Top Soundbars Under $200 for Better TV Audio

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You’ll hear the biggest upgrade at this price from clearer dialogue and smarter connectivity. Prioritize HDMI ARC/eARC (for one-remote control), a subwoofer (built-in or external) if you want bass, and a size that actually fits under your TV.

Top picks

1) TCL Alto 8i (TS8111) — Best for big bass in one bar

Overview

A single-bar setup with dual built-in subwoofers and HDMI eARC for simple wiring.

Why it wins

Deep bass without a floor sub, plus ARC/eARC simplicity for most TVs.

Pros

• Dual subs built in; no extra box

• HDMI eARC for one-remote control

• Movie/Music/News modes help voices

• Wall-mount kit included

Cons

• Wider bar; best for 40–50″+ TVs

• No Wi-Fi casting; Bluetooth only

Trade-offs / Who should skip

If you need super-slim under-monitor placement, it’s long. If you want expandable surrounds, look elsewhere.

Scores

Performance 4.5/5 · Dialog clarity 4/5 · Ease of Use 4.5/5 · Value 4.5/5

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2) Roku Streambar (9102R) — Best for apartments & cord-cutters

Overview

Upgrades TV sound and adds a 4K Roku streamer in one tiny bar.

Why it wins

Ultra-compact with HDMI-ARC hookup and full Roku built in—ideal for small rooms and older “smart” TVs.

Pros

• Tiny footprint; fits anywhere

• Adds full 4K streaming platform

• ARC and optical (via adapter)

• Bluetooth for quick music

Cons

• 2.0—bass is modest

• No HDMI passthrough

Trade-offs / Who should skip

Bass lovers should add Roku’s sub (not under $200) or choose a 2.1 set.

Scores

Performance 3.8/5 · Dialog clarity 4/5 · Ease of Use 5/5 · Value 4.5/5

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3) JBL Bar 2.0 All-in-One (MK2) — Best simple setup & clear dialogue

Overview

A compact 2.0 bar that keeps things plug-and-play with HDMI ARC.

Why it wins

Clean voices, straightforward ARC hookup, and a truly compact chassis.

Pros

• HDMI ARC or optical—your choice

• Very compact, easy to place

• Bluetooth streaming on tap

• Preset “smart” sound mode

Cons

• No separate subwoofer

• No surround expansion

Trade-offs / Who should skip

If you want room-shaking bass, choose a 2.1 option.

Scores

Performance 3.9/5 · Dialog clarity 4.2/5 · Ease of Use 4.8/5 · Value 4.2/5

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4) Hisense HS214 — Best all-in-one with HDMI ARC on a tight budget

Overview

An all-in-one 2.1 design with built-in sub and true HDMI ARC.

Why it wins

One-remote TV control via ARC, plus a low-profile bar that’s easy to place.

Pros

• Built-in sub; no floor box

• HDMI ARC, optical, AUX, USB

• Roku TV Ready convenience

• Low-profile design

Cons

• Bass is boomy without tweaks

• Bluetooth 4.x, not the latest

Trade-offs / Who should skip

If you prefer a separate wireless sub for placement flexibility, consider a 2.1 set.

Scores

Performance 4/5 · Dialog clarity 3.8/5 · Ease of Use 4.3/5 · Value 4.6/5

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5) Vizio V-Series 2.1 (V214x-K6) — Best ultra-budget 2.1 (optical-only)

Overview

A compact 30-inch bar with wireless sub and DTS Virtual:X—great sound per dollar if optical is fine.

Why it wins

Wireless sub and strong low-end for cheap; just know there’s no HDMI ARC on this model.

Pros

• Wireless sub adds real thump

• DTS Virtual:X for spaciousness

• Compact 30″ width fits small TVs

• Simple remote with presets

Cons

• No HDMI ARC; optical only

• No app or Wi-Fi casting

Trade-offs / Who should skip

If you want one-remote TV control via ARC/CEC, pick another bar.

Scores

Performance 4.2/5 · Bass impact 4.5/5 · Ease of Use 3.7/5 · Value 4.6/5

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Quick compare (table-free)

• TCL Alto 8i — Best for bass in one bar: dual built-in subs; longer chassis.

• Roku Streambar — Best for apartments/cord-cutters: streaming + sound upgrade; modest bass.

• JBL Bar 2.0 MK2 — Best simple setup & voices: compact ARC bar; no separate sub.

• Hisense HS214 — Best ARC all-in-one value: built-in sub; tune bass for balance.

• Vizio V214x-K6 — Best ultra-budget 2.1: wireless sub; optical-only (no ARC).

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Buying guide

ARC/eARC vs. optical

• ARC/eARC lets your TV control bar volume and power via CEC—far less remote juggling. If that matters, avoid optical-only models.

Bass & neighbors

• Apartments? Consider all-in-ones or bars with built-in subs for gentler, tighter bass. If you want more “thump,” a wireless-sub bundle gives placement flexibility.

Size & placement

• Bars under ~24″ pair well with 32–43″ TVs or desks. Longer bars (≈36–40″) better match 50–65″ TVs—measure stand or soundbar clearance.

Warranty basics

• Most sub-$200 bars carry a 1-year warranty. If longer coverage matters, check the brand’s home-audio terms before buying.

Connectivity extras

• Bluetooth is common for music. Wi-Fi casting and apps are rare at this price—set expectations accordingly.

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FAQs

Q: Do I need HDMI eARC specifically?
A: For non-Atmos bars under $200, ARC is typically enough and keeps TV-remote volume control. eARC mainly helps with high-bitrate formats these bars don’t use.

Q: Will these work with my Roku/Fire TV/older HDTV?
A: Yes—use HDMI ARC if your TV has it; otherwise, use optical (adapters are often included with compact stream/soundbar combos).

Q: Which one is quiet-hours friendly?
A: Look for dialogue or night modes. Models with “Voice/News/Smart” modes keep speech clear at lower volume.

Q: Any recalls or gotchas?
A: Couldn’t verify any current safety recalls on these models. Note that some ultra-budget 2.1 bars drop HDMI; if one-remote control matters, pick ARC/eARC.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.