Televisions rarely have built-in speakers that are any good. But you can quickly remedy the situation with a soundbar. TECHNOLOGY BUTTON has selected the best models under 200 euros for you.

The best soundbars up to 200 euros at a glance

Soundbars necessary for many televisions

The dilemma is well known: the thinner the television, the thinner the sound. This is especially true for cheap TV models, because here manufacturers save the costs of high-quality loudspeakers. But television enjoyment is also largely determined by good and, above all, room-filling sound. Only then do films and sports broadcasts become an experience.

The best solution is a surround system consisting of several speakers that are distributed around the room. However, it is the most complex and expensive variant. It is cheaper and less complicated with a soundbar. These can be placed on the sideboard or on the wall directly under the television. Some are supported in the bass by an external subwoofer – and the surround sound is worlds better than from the TV speakers.

So that you don’t throw yourself into expenses, we have selected the best soundbar bargains up to 200 euros.

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Bose TV Speaker (approx. 200 euros)

The Bose soundbar scores above all in terms of speech intelligibility and overall ensures a cleaner and stronger sound. There is also an extensive remote control and an optical cable to connect the soundbar to the television. Alternatively, there is a coaxial input and a jack connection. You can also stream music from your smartphone via Bluetooth. If you can do without a subwoofer, you should try the Bose Solo 5 TV.

Benefits:

• very good speech intelligibility
• clean and powerful sound
• small, light, inconspicuous
• extensive remote control
• optical cable is included

Disadvantage:

• does not support Wi-Fi
• no subwoofer connection

Samsung HW-T450 (approx. 130 euros)

Samsung’s HW-T420 soundbar is available online for as little as 130 euros – including a wireless subwoofer. The system is connected to the television via Bluetooth. And that’s a minor minus point, because not all televisions have the wireless connection standards. Unfortunately, it is not possible to connect via an HDMI cable.

The soundbar scores with its simple installation, as no cables are required, provided the television supports Bluetooth. The subwoofer can be conveniently placed anywhere in the room. The soundbar can even be expanded wirelessly with additional surround sound boxes. A Samsung remote control is included. It can be used to control compatible televisions so that only one remote control is required. Overall, you get a lot for the money and a much better sound than from the TV speakers.

Benefits:

• significantly more richness of sound than TV speakers
• wireless bluetooth subwoofer included
• very easy installation via bluetooth
• can also be connected to the TV via optical cable
• Remote control and optical cable included

• no HDMI connection
• older televisions cannot be connected via Bluetooth

LG SL5Y DTS Virtual: X (approx. 199 euros)

One of the biggest competitors of TV world market leader Samsung is the South Korean company LG. So it’s no wonder that the two of them are in a head-to-head race when it comes to soundbars as well. With the SL5Y DTS Virtual: X, LG has a strong competitor in its portfolio in the class up to 200 euros. For around 70 euros more than Samsung’s HW-T450, you also get a bit more features.

In addition to wireless Bluetooth and an optical connection, the LG soundbar also has USB and HDMI 1.4. The spatial sound standard DTS Virtual: X and high-resolution high-res audio are also supported. However, the latter is irrelevant to most music listeners. Here, too, there is a wireless Bluetooth subwoofer that can be placed anywhere in the room. However, there is no Wi-Fi or a smartphone app. But it’s definitely enough for a decent upgrade to thin TV sound.

Benefits:

• good sound with a powerful bluetooth subwoofer
• easy installation
• can be connected via HDMI, USB, optical cable and Bluetooth
• Remote control and wall bracket included
• supports the audio standard DTS Virtual: X

• does not support Wi-Fi
• no smartphone app

Sony HT-S350 (approx. 170 euros)

Like the Korean brands Samsung and LG, the Japanese competitor Sony is one of the global players on the TV market. Accordingly, the Japanese also have a well-stocked portfolio of soundbars for every taste and budget. One of the best offers is the HT-S350. As with the competition, a wireless Bluetooth subwoofer is included, which provides more sound volume and cracking effects with blockbusters. In addition, it can be set up anywhere in the room without any problems and only needs to be connected to the electricity.

In addition, Sony uses its own “S-Force PRO Front Surround” technology to create virtual, spatial sound. Of course, it cannot replace a system of multiple speakers, but it helps to create more depth in the case of special effects in films. The HDMI-ARC connection should also be emphasized. This means that only one cable is sufficient to reproduce picture and sound from the TV. What is missing is just Wi-Fi.

Benefits:

• spatial sound thanks to virtual technology
• can be connected via HDMI, optical cable and Bluetooth
• wireless bluetooth subwoofer
• Remote control included
• supports Dolby Audio

• does not support Wi-Fi
• no cables included
• no smartphone app

Sony HT-SF200 (approx. 140 euros)

If the Sony HT-S350 is too bulky for you, the sister model HT-SF200 is an alternative. The small soundbar is around 40 centimeters shorter and can therefore be easily placed under small TVs or even in the TV sideboard. In addition, there is no external subwoofer and, as with the Bose Solo 5 TV, integrated bass is used. This means that no sound thunderstorms are achieved, especially with action films, but if you have sensitive neighbors, you probably don’t want this at all.

For this purpose, the “S-Force PRO Front Surround” technology was also installed here in order to achieve good spatial sound from the compact housing. HDMI, Bluetooth, an optical connection and even a USB input are on board. Sony delivers an all-round successful minimal solution to improve the TV sound. 

Benefits:

• spatial sound thanks to virtual technology
• can be connected via HDMI, optical cable and Bluetooth
• Remote control included
• compact design

• does not support Wi-Fi
• no cables included
• without a smartphone app
• no subwoofer connection

Philips HTL3310 / 10 (approx. 170 euros)

With the HTL3310 / 10, Philips proves that good and cheap soundbars don’t just have to come from Asian brands. The manufacturer from the Netherlands offers a package similar to that of the competition: A wireless Bluetooth subwoofer is also included here. The connection options of the soundbar are extensive. In addition to Bluetooth, USB, HDMI and an optical digital input are available. A remote control and wall bracket are also included.

With its angular design, the Philips HTL3310 / 10 stands out from the competition and looks particularly good lying on a sideboard. Overall, there is little to complain about about the soundbar. A Wi-Fi connection would have been nice and a smartphone app for control. But that’s not necessary for better TV sound. 

Benefits:

• significantly more sound volume than from TV speakers
• can be connected via HDMI, USB, optical cable and Bluetooth
• wireless bluetooth subwoofer
• Remote control and wall bracket are included
• supports Dolby Audio
• chic design

• does not support Wi-Fi
• no cables included
• no smartphone app

BOMAKER Odine III Soundbar 2.0 (approx. 90 euros)

Finding good soundbars under 200 euros is not that easy. However, it will be even more difficult to separate the wheat from the chaff for less than 100 euros. There are a number of no-name products here that deliver little apart from beautiful pictures. However, the BOMAKER Odine III Soundbar 2.0, which attracts customers for an inexpensive 90 euros, is different. 

With Bluetooth and a jack connection, USB, HDMI and optical connection, it offers many connection options. The sound can be controlled with different modes by remote control. Thanks to several built-in drivers and bass reflex membranes, it produces a decent sound. In terms of sound, however, it cannot keep up with the significantly more expensive competition gathered here. As a bargain for less than 100 euros, it should still spice up some TVs. 

Benefits:

• very many connection options
• Bluetooth 5.0
• Remote control included
• beautiful design
• good value for money

• does not support Wi-Fi
• no smartphone app
• no subwoofer connection
• no virtual sound