The 5 Best Soundbars Under $100

Upgrading your TV’s built-in speakers doesn’t have to break the bank.

Budget soundbars have come a long way in recent years, and the best options under $98.00 now deliver meaningful improvements in dialogue clarity, bass response, and overall soundstage compared to what most flatscreen TVs produce on their own.

Whether you’re watching late-night movies, catching up on streaming series, or just want cleaner audio for everyday TV use, a well-chosen soundbar in this price range can genuinely transform the experience.

To help you navigate a crowded market full of look-alike specs and marketing noise, REMOVU researched and evaluated five of the most popular models available at this price point, drawing on manufacturer specifications, verified buyer feedback, and expert review consensus.

Our picks cover a range of configurations, from simple 2.0 stereo bars to 3.1-channel systems with wired subwoofers, so there’s something here for nearly every setup and listening preference.

Read on for our top picks, then dive into the buying guide below to understand what actually matters when shopping for soundbars under $98.00.

Soundbars Under $100 Buying Guide

Choosing the right soundbar at this price point requires more nuance than simply picking the one with the highest watt count or most connection ports.

Budget audio products vary widely in real-world performance, and a few key criteria separate genuinely useful upgrades from disappointing purchases.

If you’re also considering options with a dedicated separate subwoofer, our roundup of soundbars with subwoofer covers strong picks across a broader price range.

Channel Configuration and Subwoofer Setup

The most fundamental decision at this price point is whether you want a 2.0 stereo bar, a 2.1 system with a wireless subwoofer, or a 3.1 setup with a wired subwoofer.

A 2.0 bar keeps things simple and tidy but relies entirely on the bar’s built-in drivers for bass. A 2.1 or 3.1 configuration offloads low frequencies to a dedicated subwoofer, which almost always produces more satisfying bass for movies and music.

At this price tier, wireless subwoofers tend to use relatively simple Bluetooth or proprietary RF connections, which can occasionally introduce minor latency. Wired subwoofers sidestep that issue entirely at the cost of a cable running across your floor.

Think honestly about your room layout and cable tolerance before prioritizing one over the other.

For smaller living spaces where a subwoofer would overwhelm the room anyway, a quality 2.0 bar with a built-in bass reflex design can be the smarter, cleaner choice. Our guide to soundbars for small rooms explores this tradeoff in more depth.

Connectivity: HDMI ARC, Optical, and Bluetooth

How a soundbar connects to your TV matters more than most buyers realize.

HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) is the gold standard at any price because it allows two-way communication over a single cable, meaning your TV remote can control soundbar volume.

If your TV has an HDMI ARC or eARC port, prioritize a soundbar that supports it. Many affordable bars now include this feature, which was uncommon at this price range just a few years ago.

Optical input is a reliable fallback for TVs that lack HDMI ARC, and most bars in this range include it. AUX (3.5 mm) inputs are useful for connecting a PC, gaming console, or secondary device directly.

Bluetooth adds wireless streaming flexibility for music playback from your phone or tablet. Having all four options gives you maximum compatibility, though each soundbar in this price range makes different tradeoffs. Prioritize whichever connection type matches your primary TV’s outputs.

If Dolby Atmos support is on your wish list, our deep-dive into Dolby Atmos soundbars covers models built around that format.

Power Output and What Wattage Actually Means

Wattage claims on budget soundbars are notoriously inconsistent. Some manufacturers list “peak” or “PMPO” power figures that have little bearing on typical listening loudness, while others cite RMS (continuous) output, which is a more honest number.

A 100W peak rating on a budget bar often sounds no louder in practice than a 60W RMS-rated competitor.

Rather than chasing the highest number on the box, focus on how the wattage is distributed across channels and whether the drivers are appropriately sized for the claimed output.

For a typical living room or bedroom, even modestly powered soundbars in this category deliver more than enough volume. Where power becomes relevant is dynamic headroom: the ability to handle sudden loud moments (explosions, orchestral swells) without distorting.

Reviews from verified buyers who mention distortion at high volumes are a useful signal to watch for when assessing any bar in this range.

Sound Modes and Equalizer Options

Preset EQ modes (Movie, Music, News/Voice, Game) are common on soundbars at this price and genuinely useful if implemented well.

