Whether you have a compact or huge TV, the sound quality should always be topnotch—and that’s where soundbars come in. For a budget of $150 or below, there are a lot of options out there, but you might end up with a soundbar with an awful audio that will end up broken in less than a year.
We’re taking that worry out of your hands as we have tested today’s most durable, feature-filled, and best soundbars under $150:
Reviews of the Top 4 Soundbars Under $150
1. VIZIO SB2821-D6 28-inch 2.1 Channel Sound Bar
First on our list of soundbars under $150 is this 2.1 channel soundbar from Vizio. Even with the cheap price tag, the Vizio SBS2821-D6 features a powerful sound level of 95 dB.
Measuring 28 inches in length, it’s the perfect sound bar size for TVs forty-two inches and over. Its slim design also gives you the choice to either put it under your TV or mount it on the wall.
After rigorous testing by our audio experts, the VIZIO sound bar proves itself as a worthy choice. It has a 5.25-inch wireless subwoofer for bass, less than 1% harmonic distortion, and a great overall performance. The sound quality is great, with the high and low tones balancing each other well.
When we used this soundbar during our trials, it does produce crystal clear sound quality that exceeded our expectations for this price. Dolby Digital and DTS TruSurround are good additions to this product too, particularly because they contribute to the surround sound effect that movie theaters have.
The audio experience that this soundbar provides is mostly thanks to the DTS technology within. In fact, this is present in many models from the brand, including the sleek Vizio SB3820-C6.
If you’re fond of watching movies, the Vizio home theater sound system would deliver a surround sound effect. But given the price, it’s not close to the sound of Dolby Atmos.
The built-in Bluetooth works nicely for music streaming. Not all soundbars under $150 have Bluetooth, and some might only feature Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), which is only for connecting the soundbar to the TV.
But like most soundbars today, this Vizio sound bar also comes with a remote control for easy setting. In case you lose the remote, you can also input your audio preferences via the control panel on the soundbar.
All factors considered, this soundbar deserves the top spot on our list.
Pros
- Features Dolby Digital, DTS TruSurround, and DTS TruVolume
- The sleek speaker design fits well with your TV
- Wall mountable
- Offers powerful 95 dB of clear audio quality
- The wireless subwoofer pumps a rich bass with less than 1% harmonic distortion
- Bluetooth connectivity provides easy music streaming services
- Comes with a remote control
- Wired inputs include 3.5mm jack, RCA, coaxial, and optical
Cons
- Would be much better with an LCD display, but the LED does the job too
- Does not detect audio source automatically
2 – HW-N400 TV Mate Soundbar
If you’ve been looking in an audio store, a Samsung soundbar might have been recommended to you. This time, we’ve picked one of their soundbars that fit the under-$150 category.
The Samsung HW-N400 is a sleek and compact soundbar. Despite the size, it provides great sound for watching movies, listening to music, and the like. The setup is easy as well because the wireless connection allows you to pair it with your TV without wires running on the floor.
You can also download your music into a USB and insert it straight into the sound bar. With the expansive sound system, you get the full range of audio and the high quality sound that fills the room.
This soundbar also features Bluetooth connectivity for streaming music, although some customers say the built in Bluetooth malfunctions when they use it. However, we find that the Bluetooth still does the job.
You can also control this Samsung sound bar with the included remote control or the compatible app that’s available for both Apple and Android products. With the app, you can configure the speakers’ settings and run the soundbar even when you’re on the far end of the room.
A downside in this otherwise affordable soundbar is that it doesn’t have a dedicated subwoofer. But even without a subwoofer like the others, this soundbar is still one of the best on our list.
Pros
- Features a wireless connection that makes setup easier
- Compact soundbar
- Produces crystal clear sound
- Full range speaker sound that fills the room
- Features wireless streaming with Bluetooth connectivity
- 3.5 mm audio jack
Cons
- No dedicated subwoofer, but that might be a plus point for those who don’t want an additional setup
- Taller than most soundbars
3. WOHOME Sound bar 2.1 Channel TV Soundbar
A 2.1 channel soundbar with surround sound technology, this WOHOME product rivals higher-end models with its crystal clear sound. It comes with a wired subwoofer for rich and deep bass. And with a powerful output of 95 dB, you’ll experience no distortion even when the volume is up.
