Soundbars are one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to improve your home’s sound system. Despite the spectacular picture quality of televisions, they are lacking in audio performance. This is simply because they have limited space for quality built-in speakers. Soundbars can turn the most mundane of sounds into a fantastic audio experience. They are compact, portable and easy to install. Even some inexpensive models come with external subwoofers and wireless connectivity. So, if you’re looking for the best soundbar under $ 400, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding one that offers exceptional sound quality.

In this in-depth review, we’ve taken into account feedback from real users and looked at several important product features based on advice from the manufacturers. Among the features we considered were design, connectivity methods, sound quality, brand, size and practicality. Other features such as wireless subwoofers, mounting kits, technology, audio modes and remote controls increased the ranking of these products over others.

Our research led us to spend many hours contacting manufacturer experts, talking to real customers, comparing and selecting the best soundbars from several brands. We have prepared a comparison table of the best models based on the cumulative results of our research, as well as comprehensive reviews highlighting the pros and cons of each product. In addition, we’ve created a buying guide that covers the important features to consider when choosing the best soundbar under £300. There’s also an FAQ section where we’ve answered some of the questions you might have. And finally, our final verdict in which we select and discuss the three best soundbars under £300.

BOMAKER Wireless Sound Bar 120dB

The BOMAKER is one of the best low-cost soundbars for Dolby Atmos. The soundbar has a minimalist design and features two upward-firing speakers that enhance sound immersion by creating height effects. So instead of the sound waves coming straight at you in a linear fashion, they bounce off your ceiling towards you. It also features BOMAKER, which allows the system to simulate surround sound and create height effects without using the soundbar’s height channels. This feature is particularly useful if you do not have the required ceiling height/configuration to use the soundbar’s height speakers.

The SB36512-F6 also comes with two dedicated surround speakers, a wireless subwoofer and a small, low-light LED remote control. The soundbar has a 3.5mm analogue input, digital audio input, HDMI IN and HDMI OUT (ARC) as sound input options. It also has an Ethernet port and a USB port. On the top of the soundbar there are buttons for power, volume control, input selection and Bluetooth pairing. You’ll find a set of LED indicators on the front left edge that flash to signal changes in function.

The VIZIO SB3651-F6 soundbar also has Chromecast functionality and can be connected to your mobile device if you have Chromecast-enabled apps like Google Play Music, Spotify and Pandora. With the SmartCast app, you can access iHeartRadio stations and set up an audio group with other devices. It’s also compatible with Google Assistant and setup is simple.

With so many built-in features at an affordable price, the BOMAKER is one of the best Dolby Atmos audio solutions.

Yamaha YAS-207BL

The Yamaha YAS-207 is the first sound bar to use the advanced DTS Virtual:X and DTS Virtual Surround technologies. The soundbar makes it easier to immerse yourself in crisp, realistic sound without having to spend thousands of dollars on a full surround sound system. With DTS Virtual:X, the YAS-207 virtualises sound in different dimensions, adding depth and height and providing a better experience of sound realism and immersion in sound. Unlike the Vizio SB36512-F6, there are no upward-facing speakers. Instead, it has six speakers that are slightly angled, but placed in such a way that they simulate highly detailed sound effects above and around you.

In terms of design, it has a long, slim rectangular shape with touch controls for the various inputs and functions placed on the front of the soundbar. There are also indicator lights on the front that show the various statistics and selections of the system. The YAS-207 comes with a wireless subwoofer and a small remote control that allows you to perform a range of functions, including changing inputs and switching between sound modes. In terms of inputs, the YAS 207 includes an HDMI (ARC) input, an HDMI input, an optical connection, a 3.5mm analogue socket and a single USB input. The HDMI connectivity supports 4K UHD and HDR transmission. The soundbar has built-in Bluetooth, but does not support MusicCast, Airplay or Chromecast. Installation is incredibly easy and it comes with a mounting template and built-in keyholes.

With its incredibly low price, many built-in features and impressive sound quality, the Yamaha YAS-207 is one of the best soundbars, if not the best soundbar, for under $400

 

Polk Audio Signa S2

The Polk Audio Signa S2 is easily one of the best wireless subwoofer soundbars under £300. It features a minimalist design and comes with built-in Dolby Digital 5.1 decoding that delivers an immersive surround sound experience. It also features the company’s exclusive Voice Adjust technology, which allows you to hear dialogue with incredible clarity. The included wireless subwoofer provides enhanced deep bass impact and accurate output.

The Signa S2 is approximately 2.2 inches high, 35.4 inches wide and is compact enough to fit under most TVs without blocking the TV’s IR port. The soundbar can also be mounted to the wall with screws, as it has built-in keyholes. Like most of the soundbars in our research, the Signa S2 has an optical port, an ARC HDMI port that is compatible with 4K and HD TVs, a 3.5mm AUX input and built-in Bluetooth connectivity that allows you to stream music from your smartphone or PC.