A dedicated voice or dialogue mode that boosts midrange frequencies can make a real difference for people who struggle to follow TV dialogue, especially in rooms with softer furnishings that absorb sound.

Bass and treble adjustment controls, even basic ones, allow you to tune the bar to your room’s acoustics.

Some newer models at this price point include auto-room calibration, which uses a microphone to analyze your room’s reflections and adjust EQ accordingly.

While budget implementations of this feature are less sophisticated than what you’d find on higher-end bars, they can still meaningfully reduce the trial-and-error process of manual EQ adjustment.

App control is increasingly common and adds convenience, though it’s rarely essential at this price tier.

Design, Size, and TV Compatibility

A soundbar that physically blocks your TV’s IR sensor or remote receiver becomes an immediate source of frustration.

Before purchasing, compare the bar’s height against the gap between your TV’s stand feet and the bottom edge of the screen, particularly on TVs with center-mounted stands.

Most manufacturers list bar dimensions, and it’s worth double-checking these against your specific TV model.

Profile and finish also matter if the bar will be prominently visible in your living room. Matte black is the most common finish and blends cleanly with most TV bezels.

Some bars include wall-mount hardware, which is worth factoring in if you’re mounting your TV and want the bar flush beneath it.

For compact setups, our guide to soundbars for small rooms and tight spaces covers options specifically suited to size-constrained installations.

Use Case: Home Theater vs. Home Office vs. Gaming

Not every soundbar at this price is designed with the same use case in mind. Some are optimized for TV dialogue clarity and cinematic bass, making them strong home theater companions.

Others prioritize Bluetooth connectivity and compact footprints, making them well-suited for desk use alongside a monitor or laptop.

A well-specified 2.0 bar with USB playback and easy Bluetooth pairing can double as a capable bookshelf speaker alternative for a home office setup.

For gaming, low audio latency matters more than it does for passive TV watching. Bars with optical or HDMI ARC connections introduce less latency than Bluetooth-only setups, which can cause noticeable lip-sync issues in fast-paced games.

If you plan to use your soundbar with a gaming PC or console, prioritize wired input options over wireless. Gamers who also want headset audio should check our overview of gaming headsets for a different approach to immersive in-game sound.

Why You Should Trust Us

REMOVU is an independent review publication. We do not sell products, fulfill orders, or handle returns. Every recommendation on this site is the result of structured research and editorial judgment, not promotional relationships with manufacturers.

Each soundbar in this roundup was evaluated and assigned a REMOVU Score on our 0 to 10 scale.

Scores are derived from a consistent set of criteria applied uniformly across all candidates: audio hardware specifications, connection options, EQ flexibility, design quality, ease of setup, and real-world performance signals drawn from expert review consensus and verified buyer feedback from confirmed purchasers.

We do not conduct our own product trials; our evaluations are grounded in research, published data, expert review consensus, and verified buyer feedback.

This methodology lets us assess a broad field of products systematically and call out weaknesses just as readily as strengths. Our goal is to help you spend your money wisely, not to promote any particular brand.

You can read more about how we approach the broader soundbar category in our complete soundbar guide.

REMOVU may earn a commission if you purchase through links on this page. That affiliate relationship has no influence on our scores, rankings, or editorial choices. Products are ranked solely on the merits of our evaluation criteria.

Final Thoughts

The budget soundbar market has genuinely improved, and all five picks in this guide offer a meaningful audio upgrade over built-in TV speakers. Here is how we’d summarize the standout options based on REMOVU Score and the needs they serve best.

