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The 7 Best Soundbars With Subwoofers for Deeper TV Bass, Ranked & Reviewed

By the Primea Editorial TeamUpdated November 3, 202610 min read7 products ranked
The 7 Best Soundbars With Subwoofers for Deeper TV Bass, Ranked & Reviewed

The short answer

The Polk Audio Signa S3 is the soundbar and subwoofer set to buy, with a wireless sub and a low-profile bar that slides under most TVs. The Hisense HS2100 adds six EQ modes and Bluetooth 5.3 for less, the Samsung HW-B550F brings DTS Virtual:X, and the Saiyin is the cheapest way to get a bundled sub.

The Primea Scoreboard

Ranked & Reviewed

  1. Polk's low-profile bar with a wireless subwoofer, built by an established speaker brand.

    94Outstanding
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  2. Wireless sub, six EQ modes, Dolby Audio and DTS Virtual:X for $100 to $200.

    92Outstanding
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  3. DTS Virtual:X, bass boost and adaptive sound alongside a bundled subwoofer.

    90Excellent
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  4. An ultra-slim Polk bar with an included subwoofer for tight TV stands.

    88Excellent
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  5. A 5.1 virtual surround soundbar with a bundled subwoofer at a friendly price.

    86Excellent
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  6. A 110W bar with a detachable design, adjustable bass and three EQ modes.

    83Very Good
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  7. The cheapest bundled bar and sub, usable with both TVs and PCs.

    80Very Good
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A soundbar with a subwoofer promises bass, but the promise is often broken by the way the pair is placed and connected. A wired subwoofer limits where it can sit, and a wireless one can still hum or drop if its pairing is poor. Before you compare watts or channel counts, ask how the sub connects to the bar and whether it can live in a corner or beside the sofa, where bass actually sounds best.

We reviewed seven bar-and-sub sets from $25 to $500, ranking them on subwoofer connection, EQ control, processing such as virtual surround, bar size and brand. Where a listing leaves out the power rating or the sub size, we have not guessed. Most of these are 2.1 designs, so expect widened stereo with bass, not true rear speakers.

Before you buy

What Actually Matters

01

Subwoofer connection

A wireless subwoofer pairs with the bar over radio and needs only a power outlet, so it can sit anywhere. A wired one must stay near the bar. Check for the word wireless on the listing, and make sure there is an outlet near your preferred corner.

02

Channel count and virtual surround

A 2.1 bar has left, right and subwoofer channels, and processing such as DTS Virtual:X simulates width. A bar labeled 5.1 without separate rear speakers uses the same trick. Expect a wider soundstage, not sound from behind you.

03

EQ and bass controls

EQ modes let you favor voices, bass or balance, and a bass level control tames boom in apartments. Six modes give more room than three. Look for bass adjustment on the subwoofer or remote, which prevents late-night complaints.

04

Bar size and placement

A tall bar can block a TV's screen or remote sensor, while a low-profile or ultra-slim bar fits under it. Measure the gap between your stand and the TV. Also check whether the bar can be wall-mounted.

05

Connections

HDMI ARC or eARC is the easiest connection to a TV, optical is a common fallback and Bluetooth lets you stream music. Check your TV's ports against the bar's inputs. Bluetooth 5.3 on the Hisense offers a stable wireless link.

In-depth reviews

Our Ranked Picks, Reviewed

1

Best Overall

Polk Audio Signa S3 Sound Bar & Wireless Subwoofer, Low-Profile Design

Our verdict: Polk's low-profile bar with a wireless subwoofer, built by an established speaker brand.

The Signa S3 is a low-profile soundbar paired with a wireless subwoofer, from Polk Audio, a long-established speaker maker. It sits in the $200 to $500 range.

The S3 leads because Polk's background is loudspeakers, not accessories, and that tends to show in how well the bar and sub are voiced together. A wireless subwoofer means you can place the bass unit away from the TV stand, often beside a sofa where it fills the room better. The low-profile bar also slides under most televisions without blocking the screen or the remote sensor.

Buy it if you want dependable engineering and simple setup. The listing gives no power figure, so judge it on brand and design.

