See the 5 Best Costco Soundbars Today: The Complete 2023 Buyer‘s Guide

Are you looking to upgrade your home entertainment sound but don‘t want to deal with a complicated surround sound system? A soundbar is the perfect solution! Soundbars provide a simple and sleek way to get big, immersive audio from just one slim device.

In this complete buyer‘s guide, we‘ll help you find the best Costco soundbar to suit your needs and budget. You‘ll learn:

• How soundbars work and what to look for when shopping
• Detailed reviews of the top 5 Costco soundbar models
• Expert tips for getting the best audio experience
• The pros and cons of buying from Costco

Let‘s dive in and transform your TV‘s weak built-in speakers into an amazing home theater!

How Do Soundbars Work?

Soundbars are long, slender speaker units designed to improve TV audio by giving you louder, fuller sound. They come in different configurations but a basic soundbar has left, center, and right speaker channels built into one compact enclosure.

Soundbars connect to your TV via either HDMI ARC, optical, Bluetooth, or WiFi depending on the model. Once connected, all your TV‘s audio gets routed through the soundbar speakers rather than the TV‘s built-in speakers.

In addition to volume and clarity improvements from having more dedicated speaker drivers, many soundbars now come with advanced audio technologies like:

• Surround sound – Uses digital processing to create immersive audio with the illusion of sound coming from different directions.
• Dolby Atmos – Object-based surround sound that adds height/overhead channels for 3D effects.
• DTS:X – Competing surround format to Dolby Atmos.
• Subwoofer – Separate unit adds deep bass response.

What to Look for in a Costco Soundbar

Here are the key factors to consider when choosing a Costco soundbar:

• Sound quality – A wider frequency response range (e.g. 35Hz-20kHz) and higher sound pressure level indicates better sound.
• Surround sound – Go for Dolby Atmos or DTS:X for immersive surround effects.
• Subwoofer – Built-in or separate sub improves bass response.
• Connectivity – HDMI ARC, optical, Bluetooth, WiFi. HDMI has advantages.
• Voice assistant support – For smart features, hands-free control.
• Price/budget – Costco has models ranging from $100 to $700.
• Brand – Stick with reputable brands like Sony, Samsung, LG.
• Ease of setup/use – Soundbar should connect and work easily.

Now let‘s look at the top soundbars Costco has to offer based on these criteria:

1. Samsung HW-Q600A – Best Overall

With its excellent surround sound performance and attractive price point, the Samsung HW-Q600A is our pick for the best overall Costco soundbar.

This 3.1.2 channel soundbar system includes a wireless subwoofer for impactful bass and two upfiring drivers that bounce sound off your ceiling to create the height channels needed for immersive Dolby Atmos/DTS:X audio.

We love Samsung‘s Acoustic Beam technology that produces a wide, room-filling soundstage. The dedicated center channel ensures clear dialogue, while the powerful sub fills out explosions and action scenes.

With built-in Alexa and Chromecast support, you can easily stream music and use voice commands. Setup is quick and intuitive with the SmartThings app.

If you want an affordable yet feature-packed soundbar that can truly enhance your TV experience, the Samsung HW-Q600A is a fantastic choice.

Frequency response: 34Hz – 17kHz
Sound pressure level: 86dB
7 speaker drivers + wireless sub
Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Alexa built-in

2. Bose Solo 5 – Best Value

The Bose Solo 5 is slim, simple, and designed to clearly improve just about any TV‘s audio for an affordable price. This compact 2.0 channel soundbar augments midrange and vocal clarity to make dialogue easier to understand.

While it lacks the immersive surround effects of the Samsung, the Bose sounds fantastic for TV shows, news, and movies with lots of conversation. The dialogue mode further boosts clarity.

We appreciate the cloth grille covering the drivers and the minimalist design that fits unobtrusively on a TV stand. Inputs are basic but connection is easy with the included optical audio cable.

For just under $200, you can‘t beat the Solo 5 for upgrading TV sound on a budget. The intelligent tuning focuses on clarity for dialogue-heavy content.

Frequency response: 100Hz – 10kHz
2 midrange drivers
Dialogue mode
Voice adjustment setting

3. Roku Streambar – Best Budget

At just $130, the Roku Streambar is an incredible value that combines a compact soundbar with 4K streaming in one device. You can instantly upgrade your TV‘s audio while getting access to all of Roku‘s streaming content and features.

Four built-in speakers provide cleaner, louder sound than your TV can produce. While bass is limited without a sub, the overall sonic improvement is dramatic for the price.

