A real subwoofer in the box for under $200

Vizio V-Series 2.1

Name: Vizio V-Series 2.1
SKU: PG18SND005
Price: 180 USD
Rating: 8.6 (1 reviews)

8.6/10medium confidenceLast checked Jun 19, 2026

Er

Reviewed by

Eran Yorkovsky · Founder, PickGrade

The biggest upgrade per dollar. Under $200 buys a bar and a wireless subwoofer, and real low end is the single biggest jump over thin TV speakers, with every cable in the box. The sub can get boomy and there's no Atmos, but nothing this cheap improves TV sound more.

The V-Series 2.1 is the answer to "I just want my TV to sound dramatically better for as little as possible." For well under $200 you get a soundbar plus a wireless subwoofer — the single biggest upgrade over thin TV speakers is adding real low end, and this bundles it. Dialogue is clearer, action has weight, and setup is one HDMI or optical cable plus plugging in the sub. It won't do Atmos height or true surround, and the build is plasticky, but no other price point delivers this much improvement per dollar. It's the easy, honest recommendation for budget buyers and second TVs.

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Last reviewed Jun 13, 2026

AI grade·Refined by real owners

What we like

✓Wireless subwoofer included under $200
✓Big upgrade over TV speakers for the money
✓Clearer dialogue with dedicated audio modes
✓Simple one-cable setup
✓Compact bar fits small TV stands

Trade-offs

−Subwoofer can be boomy and overwhelm voices until dialed back
−Dialogue mode sounds a little hollow
−Fidelity won't satisfy critical listeners; no Dolby Atmos (2.1 only)
−No built-in voice assistant

Best for

Anyone upgrading from TV speakers on a tight budget who wants a clear, bassier 2.1 setup with a wireless sub for under $200.

Avoid if

You want Dolby Atmos height or true rear surround — at this price those aren't on the table; step up to the Vizio Elevate for a full system.

The three lenses

How we grade →

Value & Longevity · Eran Yorkovsky
9.3/10

Score breakdown

value9.3/10
ease8.7/10
fit8.6/10
quality8.1/10

Specs

size: ~36in bar; compact sub
price: ~$180 (list $200)
in box: All cables + wall-mount brackets included
system: 2.1 - soundbar + wireless subwoofer
tuning: EQ presets, bass/treble, dialogue + night modes
drivers: 2 bar drivers + wireless sub woofer
formats: DTS Virtual:X (virtual surround); Dolby Audio (no Atmos)
connectivity: HDMI ARC, optical, USB, aux, Bluetooth 5.0

How we know

Medium confidenceLast checked Jun 19, 2026

The Vizio V-Series 2.1 is the budget pick — and reviewers have repeatedly called it one of the best soundbars you can buy under $200. For around $180 you get a complete 2.1 system: a slim soundbar plus a wireless subwoofer, with every cable you need (HDMI, optical, aux) and even wall-mount brackets in the box. It's a dramatic upgrade over any TV's built-in speakers, throwing a wider, fuller sound than its price suggests, and the included sub adds real low-end punch that most cheap bars lack. Setup is genuinely easy, and despite the low price you get more tuning options than usual — EQ presets, separate bass and treble, a dialogue mode, and a night mode — plus DTS Virtual:X for a sense of virtual surround. Connectivity covers HDMI ARC, optical, USB, aux, and Bluetooth. The honest caveats: the subwoofer can be boomy and sometimes overwhelms voices until you dial it back; the dialogue mode sounds a little hollow; overall fidelity won't satisfy critical listeners the way pricier bars do; there's no Dolby Atmos (it's a 2.1 system with virtual surround); and there's no built-in voice assistant. For a big, affordable jump in TV sound for a bedroom or apartment, it's the value champion.

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