Best Soundbars Under $200 - Top 6 Reviews

So, you’re looking for the best soundbars under 200 bucks? That’s not an easy job. But you came to the right place. Choosing a good soundbar for your home theater system might be difficult if your budget is under $200.

To make it easier for you, I’ve listed out the best soundbars under 200 bucks that are available in the market, along with their reviews.

I know 200 bucks is not a lot of money for buying an item like this. But you don’t need to worry. All these soundbars are valued for money products that will last long. You can definitely buy one of them if you have that much money to spend.

So let’s get started.

I’ve handpicked these soundbars after a lot of research and different tests.

If you want to get the soundbar above $200. Here is the best soundbar under $500 or $1000.

Top Pick

JBL Bar 2.0 - All-in-One Soundbar

Best Soundbars Under $200 by speakerjournal.com
4.3/5

Budget Pick

YAMAHA YAS-109 SoundBar

4.2/5

Value to Money

TCL Alto 6+ 2.1 Channel Dolby Audio

4.3/5

6 Best Soundbars Under $200

1. VIZIO V-Series 2.1 Home Theater SoundBar

OVERALL SCORE

AUDIBLE FREQUENCY
79%
SOUND RANGE
75%
VOICE DISTORTION
79%
VALUE
82%
Ratings:
3.4/5

Main Features/ Technical Specifications:

  • Connectivity Technology: Bluetooth, Auxiliary, HDMI

  • Speaker Type: Subwoofer, 3D

  • Brand: VIZIO

  • Recommended Uses For Product: For Televisions

  • Special Feature: Subwoofer

  • Number of Speakers: 3

  • DTS Virtual: X Yes

  • Sound Enhancement Technology: DTS TruVolume, DTS

  • Virtual: X

  • Speaker Channels: 2.1

  • System Frequency Response: 50Hz – 20kHz

  • Remote: Yes

  • Remote Control Type: Standard

VIZIO best SoundBars are among the most popular soundbars in the market. VIZIO V-Series 2.1 Home Theater SoundBar is no different. It looks great and works even better. This device comes with a separate wireless subwoofer, so you don’t have to worry about the wiring as it’s already done for you.

The VIZIO SoundBar is very easy to set up, with no rocket science involved. You don’t have to be a professional for setting it up. It

The VIZIO SoundBar comes with Dolby Atmos Digital and DTS TruSurround technologies. This gives you an amazing bounce sound experience from your home theater setup.

The VIZIO SoundBar has a battery-powered tv remote control that can be used to switch between modes and change channels or adjust the volume. This is by far the best wireless soundbar under 200 bucks that I’ve seen in my life.

Main Structure

The structure of the Vizio 2.1 soundbar is very decent. It comes with a external subwoofer that helps you to get rid of the hassle of wiring. If you don’t have an idea about what is a soundbar, it’s basically the same as that of your home theatre system but better in terms of design and size.

The whole device weighs only about 5 pounds. The fact that the VIZIO V-Series 2.1 comes with a built-in external subwoofer is very impressive. A dedicated subwoofer, however, delivers more bass.  

The material used to build the Vizio is very good too. It’s aluminium material with a clear plastic face which makes it look premium and stylish, and its appearance is very appealing to many customers.

Controls including volume up and down, mute, Bluetooth mode (pairing your phone or laptop with this device), power switch, play/pause are on the top of the soundbar. There is also a number of LED indicators that show you whether your subwoofer is paired to the device properly or not.

Connectivity

It also comes with versatile connectivity options, including wireless streaming through Bluetooth, a USB port, HDMI connections, and a 3.5mm auxiliary plug. Well, that’s more than enough for enjoying crisp sound at a reasonable price.

This soundbar can also be connected to your TV wirelessly as it supports Bluetooth connectivity. You can enjoy movies and music at their best as the VIZIO SoundBar comes with clear audio experience, rich bass & dialogue clarity. In other words, you’ll get what you’ve paid for.

