Hisense HS214 2.1ch Soundbar

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72%
28%
74%
Sound Quality
58%
Bass Performance
81%
Dialogue Clarity
88%
Setup & Connectivity
79%
Value for Money
62%
Build Quality
67%
Bluetooth Performance
63%
Remote Usability
71%
EQ Versatility
84%
Roku Integration
77%
Design & Fit
73%
Volume Range
64%
Longevity & Durability
More

Overview

The Hisense HS214 2.1ch Soundbar is the kind of no-fuss audio upgrade that makes sense for a bedroom or smaller living room — not a flagship home theater system, but a solid step above the thin, tinny speakers built into most flat-panel TVs. At just 25.6 inches wide and under 2.5 inches tall, this compact soundbar sits neatly below a 32-inch screen or larger without crowding the shelf. The self-contained 2.1ch design means there is no separate subwoofer box to find space for, which is genuinely convenient in tighter rooms. Roku TV owners also get a nice bonus with certified compatibility, though that is really a secondary consideration for the broader audience.

Features & Benefits

The backbone of this all-in-one bar is a built-in subwoofer driver that handles low-end frequencies alongside two forward-facing speakers, all powered by 108W peak output with Dolby Audio processing. That combination produces noticeably cleaner dialogue and a fuller sound than flat-panel TV speakers manage on their own. Connecting via HDMI ARC keeps things tidy — one cable carries audio and hands CEC control over to your existing remote. Bluetooth streaming works well for casual music listening from a phone or tablet. Three EQ presets (Music, Movie, and News/Voice) give quick adjustments without diving into menus, and the optical, AUX, and USB ports mean you are not locked into HDMI-only setups.

Best For

This compact soundbar makes the most sense if you are shopping to replace the anemic built-in speakers on a bedroom or guest room TV, or if you live in an apartment where dragging in a floor-standing subwoofer simply is not practical. Roku TV owners will especially appreciate being able to control both the TV and the bar from a single remote with zero extra pairing required. For a first-time soundbar buyer who is not chasing audiophile benchmarks — just wanting cleaner speech and some sense of depth during movies — the Hisense HS214 checks those boxes comfortably. It is not the right tool for a large open-plan living room or anyone who needs serious bass output.

User Feedback

Owners consistently report that the Hisense HS214 delivers a meaningful improvement over their TV's built-in speakers, particularly praising how much easier voices and dialogue become to follow. Setup gets high marks too — most buyers are up and running within minutes of opening the box. Where the feedback gets more mixed is on bass performance. Plenty of users acknowledge that the bass is present and adds some weight to movies, but those coming from systems with a dedicated external subwoofer often find it underwhelming. A few longer-term owners have flagged concerns about the plastic build and Bluetooth reconnecting inconsistently after a power cycle. The Roku remote integration, however, tends to work reliably for those with compatible TVs.

#Sound Bars
#Speakers
#Home Audio
#Electronics

Pros

  • Delivers noticeably clearer dialogue and fuller audio than the built-in speakers on most flat-panel TVs.
  • The built-in subwoofer means no separate box to place, wire, or find shelf space for.
  • HDMI ARC setup takes minutes — one cable handles both audio and remote control passthrough.
  • At just 25.6 inches wide, this compact soundbar fits neatly under most 32-inch-and-larger screens.
  • Roku TV owners get genuine single-remote control that works reliably without extra configuration steps.
  • Three EQ presets let you quickly tune the sound for movies, music, or voice-heavy content.
  • Bluetooth, optical, AUX, and USB inputs cover virtually every connection scenario you are likely to encounter.
  • Includes an HDMI cable, optical cable, and wall-mount kit in the box — nothing extra to buy.
  • Dolby Audio processing adds some depth and width to the soundstage without requiring any manual setup.

Cons

  • Bass from the built-in subwoofer is adequate for casual viewing but noticeably thin for action films or music.
  • Some users report Bluetooth reconnecting inconsistently after the unit powers off and back on.
  • The plastic build feels budget-grade and can look out of place beside a higher-end TV.
  • No wireless rear speaker support means true surround sound is simply not possible with this setup.
  • Volume and dynamics can feel strained in larger, open-plan rooms where the bar has to work harder.
  • The included remote lacks a backlight, making it awkward to use in a dark room.
  • Longer-term owners have occasionally flagged durability concerns, with some units showing wear after a year or two.
  • Wall-mounting requires careful alignment since the mounting hardware included is fairly minimal for the job.

