Soundbars are the new trend in the high-fidelity audio equipment market. They are the first choice for anyone who wants to get a better audio experience than the generic TV speakers. The TVs today have gone slimmer and slimmer which comes at a cost of less real estate for the speakers.
Since soundbars have dedicated speakers which can offer a deeper bass, crystal clear sound, and a better surround sound experience. Here, we have researched the best eight soundbars that one can purchase for a budget of Rs. 20,000 in India.
Best Soundbars Under Rs.20,000
| 1. Sony HT-RT3 5.1 | Overall Best Pick |
| 2. Sony HT-S20R | Runner-up Pick |
| 3. LG SL6Y | Value for Money Soundbar |
| 4. ZEBRONICS ZEB-JUKE BAR 9800 | All-round Performer |
| 5. SAMSUNG HW-R550 | Best Build Quality |
| 6. Sony HT-S350 | Feature-rich Soundbar |
| 7. ZEBRONICS ZEB-Juke Bar 9400 Pro | Budget All-rounder |
| 8. JBL Cinema SB160 | Honourable Mention |
Note: The price shown are the once when we reviewed the products. However, as the promotional offers changes on the given E-commerce sites, the price may vary. Bettershark is supported by it’s readers and when you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
1. Sony HT-RT3 5.1
Overall Best Pick
- 600W Powerful soundbar
- 5.1 Channel configuration
- Supports Bluetooth & NFC
Pros
Remarkable audio output
Immersive surround sound experience
Premium grade build
Cons
Speakers are not wireless
Sony is an established Japanese multinational conglomerate that is a well-known brand for its premium-grade consumer electronics products. It deals in a lot of segments, but home audio is one of its specializations.
Sony HT-RT3 is a power-packed soundbar with the biggest sound output on our list with a whopping 600W of total audio output.
Design and Build Quality
The Sony HT-RT3 soundbar comes with two rear speakers and a subwoofer. The soundbar has three different sections along with two external speakers for a better surround sound effect. The setup also has a dedicated subwoofer.
The overall build quality of the soundbar is great. It features a plastic body that has an extra glossy finish to it along with a mesh grille that is divided into three sections with a little breathing space in between. This gives a unique look to the soundbar.
The external speakers have the same finish with the glossy plastic body on the side with a mesh grille that runs in between.
Speakers and Sound Quality
The Sony HT-RT3 soundbar gives an immersive experience when plugged into a TV. The audio quality is unmatched and 600W sound output gives a theatre-like experience at your home. It features Dolby Digital support which enhances the experience even more.
The external speakers along with the subwoofer give a cinematic surround sound experience.
It comes equipped with Clear Audio+ technology which automatically improves the sound quality of the audio. It also features Sony’s S Master digital amplifier which helps to provide a distortion-free audio output even at higher volumes.
Miscellaneous
This soundbar comes with plenty of connectivity options and unlike most of the other soundbars, this one has all the connectivity options behind the subwoofer.
It offers Bluetooth along with NFC support for wireless connectivity which is quite rare to find in this price segment. Wired options include USB, HDMI ARC, and Optical-In.
It comes with a small and handy remote control which has a decent build along with all the necessary buttons on it.
Verdict
The Sony HT-RT3 soundbar is a perfect choice for those who don’t want any compromises with the audio quality. It gives an immersive surround sound experience along with a great quality of crystal clear audio and thumpy bass.
Although it goes slightly above the price point of our list still the price is reasonable when it comes to the experience you will be getting.
Specifications
| Remote | Yes |
| Configuration | 5.1 |
| Power Output | 600W |
| Connectivity Features | BT, NFC, USB, HDMI ARC, Optical-In |
2. Sony HT-S20R
Pros
Easy to set up
Rich connectivity options
Real cinema surround sound
Cons
Lots of wires
Sony HT-S20R is yet another offering from Sony that features 5.1 channel surround sound and offers a total audio output of 400W.
It is an entry-level soundbar with Dolby Audio support. Sony has also included a subwoofer and two rear speakers which take the surround sound experience to the next level.
