Don't suffer through muffled commentary this World Cup: These 5 soundbars will ensure you hear every goal (from just $53)

the sony ht-s100f soundbar with a savings squad flex for less badge — (Image credit: Tom's Guide)

The World Cup is the biggest worldwide sporting event of the year, and if you're a soccer fan, you're going to want to make sure you don't miss a thing. We've already got our favorite TV deals down pat, so let's turn our focus to the equally important soundbars.

If you want great sound quality for less, I've rounded up my favorite 5 cheap soundbars, including the $53 Majority Naga 60 and the top-tier $99 Sony HT-S100F. Although these soundbars don't have "premium" features like Dolby Atmos or AirPlay/Google Cast, they're a fantastic upgrade from tinny, thin TV speakers — and more than enough for the World Cup.

Because the World Cup is such a rare event, it's the perfect occasion to go all out. I remember the run-up to the 2010 World Cup like it was yesterday. Until the day before kick-off, we had a tiny, very '90s TV with four channels. Then my dad returned from Curry's (the U.K.'s Best Buy) with a lovely flatscreen and announced we would be watching the World Cup in style. Of course, England didn't win, but at least we saw the players' tears in HD.

Which soundbar is best for me?

If you're on a super low budget, I'd recommend the Majority Naga 60. I reviewed this unbelievably cheap soundbar last year and was genuinely blown away by the sound. Of course, it doesn't sound as rich or warm as, say, the Bose Smart Soundbar ($549) — but it's literally $500 cheaper.

For $50, it doesn't get much better than this.

If you've got a little more to spend, you should definitely look at the Sony HTS-100F. I love this fierce little soundbar. It's loud, with fantastic dialogue clarity, and would be my personal preference from this list.

the sony ht-s100f or sony ht-sf150 in uk, a black soundbar with buttons on the top, a remote, photographed with a panasonic TV — (Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Then, if you've got a little more moolah in your pocket, I'd suggest going for the JBL Bar 2.0. On sale, it's just $149, but it has an MSRP of $219. This soundbar has immersive, room-filling sound and Dolby Digital — kind of like "fake" Dolby Atmos.

At the higher end, the Samsung B650 also will not disappoint you. This $250 soundbar has surprisingly excellent surround sound with DTS:Virtual X and super-clear dialogue.

For those who really value a big brand, the Bose TV speaker is the best choice. This $289 soundbar combines classic Bose sound quality with an 100W speaker and a dedicated vocal enhancer — perfect for watching sports.

Which soundbar would you go for? Personally, I'd get the Sony HTS-100F — it's one of the best bang-for-buck soundbars on the market right now.

Erin Bashford is a senior writer at Tom's Guide, focusing on reviews. She has a Masters in Broadcast and Digital Journalism from the University of East Anglia. As an ex-barista, she knows her way around a coffee machine, and as a music lover, she's constantly chipping away at her dream of having a multi-room home sound system. In her spare time you can find her reading, practising yoga, writing, or stressing over today’s NYT Games.