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The 6 best soundbars with subwoofers in 2025

Samsung HW-Q990D Dolby Atmos Soundbar.
Best Soundbars under $500 Simon Cohen / Digital Trends
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Updated less than 3 days ago

A great soundbar can really up the sonic performance of your home setup, bringing immersion, volume, and entertainment to new levels. Most built-in TV speakers are lackluster at best, incapable of producing booming bass or crisp dialogue. Soundbars address many of these issues while also offering a sleek, compact form factor. Better yet, many come with a subwoofer to further enhance your audio.

Soundbars typically offer subwoofers in one of two formats. You'll often see soundbars paired with a wireless subwoofer, as these can be placed anywhere in the room to provide you with the best sound quality regardless of the shape and layout of the room. Alternatively, some soundbars offer a built-in subwoofer for a single-speaker setup. Due to their smaller driver size, these typically don't provide the same booming sound as their wireless counterparts, but they're ultra-compact and great for smaller spaces.

Ready to up your audio game? Here are the six best soundbars with subwoofers from brands like Samsung, Sennheiser, and JBL. For more great options, be sure to check out the best soundbars of 2025.

SAMSUNG Q990D Soundbar
Samsung HW-Q990D
Best overall soundbar with subwoofer
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JBL 2.1 Channel Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer
JBL 2.1 Channel Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer
Best budget soundbar with subwoofer
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Sonos Beam
Sonos Beam 2 with Sub Mini "Entertainment Set"
Best compact soundbar with subwoofer
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Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar Plus
Sennheiser AMBEO Plus Soundbar with Dual Subwoofers
Runner up
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Sony HT-A5000 Dolby Atmos Soundbar
Sony HT-A5000
Best soundbar with subwoofer for gaming
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Bose Ultra Soundbar Bundle
Bose Ultra Soundbar Bundle
Best premium soundbar with subwoofer
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Samsung 2024 HW-Q990D soundbar.
Phil Nickinson / Digital Trends

Samsung HW-Q990D

Pros
  • An all-in-one home theater solution
  • Built-in Alexa
  • Spacefit Sound Pro automatically calibrates based on environment
  • Control included
Cons
  • Expensive
Specification:
Size 48.5 inches (W) x 2.7 inches (H) x 5.4 inches (D), 17 pounds
Connectivity HDMI, HDMI eARC, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Optical,
Speaker configuration 11.1.4
Dolby Atmos Yes
Subwoofer Wireless

The Samsung Q990D is the latest flagship soundbar from the South Korean tech giant, and like its predecessors, it's a bundle deal with a subwoofer included. At a price tag of $2,000 (though often found on sale for $1,500), this is one of the most premium selections on this list, but it's backed up by its sheer performance.

The HW-Q990D is a full home-theater experience, complete with a soundbar, subwoofer, and up/side-firing rear speakers. Its 11.1.4 arrangement and support for Dolby Atmos fill any room it's in with wireless surround sound, and with SpaceFit Sound Pro, it can be intelligently calibrated to whatever space it's set up in. The soundbar also offers a bevy of features and software-driven enhancements like game mode, adaptive sound, and dialogue boosting.

By all accounts, the Q990D package offers an improvement in sound over its predecessor, the Q990C, and its simple remote and easy wall-mounting make it user-friendly. The soundbar also features multiple HDMI 2.1 ports, which means excellent passthrough signal support for 4K video at 120Hz, Dolby Vision, and HDR10/10+. Take it one step further by pairing it with a compatible TV to leverage Samsung's Q-Symphony, allowing the speakers of your Samsung TV to be brought into the fold as center, side, and up-firing channels.

SAMSUNG Q990D Soundbar
Samsung HW-Q990D
Best overall soundbar with subwoofer
The JBL 2.1 soundbar.
JBL

JBL 2.1 Channel Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer

Pros
  • Great price
  • Impressive 6.5-inch wireless subwoofer
  • HDMI, optical, and Bluetooth support
Cons
  • No Dolby Atmos
Specification:
Size 38” x 2.2” x 3.4” (Soundbar) 8.9” x 8.9” x 14.6” (Subwoofer)
Connectivity USB, Optical, Bluetooth, HDMI
Speaker configuration 2.1
Dolby Atmos No
Subwoofer Wireless

It can't keep up with the Q990D, but the JBL 2.1 is a great little soundbar that won't stretch your budget. Clocking in under $400 (and often on sale for less than $300), this JBL soundbar is a great entry-level soundbar that'll be a vast improvement over your built-in TV speakers.

