Hughes comparison
Best Compact Soundbars
for UK homes in 2026.
Compact soundbars from Hughes for smaller TV units, bedrooms and rooms where a long bar would dominate the furniture.
Written by Alex Mercer. Alex compares home-cinema products by the specifications that affect picture, sound and the way a room works day to day.
Affiliate disclosure. We may earn a commission if you buy through retailer links. That does not change the order of our picks or the buyer advice.
Our winner
JBL Bar 500MK2 MultiBeam 3.0 Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer - Black
750W max output power and punchy bass thanks to a wireless subwoofer
£69.00 at Hughes01 Best overall pick
JBL Bar 500MK2 MultiBeam 3.0 Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer - Black
Check price at HughesThe most rounded soundbar here for buyers who want useful features without choosing on badge alone.
Its £69.00 price sits above 1 pick and below 3 others. The key published detail is 750W max output power and punchy bass thanks to a wireless subwoofer, which is the practical point to weigh against the other four.
What we like
- Dolby Atmos listed by Hughes.
- 750W max output power and punchy bass thanks to a wireless subwoofer.
- Priced below 3 of the other four.
What to check
- Costs more than 1 other pick.
- Check the dimensions and connections against the room before buying.
Full published specifications| All in One | No |
|---|
| Audio In | Optical |
|---|
| Cinematic | No |
|---|
| Colour | Black |
|---|
| Curved | No |
|---|
| Dimensions | H:50.5 x W:940 x D:104mm |
|---|
| Front Power | 450 |
|---|
| Guarantee | 2 Years |
|---|
| Headphone Output | No |
|---|
| High Resolution Audio | Yes |
|---|
| Multiroom | No |
|---|
| Power Total | 750 |
|---|
| Remote Control | Yes |
|---|
| Smart | Yes |
|---|
| Soundbar Dolby Atmos | Yes |
|---|
| Soundbase | No |
|---|
| Subwoofer | Wireless |
|---|
| Subwoofer Power | 300 |
|---|
| Wall Mountable | Yes |
|---|
| Depth in mm | 104 |
|---|
| Height in mm | 51 |
|---|
| Width in mm | 940 |
|---|
| Price check | £69.00 |
|---|
| Retailer | Hughes |
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02 Best value alternative
Samsung HW-QS700F Q-series 3.1.2 Channel Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer
Check price at HughesA more focused soundbar choice when its particular specification suits the room.
It is the highest-priced pick, so the extra specification needs to matter to you. The key published detail is 3.1.2 channel sound system delivers immersive 3D surround sound for home cinema, which is the practical point to weigh against the other four.
What we like
- Dolby Atmos listed by Hughes.
- 3.1.2 channel sound system delivers immersive 3D surround sound for home cinema..
- Priced below 0 of the other four.
What to check
- Costs more than 2 other picks.
- Check the dimensions and connections against the room before buying.
Full published specifications| All in One | No |
|---|
| Audio In | HDMI & Bluetooth |
|---|
| Cinematic | No |
|---|
| Colour | Black |
|---|
| Curved | No |
|---|
| Dimensions | H51xW1160xD120 & H252xW249xD249mm |
|---|
| Front Power | 160 |
|---|
| Guarantee | 1 Year |
|---|
| Headphone Output | No |
|---|
| High Resolution Audio | No |
|---|
| Multiroom | No |
|---|
| Power Total | 345 |
|---|
| Remote Control | Yes |
|---|
| Smart | No |
|---|
| Soundbar Dolby Atmos | Yes |
|---|
| Soundbase | No |
|---|
| Subwoofer | Wireless |
|---|
| Subwoofer Power | 185 |
|---|
| Wall Mountable | Yes |
|---|
| Depth in mm | 120 |
|---|
| Height in mm | 51 |
|---|
| Width in mm | 1160 |
|---|
| Price check | £100.00 |
|---|
| Retailer | Hughes |
|---|
03 Best for a clear feature set
Sony HT-S2000 3.1 Channel Dolby Atmos DTS:X Soundbar - Black
Check price at HughesA sensible alternative for buyers who value the listed features over a long marketing pitch.
It is the highest-priced pick, so the extra specification needs to matter to you. The key published detail is 3.1 channels deliver immersive audio for a cinematic home entertainment experience, which is the practical point to weigh against the other four.
What we like
- Dolby Atmos listed by Hughes.