Design and Build Quality
The Sony HT-S20R has 5 separate speakers denoting every channel in the setup along with a single subwoofer. This soundbar has three divided compartments with one speaker in each, just like the one we discussed above.
The soundbar has a good build quality and has a metallic mesh in the front protecting the three drivers. The external speakers also have the same metal grille that covers the drivers and gives a decent look to the setup.
The soundbar does not contain the LED screen nor it has the connectivity options like most of the soundbars in the market. Sony has integrated both of the options in the subwoofer. All the speakers have a separate wire in the back that needs to be connected back to the subwoofer.
Speakers and Sound Quality
The Sony HT-S20R is a 5.1 channel soundbar and it offers a real surround sound experience. It supports Dolby Digital Dolby and Dual Mono along with a total audio output of 400W.
It offers multiple sound profiles to choose from including modes like Music, Cinema, and Night mode. The unique night mode can compress the sound without affecting the clarity of the sound.
The subwoofer offers a good amount of bass and enhances the overall sound quality of the whole setup. The surround sound works amazing and it provides a theatre-like experience.
Miscellaneous
Sony has offered all the important audio connectivity options with the Sony HT-S20R. It offers Bluetooth connectivity for most of the soundbars on the list along with HDMI (ARC), USB, Optical-In along with Analog audio input.
The remote control that is being offered is the same as the first product on our list. It has a plastic build with a minimal and ergonomic design. The remote is functional, easy to use, and works efficiently.
Verdict
The soundbar delivers an awesome surround sound experience and offers 400W of massive audio output. It features multiple audio modes which enhance the sound according to the requirements.
It offers an overall balanced audio output which is way better than the output you were getting from your TV. It even performs well at the higher volumes which is impressive.
Specifications
| Remote | Yes |
| Configuration | 5.1 |
| Power Output | 400W |
| Connectivity Features | USB, HDMI (ARC), Optical In, BT |
3. LG SL6Y
Value for Money Soundbar
- 420W audio output
- Sleek and modern design
- Robust build quality
Pros
Good 3.1 channel performance
Premium design
Wireless rear speakers
Cons
Poor surround sound experience
LG is a South Korean brand that is now popular among the masses. It is one of the brands that stood strongly next to Samsung and created competition for it with its innovative products lineup.
LG SL6Y is a 3.1 channel soundbar that is offered with a wireless subwoofer and delivers a total audio output of 420W.
Design and Build Quality
The LG soundbar is made of plastic with a rough texture & curved corners along with a perforated grille in the front. The grille protects the speakers along with a small LCD in the center.
The right side of the soundbar houses the four control buttons that include the power button, volume control buttons, and an F button that can do multiple jobs according to the number of times it is being pressed. The subwoofer is mainly made up of good-quality wood with a fabric mesh in the front.
Speakers and Sound Quality
The LG SL6Y soundbar houses three front-facing speakers with a wireless subwoofer making it a 3.1 channel soundbar. The soundbar creates 200W of audio output meanwhile the subwoofer alone creates a total audio output of 220W which sums up to 420W.
It offers a good overall sound experience along with a punchy bass on offer. The soundbar features Bass Blast which works well with the low-frequency audio.
It also features DTS Virtual X which enhances the surround sound experience. It supports various audio formats like LPCM, Dolby Digital, and DTS Digital Surround Sound.
Miscellaneous
Coming on to the miscellaneous features, let’s start with the connectivity options included with the LG SL6Y. The wired connectivity option includes USB, Optical-In along with HDMI-In and HDMI-Out ports. For wireless connectivity, LG has provided Bluetooth V4.0 support.
The soundbar comes bundled with a minimal remote control with large-sized rubber buttons over it. The remote control works with ease and is pretty easy to use.
You can also choose to install LG’s “Music Flow Bluetooth” application which gives you a few basic control features on your smartphone.
