Finding the right audio upgrade for your television doesn’t have to mean a complex and expensive home theater system. A quality soundbar is the perfect solution, offering a significant improvement over built-in TV speakers with minimal setup and clutter. For those with a budget in mind, the sub-$500 category is packed with impressive options that deliver clear dialogue, powerful bass, and immersive sound for movies, music, and games.
From compact smart bars to full systems with wireless subwoofers, the choices can be overwhelming. To help you decide, we’ve compiled a selection of nine highly-rated soundbars that offer excellent performance and value. This list includes models from trusted audio brands and feature-packed newcomers, ensuring you can find the ideal match for your room size and listening preferences.
Our Top Picks for Soundbars Under $500
- Wohome Sound Bar, 38 Inch 100W Soundbar for TV
- Sonos Beam (Gen 1) – Black
- VIZIO Sound Bar for TV with Wireless Subwoofer
- Bose Solo 5 TV Soundbar Sound System
- YAMAHA YAS-207BL Sound Bar with Wireless Subwoofer
- SAMSUNG HW-Q60C 3.1ch Soundbar w/Dolby Audio
- Roku Streambar SE | 2-in-1 TV Soundbar
- OXS S3 Sound Bars for TV, Home Theater Audio
- VIZIO M-Series 5.1 Premium Sound Bar
Wohome Sound Bar, 38 Inch 100W Soundbar for TV
This 38-inch soundbar from Wohome is designed to make a big impact in larger rooms. Its extended size allows for a more substantial internal soundstage and longer bass reflex tubes, which work together to produce a fuller, richer audio experience with deeper bass. It’s an ideal fit for TVs 40 inches and above, providing both powerful sound and a sleek aesthetic.
With a total of six drivers—including four full-range speakers and two dedicated treble speakers—this unit can deliver crystal clear surround sound at volumes up to 110dB. You can customize your listening with four built-in sound equalizer modes: TV dialogue, music, movie, and a 3D surround sound mode. Connectivity is versatile, featuring HDMI-ARC, Bluetooth 5.0, optical, AUX, and USB inputs.
Sonos Beam (Gen 1)
The Sonos Beam is a compact, smart soundbar that excels in multi-functional use for your TV, music, and more. Its design is tailored to fit seamlessly into your entertainment setup without dominating the space. You can control it through various methods including your voice, TV remote, or the comprehensive Sonos app for a streamlined experience.
Sound quality is a key focus, with tuning by Oscar-winning sound engineers to prioritize clear and crisp dialogue, making it easier to follow every word in movies and shows. A dedicated tweeter ensures vocal clarity. As part of the Sonos ecosystem, it allows for easy expansion into a multi-room audio system or pairing with other Sonos speakers for surround sound.
VIZIO Sound Bar for TV with Wireless Subwoofer
This VIZIO 2.1 channel system offers an excellent entry point into enhanced TV audio with the added benefit of a wireless subwoofer. It delivers room-filling, crystal-clear sound with minimal distortion, providing an immediate upgrade from standard television speakers. The wireless subwoofer can be placed anywhere in the room to add rich, powerful bass without the hassle of running cables.
Built-in Bluetooth connectivity allows you to easily stream music, podcasts, and other audio directly from your smartphone or tablet. The 38-inch soundbar is designed to pair well with most TV sizes, and the simple setup gets you improved sound in minutes. It’s a practical and effective solution for achieving a more immersive home theater feel.
Bose Solo 5 TV Soundbar Sound System
The Bose Solo 5 is a streamlined single-unit soundbar focused on improving television audio with simplicity and the trusted Bose sound profile. It is particularly effective at clarifying dialogue, reducing the need to constantly adjust the volume during quiet and loud scenes. The included universal remote can control both the soundbar and your TV, reducing clutter.
Its compact design fits neatly in front of your TV or can be mounted on a wall. With multiple connection options including optical audio input (recommended for best quality), coaxial audio input, and an auxiliary input, it’s compatible with a wide range of televisions and other devices. This system is about clear, balanced sound without the complexity of additional speakers.
YAMAHA YAS-207BL Sound Bar with Wireless Subwoofer
Yamaha brings its audio expertise to this feature-packed soundbar and wireless subwoofer combo. It boasts DTS Virtual:X technology, which creates a convincing three-dimensional soundscape from a single bar, making you feel in the middle of the action. The slim, low-profile design complements modern TVs without blocking the screen.
The wireless subwoofer provides the flexibility to place the bass unit where it sounds best in your room, delivering powerful low-end response. Bluetooth connectivity is included for wireless music streaming. This model is a strong choice for those seeking virtual surround sound effects and deep bass from a reputable brand in the audio industry.
SAMSUNG HW-Q60C 3.1ch Soundbar
The Samsung HW-Q60C is a 3.1 channel soundbar that supports Dolby Audio for a more immersive listening experience. A key feature for Samsung TV owners is Q-Symphony, which allows the soundbar and the TV’s own speakers to work together simultaneously for a more expansive and detailed audio output.
It also includes Adaptive Sound Lite, which analyzes the content you’re watching and optimizes the audio in real time for clearer voice clarity and more dynamic sound during action scenes. With HDMI eARC for high-quality audio transmission, a dedicated Game Mode, and Bluetooth, it’s a versatile centerpiece for a modern entertainment setup.
