10 Best Affordable Sound Bars 2025 in the United States

The Bose TV Speaker is an affordable soundbar designed to enhance your TV's audio in a simple and effective way. Its compact size (just over 2 inches tall) allows for easy placement in front of your TV or wall mounting, making it a versatile option for various setups. This soundbar features 2 angled full-range drivers that provide a wide and natural sound, which helps create a more immersive and realistic audio experience for your TV shows and movies.

Additionally, it is particularly good at elevating and clarifying dialogue, which is beneficial for those who have trouble hearing speech clearly on their TV speakers. The soundbar comes with Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to wirelessly stream music and podcasts from your devices. The setup is user-friendly, requiring just one connection through either an optical audio cable (included) or an HDMI cable (sold separately). The included remote control offers convenient access to a dialogue mode for enhanced speech clarity and a bass boost mode for added depth in the audio.

Despite its strengths, the Bose TV Speaker does have some limitations. It does not come with a built-in subwoofer, although it is compatible with the Bose Bass Module 500 or 700, which are sold separately. This means that while the soundbar itself provides improved audio over standard TV speakers, it may lack the deep bass that some users might desire without additional investment. The connectivity options include Bluetooth, HDMI ARC, Optical in, and AUX in, but it lacks more advanced features like Wi-Fi connectivity or smart assistant integration. The Bose TV Speaker is a solid choice for those looking for an affordable and straightforward soundbar that enhances TV audio with clear dialogue and natural sound, though it may require additional components for users seeking enhanced bass performance.

The VIZIO 5.1 Soundbar SE is designed to enhance your home audio experience, especially if you're watching movies or playing games. With Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support, it aims to immerse you in surround sound, making it an appealing choice for anyone looking to upgrade their TV's audio without breaking the bank. The soundbar features three full-range speakers and a wireless subwoofer, providing a robust 180 watts of power, which is impressive for its size and ideal for medium to large rooms.

One of the standout features is its QuickFit mounting option, which allows it to attach seamlessly to compatible VIZIO TVs without tools, enhancing both practicality and aesthetics. The Bluetooth connectivity also makes it easy to stream music from your smartphone, giving it versatile use beyond just TV audio.

There are some drawbacks to consider. Notably, the soundbar remote control is not included, meaning you'll need to use your TV remote or the VIZIO mobile app to control the volume. This might be inconvenient for some users who prefer a dedicated remote. Additionally, while the sound quality is commendable, it may not fully satisfy audiophiles looking for high-end sound performance. The absence of an optical output may pose compatibility issues with some older TVs, but VIZIO provides support for alternative connections.

The Yenjuty Sound Bar offers a flexible and powerful 100W audio experience, making it a solid choice for those seeking an affordable soundbar for small to medium-sized rooms. Its standout feature is the 2-in-1 detachable design, allowing you to use it as a single compact bar or split into two speakers for more immersive surround sound. With a 2.1 channel configuration, including full-range speakers, tweeters, and bass diaphragms, it delivers clear audio with decent bass, enhancing movies, music, and gaming.

Connectivity is versatile with Bluetooth 5.3 for wireless streaming, plus ARC, optical, AUX, and USB inputs, so it works well with various devices like TVs, PCs, and projectors. Controlling volume through your TV remote is possible when connected via ARC, which is convenient, although other connections require the soundbar’s remote. The soundbar includes three sound modes (Music, Movie, Game), allowing you to customize audio to suit different content for a better listening experience.

Its compact size and modern design fit well in tight spaces and can be wall-mounted or placed on a tabletop. It lacks a dedicated external subwoofer, so bass might not be as deep as higher-end systems. This unit is ideal if you want a budget-friendly soundbar with flexible placement and good sound clarity for everyday use. It’s especially good for casual movie watching, gaming, or music in smaller living areas. If you need very powerful bass or a more complex multi-channel setup, pricier models might be more suitable. The included 24-month warranty and support add peace of mind for first-time buyers.