The Best Soundbars Under £300

Whether you use your television for movies, TV shows or video games, an equally impressive performance across visuals and audio is key. While smart TVs are equipped with 4K UHD LED screens capable of delivering awe-inspiring crisp images, alive with colour, spectacle and depth, even the best TVs often fall short when it comes to audio.

The reason for this imbalance is down to a simple case of physics. Flatscreen TVs, with their thin-line bodies and non-existent bevelling, don’t have the space for the speaker arrays required to deliver immersive and cinematic audio experiences.

A 7.1.2 surround-sound system would be the ultimate remedy to this ill, but most of us don’t have the space (or cash) required to facilitate such tech. Thankfully, for less than £300, you can solve all of your audio woes.

Soundbars are low-profile devices filled with speakers focussed on one thing - delivering the best sound possible. As demonstrated by our budget and sub-£200 soundbar articles, this is true no matter the price. However, as the price begins to creep towards £300, we start to see some exciting features become more prevalent - most notably Dolby Atmos and DTS support. We also begin to see soundbars implementing clever tech to subvert the limitations of 2.1 configurations or, even better, jamming even more drivers into their unassuming shells.

To help you find the best soundbar for under £300, we’ve rounded up our favourites below.

What we look for in the best soundbars under £300:

Tone

A soundbar with a balanced and enjoyable tone is next to useless. For a soundbar to provide an excellent audio experience across movies, TV shows and music, it needs to have a solid mix of bass, mid and treble.

Bass frequencies take care of audio’s low-end, adding punch and presence. Action movies are more exciting, horrors more atmospheric and music more energetic with a good bass response. The majority of sound falls into the mid-range, including dialogue, so these frequencies are respected: they need to be clear and well-separated to avoid muffled audio. Finally, high frequencies require careful handling - they carry across a lot of bright and open details.

Output

Output can be a useful guide as to soundbar volume. However, it must be considered alongside other specifications.

Measured in wattage (W), output isn’t a measure of volume but the amount of power going into an amplifier. The amplifier signal pushes out of the drivers (aka speakers), which have a sensitivity rating measured in decibels (dB). This is the bit we all associate with volume.

The higher the output, the higher the decibels. Note, however, that a 60w speaker will not be twice as loud as a 30w speaker. Decibel gains are incremental - doubling wattage adds only 3dB.

Due to the myriad factors that go into determining a soundbar's volume, including output, speaker sensitivity and component quality, some manufacturers choose not to report output wattage.

Frequency Response

Frequency response measures the audible frequencies a driver can deliver, and it can be a good indicator of the overall sound quality of a soundbar. Frequency response can also give an insight into the relationship between a soundbar and a subwoofer.

The average audible spectrum of the human ear is 20Hz to 20kHz. Picking a soundbar with a good coverage of these frequencies will help deliver a complete sound capable of powerful bass and glistening highs. It’s not the end of the world if a soundbar falls a tad short - as we age, many lose the ability to hear the extremes within this range. As with output, some manufacturers don’t report on this.

Connectivity

Connectivity determines how the soundbar receives input. The more connections there are, the greater a soundbar’s flexibility.

HDMI interfaces allow for high-quality low-latency digital signal transfers, and ARC and eARC support can streamline a home cinema audio setup across multiple devices. Optical interfaces are another form of digital connection. Bluetooth, NFC and WiFi connections are excellent for creating clutter-free, cableless entertainment hubs.

RCA and 3.5mm aux-in interfaces add a universality to soundbar connections but are more limited in application when setting up a comprehensive, modern home cinema.

Audio Format Support

Dolby Atmos and DTS support allows a soundbar to pump out immersive, three-dimensional audio. The two audio formats are industry-leading examples of object-based surround sound, which add above and below channels to the traditional horizontal surround layouts. Support for these immersive audio formats is typically found on more expensive units.

Some manufacturers will include proprietary software that aims at producing a similar experience.

Size

The physical size of a soundbar is crucial to the success of a home entertainment setup. Many of the more accomplished soundbars are very long and heavy. Some can be wall-mounted for convenience. We can’t tell you what’s right - it’s all down the available space. One thing that’s worth remembering is that tall soundbars can block the IR receiver of short-legged TVs.

The Best Soundbars Under £300:

LG S65Q 3.1 Wireless Sound Bar

Wharfedale Vista 200s

Philips B8505/10

Bose TV Speaker

Sony HT-X5800 All-In-One

Denon DHT-S316 with Subwoofer

Orbitsound BAR A70 with Subwoofer

LG S65Q 3.1 Wireless Sound Bar with DTS Virtual: X

Specifications:

Total Output: 400 W

Connections: HDMI (ARC support), Optical, Coaxial, RCA, Bluetooth 4.2

Size (Soundbar): 63 x 1000 x 105 mm

Size (Subwoofer): 390 x 171 x 261mm

Pros: Incredible volume and bass, high-resolution audio

Cons: Bulky subwoofer

Overview:

LG's S65Q wireless soundbar is one of the most powerful, yet affordable soundbars on the sound-system market with a monumental 400W audio output, an immersive six-point speaker, complete with Dolby Digital and DTS Virtual which work together to triumphantly deliver rich 3D sound.

With exceptional bass and balanced mid-range tones, music, games, films and television have an irresistible, full sound that begs to be cranked up. LG's S65Q also has a wonderful spectrum of connectivity options, from Bluetooth, to HDMI, optical cables, with the main subwoofer being entirely wireless, so your lounge space isn't over-cluttered with entwined cables that dampen an otherwise modern aesthetic.

