Soundbarsare a must-have for an immersive home theater experience. Finding soundbars under $500 might seem challenging, but discovering a model that balances cost, quality, and features is key to upgrading your audio experience. This guide covers the best soundbars, offering a perfect match for every user and enhancing everything from movie nights to daily news broadcasts.
Upgrading your audio experience doesn’t stop with choosing the right soundbar. Pair your new soundbar with a high-quality visual setup to fully immerse yourself in gaming or movies. Explore our guide on thebest TVs for gaming on an Xbox Series X/Sto make your visual experience match your audio investment.
Game Rant’s Best Soundbars Under $500
Sony HT-S400 2.1ch Soundbar
This Sony HT-S400 soundbar comes with a separate wireless subwoofer, which delivers convenience in placement without wires connecting to the soundbar and deep, rich bass sound. The 2.1 setup supports surround sound and clear dialogue. Thanks to the S-Force PRO Front Surround and Dolby Digital supports, the speakers can create a complex cinematic-style surround experience.The speaker system can output a total of 330 watts of powerful audio. Operation is simple and easy with a compact remote and using the OLED display window.
The Sony HT-S400 2.1ch Soundbar is the best overall soundbar under $500 for an immersive audio experience without breaking the bank. Its powerful 330W output, along with Dolby Digital and S-Force PRO support, allows gamers and movie lovers to enjoy high-quality sound. The soundbar’s compact design makes it a great fit for larger living rooms, offering both power and style.
Although the Sony HT-S400 has many benefits, it also has a few drawbacks. Some have noted issues with performance consistency and the remote control. However, these minor setbacks do not overshadow the Sony HT-S400’s impressive audio capabilities and user-friendly features, making it the best overall soundbar under $500.
LG Eclair SE6S Sound Bar
The LG SE6S soundbar features an all-in-one design with Bluetooth connectivity and immersive audio through Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. It includes four passive radiators for powerful bass, a premium fabric wrap, and seamless control integration with LG TVs.
The LG Eclair SE6S Sound Bar is considered the best Dolby Atmos soundbar under $500. It brings exceptional audio experiences right into your home with its support for advanced Dolby Atmos and DTS audio formats. Moreover, its stylish design and compact size fit perfectly under your TV or on any shelf, making it a fantastic choice for small spaces or secondary setups like bedrooms.
The soundbar impresses with its easy installation and seamless integration with LG TVs. However, some may find the bass less powerful than expected for an immersive audio setup. Nonetheless, its overall performance and aesthetic design make it a standout choice, solidifying its position as the best Dolby Atmos soundbar under $500.
VIZIO V-Series 5.1 Sound Bar
The VIZIO V-Series is designed to deliver high-quality sound and is optimized for 4K HDR content with Dolby Audio 5.1. This soundbar provides loud and clear audio. Further improving the experience is DTS Virtual:X, which enhances any audio content by providing a virtualized 3D sound that fills the room from floor to ceiling.Accompanying the soundbar are two satellite speakers and a 5-inch wireless subwoofer which can be easily placed anywhere in the room. The VIZIO V-Series also supports integration with voice assistants such as Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant.
The VIZIO V-Series 5.1 Sound Bar offers exceptional sound quality for its price, making it the best subwoofer soundbar under $500. With an impressive 50 watts of power and advanced audio technologies like Dolby Audio 5.1 and DTS Virtual, it delivers a surround audio experience that rivals more expensive models. Its integration with voice assistants adds to its ease of use, making it a great choice for any home entertainment setup.
While the soundbar boasts many impressive features, some have noted challenges with connectivity and the remote control. However, its overall performance, powerful subwoofer, and satellite speakers make it a top choice. This soundbar provides depth of sound and easy integration into any living space, earning its title as the best subwoofer soundbar under $500.
LG S40T Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer
The LG S40T Soundbar is equipped with 4 channels, a 400W wireless subwoofer, and wireless rear speakers, compatible with Dolby Digital and DTS Digital. It features Bluetooth and HDMI connectivity, Hi Res Audio, Clear Voice Plus, a smart up-mixer, and can be controlled via the LG Soundbar App.
The LG S40T is the best mid-range soundbar under $500, offering impressive features for an exceptional audio experience. With a 400W wireless subwoofer and Dolby Audio format support, it delivers powerful, cinematic sound. Hi-Res Audio and Clear Voice Plus technology enhance both music quality and vocal clarity, making it a top choice for discerning listeners.
While the LG S40T has many benefits, there are some challenges to consider. Connectivity issues with the 5GHz Wi-Fi band and a less effective remote control are notable drawbacks. However, its ease of installation and multifunctional features still make it a leading option, securing its place as the best mid-range soundbar under $500.
SAMSUNG S60D 5.0ch Soundbar
The SAMSUNG S Series Soundbar features a 5.0 surround sound channel configuration, built-in subwoofers, and Wireless Dolby Atmos technology. It supports Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity and includes smart integrations like Alexa, Chromecast, and Airplay 2, all within a compact, portable design.
The SAMSUNG S60D 5.0ch Soundbar is regarded as the best high-end soundbar under $500, bringing cinematic quality to your home with its advanced audio technologies. Its 5.0 surround sound and built-in subwoofers, combined with Wireless Dolby Atmos, provide an immersive audio experience that is hard to find at this price. Additionally, its compact and portable design makes it an adaptable choice for any living space.
This Samsung soundbar impresses with its high-quality audio and features. However, some have noted connectivity issues that might affect satisfaction. Regardless, the overall performance and smart features like Alexa support and multiple connectivity options make it an ideal choice, securing its position as the best high-end soundbar under $500.
ULTIMEA Nova S50 Dolby Atmos SoundBar
The ULTIMEA Nova S50 Dolby Atmos SoundBar is the ideal way to elevate any gaming or streaming setup to full-blown Dolby Atmos Home Theater status. Equipped with Dolby Atmos, the top-of-the-line audio technology tailored for high-end devices, the Nova S50 offers incredible sound at a great price. Relying on the Dolby Atmos algorithm to transform an ordinary 2.1 stereo sound into a multi-dimensional sound, the Nova S50 provides users with immersive 3D audio that will dramatically fill any small to medium-sized room with amazing sound.
The ULTIMEA Nova S50 Dolby Atmos SoundBar offers a transformative audio experience, making it the best budget soundbar under $500. This soundbar delivers clear, high-quality sound that can fill your living room with immersive, cinematic audio thanks to its support for Dolby Atmos technology. Its stylish and compact design fits perfectly under your TV or on any desktop.
Although the Nova S50 has many outstanding features, it does have some drawbacks. The limited adjustability of sound settings and power output might not meet the demands of larger spaces or those seeking a customizable audio experience. However, considering its price and the features it offers, it remains an excellent choice for budget-conscious individuals seeking the best budget soundbar under $500.
FAQ
Q: Is it worth getting a soundbar under $500?
Yes, soundbars under $500 can offer excellent sound quality and features comparable to more expensive models, making them a great value for enhancing your audio setup.
Q: How do I connect a soundbar to my TV?
Soundbars can be connected to TVs via various methods such as HDMI, optical cables, or wirelessly through Bluetooth, depending on the interfaces supported by both devices.
Q: Do soundbars support multi-room audio?
Some soundbars support multi-room audio setups, allowing you to connect multiple speakers under a single system to play audio throughout your home.
