Thin TVs have thin speakers, and the cheapest fix is a soundbar that plugs into the HDMI ARC port and turns on with the TV. Under a hundred dollars you will not get Dolby Atmos or a wireless subwoofer the size of a nightstand, but you will get clearer dialogue, more volume and, on the better bars, bass that a TV cannot produce. We ranked the soundbars in our audio catalog that sold at or under the budget cap when we wrote this, by driver count and rated power, whether they have HDMI ARC as well as optical and Bluetooth, EQ modes and voice enhancement, size relative to a typical TV, and what thousands of owners report.
We have not set up every bar ourselves; the verdicts rest on the spec sheets and the owner review history. Prices are not printed because they change daily; every button opens the live Amazon page. If your budget stretches further, our soundbars for TV guide covers the mid-range, and our TVs under 500 guide pairs well with any bar here.
How we picked
- Budget first. Every pick was at or under the cap at the time of writing, several by a wide margin.
- HDMI ARC on every bar except the smallest Saiyin, so the TV remote controls the volume.
- Bluetooth and optical as well, so a phone or an older TV can connect.
- Bass that is more than a word. Larger drivers, bass ports or a separate subwoofer; we note which is which.
- Owner ratings of 4.1 stars or better, and every pick has at least 1,600 reviews.
The picks
BESTISAN Soundbar, TV Sound Bar with Wired HDMI and Wireless Bluetooth 5.0 Home Theater System (28 Inch, Enhanced Bass Technology, 3-Inch Drivers, Bass Adjustable, Wall Mountable, DSP)
The BESTISAN 28-inch bar has been the default budget soundbar for years, and 12,000 owners rating it 4.3 stars say it still earns the spot. It is a 2.0 bar with 3-inch full-range drivers and two bass ports, so it produces more low end than most bars without a subwoofer, and the bass level is adjustable from the remote. It connects over HDMI ARC, optical, AUX and Bluetooth 5.0, offers movie, music and dialogue EQ modes, and sits flat or hangs on a wall. At 28 inches it suits a 40 to 55-inch TV without looking undersized. There is no subwoofer output, so if you later want more bass you replace the bar rather than add to it. For a bedroom or apartment living room it is the safe choice.
- 12,000 owner reviews at 4.3 stars, the most-trusted budget bar here
- 3-inch drivers and dual ports give real bass without a subwoofer
- HDMI ARC, optical, AUX and Bluetooth 5.0
- Adjustable bass and three EQ modes
- No subwoofer output for later upgrades
- Bluetooth 5.0, not the newer 5.3 on cheaper bars
- Some owners report the remote is small and easy to lose
Sony S100F 2.0ch Compact and Slim Soundbar for TV with Bluetooth HTS100F
The Sony S100F is the brand-name option at the top of the budget range, and it brings a few things the no-name bars do not: a separate tweeter for cleaner treble, a voice enhancement mode that lifts hushed dialogue, and Sony’s S-Force Pro front surround processing that widens the stage. It connects over HDMI ARC, optical, USB and Bluetooth and sets up with one cable. The Bass Reflex cabinet gives some low end, but owners agree this is a dialogue and clarity bar rather than a bass bar; 9,300 of them rate it 4.2 stars. If you watch more news and drama than action films and want a brand with a service network, it is the one to pick.
- Sony tuning with a dedicated tweeter for clear highs
- Voice enhancement mode for quiet dialogue and calls
- S-Force Pro front surround widens the sound
- 9,300 owners at 4.2 stars
- Bass is modest; no ports or subwoofer
- Only HDMI ARC, no HDMI input
- Costs the most of the budget bars here
Bestisan Sound Bars for TV, 16 inch 50W Small Soundbar for TV, Sound Bar with Depths Sound Enhanced DSP Bass+ 3EQ, Surround Sound Speakers for TV Works with HDMI ARC CEC, Optical, BT, PC
The 16-inch Bestisan is the bar for a bedroom TV, a kitchen TV or a desktop monitor, where a 28-inch bar would hang over the edges. Two full-range drivers and two U-shaped bass tubes give it more body than its size suggests, HDMI ARC with CEC means the TV remote controls it, and Bluetooth 5.3 streams from a phone. Three EQ modes plus a Bass+ button cover the basics. With 50W of peak power it is loud enough for a small room and no more, and the bass is honest for the cabinet size rather than deep. Owners are consistent about this: 11,000 of them rate it 4.3 stars and most describe it as a big step up from TV speakers in a small space. Buy the 28-inch BESTISAN instead for a main living room.
