Top 10 Best Soundbar Under $200

Are you looking to own the best soundbar under $200? Well, luckily technological advancements have made it possible to enjoy the perks of good audio on a budget. You don’t have to worry about the quality of sound coming from your sound bar thanks to companies focusing on the entry-level buyer. 

In this article, our focus is on top best soundbars that will not cost an arm and a leg. Here’s a quick comparison of what to expect.

Last update on 2023-09-04 | Details

Best Performing Soundbars Under $200

VIZIO V-Series 5.1 Home Theater Sound Bar

The VIZIO V-Series 5.1 Home Theater Sound Bar is a low-profile sound bar that delivers an immersive audio experience with 6 total speakers, optimized for 4K HDR content. With a 96dB sound pressure level and 50Hz – 20kHz frequency range, this sound bar is perfect for watching movies or gaming.

Additionally, the all-new backlit remote makes it easy to control your sound bar. The voice assistant input feature also allows you to use your voice to control your Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant devices through the sound bar. The VIZIO V-Series 5.1 Home Theater Sound Bar also features a variety of connectivity options. For example, it has HDMI ARC / eARC, USB, 3.5mm stereo mini jack, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth connectivity.

This allows you to easily connect the sound bar to a variety of devices. Additionally, the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity options allow you to wirelessly stream audio from your devices. So, if you’re looking for a sound bar that delivers an immersive audio experience and has a variety of connectivity options, then the VIZIO V-Series 5.1 Home Theater Sound Bar is the perfect choice for you!

SAMSUNG 2.1ch A550 A Series Soundbar

If you’re looking for an immersive surround sound experience, the SAMSUNG 2.1ch A550 A Series Soundbar is a great option. With Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS Virtual:X technology, you can enjoy realistic surround sound that makes you feel like you’re right in the middle of the action. Additionally, the Bass Boost button lets you instantly amplify the bass to add some power to your listening experience.

The wireless subwoofer included with the soundbar delivers deep, rich bass that really brings your music and movies to life. And when you’re gaming, the Game Mode ensures that you’ll have the advantage with sound that moves with the action on screen. For even more flexibility, the Adaptive Sound Lite mode optimizes sound to match the video content you’re watching.

Whether you’re connecting wirelessly via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, or using an HDMI connection, it’s easy to get started with the SAMSUNG 2.1ch A550 A Series Soundbar.

TCL Alto 8i 2.1 Channel Dolby Atmos Sound Bar

The TCL Alto 8i 2.1 Channel Dolby Atmos Sound Bar is a great way to improve your audio experience. With its built-in subwoofers, you’ll get deep and rich bass that will truly bring your music and movies to life. It also has specialized sound modes that will further enhance your audio experience. The device is also a great way to get Dolby Atmos sound for your home theater. With its multi-dimensional sound and deep bass, the Alto 8i brings movies and music to life in a whole new way.

This TCL soudnbar also lets you stream music wirelessly from your Bluetooth-enabled device. So you can easily enjoy your favorite music without having to worry about tangled cords. Plus, it also features connectivity technology that makes set up a breeze. With HDMI, optical, and Bluetooth connections, you can have the sound bar up and running in minutes. So, whether you’re looking to improve your audio experience at home or just want an easy way to stream music, the TCL Alto 8i 2.1 Channel Dolby Atmos Sound Bar is a great choice.

YAMAHA SR-B20A Sound Bar

The Yamaha Sound Bar SR-B20A is the ideal audio upgrade for your home theater. It delivers a powerful, room-filling sound with deep bass in one slim soundbar. The built-in subwoofers provide clear, accurate low frequencies while DTS Virtual – X virtual 3D surround sound gives you an immersive experience that will blow you away.

With Bluetooth streaming, you can easily switch between two devices and enjoy uninterrupted music without missing a beat. The Yamaha soundbar also comes with an included remote control that makes it easy to adjust volume or switch between inputs. This speaker has an HDMI input and output, as well as optical.