In addition, the soundbar features a set of one-touch equalisation settings that allow you to adjust the sound output for music, movies and night mode that optimises the sound for a worry-free listening experience. An infrared (IR) remote control is also included with the unit, as well as an optical cable for quick and easy installation.

For over four decades now, Polk Audio has been making high-quality home audio products, and the Signa S2 is no exception. This soundbar offers exceptional value at a price that won’t cost you an arm and a leg.

Yamaha YAS-108

Like the Yamaha YAS-207, the YAS-108 also features DTS Virtual:X technology, which creates a wider, more immersive surround sound field. The 35-inch soundbar is capsule-shaped as opposed to the usual hard rectangular shape. Its clever design makes it easy to place on a countertop or slide under a TV. If you want to wall mount it, a wall mounting template is included as well as keyhole brackets on the back of the soundbar.

Although there is no separate subwoofer, the soundbar has two built-in 3-inch subwoofers. The soundbar also has a subwoofer output port, which allows you to easily add an external subwoofer for deeper bass. In addition, it features Yamaha’s Clear Voice dialogue enhancement technology, which makes dialogue more intelligible.

The YAS-108 supports Bluetooth connectivity and has strong 4K Ultra HD compatibility. Its input options include HDMI, ARC, 3.5mm analogue and Toslink optical input and output. However, there is no Wi-Fi option available. The soundbar seems to make up for this with its ability to connect to two Bluetooth devices at once, although it only supports playback from one of the connected devices. This means you can connect a device such as an Echo Dot or Google Assistant speaker and control your soundbar by voice.

The remote control offers another way to control the soundbar with its neatly arranged buttons, but you can also use the Yamaha HT Controller app. Even without an external subwoofer, the YAS-108 offers impressive sound for a fraction of the price of more expensive models. It’s explicitly one of Yamaha’s best soundbars under $300 and well worth considering.

 

ZVOX AccuVoice AV203

If you’re tired of always missing the dialogue in your movies and music, the ZVOX AccuVoice AV203 is your answer. The AV203 is a dialogue enhancement speaker that offers six levels of audio enhancement using the company’s patented sound algorithms. The soundbar uses Dialogue Boost technology, a built-in DAC and three full-range speakers to isolate voices from background noise and amplify them for greater clarity. This makes it easier for you to hear and understand what people are saying on screen.

The AV203 has an attractive design with dimensions of 17 x 3.1 x 2.9 inches. It is comparatively smaller than other soundbars and can easily be hung under a wall-mounted TV set thanks to the keyholes on the back of the cabinet. You can also place it on a piece of furniture in front of your TV without encroaching on your screen or the TV’s infrared receiver. The soundbar’s connectivity features are primarily wired. It has a 3.5mm analogue/digital stereo input and is supplied with an optical cable and an RCA cable. However, it does not support HDMI, USB, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity. In addition, the soundbar does not have a subwoofer, but it can be used with a subwoofer or externally powered headphones.

The soundbar also comes with a conveniently sized and easy-to-hold infrared remote control. The remote control has dedicated buttons to perform various functions, including turning the soundbar on and off and adjusting its volume. For a soundbar of this price and size, the AV203 is surprisingly powerful. It may not be as feature-rich as other soundbars, but it’s great for delivering crystal clear dialogue.

Is it worth buying a sound bar?

Thanks to recent technological advances, televisions have become ridiculously thinner. Sure, they produce a crystal clear picture. But even the best of them don’t sound as good as their picture quality. The most obvious solution is to buy a home theatre sound system. However, a complete home theatre system will cost you thousands of dollars and, in addition to the complexity of installation, they take up a lot of space.

Soundbars offer a solution to these problems. With a sound bar, you get a sound experience that closely matches the realistic image on your TV screen. Soundbars add amazing depth, power and clarity to your entertainment. Other obvious benefits include affordability, ease of installation and convenience of use. In short, a soundbar is the best way to make your money work for you without having to put up with the poor sound quality of your TV.

What can you expect from a soundbar under $ 400

While some soundbars can match the sound power associated with expensive speakers and amplification systems, their sound quality and features often depend on their price. The cheaper the model you choose, the more basic its features will be. For a soundbar in the £300 price range, you can expect high fidelity sound, clearer dialogue and improved bass. Most soundbars under £300 also come with more speakers, mid-range speakers and a more complex configuration. Soundbars such as the Vizio SB3651-F6, Yamaha YAS-207BL and YAS-108 feature the latest audio processing technologies such as Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual:X. Some models, such as the SB36512-F6, feature rear surround speakers that create a true surround sound system.

Most soundbars under £300 come with a dedicated external subwoofer, usually wireless, which adds a deeper bass impact to your music and movies. Other features you can expect are Bluetooth and/or Wi-Fi connectivity, RCA/HDMI and 4K/HDR playback.

