What are Some of the Best Choices of Soundbars in 2022?

Soundbars have come a long way in the last few years, delivering excellent sound while taking up little space and costing little. Criteria for the best soundbars start with: bars that won’t bankrupt you, with the best streaming devices or built-in smart assistants, and create powerful sound without relying on subwoofers or rear speakers. The Sonos Beam will astound you with its massive sound in a small, reasonably priced, but have several other great options to consider below.

Overall best: Sonos Beam Smart TV Sound Bar

The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) is a great soundbar with basic smarts. It connects your TV with HDMI-ARC or includes an HDMI-to-Optical adapter. A recent update brought Sonos products and Google Assistant integration. If your TV supports HDMI-CEC, you can control your TV with your voice. Controlling your TV with your voice can’t replace a remote, but it’s a great alternative.

Sonos’ ecosystem is impressive because it’s easy to add more speakers to make up a surround system. As far as connections go, you’ll find a single HDMI port, a single Ethernet port, and a standard AC power input.

However, if you want a better “low” experience in your movies and video games, you’ve to pick up a subwoofer. Until then, the Beam itself creates a wide soundstage with an effective low-end sound. It adds more punch to intense scenes and helps immerse you in whatever you’re watching or playing.

Pros:

Integration with other Sonos speakers
Lightweight
Great sound
Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant built-in

Cons:

The optical cable is needed if HDMI-ARC is not available
Voice commands won’t work with optical cable
No subwoofer included

Best Sonos competitor: Creative SXFI Carrier

The new Creative SXFI Carrier is a great option. Creative worked directly with Dolby Atmos on a soundbar, which has already proven to be a great option for users who want Dolby Atmos sound in an integrated package and need a high-end soundbar with a wireless sub.

While the SFXI Carrier soundbar doesn’t offer Wi-Fi connectivity, it includes 2 HDMI inputs, HDMI output with eARC, and all the benefits of HDMI 2.1—including variable refresh, ALLM, 4K at 120 fps, and HDR10+ are included in Dolby Vision. Also, get optical, 3.5 in, USB-C, and Bluetooth 5.0.

SXFI Carrier also has a relatively compact design, measuring 880 x 128 x 76mm and weighing around 8lbs. (3.6 kg). Other impressive specs include a wireless subwoofer, 10-inch drivers for next-level bass and sub-bass detail, 7 driver units, Creative’s unique SXFI virtualization technology.

Pros:

Easy to set up and use
HDMI 2.1 connectivity
Better than expected sound
The wireless sub has impressive bass
Dolby Atmos integration
6 different modes for movies, TV shows, and music

Cons:

Limited EQ customization
Cannot add rear surrounds
No Chromecast integration

Best for tight budget: TCL Alto 6

If your budget is small and wants a better audio experience, the TCL Alto 6 fits the bill. The Alto 6 measures 31.5-inches, making it a good option for those with limited space. There are many different sound modes to pair with the content and 5 hardware buttons on the soundbar for adjustments. The Alto 6 leads Dolby Digital processing and doubles Bluetooth speakers to utilize this soundbar’s versatility. It also comes with a built-in Roku TV, which earns some extra points. If you don’t want the optical port for your television’s audio needs, you can depend on the HDMI ARC port.

Unfortunately, you won’t find a built-in subwoofer or add-on satellite speakers with a more basic and different soundbar experience. It also doesn’t have Dolby Atmos. Another downside to the Alto 6 is that you can’t control it with Google Assistant or any other smart assistant.

Pros:

Various Sound Modes to choose from
Roku TV built-in
Compact design
Features Optical, 3.5mm jack, Bluetooth

Cons:

No Dolby Atmos support
It doesn’t support any voice assistant
Lacks a subwoofer

Best all-in-one: Roku Streambar

If you’ve been looking for an all-in-one soundbar, then the Roku Streambar is your solution. Connect it to an HDMI ARC-compatible port on a 4K TV, and you’re able to 4K HDR content and enhanced audio to its four 1.9″ full-range drivers, as well as the streaming capabilities of a Roku Streaming Stick+. It’s compact enough to slide easily under any TV, with side-firing drivers to fill a room with normal sound. You can also spend on a subwoofer and wireless speakers to upgrade to authentic surround sound. Also, the Roku Streambar has an optional Ethernet adapter for more consistent streaming speeds.

Pros:

Compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant
It can expand with a subwoofer and wireless speakers
Dolby Audio
Built-in 4K HDR streaming
HDMI ARC support

Cons:

Ethernet adapter sold separately
No wireless subwoofer included

Best for wireless surround sound: JBL Bar 5.1

JBL Bar 5.1 worked with Google to integrate Google Assistant and Google Cast support. There are 3 HDMI ports onboard and an HDMI arc output option. JBL has included a privacy switch for the microphone if you don’t want to hear your soundbar. However, the most important benefit is the wireless surround sound speakers that detract from the primary soundbar. You can mount them in different areas around your room and charge them from the main soundbar.

Despite being a favorite for best soundbar, some sacrifices had to be made. The Bar 5.1’s wireless speaker has Micro-USB charging and not USB-C, which is disappointing. You can’t add it to your Google Home group. It probably won’t make or break your purchase, but it’s something to be wary of when you get it.