Best Affordable Soundbar - Top 5 Reviews

Are you looking for an affordable soundbar for your room? Well, if that is the case, you are in the right place.

Choosing a best soundbar could be a critical decision, as there are multiple options available in the market. But you need to make sure what type of best soundbar fits your requirement. As here, we are going to provide some best budget soundbars options for you guys.

This guide will help you choose the right one which doesn’t disappoint you in terms of audio formats and price. There is a wide range available from different companies, so choosing one is not an easy job.

Whether you are looking to buy a best soundbar for the TV or for the PC, the quality and performance matter most. We will discuss some of the best budget soundbars which can add great value to your money. Let’s get started with it…

Top Pick

JBL Bar Studio 2.0 - Channel Soundbar

Best Affordable Soundbar by speakerjournal.com
4.3/5

Budget Pick

VIZIO Sound Bar Home Speaker

4.2/5

Value to Money

LG SK1 Sound Bar (2021)

4.1/5

Top 5 Affodable Soundbar

1. Roku Streambar 4K/HD/HDR Streaming Media Player

OVERALL SCORE

AUDIBLE FREQUENCY
78%
SOUND RANGE
72%
VOICE DISTORTION
80%
VALUE
89%
Ratings:
4.6/5

Main Features/ Technical Specifications:

  • Connectivity Technology: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB, HDMI Input
  • Brand: Roku
  • Product Dimensions: 14 x 4.2 x 2.4 inches; 2.4 Pounds
  • Control Method: Voice
  • Controller Type: Google_assistant, Amazon_alexa
  • Built-in speakers: Yes & Dolby Audios

As we are talking about affordable soundbars and best cheap soundbars, the 1st one that has the nuts to be the 1st is Roku Streambar.

This product has all the bells and whistles of a top-class soundbar and is very well priced.  It comes with an addition of a smart TV feature that allows you to view streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime high dynamic range Video.

The Roku Streambar gives a surround sound system-like audio experience for your TV without putting any holes in your walls. The best part is its voice remote which makes it easy to control the volume and sound system.

This will transform your TV watching experience into a real theater-like scenario. This device is available for less than $130 that is best cheap soundbar but comes with unique features like built-in rupku subwoofer that you normally find in high-end devices.

Main Structure

As this is a cheap product, let me tell you one thing, it doesn’t feel cheap at all, you can a decent quality material used on this thing. There is a hollowed outbox that forms the base of this device. It also has a bass radiator on its side which gives it an elegant and stylish look.

This product has been designed for a superior sound experience with high-quality audio without any distortion, even at the highest volume.   The hardware you get here will give you up to 100 watts of power, and the dimensions are 14 x 4.2 x 2.4 inches; 2.4 Pounds.

The Control

As I mentioned above, this device comes with a voice remote that allows you to control the volume and even do searches. The voice remote has the ability to work with various streaming services and can be used as a universal controller for your other devices. You will find all the controls on the device easily, even for connecting to Bluetooth.

This is a very useful feature, especially if you are using this thing along with multiple devices at once. The voice control of this device will help you a lot in getting things done easily and quickly.

The Remote

The remote that comes with this thing is very simple, and it makes navigation easier when switching between movies and apps. It also has play, pause, soundbar’s volume up/down buttons on it to make things easier for you.

Connectivity

It can be connected to your TV through either an optical digtal audio inputs cable or a standard audio cable (the box comes with both cables). You will get 3 HDMI ARC ports on this device so that you can connect multiple devices to it.

The remote which comes with this device has multiple buttons which give you access to all your favourite streaming services. You will get the Netflix and Amazon Prime Video buttons on the remote, but you can also find other popular apps like YouTube, Hulu, etc. The con of the this product that is not a dolby atoms soundbar

Bass Performance And Sound Quality

The  Performance and quality of this thing give you immersive sound, not like a 2000 USD soundbar but like a mid-range compact soundbar. There are two satellite speakers in this soundbar and roku subwoofer, all of them performing at their best to provide you with a theater-like experience. This soundbar have quite low bass, but it could have been better. However, the audio formats of this device is worth the price tag that comes with it.

As far as sound Performance is concerned, I think this thing has got everything covered and also above your expectations. If you are looking for something that you can use as a stand-alone soundbar and gives you everything that other expensive devices offer, then I think this thing is your best bet.

This device has been designed with the latest version of Roku OS, which makes it awesome. You can easily browse through Netflix, Spotify connect and Amazon Prime Video with voice commands which really makes things very comfortable.  