The biggest knock against the JBL 2.1 soundbar is its lack of support for Dolby Atmos. It does, however, get you Dolby Digital support, and the 6.5-inch wireless subwoofer packs enough of a punch to really make explosions and other bass-heavy effects ring out with full force.

Connecting it to your TV is simple, thanks to both an optical and HDMI connection. You even have the option to stream audio from your tablet or smartphone, thanks to support for Bluetooth. And if you want to get it mounted on your wall, your purchase includes a complimentary wall-mount bracket for easy installation.

While you won't find as many fancy audio features on the JBL 2.1, you can still adjust base levels with the included remote. You can also connect additional, compatible speakers later on – so if you decide to continue building your home theater, this is a great place to start.

JBL 2.1 Channel Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer
JBL 2.1 Channel Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer
Best budget soundbar with subwoofer
Editors' Choice sonos beam gen 2 hands on review 00016
Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Sonos Beam 2 with Sub Mini "Entertainment Set"

Pros
  • Easy setup
  • Immersive, room-filling sound
  • Sleek design
  • AirPlay 2
Cons
  • No HDMI inputs
  • Requires compatible TV for Dolby Atmos
Specification:
Connectivity HDMI eARC, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet
Speaker configuration 5.0.1
Dolby Atmos Yes
Subwoofer Bundled

The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) is a compact, high-performance soundbar from an audio company with a sterling reputation for sonic excellence (just maybe not software development).

Sonos soundbars are definitely premium products, though their smaller models, like the Beam, offer a more reasonable entry point to the brand. As with their other offerings, one of the strongest arguments for buying one is the Sonos ecosystem itself. Offering true Wi-Fi connectivity, multi-speaker setups using the Sonos app, support for Dolby Atmos, and integrations with all major music streaming apps, the Beam is a true smart soundbar.

For those wanting a subwoofer to go along with their soundbar, Sonos sells an "entertainment set," which pairs its impressive Sub Mini with the Beam. We were impressed with Sonos' economical subwoofer offering, which is both smaller in size and price tag than a full-size subwoofer. Our reviewers thought the Beam had an elegant design and was super simple to set up. It may not shake your entire living room, but it offers plenty of bass for its price point.

If you're in the market for a soundbar and subwoofer combo that is feature-rich without costing an absolute fortune, consider this more compact pairing. While it obviously won't pack the same punch as its full-size counterparts at twice the cost, they are reliable speakers that offer impressive performance.

Sonos Beam
Sonos Beam 2 with Sub Mini "Entertainment Set"
Best compact soundbar with subwoofer
Editors' Choice sennheiser ambeo soundbar plus review 00019
Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Sennheiser AMBEO Plus Soundbar with Dual Subwoofers

Pros
  • Fantastic 3D sound
  • Lots of connections
  • Built-in room tuning
  • Up to 4 wireless subs/1 wired sub
  • AirPlay/Chromecast/Tidal Connect
  • Alexa built-in
  • Dolby Atmos/DTS:X
  • Sony 360/MPEG-H
Cons
  • Still expensive
  • Only HDMI 2.0a
  • Relies heavily on mobile app
  • Weird Alexa integration
Specification:
Size 41.3 inches (W) x 3 inches (H) x 4.7 inches (D), 13.89 pounds
Connectivity HDMI eARC, HDMI. Optical, Stereo, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Speaker configuration 7.1.4
Dolby Atmos Yes
Subwoofer Built-In

Shoppers seeking a premium soundbar that's a bit more compact than the Q990C should consider the Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar Plus. Not only does it offer Dolby Atmos support and churn out impressive audio, but its subwoofers are built directly into the soundbar – so you won't have to clear space for a massive subwoofer elsewhere in the room.

