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We’ve rounded up the best soundbars under $300 that don’t skimp on features. From Dolby Digital sound to wireless connectivity, this list can help you learn more about soundbars and make the best choice to suit your preferences and needs. Soundbars are known to be expensive upgrades, but thanks to budget-friendly models, you now have the chance to get that home theater experience without spending a fortune.
The Polk Signa S2 soundbar is one of the best soundbars under $300 0n the market today. It delivers superb sound with the latest audio technology without the hefty price tag. It’s one of the few soundbars in its price range that has 5 drivers, a subwoofer, Bluetooth, and Dolby Digital sound; this device packs a lot of value in for your money. You can expect to hear every dialogue and sound effect when watching TV with the bar’s Polk Adjust Technology, which lets you choose from three different voice settings. There are also three EQ profiles to set the sound to your preference. The soundbar is fairly easy to set up as it comes with HDMI and optical cables. You can opt to use the subwoofer wirelessly or with a cable connection. When everything’s connected, simply turn on the bar, and your TV and you should be good to go.
Superb soundGreat value for moneyEasy setup
Limited EQ settings
The Vizio V Series 5.1 soundbar is a great upgrade if you’re coming from your television’s speakers. Getting an ultraslim and stylish soundbar, two satellite speakers, and a wireless subwoofer sounds too good to be true for the price, making the Vizio one of the best soundbars there is for under $300. The bar and speakers do an excellent job of giving clear, powerful sound while the subwoofer provides extra bass to add excitement to your screen-viewing experience. The sound quality might not be comparable to higher-end brands, but the Vizio is still a major improvement from your plain TV speakers. If you’re looking to use a smart speaker with your soundbar, the Vizio has a 3.5 audio jack that can connect to the Amazon Echo Dot or the Google Nest Hub Mini.
Great voice clarityDecent bassSupports Amazon Echo Dot and Google Nest Hub Mini
Average speaker performanceAudio delays when unpausing videos
Looking for a simple, stealthy soundbar to give you extra volume? Look no further than the Bose Solo 5. With its small and compact design measuring in at 21 inches, you can set it up and almost forget it’s there. For a renowned brand like Bose, the Solo 5 is a great deal, and it delivers what Bose is known for, premium, quality audio. It may not come with a subwoofer, but Bose makes up for this by building subwoofers into the bar itself. This means you get a richer bass, which you can adjust using the universal remote. The Bose Solo 5 is meant for watching movies and shows, as you’ll get clear dialogue and louder sound, up to 87 dB. The bar connects to the TV using the optical cable that comes with it, but there is also an option to connect via coaxial or analog. The bar automatically detects which cord you’re using, which makes for a quick setup.
Small, sleek designCrystal clear dialogueBuilt-in subwooferCustomizable bass levels
No physical power buttons
Need the best possible audio for under $300? The Samsung 5.0ch S61A has all the premium features of a high-end soundbar without costing an arm and a leg. This compact soundbar has a dedicated center speaker for giving out clear vocal sound, and side horn speakers to add depth to any sound. To start, this soundbar has an Adaptive Sound mode that adjusts to what you are watching (TV, movies, or sports). It also provides Acoustic Beam, which means you hear sound from where it is happening on your screen, such as action sequences in movies and games. Integrating other devices is possible with this soundbar as it happens to be compatible with Apple AirPlay 2 and comes with Alexa smart speaker.
Good deal for a 5-channel barGreat sound dynamicsAirPlay 2 and Alexa support
No LED display
For people with high standards in audio quality, the Dolby Atmos feature of the TCL 9+ makes it a shoo-in for the best soundbar under $300 in the market. In addition to Dolby Atmos, the RAY DANZ technology allows the bar to create a more immersive soundstage. The TCL 9+ has a center channel to ensure you can hear every line in a movie. The wireless subwoofer is a welcome addition that can be placed anywhere without struggling to hide wires, and it adds that booming bass that most people enjoy. The bar’s built-in Bluetooth allows streaming from mobile phones and laptops (via Chromecast) and Apple AirPlay 2 for iOS devices. It’s also Roku TV-ready, so Roku users can expect a breezy setup. This bar connects to a TV using either an HDMI or optical cable, both of which come with the package.
Dolby Atmos soundRay Danz technology creates immersive soundCompatible with Chromecast, Apple AirPlay 2 and Roku TV
Limited sound controls
JBL has been a solid audio brand for years, and the JBL Cinema SB160 soundbar can’t be left out of the list of best soundbars under $300. It offers 220 W power output for strong sound, a wireless subwoofer to add decent bass, and an embedded Dolby Digital technology that completes this soundbar’s sound profile. The JBL Cinema SB160 is easy to set up with a single HDMI ARC connection, and Bluetooth allows for playback from mobile devices. The subwoofer can be connected wirelessly, so it’s great if a clean, cable-less aesthetic is important to you. Users of this soundbar praise it for its deep bass and sustained clarity even with high volume levels. Although it won’t bring you surround sound, it does a great job of creating detailed, crisp sound and surprisingly deep bass.
Dolby Digital audioDeep, rich bassTwo HDMI portsWireless subwoofer
Limited sound settingsSound is average when playing music
The best soundbars under $300 wouldn’t be complete without this soundbar as it comes from a leading manufacturer. For the price point, the Sony HT-350 ticks most boxes that you should consider when shopping for a soundbar. The Sony HT-S350 is a 2.1 channel bar with S-Force technology, which enables theater-like, surround sound. It comes with a hefty wireless subwoofer to add rich, deep bass which further replicates being inside a movie house. This bar is made to be loud with its 320 W power output. If you’re not a fan of booming audio, it’s okay. The Sony HT-S350 has a variety of sound modes you can choose from, Auto Sound, Cinema, Music, Game, News, Sports, and Standard Audio Mode. There’s also a Vocal Enhancement mode to make sure you enjoy crystal clear dialogues in movies and TV shows. As with most soundbars, this one can be connected either by optical or HDMI cables, but only the optical cable comes with the box. The subwoofer automatically connects to the bar via Bluetooth once you fire it up. While this model has Bluetooth 5, it doesn’t have advanced codec support, which means there might be speed issues when streaming from a phone or computer.
Variety of EQ settingsEasy to set upPremium build, elegant designVirtual surround sound
Surround sound can not be turned offBasic Bluetooth SBC codec
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