Ratings

The scores below reflect our AI analysis of thousands of verified global buyer reviews for the Hisense HS214 2.1ch Soundbar, with spam, bot activity, and incentivized feedback actively filtered out. Each category is graded on real-world performance as reported by actual owners across diverse listening environments and room setups. Both the standout strengths and the recurring frustrations are weighted equally, so what you see is an honest, balanced picture of what this compact soundbar actually delivers.

Sound Quality
74%
26%
For an all-in-one bar at this price point, the overall sound is a genuine step forward from flat-panel TV speakers. The two front-facing drivers handle mid and high frequencies with reasonable clarity, and there is enough width to the soundstage to make movies and TV shows feel noticeably more immersive than before.
Listeners with experience of mid-range or premium audio gear will notice the limitations fairly quickly — the soundstage is relatively narrow and the frequency response is noticeably compressed at the extremes. This bar punches above TV-speaker level, but it does not pretend to be more than an entry-level solution.
Bass Performance
58%
42%
The built-in subwoofer driver does add genuine low-end presence that built-in TV speakers simply cannot produce, which makes a noticeable difference for casual TV watching and everyday background music. First-time soundbar buyers coming straight from thin flat-panel speakers tend to react positively to the added depth in movie soundtracks.
Buyers upgrading from any system with a dedicated external subwoofer will almost certainly be disappointed — the physical constraints of a built-in driver mean the bass is modest and rolls off early. Action films and bass-heavy music reveal the limitation most, with low frequencies feeling thin rather than punchy.
Dialogue Clarity
81%
19%
Clearer speech reproduction is arguably where the Hisense HS214 earns its most consistent praise from real owners. The Dolby Audio processing and forward-facing driver configuration do a solid job of making TV dialogue easier to follow, especially during quiet conversational scenes that built-in TV speakers tend to muddy.
Some users note that dialogue clarity at higher volumes becomes slightly strained, and the effect is more pronounced in rooms with hard surfaces that create echo. The News/Voice EQ preset helps compensate, but it requires remembering to switch modes rather than performing consistently well across all presets automatically.
Setup & Connectivity
88%
Virtually every buyer who connects this compact soundbar via HDMI ARC reports having audio up and running within minutes, without consulting the manual. The fact that all necessary cables — HDMI and optical — are included in the box removes the usual friction of sourcing additional accessories before getting started.
A handful of users with older TVs lacking HDMI ARC find that CEC remote control does not function over optical, meaning they end up managing two remotes. Bluetooth initial pairing is smooth, but the lack of automatic reconnection after a power cycle catches some buyers off guard.
Value for Money
79%
21%
For buyers whose sole goal is escaping the hollow audio of built-in TV speakers without spending on a multi-piece system, this all-in-one bar delivers real, tangible improvement at a budget-friendly price. The included cables and wall-mount kit add meaningful value compared to soundbars that require you to source accessories separately.
Buyers who stretch their budget here expecting near-premium performance will likely feel let down by the bass limitations and plastic build quality. At a similar price, a handful of competing soundbars offer comparable audio performance, which makes the value equation less clear-cut than the spec sheet suggests.
Build Quality
62%
38%
The bar is light enough to handle easily during setup and wall-mounting, and its slim 2.3-inch height means it blends into most TV stands without drawing attention. For a compact bedroom or guest room setup, the understated design gets the job done without looking conspicuously out of place.
The all-plastic chassis feels noticeably budget-grade to the touch, and some longer-term owners report the surface showing scuffs and wear within the first year or two of regular use. Next to a premium TV with a metal or glass finish, the build can look mismatched.
Bluetooth Performance
67%
33%
Initial Bluetooth pairing from a smartphone or tablet is fast and requires no complicated steps, which appeals to buyers who occasionally want to stream music wirelessly without switching inputs. For casual background playback in a bedroom or small living space, the wireless connection handles the job adequately.
The recurring complaint is that the bar does not reliably re-establish its Bluetooth connection after being powered off, requiring the user to manually re-pair from their device each time. For anyone using Bluetooth as their primary listening method rather than HDMI, this becomes a consistent minor annoyance.
Remote Usability
63%
37%
The remote covers all core functions — power, volume, input switching, and EQ preset selection — without requiring a phone app or any separate setup. For less tech-savvy buyers, the straightforward button layout means there is no learning curve to get basic daily operation working from day one.
The remote has no backlight, which makes it genuinely difficult to operate in a dark room — an inconvenience when you are mid-movie and need to adjust the volume without turning on a light. The button feel is also on the mushy side, with little tactile feedback to confirm a press registered.
EQ Versatility
71%
29%
Having three purpose-built EQ presets accessible from the remote is genuinely useful for casual daily use — switching from News/Voice mode during a morning broadcast to Movie mode for an evening film is a single button press. For most non-audiophile listeners, these three settings cover the majority of real-world listening scenarios adequately.
There is no manual EQ, no individual bass or treble adjustment, and no companion app — so anyone who wants to fine-tune the sound beyond the three fixed presets is out of options. The preset differences are also subtle enough that some users report difficulty noticing a meaningful change between modes.
Roku Integration
84%
For Roku TV owners, the certified compatibility over HDMI ARC genuinely works as described — controlling soundbar volume and power through the Roku remote without any extra pairing or configuration steps. Buyers who have dealt with unreliable third-party integration on other brands tend to appreciate how consistently this feature performs in daily use.
The Roku TV Ready certification is meaningfully useful only for Roku TV households — owners of other TV brands get no benefit from this feature, and it should not factor into a purchase decision for the majority of buyers. A small number of users also report that reliable integration depends on the Roku TV running an up-to-date firmware version.
Design & Fit
77%
23%
At 25.6 inches wide and just 2.3 inches tall, this compact soundbar fits tidily on a TV stand without blocking the screen on televisions 32 inches and larger. The slim, unobtrusive profile suits bedrooms and smaller living spaces where a bulky audio setup would look and feel out of proportion.
The all-black plastic aesthetic, while inoffensive, does not match the premium finish of higher-end TVs, and buyers who care about the visual harmony of their setup may find the look uninspiring. There is no color or finish variation available, so adapting it to a specific room decor is simply not an option.
Volume Range
73%
27%
In a bedroom, small living room, or apartment, the bar reaches perfectly adequate listening levels without noticeable distortion at moderate to high volumes. Buyers who primarily watch TV in smaller enclosed spaces consistently report that the output is more than sufficient for their everyday needs.
In larger or open-plan rooms, the bar can feel underpowered — pushing it toward higher volumes introduces some harshness in the high frequencies, and the bass thins out further when the unit is working near its limits. Buyers hoping to fill a large living room with sound will find the output consistently falls short.
Longevity & Durability
64%
36%
Many owners report a year or more of trouble-free daily use, and for a budget-tier product, that level of reliability is broadly in line with expectations for the price bracket. The bar holds up reasonably well for typical TV-watching use in a low-traffic room environment.
A notable minority of longer-term owners flag performance degradation — occasional crackling, reduced volume output, or connectivity issues — appearing after 12 to 18 months of regular use. Hisense's one-year warranty covers the initial period, but buyers should be realistic that this unit may not hold up as a long-term investment.

