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Best soundbars by budget for your film nights.

From a single bar beneath your TV to speakers around the sofa. Find an option that suits your room as well as your budget.

Compare the 3 options All buying guides

Affiliate links · We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices below are recorded examples, not live offers.

Let’s make the choice easier

Start with your day,
then your budget.

Choose the setup you can comfortably live with. The Sony HT-SF150 keeps things simple. The Sonos Beam Gen 2 offers a compact route to a more spacious sound. The Samsung HW-Q990F adds separate rear speakers and a bass speaker, so allow space and power for the whole set.

Your options at a glance

Which sounds most like you?

The trade-offs included

Keep the setup simple

Sony HT-SF150

A straightforward soundbar to consider when you want a wider sound without separate speakers around the room.

See benefits & buying options

Make the most of a smaller room

Sonos Beam (Gen 2)

A compact way to give films and television a greater sense of space without rear speakers.

See benefits & buying options

Hear the action around you

Samsung HW-Q990F

The soundbar, bass speaker and rear speakers create sound from around the room, rather than only from below the screen.

See benefits & buying options
Choice 01
Sony HT-SF150 soundbar
Product image: Sony

A simple alternative to built-in TV speakers

Sony HT-SF150

A straightforward soundbar to consider when you want a wider sound without separate speakers around the room.

Be comfortable with this

There is no separate bass speaker, and speech can become less clear in busy scenes.

£95.00Recorded guide price at Amazon UK · 28 Sept 2026Check today’s price, exact model and pack size.
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Choice 02
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) soundbar
Product image: Sonos

A smaller room where a compact soundbar makes sense

Sonos Beam (Gen 2)

A compact way to give films and television a greater sense of space without rear speakers.

Be comfortable with this

Deep bass is limited without buying a separate subwoofer. Check your TV connection before choosing. The linked price is for the black model.

£429.00Recorded guide price at Amazon UK · 28 Sept 2026Check today’s price, exact model and pack size.
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Read our Sonos Beam (Gen 2) review
Choice 03
Samsung HW-Q990F soundbar with subwoofer and rear speakers
Product image: Samsung

Film nights in a room with space for separate speakers

Samsung HW-Q990F

The soundbar, bass speaker and rear speakers create sound from around the room, rather than only from below the screen.

Be comfortable with this

The extra speakers need space and suitable power sockets. It is more to accommodate than a single soundbar.

£775.00Recorded guide price at Amazon UK · 28 Sept 2026Check today’s price, exact model and pack size.
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A few minutes well spent

Before you place your order.

01

Check the back of your TV

Look for an HDMI socket labelled ARC or eARC, then check the soundbar’s requirements. The Beam can also use an optical output with its adapter, but optical does not carry Dolby Atmos.

02

Measure the space

Check the bar fits between the TV feet without covering the screen. For the Samsung system, also plan where the rear speakers and bass speaker will sit.

03

Think about everyday viewing

If your main problem is following dialogue, prioritise speech clarity in the review. A bigger surround system is easier to justify for films than for occasional news or daytime television.

A little extra help

Still wondering?

Do I need separate rear speakers?

They make sense if you want sound to come from behind you and have room to place them. If you want a simpler setup or have a smaller room, start by comparing the single-bar options.

Will any HDMI socket work?

For a TV-to-soundbar ARC connection, use the socket specifically labelled ARC or eARC. A standard HDMI input is not interchangeable. Check both devices before ordering a cable or soundbar.

Our research, open to you

Know what this guide is based on.

This is a researched shortlist, not a claim that we have tested every product side by side. It combines the product information and published review findings in our library. Comfort, room layout and your existing devices can change which option suits you.

Recorded prices are labelled beside each product. Retailers set current prices, delivery and returns; check those details before ordering.

The sources behind this advice

Read the original information and testing.

Found the one that fits?

Return to your choice to check its current retailer price.

Sony HT-SF150Sonos Beam (Gen 2)Samsung HW-Q990F

OUR REVIEWS

Read our full reviews.

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LG US40T soundbar with wireless subwooferAmazon product listing image
AudioResearch-based

LG US40T

A low-cost soundbar with three speakers and a separate wireless subwoofer, built to give thin TV sound more body. It connects by HDMI ARC or optical and suits a normal living room.

Check priceRead review
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