Sound Quality

If we talk about the high quality sound of Vizio V-series 2.1, it delivers a best sound quality at any volume.

There’s nothing to complain about the sound profile as you’re getting full-bodied Dolby Digital and DTS True Surround sound from this device even though it costs less than 200 bucks.

Different sound tests like bass, treble and vocal clarity also prove that VIZIO V-series is way better than most of the other soundbars under $200.

It has a total power output of up to 96 dB, which is pretty loud and clear sound.

The VIZIO V-Series 2.1 Home Theater SoundBar is definitely the best soundbars under 200 bucks in the sense of impressive and best sound quality for your home theater system setup and add great value.

Pros

Cons

Verdict

Overall, the VIZIO V-Series 2.1 Home Theater SoundBar is definitely the best soundbars under 200 bucks that you can get at this price. This soundbar has everything you need for an amazing theatre experience in your drawing room, large room or bedroom. Trust me; you will always love to watch movies at home after experiencing this.

2. YAMAHA YAS-109 SoundBar with Built-In Subwoofers Bluetooth

OVERALL SCORE

AUDIBLE FREQUENCY
78%
SOUND RANGE
76%
VOICE DISTORTION
81%
VALUE
79%
Ratings:
4.2/5

Main Features/ Technical Specifications:

  • Connectivity Technology: Bluetooth, Auxiliary, HDMI

  • Speaker Type: Subwoofer

  • Brand: YAMAHA

  • Model Name: YAS-108

  • Recommended Uses For Product: For Surround Systems, For Televisions

  • Sound: 2 Woofers, 2 Tweeters

  • Subwoofers: 2 Built-in

  • Dimensions: 35″ x 2-1/8″ x 5-1/8″

Soundbars are a great instant upgrade from your TV’s built-in speakers, and the YAS-108 is one of the best budget soundbars. It has all the features you’d expect in a modern soundbar, including Bluetooth streaming with NFC pairing, multi-room audio and a built-in subwoofer.

The YAS also supports high-resolution music playback, deeper blacks and brighter whites on your TV, and good sound clarity and volume that puts most TVs’ sound speakers to shame.

It also comes with remote control, which is something most soundbars lack.  The YAS-109, however, lacks WiFi, as well as extras such as a voice assistant.

Main Structure

The YAS-108 is sleek and compact soundbar, but its subwoofer brings the total width to about 35 inches, so make sure you have enough space if you’re planning on setting this up in your living room. The design is simple and minimalistic, and the build quality is decent for a soundbar under $200.

It is outfitted with two 2″ high-performance drivers and two passive radiators. The front panel has a subtle curved design and features a display in the centre that can be dimmed or switched off for nighttime viewing.

The overall design of this bes soundbars is quite nice and looks stylish when mounted on the wall beneath your flat-screen TV.

Controls of the power button, volume buttons and inputs for Bluetooth, HDMI connectivity ARC and optical connection audio are on the top of the best soundbars with some LED indicators.

Connectivity

The YAS-108 has Bluetooth support with NFC pairing, so you can wirelessly stream music from your mobile devices or tablet to the soundbar. It even supports multi-room audio playback, so you can play music on multiple Yamaha devices around your house.

The YAS-108’s subwoofer delivers rich lows and solid soundbar bass, making it great for movies and TV shows. It also has a built-in radio tuner with support for FM/AM presets.

To make things easier for you, the YAS-108 comes with a remote control that’s easy to use and offers a good range, so you don’t have to go searching for the soundbar if you need to do some tweaking during your movie night.

The only downside is that the remote doesn’t come with dedicated buttons for each input, so you’ll need to cycle through all inputs if you want to switch between your Blu-ray player, gaming console and TV.

Sound Quality

If you’re looking for an uncompromised theatre experience at home without all the wires or speakers, this is a great option.

