10 Best Soundbars Under 500 2026 in the United States

The Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar is a sophisticated option for those looking to enhance their TV audio experience with a budget under $500. One of its standout features is the Dolby Atmos technology combined with Bose TrueSpace, which delivers an immersive surround sound experience by placing sounds in different parts of the room. This makes it ideal for those who appreciate high-quality audio and clear dialogue, thanks to its AI Dialogue Mode that ensures crisp vocal clarity. The soundbar's six transducers, including upward-firing speakers, help fill the room with sound, making it feel as though you're surrounded by audio from all directions, even overhead. This is particularly beneficial for home entertainment setups aiming for a cinema-like experience.

Additionally, the integration of Amazon Alexa and Google Voice Control allows for easy voice commands and smart home integration, contributing to its user-friendly nature. The soundbar also offers flexibility in connectivity, supporting both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and comes with essential cables for quick setup. Its sleek and modern design, with a size that fits comfortably on a tabletop, adds to its aesthetic appeal. However, at 12.68 pounds, it is slightly on the heavier side, which may be a consideration for those looking to mount it on a wall or move it frequently.

While it lacks waterproof features, which is not uncommon for indoor soundbars, it is specifically designed for TV audio enhancement and smart home integration, making it a specialized choice for home entertainment. The included remote, app control, and additional accessories like the ADAPTiQ headset further enhance its usability. The Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar is a strong contender for anyone seeking a high-quality, feature-rich soundbar for their home entertainment system.

The Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 HT-A9000 Soundbar stands out with its impressive 13 speaker channels and support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, which deliver a highly immersive and cinema-quality sound experience. The 360 Spatial Sound Mapping and Sound Field Optimization features help to create a three-dimensional audio experience that adapts to your room's acoustics, enhancing sound quality in various environments. With a maximum output power of 585 watts, the soundbar provides powerful and clear audio for home theaters, gaming systems, and more. Connectivity options are robust, including Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, allowing for easy integration with various devices and wireless streaming. The soundbar also supports 4K HDR, 8K HDR, and other advanced video formats, making it future-proof for advanced home theater setups.

The design is sleek and modern, with a relatively compact size that fits well in most living rooms. However, it's worth noting that the subwoofer connectivity technology is wired, which may limit placement flexibility. Additionally, the product is not water-resistant, so it is strictly for indoor use. At 51.2 inches wide, it may not be suitable for smaller spaces. The soundbar package includes essential accessories like a remote, HDMI cable, and wall mounting bracket, providing convenience right out of the box. While it does not include features like an MP3 player or waterproofing, its focus on high-quality audio performance and connectivity makes it a solid choice for those seeking a premium sound experience within a budget.

The JBL Bar 1300XMK2 is a powerful 11.1.4 channel soundbar system that delivers an impressive 1570 watts of output, promising rich, room-filling sound. Its standout feature is the detachable wireless surround speakers with built-in batteries, allowing you to easily create a true surround sound setup without messy wires—perfect for movie lovers who want immersive audio without complex installation. The 12-inch wireless subwoofer adds deep bass, enhancing action scenes and music alike. It supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, offering a 3D sound experience that brings height and depth to your listening, making you feel like you're inside the movie or concert.

JBL’s sound enhancements like PureVoice 2.0 help make dialogue clearer, which is great for following conversations in films and shows. The MultiBeam 3.0 technology spreads sound evenly around the room, so you get good coverage from many seating positions. Connectivity is versatile, including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, HDMI, Optical, USB, and Ethernet, so it works well with TVs, smartphones, and other devices. The system also supports popular streaming services and works with multiple smart ecosystems via the JBL ONE app, which lets you customize sound settings easily.

In terms of design, the soundbar is sleek and tabletop-friendly but is quite heavy at 65 pounds, which might be a consideration if you plan to move or mount it frequently. One drawback is that its price tends to be above $500, putting it outside the target budget for the category, so it may not be the best pick if you strictly want to stay under that price. Also, while the detachable speakers are convenient, their batteries need recharging overnight, so you might need to plan usage accordingly. If your priority is immersive, high-quality surround sound with flexible placement and strong bass for indoor use, this JBL system is a solid choice, though it leans toward the higher end of the budget spectrum.