The 6 Best Soundbars Under $500 Of 2022 [Buyer’s Guide]

In this article, we’re going to look at the Top 6 Best Soundbars Under $500 Of 2022. We made this list based on our own opinion, research, and customer reviews. We’ve considered their quality, features, and values when narrowing down the best choices possible.

If you want more information and updated pricing on the products mentioned, be sure to check the links in each product we mentioned.

So, here are the Top 6 Best Soundbars Under $500 Of 2022.

#1. Vizio M Series M512a-H6

The Vizio M Series M512a-H6 is the best soundbar under $500 that we’ve tested. It’s a great choice for mixed usage, offering a versatile overall performance at a more affordable price point than some of the more premium models on the market. There’s support for Dolby Atmos content, and its discrete surround speakers make it a solid option for watching movies.

Right out-of-the-box, this soundbar has a neutral sound profile that’s suitable for listening to most types of audio content. Vocals and lead instruments are clear and present in the mix, and its extended low-bass can reproduce the deep thump and rumble in bass-heavy music and action-packed movies. There are some bass and treble adjustments to help you customize its sound, too.

#2. Vizio SB36512-F6

The best Dolby Atmos soundbar under $500 that we’ve tested is the Vizio SB36512-F6. This 5.1.2 setup comes with two up-firing drivers built into the bar itself, which ricochet sound off the ceiling to create the illusion of height with Atmos content. As a result, you feel immersed in your favorite movies, and sound effects seem to come from all around you.

Out-of-the-box, its sound profile is pretty neutral, and there’s a touch of extra boom in the bass range that helps you feel the punch in action-packed movie scenes. Dialogue is clear and detailed, too. Its discrete surround speakers also help to create a more immersive listening experience, so sound objects like helicopters flying overhead seem to come from accurate, pinpoint locations in the soundstage.

#3. Klipsch Cinema 700

The Klipsch Cinema 700 is the best 3.1 soundbar under $500 that we’ve tested. Its 3.1 setup means that it comes with three channels: the left and right stereo channels, as well as a discrete center channel that reproduces voices clearly and accurately. If you listen to dialogue-centric content like podcasts and TV shows, there’s even an adjustable dialogue enhancement feature that lets you control how loud the voices are in your audio.

Its default sound profile is very neutral and balanced. Voices in TV shows are clear and detailed right out of the box. If you want to listen to music, lead instruments like guitars accurately reproduce, too. Also, its dedicated subwoofer reproduces a deep and rumbling low-bass, making it a solid choice for bass-heavy genres like hip-hop and EDM.

#4. Sonos Beam (Gen 2)

The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) is the best soundbar under $500 with a compact design that we’ve tested. Its compact design is less than 25 inches in width, so it can easily fit underneath your TV stand without blocking the screen. It may be small, but it still packs a punch; its wide soundstage extends audio well past the edges of the bar itself, resulting in a performance that rivals that of home theater speaker towers. 

This soundbar is ideal for listening to dialogue-heavy content like podcasts and TV shows. Its neutral mids reproduce voices and dialogue clearly and accurately, especially when you use its included room correction feature. Room correction uses a microphone built into the bar to analyze the acoustic characteristics of your room and optimizes audio reproduction accordingly. On Sonos bars, this feature is called TruePlay, but it’s only available with compatible iOS devices.

#5. Samsung HW-A550

If you’re looking for a 2.1 setup, the best soundbar under $500 that we’ve tested is the Samsung HW-A550. It’s a simple bar with a neutral sound profile right out of the box. As a result, voices and lead instruments reproduce clearly and accurately, so it’s suitable for listening to music and TV shows.

Compared to other 2.1 bars on the market, this bar comes with many customization features. If you aren’t a fan of a neutral sound, there are bass and treble adjustments and a full graphic EQ on hand. There are also many EQ presets, like a ‘Bass Boost’ mode that adds more thump and punch in the bass range.

#6. Vizio V Series V51-H6

If you’re looking for an even more affordable option, the best budget soundbar we’ve tested is the Vizio V Series V51-H6. It may not come with as many features as the more premium bars on the market, but it still offers a pretty versatile performance overall. It even comes with discrete surround speakers, so surround sound is immersive.

Out-of-the-box, this soundbar’s neutral sound profile means that vocals and lead instruments are represented clearly and accurately. Its dedicated subwoofer reproduces an extended low-bass that’s ideal for bass-heavy genres like EDM, and there’s a little extra boom in the bass range to help you feel the punch in your audio. Want a different sound? There are bass and treble adjustments available.