Roku Streambar

Roku Streaming Stick is a streaming media player that allows you to watch your favorite TV shows, movies, sports, and more on your TV. The Roku Streaming Stick features an enhanced remote with voice search for finding the best of what’s on offer. This compact device plugs into any HDMI port on your television and delivers smooth streaming in 1080p HD/4k/HDR quality.

Roku’s Streambar is the best soundbar for streaming TV and movies, with four full-range drivers producing 8 watts RMS each, for a total output of 32 watts RMS or 64 watts peak power. It also includes an enhanced remote with TV power and volume buttons.

These voice assistants are compatible with all Roku devices. To start a channel, ask Alexa or say “Hey Google” to launch channels, search for content, and control your streaming.

Yamaha YAS-109dB Sound Bar

Yamaha is another incredible brand that enables homeowners to complete their audio system setup with style. As a single bar, this unit has multiple mounting options and is even great for small rooms. It gives you an appealing setup which you’ll like to bring in your living space.

YAS-109 built-in speakers produce remarkable virtual surround sound with an output of 10dB. It’s one of the loudest units on our list, but you won’t be dealing with listening fatigue. YAS-109 integrates a clear voice function which balances how you hear people speak on TV. You will hear every single word with better clarity, and you’ll never have to keep adjusting volume according to the scene.

It brings you a cinematic audio experience thanks to the wall to wall expansive sound. The built-in subwoofers are a fantastic addition that ensures you won’t be adding any subwoofers unless you are hosting a party.

Connectivity is also two-way, either wired or wireless Bluetooth connection. The remote control gives you easy operation. It even has a downloadable app (Home Theatre Control App) which gives you access to more functions other than those in the remote control. YAS-109 also offers Bluetooth control with great sound quality. Whichever preference you have, this soundbar is ready to roll.

JBL Bar Studio 2.0

The JBL Bar Studio 2.0 is a 30-watt soundbar that provides you with deep bass and clear highs, giving you the best possible audio experience. With a frequency response of 60Hz to 20kHz, this soundbar is capable of producing high-quality sounds even at low volumes. It also features an HDMI input that allows for easy connectivity to your TV or set-top box. The soundbar dimensions are 614 x 58 x 86mm, and it weighs 1.4kg.

The JBL Bar Studio 2.0 comes with Bluetooth connectivity which lets you wirelessly stream music from your phone or tablet directly t your soundbar.

Sony S200F 2.1ch Soundbar

Sony’s S200F soundbar with a built-in subwoofer is a must-have for anyone looking to enhance their entertainment experience! The low-profile design of the soundbar does not obstruct the view of your television, so you can still watch movies or sports without having to look at a big box on top of your TV. This Sony soundbar also includes Bluetooth technology, which allows you to connect wirelessly to any compatible device and play music and it also has an HDMI input that allows you to connect it directly to your television.

The soundbar’s voice enhancement feature strengthens the listening experience, ideal for TV content with hushed dialogue or conference call quality. The deep bass is delivered by a built-in subwoofer. Enjoy the detailed sound and rich bass across multiple entertainment sources including movies, sports, music, and video games.

Samsung HW-R450 200Watt 2.1 Channel

We all know Samsung, and it’s no wonder their soundbar emerges top in this roundup. This is a soundbar that includes a wireless subwoofer. It is the ultimate home entertainment system when you are on a tight budget. Although cheap, the sound is on a level of immersive surround sound enabled by Dolby Digital Sound.

The unit also supports DTS-2 channel audio for that cinematic surround sound.Feel as if you are in the action of your favorite movies with the active wireless subwoofer. It has enhanced bass which lets you enjoy sports, shows, and videos. You can set it just about anywhere in your room as you will be connecting wirelessly to other Bluetooth enabled devices like MP3s, computers, tablets, and mobile phones.

This soundbar will connect seamlessly with your Samsung TV. It goes easy on the wires so you won’t be dealing with wire clutter. What’s more, you can easily control this soundbar using a Samsung TV OneRemote through TV UI.

