio is the way of the future, especially for home entertainment.

What are the Best Soundbars over $1000?

Samsung HW-Q80R and JBL Bar 9.1 are the two best soundbars over $1000. Suitable for large and outdoor areas, both have Dolby technology.

What is the best soundbar for the money?

The JBL Bar 9.1 is the best soundbar for the money. It has integrated Dolby Atmos and DTS:X decoding to deliver perfect audio and visual synchronization. 

It also supports Ultra HD 4K passthrough.

What should I look for when buying a soundbar?

Consider audio quality and features such as Dolby Atmos, surround sound components, channels, and connectivity when purchasing a soundbar.