Best Soundbars With Subwoofer for Movies, Music and TV Use (2026)

TV speakers are too thin to carry bass, so a bar alone can only go so far before action scenes and music feel flat. This guide compares eight best soundbars with subwoofer for movies, music and TV, from a complete 11.1.4 surround system to a compact 5.1 package, and explains who each system suits and where each one gives something up.

Quick verdict: the best soundbars with subwoofer at a glance

If you want one short answer, start with the Samsung HW-Q990F for a complete home theater, or the JBL Bar 500 for a simple two-box setup. The other six picks cover true height sound at a mid-range tier, a lower-cost Atmos system, an affordable 5.1 package and two compact LG systems, so read the table first, then the section that matches your room.

Quick comparison table

The table below puts the eight systems side by side so you can see the channel layout, the subwoofer and the sound formats first. Every pick here ships with a wireless subwoofer in the box, which is what separates this guide from single-bar roundups, and the differences that matter most are height channels, rear speakers and HDMI connections.

Our pick for most living rooms is the Samsung HW-Q990F, because it is the only system here that ships with rear speakers as well as a subwoofer. If you want fewer boxes, the JBL Bar 500 gives the largest subwoofer in this guide in a two-box setup, while the Samsung HW-Q800D is the strongest mid-range pick for height effects.

How we selected these bar and subwoofer systems

Every model in this guide is a real product sold in the United States, with published specifications from its manufacturer or a retailer listing. We compared channel layout, subwoofer size, 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 manufacturer 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 height system, the lowest-cost Atmos system, the most affordable 5.1 package, the most compact Atmos system, or the simplest two-box setup.

Individual picks, from flagship surround to compact 5.1

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

Samsung HW-Q990F: the complete 11.1.4 surround system

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 with up-firing drivers.

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, so a console can connect through the bar without giving up high refresh rates. 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: true height sound at a mid-range tier

The Samsung HW-Q800D is the strongest mid-range pick in this guide for buyers who want real height effects without the flagship system. Samsung lists a 5.1.2-channel system with 11 speakers and 360 watts of total power, including up-firing and side-firing drivers and a wireless 8-inch subwoofer.

Height is what separates the HW-Q800D from the 5.1 picks below it, and the up-firing drivers give Dolby Atmos a physical source above the bar rather than a virtual one. It supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, with Wireless Dolby Atmos on compatible Samsung TVs, and it connects through one HDMI input and one HDMI eARC output. The passthrough is limited to 4K at 60Hz with HDR10+, so a console that needs 4K at 120Hz should connect to the TV instead. Optional SWA-9500S rear speakers can be added later to expand the system.

Buy it if you want genuine Atmos height at a mid-range tier and you may add rear speakers later. Skip it if you play console games at 4K and 120Hz through the bar, or if you want rear speakers included in the box.

Samsung HW-Q700D: Atmos height at a lower tier

The Samsung HW-Q700D is the lower-cost way into a Samsung Atmos system with a subwoofer in the box. It is a 3.1.2-channel system, which means a dedicated centre channel for dialogue, left and right channels, two height channels and a wireless subwoofer for the low end.

For buyers who want height effects but do not need the wider soundstage of the HW-Q800D, the HW-Q700D keeps the two things that matter most: up-firing drivers for Dolby Atmos and a separate subwoofer for bass. It supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, and it connects through HDMI eARC, which carries the highest-quality audio from the TV. The verification for this model is thinner than for the other Samsung picks, so this section states only the layout, formats, subwoofer and connection that could be confirmed.

Buy it if you want Samsung Atmos height at a lower tier and you are comfortable with a simpler system. Skip it if you need a wide soundstage, rear speakers in the box, or a second HDMI input for a console.

Samsung HW-Q600F: the entry Atmos system with a subwoofer

The Samsung HW-Q600F is the entry point to a Samsung Atmos system in this guide, and it earns that place by keeping the height channels at the lowest tier. It is a 3.1.2-channel system with nine speakers and a retailer-listed 380 watts, including two up-firing channels, a dedicated centre speaker and a wireless subwoofer.

Height and a centre channel are the two features that matter most here, and the HW-Q600F provides both. It supports Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual:X, with Wireless Dolby Atmos and Q-Symphony on compatible Samsung TVs, plus Adaptive Sound and SpaceFit Sound Pro, which adjust the sound to the room. Optional SWA-9250S rear speakers can be added later for true surround. Note that DTS:X itself is not claimed for this model: the manual-based source lists DTS Virtual:X, so the article follows that source rather than retailer listings that say otherwise.

Buy it if you want the lowest-cost Atmos system in this guide and you may add rear speakers later. Skip it if you need DTS:X for a Blu-ray collection, or if you want a wider bar with more drivers for a large room.

Samsung HW-B750F: the affordable 5.1 package

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 and a 6-inch wireless subwoofer.

For buyers on a tighter 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, plus Q-Symphony and Bass Boost.

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 S70TY: compact Dolby Atmos for a smaller room

The LG S70TY is the compact Atmos pick in this guide for a smaller room or a smaller LG TV. LG lists a 3.1.1-channel system with 400 watts, a wireless subwoofer, a centre up-firing driver for height and support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, with WOW Orchestra on compatible LG TVs.

Compact does not mean incomplete here, because the single height channel still gives Atmos a physical source above the bar, and the wireless subwoofer covers the bass that a slim bar cannot produce on its own. The bar is 37.4 inches wide, which suits TVs of about 49 inches and up, and it connects through HDMI eARC. This section makes no claim about adding rear speakers later, because the sources read disagree on rear-speaker support for this model, so check the manual for your exact variant before buying on that basis.

Buy it if your room is small, your TV is an LG QNED or OLED, and you want compact Atmos with a real subwoofer. Skip it if you need rear speakers in the box, or if your TV is large enough that a 37-inch bar will look lost beneath it.