With the Samsung Audio Remote App, control is in the palm of your hand. You gain access to soundbar functions like media controls, power, and volume. Customization comes easy from the comfort of your couch.

Polk Audio Polk Signa Solo

An immersive home theatre experience is what the Polk Signa is all about. Polk Audio is not new to the world of sound systems. They have been around for more than ten years thus we are convinced that what this brand entails is quality on a high level.

First, this model uses its patented Polka SDA Surround Technology. It creates a multi-dimensional soundstage with detailed stereo imaging. You get a room filled with immersive sound so that you can enjoy your favorite TV shows, movies, and music.

This soundbar integrates Polk VoiceAdjust Technology to give crystal clear dialogue by allowing customization of the voice levels. Not to mention, it will not need an extra subwoofer thanks to the built-in bass ports and a four-driver array that delivers 10X more bass. You are set for the most exciting time when using this model.

Apart from the sound features, Polk Signa includes Bluetooth connectivity for streaming music directly from mobile devices. You can stream all your favorites and enjoy sound quality only offered by a Polk soundbar.

However, you can’t control this device from your TV. It is designed to work only with the supplied remote. If you have a small sized room, this is probably the most practical choice for under $200. It has a super wide soundstage which results in great home theatre sound.

Recent Updates (18/04/2022)

• Added TCL Alto 8i 2.1, SAMSUNG 2.1ch A550 and VIZIO V-Series 5.1
• Removed MEGACRA 2.1 Channel 100Watt Home Theater Sound Bars, Wohome Soundbar S9920
• Added YAMAHA YAS-109 Sound Bar, SAMSUNG Bluetooth Smart Sound Soundbar Model 2020, Roku Streambar, JBL Bar Studio 2.0.

Read also:

• Best Soundbars Under $300
• Best Soundbars Under $500

Advantages of Choosing a Sound Bar

• Easy to Setup

A soundbar is a slim cabinet that holds the speakers. You won’t be dealing with a maze of wires and setting up of individual speakers when you want to attain excellent surround sound.

• Precision Engineering

The design of a sound bar, no matter the price range is that it is an all-in-one speaker system. They produce a rich sound that is similar to any superior speaker system. They feature amplification and sound processing for perfect self-modulation.

• Simple and Affordable Solution

When the flat panel TV was born, we had crystal clear pictures, but their tiny speakers could not give us the audio effects that keep us glued to the TV. That’s where soundbars come in as they connect to the TV and give us explosive sounds that match HD imagery of the TV.

Attributes of a Good Soundbar

• Impeccable Quality

Quality is not something you get to compromise on even on a budget. Your soundbar should produce rich audio that you will be impressed hearing. If not, then it’s not the right pick for your TV. Sometimes compatibility can be an issue, so it’s something you need to consider before spending some money on a soundbar.

• Brand

There are brands that have a better reputation than others. And when it comes to picking the right soundbar, you may want to look at a model that has been approved by buyers with the backing of a good name in this industry.

• Durable Construction

The design in terms of components and parts can be similar in the $200 price range. But you should pause to see what others are saying about the longevity of a particular model.

Soundbar vs. Sound Base

Two types of soundbars exist: The literal bar and Sound Base

• The literal bar

As the description states, this is a long, thin bar that can be paired with a subwoofer. It can be installed next to the TV or wall-mounted.

• Sound Base

This is a platform style bar which sits under the TV and supports it. It can have a more substantial speaker than a bar, thus capable of producing surprisingly better sound than a bar. But sound bases struggle to create the same kind of bass produced by a soundbar.

What kind of connection will you need for your Soundbar?

What kind of connection will you need for your Soundbar?

The most uncomplicated audio design is via Digital Audio Input where you connect all devices like the home theatre to the TV, and then connect the TV’s optical audio output to the sound bar. This allows you to switch between devices using your HDTV.

• Bluetooth

Many models support Bluetooth where you’ll be able to stream music and control the unit directly from your smartphone, computer, or tablet.

• Wi-Fi

Some soundbars are Wi-Fi enabled so that you can access online music services. You’ll even encounter models that provide an Ethernet jack pin to complete a wired connection to your home network.