The AMBEO is equipped with 4-inch dual subwoofers, along with seven speakers that allow it to produce impressive room-filling audio despite being a single soundbar that's less than 5-inches deep and just over 40-inches long. You'll have plenty of ways to customize its performance, as it can be controlled via the included remote, Sennheiser Smart Control App, a web interface, or the built-in Alexa voice assistant.

Aside from Alexa, the soundbar also supports Google Home, making it a good choice for a home that's already loaded with smart products. On the soundbar you'll find a variety of HDMI, USB-A, and ethernet ports, as well as wireless support for both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.

If you have the space, the Q990C is probably the better choice. But if you're tight on space and want an all-in-one soundbar that packs a built-in subwoofer along with heaps of other great tech, the AMBEO deserves a closer look.

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar Plus
Sennheiser AMBEO Plus Soundbar with Dual Subwoofers
Runner up
Editors' Choice sony ht a5000 review 00022
Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Sony HT-A5000

Pros
  • 8K-ready HDMI input
  • Excellent movie and music sound
  • Easy on-screen setup
  • Tons of connection options
  • Hi-res, Sony 360RA, and DTS:X
Cons
  • No EQ adjustments
  • Some settings are buried
  • Poor integration of music services
Specification:
Size 47 3/4 inch x 2 3/4 inch x 5 5/8 inches
Connectivity HDMI, HDMI eARC, Bluetooth, USB, Optical
Speaker configuration 5.1.2
Dolby Atmos Yes
Subwoofer Built-in

The Sony HT-A5000 is a great option for gaming, thanks to inputs that support passthrough 8K and Dolby Vision, as well as 4K with a 120Hz refresh rate. That's more than enough for any game on the market right now – and it should be good enough for anything launching over the next several years, making it a good long-term investment for gamers.

You won't find a large wireless subwoofer with the HT-A5000, though its built-in subwoofer is still vastly superior to built-in TV speakers. You will, however, find support for Dolby Atmos, Alexa, and Google Assistant, as well as Sound Field Optimization technology that calibrates the soundbar to your room.

If you're a PS5 player with a Bravia XR, you'll find that the HT-A5000 works seamlessly with your display. Sony has built the soundbar with an integrated UI, so your home theater settings will populate on the Bravia Quick Settings menu. Even if you don’t have a Bravia, setup shouldn't be more difficult than simply plugging in the device via its eARC support.

To round out the system, the HT-A5000 is compatible with a variety of wireless subwoofers and rear speakers. So if you decide to upgrade your system down the line, you'll have plenty of options for a well-rounded setup.

Sony HT-A5000 Dolby Atmos Soundbar
Sony HT-A5000
Best soundbar with subwoofer for gaming
Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar in white.
The Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar with Chromecast built-in. Bose

Bose Ultra Soundbar Bundle

Pros
  • Complete home theater setup
  • Dolby Atmos
  • Heaps of smart connectivity
Cons
  • Expensive
Specification:
Size 2.29" H x 41.14" W x 4.21" D
Connectivity Bluetooth, Wifi, HDMI
Speaker configuration 5.1.2
Dolby Atmos Yes
Subwoofer Wireless

The Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Bundle isn't just one product – it's three different gadgets pulled together for a premium listening experience. Along with the popular Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar, you'll get the Bose Bass Module 700 Wireless Subwoofer and a pair of Bose Surround Speakers 700. When combined, they offer a comprehensive listening experience that beats out nearly everything else on the market.

The Bose Ultra Soundbar is at the heart of the bundle, offering six full-range transducers, two up-firing speakers, a center tweeter, and an array of speakers for crisp audio and rich all-around sound. You'll find support for both eARC and optical connections, and you can download the Bose Music app to customize its performance and assist you with setup. If you don't want to mess with custom settings, you can use ADAPTiQ to optimize the sound for your exact room layout.

Plenty of smart connections are available on the soundbar, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Airplay 2, Spotify Connect, and Chromecast.

All of that is just the tip of the iceberg, as the Bass Module brings booming sound while the Surround Speakers complete the room-filling audio experience. And since they're all running in the Bose ecosystem, syncing all your products together and completing setup should be a breeze. The bundle isn't cheap, but audiophiles will find much to love about its performance.

