Soundbar deals

Buying advice

The first thing that matters is whether the soundbar suits your room and your TV. A bar that is much wider than the set looks awkward, and one that is too tall can block the screen or the remote control sensor – so measure width, height and the gap between the bottom edge of the TV and the furniture beforehand. Just as important is what you mainly use it for: if you mostly watch news, series and talk shows, you benefit from a dedicated centre channel or a dialogue function that lifts voices above music and effects. And if the bar is also meant to play music, look at the input options: Bluetooth is standard, while Wi-Fi with AirPlay, Chromecast or Spotify Connect allows more stable playback and later multiroom expansion.

Simple stereo bars without a subwoofer usually start at around 100 to 200 euros; they sound clearer than TV speakers but stay restrained in the bass. In the range of roughly 250 to 500 euros you often find sets with a wireless subwoofer, HDMI eARC and Dolby Atmos decoding – a solid basis for most living rooms. Above that, from about 600 to 1,000 euros, you get upward-firing drivers, more elaborate channel layouts and automatic room calibration. More expensive models tend to target large rooms or users who want to add rear speakers later on.

You recognise a good deal by comparing prices over several weeks rather than by a crossed-out list price: price history charts show whether the discount is real. Soundbars are often replaced on a yearly cycle, and last year's model frequently differs only in app details or streaming services – its price often drops noticeably once the successor is announced. Typical promotional periods are the weeks around November, the turn of the year and the run-up to major sporting events. Watch out for follow-up costs: matching rear speakers or a second subwoofer from the same series are often expensive, and a longer HDMI cable or a wall mount is not always included. Also check how long the manufacturer promises software updates.

What to look for

• Connection: HDMI eARC carries Dolby Atmos and can be controlled with your TV remote, while an optical input only handles stereo and basic surround.
• A separate subwoofer delivers noticeably more bass than a single bar, but it needs space and a power outlet nearby.
• Real height effects with Dolby Atmos require upward-firing speakers; purely virtual height sounds much weaker.

In depth in our guide: Buying a soundbar: 2.1, 5.1 or 7.1.4, and what Dolby Atmos really delivers