You read that right, I’ve got a list of compact soundbars under 200 bucks for you to check out! Watching TV is life, I know, especially at this time. Have you been just relying on the built-in speakers equipped on your TV? If so, I’m telling you that you’re truly missing out. Most of the time, the sound quality just doesn’t hit right with the exceptional colors on your screen; the solution for this is switching to soundbars. If you want to upgrade your sound system at home while staying on a budget, I’ve got the answers for you!
What are Soundbars?
Soundbars are speakers that are less bulky than home theater sound systems. These are becoming more popular among households because it definitely stands as a substantial audio upgrade. It has louder and clearer sounds than most speaker sets, plus it’s great for people who don’t want big speakers crowding their lounge. If you have limited space for huge speakers but still want superb audio for your favorite movies, you’ve got to add one of these for your lounge.
Features to Look for when Buying a Compact Soundbar
Like anything else, soundbars come in different shapes and sizes. Most models are also on the pricey side, since a lot are produced by high-end brands. Lucky for you, I’ve searched for and tested out eight budget-friendly choices. Before you proceed to my list, here are the factors I checked for choosing my top picks. The following might also come in handy when you make your own purchase in the future:
- Connectivity
I think this feature is the first one you should look into. Ensure that the soundbar is compatible with the connection on your TV. Some units can support smart features and Bluetooth for wireless connections, while most are connected through TV ports like HDMI, RCA, and optical audio. Some models also feature several ports so that you can use them with multiple devices.
- Size
Next up is the size we’re going for. In this case, I only considered soundbars that are not longer than the 40 inches long mark. Compact soundbars are easier to furnish because you can either just mount one on the wall or place one on the shelf.
- Subwoofer
If you’re very specific about your audio system, you might want to check if the soundbar you’re opting for has a subwoofer. This feature enhances the sound quality of what you’re watching or listening to because of the added bass. A soundbar can perform fine without a subwoofer, but if you love the bass, you might want to consider this factor.
- Smart Features
Who wouldn’t want a soundbar with superb audio quality and smart features for the ultimate experience? I still included this in your list for your reference, but this last feature isn’t commonly found in soundbars in a lower price range. It’s nice and convenient to have, but like the subwoofer, it’s not totally necessary.
8 Compact Soundbars Under $200
This is the section you’ve been waiting for! Check out my top picks, and you might find the soundbar just for your TV set.
1. BOMAKER 190W Soundbar with 125dB Subwoofer
If you want to have an immersive movie-watching experience, I recommend that you check out this BOMAKER soundbar. It features a 125-dB subwoofer that allows the soundbar to deliver you up to 3 times crisp and powerful sounds brought by the bass and full-range speakers. The subwoofer is specifically engineered to enhance the audio quality for you, providing you with a true deep bass. It’s also designed using DSP (Digital Signal Processing) Technology, so you’d sometimes feel like the room is shaking because of the bass.
I think the best part about this soundbar is that it comes with astounding 6 equalizer modes, such as Bass, Game, Music, Movie, News, and 3D. The unit is also equipped with multiple input ports like the HDMI, USB, Optical, and AUX; it also has a one-click control for ease of use. Talking about convenience, this soundbar also features Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity for fast and easy audio transmission without audio lags.
Pros:
- High-quality 125-dB subwoofer
- Crisp sound with the DSP Technology-based design
- Six equalizer modes to choose from
Cons:
- The pieces are slightly hard to rotate during setup.
You can purchase this BOMAKER speaker on Amazon for $127.73.
2. Sony S200F Soundbar with Built-In Subwoofer
The second product on my list is this Sony S200F, which features a built-in subwoofer so that you won’t have to worry about the extra box and cables on your lounge. Additionally, the soundbar comes with an HDMI ARC2 port and utilizes Bluetooth technology for a neat TV setup without all the protruding wires. These features and the fact that this speaker can also be mounted on the wall allow you to furnish your room easier.
When it comes to the sound quality, the Sony S200F doesn’t disappoint! With its deep bass and S-Force Pro Front Surround components, you’ll surely enjoy a cinematic experience when watching your favorite movies and feel the real rhythm of the music you’re streaming.
Pros:
- Built-in subwoofer
- Multiple ports for several device connections at once
- Powerful sound with deep bass brought by the S-Force Pro Front Surround feature
Cons:
- The sound volume doesn’t get louder.
- You only have the Surround Sound mode.
This model is available on Amazon for $148.00.
3. JBL Soundbar 2.1
Next up, I’ve got the JBL soundbar for you, which boasts of its Dolby Digital, JBL Surround Sound for the optimum movie-viewing and song-listening audio system. To balance the crisp sound of this speaker, the package includes a separate wireless subwoofer. Enjoy your relaxation time as your movies and games come to life with the soundbar’s deep bass.
Like the two previous models, the JBL Soundbar 2.1 features Bluetooth connectivity for maximum convenience. The unit also has multiple ports like AUX, USB, and HDMI for all-around connections. What I found to be distinctive about this soundbar is its JBL SoundShift feature, which lets you switch sounds between your smartphone and TV. Moreover, you can use your TV remote control to operate the JBL Soundbar 2.1.
Pros:
- Utilizes Dolby Digital and JBL Surround Sound
- Includes a wireless subwoofer
- Multiple ports for several device connections
- JBL SoundShift feature
Cons:
- The bass tends to have a distorted sound at a very high volume.
You can check this product out on Amazon for $179.99.