Subwoofer
Wireless, included
Bar design
Low-profile
Brand
Polk Audio
Price range
$200 to $500

What we like

  • +Wireless subwoofer placement freedom
  • +Low-profile bar fits under TVs
  • +Established speaker brand voicing
  • +Simple, tidy setup

Watch out for

  • −Power rating not listed
  • −Costs $200 to $500

Buy it if: Living rooms where clean design and dependable bass matter.

Skip it if: You need advanced surround formats.

2

Best Value Customization

Hisense HS2100 2.1ch Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer, Dolby Audio, DTS Virtual:X, 6 EQ Modes

Our verdict: Wireless sub, six EQ modes, Dolby Audio and DTS Virtual:X for $100 to $200.

The HS2100 is a 2.1 channel soundbar with a wireless subwoofer, Dolby Audio, DTS Virtual:X, six EQ modes and Bluetooth 5.3. Pricing falls between $100 and $200.

This set earns second place because it packs more adjustment than anything near its price. Six EQ modes let you favor dialogue for news, bass for movies or a flatter sound for music, and the Dolby and DTS processing widen the stage. Against the Polk it lacks a famous name and the listing does not stress build quality, but the savings are real.

Buy it for a bedroom or a mid-size living room where you want flexibility. Do not expect true rear speakers.

Channels
2.1
Subwoofer
Wireless, included
Audio
Dolby Audio, DTS Virtual:X
Extras
6 EQ modes, Bluetooth 5.3

What we like

  • +Six EQ modes for different content
  • +Wireless subwoofer included
  • +Bluetooth 5.3 streaming
  • +Dolby Audio and DTS Virtual:X

Watch out for

  • −Virtual, not true, surround
  • −Less known audio brand

Buy it if: Buyers who like to tune sound for different content.

Skip it if: You want a heritage speaker brand.

3

Best Processing

Samsung B-Series Soundbar HW-B550F 2.1ch DTS Virtual:X with Subwoofer

Our verdict: DTS Virtual:X, bass boost and adaptive sound alongside a bundled subwoofer.

Samsung's HW-B550F is a 2.1 channel bar with an included subwoofer, DTS Virtual:X, a bass boost mode and adaptive sound that adjusts to the content. It lands in the $200 to $500 range.

Third place is mostly about ecosystem and price. Adaptive sound adjusts the output for dialogue or action, which saves fiddling, and bass boost gives movies a push. It costs more than the Hisense and offers fewer manual EQ choices, so you are paying for the Samsung name and automatic processing rather than control.

Buy it if you already own a Samsung TV or prefer set-and-forget sound. If you like to tweak, take the Hisense.

Channels
2.1
Subwoofer
Included
Processing
DTS Virtual:X, Adaptive Sound
Extra
Bass Boost

What we like

  • +Adaptive sound adjusts automatically
  • +Bass boost for movies
  • +Included subwoofer
  • +DTS Virtual:X widens stereo

Watch out for

  • −Costs more than the Hisense
  • −Fewer manual controls

Buy it if: Samsung households that want hands-off sound.

Skip it if: You want to fine-tune EQ yourself.

4

Best Ultra-Slim

Polk Audio Signa S2 Ultra-Slim Sound Bar for Smart TV with Subwoofer

Our verdict: An ultra-slim Polk bar with an included subwoofer for tight TV stands.

The Signa S2 is an ultra-slim soundbar for smart TVs with an included subwoofer, from Polk Audio. It sits in the $200 to $500 range and is the older sibling of the S3.

It ranks fourth because it offers the same brand pedigree in a thinner shape, which matters under TVs with low-slung feet. The listing does not describe the subwoofer as wireless the way the S3 does, so placement may be less flexible. It also comes from an earlier generation, so connectivity may feel dated next to the Hisense.

Buy it if your TV stand leaves no space for a taller bar. Otherwise the S3 is the better version of the same idea.

Bar design
Ultra-slim
Subwoofer
Included
Brand
Polk Audio
Price range
$200 to $500

What we like

  • +Ultra-slim fits low TV stands
  • +Polk speaker heritage
  • +Subwoofer included
  • +Simple smart TV pairing

Watch out for

  • −Sub wireless status not stated
  • −Older generation than the S3

Buy it if: TVs with short feet and little clearance.

