A Vizio TV is renowned for clear picture and impressive visuals, but what if the factory speakers don’t measure up? After testing those for over a week, we can confidently say that these are the best soundbars for Vizio TV that will save you from the disappointment, and give you a viewing experience we wouldn’t want you to miss!
Reviews of The Best Vizio Soundbars
1. VIZIO SB36512-F6B 5.1.2
The Vizio SB36512-F6B soundbar has a luxe design. It has a small profile that makes it a great match for Vizio’s TVs.
Nothing says premium in sound bars like Dolby Atmos technology. The SB36512-F6B Vizio soundbar features advanced hardware that can take advantage of your room structure.
The upward firing speakers and satellite speakers come together to deliver a true surround sound experience with this 5.1.2 channel soundbar. With bass and treble adjustments, you can fully customize the sound according to your liking.
Connections include one HDMI input, 3.5mm analog, optical, Ethernet, and digital coaxial. It could use more HDMI ports, but these options are enough since you only need an HDMI cable to connect it to your TV. This soundbar has Bluetooth as well, which allows you to stream audio wirelessly from your mobile device.
This particular Vizio soundbar can be integrated into a multiroom system and group multiple SmartCast devices together with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. With the features you get at an affordable price, this is one of the best-value models out there.
What We Like
- 5.1 surround system
- Excellent sound quality
- Upward firing speakers
- Wireless Bluetooth connectivity allows you to stream music
- Features Chromecast
- Can expand into multi-room streaming
- Compatible for use with SmartCast devices
- Dolby Atmos technology
- Sleek design for an affordable price
- Bluetooth for streaming audio wirelessly
- Bass and treble adjustments
What We Don't Like
- Only 1 HDMI port
- Very small indicator lights
2. Vizio SB3621n-E8 2.1 Channel Soundbar
The Vizio SB3621n-E8 is one of the Vizio soundbars with a dedicated subwoofer but no rear satellite speakers. For a smaller space, this is still enough to generate enough headroom and immersive sound. The soundbar itself is capable of producing 100db of crystal clear sound at any volume with minimal harmonic distortion.
The wireless external subwoofer only adds to the impressiveness of this Vizio soundbar by delivering earth-shattering bass response. If you’re a bass lover, this will tick all the right boxes. The wireless connection between the sound bar and subwoofer is established with Bluetooth, which also allows you to connect it to other external devices like JBL Flip 4 and JBL Charge 3.
Bluetooth connectivity can also support wireless music streaming from mobile devices to the soundbar. This makes it a lot easier to access streaming services. On the whole, this is one of the best Vizio soundbars out there.
What We Like
- Wireless subwoofer for deep bass
- 100db of loud audio power
- Crystal clear sound
- Minimal harmonic distortion
- Bluetooth allows you to stream music
- Offers DTS X advanced audio technology for great performance
- SmartCast
- Easy setup
What We Don't Like
- No Wi-Fi
- Large subwoofer might be too bulky for some
3. Vizio V21-H8 2.1 Channel Home Theater System
For those with limited space but want one of the best Vizio soundbars with booming bass, the Vizio V21-H8 soundbar is a good option. This soundbar features the components needed for spacious audio but with a small footprint compared to other products. With the sound bar featuring a flatter design and the subwoofer measuring at only 5 inches, finding a place for the audio devices will be easy.
This soundbar subwoofer combo is optimized to process 4K HDR content, making them a wonderful match for your TV. Movie fans will also enjoy the Dialogue sound mode, which ensures dialogue clarity and clear voice quality when watching films.
As for sound quality, this soundbar produces 96db of pure unaltered sound and good bass quality. With the use of DTS Virtual:X, the V21-H8 soundbar fills the room with engrossing 3D sound. Overall, this inexpensive soundbar offers a good amount of features that’s better than your TV’s built-in speakers.
