Best Subwoofers Soundbars for Deep Bass and Surround Sound (2026)

A thin TV speaker cannot move enough air for deep bass, so the subwoofer in the box matters more than the badge on the bar. This guide compares eight best subwoofers soundbars for movies, music and everyday TV, from a complete surround system to a compact 5.1 package, and explains which subwoofer each system ships with and who each one suits.

Quick verdict: the best subwoofers soundbars at a glance

If you want one short answer, start with the Samsung HW-Q990F for a complete home theater, or the Samsung HW-Q800D for a strong mid-range system with a real subwoofer. The other six picks cover a tighter budget, a smaller room, a Sony TV, a JBL setup or an older Vizio system, so read the table first and then the section that matches your room.

The Samsung HW-Q990F leads because it ships as a complete system with rear speakers and the largest subwoofer arrangement here. If your room is smaller or your budget is tighter, the HW-Q800D and the HW-Q600F give you a wireless subwoofer in the box without the extra rear speakers, while the HW-B750F and the LG S60T cover the affordable end.

Quick comparison table

The table below puts the subwoofer first, because that is the part of the system this guide is about. Check the channel layout and the connection column as well, since a system with a strong subwoofer still needs the right HDMI port on your TV to receive its best sound formats.

Our pick for most living rooms is the Samsung HW-Q990F, because it is the only system here that ships with rear speakers and a dual-driver subwoofer. If you want one bar and one subwoofer and nothing else, the Samsung HW-Q800D is the stronger mid-range pick, while the JBL Bar 500 leads on subwoofer size alone.

How we selected these bar-and-subwoofer systems

Every model in this guide is a real product with published specifications from its manufacturer or retailer listings. We compared the subwoofer each system ships with, the channel layout, Dolby Atmos and DTS support, HDMI connections and expansion options, and we left out models that could not be verified or that duplicated a stronger pick.

This guide is based on published specifications and independent review coverage. It does not claim testing of its own, and it does not rank products by review scores, because scores use different methods and change with each update. Instead, each pick earns its place for a clear reason: the most complete system, the strongest mid-range value, the simplest 5.1 setup, the lowest-cost package or the best fit for a particular TV brand.

The best subwoofers soundbars by system

Eight systems cover very different rooms and budgets, so the order below follows the decision most buyers face first: a complete system, a strong mid-range system, or a focused fix for price, size or TV brand. Each section states what subwoofer is in the box and what the system gives up.

Samsung HW-Q990F: complete surround with a dual-driver subwoofer

The Samsung HW-Q990F is the most complete system in this guide, and that is why it leads the list for movies. It ships as an 11.1.4-channel system with 23 speakers: a bar with 15 drivers, a wireless subwoofer with dual 8-inch drivers, and two wireless rear speakers.

For a home theater built around a subwoofer, a system with real rear and height speakers has a structural advantage over a single bar, and the HW-Q990F is the only pick here that provides both in the box. Dolby Atmos and DTS:X are both supported, and the two HDMI 2.1 inputs pass 4K at 120Hz. Q-Symphony can play the soundbar together with the speakers of a compatible Samsung TV from 2022 to 2025. The bar is 48.5 inches wide, so it suits larger TVs, and the rear speakers and subwoofer each need a power outlet, even though no audio cable runs to them.

Buy it if you want a full surround system in one purchase and you have room for four boxes. Skip it if your room is small, you do not want rear speakers, or your TV has no HDMI eARC port, since the highest-quality audio formats need that connection.

Samsung HW-Q800D: the mid-range pick with an 8-inch subwoofer

The Samsung HW-Q800D is the mid-range pick for buyers who want a real subwoofer and Dolby Atmos without paying for a full surround system. Samsung lists a 5.1.2-channel system with 11 speakers, 360 watts of total power, up-firing and side-firing drivers, and a wireless subwoofer with an 8-inch driver.

The subwoofer is the heart of this system, and it gives action movies and music a weight that a bar alone cannot produce. Wireless Dolby Atmos and DTS:X are both supported, and the single HDMI input and eARC output pass 4K at 60Hz with HDR10+. That passthrough limit matters for gamers: a console connected through the bar cannot use 4K at 120Hz, so a high-refresh console should connect to the TV directly instead. Optional SWA-9500S rear speakers can be added later for true surround.

Buy it if you want a strong bar-and-subwoofer system at the mid-range tier and you can live with 4K at 60Hz passthrough. Skip it if you play console games at 4K and 120Hz through the bar, or if you want rear speakers in the box rather than as an optional extra.

Samsung HW-Q600F: entry-level Atmos with a wireless subwoofer

The Samsung HW-Q600F is the entry-level Atmos pick in this guide, and it earns that place by pairing a dedicated centre channel with a wireless subwoofer. Samsung lists a 3.1.2-channel system with nine speakers, two up-firing channels and a retailer-listed 380 watts of total power, with Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual:X.