We love getting Roku‘s excellent streaming platform with thousands of apps, an intuitive interface, voice search and private listening features. Setup is easy with a single HDMI connection.

For budget-minded buyers who want to boost their TV‘s sound and streaming abilities at the same time, the Roku Streambar can‘t be beat for the price.

Frequency response: 100Hz – 10kHz
4 speaker drivers
Roku streaming built-in
Voice remote included

4. Sonos Beam Gen 2 – Best Soundbar for Music

While pricier than the others, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 is the best choice if audio quality matters more than cost. With 5 speaker drivers firing in different directions, this bar fills rooms with rich, immersive sound.

Adding Dolby Atmos height and 3D effects, movies come alive with detail. Music sounds fantastic thanks to Sonos‘ excellent tuning. You can easily expand by adding rears and a sub.

Sonos stands out for whole-home audio features. Airplay 2, Alexa/Google Assistant integration, and Sonos‘ app let you stream music from countless sources. Excellent for music lovers.

If you want the very best TV and music listening experience from a compact soundbar, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 is a superb performer. Worth the investment for audiophiles.

Frequency response: 50Hz – 20kHz
5 front-firing speaker drivers
Dolby Atmos surround
Expandable surround system
*HiFi music playback

5. Vizio V-Series 2.1 – Best Budget System

Rounding out our list, the ultra-affordable Vizio V-Series 2.1 is the best budget way to add an integrated subwoofer. Punchy bass and louder overall volume create a big, full sound from the bar‘s 36" width.

We appreciate the included wireless sub that connects seamlessly and can be tucked away anywhere in your room. The LED display makes adjustments easy. Just one HDMI cable connects to your TV.

While it lacks the sonic sophistication of the Samsung and Bose, the Vizio‘s sub-assisted sound is vastly better than built-in TV speakers. Great starter soundbar package.

If you want the oomph of a dedicated subwoofer on a tight budget, check out the high-value Vizio V-Series 2.1. You‘ll be impressed by the sound it pumps out.

Frequency response: 50Hz – 20kHz
2.1 channels with wireless sub
100dB sound pressure
DTS Virtual:X processing

Expert Tips for Choosing the Best Costco Soundbar

To make sure you select the right soundbar for your needs and get the best performance, keep these tips in mind:

Get a soundbar with a matching subwoofer – For impactful bass and a full sound, a sub is highly recommended. Many Costco bundles include one.

Opt for HDMI connections – HDMI ARC makes setup seamless and gives you access to advanced audio like Dolby Atmos.

Place centrally below TV – Position the soundbar centered under your TV about 2-3 feet off the ground.

Mount on wall for best audio – Wall mounting improves vibration, bass and surround effects.

Adjust audio settings – Fine tune bass/treble, enable surround sound modes, set up WiFi.

Stream music – Use built-in Bluetooth, WiFi, or Airplay to listen to Spotify, Apple Music, etc.

Add rear speakers later – Many soundbars let you expand to true surround with wireless rears.

Is Costco the Best Place to Buy a Soundbar?

Costco has a rotating selection of soundbars from top brands at competitive prices. The major advantages of buying your soundbar at Costco include:

Affordable pricing – Costco‘s bulk buying power means lower prices compared to other retailers.

Bundles add value – Costco often includes a subwoofer, cables, warranty extensions, gift cards, etc.

Generous return policy – You have 90 days to return even if opened.

Accessories available – Cables, wall mounts, and audio components also sold at Costco.

Drawbacks

That being said, there are a few drawbacks to consider:

• Limited selection – Less models than dedicated A/V stores.
• Few high-end options – Mostly mass market models under $500.
• Stock varies by location – Soundbars sell out quickly.
• No price matching – Costco does not match lower prices.

Overall, Costco is a smart one-stop shop for a soundbar if you time it right. Their bundles provide exceptional value if you‘re already planning to buy add-ons. Just know selection is more limited than specialty retailers.

Transform Your Entertainment with a Costco Soundbar

Adding one of these awesome Costco soundbars will allow you to experience your favorite movies, music, and TV shows like never before. Immersive Dolby Atmos surround sound and powerful subwoofers bring entertainment to life with newfound impact and nuance.

We hope this buyer‘s guide has helped you understand what makes for a quality soundbar and narrowed down the top choices available at Costco. Any one of these models will vastly improve upon anemic TV speakers.

Just connect and mount your new soundbar, make some audio adjustments, and enjoy home theater-quality sound for years to come! Let us know if you have any other questions.