• Best Overall: Sony S100F 2.0ch Soundbar earns the top REMOVU Score in this group by combining Sony’s acoustic engineering pedigree with a genuinely simple setup experience, integrated tweeter for crisp high frequencies, and reliable HDMI ARC connectivity, making it the most well-rounded pick for everyday home use.
• Best Value for Features: TCL S45H 2.0 Sound Bar is a strong runner-up with a competitive REMOVU Score, delivering Dolby Atmos and DTS:X decoding alongside auto room calibration at an accessible price, a combination that’s hard to match at this tier.
• Best 2.1 System on a Budget: ULTIMEA Poseidon M30 Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer stands out as the only 2.1 configuration in the group with a wireless subwoofer, VoiceMX dialogue enhancement, and app control, offering a more immersive low-end experience for buyers who prioritize bass in a compact package.
• Best for Home Office Use: Assistrust 2-in-1 Detachable Soundbar offers versatile connectivity (Bluetooth, ARC, Optical, AUX) and a detachable form factor that adapts to different screen sizes and desk setups, making it a flexible choice for PC and TV use alike.
• Best 3.1 Channel Configuration: WebsLand 3.1 Channel Soundbar with Wired Subwoofer provides the most expansive channel layout in this roundup with dedicated wired subwoofer bass and a wide suite of inputs, appealing to buyers who want the feel of a home theater system without spending more.

If you’re still weighing your options or want to explore beyond this price range, our full soundbar buying guide and home theater speakers overview cover a wider spectrum of configurations and budgets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do soundbars under $98.00 actually sound better than TV speakers?

In most cases, yes. Modern TVs are extremely thin, which forces manufacturers to use tiny downward- or rear-firing drivers with very little room for bass response.

Even an entry-level soundbar has significantly larger drivers, a dedicated enclosure, and often a tweeter for high-frequency detail.

The improvement in dialogue clarity alone is noticeable to most listeners, and any model with a subwoofer adds bass depth that TV speakers simply cannot reproduce.

That said, the gap between a budget soundbar and a mid-range one is real.

If you find yourself frequently watching action films or listening to music through your TV at high volumes, spending a bit more on a bar with a dedicated subwoofer will deliver noticeably richer results.

Is HDMI ARC required, or is optical good enough?

Optical is a perfectly capable connection for most listeners. It supports up to 5.1 Dolby Digital audio, which covers the vast majority of streaming and broadcast content.

The practical advantage of HDMI ARC is convenience: a single cable handles both audio and control signals, so your TV remote adjusts soundbar volume without any extra setup.

If your TV only has optical out, an optical cable will serve you well; just be aware you may need to manage soundbar volume separately.

eARC (enhanced ARC) is a more advanced version of HDMI ARC that supports lossless audio formats like Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio.

Soundbars at this price point rarely support eARC, but if that’s important to you, check our guide to Dolby Atmos soundbars for models that do.

Can I use a soundbar with a computer monitor or gaming setup?

Absolutely. Most soundbars in this range include a 3.5 mm AUX input, Bluetooth, or both, which connect easily to a PC, Mac, or gaming console.

For desktop use, a 2.0 bar with a compact footprint and USB or AUX connectivity is often the cleanest solution.

Bluetooth pairing is convenient for switching between devices but can introduce a few milliseconds of latency, which is imperceptible for music and video but may be noticeable in competitive gaming.

Dedicated gaming headsets remain the better choice for positional audio in competitive titles, but a soundbar is a more social option when gaming with others in the same room.

What is the difference between 2.0, 2.1, and 3.1 channel soundbars?

The numbers refer to speaker channels. The first number counts full-range speakers (left and right, plus any center channel); the second indicates a dedicated subwoofer (0 means none, 1 means one sub).

A 2.0 bar has two full-range drivers and handles everything including bass internally. A 2.1 adds a separate subwoofer, either wired or wireless, for more defined low-frequency reproduction.

A 3.1 adds a center channel dedicated to dialogue clarity on top of the stereo pair and subwoofer.

For a small bedroom or home office, 2.0 is often sufficient. For a living room or home theater environment, 2.1 or 3.1 produces a more enveloping experience.

If you’re considering expanding to a full surround setup eventually, check our overview of home theater speakers for context on how a soundbar fits into a larger system.

Are budget soundbars worth it, or should I save up for something better?

For most casual TV watchers, a soundbar in this price range delivers a noticeable and satisfying improvement over built-in TV audio.

If your primary use is streaming dialogue-heavy content in a small to mid-sized room, one of the picks in this guide will serve you well without requiring a bigger investment.

If you regularly watch films in a larger room, want true surround sound immersion, or listen critically to music through your TV, stepping up to a mid-range bar with a wireless subwoofer or dedicated surround channels will make a meaningful difference.

Our broader soundbar roundup covers picks across every budget tier to help you calibrate where the best value sits for your specific needs.

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