*We are a reader-supported website. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Home Media Entertainment does not accept money for reviews.*
When it comes at choosing the right soundbar for you, obviously the first thing you think about is the price. Especially if your budget is tight and you cannot afford a full surround system. And for this exact reason in this article we will present you the best soundbars under $500. Besides this is a price point that is affordable to most. And at the same time allows for more flexibility concerning the options you have.
The soundbar market is divided into three categories. The single soundbar systems, the soundbar-subwoofer combos and the full surround soundbar setups. In this article we will give you our best recommendation for each category along with a runner up as an alternative to our main choice. Our goal is to keep everything simple for you. For that reason we give you only our best selection. Furthermore this article will be updated yearly in order to stay up to date with current releases.
Keep in mind that all our recommendations are based only on models that we have actually tested. We do not recommend units just by their specifications. This way we can be absolutely certain of their capabilities.
Furthermore we need to note that in this price range there are extremely few soundbars that offer surround speakers. And it’s been a while since we tested such a soundbar with such a low price. So for that reason in the full surround soundbars category we decided to give you our recommendations for single soundbars that allow you to add a subwoofer and surround speakers as extras.
The Best Soundbars Under $500 (RANKED)
| # | Preview | Product | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | JBL Bar 300 | Best Single Soundbar |
| 2 |  | Denon DHT-S517 | Best Soundbar-subwoofer combo |
| 3 |  | Bose Smart Soundbar 600 | Best full surround soundbar (with optional speakers) |
Quick Review for each of our Soundbar Suggestions
Best Single Soundbar
This is our top choice for the best single soundbar under $500 with our runner-up suggestion.
Winner.
JBL Bar 300 (5.0 CH Dolby Atmos Soundbar)
Cheapest Places to Buy :
The JBL Bar 300 is a 5.0 channels, Dolby Atmos capable, soundbar with 260 watts of power output. In addition, it supports 4K pass-through, HDR10 and Dolby Vision while it comes with both WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity.
Its strong points are its compact size and how easy it is to setup and to use. The few features it has surely benefit those that seek a simple system that falls into the plug and play category. Lastly its front performance is commendable and the inclusion of the JBL One app this year is a step to the right direction.
As for its weaknesses, the soundbar cannot create a convincing Atmos performance. Overhead effects felt very weak and not very precise or clear while surround activity was missing in action. The bass was very average while the sound output was not very expansive or enveloping. Moreover there is no DTS support which surely limits the kind of content that you can play through it.
The JBL Bar 300 can be a perfect choice if you look for a soundbar that meets specific criteria. If you need this for a small media center or living room, you don’t care about 120Hz gaming or if surround activity is of not much concern then surely this one will feel like a great addition or upgrade over what you currently have.
You can read our full analysis in our JBL Bar 300 review.
Pros
- Very easy to setup and to use
- Compact design
- JBL One app support
- Affordable price
Cons
- Virtual Dolby Atmos is not so good
- No DTS support
- Bass is average
- No surround action
Runner Up.
Yamaha SR-C20A (2.1 CH Soundbar)
Cheapest Places to Buy :
The Yamaha SR-C20A is a 2.1 channels single soundbar with 100 watts of output power. It supports Dolby Digital and Dolby virtual surround and comes with Bluetooth connectivity.
On the positives the soundbar is very compact and can fit almost everywhere. It is extremely easy to connect and setup, as it had very few features and settings to mess with, and will surely perform great when used in a small bedroom or really close under your PC monitor. In terms of audio quality it is good enough for its price and if you are not very picky then you will enjoy what it has to offer.
On the downsides the unit lacks a lot of features. And although we can turn a blind eye on this, the missing DTS is inexcusable even for such a low cost system. There is also no surround activity and virtual technology cannot do much to rectify this while there is no option to connect any rear speakers either.
The Yamaha SR-C20A can be an ideal solution for a small bedroom or a PC gaming setup as in these situations, where you will be closer to the unit, the sound will feel more immersive. So if you know its limits and what it can do, it can be a nice boost on your PC gaming rig’s audio or a respectable upgrade over your TV’s sound system.
You can read our full analysis in our Yamaha SR-C20A review.
Pros
- Solid front performance
- Compact design
- Extremely easy to setup and to use
- Low price
Cons
- No DTS
- No surround activity
- Virtual sound is a hit or miss
- Very few extra features
Best Soundbar-subwoofer Combo
This is our top choice for the best soundbar-subwoofer combo under $500 with our runner-up suggestion.
Winner.
Denon DHT-S517 (3.1.2 CH Dolby Atmos Soundbar)
Cheapest Places to Buy :
The Denon DHT-S517 is a 3.1.2 channels, Dolby Atmos capable, soundbar-subwoofer combo system. It has a 150 watts power rating and supports Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital.