Skip it if: You want the newest connections or a wireless sub.

5

Best Budget Surround

ULTIMEA 5.1 Sound Bar for Smart TV, Virtual Surround, Stereo Shelf System

Our verdict: A 5.1 virtual surround soundbar with a bundled subwoofer at a friendly price.

The ULTIMEA is sold as a 5.1 soundbar for smart TVs with virtual surround and an included subwoofer, in the $100 to $200 range. The 5.1 label describes the processing and speaker count rather than a bar with true rear channels.

It takes fifth because virtual surround at this price is a real attraction, and a bundled sub adds bass. But the 5.1 figure should be read as a marketing claim: a single bar cannot place sound behind you the way separate rear speakers do. The brand has no speaker heritage.

Buy it if you want a wider sound on a modest budget. Keep expectations at 'bigger stereo', not true surround.

Format
5.1 virtual surround
Subwoofer
Included
Use
Smart TV, shelf system
Price range
$100 to $200

What we like

  • +Virtual surround at low cost
  • +Subwoofer included
  • +Works with smart TVs
  • +Can serve as a shelf system

Watch out for

  • −5.1 is virtual, not true
  • −No audio brand heritage

Buy it if: Budget buyers who want a wider soundstage.

Skip it if: You expect real rear-channel effects.

6

Best Detachable Design

Assistrust Sound Bar with Subwoofer, 110W, Adjustable Deep Bass & Volume Boost, 3 Equalizer Modes

Our verdict: A 110W bar with a detachable design, adjustable bass and three EQ modes.

The Assistrust soundbar lists 110W of power, a detachable design, adjustable deep bass and three equalizer modes, with a subwoofer included. It costs $50 to $100.

It lands sixth because it is the cheapest set with real tuning controls, and the detachable design lets you separate the bar into pieces for different placements. The 110W figure is a peak or system rating that companies use freely, so we do not treat it as proof of loudness. Without a named brand history, long-term reliability is unknown.

Buy it if you want adjustable bass and flexible placement on a small budget. Check the return policy.

Power
110W listed
Design
Detachable
EQ
3 equalizer modes
Price range
$50 to $100

What we like

  • +Adjustable deep bass
  • +Three equalizer modes
  • +Detachable, flexible placement
  • +Subwoofer included

Watch out for

  • −Power rating is a marketing figure
  • −Long-term reliability unknown

Buy it if: Small budgets that want tuning controls.

Skip it if: You want a trusted audio brand.

7

Lowest Price

Saiyin Sound Bar with Subwoofer, Home Theater Surround System for TV PC

Our verdict: The cheapest bundled bar and sub, usable with both TVs and PCs.

The Saiyin is a soundbar with a bundled subwoofer for TVs and PCs, sitting at $25 to $50. It is pitched as a home theater surround system, though the listing gives few technical details.

It finishes seventh because everything beyond the price is thin. There is no stated power, EQ or connection list, and the surround claim needs the usual skepticism. What it offers is the cheapest route to a bar-and-sub pair, and the PC compatibility is a handy bonus for a desk.

Buy it for a spare room, a dorm or a desktop where cost is the main constraint. Choose any of the six above for living-room use.

Subwoofer
Included
Use
TV and PC
Type
Home theater surround system
Price range
$25 to $50

What we like

  • +Lowest price in the ranking
  • +Subwoofer included
  • +Works with TV and PC
  • +Simple plug-in setup

Watch out for

  • −Very few specs listed
  • −Surround claim is unverified

Buy it if: Dorms, desks and spare rooms on the tightest budget.

Skip it if: You want a main living-room system.

Methodology

How We Ranked These

Subwoofer connection

We compared wireless and unspecified subwoofer links, since placement freedom decides how well the bass fills a room.

Brand and engineering

Established audio brands such as Polk and Samsung earned credit over unknown sellers, because voicing and reliability rarely show on a spec sheet.

Sound controls

EQ modes, bass adjustment and adaptive processing were weighed for how well they let you tune dialogue, movies and music.

