Buyers Guide

Recommendations based on the many hours of research I have done while working on this website.

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Best Budget Soundbar

VIZIO V-Series 5.1 Home Theater Sound Bar
  • Low-Profile Modern Design - Clean silhouettes, subtle textures, and matte finishes seamlessly blend into any environment.
  • Powerful Performance - Brilliant clarity, thunderous bass, and Dolby Audio and DTS Digital Surround support combine for performance beyond its size.
  • Simple Setup, Streaming & Control - Get setup and listening in minutes with HDMI ARC and Bluetooth connectivity for unparalleled ease of use, control, and access to your content.
  • 5.1-Channel Sound - Experience a powerful room-filling, surround sound experience.
  • 6 Total Speakers - Full-range drivers deliver coherent sound and brilliant clarity.
Best Performance
JBL Bar 500: 5.1-Channel Soundbar
  • Dolby Atmos and MultiBeam Surround Sound: Immerse yourself in theater-quality 3D surround sound. 
  • With 590 watts of total system output power, the JBL Bar 500 transforms your movies, music and games into immersive sound experiences.
  • PureVoice Dialogue Enhancement Technology: PureVoice technology uses our unique algorithm to optimize voice clarity to ensure you never miss a word of dialogue
LG Eclair
  • All-In-One Design - The Sound Bar SE6 delivers powerful sound without an external subwoofer giving you thunderous and rich bass with everything you watch and listen to. Utilize the most out of your space with a stylish and compact design that complements your interior.
  • Cinema Sound Solution (Dolby and DTS:X) - Add a new dimension of sound that makes you feel like you’re in the middle of the action with Dolby Atmos* and DTS:X** to bring realistic spatial sound to your room—It surrounds you on all sides letting feel the immersive sound with every scene.
  • Quad Passive Radiators - The LG sound bar delivers big and impressive bass with 4 passive radiators. Packed with power in a small design, the sound bar gives you a full range of sound, allowing you to enjoy your favorite movies and shows.
  • Smart Up-Mixer - Create a wider sound stage to fill your room for a richer immersion of surround sound. Leverage all speakers to convert 2-channel audio into a multi-channel experience.
  • WOW Orchestra - Create the perfect harmony using the audio from the LG TV and LG Sound Bar* to produce the ultimate listening experience. Feel every detail of sound. Use the LG TV and LG sound bar speakers at the same time* while using one remote to adjust the settings interchangeably.
  • WOW Interface - Now, convenience is in your hand. Control your sound bar and your LG TV with one remote. Adjust the volume and audio settings, check the connection status and even select a sound mode on the screen, all from the TV remote.
  • WOWCAST Ready (2022) - Experience the power of Dolby Atmos without any visible wires. A new installation experience that connects to any TV and sound bar wirelessly for a sleek look, without any lag or loss in sound quality.
  • VRR/ALLM - Sound that keeps up with an instantaneous response time, allowing you to enjoy a gaming experience that is smooth and lag-free with a passthrough refresh rate up to 120Hz.
  • Premium Fabric - It has a gorgeous surface and premium fabric that wraps around the sound bar. The two create style and detailed sound in your space.
  • Eco Friendly - Just another reason to love an LG sound bar. We are keeping our promise and committed to a better tomorrow so you can feel good every time you listen. The Sound Bar SE6 contains a minimum of 12% post-consumer recycled content as validated by UL.
