Best sound bars under $100

Top pick: Onn 2.1 Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer. A separate wireless sub is the single biggest upgrade you can get at this level — it gives real bass instead of the thin, boxy sound most budget bars produce, and it's a 34-inch bar that sits under most TVs without blocking the screen.

Who the others suit:

• Onn 20" Bluetooth 2.1 with LED lighting — the crowd-pleaser: the strongest owner ratings here by a wide margin, compact, and fine for a bedroom or small TV.
• Cowin Sound Bar for Smart TV — if you want a plain, no-frills bar with a solid rating and simple TV hookup.
• Apollo S40 Pro Detachable — for a smaller room or a desk setup; the detachable design lets you split the channels apart.
• ADIEMUS GS560 — a cheap, well-rated starter bar for a secondary TV.
• TOPVISION / Ccdes / Fenbeli — only if budget is the whole story; expect modest volume and little bass.

Skip anything without HDMI or optical input if your TV's speakers are the problem — Bluetooth alone adds lip-sync lag.