The 4 best home theater products to buy, all tested and reviewed

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  • It doesn't take much to create a cozy home theater oasis at home. These soundbars, TV and more have our full stamp of approval.

Do you feel that slight chill in the air? That's fall rearing its head and with just a few weeks of summer left, many of us are patiently awaiting the first leaf to fall to usher in the season of pumpkin patches, fall layering and, best of all, weekend movie binging. 

Speaking of fall movie nights, there's nothing better than curling up on the couch and watching a marathon of your favorite shows or comfort films. The only thing that can make it better is to create that movie theater ambiance right in your living room — and you don't need a lot to achieve it.

Over the years, our expert tester and reviewer, Moriba, has put a lot of effort into creating his own comfy home entertainment nest and there are a few products he recommends to successfully achieving the vibe in your own space. From a high-quality soundbar system to a crystal clear smart TV (and everything in between), he's got your covered.

The best home theater products of 2025, tested and reviewed

  • Best smart TV for movie nights: Sony Bravia 2 II Smart TV with Google TV
  • Best overall soundbar: Sonos Ultra Premium Entertainment Set with Arc Ultra
  • Best affordable soundbar and subwoofer: Polk Audio MagniFi Mini AX Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer
  • Best streaming device: Apple TV 4K

How we test

When testing tech and home theater products, we try them out for at least a week (usually longer) and use them in our everyday lives through practical trial-based testing.

From testing if the surround sound on a soundbar actually fills a room or if the subwoofer gives you that movie theater-like bass during action scenes to if a smart TV displays true blacks in its definition and not deep greys, we've put it all to the test.

Why trust us

Our expert team has been testing products and writing reviews for many years, covering a wide range of lifestyle picks. 

Moriba has been thoroughly testing and reviewing tech and home theater products for over six years as an experienced writer and editor. 

His reviews are honest, impartial and based on real-world testing to ensure you have all the information you need to make an informed buying decision.

Best home theater products to buy for your home

1. Best smart TV for movie nights: Sony Bravia 2 II Smart TV with Google TV

The Bravia 2 II's plastic-forward build may be a deterrent for some shoppers, but it doesn't feel as cheap as it sounds. In fact, it's quite hefty. The back has a textured finish and, on the rear left side, you'll find four HDMI inputs, two USB ports, an optical audio output port, and an Ethernet LAN port for wired internet.

If you're looking for a bar-none, viewing masterpiece, this TV may fall short since it doesn't boast the all-star features of a QLED, mini-LED or OLED display — all of which are vastly more expensive than the Bravia 2 II. However, it's a solid pick for everyday viewing and casual at-home movie nights.

While it lacks Dolby Vision support, it has a sharp 4K picture quality with great upscaling that I was impressed to see, especially when compared to older models that I've tested, with similar metrics.

This TV also delivers some decent audio performance with two open-baffle speakers coming in at 10W each. While that may not seem to be much to some TV aficionados, during my tests, I found that the dialogue was crisp and not muffled, even at low-to-mid volumes.

The Google TV user interface is also well-designed and comes in handy if you already own a Google Nest Doorbell or camera system. Through the side settings panel, you're able to see your entire Google Home system from your TV screen, and if someone rings your doorbell, a notification pops up on your display to let you know that you have a visitor.

All in all, the Bravia 2 II Smart TV with Google TV checks most of the boxes for a casual at-home fall movie nights. Since the sound, though solid, leaves more to be desired, I'd recommend pairing this television with a high-quality soundbar like the ones below.

2. Best overall soundbar: Sonos Ultra Premium Entertainment Set with Arc Ultra

3. Best affordable soundbar and subwoofer: Polk Audio MagniFi Mini AX Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer

4. Best streaming device: Apple TV 4K

FAQs

What equipment do I need for a home theater?

Contrary to popular belief, you don't need to invest in several products to beef up your current home theater sound system. All you need is a high-quality soundbar and a solid smart TV with an appropriate sized screen for your space (more on that below). A streaming device like an Apple TV 4K is an extra for added customization, but if you already have smart features and streaming apps built into your TV's operating system, a media streamer is not necessary. 

Keep in mind, though, that a media streamer's remote offers perks like voice commands and continuous scrolling and, in the case of the Apple TV 4K's Siri remote, you'll be able to program it to universally control the streaming device, your soundbar and television, simultaneously, eliminating the need for more than one remote.

What size TV do I need for my room?

The general rule of thumb is that the size of your TV should depend on how far you sit from the screen. Sitting too close to your TV can cause eye strain, so, according to Samsung, there's a simple equation that can make calculating the right size a breeze: viewing distance (in inches)/2=recommended TV size.

For example, if you usually sit 10 feet from the TV, that would be 120 inches (10 feet x 12 inches). Therefore, after inputting these details into the equation (120/2), the screen size you'll need is 60 inches. Keep in mind, though, that screen sizes represent the diagonal measurement of the screen, not horizontal.

What is better? A soundbar or a home theater TV? 

In my expert opinion, purchasing a high-quality soundbar is a more worthwhile investment than spending thousands of dollars on a top-of-the-line TV. More times than not, TVs, regardless of their price or model, produce limited sound quality and reach, and the only way for that element to be elevated is with the addition of a soundbar.

So, my advice would be to save yourself some money and time and invest in a well-reviewed soundbar like the Sonos Arc Ultra (with or without the subwoofer) or Polk Audio MagniFi Mini to give you more bang for your buck in the long run. 

Read more
  • Can high-tech sofas with integrated fridges and surround sound transform your movie nights into an immersive experience?
  • What has made the Fire TV Stick 4K with over 10,000 five-star reviews a must-have entertainment accessory for enhancing TV-watching experiences?
  • Is this $99 Kmart gem the perfect affordable alternative for cinema-quality nights in?
  • Looking for a tech gift that will wow this Christmas? Find out why the Fire TV Stick 4K Ultra HD is the perfect buy!
  • Eager for cinematic thrills at home? Find out how LG's new 4K OLED Smart TV can deliver jaw-dropping visuals!

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