Key takeaways
- Best feature: one-box design with HDMI ARC and built-in bass.
- Good for: living rooms, bedrooms, and users who do not want separate speakers.
- Limitation: the roughly 26-inch width may be too large for a narrow stand.
The best budget TV speakers under $100 are the Hisense HS214 for the simplest all-in-one setup, the Vizio V-Series 2.0 soundbar for flexible TV connectivity, and the Creative Stage SE for a compact desk or bedroom TV.
Our top picks
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Best budget TV speakers: quick picks
| Best for | Pick | Typical price range | Approx. width | Key connections |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Most people | Hisense HS214 | $70–$100 | 25.9 in | HDMI ARC, optical, Bluetooth |
| Clear dialogue and TV compatibility | Vizio V-Series 2.0 soundbar | $80–$100 | 24 in | HDMI ARC, optical, Bluetooth |
| Small TV stand or desk | Creative Stage SE | $50–$70 | 16.1 in | USB-C audio, optical, Bluetooth |
| Lowest-cost improvement | Creative Stage Air V2 | $45–$60 | 16.1 in | USB-C, Bluetooth |
| Separate left and right channels | Edifier R980T | $60–$80 | Each speaker: about 5.5 in wide | Dual RCA inputs |
Prices are general market ranges and can vary by retailer, promotion, and region. Before buying, confirm the exact model number and included cables because manufacturers sometimes sell closely related versions with different inputs.
1. Hisense HS214: best all-in-one choice
The Hisense HS214 is a compact 2.1-channel soundbar with an integrated subwoofer, making it a strong choice when you want fuller sound without finding space for a separate bass box. Its HDMI ARC, optical, and Bluetooth connections cover the needs of most modern televisions and streaming devices.
Dialogue is more intelligible than from many basic TV speakers, especially when the soundbar is placed directly below the screen rather than inside a cabinet. The built-in bass is useful for films and music, although it can sound less controlled in a very small room at high volume.
- Best feature: one-box design with HDMI ARC and built-in bass.
- Good for: living rooms, bedrooms, and users who do not want separate speakers.
- Limitation: the roughly 26-inch width may be too large for a narrow stand.
2. Vizio V-Series 2.0 soundbar: best for straightforward TV control
A Vizio V-Series 2.0 soundbar is a sensible pick when your priority is a simple connection to the television and improved speech at a low price. The 24-inch class cabinet fits below many 32- to 55-inch TVs without dominating the furniture.
HDMI ARC is the connection to use if available: it lets the TV remote control the soundbar’s volume and usually avoids switching inputs manually. Optical is a dependable fallback for older TVs, while Bluetooth is convenient for occasional phone listening.
The 2.0 design does not produce the same low-end impact as a soundbar with a subwoofer, but that can be an advantage in an apartment or bedroom. Less bass traveling through floors and walls means fewer complaints during late-night viewing.
- Best feature: useful connectivity in a narrow, TV-focused design.
- Good for: news, sports, sitcoms, and regular streaming.
- Limitation: modest bass compared with models containing an integrated or separate subwoofer.
3. Creative Stage SE: best compact soundbar
The Creative Stage SE is unusually small for a TV soundbar, at approximately 16.1 inches wide. It is better suited to a bedroom, office, dorm room, or desktop display than a large lounge-room television. Optical and Bluetooth make it useful with many TVs, while USB-C audio is handy when connected to a computer.
Its compact enclosure cannot move as much air as a longer soundbar, so it will not create a wide cinematic presentation. However, it can make voices sound more direct and present than tiny built-in TV drivers, particularly at close listening distances.
Choose this model when physical fit matters more than room-filling volume. Measure the usable space between the TV feet first; a soundbar that fits under the screen is more useful than a larger model that must sit behind or beside it.
4. Creative Stage Air V2: best for a very small budget
The Creative Stage Air V2 is a small USB-powered speaker bar designed primarily for desks and compact screens. Its Bluetooth and USB-C connections are convenient, but it is not as TV-friendly as an HDMI ARC or optical soundbar. Some televisions may not provide suitable USB audio, and USB power does not always carry audio by itself.