This soundbar delivers exceptionally good bass and has low distortion for this price range. It advanced features is Bluetooth connectivity, too, so you can stream audio from your smartphone or laptop wirelessly. The only downside is that it doesn’t support DTS surround sound like most high-end models do.

Yamaha is famous for its superior audio technology, and the YAS-108 is no exception. The sound quality on this device is pretty good, and the dialogue clarity, in particular, is impressive for a soundbar under $200. Voices come across very clearly, and there’s no problem with bass either.

This is where the YAS-108 really shines: thanks to its built-in subwoofer and two passive radiators, it delivers a well-rounded sound with punchy.

Pros

Cons

Verdict

The Yamaha YAS-108 is an excellent soundbar for the price. It has great features, delivers great audio quality, and looks good too!

If you’re looking for an affordable soundbar to replace your entire home theater system but want better TV audio performance for movies and music without spending half the price of a premium soundbar, this is a great value choice for your bedroom tv.

3. JBL Bar 2.0 - Channel Soundbar with Bluetooth

OVERALL SCORE

AUDIBLE FREQUENCY
87%
SOUND RANGE
84%
VOICE DISTORTION
80%
VALUE
88%
Ratings:
4.3/5

Main Features/ Technical Specifications:

  • Connectivity Technology: Bluetooth, HDMI connectivity
  • Speaker Type: Soundbar
  • Brand: JBL
  • Model Name: JBL Bar 2.0
  • Mounting Type: Wall Mount
  • Frequency Response: 70Hz – 20KHz

The JBL Bar 2.0 is a budget soundbar that delivers amazing audio quality for its price. It is designed with simple lines, so it can look good mounted on your wall under your TV or entertainment centre.

This soundbar features two high-performance drivers and passive radiators to deliver an impressive sound for movies and music.

There are also two downward-firing subwoofers in the soundbar to deliver bass that doesn’t distort at high volumes. This is ideal for action movies with plenty of explosions and sound effects, which often cause distortion in lesser devices.

The unit has Bluetooth connectivity for wireless streaming music from your smartphone or tablet, plus you can use the JBL Connect+ app to connect multiple units together for multi-room audio playback.

The unit also has a built-in bass port, so it can be mounted on a wall under your TV perfectly without causing any issues with audio quality.

The unit comes with an IR remote control in the package, and it’s compatible with universal remotes too.

Main Structure

Structure and build quality are where this soundbar excels. It looks and feels very solid, and the metal finish definitely gives it a premium look, especially given its price.

It also has a slim design profile, so it won’t take up too much space if you mount it on your wall under your TV screen.

The soundbar comes with simple buttons on the top panel; there are power, input, Bluetooth pairing, ‘Auto Sound’ (turns EQ settings on/off), Bass level (low/mid/high) and volume (+/-).

Connectivity

You can wirelessly stream music from your smartphone or tablet to this soundbar using Bluetooth. There’s also JBL Connect+ technology that enables you to connect multiple units together for multi-room audio playback.

You can also use the included IR remote or most universal remotes to control the soundbar. The soundbar is compatible with most TV remotes, too, so you can turn your TV on/off, control the volume, and change inputs using this soundbar’s remote.

The soundbar is compatible with optical connection cables, analog inputs and coaxial digital inputs for your different devices. Simply connect the cables to the corresponding input on the back of the bar. It also has an HDMI ARC port that you can use to hook up your TV with a single cable for audio and video playback through Bar 2.0.

Sound Quality

The sound profile of JBL Bar 2.0 is impressive for its price. The unit features two high-performance drivers and passive radiators to deliver strong sound with crisp highs, detailed midrange, and powerful lows.

The built-in subwoofers are great, too; they provide deep bass that isn’t distorted at higher volumes. You can really feel the bass during action scenes in movies or during intense multiplayer online games.  As you stand next to heavy-duty speakers, you can also feel full-body vibrations from the bass extension.  