Verdict
The LG SL6Y offers a wide front stage performance which gives an overall immersive experience. The 3.1 channel system performed well enough and is very easy to set up, calibrate and operate.
The DTS Virtual: X works decently and offers an average surround experience which is not the best but still works well enough. If you’re looking for a good soundbar system with which is easy to set up and use then LG SL6Y could be the one you’re looking for.
Specifications
| Remote | Yes |
| Configuration | 3.1 |
| Power Output | 420W |
| Connectivity Features | HDMI, Optical-In, BT, USB |
4. ZEBRONICS ZEB-JUKE BAR 9800
All-round Performer
- 450W audio output
- Wireless subwoofer
- Supports Dolby Digital Plus & Dolby Atmos
Pros
Dolby Atmos support
Punchy & heavy bass
3 HDMI Ports (1 HDMI ARC)
Cons
No HDMI-eARC Support
Zebronics is an Indian consumer electronics brand that was initially started in 1997 and now has become quite popular in India for its value for money offerings.
Zebronics Zeb – Juke Bar 9800 is a soundbar that offers a 450W audio output along with Dolby Atmos support.
Design and Build Quality
The Zebronics Juke Bar 9800 features a black mesh grille design. It has air vents on both sides and all the buttons are seated on top of the soundbar.
Buttons include a power-on button, volume up & volume down button, and the input source button. All the buttons are very tactile and work without any problems. The rear side of the soundbar has all the connectivity ports for the soundbar.
This soundbar comes paired with a wireless subwoofer which has a beautiful body design. The overall build quality of both the soundbar and the subwoofer is impressive.
Speakers and Sound Quality
The Zebronics sound bar houses four front-firing speakers sized 2.5-inch each along with 2 upward-firing speakers sized 2-inch each. It supports Dolby Atmos, Dolby True HD, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Surround, and even 4K passthrough which is quite impressive for its price point.
The bass it offers is very impressive which enhances the audio quality. The overall audio experience is very well balanced and the best part is audio does not distort at high volumes which is a common problem with soundbars.
Miscellaneous
Zebronincs has offered quite a handful of connectivity options with the soundbar that includes one USB port, Optical-In port, Aux port, two HDMI-In ports, and one HDMI-Out (ARC) port. The soundbar supports Bluetooth V5.0 for wireless connectivity.
The soundbar has a fully functional remote control that is pretty easy to use. The remote has dedicated buttons for different audio modes which can be used to activate different EQ modes.
Verdict
The Zebronics soundbar is a heavy bass soundbar that gives an impressively loud theatre-like audio output. The quality of audio it offers along with the Dolby Atmos support makes it the best soundbars in the market you can get.
The amount of bass it produces is pretty much unmatched and when paired with a good TV, it can give you a theatre-like experience which most of the soundbars may fail to offer.
Specifications
| Remote | Yes |
| Configuration | 2.1.2 |
| Power Output | 450W |
| Connectivity Features | BT, USB, AUX, Optical Input, HDMI |
5. SAMSUNG HW-R550
Pros
Aesthetically pleasing design
Good performance even at higher volumes
Decent stereo sound
Cons
Average surround sound performance
Samsung, a brand that is so established now that there could be rarely an individual who would have not heard about this multinational tech giant.
Samsung HW-R550 is a 3.1 channel soundbar that is capable of delivering a total audio output of 320W.
Design and Build Quality
The soundbar features a plastic body with a metal grille in the front like most of the soundbars in the market. The same grille protects the drivers and a small display that is seated beneath it.
The right side of the soundbar holds the button controls for the soundbar that includes a power button, source button, volume up, and volume down button.
The subwoofer offered along with the subwoofer is wireless which makes it pretty much hassle-free to connect.
It has a durable grade wooden construction which feels very durable and sturdy. Although it has a fabric mesh in the front which stays at the risk of getting damaged.
Speakers and Sound Quality
The Samsung HW-R550 features a wireless subwoofer that gives 160W of audio output along with a soundbar that creates the rest 160W of output making a combined total audio output of 320W. The overall sound quality is decent and it is more of a bass-centric soundbar.
