Do You Really
Need a Soundbar?
Probably.

It's something of a disconnect: even the cheapest televisions these days boast big screens with high definition displays. But in this age of "4K Ultra HD for all," there's one aspect where modern TVs are sorely lacking. And that's sound. Because as the sets get thinner (and makers look for other places to cut corners for competitive pricing), the speakers are what really take a hit. It's not all that surprising that these thin screens don't have much room for quality speakers, but what's a guy to do? Invest in a soundbar, it seems.

These sleek speakers are slim and subtle—designed to discreetly tuck under your television—plus they're surprisingly simple to set up. The best soundbars will effectively fill the room. They can nearly match a full-featured surround sound system, for a lot less money and way less effort. The tricky part is figuring out which one to get. We did our homework and consulted the field's most trusted experts to round up the five best options for your money. From an easy and affordable starter to full-featured and voice-activated models fit for a proper home theater, these are the ones to consider.