Michael Gowan

The TCL Alto 6 Plus doesn’t cost much and has few frills, but delivers impressive audio for the price.

The Monoprice SB-600 delivers 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos surround sound at a great price, but lacks polish.

The Konka U5 Android TV (55U55A) offers all the goodies of its smart TV OS and produces a good overall picture for the price.

Thanks to above-average sound in a small package, the JBL Flip 5 remains one of the best portable Bluetooth speakers.

The Marshall Mode II wireless earbuds rival the best in this price range for sound quality, but lack active noise cancellation and ruggedness.

While the lights on the LG XBoom Go PL7 may attract your eyes, it’s the detailed sound that will hook your ears.

The Enclave CineHome Pro 5.1 CineHub Edition delivers better sound than a single soundbar, without sacrificing simplicity — but you’ll have to live without the latest technologies.

Ultimate Ears Hyperboom portable Bluetooth speaker is a big speaker that produces a big sound — at a big price.

The Vizio V-Series 2.1 Home Theater Soundbar V21-H8 delivers wide sound, big bass and plenty of options for not much money.

The Fugoo Sport 2.0 is a versatile and affordable wireless speaker, though it doesn’t improve much on the original.

The bass-rich JBL Bar 5.1 Surround soundbar creates an encompassing sound, if you can figure out how to take advantage of its talents.

The LG SN8YG delivers the precision of Dolby Atmos sound at an affordable price — and gets very loud.

The Tailwind iQ3 brings plenty of smart features to your old garage door opener, including Alexa and Google Assistant support.

Thanks to its remote sensors and scheduling features, the Honeywell T9 Smart Thermostat can keep your entire house comfortable.