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Best Overall Soundbar

SAMSUNG HW-Q990C 11.1.4ch Soundbar w/ Wireless Dolby Audio, Rear Speakers Included w/ Q-Symphony, SpaceFit Sound Pro, Adaptive Sound, Game Mode Pro, Airplay 2, AVA, Alexa Built-In
  • 11.1.4 CH. TRUE DOLBY ATMOS SOUND: Feel sound all around with 11 front-facing speakers, 1 subwoofer and 4 up-firing channels for a true Dolby Atmos experience; Flood the room with audio from all angles, for sound so real you can almost touch it
  • Q-SYMPHONY: Amp up your audio with the greatest duo of all time—Samsung TVs paired with Samsung soundbars; With Q-Symphony, your TV speakers paired with Q-Series soundbars operate as one*
  • WIRELESS DOLBY ATMOS: Feel surrounded; Cue up Dolby Atmos sound and skip the cumbersome HDMI cables; Feel free to arrange your space exactly how you want without compromising the audio experience**
  • SPACEFIT SOUND PRO: Sound amplifies everything; This soundbar reacts accordingly; Get room-filling sound, calibrated to your space, with a soundbar that analyzes your environment and automatically optimizes the audio
  • UP / SIDE FIRING REAR SPEAKER KIT INCLUDED: Ready to have your mind blown? Be captivated by dense layers of all-around sound with up/side firing rear speakers
  • BUILT-IN VOICE ASSISTANT: Activate hands-free navigation of your soundbar and TV using built-in voice assistants; The feature allows you to operate your TV and control other smart devices with only the sound of your voice***
  • ADAPTIVE SOUND: Hear voices better, even at low volume, with intelligently optimized audio; Scenes are analyzed in real time to pull out the most important audio based on the type of content
  • GAME MODE PRO: The game is calling; Powerful up-firing speakers, acoustic beam and strong woofers unlock a more intuitive gaming experience, complete with 3D optimized sound****
  • AIRPLAY 2: Get in sync; Simply pair the soundbar with a compatible iPhone or other Apple device to hear your music, podcasts and more; Easy as pie*****
  • AVA: Ensure dialogue and commentary are not drowned out—so you never miss an important moment; Active Voice Analyzer breaks down room noise so that onscreen voices are always optimized
Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2.4 Channel Dolby Atmos/DTS:X Soundbar with Dual 10
  • MEET THE REINVENTION OF #1 RATED DOLBY ATMOS SOUNDBAR. Designed based on 70+ years of audio excellence and feedback from 5000+ reviews from existing owners, we have supercharged 2022’s flagship with unmatched 360° surround & bass performance. Powered by SSE MAX – a unity of ultra high performance hardware & software – get ready for a powerfully convincing audio experience like never before with upgraded Dual Wireless Subs and Four Modular Surround Speakers (2nd Gen). Setup within 30 min.
  • Spatial Surround Elevation (SSE) MAX TECHNOLOGY: A PERFECT CONVERGENCE OF POWER, PROCESSING AND PERFORMANCE. Combining new, upgraded custom-matched hardware and Nakamichi-exclusive software into state-of-the-art architecture, our precisely-tuned high output amplifiers, extended range twin-cone drivers and silk dome surround effects tweeters deliver enhanced multi-directional surround from 3 advanced audio processing engines, delivering the most immersive 360° cinema, music and gaming experience.
  • SUPERCHARGED DUAL 10” WIRELESS SUBWOOFERS (INDUSTRY-EXCLUSIVE) propel bass performance to new heights, featuring upgraded high output amplifiers (up to 600W) and subwoofer drivers that harness effortless power, transforming your entire room into a sweet spot filled with thunderous, yet balanced lows as deep as 20Hz without any localization or distortion even at cinema-level volumes. Real bass is felt, not heard. Our system showcases TWO subwoofers which are a must for the ultimate home theater.
  • 2ND GEN QUAD 2-WAY SURROUND SPEAKERS (INDUSTRY-EXCLUSIVE). A significant upgrade featuring extended range twin-cone drivers and silk dome tweeters, our surround speakers transport you into a rich, all-enveloping 360° sound bubble filled with lifelike surround objects. MODULAR in form, they can be used as 4 individual speakers (signature setup) or attached to dipoles for expanded 360° surround effects with minimal footprint. Each speaker connects to sub via RCA cable (included).
  • FUTURE-PROOF CONNECTIVITY: HDMI eARC and 3 HDMI inputs (w Dolby Vision and 4K HDR pass-through) ensure the best transfer of audio and video possible. Enjoy all new 24-bit high-resolution wireless audio streaming brought to you by aptX️ HD. Get up to 4x more wireless range with Bluetooth 5.0. Devices can also be connected via Optical, Coaxial or 3.5mm Aux-in. Experience seamless control even in the dark with our 2nd Gen remote, with large color-coded, backlit buttons.