Surround processing

Dolby Audio, DTS Virtual:X and virtual surround claims were treated as widening features, not as true rear channels.

Size and value

Low-profile and slim bars were rated for fit under TVs, and price tiers from $25 to $500 were set against the features delivered.

Every Primea Score uses the same weights: Performance 30% · Build & Materials 20% · Everyday Usability 20% · Value 20% · Owner Satisfaction 10%. Full scoring rules

Buyer's guide

How to Pick the Right One for You

By Budget

Price sorts this group more than any other trait, so start with what you are willing to spend.

SpendOur pick
$25 to $50Saiyin Sound Bar with Subwoofer
$50 to $100Assistrust 110W Sound Bar
$100 to $200, tuningHisense HS2100
$100 to $200, surroundULTIMEA 5.1 Sound Bar
$200 to $500Polk Audio Signa S3

Wireless vs Wired Subwoofer

SubwooferOur pick
Wireless, any placementPolk Audio Signa S3
Wireless with EQ modesHisense HS2100
Included, set-and-forgetSamsung HW-B550F
Included, ultra-slim barPolk Audio Signa S2
Included, lowest costSaiyin Sound Bar with Subwoofer

Real Brand vs Budget Brand

Established brand

Polk and Samsung bring voicing, support and a track record. The Polk Signa S3, Signa S2 and Samsung HW-B550F cost more but are better tuned and last longer.

Budget brand

ULTIMEA, Assistrust and Saiyin pack features into a small price. They suit spare rooms and desks, but support and long-term reliability are uncertain.

Choose an established brand for your main TV, and a budget brand only for secondary rooms.

By Surround Processing

ProcessingOur pick
Dolby Audio and DTS Virtual:XHisense HS2100
DTS Virtual:X with adaptive soundSamsung HW-B550F
5.1 virtual surroundULTIMEA 5.1 Sound Bar
Stereo with strong bassPolk Audio Signa S3
Basic stereo and bassAssistrust 110W Sound Bar

For Apartments Specifically

Look for

A bass level control, a night mode and a wireless sub you can move away from shared walls. Lower volume at night while keeping dialogue clear.

In this ranking

The Hisense HS2100 with six EQ modes and the Assistrust with adjustable bass give the most control. The Polk Signa S3 sounds balanced without tuning.

When to Spend More

Spend more if

The soundbar is your main TV audio and you watch for hours. The Polk Signa S3 at $200 to $500 offers the cleanest bass and build.

Save if

The system is for a spare room, a desk or a dorm. The Saiyin or Assistrust deliver bass for $25 to $100.

Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Will these soundbars work with any TV?+

Most connect by HDMI ARC, optical or Bluetooth, so they work with nearly any modern TV. Check which ports your TV has. Smart TVs generally support ARC.

What is the common mistake buying a soundbar with a sub?+

Putting the subwoofer in the wrong place. Bass behaves differently by position, so move the sub around before settling. Corners boost bass, and the middle of a wall can sound thinner.

Is a soundbar and sub worth it over TV speakers?+

Yes for most people. Built-in TV speakers are thin and can't produce bass. Even a budget set improves dialogue and movie impact.

How do I pair a wireless subwoofer?+

Plug in both units and the sub usually pairs automatically. If not, press the pairing button on the sub until the light turns solid. Check the manual for the exact steps.

How should I place the subwoofer?+

Start near the front, beside the TV stand, then try positions along a wall. Avoid enclosing it in a cabinet. Adjust bass level until voices stay clear.

Can I use the budget bars with a PC?+

The Saiyin lists PC compatibility, and others may work through Bluetooth or an audio cable. Check the inputs before you buy. A desktop may need a 3.5 mm or USB connection.

Final take

The Polk Audio Signa S3 is the soundbar and subwoofer set to buy if the TV is your main entertainment, thanks to its wireless sub and brand engineering. The Hisense HS2100 is the value pick with six EQ modes, and the Samsung HW-B550F suits set-and-forget households. Choose the ULTIMEA, Assistrust or Saiyin only for secondary spaces where price is the first rule.

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