What We Like
- High quality sound output
- Small soundbar that's ideal for smaller TVs
- Optimized for 4K HDR content
- 96db of powerful sound
- Dolby True Volume
- Google Assistant
- Bluetooth connectivity for music listening
- External sub for bass
- Dialogue clarity
What We Don't Like
- Doesn't support Atmos
- Doesn't use Wi-Fi
4. Vizio SB3651-E6 SmartCast 5.1 Wireless Soundbar System
The Vizio SB3651-E6 is a SmartCast soundbar that comes with a subwoofer and two wired rear speakers. The silver panel accents make this system a good addition to your home and will add a high end touch.
The 5.1 channel soundbar can deliver true surround sound and bring the theater experience into your living room. Use it to stream anything you like from mobile devices right to your soundbar via the built-in Bluetooth.
Google Assistant and Chromecast are both built into this Vizio soundbar to offer more streaming options and hands-free control. However, the SB3651-E6 does come with a small remote to adjust settings.
Overall, this is one of the better Vizio soundbars in the market.
What We Like
- Bluetooth built in for streaming music
- High end design
- Includes a separate subwoofer
- Chromecast enabled
- Google Assistant for hands-free control
- True surround sound
- Includes remote control
What We Don't Like
- No WiFi connectivity
- Less enhancement for mid-range frequencies
5. Vizio SB2920-C6 29-Inch 2.0 Channel Sound Bar
The sleek and streamlined design of the Vizio 29-inch soundbar is a good addition to your home. This unassuming soundbar can pelt out up to 95 dB of sound with less than 1% harmonic distortion at any volume.
At 29 inches, this soundbar can still easily outperform your factory TV speakers with its high end audio tech and built in sub. The Studio SoundTM, Tru Volume TM and TruSurroundTM makes great quality acoustics.
It also offers Bluetooth, allowing you to use a wireless connection if you want to stream music and movie files from your mobile devices.
The setup is simple with the Vizio SB2920-C6. It includes everything you need in the box including the cables and remote control.
With all the features it offers at this price, this speaker is one of the best soundbars for Vizio TVs.
What We Like
- Streamlined 29 inch design
- Offers 95 dB of loud, expansive sound
- Minimal harmonic distortion when watching movies, tv shows, and listening to music
- Two full-range stereo speakers
- Includes the remote control
- Lightweight
- Allows you to stream content wirelessly
- Simple set up
- Great surround speakers
What We Don't Like
- No HDMI input
- No WiFi connectivity
6. Vizio V51-H6 5.1 Channel Soundbar System
The Vizio V51-H6 soundbar resembles the Vizio V21-H8, but with rear speakers. This means that the Vizio V52-H6 can produce true surround sound. The V51-H6 is also optimized for 4K HDR and Dolby Audio content to ensure higher-end sound effects.
The design is low profile and the rear speakers take up amazingly little surface space while still providing an experience similar to theater sound. Even with such a small size and compact design, the Vizio V51-H6 soundbar features 6 high-end drivers, making it one of the best soundbars on our list.
With DTS Virtual:X sound and volume adjustments, this Vizio soundbar increases the audio quality of your Vizio TV compared to your TV’s built-in speakers.
What We Like
- Soundbar and subwoofer combo
- Optimized for 4K HDR and Dolby Audio
- Includes DTS Virtual: X technology
- Low profile
- Volume adjustments
- Small LED indicators
What We Don't Like
- Wired satellite speakers
- No WiFi
Soundbar for Vizio TV Buying Guide
When you’re searching for high-performing soundbars that match your Vizio TV, there are some things and features you should know to get it right in the end. To aid you in finding the best Vizio sound bar that fits your audio needs, we’ve made a list of some of the important factors to look for in products.
Design
Sound bars all feature an elongated and slim shape designed to be set in front of your TV or on the wall. Since the make of these products are considerably small and lightweight, finding a spot for them shouldn’t be difficult.
The only thing you should make sure of is that the soundbar placement won’t block the remote sensor on your Vizio TV. This can get in the way of great sound quality when you’re listening.
Does the sound bar include access to a control panel? A control panel built right onto the sound bar is convenient when setting up and when a remote is misplaced. Having LED indicators, like those on the Sonos Beam, are helpful as well. There are also compatible apps and soundbars that can be configured to work with a universal remote, but more on that later.