The two up-firing channels give this system height effects that the budget 5.1 picks cannot offer, while the centre speaker keeps dialogue clear and the wireless subwoofer adds the low end. Wireless Dolby Atmos, Q-Symphony, Adaptive Sound and SpaceFit Sound Pro are all listed, and the HDMI connection passes 4K at 60Hz with HDR10+. Optional SWA-9250S rear speakers can be added later. Note that this model is listed with DTS Virtual:X only, not DTS:X, so a Blu-ray collection that relies on DTS:X will not get the full format here.

Buy it if you want Atmos height effects and a subwoofer at the lowest Atmos tier in this guide. Skip it if you need DTS:X, or if you want rear speakers in the box, since they are an optional extra on this model.

Samsung HW-B750F: the affordable 5.1 package with a 6-inch subwoofer

The Samsung HW-B750F is the affordable pick in this guide, and it earns that place by including the two things that matter most at its tier: a dedicated centre channel and a real wireless subwoofer. Samsung lists a 5.1-channel system with six speakers, 400 watts of total power and a 6-inch wireless subwoofer.

For buyers on a tight budget, the HW-B750F is a practical step up from TV speakers without the cost or the boxes of a premium system. The centre channel keeps dialogue clear, the subwoofer adds the low end that a bar alone cannot produce, and optional SWA-9250S rear speakers can be added later for true surround. There is no Dolby Atmos and no HDMI eARC port, so this is a 5.1 system that plays surround sound well rather than a height-effects system. The bar is 40.6 inches wide, and it connects through HDMI ARC or optical, with Bluetooth for music.

Buy it if you want a complete bar-and-subwoofer package at the lowest tier in this guide and you can live without Dolby Atmos. Skip it if you need Dolby Atmos, DTS:X or an eARC connection, or if your TV is small enough that a 40-inch bar will overhang the stand.

LG S60T: a wireless subwoofer for everyday LG TVs

The LG S60T is the pick for an LG TV owner who wants clearer dialogue and real bass without a large system. LG lists a 3.1-channel layout with a retailer-listed 340 watts of total power, a dedicated centre channel and a wireless subwoofer, with Dolby Audio support.

The centre channel is the reason this bar suits everyday TV: news, drama and sport all depend on speech, and a dedicated centre speaker keeps voices clear at normal volume. The wireless subwoofer adds the low end for movies and music, and the bar pairs well with LG NanoCell and UHD TVs of 49 inches and up. Selected LG TVs can also use WOW Orchestra, which plays the TV speakers together with the soundbar. There is no Dolby Atmos claimed for this model, so height effects are not part of the deal.

Buy it if you own an LG TV, you want a simple bar-and-subwoofer upgrade and dialogue clarity matters most. Skip it if you want Dolby Atmos or DTS:X, or if you need a system with rear speakers, since none are included or listed as an option here.

Sony HT-S2000: a compact bar with a built-in subwoofer

The Sony HT-S2000 is the compact pick for a smaller room, and it works differently from every other system in this guide. Sony lists a 3.1-channel bar with five speakers, 250 watts of total power and a built-in dual subwoofer, in a bar about 31.5 inches wide. Its subwoofer is built into the bar itself, not a separate box.

That built-in design is both the strength and the limit of this pick. It keeps the setup to a single bar with no extra box on the floor, and the Vertical Surround Engine and S-Force PRO create Dolby Atmos and DTS:X effects without up-firing drivers. But a built-in subwoofer cannot move as much air as a separate wireless subwoofer, so buyers who want deep bass should plan for the optional SA-SW3 or SA-SW5 external subwoofers, which Sony sells separately. The bar has a single HDMI eARC output, so every source connects to the TV first, and optional SA-RS3S rear speakers can be added later.

Buy it if your room is small, you want one tidy bar, and you may add an external Sony subwoofer later. Skip it if you want a separate subwoofer in the box, since this bar ships without one and the external subwoofer is an extra purchase.

JBL Bar 500: the simplest 5.1 setup with a 10-inch subwoofer

The JBL Bar 500 is the simplest 5.1 setup in this guide, and its subwoofer is the largest here. JBL lists a 5.1-channel system with 590 watts of total power, split between a 290-watt bar and a 300-watt wireless subwoofer with a 10-inch driver, with MultiBeam, Dolby Atmos and PureVoice dialogue enhancement.

A 10-inch subwoofer gives action movies and music a weight that the smaller subwoofers in this guide cannot match, and the single-box setup keeps things simple: the bar, the subwoofer and an HDMI eARC connection with 4K Dolby Vision passthrough. There is no DTS support listed, and there is no rear-speaker support, so this is a front-stage system with a strong subwoofer rather than a full surround system. The bar suits a living room where bass matters more than rear speakers.

Buy it if you want the biggest subwoofer in this guide in a simple two-box setup. Skip it if you need DTS support or rear speakers, since neither is available on this model.

Vizio M512a-H6: Atmos with rears and a wireless subwoofer

The Vizio M512a-H6 is the older-model pick in this guide, and it earns its place because it ships with everything: a wireless subwoofer and two wired surround speakers. Vizio lists a 5.1.2-channel system with 11 speakers, two up-firing height drivers, Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, HDMI eARC plus an HDMI input, optical, and a remote in the box.