Best Value
VIZIO Elevate Soundbar
  • 18 high-performance speakers for unrivaled cinema-quality.
  • Adaptive Height Speakers that automatically rotate upwards for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X content and rotates forward for clearer vocals and an ultrawide soundstage.
  • Dolby Atmos and DTS:X brings cinematic sound around and above you.
  • 4 up-firing speakers that blasts sound off your ceiling and overheard
  • 107dB sound pressure level and 30Hz 20KHz frequency range that delivers dynamic and accurate sound.
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Best mid-range soundbar

My Pick
Sonos Beam Gen 2 - Black - Soundbar with Dolby Atmos
  • Enjoy vibrant bass, crystal clear dialogue, and a panoramic soundstage.
  • Experience a 3D surround sound effect with Dolby Atmos.
  • Stream music, radio, podcasts, and audiobooks from all your favorite services when the TV is off.
  • Control with the Sonos app, your TV remote, Apple AirPlay 2, and your voice using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.
  • Breeze through setup with only two cables, step-by-step guidance from the Sonos app, and smart Trueplay tuning. Easily expand your Sonos system over time to enjoy true surround sound and multi-room listening. Everything connects over WiFi.
Polk Audio MagniFi Max AX SR 7.1.2 Channel Sound Bar
  • A 7.1.2 CHANNEL SOUND BAR SYSTEM - The 2022 MagniFi Max AX SR includes Polk's flagship MagniFi Max Soundbar with 10" Wireless Sub and SR2 surround sound speakers, which together give you a room-filling sound in every corner, including over your head.Waterproof : No
  • A SUPER IMMERSIVE SOUND EXPERIENCE - MagniFi Max AX Soundbar features an 11-driver array with 2 up-firing drivers for virtual height effects, left/right tweeters & woofers & a dedicated center channel, delivering immersive sound & clear dialogues
  • CAPTIVATING SURROUND SOUND WITH POLK's PATENTED SDA 3D AUDIO TECHNOLOGY - This home theater system delivers certified Dolby Atmos and DTS:X cinematic surround sound with impactful bass & an expansive 3D soundstage for next-level music & movies experience
  • HEAR EVERY WORD CLEARLY - Polk's patented VoiceAdjust speech-clarifying technology works with MagniFi's integrated center channel speaker to bring up the voice levels without affecting the rest of the soundtrack. Enjoy clear dialogues and balanced audio
  • SOUNDBAR WITH SUBWOOFER SYSTEM - Includes a powerful plug-and-play 10" down-firing Wireless Subwoofer that connects instantly to the sound bar the moment you power it on. It delivers deep, effortless bass, at volume levels that are surprising for its size
Best Value
VIZIO Elevate Soundbar
  • 18 high-performance speakers for unrivaled cinema-quality.
  • Adaptive Height Speakers that automatically rotate upwards for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X content and rotates forward for clearer vocals and an ultrawide soundstage.
  • Dolby Atmos and DTS:X brings cinematic sound around and above you.
  • 4 up-firing speakers that blasts sound off your ceiling and overheard
  • 107dB sound pressure level and 30Hz 20KHz frequency range that delivers dynamic and accurate sound.
