The Best Gaming Soundbars in 2024

Soundbars are becoming more popular as a middle-ground between relatively low-powered PC speakers and full-blown surround sound systems. While most of their popularity is among TV viewers, gamers have just as much to gain from adding a soundbar to their setups. Soundbars can vary widely across manufacturers and even within the same model type, as some come with subwoofers, remotes, voice control, RGB lighting, or any combination of these features.

Factors to Consider When Buying a Soundbar

Before choosing a gaming soundbar, consider these factors:

• Size: The overall size of a soundbar will determine whether it will fit better on a PC desk or an entertainment center and can also indicate how well sound will travel. Longer, yet thinner soundbars are great for sitting underneath screens, while shorter and wider options are best suited for sitting beside screens or on desks.
• Connectivity: Wireless soundbars are very popular, but depending on the type of TV a user has, wireless may not be the right way to go. Most soundbars have Bluetooth connectivity, which helps PC players and many TV owners, but others rely on an HDMI connection.
• Price: A soundbar is an excellent upgrade from normal speakers, especially those built into TVs. However, the price shouldn’t be more than the cost of an actual surround sound system. Most soundbars can be had for less than $300, while most surround sound systems cost around $1,000.

Considering these points, the best soundbars for gaming are ready and waiting to enhance players’ spaces in no time!

Game Rant’s Picks for the Best Gaming Soundbars in 2024

The VIZIO V-Series 5.1 soundbar is nearly a full surround sound system in and of itself. With two speakers and a subwoofer accompanying the soundbar, users can easily produce sound from anywhere in a room. The setup is even simpler with an included HDMI connection and seamless Bluetooth connectivity, with the set being controlled by the backlit remote.

The sleek black design of VIZIO’s home theater set looks great under TVs and on large PC desks, but it also performs extremely well. Dolby Audio and DTS Digital Surround support provide crystal clear sound and deep, resonating bass. Players looking to enhance 4K HDR content won’t be disappointed by the VIZIO V-Series 5.1 Home Theater Sound Bar. Plus, at just over $200, it’s one of the more affordable soundbars on the market.

Redragon is quickly becoming well-known among budget gamers, and now their efforts have spread to offer players affordable soundbars. Their GS560 RGB desktop soundbar is perfect for users who want to add quality sound to their colorful gaming space. This compact soundbar is just 16 inches long, making it ideal for sitting right under PC monitors. There are four different lighting modes, but players can also have the soundbar’s backlighting sync to audio from other devices through USB or 3.5mm connections.

The soundbar is super easy to install, as users can simply plug in any device they like through the USB or 3.5mm ports. Controlling the soundbar is similarly a breeze, with a touch control at the top available to cycle through lighting options, while a large knob on the faceplate allows for adjustments to the volume. It’s not the most powerful soundbar, but it might be the most affordable and still manages to deliver rich sounds that should be loud enough for someone sitting a desk away.

While it may not be the most expensive soundbar on the market, the Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2X comes close thanks to its many premium features. This sleek soundbar is available for just over $300 and includes a powerful subwoofer and a convenient remote control. The soundbar uses four strategically placed drivers in conjunction with the much larger bass driver in the subwoofer to deliver a realistic sound. Helping the physical components along are internal specs meant for hi-res audio devices, such as the Dolby Audio decoder.

For gamers in particular, the Katana V2 will enhance immersive gameplay no matter what platform it’s connected to. The soundbar set is compatible with PS5/PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC, Mac, and mobile devices, while the Bluetooth connectivity connects to most other devices.

A simple app allows players to adjust the audio to best suit their needs while also giving them a chance to change the ambient lighting through the RGB LEDs along the base. The slight build fits perfectly under most TVs and monitors, while the similarly compact subwoofer ensures any audio will sound as good as possible, even if the high quality is pricey.

Many players like having matching peripherals and one of the best brands for coordination is Razer. Now, with the Leviathan V2 X, PC users can add incredible sound to their setup, complete with customizable RGB lighting and compatibility with the Razer Synapse app. Installation is as easy as it gets, with a USB-C cord offering a plug-and-play setup, while Bluetooth wireless stands ready to connect to PCs and mobile devices.

This compact soundbar features two full-range drivers and two passive radiators to even out sounds and cut down on distortion. The small size is deceiving too, with the Leviathan V2 able to eke out up to 90 decibels. The sound pairs with lighting across 18 zones to create a more immersive experience, with the soundbar able to sync with some titles for game-specific lighting effects. A serious upgrade from basic speakers, the vibrant Leviathan V2 X is the perfect companion to Razer-based gaming rigs. Plus, those who want even better sound quality can get an upgraded version of the V2 with a subwoofer, although it’s much bigger and more expensive than the standard.

Finding a completely wireless soundbar can be tricky for console gamers, as most bars can’t connect wirelessly to TVs easily. However, the Sony HT-S400 2.1ch Soundbar is an impressive, if somewhat costly, option that checks all the boxes for wireless enthusiasts. Nearly three feet in length, this sizable soundbar comes complete with a powerful subwoofer too, evening out high tones with rich bass. Sony’s 2.1 soundbar presents a total of 330W of power, meaning that players never miss a beat in games or during movies.

The excellent audio delivers rich, clear tones and deep bass using Dolby Atmos and S-Force Pro front surround sound technology. Dialogue, footsteps, and other quiet notes ring true through the HT-S400, helping players spot enemies and immersing viewers in new worlds. Setup with this wireless soundbar is, as expected, a breeze. Players just need to plug it in and connect to it using a Bluetooth device. One major downside is the fact that there’s no voice control with this soundbar, but it’s a small sacrifice to make given the included remote control. PC and console gamers who want to cut cords while enhancing their audio will have everything they need with the Sony HT-S400 2.1ch Soundbar.