From the minimal design, to the serious bass and volume, and gorgeous clarity and realism, LG's S65Q is a contender for one of the best deals of the year, and is begging to be experienced at its less than £300 price tag.

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Philips B8505/10 with Subwoofer

Specifications:

Frequency Response (Soundbar): 160Hz - 20kHz

Frequency Response (Subwoofer): 40Hz - 160kHz

Total Output: 240W

Audio Processing: Dolby Atmos

Connections: HDMI (eARC support), USB, Optical, WiFi, 3.5mm, Bluetooth 4.2, DTS Play-Fi, Amazon Alexa, Apple AirPlay2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect

Size/Weight (Soundbar): 900 x 57 x 110 mm, 2.4kg

Size/ Weight (Subwoofer): 122 x 403 x 300 mm, 4.5kg

Pros: Excellent sound and feature set

Cons: On-bar display not discreet

Overview:

The Philips B8505/10 Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer provides a powerful and cinematic audio experience, not only from the 240W output but the immersive magic of Dolby Atmos. Though, as a 2.1 setup, the Atmos 3D audio is mostly virtual, it’s well accomplished and engrossing nonetheless. While movies are given great weight and audio presence, music is treated well too, with plenty of bounce and grunt pushing through the grill. As an Alexa-enabled device, there’s voice control onboard and the ability to integrate the bar into a smart home ecosystem. The B8505 also supports DTS Play-Fi, a wireless system that can connect audio devices throughout the home.

Bose TV Speaker

Specifications:

Connections: HDMI (ARC support), Optical, Bluetooth 4.2, Bass Module Connection

Size/Weight (Soundbar): 56 x 594 x 102 mm, 1.96kg

Pros: Solid Bose audio with plenty of oomph

Cons: No sub, limited controls and operations

Overview:

Never one for superfluous branding, the Bose TV Speaker does what it says on the tin. Though small and unassuming, it carries three drivers (two diagonal, one central) to deliver a broad and rich tone that enlivens whatever is on screen. There’s a pleasant kick to the bass, though growl-lovers will want to take advantage of the bass module connector port. While controls and operation are to a minimum, there's an optional dialogue mode, which amps up the human vocal range for increased clarity. It’s a simple device connecting to a TV set via a single connection: either HDMI or optical. HDMI is preferable, as it allows the CEC for simplified TV operation.

Matching its sparse naming conventions, Bose is also tight-lipped with the exact specifications of the TV Speaker. All we can say is that, whatever the frequency response and wattage may be, it sounds great.

Sony HT-X5800 All-In-One

Specifications:

Audio Processing: Dolby Atmos, DTS

Connections: HDMI (eARC support), Optical, USB Type-A, Bluetooth 5.0

Size/Weight (Soundbar): 64 x 890 x 96 mm, 3.1kg

Pros: Space-saving access to virtual cinematic audio

Cons: Bass isn't always subtle, virtual 3D surround still isn’t as good as the real deal

Overview:

The Sony HT-X5800 is an all-in-one soundbar, breaking free from the restraints of simple 2.1 configurations by including two in-built subwoofers to deliver an extra aural wallop. Backing up this power is support for both Dolby Atmos and DTS . When these formats aren’t present, Sony’s own Vertical Surround Engine can take over, working magic behind the scenes to upscale standard audio to a 7.1.2 experience. The HT-X5800’s support for 4K and Dolby Vision passthrough is another win for anyone looking to set up a simple-yet-diverse home cinema. Bluetooth is also onboard for wireless connectivity, which is especially useful for listening to music and podcasts.

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Denon DHT-S316 with Subwoofer

Specifications:

Total Output: 160W

Audio Processing: DTS Virtual

Connections: HDMI (ARC support), Optical, 3.5mm, Bluetooth

Size/Weight (Soundbar): 54 x 900 x 83 mm, 1.8kg

Size/ Weight (Subwoofer): 342 x 171 x 318 mm, 5.2kg

Pros: Low profile, rich sound, wide audio and easy installation

Cons: Large remote control, some audio modes are restricted by the 2.1 speaker configuration

Overview:

The Denon DHT-S316 delivers impactful audio, full of clarity and dynamism. The speaker configuration provides an immersive stereo field and introduces a real sense of space into movie and TV show audio. This quality is also demonstrated with the DTS: Virtual support. Though the setup is quick, all thanks to the one-cable design, but the remote control takes more time to get used to. There are plenty of functions and configurations to be experimented with, ensuring that you can find the correct settings for your content.

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Sony HT-SD35 Bluetooth 2.1 Sound Bar

Specifications:

Total Output: 320W

Audio Processing: S-Force Pro, Dolby Digital

Connections: Optical, HDMI ARC, Bluetooth

Size/Weight (Soundbar): 64 x 900 x 88 mm, 2.4kg

Size/ Weight (Subwoofer): 382 x 190 x 390 mm, 7.8kg

Pros: Excellent movie audio and superb build quality

Cons: Fairly bulky sound system, may be too large for some homes

Overview:

For excellent value and impeccable quality, you simply cannot find a better deal than Sony's HTSD35 this year. A sizeable 320W soundbar and subwoofer bring heaps of bass-filled throttle, pairing perfectly with the HT-SD35's S-Force Pro processing technology, which drastically minimises sound distortion, heightening vocal clarity, making it excellent for music, as well as films and TV.

Aesthetically, the HT-SD35 is rather large, and may not sit comfortably in smaller lounge areas, especially the towering, formidable subwoofer, but if you can spare the room, you're undoubtedly in for the cinematic experience of a lifetime.