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Best Budget 4K TV

TCL 55-Inch Q6 QLED 4K TV
  • 55 INCH 4K TV: Enjoy enhanced contrast, accurate colors, and fine details with our TCL 55-Inch Q6 QLED 4K Smart TV; Engineered with HDR PRO+ technology, including Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG for a breathtaking, vibrant picture quality
  • QLED - QUANTUM DOT TECHNOLOGY: With over a billion colors, this 55 inch QLED TV showcases Quantum Dot Technology with UltraWide Color Gamut; With a HighBright Direct LED Backlight, our TCL QLED TVs produce brighter images for an enhanced viewing experience
  • GOOGLE TV ENABLED: Experience UHD entertainment with Google Chromecast on this 55 inch smart tv; With the ability to cast directly from a mobile device, it offers a range of streaming services, bringing your favorite movies, shows, and live shows together
  • MOTION RATE 240 AND MEMC FRAME INSERTION: Combining multiple motion enhancement technologies, this 4K UHD TV handles fast-paced scenes with ease; Breathing life into every image, our TCL 55 Inch TV ensures exceptional motion clarity
  • GAME ACCELERATOR 120: Equipped with our Game Accelerator 120, this 120Hz TV provides a more responsive gameplay without lag; Also boasting a variable refresh rate powered by AMD FreeSync, this gaming TV is designed to keep you at the top of any leaderboard
SAMSUNG 55-Inch Class QLED 4K Q60C Series
  • 100% COLOR VOLUME W/ QUANTUM DOT: Take in a billion shades of unwavering color and enjoy vivid, lifelike color at any brightness level as Quantum Dot technology works to create every shade you see on screen*
  • QUANTUM HDR: Watch the details shine through with Quantum HDR that goes beyond leading standards to create deep blacks, impressive contrast, and picture quality thats analyzed and refined to match the creators vision
Most Features
Hisense 55-Inch Class U8 Series
  • 4K ULED: Hisenses proprietary ULED technologies boost color, contrast, brightness, and motion.
  • QLED QUANTUM DOT WIDE COLOR GAMUT: Quantum Dot QLED produces purer, richer, more brilliant and accurate color than a regular LED TV. Creating over a billion color combinations that bring vibrant images to life in a way non-QLED TVs cant
  • Dolby Vision IQ & Dolby Atmos: Dolby Vision HDR picture and Dolby Atmos sound are cinema technology for your home. They provide amazing realism you can see and hear in every scene
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Best Budget OLED

Budget Pick
SAMSUNG 55-Inch Class OLED 4K S90C
  • SAMSUNG OLED TECHNOLOGY: See movies, games, and more in a whole new light thanks to the mesmerizing picture quality across a full range of gorgeous colors; Only a brand like Samsung can provide incredible detail and unbelievable screen brightness.voltage : 120 volts
  • NEURAL QUANTUM PROCESSOR W/ 4K UPSCALING: If you’re streaming an HD movie, watching sports, or looking at home videos, experience it all transformed into sharp 4K resolution with our high-performance, AI powered processor*
  • QUANTUM HDR OLED: With fine-tuned brightness and optimized contrast made possible by self-illuminating pixels, your picture is instantly enhanced as Quantum HDR OLED analyzes each scene so you can enjoy rich and accurate colors
  • PANTONE VALIDATED: Enjoy color validated by industry leading experts at Pantone, so that images on the screen look as incredible as they do in real life
  • DOLBY ATMOS & OBJECT TRACKING SOUND LITE: Keep your ears on the action with Dolby Atmos and virtual top speakers that follow the story; When a dragon swoops across the screen, 3D sound moves along with it thanks to Object Tracking Sound Lite
  • MOTION XCELERATOR TURBO PRO: Motion Xcelerator Turbo Pro creates consistently crisp 4K visuals at blazing-fast speeds up to 120hz and Game Motion Plus goes up to 144hz with compatible PC-connected content
Best Value
LG B2 Series 55-Inch Class OLED Smart TV
  • With LG's 8 million self-lit OLED pixels, you'll get a vivid viewing experience with infinite contrast, deep black, and over a billion colors that add depth and bring out the best in whatever you're watching.Bluetooth Support Version 5.0, Power Supply (Voltage, Hz) AC 120V, 50/60Hz.
  • Engineered especially for LG, the advanced α7 Gen5 AI Processor 4K algorithmically adapts and adjusts picture and sound quality for a lifelike viewing experience with depth and rich color
  • Get in the action with an impressive 120Hz refresh rate that keeps up with the fast movement in sports, video games, and movies for a sharp picture with smooth motion from start to finish
  • Be at the top of your game with NVIDIA G-SYNC, FreeSync Premium, and VRR to experience real-time action, plus the LG Game Optimizer and four HDMI 2.1 ports to get you (and keep you) in the action
  • Mount it on the wall with a 300 x 200 VESA mount (sold separately). Magic Remote, remote control batteries (AA), power cable, and quick start guide are included. TV stand sold separately
  • Find your favorite shows and movies fast with built-in access to Netflix, Prime Video, Apple TV app, Disney+, HBO Max* and instant access to over 300+ free LG Channels** with everything from comedy to movies to sports
Best Overall
Sony 65 Inch 4K Ultra HD TV X90L Series
  • HANDPICKED BY AMAZON: They did the research so you don’t have to.