With the full-range speakers and the 5.25-inch subwoofer combined, this soundbar produces some of the best audio, sound effects, and music that we’ve listened to.
Plus, it’s good that you have the option between wired and wireless inputs via Bluetooth connectivity, coaxial, AUX, RCA, USB, and optical cables. It’s a no-hassle setup because it’s easy to connect the soundbar to a gaming console or a movie player.
Overall, this is one of the best soundbars under $150 that we’ve tested.
The included remote in this 2.1 channel soundbar makes it easy to adjust the volume, bass, and input. If you don’t want to constantly stand up to change settings in the soundbar system, the remote will come in handy.
Additionally, this Wohome soundbar is compatible with a variety of brands including LG, Samsung, Sony, Vizio, Toshiba, and a lot more. That’s also one of the good things about this affordable speaker system.
And if you’re worried about the soundbar breaking down, it has a 100% satisfaction guarantee and lifetime tech support to help you with returns and repairs in case you need it. For a $150 soundbar, that’s a pretty good deal.
Pros
- Features a 5.25-inch wired subwoofer that provides powerful surround sound technology
- The full range speakers are powered at 60W with an output of 95 dB for good performance
- Measuring at 34 inches, this soundbar is compatible with TVs at least forty inches
- Can be mounted on the wall or placed on your TV cabinet
- Features a good range of wired connectivity options such as USB, optical cable, RCA and AUX
- Features Bluetooth connectivity for wireless streaming
Cons
- Bulkier than standard soundbars
- Looks cheaper compared to others in a similar price range
4. TCL Alto 5+ 2.1 Channel with Wireless Subwoofer
As a brand that produces quality TVs, TCL is also a trusted producer of some of the best soundbars.
Housed in a compact and streamlined sound bar design, the TCL home theater soundbar delivers high quality sound from its full range speakers and wireless subwoofer. With the sub, you’ll find a deep bass experience without static and distortions at any volume level.
It’s great that this affordable entertainment system provides three different sound modes to optimize the sound according to the content. Every sound mode of the speaker is set to provide the best settings for what’s on-screen. Plus, the 8 audio components of this sound bar produce quality sound with 100% accuracy.
The tweeters in the soundbar increase the clarity of sound effects and dialogue while producing distinction in musical tones and notes. That’s also one of the great things our experts like about this system.
As for the setup, the TCL soundbar is wall mountable or place it on your unit. No matter the choice, you’ll still experience room-filling quality sound. The wireless subwoofer, on the other hand, gives you more freedom with the placement. We do recommend placing it along the front wall for optimum audio quality.
Like the other soundbars on this list, there’s a built-in Bluetooth connectivity that lets you stream music. Bluetooth is a common feature even in the best soundbars under $150, so that’s one thing to consider as well.
All in all, these high performance speakers from TCL deliver great sound in a compact and minimalist design.
Pros
- Clear and crisp sound
- Minimalistic design
- Features eight audio components that reproduce sound in a full spectrum for 100% accuracy
- No distortion even when the speakers are turned up
- Comes with three sound modes
- The tweeters give more clarity and distinction in every tone
- Comes with a wireless subwoofer
- It’s wall mountable and portable
- Bluetooth connectivity lets you stream your music
Cons
- Remote might be too small for some
- Does not have HDMI ARC input
Soundbar Under $150 Buying Guide
If you want to find the best soundbar under $150, it’s good practice to consider some factors to get the best value for your money.
But for this price, you need to acknowledge that you might not be getting many advanced features. Then again, not all of us need voice control in sound bars. If you do need voice control, higher-end models can provide you that, but they cost more money. If you have a lower budget than $150, you can check out our review of the top soundbars under $100.
Going back, here are a few key features you should look for in a sound bar:
Subwoofer
Bass improves the overall performance and audio experience. If you like the thumping sound that comes with the lows in music and movies, then a subwoofer is something you might want.
Subwoofers also produce more expansive and dimensional sound. When you have an excellent subwoofer, you’ll be able to experience the perks of surround sound technology.
A subwoofer may be built-in to the soundbar itself. In more expensive models, a dedicated subwoofer may be included. It could also be wired or wireless, but wireless subwoofers are becoming a popular choice due to more freedom in placement.
