If you are an audiophile and done with compromising with your TV and traditional speakers’ awful sound performance, it’s time to invest in the best soundbar.
A soundbar has different drivers with specific jobs but a similar vision to produce compelling and thrilling sound performance.
However, soundbar shopping is not limited to the number of channels. It is more than that, but the naïve soundbar users can get manipulated by the modern design, reasonable performance, and low price.
Therefore, we tested the best soundbars and narrowed our research to the devices under a certain price tag. Yes, today, we will discuss the best soundbar under 400 and highlight its impressive features.
So, let’s get into it without further ado and learn about the 7 best soundbars under 400.
List of the Best Soundbar Under 400 Dollars in 2024
1. SAMSUNG S60A Soundbar
People searching for a soundbar like me definitely know how hard it can be to find a well-in-a-budget soundbar with excellent sound quality. Instead, we have options but not over desired features or brand names.
After a hefty search in the market, I came upon a soundbar that provides unmatched quality and is undoubtedly one of the best soundbars under 400, the Samsung 5.0ch S60A series. The best part is the brand which is the cherry on top of the selection.
SAMSUNG 5.0ch S60A soundbar is a great soundbar for the price. It has many features you would expect on a more expensive soundbar, such as an acoustic beam or LG.
The acoustic beam allows the soundbar to create a surround effect, making it great for movies and music. The Alexa built-in allows you to control your smart home devices using the soundbar. The soundbar also has many other features, such as a subwoofer and an auxiliary input.
The downside to the soundbar is that it does not produce heavy bass output. However, the sound quality is still good enough for most people.
Another downside is that the soundbar can be difficult to set up. But the included quick start guide helped us set it up in every stage, so you might want to check it.
Overall, the soundbar is a good value for the price. If you are wondering about a reliable sound system with excellent sound quality and is not heavy on the pocket, the Samsung 5.0ch S60A S Series Soundbar is good.
Check: Best Soundbar Under $500
• Acoustic beam
• Alexa built-in
• subwoofer and auxiliary input
• Multiple Connectivity
• Does not have a lot of basses
2. SAMSUNG HW-Q60T Soundbar
Well, Not much of a difference between our first and second selections, with the same beat and quality, but if you are willing to pay a few bucks more to get an updated product, then SAMSUNG HW-Q60T 5.1ch soundbar is a perfect option.
The soundbar provides an immersive sound experience with Dolby Atmos technology for 3D surround sound. Additionally, the soundbar features acoustic beam technology to project clear vocals and crystal-clear music from any direction in your room.
Samsung HW-Q60T is easy to set up and use, unlike the S60A – just connect the included cables, and you’re ready to enjoy your favorite movies, music, and games.
Plus, the sleek design is perfect for any living room. The Samsung soundbar features a sleek black design that will complement any decor. And we also loved the construction quality, and it felt rigid and durable.
The best part is that it comes with a one-year warranty, so you can be sure that you’re getting a quality product. It also has a Q symphony which provides an immersive sound experience.
Not only this, the soundbar surround sound quality is fantastic due to built-in sync and channel configuration. Moreover, the adaptive sound makes your entertainment comfier and more enjoyable by adapting to sound.
The SAMSUNG HW-Q60T 5.1ch soundbar is an excellent option for anyone looking for an immersive sound experience at a budget-friendly price. The product drawback could be the lack of features found in more expensive soundbars. Still, overall, it delivers on its promise of superior sound quality.
• Dolby Atmos technology for 3D surround sound
• Acoustic beam technology to project clear vocals and crystal-clear music from any direction in your room
• Easy to set up and use
• Sleek design perfect for any living room
3. Bose TV Speaker
The soundbar market is price competitive but finding good price products with quality sound is not a piece of cake because I could not get part of that cake until now.
But after finding Bose TV Speaker – soundbar, the price was not an issue anymore. This product has an excellent sound quality for its price range, and it comes with convenient remote control.
The modern, subtle, and sleek design with fine finishing is perfect for any home theatre setup. And we find it a great décor addition to our place, and the subtle and handy profile makes it a go-to device for every day.
The soundbar features a 5.1 Channel sound system that is perfect for watching your favorite movies and TV shows without having to go through the hassle of pulling out the prominent speakers or using an external soundbar.
Plus, with its built-in Bluetooth and HDMI-ARC connectivity, you can easily connect this speaker to your TV for an immersive surround sound experience. The Bluetooth range was long and stable. We tested it through different angles and distances.
Overall, I am very impressed with the Bose TV soundbar and would recommend it to anyone looking for an affordable way to get great-sounding audio without breaking the bank.
The downside is that it doesn’t come with an optical port which is a bit of a bummer, but overall, this is one great soundbar that won’t disappoint.