  • LIFELIKE PICTURE– The intelligent and powerful Cognitive Processor XR delivers a picture with wide dynamic contrast, detailed blacks, natural colors, and high peak brightness, replicating how we see the real world.
  • FULL ARRAY LED CONTRAST AND COLOR– See enhanced contrast with high peak brightness and billions of accurate colors, all controlled by Full Array LED backlight technology and XR Triluminos Pro.
  • PREMIUM SMART TV – Get access to all your favorite streaming apps in one place with Google TV, and simply use your voice to search and ask questions with Google Assistant. Supports Apple AirPlay.
  • MOVIES ON US WITH BRAVIA CORE - Enjoy streaming high-bitrate, high-quality 4K UHD movies included with the BRAVIA CORE app. Get 5 credits to redeem on latest release movies and 12 months subscription on hundreds of classics.
  • ALL YOUR GAME SETTINGS IN ONE PLACE– Game Menu puts all your gaming picture settings and exclusive assist features in a single easy-to-manage interface.
  • HDMI 2.1 GAMING – Get the advantage in high-performance gaming with HDMI 2.1 features like 4K/120, VRR, and ALLM.
  • PERFECT FOR PLAYSTATION 5– Take your gaming to the next level with exclusive features Auto HDR Tone Mapping and Auto Genre Picture Mode for optimized picture quality while gaming and streaming on your PS5 console.
  • ENHANCED ENTERTAINMENT – Enjoy engaging and immersive cinematic content the way the creators intended, with support for Dolby Vision, IMAX Enhanced, Netflix Adaptive Calibrated Mode, and more.
  • ELEVATED AUDIO– With Acoustic Multi-Audio and support for Dolby Atmos, sound positioning tweeters produce wider, elevated sound that matches the picture you see.
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Best Overall OLED

My Pick
LG G3 Series 55-Inch Class OLED
  • LG OLED EVO: Brightness Booster Max adjusts the picture for up to 70% brighter images* so you can see rich, vibrant colors and incredible contrast, even in well-lit rooms. 
  • HDR: Every LG OLED comes loaded with Dolby Vision for extraordinary color, contrast and brightness, plus Dolby Atmos* for wrap-around sound. 
Best Overall
Sony 55 Inch 4K Ultra HD TV A95K Series
  • INTELLIGENT TV PROCESSING The Cognitive Processor XR understands how humans see to deliver intense contrast with deep blacks, high peak brightness, and natural colors.
  • OUR BEST COLOR - Experience Quantum Dot color with saturation and brightness of every color maximized by the breakthrough QD-OLED panel and XR Triluminos Max.
  • OLED CONTRAST XR OLED Contrast Pro technology allows you to feel the beauty of OLED with immersive depth and realism, pure black, and lifelike brightness.