Soundbars are great, but nothing beats surround sound. Those looking to game with a low-profile, low-cost surround sound option should look no further than the JBL Bar 9.1 Soundbar System. This set comes with a wide sound bar, a hefty subwoofer, and two portable speakers for a total of 820 watts of system power. This JBL soundbar set allows for 4K audio passthrough, or users can rely on Bluetooth streaming from various smart devices.

The speakers are all extremely easy to set up and can be rearranged for use with PCs or TVs on the fly. The two auxiliary speakers can be placed anywhere, as they are wireless and can run for up to 10 hours before needing to be charged on the soundbar base. Although the main soundbar only has a single HDMI port, the versatility of the set makes this almost inconsequential to most users. Overall, it’s excellent for daily use in a gaming room and the occasional movie night on the couch.

The Anker Soundcore 2 is a simply designed soundbar that manages to provide crisp, clear audio no matter where a user is. This compact soundbar is the best audio enhancement option for gamers on the go thanks to its extreme durability and powerful speakers. The small size can easily be carried by hand or in a bag, and with a battery life of up to 24 hours, it’s almost always worth bringing along.

Despite its handheld design, the soundbar does come with two neodymium drivers that offer a range of sound and minimal distortion. The 12-watt power means the speaker is best suited to smaller spaces, but even so, the volume can get surprisingly high. Plus, players can connect two speakers to a single device for creating impromptu surround sound setups.

Additionally, the soundbar has a robust connection, using Bluetooth 5.0, that can be accessed using most smart devices. For gamers who want to take their great audio with them, the Anker Soundcore 2 is the most portable soundbar available.

The Puxinat 2-in-1 Separable Sound Bar is a fairly unique soundbar due to its titular design. The long soundbar can be split in two, making it easy to switch between intense gaming and immersive movie experiences at a moment’s notice. The set also comes with a 5.25-inch subwoofer, which evens out the sound overall, adding deep, 40Hz bass tones where needed.

The basic HDMI cord offers users a seriously simple setup with any TV or console, while Bluetooth can easily sync with smart TVs to reduce the hassle of switching inputs. While it may not be super advanced – with users who already have great-sounding TVs being a bit disappointed in the product reviews – it should be noted that this impressive sound system is available for less than $100 at the time of writing. Even when it isn’t on sale, it sits at around the $100 mark, a competitive price considering the quality.

The versatility of this soundbar is its greatest selling point, and it really can make a difference to split the soundbar to create a semi-surround sound experience. While gamers may be better off with a high-quality headset for true surround sound, the direct audio is excellent and when split, the movie-watching experience is greatly enhanced.

How to Choose Good Gaming Soundbars

Not every soundbar is a worthy investment, but with so many options around, it can be tough to know what to look for. Choosing soundbars made by reputable brands that have plenty of positive customer reviews is a great way to start, but some other key features should be carefully considered before making a purchase.

Size

Soundbars range in size from very small, almost like a portable speaker, to fairly large, big enough to look aesthetically pleasing beneath a TV screen. However, the size of a soundbar isn’t just a convenient thing, it also indicates how broad the sound emanating from it will be. Large rooms need large soundbars, though small soundbars will serve PC desks and bedrooms just fine.

Connectivity

Typically, soundbars can connect in three ways: over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi and through a direct HDMI connection. Bluetooth is a great choice for most PCs and TVs, though not every TV supports this. Similarly, wireless connections over Wi-Fi aren’t always supported by TVs, and they also tend to have noticeable lag or interference with other wireless devices. HDMI is the most reliable connection, but it can put a damper on clean, minimalist setups. Not every soundbar offers all types of connections either, so users should be sure to double-check the compatibility of the soundbar they’re looking to buy.

Price

Soundbars are a quick and easy way to upgrade basic speakers on a TV or next to a PC, often bridging the gap between low-quality sound and surround sound. They are far from a replacement for surround sound systems though, which on average cost about $700. That being said, there’s no reason to spend $1000 or more on a soundbar, as the only benefit is the ease of installation. A surround sound system will almost always outperform a soundbar, so users shouldn’t pay more than a few hundred dollars for one unless the convenience of installation is the absolute most important factor for a specific space.

FAQ

Q: What do soundbars do?

Soundbars are basically small speaker systems that sit below TV or PC screens to provide an immersive audio experience. Unlike a traditional surround sound system, which relies on multiple speakers and wires, sound bars are a simpler way to enhance the audio in a living room or gaming setup.

Q: Are soundbars good for gaming?

Gaming soundbars typically add to immersive audio with powerful bass and customizable sound profiles. Soundbars also tend to be much more compact and easier to set up than full on speaker systems, making them great for any gaming setup.

Q: Are soundbars or speakers better for gaming?

Soundbars are usually better for gaming because they come with better bass, can be connected via USB, and are more compact than speakers.

Q: Are soundbars as good as surround sound?

Not really. While a soundbar can replicate a surround sound experience using virtual surround sound technology, the sound field created by a surround sound system is almost always going to be more immersive and precise, if more expensive.

Q: How do soundbars connect to TVs?

Soundbars connect to TVs using either bluetooth, wi-fi, or a direct HDMI connection.

Q: How long do soundbars last?

Soundbars can be expected to last between 7 and 10 years.

Q: What is the difference between a 2.1 and 5.1 soundbar?

A 2.1 soundbar uses two speakers on either end of the device. Meanwhile, 5.1 soundbars use five speakers, some of which may be separate units that should be placed around the room to try to create a more immersive sound experience.

Q: Do soundbars work for PC?

Yes, soundbars work for PCs.

Q: Does a soundbar work better with HDMI?

Yes, the direct connection to a TV or PC through HDMI is better for soundbar performance, however wireless connection look sleeker and have no issues most of the time.