This is the right purchase for a monitor, a small secondary TV, or a user who already knows the television supports Bluetooth audio. It is not the safest blind buy for a main living-room television because compatibility varies more than with HDMI ARC.
5. Edifier R980T: best inexpensive stereo separation
The Edifier R980T is a pair of powered bookshelf speakers rather than a soundbar. Each speaker is about 5.5 inches wide and 7.5 inches deep, so the pair needs considerably more furniture space than a single bar. In return, the left and right speakers can create a more natural stereo image when positioned several feet apart.
There is no HDMI ARC, optical input, or Bluetooth on this model. It uses analog RCA connections, so it works best with a TV that has a headphone output or analog audio output, or with a separate digital-to-analog converter. That extra equipment can remove the price advantage.
Use the R980T when music and stereo listening matter, the TV has a compatible analog output, and you can place the speakers symmetrically. For a quick plug-and-play television upgrade, a soundbar is easier.
Which one fits your situation?
| Your situation | Best choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Under $60 and a desk or bedroom TV | Creative Stage Air V2 | Small and inexpensive, provided Bluetooth or USB audio is compatible. |
| TV stand is about 18 inches wide | Creative Stage SE | Its compact bar is more likely to fit without blocking the screen. |
| You want HDMI ARC and minimal setup | Hisense HS214 or Vizio V-Series 2.0 | Both offer TV-oriented connections and remote-volume control through ARC. |
| Late-night apartment viewing | Vizio V-Series 2.0 | Controlled bass is less likely to disturb other rooms than a bass-heavy system. |
| Music and wide stereo placement matter | Edifier R980T | Separate speakers provide left-right separation, assuming analog output is available. |
| Large room and action movies | Hisense HS214 | Its integrated bass generally sounds fuller than a basic 2.0 bar. |
How to choose the right connection
Use HDMI ARC when possible
HDMI ARC is usually the best option for a TV soundbar. Connect the soundbar to the television’s HDMI port labeled ARC or eARC, then select the corresponding audio-output setting in the TV menu. Enable HDMI-CEC if volume control does not work from the TV remote.
Choose optical for reliability
Optical audio works well when the television lacks ARC or when HDMI-CEC behaves unpredictably. It carries digital audio, but the TV remote may not control every soundbar unless the speaker supports a learning function or the TV has compatible settings.
Use Bluetooth for convenience, not always for lip-sync
Bluetooth is useful for phone music and can work with a television, but wireless delay may produce a mismatch between voices and faces. If lip-sync controls cannot correct it, switch to HDMI ARC or optical.
Measure the stand before ordering
Measure the clear horizontal space, not just the overall width of the furniture. Allow at least 1 inch of spare room on each side so the soundbar is not wedged against objects that can rattle. Also check height: a bar placed directly in front of a TV may cover the bottom edge or its remote sensor.
For example, if the usable opening is 18 inches wide, a 16.1-inch speaker leaves 1.9 inches total clearance, or about 0.95 inch per side. A 24-inch soundbar simply will not fit, even if the television itself is wide enough to accommodate it.
Ownership details that affect value
- Dust and fabric: vacuum grille cloth gently with a brush attachment; do not press the cone or spray cleaner into the grille.
- Heat: leave ventilation around the power adapter and soundbar. Do not cover it with a TV stand shelf or cloth.
- Cable strain: avoid sharply bending optical cables and leave slack behind the TV.
- Remote batteries: inexpensive soundbars often use standard button or AAA batteries; remove them if the system will be stored for months.
- Common setup mistake: leaving both the TV speakers and external speaker active can create an echo. Set the TV audio output to the soundbar or disable internal speakers.
- Bass expectations: a built-in subwoofer improves impact, but it cannot reproduce the depth of a large separate subwoofer. Compact 2.0 speakers usually give cleaner, quieter bass rather than cinema-level rumble.
Final recommendation
For the broadest combination of dialogue improvement, useful connectivity, and simple installation, choose the Hisense HS214 if its approximately 26-inch width fits your stand. Pick the Vizio V-Series 2.0 when you want a narrower, less bass-heavy system, and choose the Creative Stage SE when the available space is under 18 inches. The Edifier R980T is the better specialist option for stereo music, but only when your TV supports its analog connection.