As this is an all-in-one device, you just have to plug in and play. There are connections for HDMI input, which allow you to connect multiple streaming devices easily. Also, with the Bluetooth connectivity option, you can wirelessly stream music from your phone on a bigger screen without any hassle.

As per our tests, you can easily connect multiple streaming devices with this device, and there will be no issue at all.  This is a very convenient feature as you don’t have to switch devices while watching films or playing games.

Pros
Cons

Verdict

If you are looking for a best cheap soundbars, then this thing is just made for you. It has got all the latest features that we want in our TV viewing experience.

This tiny soundbar room filling sound is the one of the best budget soundbars and will surely add great value to your money if you have little or no interest in building your own speaker system. You can get this thing for around $130 only.

2.Sony S100F 2.0ch Soundbar with Bass Reflex Speaker, Integrated Tweeter

OVERALL SCORE

AUDIBLE FREQUENCY
78%
SOUND RANGE
72%
VOICE DISTORTION
80%
VALUE
93%
Ratings:
4.4/5

Main Features/ Technical Specifications:

  •  Connectivity Technology: Bluetooth, HDMI inputs
  • Speaker Type: Soundbar
  • Brand: Sony
  • Model Name: S100F

What if I tell you, you can get a sony ht best cheap soundbars for less than $100?

Excited?

Well, this sony cheap soundbar has all the features of an expensive compact soundbar, sounds great, fantastic bass reflex speaker, and has got Bluetooth connectivity, so you can connect through mobile devices.

While researching the best budget soundbars, I found this one from Sony, which is capable of delivering high-quality and bounce sounds at a reasonable price. This thing is very simple to use; just plug it in, and you are ready to go.

Main Structure

As Expected from sony, We get some really good quality material right from the box, and We have the metal body of this soundbar , feels very good in the handand give you detailed sound. As well as looks excellent while sitting at your table.

You don’t need to have extra coverings for this thing, you can just leave it as it is, but I always recommend cleaning your soundbar once a month to get it going.

Connectivity

The connection of this thing with your TV’s speakers or any other media device is super simple and easy, and You can use one of the given options like HDMI, RCA or the most convenient one, Bluetooth. Using Bluetooth is pretty easy; you just need to pair it with any Bluetooth-enabled device, and you are good to go.

Bass Performance And Sound Quality

Sony has always been known for its quality of better sound. And this is not an exception either, and the Sony s100f produces very high-quality sounds that can be heard clearly even if you keep the volume low.

This thing can fill up a mid-sized room with ease and will not let you down at any point.

The bass reflex speaker that comes with this soundbar will not let you down in any case, either. Worth mentioning here is the fact that the bass output of this thing can be turned up to a level where it can provide that “woofer-like feeling”. You surely do not want to keep the volume too high if you are sitting close to this thing but trust me, that does not mean that you have a mediocre soundbar.

It comes with an integrated 2.1 channel wireless subwoofer that gives you a rich and spacious sound experience. The wireless subwoofer gives powerful bass to your music without taking any space in your room.

It is basically an all-in-one device, and there is no complicated wiring involved; just plug it in and get going. It connects to the TV through an HDMI inputs cable so you can easily stream content from your TV to a bigger screen.

It uses Bluetooth to connect with any apple music device, such as a smartphone or tablet, and play the music playback on your soundbar easily.

The Sony S100F 2.0ch Cheap Soundbar has a 360-degree surround sound feature that helps you hear everything clearly. The built-in ClearAudio+ system automatically adjusts the sound according to your TV/Video and Environment.

The best part about this Sonybest cheap soundbars is that it can be mounted on the wall without any drilling or wall cutting. It comes with a standard mounting kit so you can easily mount it on the wall without taking any extra space from your room. 

The deep sound feature on this thing will help you experience cinematic audio. It has got 2 built-in speakers which produce a large soundstage effect and make the entire room feel like a concert hall.

Pros
Cons

Verdict

Well, You are getting a best cheap soundbar of a well-known brand at a price of a T-shirt; what else do you want, bruh!

Like with all other products, we tested this thing and found it very durable. Even after dropping it twice while testing, It was still able to survive and work well. Believe me, and there is not a single thing that can stop you from buying this thing.

3.JBL Bar Studio 2.0 - Channel Soundbar with Bluetooth

OVERALL SCORE

AUDIBLE FREQUENCY
91%
SOUND RANGE
72%
VOICE DISTORTION
78%
VALUE
93%
Ratings:
4.3/5

Main Features/ Technical Specifications:

  • Connectivity Technology: Bluetooth, USB port, HDMI input
  • Speaker Type: Soundbar
  • Brand: JBL
  • Recommended Uses For Product: Surround speakers Sound Channel Configuration 4.2
  • Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 33.6 x 7.8 inches; 3.09 Pounds

From my daily used airdots to party box, I am currently using JBL products, and no doubt, they are outstanding. There is no exception in this product, Extremely well made, durable, and light on the pocket.