FAQs about Buying a Soundbar Under $200

1. How do I set up my soundbar?

When connecting a new sound bar to the TV, it is important to first turn off the TV, then unplug both devices and plug back in after connecting. This will allow the two devices sufficient time to sync.

• To connect your sound-bar with your TV or other HDMI device:

Plug one end of an HDMI cable into the unused input port on the back of your TV. If you’re connecting your sound bar to a Blu-ray player or other device, plug the other end of the cable into that device’s HDMI OUT port. The final connection is between your soundbar and power source (usually an AC outlet).

• Using a digital optical audio connection

Most TV’s have an optical digital audio output. You’ll need a TOSLINK cable, which looks like a regular audio cable but has a square optical connector on each end. Plug one end of the cable into the OPTICAL AUDIO OUT port on your TV, and plug the other end into the OPTICAL AUDIO IN port on your soundbar.

• Using an analog (red and white) audio connection

Connect the red and white RCA cables to the AUDIO IN ports on your soundbar. Most soundbars also have a subwoofer output. If your soundbar has one, connect the other end of the RCA cables to the subwoofer’s AUDIO IN ports.

2. How do I troubleshoot if my soundbar isn’t working properly?

If your soundbar isn’t working, the first thing you should do is check all of the connections. Make sure that all of the cables are plugged in properly and that there is no debris obstructing the ports.

If everything seems to be connected correctly and your soundbar is still not working, try unplugging it and plugging it back in. If that doesn’t work, you may need to reset the soundbar by holding down the power button for 5 seconds or following the manual guide.

Read more: How to Reset a Soundbar

3. What are some common features of soundbars?

Soundbars usually have a variety of input and output ports so that they can be easily connected to other devices. They also have built-in amplifiers and speakers. Some soundbars come with a subwoofer, while others have a separate subwoofer that must be purchased separately.

Soundbars often have remote controls and some even have voice control capabilities. Many soundbars can be controlled using a smartphone or tablet app.

4. What are the benefits of buying a soundbar under $200?

Soundbars offer many benefits for users who want to improve their audio experience without spending a lot of money. For starters, soundbars are typically much cheaper than traditional home theater systems, which can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

In addition, soundbars are much easier to install and usually don’t require any additional wiring or equipment. Finally, soundbars often offer superior sound quality to traditional home theater systems, thanks to their slim design and powerful speakers.

5. What should I look for when shopping for a soundbar under $200?

There are a few things you should consider when looking for a soundbar under $200. First, think about your needs. What do you want the soundbar to do? Do you want it to be just for TV or movies, or do you also want it to be used for music?

Second, think about the size of your room. If you have a large living room, you’ll want a soundbar that can fill the space with sound. But if you have a smaller room, you might not need as powerful of a soundbar.

6. Which is the best place to install your Soundbar?

Knowing where to install your soundbar once you buy it, is one of the factors that is going to narrow down your choices. You need first to consider where your TV is currently positioned. Is it hanging on the wall or installed on the cabinet. 

• For a hanging TV, you can have the soundbar right below it. This gives an uncluttered look, especially for the modern living room setup.
• But when you have the TV in a cabinet, it will be essential to know the dimensions of the TV and that of the soundbar so that it will not block the TV when you install it in front of the TV. You can install the soundbar with the speakers lying flat or facing forward to ensure the TV is not close to being blocked.

Conclusion

There you have it; the best sound bars under $200. After researching the various designs on this list, we are happy that Samsung HW-R450 emerges as our best recommendation for under $200. It packs lots of exciting features that revolve around Bluetooth technology and excellent surround sound. The soundbar has a wireless subwoofer, an output of up to 200 watts, and Dolby plus DTS-2 surround sound support. It fulfills just about every spec we look for in a sound bar for the money.

You don’t have to go for the Samsung model if you don’t like the brand. We have some other models that still prove to be of incredible quality. The convenience of a soundbar cannot be understated. We hope your home entertainment goes a notch higher with one of these soundbars.