It supports Digital Surround Sound, Dolby Digital & HDMI pass-through which makes it capable of enhancing the overall audio experience. However, the surround sound is not the best in the segment.
Miscellaneous
Samsung offers all the important connectivity options with this soundbar. For wireless connectivity, The wireless connectivity options include Bluetooth while wired options include, HDMI ARC, HDMI-In, Optical-In, and USB.
Samsung has bundled an ergonomically designed remote control along with the soundbar which has a slightly curved design and feels sturdy on holding.
Verdict
The Samsung HW-R550 is an attractive soundbar that comes directly from a brand as authoritative, Samsung. It does a good sound reproduction and with multiple sound modes, it even enhances the experience to the next level.
Samsung has done a good job with the build quality and you can feel that in a single touch. If you want a soundbar that should be able to offer decent sound output and should come from a trusted brand like Samsung, then could be one of your first choices.
Specifications
| Remote | Yes |
| Configuration | 2.1 |
| Power Output | 320W |
| Connectivity Features | HDMI-CEC, Optical-In, Audio-In, BT, USB |
6. Sony HT-S350
Pros
Loud output
Easy to set up
Good overall sound quality
Cons
Slight distortion at maximum volume levels
Sony HT-S350 is yet another 2.1 channel soundbar offered by Sony which features always on surround sound mode and offers a total audio output of 320W. Just like most of the soundbars on the list, this one also features a wireless subwoofer.
Design and Build Quality
The Sony HT-S350 features a plastic body design with a metal grille in the front. This soundbar has a robust build. All the buttons and controls are placed on top of the soundbar which includes a power button, TV, Volume, and some indicators.
The top of the soundbar is covered in faux leather that gives it a premium look and sets it apart from other plastic build soundbars. The wireless subwoofer also has a good build quality.
Speakers and Sound Quality
The soundbar can offer up to 320W of audio output and makes the soundbar sound pretty loud. The different modes that Sony offers works nicely and can be switched according to the type of content you are enjoying on it.
The dedicated voice mode which comes along with the system enhances dialogues making movies or documentaries sound better.
The bass it offers is also good and punchy. Although when going to the higher volume, you may feel some distortions which is not a big issue but should be known.
Miscellaneous
For connectivity, Samsung offers HDMI (ARC) output, Optical-In along Bluetooth for wireless connectivity. Although there is no USB port which you should be aware of before making a final decision.
The soundbar comes bundled with a fully functional remote control. It has dedicated buttons for EQ modes which you can switch according to your needs. The modes on offer are cinema, music, auto sound, voice, and night.
Verdict
The Sony HT-S350 is a good purchase and will give you an overall decent audio experience. It offers multiple sound modes which can help you fine-tune the audio to your liking.
This soundbar is one of the most affordable offerings you can get from a brand like Sony. This could be the best choice for someone who wants to go with a branded soundbar with decent audio output.
Specifications
| Remote | Yes |
| Configuration | 2.1 |
| Power Output | 320W |
| Connectivity Features | HDMI-CEC, Optical-In, BT |
7. ZEBRONICS ZEB-Juke Bar 9400 Pro
Budget All-rounder
- 525W sound output
- Aesthetically pleasing design
- Supports Dolby Digital
Pros
Rich connectivity options
Cinematic audio experience
Decent audio output
Cons
Average bass
Zebronics Zeb Juke Bar 9400 Pro is a budget-friendly soundbar from Zebronics. It is a 5.1 channel system and is capable of delivering a total audio output of 525W.
Design and Build Quality
The Zebronics Zeb Juke Bar 9400 Pro features a cylindrical design with a plastic body and a metal grille in the front. The plastic body has a mixed matte plus glossy black finish and the overall build is pretty durable. The external speakers have a minimal design with the mesh grille in the middle to protect the driver with a plastic body on the rest areas.
The subwoofer has a similar design and houses all the ports for connectivity in the rear. You can choose to mount the whole setup on a wall as it weighs around 7.7 kgs.
