Best Soundbar With Subwoofer

TL;DR

The right soundbar + subwoofer combo comes down to (1) whether the sub is actually included in the box and (2) whether you’re getting HDMI eARC for reliable audio from built-in TV apps with fewer lip-sync headaches. For most people, we’d prioritize a bundle that’s easy to set up, has consistently good bass integration, and won’t make everyday TV watching feel finicky.

Top Recommended Soundbars

Top Pick: Best Overall Soundbars

JBL Bar 500: 5.1-Channel soundbar with MultiBeam™ and Dolby

Best for: A typical living room setup (think a 55–75 inch TV on a media console) where you want noticeably better movie and sports sound plus real bass impact, without adding rear speakers or fiddly calibration.

The Good

• Big improvement over TV speakers, especially for movies. This kind of 5.1-leaning soundbar bundle is aimed at impact: clearer front sound with a sub that can make action scenes and music feel more physical.
• Subwoofer is part of the “bundle” experience. In this class of product, the appeal is getting a bar + wireless subwoofer together, rather than shopping à la carte for bass later.
• Setup is straightforward for most homes. For buyers who want “plug it in and enjoy,” the JBL is often chosen specifically to avoid a complicated receiver-style install.
• Good day-to-day control via app. Owner impressions point to an overall smooth start-to-finish setup process, including updates and basic control.

The Bad

• No dedicated rear speakers included. You’re relying on front-stage processing/virtualization rather than true sound coming from behind you.
• Room layout matters more than people expect. Virtual surround effects depend on seating position, sidewall distance, and how reflective the room is; open-concept spaces tend to dilute the “wraparound” feel.

“The ease of setup for this soundbar was amazing. Getting it put together and updating the firmware was a breeze.” — verified buyer, 5 stars

Our Take: If you want a soundbar with a subwoofer that feels like a clear, immediate upgrade for streaming shows and movie nights — without committing to rear speakers — the JBL Bar 500 is a strong “most people” choice.

Bose Smart Soundbar 900 Dolby Atmos with Alexa Built-In,

Best for: A cleaner, premium-looking TV setup in a medium-size room where you care more about spacious Atmos height effects and dialogue clarity than chest-thump bass from a big included sub.

The Good

• Excellent “single-bar” immersion potential. This model is often shortlisted by buyers who want Atmos-style spaciousness without placing speakers around the room.
• Smart features and voice support. It’s designed to fit modern TV setups where streaming and voice assistants are part of daily use.
• Solid choice for dialogue-first viewing. Bose soundbars are commonly bought for TV clarity — helpful for news, dramas, and sports commentary.
• Pairs into a larger Bose ecosystem. If you’re already in Bose’s world (or plan to be), it’s easier to expand later than starting from scratch with mismatched gear.

The Bad

• Subwoofer may not be included. Many Bose setups are sold as separate components (bar now, sub later), so you must double-check the exact Amazon bundle contents if “with subwoofer” is a requirement.
• Some buyer reviews mention connectivity quirks. If your household is sensitive to CEC/input switching oddities, it’s worth scanning recent owner feedback for your TV brand/model combo.
• Cost adds up fast once you add bass. If you do end up buying a subwoofer separately, total system cost can climb into full home-theater-in-a-box territory.

Our Take: The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 makes sense when you want a premium Atmos-capable bar and you’re okay verifying (or adding) the subwoofer piece separately rather than assuming it’s in the box.

Samsung Q990D 11.1.4ch Soundbar

Best for: A larger living room or dedicated TV room where you can place additional speakers and you want “real” surround envelopment for Atmos movies at higher volumes.

The Good

• More like a full surround system than a basic soundbar. The draw here is the channel count and speaker coverage — you’re shopping for immersion, not just louder TV sound.
• Great for action movies and Atmos streaming. With a system designed for height and surround effects, you’re better positioned to hear positional cues that virtual-only bars often blur.
• Better fit for big rooms. If your seating is far from the TV or your room is open, having more speakers generally holds up better than trying to “bounce” sound around the space.
• High owner interest and lots of review volume. With a sizable pool of Amazon reviews, it’s easier to sanity-check common issues (setup, firmware, TV compatibility) before you buy.

