TCL announced its first-ever soundbars earlier this year and now they’re finally available to purchase. The big selling point with them, other than the fact that they work really well with TCL’s Roku TVs (which a ton of people have), is that they are super affordable. You can buy a 2.0-channel soundbar for as little as $80.
The company has two different soundbars, the Alto 5 ($80) and the Alto 7 ($100), which are actually very similar except for size. The Alto 5 soundbar is designed for 43-inch TVs, while the Alto 7 soundbar is designed for TVs that are 55-inches and up.
Both soundbars have built-in Bluetooth, and you can use them as wireless speakers or stream music directly from your smartphone. A notable difference is that the Alto 7 soundbar is compatible with HDMI ARC, so you’re able to control the soundbar’s volume with the same remote as your TV. Both soundbars come in plus-sized models — the Alto 5+ ($150) and the Alto 7+ ($180) — equipped with a wireless subwoofer for extra bass.
TCL makes some of the best affordable 4K TVs on the market. (TCL claims it’s the fastest-growing and biggest TV manufacturers on the planet.) Its TVs aren’t exactly known for their great sound quality, so the move to offer easy-to-install soundbars makes total sense. For anybody interested in a stereo speaker system instead of a soundbar, the Roku TV Wireless ($200) speakers are another great option that works seamlessly with any Roku smart TV.
Gear Patrol also recommends:
Vizio SB2920-C6 Soundbar ($80)
Bose Solo 5 Soundbar ($199+)
Roku TV Wireless Speakers ($200)