Speakers and Sound Quality
The Zebronics soundbar is a 5.1 channel soundbar which means it has 5 speakers of which 3 are mounted in the soundbar itself. There are two separate external speakers along with a soundbar. The whole setup is capable of creating a total audio output of 525W.
This soundbar supports Dolby Digital which is not a rarity in this price segment but is still impressive as it is one of the cheapest soundbars on the list. The overall sound quality is impressive as it sounds pretty loud and the audio is crisp and clear.
Miscellaneous
As for the connectivity option, Zebronics has included most of the common ones in this soundbar. It has Aux-In, HDMI (ARC), Optical-In, and USB for connecting to the soundbar while wireless options include Bluetooth.
The remote control that Zebronics offers is the same as you get with most of the other Zebronics soundbars. It works flawlessly and is pretty easy to operate.
Verdict
The Zebronics Zeb-Juke Bar 9400 Pro is a good affordable package and offers a decent quality of audio output. This soundbar also supports Dolby Digital audio support which is impressive coming from a soundbar of this segment.
If you’re tight on budget and want a soundbar that can improve your TV’s audio quality, then you can consider choosing this soundbar.
Specifications
| Remote | Yes |
| Configuration | 5.1 |
| Power Output | 525W |
| Connectivity Features | USB, AUX, HDMI (ARC), Optical In, BT |
8. JBL Cinema SB160
Pros
Minimal remote control
Various sound modes
Powerful audio
Cons
Poor surround sound
JBL is considered the best brand when it comes to the audio market. It is the subsidiary of the brand named Harman Audio which is especially famous for its signature sound and premium grade speakers.
JBL Cinema SB160 is a 2.1 channel soundbar that comes with a wireless subwoofer and delivers a total audio output of 220W.
Design and Build Quality
The soundbar features a pretty simple and minimalistic design. The soundbar is rectangular with a plastic body and a metal grille in the front protecting the front-firing speakers. The control buttons are placed on top of the soundbar that includes the power button, volume control buttons, input control button, and EQ switch button.
The subwoofer comes packed in a wooden cabinet that is made of durable grade material and feels premium. The subwoofer is wireless which makes it pretty hassle-free and you can place it anywhere you want.
Speakers and Sound Quality
The soundbar is a 2.1 channel system and it offers a total audio output of 220W which sounds impressive because this is the soundbar with the least audio output on our list. It offers a good amount of bass which along with the support of Dolby Digital gives an immersive sound experience.
This soundbar features 3 EQ modes which can be switched whenever needed using the remote control. The EQ modes that JBL has included are Movie, Music, and News.
Miscellaneous
The soundbar includes some of the commonly used connectivity options. The wired ones include USB, HDMI (ARC), and Optical-In. For wireless connectivity, you will get Bluetooth V4.2 support. It would’ve been better if JBL had offered Bluetooth V5.0 as it is the latest version of Bluetooth that most of the other brands have included.
The remote control also has a pretty simple layout and build. The build quality is good and the size is on the smaller side with comparatively big buttons. It has all the necessary buttons needed to control the soundbar with ease.
Verdict
The JBL Cinema SB160 could be a good purchase if you want to go with a trusted and reputed brand like JBL.
The bass it offers is very deep bass, crisp highs and multiple EQ options make it a good deal to go with. This won’t be the best value for money deal but you will get a soundbar from a trusted brand. The minimal and basic design makes it pleasing to the eyes.
Specifications
| Remote | Yes |
| Configuration | 2.1 |
| Power Output | 220W |
| Connectivity Features | USB, AUX, HDMI (ARC), Optical In, BT |
Now with the last soundbar on the list, we have put out our list of best soundbars you can get under a price bracket of Rs. 20,000.
We hope this list has concluded your search for a good soundbar that meets all your needs. Please write your queries or suggestions down in the comments below, we will try to reply to your queries ASAP.
Thanks for your time with us, have a great day ahead!