Main Structure

This thing is lightweight, both on pocket as well as on your hands, Dimensions of this JBL soundbar are 6.1 x 33.6 x 7.8 inches; 3.09 Pounds.

JBL has used mesh-like aluminium material that feels very good and looks glossy when you see it for the 1st time. However, you will see this thing leaning towards matt as soon as it is exposed to some light source.

Bass Enhancement

This thing produces really nice and deep bass, even at low volume; I tested lots of songs and music, and every time, I got outstanding bass quality. 

This thing does have a base enhancement mechanism in place, so there will not be a situation when you are unable to hear the bass in your favourite song, play anything, and you will experience it. That is What I like the most about JBL best cheap soundbars.

Connectivity

The JBL Bar Studio 2.0 comes with lots of connectivity options like Bluetooth, Optical digital audio inputs, Aux-in port, and HDMI. It also has a USB port, so you can connect your smartphone to it and play music directly from the phone on this JBL soundbar.

This thing has got 3 HDMI ports, so you can easily connect three devices to the soundbar simultaneously. It also has got optical cable in port so that you can easily connect your TV’s sound to it. Out of the box, you get a remort control, using which you can control your soundbar right sitting on your couch.

Sound Quality

The JBL Bar Studio 2.0 does not disappoint in any case, and it can test the limits of an extremely huge room. Make sure you have this thing connected to a wall outlet so that there is no noise due to power issues.

It has got two built-in subwoofers which produce really nice and deep bass, even at a low volume.

It comes with high-quality sound technology that helps you enjoy a theatre-like sound experience at home. It uses SOUNDTOUCH adaptive processing to deliver rich and detailed sounds no matter the volume level.

The JBL Bar Studio 2.0 produces clear and precise vocals due to its dual built-in tweeters, eliminating any kind of unwanted distortions.  This thing is really easy to install; you just need to connect it to the wall because it does not have any battery inside.

If you are looking for the best cheap soundbars, then this thing is a must-have in your room. Grab one and enjoy!

Pros
Cons

Verdict

If you are looking for a best cheap soundbars then this thing is definitely worth your money because it produces excellent bass and is easy to use. You can buy this thing without any hesitation. 

No doubt, you can not expect extraordinary performance from a budget soundbar. However, you will get a decent sound and smooth bass. Like I said above, This thing is really affordable, so if you are looking for something that is budget-friendly, then this item should be included in your list of options.

4.VIZIO Sound Bar Home Speaker

OVERALL SCORE

AUDIBLE FREQUENCY
83%
SOUND RANGE
75%
VOICE DISTORTION
88%
VALUE
79%
Ratings:
4.2/5

Main Features/ Technical Specifications:

  • Connectivity Technology: Bluetooth
  • Speaker Type: Soundbar
  • Brand: VIZIO
  • Model Name: SB2820n-E0
  • Mounting Type: Table Top

This Vizio product is soo good, and I was unable to resist this one, This smart soundbar is very sleek boxy design of this thing is something I really like about it. It has got an elegant matte black colour with a textured finish on the top that makes this thing stand out.

Main Structure

Talking about the structure, as mentioned earlier, I like the silver brushed edges of this thing a lot. The material used in this thing is of pretty good quality. However, you will find the best cheap soundbars to be a bit on the lighter side. 

This thing is made of some kind of plastic and aluminium material that gives it both lightweight and a very durable structure. You don’t have to worry about this thing breaking from any side because it has got a very sturdy structure overall.

Size & Weight

This thing is pretty small and lightweight.  It measures 28 x 3 x 3 inches and only weighs about 3.97 pounds which makes it really easy to carry around with you wherever you go. You can connect this thing to your TV and move it with you anywhere in the house without any trouble.

This lightweight and portable design of this soundbar allows for travelling a lot easier. If you are looking for something that is easy to carry, then this thing should be on your list.

Connectivity

It is very easy to use this soundbar, and you don’t have to worry about setting it up with your TV speaker as it comes pre-installed and ready to be used. All you need to do is just plug the USB cord into your television and then turn on your soundbar. That will be all for the setup process; however, if you want to customize your sound Performance, you can always do that as well.

