Best budget soundbar buy: ULTIMEA Apollo S40 Pro or Hisense HS2000?

Display

Strictly speaking, neither product has a display or screen, so this category comes down to how clearly each soundbar helps you watch TV. The Hisense HS2000 wins here because it offers Dolby Audio and DTS Virtual:X, both of which are designed to create a more immersive TV soundstage. If you watch a lot of films, sport or streaming dramas, that virtual surround effect can make voices and effects feel more separated and less flat. The ULTIMEA has VoiceMX for clearer dialogue, which is genuinely useful, but it is more about speech clarity than big cinematic scale. Winner: Hisense HS2000.

Performance

This is the most important category, and it splits into power, bass and dialogue. The Hisense HS2000 claims 240W max audio power and a 2.1-channel layout with a visual built-in subwoofer, so on paper it should sound bigger, punchier and more room-filling than the ULTIMEA’s 100W peak 2.2ch setup. That extra headroom matters if you want louder TV audio without distortion, especially in a medium-sized lounge. However, ULTIMEA fights back with BassMX and VoiceMX, plus 3 EQ modes and app control, which makes it easier to tune for dialogue-heavy viewing and late-night listening. If your main frustration is muddy speech on Freeview, Netflix or BBC iPlayer, ULTIMEA may actually feel more immediately useful. If you want the stronger overall sound and a more premium movie effect, Hisense wins. Winner: Hisense HS2000.

Build quality and design

The ULTIMEA Apollo S40 Pro is the more flexible product. Its 2-in-1 detachable design lets you split or arrange the soundbar to suit your TV setup, and it includes wall-mount support plus Bluetooth 5.3 and app control. That flexibility is ideal for smaller UK living rooms, bedrooms or awkward TV cabinets where placement matters. The Hisense HS2000 looks more straightforward and brand-led, with a built-in subwoofer approach that should feel neat and tidy under a television, but it is less adaptable. If you value customisation and easier integration into different spaces, ULTIMEA takes this round. Winner: ULTIMEA Apollo S40 Pro.

Battery life

Neither product is battery-powered, so battery life is not a meaningful factor here. For a mains-powered TV soundbar, the more relevant point is convenience and day-to-day reliability. Both should be plug-in-and-forget devices, but ULTIMEA’s app and Bluetooth 5.3 give it a slight edge for ease of use with phones and quick switching between sources. Winner: ULTIMEA Apollo S40 Pro by default, since battery life does not apply.

Price and value for money

This is where ULTIMEA makes its case. At £49.99, it is £24.01 cheaper than the Hisense HS2000 at £74.00, yet it still brings Bluetooth 5.3, HDMI/optical/Aux inputs, BassMX, VoiceMX, app control and a detachable design. For value, that is excellent, especially if you are upgrading from built-in TV speakers on a tight budget. The Hisense is more expensive, but the extra spend buys you stronger headline specs, Dolby Audio, DTS Virtual:X and a more powerful 2.1-channel setup. If your budget is capped, ULTIMEA is the better buy; if you can stretch, Hisense offers the more capable audio package. Winner: ULTIMEA Apollo S40 Pro.

Game library/features

Neither product is about a game library, but there are feature differences that matter for broader use. The ULTIMEA has app control, 3 EQ modes and multiple connection options, which make it more versatile for everyday TV, music and casual gaming. The Hisense counters with TV Mode and EzPlay, which should make setup with compatible TVs simpler and can be appealing if you want a fuss-free plug-in experience. For gamers, the deciding factor is usually low-hassle audio and easy switching rather than gaming-specific features, and ULTIMEA’s broader control options give it the edge. Winner: ULTIMEA Apollo S40 Pro.

Overall user experience

The Hisense HS2000 feels like the more serious sound upgrade. It has the stronger power rating, a 2.1-channel layout, Dolby Audio and DTS Virtual:X, and its 4,355 reviews suggest a very well-established user base. That said, the ULTIMEA is easier to recommend for most budget-conscious buyers because it costs less, is highly rated at 4.4/5 across 2,788 reviews, and offers a surprisingly rich feature list for under £50. In everyday use, ULTIMEA is likely to please people who want clearer speech, flexible setup and good value. Hisense is the better pick if you want the most cinematic sound and are willing to pay more for it. Overall summary: Hisense HS2000 wins on raw audio performance and movie-like immersion, but ULTIMEA Apollo S40 Pro wins on value, flexibility and all-round affordability. For most UK buyers, the ULTIMEA is the smarter purchase unless you specifically want the louder, fuller-sounding upgrade of the Hisense.