The best audio experience quality of this great soundbar at this affordable price point, but it isn’t as good as premium soundbars like Yamaha YAS-108 or Sonos PLAYBAR (which costs 5 times more than the JBL Bar studio 2.0).

The JBL Bar 2.0 has a frequency response of 70Hz-20kHz, which is the standard for TV speakers and soundbars in its price range, so it’s decent enough for most users. It also features DTS virtual:X virtual surround sound technology that simulates a 3D multi-channel listening experience from a single soundbar.

Pros

Cons

Verdict

The JBL Bar 2.0 is a very impressive soundbar for its price, offering great features and performance that makes it worth every penny spent on it. It delivers a good soundstage for movies and music even though it lacks rear or side speakers surrounding you with 3D surround sound.

4. Bose Solo 5 TV Soundbar Sound System with Universal Remote Control

OVERALL SCORE

AUDIBLE FREQUENCY
79%
SOUND RANGE
77%
VOICE DISTORTION
82%
VALUE
81%
Ratings:
4.5/5

Main Features/ Technical Specifications:

  • Connectivity Technology: Bluetooth

  • Dimensions: 2.6H x 21.6W x 3.4D

  • Weight: 3.73 pounds

  • Recommended Uses For Product: For Televisions

The Bose Solo 5 TV Soundbar is a perfect choice for movie and TV show addicts who want to experience a cinematic sound without all the clutter of multiple speakers, cables and other hardware. It’s designed to replace your current TV speakers with a single slim soundbar that discretely sits below or in front of your TV screen.

The soundbar features a single wireless Acoustimass speaker instead of separate right and left built-in speakers. This blast-from-the-past speaker design gives you a mono sound.

But it’s still better than the default sound from your TV set because it can deliver a wider sweet spot for accurate music and movie playback at any viewing angle. It has an elegant design with no visible brand logos or cables; all wires are hidden at the back or inside the unit for a more streamlined look.

Main Structure

Bose Solo 5 smart soundbar has dimensions of 2.6H x 21.6W x 3.4D inches and weighs 3.73 pounds.

The dimensions are compact enough for TV stands, but the soundbar is still massive compared to other slim soundbars like Sony HT-CT180 or Vizio SB3851-C0.

The company advertises this as a “one-person installation”, but you’ll need two people to mount it on your wall because it’s heavy and difficult to mount using only one person; it requires 2 people, a power drill and some assistance from drywall anchors or screws/bolts to hold up the bar securely onto the wall.

The unit features an OLED display screen on top of the soundbar that shows the power status, volume level and information about your current source input. The remote control gives you command over key functionalities, including volume up/down, mute, input source selection and more.

This sleek acoustic system also comes equipped with voice adjust technology that automatically adjusts the volume of background music to enhance dialogue clarity when watching movies together with friends or family members.

Connectivity

The Solo 5 smart soundbar is compatible with most TVs via the digital optical cable included in the package. The full-ranged speaker features Bluetooth connectivity so you can wirelessly stream music from your smartphone to this single bar system. You can rely on Bose Connect app to quickly sync with most Bluetooth-enabled devices.

It has a 3.5mm auxiliary input port for non-wireless connectivity, too, so you can use this bar with your older TV models if the optical cable is not compatible or available.

Sound Quality

Bose smart soundbar is known for its superior audio quality; this Solo 5 bar is no exception. The unit produces crisp highs, detailed midrange and produce deep bass effects that make watching movies on your home theatre system an immersive experience. It also delivers dialogue clarity for clear and easy conversations with friends while you watch your favourite TV shows.

As usual, Bose did not cut corners in delivering excellent sound performance without compromising on power or sound quality; it’s quite powerful for its size.

It also has an integrated Dolby Digital decoder that up mixes stereo content to multi-channel surround effects when it passes through the unit.