Overall the DHT-S517 offered good front sound stage with nice Dolby Atmos effects that felt distinct enough due to the inclusion of real up-firing drivers. The soundbar is extremely simple to setup and to use and is ideal if you look for a simple soundbar without much fuss to connect or time consuming calibrations. Lastly, although it may not be the most cheap Dolby Atmos offering, Signa S4 still retains this title, at $449 it still is an extremely affordable choice and surely there will be many that will find its price intriguing.
On the downsides the soundbar is not all that different from what we observed in the Signa S4. With no surround speakers, it cannot create a fully immersive surround environment while it does not give you the option to add more speakers. Sound settings include only the very basics with complete lack of any EQ settings while the LED indicators are adding more frustration than they should. Online functionality is completely missing while the subwoofer was not as good as we were hoping it to be.
The DHT-S517 feels like the twin brother of the Signa S4 and the difference in price comes down to the extra HDMI, the Pure mode and the USB playback. Are these enough to warrant a $50 increase in price? We believe they do and while fundamentally the two of them performed similar the added functions of the Denon DHT-S517 gives this one a slight, but obvious, edge over its competition.
You can read our full analysis in our Denon DHT-S517 review.
Pros
- Good front soundstage
- Solid Atmos performance
- Extremely easy to setup and use
- Low price for a Dolby Atmos soundbar
Cons
- No surround activity
- No DTS support
- Limited sound modes and EQ
- Missing WiFi and online features
Runner Up.
Polk Audio Signa S4 (3.1.2 CH Dolby Atmos Soundbar)
Cheapest Places to Buy :
The Polk Audio Signa S4 is a 3.1.2 channels soundbar-subwoofer combo that supports Dolby Atmos along with all the rest of the Dolby Formats.
On the plus side the added Atmos drivers add certain volume and height to the front sound performance and make the Atmos effects more detailed, precise and pronounced compared to Atmos soundbars that use only virtual technology to simulate them. Also one of the major strengths of the Signa family is simplicity both in terms of setup and ease of use and the Signa S4 continues this trend. And all these at an extremely low price.
On the other hand the soundbar cannot create a fully immersive surround environment and the lack of expandability is not helping either. Also the subwoofer is not the most bombastic and powerful that could have been while there is no online functionality whatsoever. Sound options are at the most basic level with complete lack of any EQ settings while the LED indicators add more frustration than they should.
With the Polk Audio Signa S4 it seems that the design team decided to change their focus. Instead of creating a unit that would intergrade more in the online world they decide to throw all these out and instead focus on upping its core audio performance. It surely keeps the simplicity that Signa units are famous of but as for everything else we believe this decision was in the right direction. If you are the kind of person that loves simplicity, don’t care about online functionality and seek the most cheap Dolby Atmos soundbar-subwoofer combo the Signa S4 should be at the top of your list.
You can read our full analysis in our Polk Audio Signa S4 review.
Pros
- Good front soundstage
- Solid Atmos performance
- Extremely easy to setup and use
- Low price for a Dolby Atmos soundbar
Cons
- No surround activity
- No DTS support
- Limited sound modes and EQ
- Missing WiFi and online features
Best Full Surround Soundbars (With Optional Speakers)
This is our top choice for the best soundbars that support adding a subwoofer and surround speakers under $500 with our runner-up suggestion. As we mentioned above these are single soundbars out-of-the-box. By adding extra speakers you can create a full surround system with them. And this is the best you can do as the number of soundbars that include surround speakers by default, at this price, are extremely limited.
Winner.
Bose Smart Soundbar 600 Review (3.0.2 CH Dolby Atmos Soundbar)
Cheapest Places to Buy :
The Bose Smart Soundbar 600 is a 3.0.2 channels Dolby Atmos soundbar that comes with both WiFi and Bluetooth functionality. But its most notable characteristic is its ability to expand to a full surround system adding a lot of flexibility to the kind of system you can create.
On the bright side the Smart Soundbar 600 is a very compact system that can be used in just about any small setup and media room. It is extremely easy to setup and even easier to handle with its simple app and overall limited settings. It has good output for such a small unit and comes with a modular design giving you the freedom to shape it any way you want if you find it lacking in certain areas.
On the other hand for such a small, single unit design the soundbar is very expensive compared to the competition as in this price range many soundbars come with at least a subwoofer. Its connectivity options are rather limited with no HDMI inputs meaning that eARC is a necessity for Dolby Atmos and to be honest we are not very fond of eARC at all. The display design, although cool looking is very frustrating and not practical at all while having no DTS support is inexcusable for such a price.