- 3.1 channels deliver immersive audio for a cinematic home entertainment experience.
- Priced below 0 of the other four.
What to check
- Costs more than 2 other picks.
- Check the dimensions and connections against the room before buying.
Full published specifications| All in One | Yes |
|---|
| Audio In | Optical |
|---|
| Cinematic | No |
|---|
| Colour | Black |
|---|
| Curved | No |
|---|
| Dimensions | H:65mm x W:800mm x D:124mm |
|---|
| Front Power | 150 |
|---|
| Guarantee | 1 Year |
|---|
| Headphone Output | No |
|---|
| High Resolution Audio | Yes |
|---|
| Multiroom | No |
|---|
| Power Total | 250 |
|---|
| Remote Control | Yes |
|---|
| Smart | No |
|---|
| Soundbar Dolby Atmos | Yes |
|---|
| Soundbase | No |
|---|
| Subwoofer | Built-In |
|---|
| Subwoofer Power | 100 |
|---|
| Wall Mountable | Yes |
|---|
| Price check | £100.00 |
|---|
| Retailer | Hughes |
|---|
04 Best for a different room setup
Samsung HW-S60D Q-Symphony Soundbar - Black
Check price at HughesThe pick to consider when the practical setup matters more than chasing the highest specification.
It is the least expensive of these five. The key published detail is Enjoy immersive audio with 5.0 channel sound for a rich, room-filling experience, which is the practical point to weigh against the other four.
What we like
- Dolby Atmos listed by Hughes.
- Enjoy immersive audio with 5.0 channel sound for a rich, room-filling experience.
- Priced below 4 of the other four.
What to check
- The lowest price comes with a simpler position in the range.
- Check the dimensions and connections against the room before buying.
Full published specifications| All in One | Yes |
|---|
| Cinematic | No |
|---|
| Colour | Black |
|---|
| Curved | No |
|---|
| Dimensions | H:620mm x W:670mm x D:105mm |
|---|
| Front Power | 30W x 2 / 30W x 2 / 30W x 2 / 30W x 2 |
|---|
| Guarantee | 1 Year |
|---|
| Headphone Output | No |
|---|
| High Resolution Audio | No |
|---|
| Multiroom | No |
|---|
| Power Total | 360 |
|---|
| Remote Control | Yes |
|---|
| Smart | Yes |
|---|
| Soundbar Dolby Atmos | Yes |
|---|
| Soundbase | No |
|---|
| Subwoofer Power | No subwoofer |
|---|
| Wall Mountable | Yes |
|---|
| Price check | £50.00 |
|---|
| Retailer | Hughes |
|---|
05 Best specialist choice
Samsung HW-S61D Q-Symphony Soundbar - White
Check price at HughesA specialist option with a clear reason to choose it over the other four.
It is the highest-priced pick, so the extra specification needs to matter to you. The key published detail is Enjoy immersive 5.0 channel audio for a rich surround sound experience, which is the practical point to weigh against the other four.
What we like
- Dolby Atmos listed by Hughes.
- Enjoy immersive 5.0 channel audio for a rich surround sound experience.
- Priced below 0 of the other four.
What to check
- Costs more than 2 other picks.
- Check the dimensions and connections against the room before buying.
Full published specifications| All in One | Yes |
|---|
| Cinematic | No |
|---|
| Colour | White |
|---|
| Curved | No |
|---|
| Dimensions | H:585mm x W:1187mm x D:277mm |
|---|
| Front Power | 30W x 2 / 30W x 2 / 30W x 2 / 30W x 2 |
|---|
| Guarantee | 1 Year |
|---|
| Headphone Output | No |
|---|
| High Resolution Audio | No |
|---|
| Multiroom | No |
|---|
| Power Total | 360 |
|---|
| Remote Control | Yes |
|---|
| Smart | Yes |
|---|
| Soundbar Dolby Atmos | Yes |
|---|
| Soundbase | No |
|---|
| Subwoofer Power | No subwoofer |
|---|
| Wall Mountable | Yes |
|---|
| Price check | £100.00 |
|---|
| Retailer | Hughes |
|---|
Buying advice
Choose for the room, not the product badge.
Start with the screen size or placement you can genuinely accommodate. Then compare the published panel type, picture and sound features, dimensions and connections. Prices can move, so use the Hughes product page to make the final check.