Pros

Cons

Verdict

The Solo 5 TV Soundbar offers a big instant upgrade from the default speakers on your HDTV. It’s a perfect choice for movie buffs and TV show addicts who want cinema-like sound without the clutter of electrical cables, multiple speakers and other hardware pieces.

It delivers acoustics that is better than those from typical TV sets because it has a wider sweet spot that delivers accurate music and movies playback in any viewing angle.

Related: Best Soundbar For LG TV.

5. TCL Alto 6+ Channel Dolby Audio SoundBar with Wireless Subwoofer

OVERALL SCORE

AUDIBLE FREQUENCY
79%
SOUND RANGE
81%
VOICE DISTORTION
81%
VALUE
79%
Ratings:
4.3/5
Main Features/ Technical Specifications:
  • Connectivity Technology: Bluetooth

  • Speaker Type: Soundbar

  • Brand: TCL

  • Model Name: TS6110-NA

  • Recommended Uses For Product: For Surround Sound Systems, For Televisions, For Smartphones or Tablets

  • Power Consumption (W): 20W (Soundbar) 25W (Subwoofer)Keypad5 Touch keys: On/Off, Bluetooth, Inputs, Vol -, Vol+

TCL is a Chinese electronics company that produces home appliances, smartphones and computers, among other electronic products.

They have recently begun entering the soundbar market with several competitive models, including Alto 6+ 2.1 Channel Dolby Audio SoundBar with Wireless Subwoofer.

A slim soundbar model like this one is perfect for people who are looking for something smaller to fit their TV sets or computer monitors; it has dimensions of 34.25 x 13.75 x 10.25 inches and weighs 14 pounds (with subwoofers) which makes it easy to fit on most tables or shelves without taking too much space.

Integrated Dolby Atmos Digital decoder for up-mixing stereo content to multi-channel surround effects; this soundbar supports most sources of digital entertainment, including your TV, Xbox, PS4 and other popular media players.

Main Structure

The Alto 6+ is suitable for TVs that have a display size ranging from 32 inches to 75 inches. This model has an impressively slim design with no wires, which makes it great for wall mounting if you’re having problems connecting power cords or optical cables between your TV set and the bar itself.

This soundbar system comes equipped with one wireless subwoofer with a built-in amplifier, digital signal processing so you can place it anywhere in the room without worrying about wire clutter.

Controls are located on the top of the soundbar for easy access while you’re seated in front of your TV. You can control all settings using a remote that comes with the unit or use Bluetooth to wirelessly connect to your smartphone and use an app to easily configure device options.

Connectivity

Setup for this Alto 6+ system only takes a few minutes at most; simply attach one end of the included optical cable into your TV’s digital audio port (this bar has an input for 3.5 mm aux cable, too) and attach the other end into Alto 6+. You can then use Bluetooth connectivity with your smartphone devices, gaming consoles or media players, and you’re good to go.

It advanced features like Bluetooth, RCA (in and out), 3.5 mm auxiliary input and 1/4 inch aux input which work great for gaming consoles, media players and TV set ports; the best part about this soundbar is that it doesn’t require a separate amplifier.

Alto 6+ comes with a remote control that you can use to adjust the volume or manage playback settings such as pause or play. You can also choose from different listening or sound modes, such as sports mode, which enhances dynamic range, so you get to hear every grunt and tackle while watching your favourite team play on TV.

Sound Quality

The Alto 6+ provides you with enough sound strength to fill the room with crisp vocals and dynamic movie soundtracks from your favourite films or TV shows.

It also comes with Bluetooth connectivity so you can wirelessly stream music from your smartphone devices which is very convenient if you’re having a party at home and don’t want anyone to miss out on the fun because they have to be near a computer connected device to play their favourite songs.

Alto 6+ includes Dolby Digital decoder for up-mixing stereo content to surround sound and other Dolby Digital decoders such as Dolby Digital Plus and True HD. This feature makes it possible for you to experience surround sound from any device that doesn’t support the format.

