Best budget TV soundbar? ULTIMEA vs Hisense in a real-world showdown

Display

Strictly speaking, neither product has a display or screen quality angle in the way a TV does, so this category is really about how well they integrate with your television setup. On that basis, the winner is Hisense. The HS2100 leans into a more TV-centric experience with TV Mode and EzPlay, which should make day-to-day use with a compatible Hisense TV or similar setup feel more seamless. ULTIMEA counters with broad connectivity, including HDMI, optical and aux, plus app control, but if you want the simplest “turn it on and it works with the TV” experience, Hisense has the edge.

Performance

This is the most important category, and it depends on what kind of sound you want. Hisense wins for raw audio performance. It claims 240W max audio power, includes a wireless subwoofer, and supports Dolby Audio plus DTS Virtual:X, which should deliver a bigger, more cinematic soundstage with stronger bass and more convincing surround-style effects. ULTIMEA’s 100W peak power is much lower on paper, but it has a clever 2.2-channel design, BassMX for extra low-end tuning, and VoiceMX for clearer dialogue. If your priority is movie impact and room-filling sound, the Hisense is the stronger performer. If your priority is dialogue clarity at a lower price, the ULTIMEA is surprisingly well-equipped and may be enough for smaller rooms or flats.

Build quality and design

This is closer than the performance battle. ULTIMEA wins on flexibility and compactness. The 2-in-1 detachable design is a genuine advantage if you want to split the soundbar into two units for a wider stereo effect or easier placement around a TV stand. It also has wall-mount support and a more modern, app-driven feature set. Hisense wins on premium feel and system design, mainly because the ultra-slim wireless subwoofer gives the whole setup a more complete home-cinema look and avoids the clutter of extra wires. If you want a neater, more traditional living-room setup, Hisense looks more polished. If you want a more adaptable, space-saving design, ULTIMEA is the better thought-out product.

Battery life

Neither product is battery-powered, so there’s no meaningful battery life comparison here. Both are mains-powered home audio products, so this category is effectively a tie. In practical terms, you should judge them on power, placement and ease of use rather than portability.

Price and value for money

ULTIMEA wins decisively on value. At £49.99, it is £34.01 cheaper than the Hisense HS2100 at £84.00, yet still offers Bluetooth 5.3, HDMI/optical/aux connectivity, app control, BassMX, VoiceMX, three EQ modes and a detachable 2-in-1 design. That is a lot of feature content for the money. The Hisense is not overpriced, but you are paying a clear premium for the extra power output, wireless subwoofer and Dolby/DTS processing. If your budget is tight, the ULTIMEA is the better buy in pure value terms. If you can stretch the budget and want a more complete home-cinema package, the Hisense justifies its higher price better than many rivals in this bracket.

Game library/features

Neither product has a game library, so the closest meaningful comparison is feature set and usability. ULTIMEA wins here because it offers more control options for the money: app support, three EQ modes, VoiceMX, BassMX, Bluetooth 5.3 and a detachable 2.2-channel layout. That makes it more configurable for different content types, from late-night TV to gaming and music. Hisense’s feature set is simpler but more focused: Dolby Audio, DTS Virtual:X, TV Mode, EzPlay and the wireless subwoofer. If you want more tweakable features and everyday flexibility, ULTIMEA is stronger. If you want a more straightforward cinematic setup, Hisense is better.

Overall user experience

Hisense wins overall for sound quality and cinematic enjoyment, while ULTIMEA wins for value and versatility. The HS2100 is the better choice if you want a bigger, more immersive upgrade over TV speakers, especially for films and sport. The Apollo S40 Pro is the better choice if you want a budget-friendly soundbar that still adds clear dialogue, decent bass and modern convenience features without pushing past the £50 mark. Both are well-reviewed at 4.4/5, but the Hisense has more reviews and a more premium spec sheet, which gives it the edge as the more complete product. Overall summary: buy the Hisense HS2100 if sound quality matters most and you can afford the extra £34.01. Buy the ULTIMEA Apollo S40 Pro if you want the best value and a feature-rich upgrade on a tight budget.