Models listed as 'soundbar' do not include a subwoofer. A soundbase includes a built-in subwoofer and some models also include rear speakers.

We recommend soundbars with an overall score of 75% and above. 

The CHOICE Expert Rating, our overall score, is made up of music quality (30%), multi-channel (movies) quality (30%), voice quality (10%), ease of use (20%), remote (5%) and standby energy use (5%). The voice assessment was not conducted on the Polk Magnify Mini and Panasonic SC-HTB688 so music and multi-channel each contribute 35% to the CHOICE Expert Rating instead.

Audio experts listen to two songs to assess music quality. This contributes to the stereo listening panel score.

Audio experts listen to a newscast to assess voice quality and clarity. This contributes to the stereo listening panel score.

Audio experts listen to 5.1 channel film audio with video in a small lounge room environment to assess multi-channel (surround sound) immersion and audio quality. This includes assessing surround sound on soundbars with less than 5.1 channels e.g. stereo, 2.1, 3.0 and 3.1.

We check how easy it is to use the connections, calibration options, on-screen and front panel displays, as well as the manual and any other instructions that come with the product.

We assess the remote control to determine how easy it is to use for common functions including key size, shape, colour and grouping for ease of understanding.

We measure the amount of power the soundbar uses when in standby mode. Models drawing 2W or more in standby earn a 0% rating.

Our stereo audio listening panel assesses music and voice which makes up the stereo listening score. Models tested prior to June 2022 display the stereo listening score which contributes to the CHOICE Expert Rating. Models tested after and including June 2022 display separate music and voice scores which each contribute to the CHOICE Expert Rating instead of the stereo listening score. The method is unchanged so results are directly comparable.

'Tested model' means you should be able to find this soundbar in stores. We check availability every time we test. Discontinued models may still be available online or in second-hand retailers.

Recommended retail price at the time of testing. We suggest shopping around where you can to find more competitive prices from retailers.

Running cost per year based on 40c/kWh with the soundbar in standby mode for 19 hours per day.

Multiple HDMI inputs allows you to connect different devices into the soundbar such as a PVR, Blu-ray player or games console and switch between devices to listen to and watch on the TV.

Subwoofer speaker orientation is the direction in which the subwoofer points, which may limit where you can put it in your room.

Multi-channel claim is the number of channels the soundbar can mimic according to the manufacturer.

This is the weight for the soundbar only, not the sub or rear speakers.

Audio Return Channel (ARC) reduces cable clutter by sending video and audio to and from the TV using a single input/output.

Automatically switches the content shown on the TV based on which HDMI connection on the soundbar is receiving a signal.

Bluetooth is handy for a direct connection with a smartphone to play music.

Near field communication (NFC) allows your smartphone to connect to the soundbar speaker by simply tapping the smartphone on the NFC area to create an instant pairing. Apple iPhones do not support NFC connectivity between devices, but most of the latest Androids do.

Wi-Fi connections allow your speaker to be incorporated into a wireless home network to play music stored on your local drive, in the cloud or on your smart device, as long as it's also connected to your home network.

Dolby Atmos is a surround sound technology that creates a spherical audio space to add a sense of height to the mix. It's designed to be more immersive than 5.1, 7.1 etc. Atmos enabled soundbars can process the signal and simulate the effect by bouncing audio off the walls and roof.

DTS:X is a surround sound technology that creates a spherical audio space to add a sense of height to the mix. It's designed to be more immersive than 5.1, 7.1 etc. DTS:X enabled soundbars can process the signal and simulate the effect by bouncing audio off the walls and roof.

Built-in support for Alexa so you can issue voice commands via the soundbar. This may require a smartphone and dedicated app. This is a new addition to our test which is why we haven't looked for these features in some previously tested models.

Built-in support for Google Assistant so you can issue voice commands via the soundbar. This may require a smartphone and dedicated app. This is a new addition to our test which is why we haven't looked for these features in some previously tested models.

A microphone and clever smarts is used to identify the angling needed to recreate the surround sound experience. The soundbar companies call it automatic room calibration.

A wireless sub offers more positioning choices, particularly if you can't run the speaker cable under the floor or through the ceiling. But you'll still need access to a power point.

A few soundbars come with independent rear speakers. Some of them communicate with the soundbar wirelessly, while others resort to a traditional wired connection.