This model automatically detects the format of your audio output and processes accordingly, so there is no need to worry about changing settings or configurations to get superior surround effects.

Pros

Cons

Verdict

The Alto 6+ is a very stylish and sleek soundbar system that delivers clear vocals and dynamic soundtracks from your favourite movies.

For the price, you get a soundbar that delivers solid audio performance from its single speaker unit without all of the bells and whistles offered in more expensive models.

6. Sony HT-MT300/B Powerful Mini Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer

OVERALL SCORE

AUDIBLE FREQUENCY
80%
SOUND RANGE
83%
VOICE DISTORTION
77%
VALUE
80%
Ratings:
4.3/5

Main Features/ Technical Specifications:

  • Connectivity Technology: Bluetooth, USB port, NFC

  • Speaker Type: Soundbar

  • Brand: Sony

  • Model Name: HT-MT300/B

  • Mounting Type: Table Top

Sony HT-MT300/B is a great soundbar that offers crisp, crystal clear sound performance in a sleek and compact form.

This is great for people who want to experience surround sound effects without investing in expensive speaker systems.

They can just get the HT-MT300/B and connect it to their widescreen TV using an HDMI cable, place it closer to the wall if they need more bass response(separate subwoofer) or further away from the back wall if they don’t.

Main Structure

The separate subwoofer has dimensions of 3.74 x 15.08 x 14.37 inches. You can easily attach this speaker system to your TV and move it from one room to another quite conveniently.

The material used in this soundbar and subwoofer is highly durable, according to the results of our different tests.

On top of the soundbar, there are controls such as power, volume and input buttons. The LED indicators inform you of the mode, sound modes, such as standby mode or Bluetooth mode.

Connectivity

The system is equipped with Bluetooth connectivity for wireless streaming of music from smartphones or tablets that don’t support A2DP or Audio Cast (AAC) connections, such as Apple devices.

But, you can connect using RCA input ports or optical input ports if needed.

You have all of the necessary connectivity options at your fingertips here, so setting up this sound system should be a breeze.

Sound Quality

Sony HT-MT300/B features a built-in subwoofer and emits great sound from two channels (soundbar and woofer). If you feel like you need more bass, this one also comes with a external subwoofer which can be placed on the floor directly beside your couch; there is no complicated setup required to get it working.

The HT-MT300/B delivers full digital surround sound in a compact soundbar with its unique speaker design, which directs sound towards you for more engaging viewing experiences. It is designed to approach sound elements from different angles.

The 2-way bass-reflex subwoofer has an amplifier that gives it a big sound for its small size. The woofer provides deep and tight low-frequency sounds, which enhances the surrounding effects.

Pros

Cons

Verdict

The HT-MT300/B is one of those soundbars which make you feel like you got more than what you paid for. It has clear vocals and punchy bass, which can be perfect if you want something quick and easy to set up.

Related: Best Soundbar For Samsung TV.

Conclusion

Just to summarise, if you are looking for a simple, easy-to-setup soundbar with good quality audio experience and features like Bluetooth connectivity, then these models might be just what you need.

FAQ's

What size subwoofer do I need?

The size of the subwoofer isn’t as important as its placement. For bass that has more impact, place it closer to you (within 2 feet), and if you want more boom, put it right behind your couch or chair.

What does a sound bar do?

A sound bar is a thin speaker that is designed to be mounted under a television or on a wall above or below it. Soundbars are used to provide better quality audio for movies and games with a minimal footprint.

What is the difference between the soundbar and home theatre system?

A home theatre system refers to an entire sound setup that consists of at least one large speaker, subwoofer(s) and sometimes a receiver. A soundbar is a speaker or set of speakers designed to be mounted over or under the TV.

What are the benefits of getting a Bluetooth soundbar?

Wireless bluetooth connection soundbars are great for those who need something that makes it easy to mount their TVs since they don’t require messy wires running all around your living room.

Best Soundbars Under 200 Based on User Review