Best Soundbar 2026: Buying Guide for Every Budget
Looking for the best soundbar? We compare the Sonos Era 100, JBL Bar 2.1 and Harman Kardon Enchant 900 on specifications and user experiences — for every budget.
Our top pick
Sonos Era 100 Speakerstandaard Wit
Best Soundbar for Most People
From
€ 116,00
at Coolblue
The best soundbar of 2026 for most people is the Sonos Era 100: excellent sound quality, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, room calibration via the app, and available for around €250–€300. Those wanting a full 2.1 system go for the JBL Bar 2.1 Deep Bass M2 (€180–€220). Premium users choose the Harman Kardon Enchant 900 (€400–€500) or the combo pack with subwoofer. All models have been compared on specifications and user experiences.
Browse all soundbars and speakers for current prices.
Sonos Era 100 — Best Soundbar for Most People (€250–€300)
The Sonos Era 100 is a compact 2.0 soundbar with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2 and Trueplay room calibration. It fits under virtually any television and integrates easily into a Sonos home audio system. The angled tweeters produce a wide stereo image that sounds larger than its compact housing suggests.
Best for: living rooms up to 30 m², music and TV, iOS users (AirPlay 2).
JBL Bar 2.1 Deep Bass M2 — Best Budget 2.1 Package (€180–€220)
The JBL Bar 2.1 Deep Bass M2 combines a 2.0 bar with a wireless subwoofer for cinematic bass response. HDMI ARC connectivity, Bluetooth 5.0 and a total output of 300 W make it remarkably powerful for the price.
Best for: film fans on a budget, small to medium living rooms.
Compare prices — JBL Bar 2.1 Deep Bass M2 Zwart
Prices verified: 12 h ago · 1 shop
Harman Kardon Enchant 900 — Best Mid-Range Soundbar (€400–€500)
The Harman Kardon Enchant 900 is a 9-channel soundbar with built-in Dolby Atmos decoding. Stylish aluminium design, HDMI eARC, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and MultiBeam technology for virtual surround sound. Expandable with the Enchant Sub.
Best for: living rooms 30–50 m², home cinema enthusiasts, Dolby Atmos content.
Sony SA-RS5 — Best Wireless Rear Speaker Add-on (€300–€350)
The Sony SA-RS5 are wireless rear speakers for Sony Bravia soundbars. They upgrade an existing Sony setup to a full 5.1 system without extra cables, working specifically with the Sony HT-A series.
Best for: Sony users wanting to expand their soundbar to surround sound.
Soundbar Comparison Table
| Model | Channels | Dolby Atmos | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sonos Era 100 | 2.0 | No (stereo) | €250–€300 |
| JBL Bar 2.1 Deep Bass M2 | 2.1 | No | €180–€220 |
| Harman Kardon Enchant 900 | 9.0 | Yes | €400–€500 |
| Sony SA-RS5 (rear) | 2.0 add-on | Depends on main bar | €300–€350 |
Key Specifications Explained
Channel Configuration
| Configuration | Meaning | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0 | Stereo, no subwoofer | Small rooms, speech |
| 2.1 | Stereo + subwoofer | Music, general use |
| 3.1 | Stereo + centre + subwoofer | Films and series (dialogue) |
| 5.1 | Surround + subwoofer | Cinema experience |
| 7.1.4 | Full surround + height | Ultimate cinema sound |
Dolby Atmos and DTS:X
Dolby Atmos adds a height dimension to the audio. Instead of just left-right and front-back, you also hear sounds from above. This creates a three-dimensional soundscape.
HDMI eARC vs. Optical
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) transmits the full Dolby Atmos signal from your TV to the soundbar. An optical connection does not support this. Always verify that your TV has an eARC port.
Choosing the Right Budget
- Budget (< €200): JBL Bar 2.1 Deep Bass M2 — plenty of volume and bass for little money.
- Mid-range (€200–€500): Sonos Era 100 or Harman Kardon Enchant 900 — best balance.
- Premium (€500–€1,000): Sonos Arc, Samsung HW-Q930D — full Dolby Atmos with height speakers.
- High-end (> €1,000): Bang & Olufsen, Sennheiser — audiophile sound with premium materials.
Pairing Soundbar and TV
A good soundbar completes a great TV picture. Make sure both your TV and soundbar support HDMI eARC. Also see compare televisions for the best combination.
Installation Tips
- Place the soundbar directly below your TV or mount it on the wall.
- Use HDMI eARC instead of optical for Dolby Atmos.
- Position the subwoofer in a corner for maximum bass.
- Run room calibration if your soundbar supports it.
- Disable the TV speakers in the television's settings menu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a soundbar better than TV speakers?
Yes, almost always. Even a budget model costing €100 sounds considerably better than the built-in speakers of most televisions. You hear more detail, better dialogue and a wider soundstage.
Do I need a subwoofer?
For films and music, a subwoofer is strongly recommended. The deep bass tones are essential for a cinematic experience. If you use the soundbar primarily for speech, you can manage without.
Can I use a soundbar from a different brand than my TV?
Yes, soundbars are universally compatible via HDMI or optical connection. Your TV brand does not matter. Some brands offer extra integration when combining the same brands — such as Samsung with Samsung or Sonos with Apple via AirPlay 2.
What soundbar fits a 55-inch TV?
A soundbar of 90–110 cm fits well with a 55-inch TV (width approximately 123 cm). The Sonos Era 100 (70 cm) also works fine; it does not need to match the TV width exactly.
Browse all soundbars for current prices and availability.
