Menu
 

Best Sony Soundbars

Updated August 2022
Why trust BestReviews?
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. Read more  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. Read more  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.Read more 
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Sony HT-A5000 Soundbar
Sony
HT-A5000 Soundbar
Check Price
Best for Everyday Use
Bottom Line

If you have a premium entertainment center or PlayStation 5, you should consider the immersive sound and feature-rich design of the Sony HT-A5000 Soundbar.

Pros

Powerful 3D surround sound. Features Dolby Atmos and DTS:X technologies. Deep bass. Supports 8K, 4K, and Dolby Vision for gaming and movies. Upscales compressed CD and MP3 formats.

Cons

Subwoofers are sold separately.

Best Bang for the Buck
Sony HT-S350 2.1 Channel Soundbar with Subwoofer and Bluetooth Technology
Sony
HT-S350 2.1 Channel Soundbar with Subwoofer and Bluetooth Technology
Check Price
Budget-Friendly
Bottom Line

Affordable 2.1 channel system with the basics: HDMI in/out; Bluetooth connectivity.

Pros

Voice enhancement makes speech clear by blocking background noise. S-Force PRO Front Surround gives a great sound experience. Offers 7 different sound modes. Bluetooth-compatible.

Cons

Subwoofer of the Sony HT-S350 may not feature the chest-pounding resonance some viewers want.

Sony HT-X8500 Soundbar
Sony
HT-X8500 Soundbar
Check Price
For Midsized Rooms
Bottom Line

A top pick for small to mid-sized rooms, Sony’s HT-X8500 Soundbar is an affordable way to enjoy 4K HDR audio for gaming and streaming entertainment.

Pros

Inexpensive. Rich surround sound. Supports 4K HDR content. Bluetooth connectivity. Dolby Atmos and DTS:X technologies. Simple installation. Integrated dual subwoofers. Deep bass. Slim profile.

Cons

Lacks a voice mode for crisp dialogue.

Sony HT-Z9F Soundbar
Sony
HT-Z9F Soundbar
Check Price
Most Versatile
Bottom Line

Sony’s HT-Z9F Soundbar is a comprehensive model that is best suited for an entertainment center that utilizes a variety of devices and connection types.

Pros

Powerful room-filling surround sound. WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity. Dolby Atmos and DTS:X technologies. Supports 4K HDR content. A wide array of ports. Includes wireless subwoofer.

Cons

Initial setup could be a little easier.

Sony HT-G700 Soundbar
Sony
HT-G700 Soundbar
Check Price
Most Comprehensive
Bottom Line

Serious video app bingers will get their money’s worth from the HT-G700’s room-filling virtual surround sound and dedicated movie mode.

Pros

Rich Dolby Atmos sound. Optimized for movies and crystal-clear dialogue. Engaging virtual surround sound. Music, theater, and voice modes. Powerful bass. Bluetooth connectivity. Includes wireless subwoofer.

Cons

No WiFi connectivity.

HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

56
Models
Considered
181
Consumers
Consulted
20
Hours
Researched
Category cover

Buying guide for Best Sony soundbars

Every year, TVs seem to get thinner. This makes finding a spot to place your TV a lot easier. But there is a drawback to ultra-thin TVs: you may lose sound quality.

If you want sound that matches its picture quality, you can still get it. How? With a high-quality soundbar.

Sony is a time-tested brand, and it makes a wide range of soundbars. Such a wide range, in fact, that finding the best one for your home entertainment system can be hard. You must choose the right type, connections, number of channels, and other features.

With so many options to sort through, shopping can feel like a chore. That’s where BestReviews comes in.

With this buying guide and our recommendations, it is easy to find the right products for your home theater.

Read on to learn about the best Sony soundbars and how to find one.

Sony soundbars
You can place your soundbar below your TV whether the TV is on a table, shelf, cabinet, or wall.

Soundbar types

A soundbar is an all-in-one speaker that provides high-quality sound for your TV.

Unlike other systems, it has a slim design. It takes up little space. And, with as few as two speakers, it’s easy to set up.

It may have stereo or surround sound to make you feel like you’re at the movies.

Two types are available: active and passive.

  • Active soundbars are common. They have built-in amplifiers. Plug into your TV, cable box, or other device for top-notch sound.
  • Passive soundbars are like most speaker systems; they need a separate receiver. More time is needed for setup. But, some home theater buffs prefer the quality.

