I struggled to hear movie dialogue until I got a soundbar — here's my top 6 recommendations for every budget

Muffled TV dialogue is so last year. In 2026, we're not going to resort to using subtitles or accepting that we can barely hear our TV shows and movies. And how are we going to do that? By getting one of the best soundbars, of course.

Soundbars are essential for home theater setups, even if all you watch is Netflix and YouTube. TV speakers are seriously so tinny and flat and make everything sound squashed. This isn't really fixable — the speakers trapped inside flatscreen TVs (99% of all modern TVs, your QLEDs, your OLEDs, your mini LEDs) are tiny because they have to be.

But there's a fix! You can upgrade your home theater sound with a soundbar. You don't even have to spend a ton of money — one of my go-to recommendations is the $99 Sony HT-S100F. If you've got money to spend, though, I've also got the multi-channel Samsung QS750F on this list.

My top soundbar recommendations

How do I choose the best soundbar for me?

Right, so the most important thing you need to consider is budget. How much money are you willing to spend on your soundbar? Around $100 will get you a decent 2-channel configuration like the Sony HT-S100F. I've not tested any Amazon-brand cheap soundbars so I can't vouch for them personally — but the Sony HT-S100F is fantastic for the price, with clear, audible dialogue and surprising height. You won't get floor-shaking bass, of course, but for $100, it's a great option.

If you've got money to spend, I'd recommend getting the Samsung QS750F. This 5.1.2 soundbar's subwoofer and rears make it one of the best-value soundbars on the market. Although it's $899 at full price (discounted to $799 right now), I've tested $600 that are just that — a soundbar. No sub, no rears. The QS750F is basically a cheat code to movie theater sound for less.

Next, you want to look at space. How big is your TV? How big is your TV stand?

If you have a 43-inch TV, you don't want a large soundbar like the Polk Audio Signa S4 ($449, 41 inches long). But if you have a 65-inch TV, you do want a large soundbar like the Polk Audio Signa S4.

A small soundbar like the Bose Smart Soundbar ($549, 27 inches long) or the Samsung B650 ($397, 33 inches long) will look weird with a 75 incher, but it looks great with my 55-inch Panasonic MZ1500.

Lastly, you want to think about performance. Unfortunately, budget and space will mostly decide this for you. If you want a serious home theater setup with cinematic Dolby Atmos and room-configuration technology, well, you're not going to get that for under $800 — and that's cheap.

The most immersive soundbar system I've ever tested is the JBL Bar 1300X ($1,799), but it's just too expensive for most people.

For most people, I'd recommend the Samsung Q600F, a gorgeous midrange soundbar that combines crystal-clear dialogue, powerful bass, and immersion without breaking the bank (but you miss out on smart features like Wi-Fi playback).

Which soundbar tickles your fancy? Let me know in the comments!

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