This soundbar has Bluetooth and NFC-enabled connectivity, which is really useful so that you can connect your smartphones with ease. This thing also comes with a 3.5 mm AUX cord, which is excellent if you want to connect it with your PC or laptop for watching movies and listening to music. Still, there are two other versions of this soundbar available on the market. Those have no Bluetooth version, so that’s why I would recommend getting this one because it supports both wired and wireless connectivity.

There is a remort control that comes with this soundbar, and you can use it to control the volume and also change the song or adjust the EQ settings.

Overall, this best cheap soundbars has got pretty amazing connectivity which is really easy to use and handy as well because you can connect any device through it for listening and watching your favourite music videos or movies. I like how easy it is to use this thing with devices.

This cheap soundbar is easy to set up. However, if you want the best possible audio quality,, then I would recommend going through the settings and optimizing it according to your preference. This thing also has an auto-tone adjustment system that automatically adjusts the treble and bass according to your environment, so you don’t have to worry about that.

Sound Quality

This cheap soundbar produces perfect depth and volume quality in comparison to its cheap price tag. You will be able to hear even the minute details of your favourite songs or play any movie, and you will get outstanding audio quality.

Sound Performance gets better as you increase the volume; keep in mind that if you increase it too much, then there will be distortion issues. Overall, I like this soundbar a lot for its fantastic sound Performance at an extremely affordable price.

This soundbar has got two audio processing drivers, which are really able to produce good bass and volume output. If you want something that can produce extremely high-quality sounds and bass, then I would recommend something else from this list of mine.

However, if you are looking for a budget option that produces decent quality sounds without any issues, then this one is the best pick for you. It produces excellent sound at a relatively affordable price tag.

Overall, I like this soundbar, and the overall pros of it are its sleek design, durability, and lightweight structure, which make it highly portable. This soundbar is excellent for watching movies at home with your family or friends. 

You will be able to hear good quality audio and also enjoy its really sleek design. It is so affordable that you can easily buy this thing without any hesitation. I would highly recommend this soundbar for anyone who is looking for something decent at an affordable price.

The only con about this thing is that it does not produce high-quality sounds like other expensive soundbars do beacuse this inexpensive soundbar. However, for the price you are paying for this thing, I think it’s worth it. Other than that, everything is good about this soundbar, and I strongly recommend this to anyone who is on a budget. The disadvantage of this soundbar that is not a dolby atoms soundbar.

Pros
Cons

Verdict

This Vizio best cheap soundbar comes with Smartcast technology built-in. I know this soundbar doesn’t sound extremely good, but when I take a look at the price tag, this quality matches less.

This is one product that has been tested twice in our lab; why? Just to make sure, we are not adding something that is not capable enough to be on our list.

5. LG SK1 Sound Bar (2021)

OVERALL SCORE

AUDIBLE FREQUENCY
88%
SOUND RANGE
76%
VOICE DISTORTION
80%
VALUE
92%
Ratings:
4.1/5

Main Features/ Technical Specifications:

  • Connectivity Technology: Bluetooth
  • Speaker Type: Wireless, Soundbar
  • Brand: LG
  • Special Feature: 2-Channel Configuration; Compact DDynamic Range Controlesign;
  • Mounting Type: Table Top

LG has made this smart soundbar perfectly just for those who are looking to get a budget soundbar. This thing is very compact and designed in a layer model.

The look of the best cheap soundbar is quite different from other soundbars but yet it has a simple touch. It is a well-sized product that can easily hide behind your TV speaker or monitor.

Connectivity

It is very easy to connect this to your TV’s audio because of its wired connection option. You can easily attach it to your TV sound and set it up in no time. The speaker also has some basic controls on it that will make your life easier. This feature is not available in most devices at this price range.

You can connect it easily with your mobile phone or tablet through Bluetooth and start listening to the music, however, you have to make sure that both the soundbar as well as the connected device are in close proximity. This thing also supports an NFC connection which allows you to set up this device. very easily.

Sound Quality

When it comes to sound modes, you will not find any better product at this price. The bass is pretty perfect and the better sound quality, in general, is quite good. This thing does have a subwoofer installed inside the soundbar, which is not that necessary but still a good addition.

LG has used sound synch Technology in this thing, This technology creates a virtual dedicated surround speakers effect which is not that good but still better than nothing and the price of this thing makes it even more worthwhile.

This thing only takes 40 watts from your power outlet, however, it gives you the perfect bass and sound modes that is necessary for a home theater system. This thing is a great addition to your house if you are not looking to spend a lot of money on the soundbar but yet still want something decent with complete control over the settings.