For buyers who want a complete Atmos system at a value tier, the included rear speakers are the main draw, since most picks at this tier sell rears separately. The wireless subwoofer handles the low end while the wired surrounds connect to the subwoofer, so only the subwoofer needs a power outlet among the extra boxes. This is an older model, though, and Vizio now lists newer SV and SL bars in its own store, so check current availability and the condition of the unit before you buy, and confirm the seller.

Buy it if you want rear speakers and a subwoofer in the box at a value tier and you can find a new unit from a reliable seller. Skip it if you want a current model with full manufacturer support, or if wired rear speakers will not work in your room.

Buying guide: choose by room, bass and connections

A soundbar system is a room purchase as much as an electronics purchase, so the checks below matter more than the channel count on the box. Measure the TV stand, find the HDMI port on the TV, and think about where a subwoofer and any rear speakers will sit.

Best subwoofers soundbars for a large living room

A large living room needs a wider bar, a real subwoofer and rear speakers behind the sofa, because a compact system will sound thin across an open space. The Samsung HW-Q990F is the natural fit here, with its dual-driver subwoofer and wireless rears, while the HW-Q800D and the JBL Bar 500 suit a large room without rear speakers.

For a large room, the subwoofer matters more than the bar: a 6-inch subwoofer can sound lost in an open plan, while the 8-inch and 10-inch subwoofers in this guide hold their weight better. A large room also changes the bass balance, so the Bass Boost and night modes on the Samsung models and the dialogue modes on the Sony and JBL bars are worth using when the household watches late at night.

Subwoofer size, placement and wireless range

Subwoofer size decides how deep the bass goes, but placement decides how much of it you actually hear. A wireless subwoofer still needs a power outlet, so the corner near the TV is the usual spot, with a few inches of clearance from the wall so the driver can breathe.

A 10-inch subwoofer such as the one in the JBL Bar 500 moves more air than a 6-inch subwoofer such as the one in the Samsung HW-B750F, which is why the JBL system sounds heavier on action movies. But a large subwoofer in a small bedroom can overwhelm dialogue, so match the driver size to the room: the compact Sony HT-S2000 suits a bedroom, while the Samsung HW-Q990F and the JBL Bar 500 suit a main living room.

Connections and formats to check before you buy

The connection on the back of the TV decides which sound formats the soundbar can receive, so check it before you buy. HDMI eARC carries the highest-quality audio, including Dolby Atmos from Dolby TrueHD, while standard HDMI ARC carries compressed Atmos and Dolby Digital 5.1.

The systems in this guide use eARC, with two exceptions: the Samsung HW-B750F uses standard HDMI ARC, which fits its Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS Virtual:X formats, and the Sony HT-S2000 has a single eARC output with no HDMI input, so every source must connect to the TV first. Optical carries Dolby Digital 5.1 and stereo, but it cannot carry Dolby Atmos at all. The Samsung HW-Q990F offers two HDMI inputs with 4K at 120Hz passthrough, while the HW-Q800D and HW-Q600F pass 4K at 60Hz only.

Frequently asked questions

The questions below cover the doubts that come up most often before a purchase, from whether a subwoofer is worth it at all to whether a wireless subwoofer is truly wireless. Each answer follows the same rule as the rest of this guide: it states what the specifications support, and it names the case where the answer changes.

Do I need a subwoofer with my soundbar?

Yes, for most living rooms, because a slim bar cannot move enough air for deep bass on its own. A separate subwoofer is the single most noticeable upgrade for movies, music and sports, and every system in this guide except the Sony HT-S2000 ships with one in the box.

Is a wireless subwoofer really wireless?

No, not entirely, because a wireless subwoofer still needs a power outlet. Wireless means no audio cable runs from the bar to the subwoofer, so you can place it anywhere near a power outlet, but the subwoofer is not battery powered and it cannot sit in the middle of the room without a cable.

Can I add a subwoofer to a soundbar that does not include one?

Sometimes, but only with the subwoofer made for that bar, because soundbars do not use a standard subwoofer output. The Sony HT-S2000 can add the optional SA-SW3 or SA-SW5 subwoofers, and the Samsung HW-Q990F, HW-Q800D and HW-Q600F can add rear speakers, but a generic subwoofer will not connect to these bars.

Will a soundbar with a subwoofer work with any TV?

Almost any TV with an HDMI ARC or eARC port, or an optical output, will work, but the sound formats depend on the port. A TV with HDMI eARC gives the best result, while a TV with only optical will play Dolby Digital 5.1 and stereo but not Dolby Atmos, so check the ports on the back of your TV before you buy.

Conclusion

Start with the Samsung HW-Q990F for a home theater in one box, or the HW-Q800D for a strong mid-range system with a real subwoofer. If budget or room size matters more, the HW-B750F and the Sony HT-S2000 cover those needs well. Measure your TV and room, check the HDMI connection, and choose the system that fits the space you will enjoy every day.