- 16 inches fits under a 24 to 40-inch TV or a monitor
- HDMI ARC with CEC so the TV remote works
- Bluetooth 5.3 and three EQ modes
- 11,000 owners at 4.3 stars
- 50W peak; it will not fill a large living room
- Bass is limited by the small cabinet
- No AUX input on this model
Sound Bar with Subwoofer,120W Sound Bar Bluetooth 5.3 Soundbar Surround Sound System, Detachable Home Theater Speaker with ARC/Optical/AUX Connection, Remote Control for TV/PC/Projector
This 2.1 set is the way to get a real subwoofer under the cap. The bar handles dialogue and highs, a wired subwoofer handles the low end, and the maker rates the pair at 120W total; the wired link avoids the sync problems that cheap wireless subs sometimes have, at the cost of having to place the sub within cable reach. Connections are HDMI ARC, optical, AUX and Bluetooth 5.3, wall mount hardware is included, and the bar can split into two speakers. Owners rate it 4.4 stars across 4,000 reviews, the highest rating on this page, with the usual budget caveats about build quality and a plain remote. If explosions and music matter more than a brand name, this is where the bass is.
- A dedicated subwoofer at a budget price
- Highest owner rating on this page at 4.4 stars
- Bluetooth 5.3, ARC, optical and AUX
- Wall mount hardware in the box
- Subwoofer is wired to the bar, so placement is limited
- Fewer reviews than the single-bar picks
- Generic brand with no long track record
Detachable 2.1 Sound Bar with Subwoofer, 110W Soundbar for Smart TV, 3 Equalizer Modes, Bluetooth 5.3 ARC Optical AUX for TV PC Gaming Projector
This detachable 2.1 bar is the flexible one: the bar splits into two halves that stand upright on either side of a TV or a monitor, and a matched subwoofer with adjustable bass sits below. Four drivers and the sub are rated at 110W, with movie, music and news EQ modes and an automatic volume boost for quiet passages. Inputs are HDMI ARC, optical, AUX and Bluetooth 5.3, and the maker backs it with an 18-month warranty and a 60-day replacement policy. Owners rate it 4.1 stars across 7,400 reviews; the praise is for the stereo split and the bass, the complaints are occasional Bluetooth dropouts and a boost mode some find heavy-handed. For a desk setup where a long bar will not fit, it is the pick.
- Splits into two speakers for stereo separation
- Subwoofer with adjustable bass level
- Four placement options including vertical
- 7,400 owners; 18-month warranty
- 4.1 stars, with some owners reporting Bluetooth dropouts
- Subwoofer is compact rather than deep
- Auto volume boost can be too aggressive
BESTISAN 2.1ch Sound Bar with Built-in Subwoofer, 120W Peak Power, HDMI ARC/Opt/AUX/USB/Bluetooth 5.3, 3 EQ Modes and Volume Boost, 16.5 inch All-in-One for TV/PC/Gaming/Projector
The newest BESTISAN packs a 2.1 system into one 16.5-inch bar: dual full-range drivers for dialogue and a built-in subwoofer driver for bass, rated at 120W peak. It is the bar for people who want more low end than the 16-inch Bestisan but do not want a separate box on the floor. Connectivity is the fullest here, with HDMI ARC, optical, AUX, USB playback and Bluetooth 5.3, plus three EQ modes and a volume boost. The slim 2.8-inch body fits under a monitor or a small TV. It is a 2025 model, so its 1,700 reviews are fewer than its siblings, but at 4.3 stars they match the brand’s record. A built-in sub is still a small driver in a small cabinet, so for deep bass the separate-sub sets above win.
- Built-in subwoofer in a single compact bar
- USB playback as well as ARC, optical, AUX and Bluetooth 5.3
- Slim 2.8-inch profile fits under a monitor
- 4.3 stars from the same brand as the top pick
- 1,700 reviews, fewer than the older BESTISAN bars
- Built-in sub cannot match a separate box
- 16.5 inches looks small under a large TV
Sound Bar for Smart TV, Soundbar with Bluetooth/ARC/Opt/AUX Connect, Auto Volume Boost, 3 Equalizer Modes, 2 in 1 Detachable Soundbar for TV/PC/Gaming/Projectors
This is the subwoofer-free sibling of the detachable 2.1 set above, and it costs noticeably less. Four drivers deliver 80W, the bar splits into two upright speakers or stays as one, and it mounts horizontally, vertically, on a table or on a wall. HDMI ARC, optical, AUX and Bluetooth 5.0 cover the inputs, with movie, music and news EQ modes and an automatic loudness boost for quiet scenes. Owners rate it 4.1 stars across 7,400 reviews and the pattern is familiar: a clear upgrade over TV speakers, decent stereo width when split, and bass that is present but not deep. If you need the vertical option for a PC and do not want a sub on the floor, this is the cheaper way to get it.