SAMSUNG 55-Inch Class OLED 4K S90C Series Quantum HDR, Dolby Atmos Object Tracking Sound Lite, Ultra Thin, Q-Symphony 3.0, Gaming Hub, Smart TV with Alexa Built-in (QN55S90C, 2023 Model)
  • SAMSUNG OLED TECHNOLOGY: See movies, games, and more in a whole new light thanks to the mesmerizing picture quality across a full range of gorgeous colors; Only a brand like Samsung can provide incredible detail and unbelievable screen brightness.voltage : 120 volts
  • NEURAL QUANTUM PROCESSOR W/ 4K UPSCALING: If you’re streaming an HD movie, watching sports, or looking at home videos, experience it all transformed into sharp 4K resolution with our high-performance, AI powered processor*
  • QUANTUM HDR OLED: With fine-tuned brightness and optimized contrast made possible by self-illuminating pixels, your picture is instantly enhanced as Quantum HDR OLED analyzes each scene so you can enjoy rich and accurate colors
  • PANTONE VALIDATED: Enjoy color validated by industry leading experts at Pantone, so that images on the screen look as incredible as they do in real life
  • DOLBY ATMOS & OBJECT TRACKING SOUND LITE: Keep your ears on the action with Dolby Atmos and virtual top speakers that follow the story; When a dragon swoops across the screen, 3D sound moves along with it thanks to Object Tracking Sound Lite
  • MOTION XCELERATOR TURBO PRO: Motion Xcelerator Turbo Pro creates consistently crisp 4K visuals at blazing-fast speeds up to 120hz and Game Motion Plus goes up to 144hz with compatible PC-connected content
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Best 4K Blu-Ray Player

My Pick
Sony UBP-X800M2 4K UHD Blu-Ray Disc Player
  • Bring the theater home: See the unrivaled visual clarity and detail of 4K UHD Blu-ray while watching your favorite content from the comfort of home
  • Smart Functionality: With fast, stable built-in Wi-Fi, you can wirelessly access your favorite streaming apps and services including Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime & various others.
  • Features Dolby Vision and HDR10 for incredible viewing detail and accuracy and DSEE HX
  • Hear more detail with high-resolution audio, Dolby Atmos and DSEE HX
  • Anti-vibration construction for clearer sound
  • Play almost any Disc and file format
  • Stunning picture with 4K upscaling up to 60p
  • In the box: instructions manual, remote control (rmt-vb310u), batteries (Type AAA x 2), customer registration card, card
  • See the unrivalled visual clarity of 4K UHD Blu-ray
Best Overall
Panasonic Streaming 4K Blu Ray Player  DP-UB420-K
  • Premium home entertainment enjoy high-dynamic range playback in three 4K/HDR formats HDR10+, HDR10 and hybrid log-gamma (hog)
  • Panasonic HCX Processor (Hollywood Cinema experience) delivers powerful, precise Chroma and HDR processing for beyond-dazzling color and detail in your 4K/HDR content
  • Works with Alexa command a variety of operations without your remote with Alexa, Plus Access a wider variety of 4K content with 4K VOD streaming from Netflix, YouTube and prime video; Also works with Google Assistant
  • 4K high-precision Chroma Processor 4K image color signals (4: 2: 0) are interpolated into 4K (4: 4: 4) by a multi-tap Chroma process for stunning color and details, Natural textures and depth
  • Hi-res sound Connect to your audio system for Hi-Res studio Master sound from DSD (5. 6 MHz/2. 8 MHz/11. 2MHz) and ALAC music files and WAV/FLAC/MP3/AAC/WMA/AIFF formats
  • 4K VOD Supported: Designed for Comfortable and Smart Image Viewing. Designed for high-resolution audio as it was meant to be heard
  • TWIN HDMI PURE AV (Twin Isolated Output): High-Quality Sound
Budget Pick
LG UBK80 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray Disc Player
  • 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc playback - the Blu-ray Disc player provides the ultimate in audio/video quality with a stunning 4K picture and state-of-the-art audio
  • Blu-ray & DVD backward compatible - this LG UHD Blu-ray Disc player is backward compatible supporting both of these popular legacy standards, so old favorites and new discoveries won’t be left behind
  • Hi-res audio playback - Supports high Resolution audio. Enjoy lossless sound audio playback that can deliver a Dolby Atmos experience, DTS-HD Master audio and FLAC file formats
  • Wide body design - the 17-inch Width of this LG UHD Blu-ray player matches the standard for home Theater components, so it will fit seamlessly into the most elegant equipment stack
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Best 4K Blu-Ray Discs

Best Movie
Top Gun Maverick [4K UHD]
  • Reference quality atmos track
  • Good use of height channels
  • Stunning contrast
Best Atmos
Dune 4k Ultra HD Blu-ray
  • Possibly the best Dolby Atmos track I have ever heard
  • Stellar black levels
Best HDR
Blade Runner 2049 4K Ultra HD
  • Mesmerizing Dolby Vision HDR
  • Extremely Diverse Color Palette
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