How big should your soundbar be? In the end, soundbars and TVs should have almost the same size, but completely matching products are difficult to find.
We recommend looking for a soundbar that is a few inches smaller than your Vizio TV. If you have a smaller room, a compact soundbar like the V21-H8 would more than do the job. And while we’ve tested brands such as Sonos and Yamaha for various reviews, Vizio still works well for a Vizio TV.
Audio Technology
The soundbar’s main job is to make a much improved audio performance compared to the built-in speakers you have on your TV set. And in this aspect, Dolby Audio and DTS are the two technologies that theaters and soundbar models use all over the world. These support the latest sound formats, and are also the main features of regularly seen soundbars on many of our top lists. Models like the Sonos Beam and the Vizio SB3220n-F6 both have Dolby support.
Aside from knowing what sound formats are supported by your soundbar, you can also get special sound modes in some product options. Different content would need different settings, and every sound mode tunes the sound bar to fit what media is playing. For example, soundbars with movie mode will be configured to deliver a clearer speech quality and clean up background noise for top-notch sound effects.
Aside from Dolby and DTS, there are other enhancement technologies that are unique to certain brands and models, like the S-Force Surround in Sony soundbars. Not every soundbar has these technologies, as they’re usually proprietary from the brand. From our reviews, however, these two create the most immersive surround sound quality in a lot of product options and competing models we’ve tested.
Channels
What do the numbers mean on a soundbar [1]? In the case of a soundbar with 2.1 channels, the number 2 pertains to the 2 drivers/channels where sounds are emitted. The latter number dictates how many subwoofers come with the soundbar.
Sometimes you’d see 3-digit soundbar channels like 7.1.2. In this case, the third number refers to the rear speakers available. The more channels a system has, the more it’s capable of surround sound. In this case, products or models that feature 5 channels are the industry standard.
But in the end, it all depends on the stereo performance you’re looking to get. If you want a significant upgrade from your built-in speakers, though, the best soundbars would at least have a dedicated center channel for better performance.
How much difference does the number of channels make? Read about our comparison of 5.1 VS fewer channels here.
Subwoofer
Is it necessary for your Vizio soundbar to have a subwoofer? After all, soundbars that don’t have a subwoofer (like the Sonos Beam) can still emulate the low tones of a sub. However, soundbars that are set with built-in subs rarely match the full bass power and range of an external one. So if you need audio that pumps out way more low end frequencies, we recommend getting products that come with their own wireless subwoofer for better movies, tv shows, and music every time.
Soundbars with a wireless subwoofer, such as the Yamaha YAS 209, demand more space, but most external subs in top brands are only a few inches tall and don’t even require cables to connect. This type of subwoofer affords users the flexibility of placement, which makes up for the larger size of the subwoofer. If you’re confused where to put your sub, one way you could do it is by placing it along the front wall. This lets you get much more thunder out of the bass every time.
Whether you’re picking a built-in or an external sub, make sure it suits your preferences. We recommend that you buy something that allows you to use an additional bass module in case you want to increase the immersive experience especially in the low end spectrum.
Wireless Connection
Wireless connections like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are important if you like to stream music or add a new speaker your Vizio soundbar system. Streaming movies, TV shows, or music from mobile devices will allow you to enjoy your favorite content with immersive sound.
Compared to a wired setting, installing a soundbar without wires can minimize clutter. You’re even capable of upgrading your stereo soundbar to a multi-room surround set to enjoy content from every room in the house.
Access to smart voice controls like Alexa are also available in a wide range of top-notch products. Sound bars with smart features, like the Sonos Beam and Vizio Elevate, usually have a more expensive price tag, but a lot of people like the value that voice control gives. After all, the best soundbar won’t just provide a good listening experience, but access to some extras as well, and that’s what a smart soundbar provides.
Connections
It’s imperative that the connection options offered by your Vizio TV is on the sound bar as well. The two devices will only be able to connect via compatible connections.