Roku Streambar SE
This unique device from Roku combines a capable soundbar with a full 4K HDR streaming player in one compact unit. It’s an ideal all-in-one upgrade for smaller TVs in bedrooms or cozy living spaces, addressing both audio quality and smart functionality. The built-in Roku interface provides access to thousands of streaming channels with an easy-to-use platform.
The soundbar is designed to enhance speech clarity, making dialogue crisp and easy to understand. Setup is remarkably simple, guided by on-screen instructions. For those looking to minimize devices and cables while improving both sound and streaming capabilities, the Streambar SE offers exceptional convenience and value.
OXS S3 Sound Bars for TV
The OXS S3 soundbar focuses on delivering clear dialogue and a cinematic experience at an accessible price point. Its enhanced dialogue technology makes voices stand out, ensuring you catch every word. With very low distortion, it aims for accurate sound reproduction across music, movies, and TV shows.
It uses DSP technology to create a virtual 3D surround sound effect, adding depth and immersion to your content. The soundbar offers three distinct equalizer modes—Movie, Music, and News/Game—which can be easily switched via the remote control. With Bluetooth 5.0 and multiple wired connections, it’s a flexible option for various setups.
VIZIO M-Series 5.1 Premium Sound Bar
For a truly immersive home theater experience, the VIZIO M-Series 5.1 system provides a complete audio solution with a soundbar, wireless subwoofer, and two satellite speakers. This configuration creates authentic multi-channel surround sound, placing you in the center of the audio action with distinct left, right, center, and rear effects.
The wireless subwoofer delivers deep, room-shaking bass, while the rear satellite speakers connect wirelessly to the subwoofer for a clean setup without long cables running across your room. It supports advanced audio formats like Dolby Digital and DTS, making it a powerful choice for movie enthusiasts and gamers who want a competitive audio edge.
What to Look For in the 9 Best Soundbars Under $500 for TV
When I started looking for a soundbar to replace my TV’s weak speakers, I was overwhelmed by the specs. After testing many, I learned what really matters in this price range. You don’t have to be an audio expert to make a great choice. Here’s what I focus on.
First, think about channels. A 2.1 system has left and right channels plus a separate subwoofer for bass. A 3.1 system adds a dedicated center channel, which is a game-changer for clear dialogue. If you want surround sound without running wires to the back of your room, look for a bar with Dolby Atmos or DTS:X. These use upward-firing speakers or clever processing to create a height effect. For the best soundbars under $500 for TV, a 3.1.2 system (three front channels, a sub, and two height channels) is a fantastic find.
Connectivity is key. An HDMI eARC port is the gold standard. It sends the highest quality audio from your TV to the bar with a single cable and lets your TV remote control the volume. Optical inputs are common but can’t handle the newest audio formats. Bluetooth is handy for streaming music from your phone, and some bars even have Wi-Fi for multi-room audio with systems like Chromecast or AirPlay 2.
Size and placement matter more than you think. Measure the width of your TV stand. A soundbar should be roughly the same width as your TV or slightly shorter. If you have a pedestal-style TV stand, make sure the bar won’t block the bottom of the screen. Also, consider if you have space for a wireless subwoofer. They’re usually compact, but you’ll need a spot on the floor near an outlet.
Finally, don’t ignore the smart features. Some bars have built-in voice assistants, which can be convenient. More importantly, look for a bar with different sound modes, like “Night Mode” to compress loud explosions and quiet dialogue, or a “Voice Enhancement” setting. These small features make a huge difference in daily use. By balancing these factors—sound format, connections, size, and features—you’ll find a bar that seriously improves your TV time without breaking the bank.
FAQ
Do I really need a separate subwoofer with my soundbar?
While many soundbars have decent bass built-in, a separate wireless subwoofer makes a massive difference. It handles the low-frequency effects (like explosions and musical scores) that a small bar physically can’t produce. This takes the strain off the main bar, making dialogue clearer, and fills your room with a fuller, more theater-like sound. In the under $500 category, you can often find systems with great subwoofers.
What’s the difference between Dolby Atmos and regular surround sound?
Traditional surround sound, like 5.1, places audio around you on a flat plane. Dolby Atmos adds a third dimension: height. It treats sounds as individual objects that can be placed anywhere in a 3D space, including above you. This creates a more immersive, lifelike bubble of sound. Some soundbars under $500 use upward-firing speakers to bounce sound off your ceiling to simulate this effect, while others use advanced processing.
Can I use a soundbar for music, or is it just for TV?
Absolutely, you can use it for music. Most soundbars have Bluetooth for streaming directly from your phone or tablet. Higher-end models in this price range might include Wi-Fi, giving you access to higher-quality streaming services and multi-room audio features. While a dedicated stereo system might be better for pure music listening, a good soundbar is a great all-in-one solution for both movies and music.
How do I connect my soundbar to my TV?
The best and simplest way is using an HDMI cable connected to the HDMI eARC or ARC port on both your TV and soundbar. This one cable carries the highest quality audio and allows for easy control. If your TV doesn’t have an ARC port, you can use an optical audio cable, which is still very good. Always check your TV’s outputs before you buy.
Will a soundbar work with my existing streaming stick or game console?
Yes, it should work seamlessly. You typically connect your devices (like a Roku, Fire TV, or PlayStation) directly to your TV’s HDMI ports. Then, your TV sends all the audio it receives out to the soundbar via the HDMI eARC/ARC or optical connection. The soundbar decodes whatever audio format it gets, so you get the improved sound from all your sources.