Features

Size

Soundbars don’t take up much space. You should have room left over in your entertainment center.

Nearly all are 40 inches long or less. Width is usually under 3 inches.

Because of the size, you can fit one in front of your TV without blocking your view.

Subwoofer

A subwoofer is a speaker that makes low bass frequencies. It rounds out the audio.

A subwoofer may be separate or built in.

Not all soundbars have a subwoofer. However, for intense movies and games, it boosts sound quality.

Connections

  • HDMI: ModernTVs, Blu-ray players, cable boxes, and other devices usually connect to a soundbar via HDMI.
  • Analog: If you have an older TV, it may need an analog connection.
  • Optical digital connection: This is another way to connect a TV, cable box, Blu-ray player, or portable music device.
  • USB: Insert a USB storage device like a flash drive to get media files for playback.
  • Bluetooth: This lets you wirelessly stream audio from your smartphone, tablet , or computer. Some have two-way Bluetooth. With this, you can stream music from the soundbar to Bluetooth speakers or headphones.
  • WiFi: Love Spotify? Pandora? Built-in WiFi lets you stream from these services.

Channels

For top-notch audio, choose a system with multiple amplifier channels.

Some only have 2.1 channels. A 2.1 can boost audio quality, but it cannot provide surround sound.

For the best audio, pick a model with five or seven channels, a subwoofer, and rear speakers.

Make sure no items are blocking the front or sides of your soundbar.

STAFF
BestReviews

Wireless speakers

For multi-channel soundbars with rear speakers, wireless speakers are great.

You have more options for placement. This helps bring true surround sound to your home theater.

Sofa Mode

Sofa Mode lets you put the subwoofer beneath your couch. You will feel the low bass as you relax and watch.

You can also put it next to your sofa or other furniture.

4K compatibility

If you have a 4K television, choose a soundbar system that works with 4K video.

These machines have a pass-through that can send the 4K signals to your television.

Content Image
Did you know?
The volume of most soundbars can be controlled with a TV remote control.
STAFF
BestReviews

Tips

  • Sony is not the same company as Sonos. But, many of its products share features with Sonos products. This includes the SRS line.
  • Life is easier with a remote control. Have a Sony TV? You may be able to use its remote on your soundbar.
  • If you choose a soundbar with Bluetooth, note the range. Some have a short range of 10 feet or less.
  • Don’t forget to check out other great home audio companies. These include Vizio, RCA, LG, Samsung, Sonos, and Bose.

A backlit remote control is a great way to manipulate your device from the comfort of the couch late at night.

STAFF
BestReviews

Pricing

Price varies based on the number of channels, whether there is a subwoofer or speaker, and features. In general, you can expect to pay between $130 and $1,500.

Inexpensive

Soundbars with 2 to 2.1 channels and no subwoofer or a built-in subwoofer usually cost $100 to $200.

Mid-range

Soundbars with 2.1 to 5.1 channels and a separate subwoofer or speaker usually cost $200 to $800.

Expensive

Soundbars with 5.1 to 7.1 channels and a separate wireless subwoofer or speakers usually cost $800 to $1,500

Sony soundbars
Football Mode makes you feel like you’re at the stadium when you watch the big game.

FAQ

Q. Active or passive: which offers the best audio quality?

A. Active soundbars are easy to use and set up. This is due to the built-in subwoofer, speakers, and/or amplifiers. But, they don’t provide the crispest audio.

Passive soundbars offer better sound. This is thanks to a separate subwoofer or speaker system.

If you choose one with a wireless subwoofer or speakers, you’ll get great audio and easy setup, too.

Q. Are Dolby Atmos and other audio formats supported?

A. Many have Dolby Atmos and/or DTS:X compatibility. This creates theater-quality surround sound.

Dolby Atmos-compatible soundbars have a label with three numbers. The third tells you how many upfiring speakers there are.

For example, a 7.1.2 model has seven channels, one subwoofer, and two upfiring speakers.

Q. Can I connect additional wireless speakers?

A. You may be able to add extra speakers for a true surround sound experience.

However, you can’t add speakers to many low-end models.

Check product details if you plan to use extra speakers.

 

Our Top Picks