Suitable for:

The Hisense HS214 2.1ch Soundbar is a smart pick for anyone who wants a genuine audio upgrade without the hassle or footprint of a multi-piece system. It is particularly well-suited to bedroom setups, guest rooms, and smaller apartments where shelf space is at a premium and running cables to a separate subwoofer is either impractical or simply not worth the trouble. First-time soundbar buyers who are used to the flat, hollow sound of built-in TV speakers will notice a real difference in dialogue clarity and overall body to the audio. Roku TV owners have an extra reason to consider it — the certified integration means controlling both the TV and soundbar from a single remote, which is a small but genuinely appreciated convenience in daily use. If your priority is a clutter-free setup that is working within minutes of opening the box, this all-in-one bar delivers exactly that.

Not suitable for:

The Hisense HS214 2.1ch Soundbar is not the right choice if you are expecting deep, room-filling bass — the built-in subwoofer is a physical compromise, and anyone stepping down from a system with a dedicated external sub will likely find the low end underwhelming. Larger living rooms with open floor plans will expose the limits of the output fairly quickly, especially for action-heavy content played at higher volumes. If you care about immersive surround sound or want to expand your setup with rear speakers down the line, this bar offers no wireless rear channel support and no meaningful upgrade path in that direction. Audiophiles and even enthusiastic casual listeners who have spent time with mid-range and above audio gear will find the sound pleasant but ultimately unremarkable. The plastic construction also means it does not feel particularly premium, which may matter to buyers who want their audio hardware to match the aesthetics of a higher-end TV setup.

