Black Friday 2026 Soundbars: What to Check Before You Buy

Start with how it connects to your TV: HDMI ARC or eARC is the easiest, and optical is a common backup. Then check the channel layout, whether a subwoofer comes with it and whether the bar fits the space under your screen. More in the headphones and audio department.

Connect it to your TV

Look at the back of your TV. Many have an HDMI port labeled ARC or eARC, which sends audio to the soundbar over one cable and often lets your TV remote handle volume. An optical audio port also works, and a few TVs only offer a headphone jack or Bluetooth.

Match the ports on both devices before buying. An HDMI eARC port is helpful for higher-quality audio formats, and it needs a soundbar that supports it.

Channels and what the numbers mean

A soundbar with extra channels uses reflections off the walls to simulate surround sound. How well that works depends on your room. Smaller or oddly shaped rooms usually get less benefit.

Soundbars to compare

Check the soundbar width against your TV and the connection it uses. The links below split listings by soundbar setup.

Shop soundbars→

Opens eBay in a new tab. Check condition, seller feedback and returns.

• 2.1Browse →
• 5.1Browse →
• Dolby AtmosBrowse →
• With subwooferBrowse →
• CompactBrowse →
• SonosBrowse →

Subwoofer choices

Bass from a slim bar is limited. A wireless subwoofer you can place on the floor adds weight to action scenes and music. Some bars have a built-in sub and no extra box. Others sell the sub as an add-on. Check if one is included and whether it needs its own power outlet.

Size and placement

Measure your TV and the shelf. A bar usually works best when it is about as wide as the TV or slightly narrower. Check the height, since a tall bar can block the TV’s remote sensor or bottom edge. Many soundbars include wall-mount brackets.

Rear speakers, when included, need power and a place to sit behind you. Wireless ones still need an outlet.

Dialogue, modes and extras

Look for a voice or dialogue mode that makes speech clearer. Night mode lowers loud peaks. Features such as Wi-Fi streaming, voice assistant support and app control are common on higher-end bars. Bluetooth lets you play music from your phone.

Check the remote, the display lights and whether you can control settings without a phone app.

Gaming consoles and other sources

If a game console, streaming stick or cable box plugs into the TV, the TV usually passes their sound to the soundbar through ARC or eARC. Some soundbars also have their own HDMI inputs, which suits setups where the TV has few ports. Check whether the TV can pass through the surround formats your sources send, since some only pass stereo over ARC.

Room and listening position

A soundbar sounds best when it sits directly below the screen at ear level or close to it, and when nothing blocks the front of it. Placing it inside a cabinet muffles the sound. In a small room, a simple two-channel bar with a good dialogue mode may beat a complex surround system. Large or open rooms benefit from a separate subwoofer and, if available, rear speakers.

Setup and cables

Most soundbars ship with an HDMI cable, an optical cable or both, along with a power cord and a remote. After connecting, turn on HDMI control in your TV settings and set the TV speakers to external. Many bars learn your TV remote, which means one remote does the volume. Run the bar’s setup or calibration option if it has one, since it adjusts sound to your room.

Buying online

For marketplace listings, make sure the photos show the soundbar and each part that should come with it: remote, subwoofer, rear speakers, cables and mounting brackets. Check the exact model number and confirm the ports. Ask whether the unit has been tested with HDMI and powered on. Read the seller’s feedback and return policy, and look for sealed boxes on new items.