The Bad

• More pieces, more placement decisions. You’ll need outlets and sensible locations for the sub and surrounds, plus some patience for initial setup.
• Overkill for small apartments. In a tight space, you may end up turning it down so far that you’re not getting what you paid for (especially late-night viewing).
• Higher price means higher expectations. At this tier, small annoyances (handshake quirks, app oddities, firmware changes) can feel less tolerable than on a budget bar.

Our Take: If you want a soundbar-with-subwoofer setup that behaves closer to a true surround system — especially in a bigger room — the Samsung Q990D is the kind of bundle that can justify the step up in cost and complexity.

FAQ

Do all soundbars come with a subwoofer?

No. Many soundbars are sold as the bar only, and some brands sell the subwoofer as an optional add-on (sometimes in multiple sizes/tiers). If “with subwoofer” is non-negotiable, confirm the exact SKU or bundle contents in the retailer listing — don’t assume.

Is HDMI eARC worth it for a soundbar + subwoofer setup?

Often, yes — especially if you watch via built-in TV apps (Netflix, Disney+, Max, etc.) and want the most reliable audio return path. The HDMI Forum’s guidance on ARC vs eARC is a good baseline: HDMI Forum/HDMI.org ARC and eARC overview.

What’s the practical difference between ARC and eARC?

In plain terms, eARC is the newer, higher-bandwidth “audio return” connection that tends to play nicer with modern formats and reduces the chance you’ll be stuck with limited audio options or extra lip-sync tweaking. Dolby also notes that Atmos-capable setups often rely on HDMI connections for best results: Dolby Atmos home theater overview.

What subwoofer size do I need for my room?

As a rule of thumb, bigger rooms generally benefit from a larger, more capable sub because it can move more air and maintain impact at typical listening levels. That said, placement and level matching matter as much as raw size — research and pro guidance around room acoustics (including AES-style fundamentals) suggests the room heavily shapes perceived bass, so even a strong sub can sound boomy if it’s in a bad spot.

Will a soundbar without rear speakers still sound like surround?

It can create a wider, more spacious sound, but it’s not the same as dedicated rear speakers. Virtual surround depends on your room reflecting sound in predictable ways and on you sitting in a “sweet spot.” If you want more consistent behind-you effects across multiple seats, a package with true surrounds (like multi-speaker bundles) is the safer bet.

How do I reduce bass so I don’t bother neighbors in an apartment?

Start with the subwoofer level control (turn it down more than you think), enable Night Mode if the bar offers it, and try moving the sub away from corners (corners often make bass louder and boomier). Also, keep in mind wireless subs still emit RF signals; for general guidance on wireless device safety and placement, see the FCC radio frequency safety guidance.

Do I need Dolby Atmos for a good soundbar experience?

No. Atmos can add a sense of height and space (especially with the right content), but a well-tuned non-Atmos bar with a good subwoofer can still be a huge upgrade for dialogue, music, and everyday TV. If you’re choosing between better overall sound quality vs checking an “Atmos” box, most people will be happier prioritizing clarity, stable HDMI eARC behavior, and a sub that blends smoothly.

What should I check before buying to make sure the subwoofer is included?

Look for bundle language that explicitly lists the subwoofer in “What’s in the box,” and cross-check the model name/part number in the listing details. This matters because some premium lines are frequently sold as bar-only listings alongside separate subwoofer add-ons, and the product title alone isn’t always reliable.

Bottom Line

For most shoppers, the JBL Bar 500 hits the sweet spot: strong, fun sound with a subwoofer experience that feels like a real upgrade, plus an easy setup flow that owner feedback consistently appreciates. If you’re chasing maximum immersion and can place extra speakers, step up to a full surround-style bundle like the Samsung Q990D; if you’re focused on a premium single-bar Atmos experience, the Bose option can work — just verify the subwoofer is actually included in your chosen bundle.

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