Specifications

  • Channel Config: This soundbar uses a 2.1-channel configuration, combining two front-facing drivers with a built-in subwoofer driver housed in a single enclosure.
  • Peak Output: The driver array delivers up to 108W of peak power across all drivers combined.
  • Dimensions: The unit measures 3.7″ deep, 25.6″ wide, and 2.3″ tall.
  • Weight: The soundbar weighs 6 pounds, making it light enough for single-person positioning or wall-mounting.
  • Subwoofer Type: The subwoofer driver is built directly into the soundbar enclosure and is not provided as a separate wired or wireless unit.
  • Connections: Wired inputs include HDMI ARC, optical (Toslink), 3.5mm AUX, and USB for local media playback.
  • Wireless: Bluetooth is supported for wireless audio streaming from smartphones, tablets, and other compatible paired devices.
  • EQ Presets: Three selectable EQ modes — Music, Movie, and News/Voice — are accessible via the included remote.
  • Audio Format: Dolby Audio decoding is supported for compatible signals delivered through HDMI ARC or optical connections.
  • Roku Ready: The bar carries Roku TV Ready certification, enabling volume and power control through a compatible Roku TV remote over HDMI ARC.
  • Mounting: A wall-mount kit is included in the box to support below- or above-TV wall installation.
  • In-Box Items: The package contains the soundbar, one HDMI cable, one optical cable, a wall-mounting kit, and a remote control.
  • Remote Control: An infrared remote is included for controlling power, volume, input selection, and EQ mode switching.
  • TV Fit: Hisense recommends pairing this bar with televisions 32 inches or larger for optimal visual and acoustic fit.
  • Warranty: Hisense provides a one-year limited manufacturer warranty on this product.
  • Color: The soundbar is available in black only.

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FAQ

The Hisense HS214 2.1ch Soundbar is compatible with virtually any TV brand, as long as your television has at least one supported input — HDMI ARC, optical, or 3.5mm AUX. You do not need a Hisense TV to use it. The Roku TV Ready certification adds a convenient bonus for Roku TV owners, but it has no bearing on compatibility with other brands.

HDMI ARC is the simplest and most capable connection. You plug one end of the included HDMI cable into the ARC-labeled port on your TV and the other into the soundbar, and most modern TVs will detect it automatically. This single cable also carries the CEC signal, which lets your TV remote handle soundbar volume without any extra setup.

If you connect via HDMI ARC and your TV supports CEC, yes — your TV remote will control the soundbar's volume and muting directly. Most modern TVs support CEC, though it may be labeled differently depending on the brand (for example, Anynet+ on Samsung sets or BRAVIA Sync on Sony). If CEC is unavailable or disabled on your TV, you will need the included dedicated remote for volume control.

Both perspectives are valid, and your expectations really depend on your point of reference. Coming from the thin built-in speakers in a typical budget or mid-range flat-panel TV, the bass will feel like a real improvement — there is genuine low-end presence that most TV speakers cannot produce on their own. If you have previously owned a system with a dedicated external subwoofer, you will likely find the built-in sub underwhelming on action films or bass-heavy music. It is best understood as a convenient compromise rather than a standalone subwoofer replacement.

Initial pairing is generally quick and trouble-free. The more commonly reported issue is that the bar does not always automatically reconnect to a previously paired device after it powers off and back on, requiring a manual re-pair in some cases. For a stable daily-use connection, HDMI ARC is the more dependable choice if your TV supports it.

Yes, a wall-mount kit is included in the box, so you do not need to source extra hardware for a basic installation. The bar weighs only 6 pounds, which makes it manageable for one person to hang. That said, the included mounting hardware is fairly minimal, so be sure to locate a wall stud or use appropriate anchors for a secure fit.

In practice, yes — provided your Roku TV has an HDMI ARC port and you use it for the connection. Once set up, your Roku remote handles volume and power for the soundbar without any additional pairing or configuration. This is one of the features that tends to perform reliably and is a genuinely useful convenience for Roku TV households.

Movie mode gives the audio a bit more low- and mid-frequency weight, which adds presence to on-screen action and ambient sound. Music mode is more balanced across the frequency range and suits background listening well. News/Voice mode emphasizes the mid-range frequencies where human speech sits, making dialogue and commentary noticeably clearer — it is particularly useful for news broadcasts or any content where clarity matters more than bass. Switching between modes is a single button press on the remote, so it is easy to adjust in the moment.

Absolutely. Both an optical cable and an HDMI cable are included in the box, so you are covered for older TVs with a Toslink optical output. A 3.5mm AUX connection is also available for TVs or devices with a headphone-style output. The main thing you give up without HDMI ARC is the CEC remote passthrough, meaning you will need to use the dedicated remote for volume control rather than your TV remote.

For a basic shelf placement with HDMI ARC, most buyers are up and running in under ten minutes. The remote comes pre-paired and ready to use, and the TV usually detects the soundbar automatically once the cable is connected. If you want to wall-mount it, budget an extra twenty to thirty minutes depending on your wall type and comfort level with basic tools.