Soundbar Buying Guide
Highlights

What’s the
best way to connect
a soundbar to your TV?

There are several options for connecting a soundbar to your various devices. Check the available connectivity options of your TV and other devices.

There are are two closeups of a soundbar below a TV. One soundbar is connected to the TV by cable, the other through Wi-Fi. There are are two closeups of a soundbar below a TV. One soundbar is connected to the TV by cable, the other through Wi-Fi.

To begin setting up your system, first assess your TV and other devices to determine the type and number of cables required, if any. Whether you opt for a wired or wireless connection, we've prepared a guide outlining the various connection methods.

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Go wireless for a clutter-free space

Let’s start with the two basic ways to connect wirelessly.

A person is holding a phone, with a music app open onscreen. A soundbar is playing music from the phone via a Wi-FI connection. A person is holding a phone, with a music app open onscreen. A soundbar is playing music from the phone via a Wi-FI connection.

Wi-Fi Connection

Connecting your soundbar to the TV through Wi-Fi is a convenient option. Some soundbars even support wireless Dolby Atmos, offering a hassle-free and high-quality 3D surround sound experience without cables. Wi-Fi connectivity also enables easy audio content streaming right on your soundbar through services like Spotify and Tidal without using your phone or tablet to start playback. But first, it’s important to verify compatibility between your soundbar and TV for Wi-Fi connectivity.

Wi-Fi Connection Wi-Fi Connection

Bluetooth® Connection

Another connection method is Bluetooth. Most of the latest TVs and soundbars support Bluetooth and it’s easy to check before you buy. Bluetooth also makes it easy to wirelessly stream content from a mobile device, letting you easily enjoy streaming audio from apps, play music stored on your device, watch videos, and enhance your gaming experience.

Bluetooth® Connection Bluetooth® Connection
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Go wired for a stable connection

You also have the option to connect a soundbar to your TV with HDMI cables. They enable optimal audio quality, ensuring a stable connection with minimal audio loss.

HDMI or HDMI eARC

HDMI is a widely used audio and video interface that allows for the transmission of high-quality digital audio and video signals between devices over a single cable. This simplifies the setup and reduces cable clutter. Also, if HDMI ARC feature is available, you can connect the two devices using a single HDMI cable. If not, then you’ll also need a separate optical cable for the audio. HDMI eARC is the latest version of HDMI ARC. It offers a higher bandwidth, allowing for the transmission of advanced audio codecs like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. Check to ensure that both your TV and soundbar support either HDMI ARC or HDMI eARC.

Jump to any quick-tip article below:

Highlights
What’s a soundbar?
What do soundbar channel numbers mean?
What are Dolby Atmos and DTS:X?
Does the soundbar's design matter?
What’s the best way to connect a soundbar to your TV?
Find out why Samsung soundbars are unique
You can go for a wired approach with HDMI cables or go wireless with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. All three are reliable options, so just make sure the soundbar you're buying has the right connection option to work with your TV and other devices.
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  • The images shown are for illustrative purposes only and may not be an exact representation of the product.