• Remote Control
• Perfect Sound and Bass
• Built-in Bluetooth and HDMI-ARC
• 5.1 Channel Sound System
4. Sony HTX8500 Soundbar
Sony HTX8500 2.1ch Dolby Atmos/DTS:X soundbar is another excellent selection if you need a perfect soundbar with a woofer without breaking up the bank.
The soundbar comes with an 8-inch woofer and a 2.1ch Dolby Atmos sound system to give fantastic surround sound. The built-in subwoofer ensures that you get the bass impact you need for movie-watching or gaming.
The soundbar is pretty easy to set up and function; just plug it in and connect your audio sources. Several built-in apps also help you get the most out of the soundbar, like SRS TruBass and DTS:X, for enhanced sound quality.
Moreover, the product has seven different sound modes to suit your needs, as they will optimize the sound performance according to the content. You can also customize the surround sound settings, as we did to enjoy the customized sound according to the content.
Thankfully, the product is backed by a one-year warranty and a toll-free customer service helpline. With all such tempting features, the soundbar also has 4K HDR passthrough enabled, so you can have the best entertainment experience.
The only drawback to the product is that it only supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X audio formats. But if you’re looking for a soundbar that can give a fantastic surround sound experience, then the Sony HT-ST6500 is the perfect option for you.
• 8-inch woofer and 2.1ch Dolby Atmos sound system
• Built-in subwoofer for bass impact
• Easy to set up
• Comes with several built-in apps
5. LG SN6Y Sound Bar
To provide you with the budget soundbar, the team tried hard to provide multiple options from different brands to match the taste and requirements of all types of users.
Having variety in options makes it possible to choose the better around the best. One more addition to this list is the LG SN6Y soundbar, which has several exciting features that make it stand out as the top soundbar under $400.
LG SN6Y is a sleek, slim soundbar that blends with home décor. It comes with a black finish and is made to be durable. The soundbar has a subwoofer that provides deep bass sounds, filling up any room, irrespective of the crowd.
LG SN6Y offers superior sound quality to other soundbars in this price range with next-level clarity and rumble. TV shows, music, country or rock music, or even use it for gaming, we found it sound much better than the TV speakers.
The high-resolution audio ensures that all the details are preserved, even when the volume is turned up high. The virtual: X feature allows you to add realism to your movies and games by creating a 3D sound experience.
LG SN6Y comes with Bluetooth connectivity, making it easy to connect to other devices, such as your smartphone, smart TV and laptop. It lets you stream music from your favorite online streaming platform, like Spotify or Soundcloud.
However, a lack of an optical digital port is a shame. However, we utilized the other connectivity sources, and we were good.
Overall, LG SN6Y is one of the best soundbars under $400 and offers superior sound quality and features compared to other soundbars in this price range. If you are looking for a sleek and slim soundbar that can easily fit in any room, then LG SN6Y is a must-consider.
• Slim and sleek design.
• Bluetooth connectivity.
• Virtual:x feature
6. VIZIO M512a-H6 Soundbar
Vizio is a great brand with a vast range of quality soundbars. The VIZIO M512a-H6 Premium Sound Bar is a perfect model to fit the criteria for an affordable soundbar.
The sound projection is clear and loud, and the Dolby Atmos feature enhances the overall experience while ensuring room-filling strong sound output.
It also comes with DTS:X and Bluetooth connectivity, making it easy to stream music from your smartphone or tablet. We were impressed by the Bluetooth range, signal strength, and the DTS: X performance giving dramatic sound vibes.
The wireless subwoofer provides a deeper bass sound by smartly capturing low-frequency notes. The voice assistant support allows you to control the soundbar with your voice commands, which will make the soundbar flexible for outdoors and at parties.
Also, the remote control is a great added feature and makes it easy to change the volume or tune to a specific channel. Besides, the soundbar houses 11 high-performance speakers within a sleek design bar that will look great in any home.
Moreover, with the dynamic sound and immersive experience, the M-Series 5.1.2 Premium soundbaris an excellent value for your money. 2 up-firing speakers provide accurate directional sound, and a dedicated center channel ensures promising vocal delivery.
The drawback of the M-Series 5.1.2 Premium soundbar is the limited number of ports, which may not be ideal for some people. Overall, the M-Series 5.1.2 Premium Sound is an excellent considerable option in the range.
• DTS:X and Bluetooth connectivity
• Dynamic sound and immersive experience
• Affordable price point
7. Polk Audio Signa S4 Sound Bar
Polk Audio Signa S4 is the last standing product on the list. Undoubtedly, this is one of the best sound systems in the audiophiles’ eyes, considering the clear and detailed sound production.
The Polk Audio Signa S4 Ultra-Slim soundbarhas more features than any other recommendations we have pen down. The Polk Audio Signa S4 Ultra-Slim soundbaris compatible with an 8K, 4K, HD TV and comes with a Dolby Atmos 3D Surround Sound.
The Polk Audio Signa S4 soundbaris exclusive to Voice and Bass Adjust Technologies, allowing listeners to customize the bass and treble levels. And being comfortable with making those adjustments was a piece of cake, and the sound output got ten times better.