- Four drivers and 80W in a detachable design
- Vertical placement works beside a monitor
- ARC so the TV remote controls it
- 7,400 owners; 18-month warranty
- 4.1 stars; no subwoofer so bass is light
- Bluetooth 5.0 rather than 5.3
- Auto volume boost cannot be fully disabled on some firmware, per owners
Saiyin 11.7-inch Sound Bar, Small Size and Big Power, Center-Channel Speakers
The Saiyin is the smallest bar here at under a foot wide, and it is aimed at places a normal soundbar will not go: a desk, a kitchen counter, a dorm or an RV. It runs from an AC adapter with 48W of peak power, connects over Bluetooth, optical or 3.5mm AUX, and unusually has a subwoofer output so a powered sub can be added later. The LEDs are dim and off to one side, and a standby mode means it can stay plugged in. It lacks HDMI ARC, so volume comes from its own remote or from a paired Fire TV remote rather than every TV remote. Owners rate it 4.2 stars across 7,400 reviews and mostly use it exactly as intended, as a big step up from a monitor or a small TV in a small space.
- Under a foot wide; fits a desk, kitchen or RV
- Subwoofer output, rare on a mini bar
- Optical and Bluetooth with a quiet standby
- 7,400 owners at 4.2 stars
- No HDMI ARC; optical or AUX only
- 48W peak suits a small room only
- Fire TV remote pairing, not every TV remote
Compare the picks
| Product | Size | Bass | HDMI ARC | Bluetooth | Owner rating | Our score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BESTISAN 28-inchBESTISAN | 28 in | 3-inch drivers, dual ports | Yes | 5.0 | 4.3 (12,000+) | 8.6 | See price |
| Sony S100FSony | Compact 2.0 | Bass Reflex cabinet | Yes | Yes | 4.2 (9,300+) | 8.4 | See price |
| Bestisan 16-inch 50WBYL | 16 in | Two bass tubes | Yes, CEC | 5.3 | 4.3 (11,000+) | 8.6 | See price |
| 120W bar with wired subwooferMaraawa | Detachable 2.1 | Wired subwoofer | Yes | 5.3 | 4.4 (4,000+) | 8.8 | See price |
| Detachable 2.1 110WAssistrust | Detachable 2.1 | Matched subwoofer | Yes | 5.3 | 4.1 (7,400+) | 8.2 | See price |
| BESTISAN 2.1ch built-in subBESTISAN | 16.5 in | Built-in subwoofer | Yes | 5.3 | 4.3 (1,700+) | 8.6 | See price |
| 2-in-1 detachable 80WAssistrust | Detachable 2.0 | Four drivers, no sub | Yes | 5.0 | 4.1 (7,400+) | 8.2 | See price |
| Saiyin 11.7-inchSaiyin | 11.7 in | Sub output | No | Yes | 4.2 (7,400+) | 8.4 | See price |
HDMI ARC, optical or Bluetooth?
HDMI ARC is the connection to use if your TV has it: one cable carries the audio and lets the TV remote control the bar’s volume and power. Every pick except the Saiyin has it, and the 16-inch Bestisan adds CEC explicitly. Optical carries the same stereo audio without the remote control, which is the fallback for older TVs; the Saiyin relies on it. Bluetooth is for playing music from a phone and should not be used for TV audio because of lip-sync delay. All bars here also take a 3.5mm AUX cable except the 16-inch Bestisan.
Do you need a subwoofer under 100 dollars?
A separate subwoofer is the single biggest upgrade to bass, and two sets here include one: the 120W set with the wired sub and the 110W detachable 2.1. The BESTISAN 2.1ch builds a small subwoofer driver into the bar instead, which is tidier but shallower. The single bars rely on larger drivers and ports; the 28-inch BESTISAN does this best. If bass is the priority and the budget can stretch, our soundbars with subwoofer guide covers wireless-sub sets from Polk, Sony and Hisense.
Size the bar to the TV
A bar should be no wider than the TV and ideally close to it. The 28-inch BESTISAN suits 40 to 55-inch sets, the 16-inch and 16.5-inch bars suit 24 to 43-inch sets and monitors, and the Saiyin is a desk speaker that happens to be shaped like a bar. The detachable models get around the problem by standing their halves upright on either side of the screen, which also improves stereo width. Check the height too: a bar taller than the TV’s stand clearance will block the bottom of the picture or the remote sensor.
Is a cheap soundbar really better than TV speakers?
Yes. Even the smallest bar here has larger drivers facing you rather than tiny drivers firing down or backwards. Dialogue clarity and volume improve immediately; deep bass only arrives with the subwoofer sets.
Which budget soundbar has the best bass?
The 120W set with the wired subwoofer and the 110W detachable 2.1 set have separate subwoofers and the deepest bass. Among single bars, the 28-inch BESTISAN with 3-inch drivers and dual ports leads.
Will the TV remote control these soundbars?
Over HDMI ARC, yes, on every pick except the Saiyin, which has no HDMI port. Turn on ARC or CEC in the TV settings. Over optical, you use the soundbar remote for volume.
Can I add a subwoofer later?
Only the Saiyin has a subwoofer output. The other bars have no sub out, so to add bass later you would replace the bar with a 2.1 set rather than adding to it.
Do these bars support Dolby Atmos?
No. Under this budget they decode stereo audio and apply virtual surround or EQ modes. Real Dolby Atmos bars start at several times this price; see our Dolby Atmos soundbars guide.
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