The 5 Best Budget Soundbar 2025 – Reviews & Comparison
Best Budget Soundbar 2025: Equipping your home theater system with high-quality audio doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Budget-friendly soundbars can still enhance your TV, movie, and music experience, offering clear dialogue, deep bass, and immersive surround sound. Whether you need a soundbar with a subwoofer for action-packed movies or a compact model for a small space, we’ve tested and ranked the best budget soundbars for 2025.
Best Budget Soundbars – 2025
| Soundbar | Mixed Usage | Dialogue/TV Shows | Music | Movies | Channels | Subwoofer | Atmos Support | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hisense AX5125H | 7.7 | 7.9 | 7.6 | 7.6 | 5.1.2 | ✅ | ✅ | Best Overall |
| Samsung HW-B650 | 7.4 | 8.1 | 7.7 | 6.8 | 3.1 | ✅ | ❌ | Best Without Satellites |
| Vizio M Series M213ad-K8 | 7.1 | 7.5 | 7.1 | 6.8 | 2.1 | ❌ | ✅ (Downmixed) | Best Standalone |
| Samsung HW-S60D | 7.3 | 7.8 | 7.5 | 6.9 | 5.0 | ❌ | ✅ (Downmixed) | Best Small Soundbar |
| Hisense HS2100 | 6.9 | 7.6 | 7.4 | 6.2 | 2.1 | ✅ | ❌ | Best Cheap Soundbar |
Best Budget Soundbar: Hisense AX5125H
Overall Rating: 7.7/10
- Dialogue/TV Shows: 7.9
- Music: 7.6
- Movies: 7.6
- Channels: 5.1.2
The Hisense AX5125H is the best budget soundbar we’ve tested. It’s one of the most affordable options with rear satellite speakers, enhancing the surround sound experience. The 5.1.2 channel setup includes up-firing drivers, which improve Dolby Atmos playback for a more immersive height effect.
Key Features:
✅ Rear satellite speakers for surround sound
✅ Dedicated subwoofer for deeper bass
✅ Multiple audio formats supported (DTS:X-HD, Dolby Digital)
✅ Extensive connectivity (eARC, HDMI, Optical)
Trade-offs:
❌ No Wi-Fi or app control (only Bluetooth)
If you want an affordable yet feature-rich soundbar, the Hisense AX5125H is an excellent choice.
Best Budget Soundbar Without Satellites: Samsung HW-B650
Overall Rating: 7.4/10
- Dialogue/TV Shows: 8.1
- Music: 7.7
- Movies: 6.8
- Channels: 3.1
For those who don’t have space for rear satellite speakers, the Samsung HW-B650 is a great alternative. It offers a center channel for clear dialogue and an optional subwoofer to improve bass performance.
Key Features:
✅ Great for dialogue-heavy content
✅ Graphic EQ for sound customization
✅ Dedicated subwoofer included
Trade-offs:
❌ No Dolby Atmos or up-firing speakers
❌ Downmixes 5.1 content to stereo
If you primarily watch TV shows and listen to music, the HW-B650 offers great sound clarity without requiring additional speakers.
Best Budget Standalone Soundbar: Vizio M Series M213ad-K8
Overall Rating: 7.1/10
- Dialogue/TV Shows: 7.5
- Music: 7.1
- Movies: 6.8
- Channels: 2.1
For those living in small apartments or dorm rooms, a standalone soundbar like the Vizio M Series M213ad-K8 is a great option. It offers clear dialogue and solid stereo performance in a compact design.
Key Features:
✅ All-in-one design, no subwoofer needed
✅ Dolby Atmos & Dolby Digital support
✅ Balanced sound for TV shows and music
Trade-offs:
❌ Weaker bass without a subwoofer
❌ Downmixes surround sound to stereo
If you don’t have space for extra speakers, the Vizio M Series M213ad-K8 is a solid standalone option.
Best Budget Small Soundbar: Samsung HW-S60D
Overall Rating: 7.3/10
- Dialogue/TV Shows: 7.8
- Music: 7.5
- Movies: 6.9
- Channels: 5.0
The Samsung HW-S60D is perfect for small living rooms or tight spaces. At less than 27 inches wide, it fits under most TVs or PC monitors.
Key Features:
✅ Compact design
✅ Built-in Alexa and Chromecast
✅ Supports Dolby Atmos (downmixed)
✅ Graphic EQ for sound customization
Trade-offs:
❌ No subwoofer, so bass is limited
❌ Not as immersive as larger soundbars
If you need a small but powerful soundbar, the Samsung HW-S60D delivers good sound quality in a compact size.
Best Cheap Soundbar: Hisense HS2100
Overall Rating: 6.9/10
- Dialogue/TV Shows: 7.6
- Music: 7.4
- Movies: 6.2
- Channels: 2.1
The Hisense HS2100 is the best budget pick for those wanting an upgrade from TV speakers without spending too much.
Key Features:
✅ Affordable price (~$100 range)
✅ Dedicated subwoofer for deeper bass
✅ Supports Dolby Digital & DTS formats
Trade-offs:
❌ No Dolby Atmos support
❌ Limited surround performance
If you want a simple and budget-friendly upgrade, the Hisense HS2100 is a great pick.
Conclusion
Finding a budget-friendly soundbar doesn’t mean sacrificing quality. The Hisense AX5125H is the best overall pick with rear satellites and Dolby Atmos support. If you need a compact option, the Samsung HW-S60D is a great alternative. For those looking for the most affordable upgrade, the Hisense HS2100 is the best cheap soundbar.
FAQs
1. What is the best budget soundbar for movies?
The Hisense AX5125H is the best for movies due to its 5.1.2 setup and Dolby Atmos support.
2. Which budget soundbar has the best bass?
The Hisense AX5125H and Samsung HW-B650 both have dedicated subwoofers for better bass performance.
3. Do budget soundbars support Dolby Atmos?
Some do! The Hisense AX5125H and Vizio M Series M213ad-K8 support Dolby Atmos, though some may downmix the audio.
4. What is the best cheap standalone soundbar?
The Vizio M Series M213ad-K8 is the best standalone soundbar for small spaces.
5. Are budget soundbars good for music?
Yes! The Samsung HW-S60D and Hisense AX5125H both offer balanced sound for music playback.