Some connectivity inputs found in soundbars include optical digital, analog, RCA, and HDMI inputs. Audio cables are usually included in the box as well. HDMI inputs are important especially in today’s devices, so check if the soundbar has HDMI ports. You can connect better with digital support rather than analog, particularly because they can decode digital audio technologies. That said, there are also soundbars today that offer one or two analog inputs should you need them.
In all the product tests we’ve done, HDMI ARC remains the most ideal digital feature as it supports 4K HDR passthrough and maintains better audio quality than other options. You can find HDMI ARC connectivity in most high-performing Dolby Atmos soundbars, as these usually have an HDMI ARC port. Then again, in our reviews, an optical digital input connection via optical cable works fine.
But aside from HDMI connectivity, having one ethernet port and USB ports are other important features as well. If you like to store audio files in a USB stick, you can just plug that in the USB input and enjoy your music.
Installation and Control
The best sound bars would have an easy setup and installation process. If you’re one of the newbie people, most Vizio soundbars are plug-and=play. As such, they are the easiest to set up. Plus, having a remote for the speaker is convenient. Or you may prefer a universal remote, which can control other components like DVD and Blu-ray players.
Consider the space you have as well. You may have to mount the soundbar if there’s not enough space in your TV stand.
A cable is usually included in the box, so everything will work nicely without needing to get anything else. A soundbar that comes with a simple remote control also allows a seamless product installation. As mentioned, many top-quality products like Sonos Arc, Sonos Beam, Roku Soundbar and Yamaha YAS-209 have access to smart features as well.
In most soundbars, you can also use the compatible app which doubles as a remote. It’s much more convenient to control your devices from the palm of your hand with a remote or your phone than to use the control panel on the soundbar. Plus, most people want to use remote controls because it’s a familiar device.
In case you encounter any performance problems like sound delays or if you can’t get the unit to work, the soundbar should include a manual or a user guide as well. It should show you the steps involved in setting up and using the device.
Price
When people buy speaker products online, one thing they look at is the price. Of course, we have a budget when we pick out any device. Depending on the build quality and stereo performance you need, you might be willing to pay a higher price for a new product.
More affordable options like 50-dollar soundbars are available, but the build quality of these are usually flimsy. And while it can be tempting to buy the cheapest device out there, it’s important to know what features you would like to get in the end. That said, check competing models to see if you could get more advanced features for the same price.
Do you want a truly immersive surround sound? Products with DTS:X or Dolby Digital are better options than models without, as they support advanced audio formats. Do you want your soundbar to feature smart functions, LED indicators, a thumpy bass, or with extras like Apple Airplay 2 and Google Assistant? If yes, a premium soundbar is what you want.
All these things contribute to the price of the products. Think about what you like or what you need, and find a good value soundbar that matches it. There are higher end products that are in a steeper price range, such as Sonos speakers and some Roku models.
FAQ
What soundbar is compatible with Vizio TV?
Vizio soundbars are compatible with a Vizio TV. Although other brands can also fit well with your Vizio TV, our experts have found that for a seamless experience, soundbars of the same brand are the best match.
Is Vizio a good soundbar?
Yes, Vizio is a good soundbar. They are optimized for higher quality 4K content and one of the soundbars with the most advanced Dolby Atmos technology and DTS.
Is Samsung Sound Bar compatible with Vizio TV?
Yes, a Samsung soundbar is compatible with a Vizio TV. However, our experts have found that Vizio soundbars work best with a Vizio TV.
The Best Vizio TV Soundbar: Vizio SB36512-F6B
The Vizio SB3651-F6B takes the best soundbar spot for a variety of reasons, but the most important one is the impeccable sound quality. This surround sound system has a wireless subwoofer and rear satellite speakers accompanying the soundbar to deliver a true surround sound experience. Bass and treble adjustments allow you full control over audio quality as well.
With Dolby Atmos support, this Vizio soundbar is a leading option for expansive sound while supporting advanced sound formats. Build your system with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to stream music from other devices. Overall, the Vizio SB3651-F6B is one of the best soundbars out there, and is surround sound embodied at an affordable price.
Want to see more top performing soundbars? See our recommendations for Sony sets.