LG S60T: clearer dialogue for everyday LG TVs

The LG S60T is the everyday pick in this guide for an LG TV owner who wants clearer dialogue and real bass without paying for Atmos. It is a 3.1-channel system with a retailer-listed 340 watts, a dedicated centre channel and a wireless subwoofer, with Dolby Audio support.

Dialogue is where the S60T earns its place, because the centre channel carries speech separately from music and effects, so voices stay clear when the action gets loud. The wireless subwoofer adds the low end that makes movies and music feel fuller, and the system suits everyday LG NanoCell and UHD TVs. No Dolby Atmos is claimed for this model, so buyers who want height effects should look at the LG S70TY above instead.

Buy it if dialogue clarity and bass matter more to you than height effects, and you want a simple LG system. Skip it if you want Dolby Atmos, or if you need rear speakers, which this system does not include.

JBL Bar 500: the simplest two-box 5.1 setup

The JBL Bar 500 is the simplest setup in this guide, because it is a complete 5.1 system in just two boxes: a bar and a wireless subwoofer. JBL lists 590 watts of total power, with 290 watts in the bar and 300 watts in the subwoofer, plus a 10-inch wireless subwoofer, the largest in this guide.

Simplicity is the point here, and the Bar 500 delivers it without giving up bass. The 10-inch subwoofer gives action movies and music a weight that the smaller subwoofers in this guide cannot match, and MultiBeam and PureVoice widen the soundstage and clarify dialogue. It supports Dolby Atmos, with HDMI eARC and 4K Dolby Vision passthrough, plus Wi-Fi, Chromecast, AirPlay and Bluetooth 5.0 for music. There is no DTS support and no rear-speaker expansion, so what you buy is what you get.

Buy it if you want the biggest subwoofer in this guide in a setup with no rear speakers to place. Skip it if you need DTS:X, or if you want to add rear speakers later, since this system does not support them.

Buying guide: choose by room, connections and bass

A soundbar with a subwoofer 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 the subwoofer will sit before you decide.

How to choose among the best soundbars with subwoofer for your room

Room size decides the system before price does, so start with the space rather than the specification sheet. A compact bar and subwoofer suit a bedroom or a small apartment living room, while a large open room needs a wider bar, a larger subwoofer and rear speakers behind the sofa.

For everyday living rooms, a 55-inch TV pairs well with a bar around 40 inches wide, and a 65-inch or larger TV suits the 48-inch Samsung HW-Q990F. A small room also changes the bass: a large subwoofer in a small bedroom can overwhelm dialogue, so the Bass Boost and night modes on the Samsung models and the PureVoice mode on the JBL Bar 500 are worth using.

Do the best soundbars with subwoofer need rear speakers?

Rear speakers add real surround sound, but they are not required for a good result, and only one system in this guide includes them in the box. The Samsung HW-Q990F ships with wireless rear speakers, while the Samsung HW-Q800D, HW-Q600F and HW-B750F let you add rears later, and the JBL Bar 500 and LG S60T offer no rear-speaker path at all.

If the household watches mostly movies, rear speakers are worth the extra boxes and power outlets, because effects can move behind the sofa instead of staying at the front. If the household watches mostly news, sport and everyday TV, a bar and subwoofer alone will cover it, and a two-box system is easier to place, pack and set up again.

Subwoofer placement, size and wireless range

A wireless subwoofer still needs a power outlet, so placement is really about finding a corner or a spot beside the TV unit with power nearby. Putting the subwoofer in a corner reinforces the bass, while moving it toward the middle of a wall softens it, so try both positions before settling.

Subwoofer size tracks with room size in this guide: the 10-inch JBL Bar 500 subwoofer suits a larger living room, the 8-inch Samsung subwoofers suit a typical living room, and the 6-inch Samsung HW-B750F subwoofer suits a smaller room. The wireless link between the bar and the subwoofer works across a normal living room, but thick walls and distance can weaken it, so keep the subwoofer in the same room as the bar.

Connections, formats and TV compatibility

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 Samsung HW-B750F is the only pick here that uses standard HDMI ARC, which fits its Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS Virtual:X formats, while every other pick uses HDMI eARC. Optical carries Dolby Digital 5.1 and stereo, but it cannot carry Dolby Atmos at all. The Samsung HW-Q990F passes 4K at 120Hz through its HDMI inputs, the Samsung HW-Q800D is limited to 4K at 60Hz passthrough, and the JBL Bar 500 passes 4K Dolby Vision.

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 really 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.

Is a soundbar with a subwoofer better than TV speakers?

Yes, in almost every case, because TV speakers face backward or downward from a thin cabinet and have little room for bass or a centre channel. A soundbar adds forward-facing drivers and a dedicated centre channel for dialogue, and the separate subwoofer adds the low end that a slim bar cannot produce on its own.

Is a wireless subwoofer really wireless?

Almost, but not entirely, because a wireless subwoofer needs no audio cable to the bar, yet it still needs a power cable to a wall outlet. The wireless link carries the audio signal, so you can place the subwoofer anywhere in the room with power, but you cannot place it in a room with no outlet nearby.

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

Sometimes, but only if the manufacturer sells a matching subwoofer for that exact model, so check the model page before buying a bar on that hope. Every pick in this guide already includes a subwoofer in the box, which is the safer way to get bass, because a matched subwoofer is designed to pair with its bar.

Conclusion

Start with the Samsung HW-Q990F for a complete home theater in one box, or the JBL Bar 500 for the biggest subwoofer in a simple two-box setup. For height sound at a lower tier, the HW-Q800D and HW-Q600F are strong picks. Measure your TV and room, check the HDMI port, and choose the system you will enjoy every day.