4. Vizio V21-H8 Home Theater Soundbar
If you want to get rid of the bulky speakers from your home theater system but still want the superb audio quality, I recommend you the Vizio V21-H8 Soundbar. It proudly features the Surround Theater Sound Complete ImmersionDTS® Virtual: X™, which guarantees you an impressive 3D sound for the ultimate room-filling listening experience. Not only that, the speaker also provides you with rich and clear sounds with its Bass3 wireless subwoofer.
For connectivity, the Vizio V21-H8 has something to prove. Aside from its Bluetooth technology, you can also control the soundbar using voice commands via Siri, Google Assistant, or Alexa; you can even adjust the soundbar settings while you’re watching a movie. Of course, the model has an HDMI port for a minimal cabled connection.
Pros:
- Surround Theater Sound Complete ImmersionDTS® Virtual: X™ feature
- Bass3 wireless subwoofer
- Can be controlled using Siri, Google Assistant, and Alexa
Cons:
- It produces some distorted sounds at the highest volume.
This Vizio soundbar is on Amazon for $172.79.
5. Bose Solo 5 TV Soundbar
This soundbar system is definitely your audio fix if you feel like your TV lacks that crisp sound. Enjoy what you’re watching even better with the Bose Solo 5 TV’s Dialogue Mode, which adds clarity to every word and detail on your show. While this model doesn’t come with a subwoofer, unlike the ones above, this soundbar’s bass is still commendable.
Make a neat TV set with this compact soundbar because of its placement flexibility; you can place it on a shelf and a desk or mount it on the wall near your TV. There’s also no need for excessive cables because you can set the speaker up with just one audio cord that can be analog or optical coaxial. You’ll also have a universal remote control and Bluetooth connectivity for the soundbar so that you can easily control your audio system.
Pros:
- Bose Solo 5 TV’s Dialogue Mode
- Compatible with Bluetooth connection
- Easy to furnish
Cons:
- It doesn’t come with a subwoofer.
- It lacks a low-bass sound.
You can take a look at this Bose Solo 5 TV Soundbar on Amazon for $153.99.
6. TCL Alto 6+ 2.1 Channel Dolby Audio Soundbar
If you’ve heard about the TCL Alto 9+ but don’t have the budget to splurge on the higher-end model, you can just try out this TCL Alto 6+ instead. This compact soundbar is powered by Dolby Digital audio technology, guaranteeing you high-quality, clear, and room-filling surround sounds. It comes with a wireless subwoofer, which balances the rich audio with its deep bass. This model also gives you specialized sound modes to improve your experience of watching movies, listening to music, and catching up with the news.
In terms of connectivity, TCL provides you with multiple connection points for your convenience. You have the HDMI, Bluetooth technology, and an optical audio port so that you can set up this compact soundbar smoothly.
Pros:
- Dolby Digital audio technology
- Includes a wireless subwoofer
- Multiple connection points
Cons:
- It doesn’t have a room correction feature.
The TCL Alto 6+ can be found on Amazon for $119.99.
7. Vizio SB2920-C6 Soundbar
We’ve got another Vizio soundbar aboard, and I think you should still check it out! If you feel like the previous Vizio above is still slightly pricey, then this is the compact soundbar for you. This model doesn’t have a subwoofer, but I’m telling you, it can still deliver crisp audio quality. The Vizio SB2920-C6 utilizes the DTS Studio Sound, DTS TruSurround, and DTS TruVolume to provide you with powerful sounds.
The speaker comes with an ergonomic remote control to adjust its settings as you watch. You can also wirelessly stream music directly from your phone via Bluetooth. Set up the soundbar system with ease because the cables you need are included in the package. You just need to connect it on your TV and enjoy the show!
Pros:
- Less expensive Vizio model
- Clear audio quality
- Easy to set up
- Ergonomic remote control for easy setting adjustments
Cons:
- It doesn’t come with a subwoofer.
You can find the Vizio SB2920-C6 on Amazon for $93.04.
8. Roku Streambar
How cool would it be to have a remarkable soundbar system and a streaming device at the same time? For my last pick, I chose the Roku Streambar for the obvious reasons. For one, its soundbar is engineered to have a brilliant audio quality; this way, you can ensure that you’ll hear every word from your show with clarity and listen to your music on a different level because of the added power and depth on the sounds. Its audio settings are also exemplary: it tones down the sound of louder commercials, boosts the voices’ volumes properly, and adjusts the sound of your music or movie at night.
On the other hand, the Roku Streambar is also a 4K streaming device, where you can stream and watch your favorite movies and TV shows on the most popular streaming channels like Netflix, Disney +, Hulu, and Sling. The Streambar is easy to set up; you just need to connect it to your TV and Wi-Fi, you’re good to go. Additionally, you can also use a Bluetooth connection as an additional wireless streaming source.
Pros:
- Works both as a soundbar and a streambar
- Automatic audio setting adjustments
- Compatible with a Bluetooth connection
Cons:
- It has a weak bass.
The Roku Streambar is available on Amazon for $129.00.
So, what is your best compact soundbar under $200?
To wrap it all up, I think the best one from my top picks is the BOMAKER Soundbar; with its subwoofer and 6 equalizer modes, this compact speaker is an excellent addition to any household. I can also say that the Roku Streambar can stand as my favorite because of its all-in-one features on streaming and superb audio quality. What are your thoughts on my list above? I highly recommend that you check out those units and choose according to your preferences!