Connectivity Options
You usually have wired and wireless options to connect your soundbar to your TV or device.
Wi-Fi might be absent even in the best soundbars under $150, but you’ll find that Bluetooth is just as useful. You can use Bluetooth to connect your soundbar to your mobile devices and turn it into a mini speaker.
Aside from Bluetooth, other ways to connect the sound bar to your TV or other components include: 3.5mm jack, AUX, RCA, coaxial, optical inputs, USB and HDMI cables.
Most soundbars only have one digital audio input, so consider if only one is enough in a wired system. If you want the easiest way, look for a soundbar with HDMI ARC because it’s the easiest to connect to the TV.
Sound Channels
You can tell how many channels your soundbar has by looking at the number in the title. For example, a 2.0. The first number is the number of channels available on your device, and the second digit is if there is any subwoofer embedded inside.
So, a 2.0 channel means there are two speakers and no subwoofer. Unless you’re looking for stereo speakers, 2.0 channels might not be a good idea if you’re an audiophile. Generally, the higher the number of channels, the better the sound.
If you go for 3 channels, you’ll get sound from more directions as the drivers are usually positioned left, right and center. Soundbars with a higher number of channels may or may not have Dolby Atmos, as this technology is usually present in higher-priced units with a better quality subwoofer.
Do you need 5.1 or 7.1 channels? Find out next.
Remote Control
The remote provides convenience in a home entertainment system. With the remote, you don’t have to get up from the couch and press buttons on the soundbar itself.
However, if you lose the remote control or if your new soundbar doesn’t come with one, you can also use a compatible app.
A lot of apps offer the same options as the remote. You can control and adjust the volume level, bass, treble, and sound modes. If all else fails, there might be a control panel built right into your soundbar.
Warranty/Guarantee
It’s important for customers to be able to exchange, return, or fix a product if anything goes wrong. The option to do these things go out the window without a warranty or guarantee. That’s why it’s important that your soundbar comes with one or both.
With a warranty, your money won’t go down the drain due to a faulty product. You may be able to exchange or get your soundbar repaired if the damage is covered by the warranty.
In relation to this, make sure the company’s customer service is accessible 24/7 or at least five days a week just in case you have concerns. It’s also a good idea to read and check reviews to make sure they are responsive.
Mount (optional)
Depending on the placement of your TV set in your home, you might choose to mount your sound bar on the wall. Some wall mountable designs come with holes built in, while some come with the wall mount itself.
If it’s a lightweight design and you want to save space in your home, mounting on the wall is a good option. It could also hide wires and keep them above ground and out of the way.
If you plan to move the soundbar around your home or if you purchased a wireless option, simply placing it under the TV set will do the trick.
Appearance
If aesthetics are important, you won’t have to worry much because most designs are compact, sleek and minimal. While most sound bars are black, some have different color options for a nice touch to your space.
But aside from the looks, make sure you select the right soundbar size for your TV. Soundbars generally sit at 5-10 inches smaller than your TV length, so take note of your TV measurements too.
Conclusion
Soundbars are a great addition to your home and a serious upgrade to your TV speakers. If you’re a simple individual who wants a basic unit, a soundbar under $150 is already a good choice.
Reading through a list or review like this can save you loads of time because it contains product suggestions within a low budget. You may never know the quality of the product until you try it, and reviews, whether from experts or customers, give you valuable feedback before your purchase.
Our Top Pick for the Best Soundbar Under $150: SB2821-D6 Sound Bar
The Vizio SB2821-D6 is our top pick for the best soundbar under $150. At this price point, this soundbar is surprisingly well-equipped with features.
With Dolby Digital, DTS Trusurround, and DTS Truvolume technology, it’s an excellent soundbar that gives great sound quality. It performs well and the sounds are enhanced with the 95 decibel output.
The subwoofer also packs a punch and pumps out good sound and impressive bass. This makes your audio experience better than what you get from normal speakers. And if you love music streaming, this soundbar allows you to stream from your mobile devices via Bluetooth.
Compared to others on the list, our experts agree that the Vizio SB2821 an excellent soundbar in every aspect.
The post What is the Best Soundbar Under $150 in 2020? appeared first on The Product Analyst.
from The Product Analyst https://theproductanalyst.com/soundbar/best-under-150/
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