The best budget soundbar

With a unique design and solid audio performance, Vizio's SB362An-F6 is a great pick for budget buyers.

Vizio got its start as a budget brand, so it's no surprise that the company still excels at affordable soundbar models. This includes the 36-inch SB362An-F6, which is frequently on sale for under $100. It's a 2.1-channel bar with built-in subwoofers, meaning you'll get two main drivers for pure stereo sound and a little extra bass without the need for a separate subwoofer unit.

Standing out from typical rectangular box soundbars, the SB362An-F6 actually features a unique trapezoid design with angled sides that slope down to create a hexagonal profile. Buttons for various controls rest on the side of the bar, including volume, source, a dedicated Bluetooth audio button, and the all-important power button.

Vizio employs audio technology from DTS and Dolby to enhance your sound, including DTS Virtual:X. This feature can create a virtual soundfield from the device's 2.1-channels, resulting in simulated surround and height effects. Processing like this is never as convincing as a genuine multi-speaker system, but reviewers say it does provide an enhanced soundstage, especially for the price.

Wired connection options are basic but certainly get the job done. On the back of the bar you'll find an optical audio port for your TV. You can also hook other sources up directly with a 3.5mm auxiliary port or even over USB. Sadly, there are no HDMI ports for ARC or video passthrough, so you'll have to connect any additional media devices to your display and not the soundbar itself.

For wireless playback, the soundbar also supports Bluetooth, making it easy to stream music from your smartphone. An included remote handles all your needs for adjusting volume, accessing basic equalizer options, and toggling various modes.

There are more expensive wireless soundbar options out there that will net you more powerful performance and extra connectivity options like HDMI and Wi-Fi, but the SB362An-F6 is one of the best models you can snag for such a budget-friendly price.

Pros: Highly affordable, easy to set up and use, unique design, ample sound for basic needs, Bluetooth lets you play phone tunes

Cons: No HDMI, doesn't support Wi-Fi, bass not as powerful as soundbar models with a separate subwoofer