The soundbar also has a wireless subwoofer that provides deep and powerful bass for an immersive audio experience. The Polk Audio Signa S4 Ultra-Slim soundbaris also compatible with eARC and Bluetooth, allowing users to stream music from their devices without worrying about wires.
If you are looking for a great-sounding soundbar compatible with 8K, 4K, HD TV, and Dolby Atmos 3D Surround Sound, the Polk Audio Signa S4 Ultra-Slim Sound Bar should be your choice.
The Polk soundbar has earned 4.5 stars out of 5 on Amazon and is the best under $400. But its limited availability is a big disappointment and is under the thought provision of the brand.
• Dolby Atmos
• 3D Surround Sound
• Exclusive to Voice
• Bass Adjust Technologies
Best Soundbar Under $400 – 2024 Buying Guide
Although brands are working hard to highlight the machine’s special features while selling them, there are still many factors that you have to pay attention to. Soundbar shopping wasn’t challenging until the competition got severe and brands fought hard to thrive.
Still, your focus should be on getting the best soundbar under your specific budget range while, of course, not compromising on your requirements. You can consider some essential things to reach the right product and save your time, energy, and hard-earned money to waste.
Channel Configuration
Channel means the number of drivers a soundbar contains to produce sound. If you ever used a speaker, you would know it can get loud, add a bass, and fill the room with unusual energy. So, imagine what multiple drivers working together for the same purpose would do?
Yes, the number of channels in the driver can directly impact the acoustic experience. You can expect multiple channel support under the 400-budget range and experience room-filling, loud, and clear sound quality.
The channel system of any soundbar contains full-range drivers, sometimes a dedicated center channel for the dialogue enhancement, treble, and woofer for the bass. Hence, the channel system will give you a fair idea of what’s inside the small pack. Always get the system that you need.
Audio Performance
Audio performance and channel configuration go side by side. Though the more speakers you have, the better sound quality is a myth. You can have a luxurious sound listening experience even with a 2.0 channel system that includes only dual full-range speakers and can have an awful time with a 5.1 channel system.
It all depends on the technology, the potential of the speakers, and various audio format compatibility. So, never forget to choose the audio performance, the status of compressions at the max volume, distortions, and bass rumble.
Connections
How are you plan to use the soundbar? Do you want to connect it with your TV or smartphone? Do you plan movie nights more often with a projector and want to set a theatre-like vibe?
Well, you need to match the connection compatibility of your device with the soundbar and then make the purchase accordingly. Usually, the soundbar contains optical digital, a perfect audio-catching cable that syncs the signals and delivers accurate performance.
But Bluetooth, HDMI, AUX, and other similar connections can give your device more flexibility. Check every connection requirement beforehand and narrow down your findings; accordingly, it will save you post-shopping trouble.
Usage
A soundbar should always be easy to install, launch, and manage. The best soundbar under 400 may come with a voice control assistant that gives you a breath of peace while managing the device at parties, movie nights, and outdoor events. The soundbar will operate with your voice commands for a luxurious experience.
However, remote control with dedicated labelled buttons at the front would be a valuable alternative. The buttons should help in navigation, connection switch, volume management, and enabling EQ modes, if any.
Audio Format Compatibility
The audio format supports like Dolby Atmos or DTS:X technology can turn the tables of music listening. The technology fills the room with thriving and detailed sound in no time while keeping the quality intact. Atmos enriches the sound quality by making it bounce off the ceiling to ensure it hits the audience from every direction can make a difference.
Moreover, many other audio formats can enhance the music listening experience by producing 360 surround sound, virtual sound, and perfectly TV syncing sound.
Other Features
Other small features can make a huge difference while using a certain device, especially a soundbar. Brands strive hard to maintain a competitive advantage, thus adding exciting features to deliver immersive listening.
You can look out for features like:
- Multiple EQ modes/presets that optimize the sound quality according to the content
- Room correction to adjust the sound performance according to the environment
- Bass and treble adjustments
- Voice/Vocal/Dialogue enhancement feature
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the best soundbar under 400?
Vizio M-Series 5.1.2 Premium soundbar is one of the best products available and features numerous drivers for excellent sound projection. Apart from full-range drivers for the high-resolution audio, dedicated center channel and woofer make detailed sound performance.
Conclusion
A reliable and powerful soundbar can deliver more than you could ask if only you could get the one that matches your requirements. Hence, we have examined the best soundbars under 400 USD to satisfy your music streaming experience within your budget.
Apart from that, you can also suggest the best budget soundbars you have come across in recent times, so we can review them shortly.
Also read: Best Settings for VIZIO 5-1 Soundbar
Mia Evelyn is a soundbar specialist and she love to test and review different soundbar brands. She shares her neutral and in-depth reviews through the Soundbar Mag.