Upgrading the audio on your VIZIO TV is one of the most effective ways to improve your home entertainment. The built-in speakers on most modern televisions, while slim, often lack the power and clarity needed for a truly cinematic experience. A dedicated soundbar can provide a significant audio upgrade, delivering clearer dialogue, richer music, and more impactful sound effects for movies, sports, and gaming.
With so many options available, from simple 2-channel bars to advanced Dolby Atmos systems, finding the right match for your VIZIO TV can seem challenging. This roundup simplifies your search by highlighting eight excellent soundbars that pair perfectly with your setup. We have selected models that offer a range of features and performance levels to suit different room sizes, listening preferences, and budgets, ensuring you can find the ideal audio companion.
Our Top Soundbar Picks for Your VIZIO TV
- VIZIO V-Series 2.0 Home Theater Sound Bar
- VIZIO M-Series 5.1 All-in-One Sound Bar System
- VIZIO Elevate 5.1.4 Home Theater Sound Bar
- VIZIO M-Series 2.1 All-in-One Sound Bar
- Sonos Beam (Gen 2) – Smart TV Sound Bar
- Bose Smart Soundbar 600
- Samsung HW-Q800C 3.1.2ch Dolby Atmos Soundbar
- JBL Bar 500 5.0 Channel Multibeam Soundbar
VIZIO V-Series 2.0 Home Theater Sound Bar
For a straightforward and affordable audio upgrade, the VIZIO V-Series 2.0 sound bar is an excellent starting point. It is designed to directly replace the limited sound from your TV’s built-in speakers, offering a much clearer and more powerful audio output. This model is ideal for smaller rooms or bedrooms where a simple setup is preferred.
This soundbar features two full-range speakers that work to enhance dialogue clarity for TV shows and movies. With DTS Virtual:X technology, it can also create a more spacious and immersive soundscape from a single, compact bar. Its minimalist design ensures it fits neatly under most VIZIO TVs without obstructing the screen.
VIZIO M-Series 5.1 All-in-One Sound Bar System
If you want a true surround sound experience without the complexity of multiple separate speakers, the VIZIO M-Series 5.1 system is a compelling choice. This all-in-one package includes a soundbar and two satellite speakers that connect wirelessly, creating a cohesive 5.1 channel setup. It brings the excitement of a movie theater directly into your living room.
The system supports both Dolby Audio and DTS Virtual:X, which produces detailed height and surround sound effects. A dedicated wireless subwoofer is included to deliver the deep, rumbling bass that action films and music demand. This setup offers a significant step up in immersion from a standard soundbar.
VIZIO Elevate 5.1.4 Home Theater Sound Bar
The VIZIO Elevate represents the pinnacle of home theater audio from the brand, engineered for those who seek the best. This high-end system is a 5.1.4 channel setup, meaning it includes dedicated height channels for true Dolby Atmos and DTS:X object-based sound. The sound experience is remarkably three-dimensional.
Its most distinctive feature is the motorized speakers on the ends of the bar that automatically rotate upward when Dolby Atmos or DTS:X content is detected, firing sound toward your ceiling to create an overhead audio effect. Paired with a powerful subwoofer and rear satellite speakers, the Elevate system provides a genuinely cinematic and future-proof audio solution.
VIZIO M-Series 2.1 All-in-One Sound Bar
Striking a perfect balance between performance and value, the VIZIO M-Series 2.1 sound bar adds a crucial component for home theater: a dedicated subwoofer. The 2.1 configuration means you get two channels in the bar plus a separate channel for deep bass. This setup is ideal for users who want a noticeable boost in low-end impact without moving to a full surround system.
It supports DTS Virtual:X to simulate a more immersive sound field from the compact soundbar. The included wireless subwoofer ensures you feel the rumble of explosions and the depth of musical scores. This model is a fantastic mid-range option that delivers a substantial audio improvement for most content.
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) – Smart TV Sound Bar
The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) is a compact smart soundbar that excels in both sound quality and smart home integration. Its sleek design houses a powerful processor that enables true Dolby Atmos playback, creating a wide and detailed soundstage from a surprisingly small enclosure. Dialogue is exceptionally clear, making it a great choice for TV and movie viewing.
Beyond its audio capabilities, the Beam integrates seamlessly into the Sonos ecosystem, allowing you to wirelessly play music from hundreds of streaming services. With built-in voice control via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, you can manage your entertainment and smart devices with simple voice commands.
Bose Smart Soundbar 600
Bose is renowned for its clear, room-filling sound, and the Smart Soundbar 600 packs this quality into a slim, space-saving design. It features Bose’s TrueSpace spatial processing to deliver a wide, immersive audio experience that includes Dolby Atmos content. Despite its compact size, it produces a sound that seems to come from beyond the physical unit.
This soundbar is built for a connected lifestyle, offering both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth® connectivity for easy streaming. It also includes built-in voice control from Alexa and Google Assistant for hands-free operation. It’s an ideal solution for those who want premium Bose sound without a large, bulky bar.