Bose Ultra Soundbar Bundle
Bose Ultra Soundbar Bundle
Best premium soundbar with subwoofer

Frequently Asked Questions

How we chose the best soundbars with subwoofers

There are hundreds of soundbars with subwoofers to consider in 2025, but not all of them are good additions to your home theater. From sound quality and smart connections to pricing and more, here's how we narrowed down the options and pick the best soundbars with subwoofers.

What's the best subwoofer style?

There are a few different options when it comes to subwoofers for your soundbar. Some products don't include a subwoofer at all – in which case, they were left off this list. The other options are either a built-in subwoofer or a wireless subwoofer. Built-in subwoofers are built directly into the soundbar, making them a great option for small spaces that may not have room for a dedicated subwoofer. However, wireless subwoofers typically sound better and bring more "boom" to your room. Depending on your needs, one might be better than the other. In general, a wireless subwoofer will offer better quality than a built-in subwoofer, though there's certainly overlap depending on your budget.

What connectivity do I need?

Optical, HMDI (ARC), and HDMI (eARC) are all common terms you'll find in soundbar product descriptions. HDMI (eARC) is typically seen as the most power, with support for tech like Dolby Atmos, DTS-HD Master Audio, and Dolby True HD. HDMI (ARC) is a step below eARC, though it still supports Dolby Atmos. Optical connections are the least compelling of the bunch, with support for stereo, Dolby Digital, and DTS. Not all TVs offer all connection types, and not all soundbars have ports for all these connections. This means you'll want to look at both your current TV and prospective soundbar to ensure they'll easily sync with each other.

Do I need a wireless soundbar?

If you have a premium soundbar with subwoofer in your home, there's a good chance you'll want to use it for more than just your TV. Many of the best soundbars now offer support for smart home platforms or Bluetooth connections, allowing you to quickly stream music or other apps to the device. This type of compatibility makes a soundbar incredibly versatile and could make it a more well-rounded companion for your home. If you're interested in connecting a soundbar with your smart home or smartphone, be sure to look for details about what platforms and connection types are supported.

Sound quality and Dolby Atmos

The most important factor to consider when shopping for a soundbar is audio quality. This means you'll want a device that's packed with speakers capable of churning out impressive sound. You'll also want support for Dolby Atmos, which is a surround sound technology that enhances the performance of 3D sounds. In other words, a device that supports Dolby Atmos is bound to be one of the best on the market, especially if it's coming from a reputable brand like Samsung or Sony.

Pricing

Pricing plays a part in every purchase, and it's no different with soundbars. But because soundbars can quickly creep over $1,000, getting the best possible value for your money is more important than ever. After all, no one wants to spend heaps of cash to end up with a lackluster home theater experience. We factored in pricing when compiling this list, ensuring each product offered enough features to warrant its price tag.

Reputable branding

Investing in a soundbar from a lesser-known brand isn't always a bad idea, but it's typically best to stick with names like Samsung, Sony, JBL, and Sennheiser. These companies have established themselves as leaders in the market that are capable of producing reliable, long-lasting equipment that churns out impressive soundwaves.

Jon Bitner

Jon Bitner is a writer covering consumer electronics, technology, and gaming. His work has been published on various websites beyond Digital Trends, including The Wall Street Journal, Metacritic, GameSpot, and Slickdeals. He holds a degree in Biology and previously worked as a Medical Editor.

When not playing video games, he can be found running, reading, or checking out the latest series on Netflix.

Andre Revilla

Andre Revilla is an entrepreneur and writer based in Chicago that has been covering and working in the consumer tech space for over a decade. Along with Digital Trends, he has contributed to XDA, Pocket-lint, and a number of other news and tech sites since 2010.

In 2016, he founded GoLCDs, a company that services phone repair shops across the country in component buybacks and recycling. In 2019, he founded Del Rey Barware, a bar tool brand serving bars, restaurants, hotels, and retail.

When he's not writing about the latest tech or working on his businesses, he can probably be found cooking, traveling, discovering new restaurants, and spending quality time with his wife and Peanut, their golden retriever.

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