Features to consider when choosing a soundbar

Not all sound bars are created equal. So, if you choose the wrong one, you may end up with a sound bar that doesn’t meet your needs or barely improves the sound of your TV. Fortunately, we’ve done all the hard work for you. Read on to find out the most important things to consider before buying a soundbar.

Soundbar type and configuration

You’ve probably noticed numbers like 2.1, 5.1 and 7.1 on soundbars. These numbers are usually used to indicate how many channels your soundbar has, and whether it comes with a subwoofer. For example, a 2.1 channel soundbar has two channels of front speakers and an external subwoofer. Similarly, a soundbar with a 5.1 configuration will have five speakers plus a separate subwoofer.

You may also encounter three numbers instead of two. For example, a 5.1.4 configuration means that the soundbar uses Dolby Atmos surround sound technology, with the number “4” indicating four upward-facing speakers. A sound bar with a similar configuration is the Vizio SB3651-F6 with 5.1.2 channels.

Sound quality

It is important to note that the sound quality of your soundbar is what defines your audio experience. Ideally, your soundbar should have a wide frequency range between 50 Hz and 20 KHz. For deeper and more intense bass, it is best to buy a device with a separate subwoofer. A subwoofer reproduces the low frequency sound effects of your movies and video games to create a more complete sound experience. The Vizio SB36512-F6 is the best wireless subwoofer soundbar under £300 on our list.

In addition, the sound quality of your soundbar may depend on its configuration and audio processing technology. Some models use multi-channel speakers and object-based audio technologies that overcome the limitations of stereo in basic sound bars. You can enjoy spectacular 3D surround sound with the Vizio SB3651-F6 or Polk Audio Signa S2 which use Dolby Digital processing, or Yamaha’s YAS-207BL and YAS-108 which use DTS:X to add the element of depth and height.

Connectivity

When you’re in the market for a soundbar, make sure you choose a model that has the necessary connections for your TV and other devices. Any good model will have all or one digital connector (coaxial, optical and HDMI), as well as analogue stereo RCA or mini-jack inputs. Most new soundbars support HDMI ARC, which allows your TV to stream audio to your soundbar. This means you can connect your cable box, Blu-ray player, games console and other devices directly to your TV and then send the sound to the soundbar via the HDMI ARC connector on your TV.

In addition to wired connections, many soundbars now support Bluetooth, making it easier to play music from your mobile devices. In this review, the YAS-207 is the best sound bar under £300 with Bluetooth. Some models also have built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, which allows you to stream music online from music sites such as Pandora, Spotify and more. Wi-Fi connectivity also allows you to create a multi-room music connection or control your soundbar with Alexa or Google Assistant.

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Dimensions and installation

Soundbars come in different shapes and sizes. If you’re placing the soundbar on a cabinet under your TV, make sure it’s designed so that it doesn’t block your TV’s remote control sensor, otherwise you can mount it on a wall for a cleaner, sleeker look. Whatever you choose, check the dimensions (length, width and depth) of your soundbar and TV. There’s nothing worse than unpacking your favourite soundbar and discovering that it doesn’t fit your existing TV installation

Convenience

Your soundbar should also be easy to use and install. In most soundbars, all you need to do is connect a power cable and an optical or HDMI cable to your TV. Your soundbar should also have a mounting kit and template that makes it easy and effortless to install on a wall. Ideally, your soundbar should come with its own remote control to seamlessly control your device. In this review, our five soundbars all come with remotes, but the AccuVoice AV203 is the best TV soundbar under £300 with the strongest remote.

Warranty

Most manufacturers offer warranties of up to 13 months. This gives you security and peace of mind if something goes wrong with your soundbar or if it doesn’t work properly. Speaking of security, Yamaha’s YAS-207 and YAS-108 offer you the best solution with a 2-year warranty each.

Our verdict

After a thorough evaluation, we’ve concluded that the models below are the three best soundbars for under £300. Whether you want to immerse yourself in your favourite video games, or are looking for an immersive Dolby Atmos soundbar to enjoy the latest Netflix TV series, you can’t go wrong with any of these three soundbars.

The Vizio SB3651-F6 soundbar should be on the list of anyone looking for a spectacular 3D surround sound field for home entertainment. The sound bar is very easy to use and set up, and it comes with several impressive features.

The Yamaha YAS-207 is another contender for the title of sound bar under £300. This sound bar offers incredible surround sound quality thanks to DTS Virtual:X technology. It’s packed with features and is easy to set up. It’s also feature-packed and easy to set up.

For those on a budget, the YAS-108 offers immersive and accurate surround sound for a soundbar without an external subwoofer, although it does have two 3-inch subwoofers built into the unit. It also has tons of features and conveniences. Honestly, unless you’re looking for a soundbar in the €500 price range, the YAS-108 should be at the top of your shortlist.