soundbars · Head-to-head
Hisense HS5100 vs Samsung HW-S60D
The short answer
Samsung HW-S60D comes out ahead overall with 7.5/10 against 6.9/10 for the Hisense HS5100. Hisense HS5100 is stronger on value. Samsung HW-S60D is stronger on dialogue clarity, dialogue boost range & controls, ease of setup & use for seniors, overall sound quality and safety, energy & repairability. At current verified prices, the Hisense HS5100 costs about $98.00 less.
- Choose the Hisense HS5100 if: Budget movie watchers with room for a subwoofer and rear speakers who still want a center channel.
- Choose the Samsung HW-S60D if: Buyers who want clear dialogue, full movie sound and one-cable HDMI-CEC setup from a single compact bar, especially Samsung TV owners.
Scores by criterion
| Criterion | Hisense HS5100 | Samsung HW-S60D |
|---|---|---|
| Dialogue clarity | 7.8Center channel; RTINGS Dialogue 7.9 (snippet). | 8.2Discrete center channel; RTINGS 'great for dialogue' snippet, offset by Tom's Guide's muffled-dialogue note. |
| Dialogue boost range & controls | 5.0News mode only. | 5.5Voice Enhance is on/off only; Active Voice Amplifier needs a compatible Samsung TV (Tom's Guide). |
| Ease of setup & use for seniors | 6.0Three extra boxes to place and power; EzPlay only with Hisense TVs. | 8.0One HDMI ARC cable, TV-remote control via CEC, optional app, 26-inch bar with no subwoofer. |
| Overall sound quality | 7.5Full 5.1 with a sub. | 8.0Balanced 5.0 Atmos all-in-one; lacks low bass (RTINGS). |
| Value | 8.0Lots of hardware for $179.99, but much of it is surplus for dialogue-focused buyers. | 7.5$277.99 sold by Amazon against a $399.99 list price, with a thin margin under the cap. |
| Safety, energy & repairability | 5.5No data found. | 6.0No recalls found; standard warranty; no verified standby figure. |
Specifications
| Spec | Hisense HS5100 | Samsung HW-S60D |
|---|---|---|
| Exact evaluated bar, subwoofer and surround configuration | Bar + wireless subwoofer + 2 rear speakers | HW-S60D bar only |
| Workflow type | 5.1 system with rears | All-in-one smart bar |
| Dialogue feature | News sound mode; center speaker (marketing) | Active Voice Amplifier + Voice Enhance; discrete center channel |
| Exact US model and regional suffix | HS5100 | HW-S60D/ZA |
| Soundbar width | 902 mm | 668 mm |
| Dedicated center channel / speech driver | Yes | Yes |
| Soundbar height | 62 mm | 61 mm |
| Soundbar depth | 91 mm | 104 mm |
| Channel configuration | 5.1 | 5.0 |
| Meets editorial 800-mm width and 80-mm height filter | No | Yes |
| Dolby Atmos | No | Yes |
| Separate subwoofer included | Yes | No |
| HDMI ARC/eARC | Yes | Yes |
| Full HDMI source inputs excluding ARC/eARC return port | 0 ports | 0 ports |
| Optical input | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Width | 35.5 in | 26.3 in |
| Included calibration, device requirements and paid upgrades | — | SpaceFit Sound Pro room calibration built in |
| Compatible named optional subwoofer and surround configuration | — | Samsung SWA-W510 subwoofer |
| Current verified retailer price for evaluated configuration | 179.99 USD | 279.99 USD |
| Verified manufacturer list price, not assumed from a crossed-out reference | — | 399.99 USD |
| Listing, indexed listing, cart, delivery or conflicting-render status | Best Buy and Walmart $179.99 (search snippets) | Best Buy snapshots $279.99-$319; Walmart $297.99 (search snippets) |
| Tested firmware, modes, protocol and substantive retest date | RTINGS methodology v1.3, reviewed July 2025 (search snippet) | — |
Hisense HS5100
Pros
- Center speaker and wireless subwoofer
- Rear speakers for surround
- Strong dialogue score from RTINGS
- Low price for a 5.1 system
Cons
- Three boxes to place
- Only a News mode for dialogue
- EzPlay works only with select Hisense TVs
- No Dolby Atmos
The best budget surround system here, and a better fit for movie fans than for seniors seeking simplicity.
Full Hisense HS5100 review →Samsung HW-S60D
Pros
- Discrete center channel for speech
- Dolby Atmos in a 26-inch single bar
- One-cable HDMI ARC setup with CEC
- Room calibration built in
- No subwoofer needed
Cons
- Priced near the $300 cap, and the list price is higher
- Active Voice Amplifier needs a compatible Samsung TV
- Limited dialogue controls
- Bass is light without the optional subwoofer
The best overall pick because it combines a center channel, easy setup and the best general sound here. Buy the HW-S60D/ZA listing, not a bundle, and it is at its best with a Samsung TV.
Full Samsung HW-S60D review →Both products are part of our guide The Best Soundbars Under $300 of 2026, where you can see every pick, how we score and current prices from each retailer.