The new Bose Smart Soundbar 600 finds itself in the midst of an extremely competitive market. If you need a compact soundbar for your gaming setup or small media room and you want to get some Atmos magic then the Bose Smart Soundbar 600 can be a great choice and will surely surprise you with its performance.
You can read our full analysis in our Bose Smart Soundbar 600 review.
Pros
- Compact design
- Very easy to setup and to use
- Good Atmos in a small size
- WiFi and Bluetooth functionality
Cons
- No DTS support
- Display not practical at all
- No HDMI inputs
- High price for such a small unit
Runner Up.
Sonos Beam Gen 2 Review (5.0 CH Dolby Atmos Soundbar)
Cheapest Places to Buy :
The Sonos Beam Gen 2 can be considered more of a refresh rather than a completely new release.
In terms to what has changed, the new Beam Gen 2 comes with exactly the same design. But changes the cloth grille with a polycarbonate perforated one. But the most meaningful upgrades comes in terms of Dolby Atmos and DTS support while Sonos included eARC in the HDMI port also. The WiFi module has also been upgraded to a faster one.
In terms of performance the Beam Gen 2 continues to impress as its predecessor. Simplicity and ease of use is one of its characteristics. Also if you are deep into the Sonos ecosystem the unit allows you to intergrade it with the rest of your devices through the S2 app with ease. Lastly the Beam Gen 2’s sound abilities can be further enhanced by adding a subwoofer and surround speakers or make any combination you want.
On the other hand the Beam Gen 2 comes with all the same downsides the original Beam had. Also having to use the Sonos app will make a few think twice if they are not fond of using a mobile device all the time to control it. Lastly connectivity options is not exactly a strong aspect of the Beam soundbar either.
If you didn’t like the original Beam then this new one offers nothing fancy to gain your favor. On the other hand if you were on the fence for it then the new Beam Gen 2 might be what you were waiting for. Overall it is certainly a better soundbar than the original Beam was, even if it does not offer a huge jump in sound quality or features.
You can read our full analysis in our Sonos Beam Gen 2 review.
Pros
- Dolby Atmos and DTS support
- Compact size
- eARC functionality
- Easy to connect and to use
Cons
- No surround activity (without extra speakers)
- Average bass (without subwoofer)
- Very few connections
- It may be small for bigger TVs
Frequently Asked Questions
Are budget soundbars any good?
It really depends on the meaning of the word “good”. As each person has different expectations there is not a clear answer to this question. In general, yes. Soundbars do offer a much better audio experience than what most TVs can do. But at this price range even soundbars have some major limitations and surely cannot compete with even the cheapest of full surround systems.
Should I buy a soundbar or a full surround system?
The answer is simple. If you have the budget, space and time to spend on connecting everything a full surround system will always be the better choice. But soundbars were created out of need for those that do not have all three of the above. And as such these can be a great alternative so you can enjoy great cinematic sound without the fuss or complexity of a full surround system.
Which type of soundbar is the best?
The best soundbar is the one that suits your needs. Many people for example do not have the space to add a subwoofer or surround speakers. In this case a single soundbar is the best option. But if you have the space to add a subwoofer and surround speakers then this is the best choice, as this will greatly enhance the soundbar’s sonic output.
What should you look for in a budget soundbar?
Obviously with the limitations in this price range you should look for the best value for money choice. This means that the soundbar you choose should support a wide range of audio formats, has plenty of extra features, be flexible with its connectivity options and of course be simple to setup and to use.
For more of our Best of articles you can check our dedicated section in the link.
As a true audio enthusiast, I was thrilled to come across your comprehensive guide. Your passion and expertise shine through in every aspect of this piece, making it an invaluable resource for anyone seeking a high-quality audio experience on a budget.
Personally, I have always struggled to find a soundbar that fits my budget without compromising on audio quality. Thanks to your recommendations, I will surely look more into them and read your dedicated reviews. Maybe with your guide I will finally be able to make up my mind.
Hey Dave. If you need any further help with your decision let me know. I will be glad to help you find the best soundbar for your specific needs.
I am glad to see you decided to make a Best Of guide Stratos. I see that until now you had plenty of reviews but such guide surely help a lot when it comes to comparing similar products. I think this was one thing that was missing from your website. Do you plan to make more of these guides?
Hey Steve. Indeed making these Best Of articles was something that I was planning for some time now. This is just the first of many that I plan to update on a yearly basis. But as you have seen we are doing a pretty major overhaul on the looks of the website. So it will take some time until more such guides will be released as I want to finish with the design first. But more will follow and not only for soundbars. We plan on doing a whole list of Best of articles that will include a lot of categories of products we are reviewing. If there is some specific Best of guide you would like to see feel free to give us your suggestions.