Sony
Sony HT-S400
A bedroom or small living room with a 43–55 inch TV, where one HDMI cable and a wireless subwoofer keep the setup tidy.
Two pieces and one HDMI ARC cable: a 90 cm bar and a wireless subwoofer with a 160 mm driver, 330 W in total.
The best soundbars, at three levels
Buy for your room and your TV's ports: a 2.1 bar with a subwoofer suits a bedroom, real rear speakers make the biggest difference in a living room, and Dolby Atmos only pays off with an eARC TV and a large room.
Starter
The cheapest one worth buying.
Upgrade
Where most people should land.
Sony
Sony HT-S40R
A living room where you want real rear speakers for films and sport without running a cable from the TV to the back of the room.
Real 5.1: a three-channel bar, a wired subwoofer and two rear speakers driven by a small wireless amplifier, 600 W in total.
Endgame
The best one worth paying for.
Sony
Sony BRAVIA Theatre System 6
A large living room and someone who watches a lot of films and wants Dolby Atmos, deep bass and real rear speakers from one box.
What Hi-Fi gave it five stars and a 2026 Award for punchy, weighty bass, cohesive surround and Atmos, and strong build quality.
Not sure which level fits you? Tell the AI how you'll use it.
Ask which level fits meQuick answers
- What are the best budget soundbars?
- Start with the Sony HT-S400 (about ₹15,989). Two pieces and one HDMI ARC cable: a 90 cm bar and a wireless subwoofer with a 160 mm driver, 330 W in total.
- What are the best value soundbars?
- Most people should get the Sony HT-S40R (about ₹22,989). Real 5.1: a three-channel bar, a wired subwoofer and two rear speakers driven by a small wireless amplifier, 600 W in total.
- What are the best soundbars worth paying for?
- If you want the best and will use it a lot, get the Sony BRAVIA Theatre System 6 (about ₹47,989). What Hi-Fi gave it five stars and a 2026 Award for punchy, weighty bass, cohesive surround and Atmos, and strong build quality.
