10 Best Cheap Sound Bars 2026 in the United States

The Samsung HW-B550F is a solid choice if you're looking for an affordable soundbar that significantly improves your TV’s audio. It offers a 2.1 channel setup, meaning it has two main speakers plus a wireless subwoofer, which delivers deep bass and fills a room well. At 300 watts of power, it’s loud enough for most living rooms without distortion. Connectivity options include Bluetooth and HDMI, so you can easily connect it to TVs, smartphones, or tablets. One of its standout features is the DTS Virtual:X technology, which creates immersive surround sound without needing extra rear speakers, making it great for smaller spaces or simple setups.

The soundbar also has handy modes like Voice Enhance, which makes dialogue clearer, and Adaptive Sound, which adjusts settings depending on what you’re watching. On the design side, it’s a sleek, lightweight black unit that can be wall-mounted or placed on a shelf. However, it's not waterproof, so it’s best kept indoors. Some users might miss having built-in Wi-Fi or more advanced sound customization, but for its price point, it offers balanced and rich audio quality.

If you want an easy-to-use, well-rounded soundbar with a good subwoofer that works well for watching movies, gaming, or music, the HW-B550F is a practical and budget-friendly option.

The Samsung Q990D is a premium soundbar that offers an immersive 11.1.4 channel Dolby Atmos experience, making it a strong choice for those who want a full home theater feel with sound coming from all around the room. It includes wireless rear speakers and a subwoofer, allowing you to enjoy deep bass and clear surround sound without messy cables. Its smart features, like built-in Alexa, Chromecast, and AirPlay 2, make it easy to connect your devices and control the soundbar with voice commands or your phone.

The Q990D also adapts sound based on your room setup and content type, so voices are clearer and audio is optimized automatically. Plus, if you enjoy gaming, it has a special Game Mode Pro to enhance 3D sound effects. The design is sleek and can be wall-mounted, fitting well in modern living rooms.

This soundbar is on the heavier side (about 50 pounds) and may be more expensive than typical "cheap" soundbars, making it a better fit for users seeking high-quality sound and smart features rather than just a budget option. It is designed for indoor use only and is not water resistant. If you want a powerful, easy-to-use soundbar with advanced audio technology, the Samsung Q990D delivers, but it might be more than what casual listeners need or expect from a low-cost model.

The Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 is a high-end soundbar that delivers a rich surround sound experience with its 13 speakers and 585 watts of power, making it ideal for those wanting a theater-like audio setup. It features Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support for immersive 3D sound, plus 360 Spatial Sound Mapping and room optimization, which helps tailor the audio to your living space. Connectivity options are strong, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI 2.1, and support for Spotify Connect and Apple AirPlay, making it easy to stream music from various devices.

The soundbar measures about 51 inches wide and can be mounted on a wall or placed on a table, fitting well in medium to large rooms. One downside is that the subwoofer is not built-in but requires a wired connection if you add one, which might limit placement flexibility. Considering its advanced features and power, it is priced well above typical cheap soundbars, so it suits buyers who want premium sound without stepping into full home theater systems. This soundbar is designed for users seeking a high-quality audio upgrade with versatile streaming options rather than those strictly seeking a budget or basic model.