How we test soundbars

Which? was there when poor sound on the early flatscreen TVs required a soundbar to improve things, and we've tested hundreds since.

We test a range of models, from compact single-bar types to those with a separate bass-boosting subwoofer and rear speakers. We select soundbars styled for different TV and room sizes, so whether you want one for a big-screen telly or something smaller, you'll find one to suit you. 

The soundbars we test never come from manufacturers. We buy them all from the same stores you do, so we can ensure they haven't been tinkered with to do especially well in our tests. A team of audio experts from a range of music and film industries analyses every one. With decades of experience between them, our experts can spot the difference between good sound and bad sound better than anyone.

Best Buys are hard-earned, not bought, and the best soundbars sound exceptional whether you're watching a rip-roaring action film, a tense thriller, or catching up on soaps. Dialogue will ring through the mix clearly, even during complex scenes, and the bass will be finely balanced with the mid-range and treble – you'll feel immersed in wide sound that fills the room.

We separate the best soundbars from those not worth buying.

Film and TV sound quality: is the sound good enough for what you like to watch?

A soundbar that won't make your favourite shows and films sound better than your TV is completely redundant. Sound quality is rated by a panel of five audio industry experts listening to a set programme of audio content. This includes TV dramas, complex action sequences and quiet scenes where you should be able to hear a pin drop.

As well as our subjective tests where we listen to scenes, we also take dozens of technical measurements. These focus on distortion, dynamic range and frequency response. We conduct these tests, so we can say for certain how much of the original sound mix the speakers can replicate.

Dialogue precision is particularly important. We pay close attention to how audible it is when there's a lot of background noise and in hushed dramatic scenes.

What separates a good result from a poor one?

We expect balance and richness. Soundbars that are too top-heavy sound shrill and tinny, while those with overwhelming bass sound muddy and imprecise.

Poor soundbars lack detail and energy, especially at the extremes of the audio spectrum. Low-end and top-end will be cut off, so you're missing parts of the sound.

Five-star sound means the audio is close to cinema quality. It will sound full, balanced and immersive, with loads of detail and clearly defined elements, especially voice and softer melodies, which will carry well.

Martin Pratt, Which? principal researcher and writer, says:

'The biggest mistake I see people make is assuming any soundbar will be a big improvement over their TV's speakers. I look after Which?'s TV test, too, so I can say for certain that this isn't the case. Too many soundbars aren't worth the extra expense and won't boost your TV sound much at all, so it's important to use our reviews to make the right choice whether you're spending £100 or several times that.

'I'm proud of our impartial testing, which finds the expensive, high-end models that make you feel like you're in a cinema, as well as the soundbars that cost a fraction of the price but still sound far better than any TV.'

Music sound quality: does music sound good from the soundbar?

Most soundbars have Bluetooth, and some have wi-fi, so they can be easily paired with your devices to play music. But not all soundbars make good music speakers.

Our listening panel of audio experts hears track after track, each designed to emphasise a different part of the mix. Others are designed to help us create an overall impression.

Balance is key, as every part of the song needs to be bright, clear and warm. The bigger speakers in soundbars mean we expect more resonance than you'd hear from a TV, and precise, crisp bass is a must.

We use the same frequency response tests here that we employ in film audio tests. Sweeping changes in volume and pitch should be handled deftly, and our technical measurements are there to support our subjective tests.

What separates a good result from a poor one?

You should feel like you're at a concert with the band right in front of you, and the best soundbars manage it. Five-star sound quality means absolute precision and richness. You'll feel cosseted in warm, pleasant sound that's perfectly balanced and has strong bass.

Weaker soundbars will sound flat and every bit as thin as the worst TVs. Even soundbars with a subwoofer can struggle to create low-end that marries well with the mid and top tones. A lack of balance, precision and detail adds up to unpleasant music.

Ease of use: are the remote and menus simple enough to use?

Over decades of soundbar testing, our experts have seen it all, and they're well placed to determine whether the menus are simple enough to navigate and the remote is intuitive enough to use.

