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Bigger isn’t always better, especially when it comes to speakers. Big sound can absolutely come in small packages. If you want an exceptional audio experience and you don’t want to break the bank on a big set of speakers — or maybe you simply just do not have the room — considering some of the best small soundbars on the market may be your best bet.
Whether you have a small TV or are limited in your space for an external speaker, a small soundbar is a great option that can deliver a quality sound experience. The best small soundbars can fit into the tiniest of spaces and feature a surprising array of bells and whistles. Case in point: The Roku Streambar is a compact soundbar that’s also capable of streaming video, making it a top contender for your bedroom setup. Or if making dialogue easier to understand is your focus, the Yamaha or Polk speakers below could be a fantastic fit.
All the systems here feature single soundbars ranging between 1 and 2 feet long, while the Polk also includes a separate subwoofer.
If there was ever a solid gold bargain, it’s undoubtedly the Roku Streambar, which combines both audio and streaming in one device. This is a two-channel soundbar with a fully fledged 4K streamer onboard, and even if you don’t use the streaming functions it works well as a standalone soundbar. As a smaller soundbar it doesn’t have the deepest bass, but it does offer an expressive midrange with a dedicated voice mode for clearer dialog. It’s an unbeatable value and frequently on sale for under $100.
Best for dialogue
Yamaha SR-C20A
Yamaha is one of the most consistent makers of soundbars, but this also means its designs tend to cost a little more than competitors. The SR-C20A, on the other hand, is affordable and also manages to sound great when paired with your TV.
Best for music
Polk Audio MagniFi Mini
At 13 inches wide, the soundbar part of the Mini fits the moniker, even if you do need somewhere to put the gallon-sized subwoofer. The inclusion of the sub is worthwhile, however, as the system punches well above its weight with great sound in movies and with music. In addition, having Google’s Chromecast built-in enables a wealth of streaming and multiroom capabilities.
Best for Sonos fans
Sonos Ray
Sonos’ entry-level soundbar features the company’s excellent multiroom music system onboard while being smaller than the Sonos Beam. We were impressed with the sound quality for both music and movies. It delivers a surprisingly wide soundstage through the use of proprietary waveguides. Connection is simple with a single optical connection, while users seeking HDMI or Atmos should look to the step-up Beam Gen 2.
