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Everyone’s audio needs are different, so be sure to consider your unique preferences, space, and listening habits. Use this guide to navigate the options and find the best speaker for you. If you need a little extra help, check out my full profile A guide to how to buy speakers in 2026.
budget
The most important consideration when choosing speakers is how much you can spend, and I’ve found that there are great speakers at all prices, starting at $100. If you’re looking for more premium, feature-packed models, be prepared to spend more — upwards of $3,000. I have one rule of thumb: Once the price of an amplifier exceeds $500, you may find it worth saving for an AV receiver and speakers.
If you’re a movie buff, consider spending on features like Dolby Atmos to bring the theater experience to your home. Audiophiles will want to prioritize audio reproduction and multi-room or wireless streaming to fill their space with sound. Gamers should look for soundbars with dedicated gaming presets that improve dialogue clarity and directional audio cues.
Room size
Consider the size and layout of your room. Small spaces, such as bedrooms and offices, may be filled with high-powered speakers with separate amplifiers. Single bar systems are great for smaller rooms and TVs, as their length allows for built-in stereo sound while maintaining a compact size. Larger rooms or home theater setups will benefit from more powerful speakers with additional woofers and subwoofers to produce that booming surround sound.
Also think about where you will put it – will it be placed on an entertainment console, mounted on a wall or placed under a TV? Make sure your speaker can actually fit into your desired space by checking dimensions and installation capabilities.
Use the following guide to find out the speaker length we recommend for each TV size.
| Speaker Length (inches) | Recommended TV screen size |
|---|---|
| 12 | any |
| 38 to 45 | From 42 inches to 50 inches |
| 50 | From 55 inches to 65 inches |
| 60 | 70 inches and larger |
Audio format compatibility
Match your speaker’s audio format to the content you enjoy most. Here are some of the most important audio formats and their use cases to consider when choosing an amplifier:
- Dolby Atmos 3D soundscapes with height channels create immersive experiences perfect for movie buffs
- DTS:X For object-based sound that adapts to your speaker setup, perfect for home theater enthusiasts
- PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) For uncompressed digital audio typically found on Blu-ray discs and game consoles
- Dolby Digital 5.1 For traditional surround sound with five speakers and a subwoofer, which is the standard for DVD content
- Bluetooth audio codecs (AAC, aptX, LDAC) For wireless streaming at different levels of quality, it is essential for streaming music from mobile devices
Check your TV’s connection options (HDMI ARC/eARC, optical) to ensure compatibility with the soundbar of your choice.