The best soundbars will be all but ready to use once they're plugged in and connected to your TV, while others ask you to go through laborious setup processes.

Our team looks at everything from setup and menus to the remote and display, so we can recommend soundbars that are simple to use. We run each soundbar through numerous scenarios and rate how easy or arduous it is to get the result we want, whether that's switching inputs using the controls on the soundbar, or adjusting the sound mix.

What separates a good result from a poor one?

Soundbars score poorly if they have dots to denote information instead of a proper display, a remote that lacks buttons for commonly used options, and fiddly, slow menus.

Our experts look for clearly explained sound settings, useful equalisers to adjust the audio to your liking and a remote that doesn't make you feel like you need an eye test to tell the buttons apart.

How we calculate the scores

Once we have all our test results in, we evaluate the data to determine the total test score for each soundbar. Our audio tests were updated in November 2022, and all scores for models reviewed on or after that date are made up of the following criteria:

• Sound quality – 65% 
• Ease of use – 20% 
• Features – 10%
• Power consumption – 5%

Olivia Pratt, Which? scientific adviser, says:

'Sound quality is, unsurprisingly, the most important aspect of any soundbar, and there's a dizzying number of tests, both subjective and technical, that give us that all-important score. 

'It's not everything, though; there's no excuse for a poor remote or fiddly menus, and we're always reacting to changes in soundbars, so our tests can account for new features and you can be confident in our results.'

How do we choose the products?

We work closely with manufacturers to learn what's coming and what features are on the horizon, but we don't stop there. We buy and pay for everything we test. No freebies, no handouts – just the same soundbars on store shelves that you can shop for yourself.

Finn Rainbird, Which? market analyst, says:

'Soundbars are a dynamic market occupied by household-name TV brands, such as LG, Samsung and Sony, and smaller audio-focused specialists, such as Devialet, Kef and JBL.

'We test across all these brands, so you get the best coverage of the market at a range of budgets. Where other outlets focus on the same high-end models manufacturers want to push, we also look at the entry-level soundbars to find cheaper options to boost your TV sound.'

Is it a Best Buy soundbar? What our verdicts mean

Our recommendations will help you to narrow down your shortlist, but it's always best to read our reviews in full to check for any dealbreakers before you buy.

Best Buy soundbars

Best Buy soundbars need to score at least 73%. They will sound the best, have the most well-implemented and useful features, and be simple to use.

Great Value soundbars

Some models are also Great Value picks. These soundbars have done well in our tests and scored at least 60%. 

They're at least 20% cheaper than the average cost of a soundbar in our tests, and our experts think they're great choices if you want more bang for your buck. Some Great Value models also score well enough to be Best Buys.

Don't Buy soundbars

A Don't Buy soundbar isn't worth buying, regardless of what it costs – it will have dreadful sound, be tricky to use and lack the features that usually help a soundbar to improve your TV speakers.

Our soundbar experts

Testing dozens of soundbars every year involves a whole team to help choose and test soundbars, as well as write the content.

We're always rethinking our tests, factoring in your needs and changes in technology to create the best reviews possible.

Here's the team behind our reviews:

• Principal researcher and writer, Martin Pratt: Martin works across TVs, speakers and soundbars, and he brings his audiovisual expertise to every review and advice guide you'll read in the soundbars area.
• Market analyst, Finn Rainbird: With his ear to the ground in the wireless speaker market, Finn is tuned in to what all the main brands are up to. He makes sure we're testing the right products as close to launch as possible, so you get speedy reviews for your shortlist.
• Scientific adviser, Olivia Pratt: Olivia is the brains behind our test programme and evaluation, creating up-to-date tests and instructing our labs on what to check, so our results are as good as possible.
• Tech and cars editor, Will Stapley: Will makes sure we're covering the right topics and answering the right questions, so our guides and reviews are relevant and useful. He's always on the lookout for new ways to showcase our testing and make clever use of our data.