Pros
Cons

Verdict

Creating a product and providing quality as well as good customer support are two separate things, LG has been serving people for a long time no, and Asper LG products, they tend to last longer.

The same is the case with this smart soundbar.This soundbar will give you enveloping sound then tv’s built in speakers. It is of high quality and, the sound is excellent. It also does provide some basic control over the settings. If you are looking to invest in this kind of product at such a low cost, then there’s nothing better than this thing. It has a 1-year warranty on it along with 60 days return policy from Amazon. So, you don’t have to worry about it.

LG is one of the top brands when it comes to best soundbar and home theater equipment. This thing has good reviews on Amazon too.

Related: Best Soundbar For LG TV.

FAQ's

Q. What is the difference between a 'soundbar' and a 'sound base?

A soundbar works is a bar of smart speakers, usually placed on top or below your TV screen, which uses Bluetooth technology to connect via your smartphone or other audio devices directly to the unit.

A sound base (sometimes referred to as an ‘audio base’ or ‘slim soundbar’) is a unit that sits underneath your TV screen, usually with a stand that spreads the weight across the surface of the cabinet for stability.

A sound base can work very similarly to a soundbar – it simply connects via Bluetooth or by direct wireless docking (such as Sony’s ‘multi-room system) to your audio devices.

Q. What is the difference between a 'soundbar' and a 'traditional surround sound system'?

 A traditional dedicated surround speakers setup (such as Bose, Sony or other large brand names) usually brings 5 rear speakers to your home: front right, front left, centre speaker, rear left and rear right; plus an external dedicated subwoofer for bass. Three or more of these surround speakers are very large cabinets, often mounted on the wall to help isolate bass frequencies, with wires running between them – and they can be expensive!

A soundbar is a single unit under your TV screen that uses wireless technology (Bluetooth) to connect directly between your audio source (such as an AppleTV box or satellite TV;s audio av receiver) and the soundbar. Therefore, you do not need to run wires across your living room floor or walls (although a wireless home dedicated subwoofer can often be added if required).

Many great soundbars also have built-in Bluetooth technology so that you can connect your smartphone or tablet device wirelessly via blue tooth.

Q. What is the difference between a 'soundbar' and a 'home theater system'?

 A home theater usually consists of five or more individual components, with wires running from your TV screen to each smart speakers around your room. Therefore, wire management can be quite problematic for some people, especially those living in smaller spaces where space is at a premium.

A soundbar is a single unit placed below your TV screen, which connects wirelessly to your audio source (such as an AppleTV box or satellite TV receiver) so you have less wires and units in your living room. Also, due to the smaller cabinet size of a soundbar compared to individual satellite speakers, they can make for better aesthetics in your living room.

Q. Are soundbars difficult to install?

No, they are very straightforward to set up. There is usually very little need for initial installation work before setting the actual soundbar up directly underneath your TV screen. However, it’s a good idea to mount the unit on a wall bracket if you have a particularly large TV screen as it can become quite heavy.

Q. Are soundbars compatible with all TVs?

No, you may need to check the specifications of your particular model of soundbar depending on your specific TV size and make, but since they are becoming increasingly popular in Japan and America, there is usually very little of an issue with compatibility.

Q. How do you connect a soundbar to your TV via Bluetooth?

Most modern soundbars have this technology built-in, so all you need to do is set up the Bluetooth connection (usually by pressing the Bluetooth button on your remote control or smartphone,) and then the two will be connected. Some soundbars have a dedicated ‘Remote Control’ button on the top of the unit, which activates this function automatically and control soundbar’s volume.

Q. How do you connect a soundbar to your TV via an optical digital audio cable?

Simply use your supplied audio cable and plug it into either the Optical Input port (usually found on the rear of your TV and some cable boxes) or HDMI ARC port (Audio Return Channel) , then into the optical cable out socket on your soundbar. The best cable is the optical digital audio.

Q. How do you connect a soundbar to your TV via an HDMI audio/video cable?

Plug one end of the supplied HDMI cable (usually only 1 metre in length) into the HDMI Out port on your TV, then plug the other end into either of the HDMI in ports on your soundbar. Finally, from the back of your TV’s HDMI ARC/Out port, you will need to run another HDMI cable (not supplied) directly to the matching ARC/In port on your soundbar. This is necessary if you want to be able to send from your TV’s speakers and internal rear speakers an audio signal back into the soundbar (e.g. if you want to listen to the audio on your TV at the same time as listening to the sound coming out of your soundbar).

Best Budget Soundbar Based on User Review