Samsung HW-Q800C 3.1.2ch Dolby Atmos Soundbar
The Samsung HW-Q800C is a powerful 3.1.2 channel soundbar designed to deliver a premium Dolby Atmos experience. The “3.1.2” configuration indicates it has left, center, and right channels, a subwoofer, and two upward-firing speakers for overhead sound effects. This creates a highly immersive and three-dimensional audio bubble.
It features Q-Symphony technology, which allows the soundbar to work in concert with compatible Samsung TVs’ built-in speakers for an even more expansive sound. With Adaptive Sound technology, it analyzes the content in real-time to optimize audio settings for clear voice and enhanced sound effects at any volume.
JBL Bar 500 5.0 Channel Multibeam Soundbar
The JBL Bar 500 offers a unique 5.0 channel configuration with JBL’s Multibeam technology, which uses advanced signal processing to create a convincing surround sound experience from the soundbar itself. It includes four up-firing speakers for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X content, producing sound that seems to come from all around you.
This model is equipped with a 10-inch wireless subwoofer that delivers the powerful, deep bass JBL is known for. It also features JBL’s SoundShift technology, allowing for quick switching between your TV audio and a Bluetooth-connected device, so you can easily take a call or play music from your phone.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Soundbar for Your VIZIO TV
When I started looking for a soundbar for my own VIZIO TV, I realized it’s not just about picking the one with the most speakers. The goal is to find a partner that works seamlessly with your setup to improve your movie nights and music listening. The first thing I always check is connectivity. Most modern soundbars connect via HDMI ARC or eARC, and this is usually the simplest way to get great sound from your VIZIO TV. It often allows the TV remote to control the soundbar’s volume, which is a huge convenience. If your TV is a bit older, an optical audio connection is a solid, reliable fallback.
Next, I think about the soundbar’s configuration. You’ll see numbers like 2.1, 3.1, or 5.1. This tells you how many channels and if there’s a separate subwoofer. A 2.1 system is a fantastic starting point, adding clear dialogue and much-needed bass. If you watch a lot of news or dialogue-heavy dramas, a 3.1 system with a dedicated center channel can make a world of difference in clarity. For a more immersive, theater-like experience, a 5.1 system with surround sound satellites is the way to go. Consider the size of your room, too; a massive soundbar with a huge subwoofer might be overkill for a small space.
I also pay close attention to features that match how I use my TV. If you’re a movie fan, look for support for formats like Dolby Atmos or DTS:X, which create a three-dimensional soundscape. For gamers, a soundbar with a low-latency Game Mode can be critical to keep the audio in sync with the on-screen action. And if you stream a lot of music, check for built-in support for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or services like Spotify Connect for easy wireless playback. Finally, while brand matching isn’t strictly necessary, choosing one of the best soundbars for a VIZIO TV from the same brand can sometimes offer a more integrated experience with a single remote control app, but mixing brands works perfectly fine 99% of the time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a specific VIZIO soundbar for my VIZIO TV?
No, you absolutely do not. While using a VIZIO soundbar with a VIZIO TV can sometimes offer a slight edge in ease of setup with a unified remote app, any modern soundbar from any reputable brand will work perfectly. The connection standards like HDMI ARC and optical audio are universal. Your main focus should be on the soundbar’s features, sound quality, and price, not on brand matching.
What is the difference between HDMI ARC and optical audio?
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) is generally the preferred connection. It can carry higher-quality audio formats, like Dolby Atmos, and it allows for simpler control using your TV’s remote. Optical audio is a digital connection that still provides excellent sound but has limitations on the audio formats it can transmit and doesn’t usually allow for control via the TV remote. If your TV and soundbar both have an HDMI ARC port, that’s the one I would use.
Is a separate subwoofer important for a soundbar?
In my experience, yes, a separate subwoofer makes a significant difference. Soundbars themselves are limited in size, so they struggle to produce deep, powerful bass on their own. A dedicated wireless subwoofer handles the low-frequency effects (like explosions, deep musical notes, and rumbles) that give audio its weight and impact. For a truly full and balanced sound, a system that includes a subwoofer is highly recommended.
Can I use my existing speakers with a new soundbar?
Typically, no. Soundbars are all-in-one systems designed to work with their own specifically engineered speakers and, if included, their own subwoofer and satellite speakers. They are not meant to be used as an amplifier for your old, passive bookshelf or floor-standing speakers. There are very few exceptions to this rule, so it’s best to think of a soundbar as a complete, self-contained audio solution.
What do the numbers like 2.1 and 5.1 mean?
These numbers describe the speaker configuration. The first number refers to the number of main audio channels. The second number tells you if there is a separate subwoofer for bass. For example, a 2.1 system has two channels (left and right) and one subwoofer. A 5.1 system has five channels (left, center, right, plus two surround speakers) and one subwoofer. This is a key factor when selecting from the list of the best soundbars for a VIZIO TV, as it directly relates to the immersiveness of the sound.