soundbars · Head-to-head
Hisense HS5100 vs Sony HT-S100F
The short answer
Hisense HS5100 and Sony HT-S100F finish almost level in our scoring (6.9 vs 7.0 out of 10), so the right pick depends on what you value most. Hisense HS5100 is stronger on dialogue clarity, dialogue boost range & controls, overall sound quality and safety, energy & repairability. Sony HT-S100F is stronger on ease of setup & use for seniors and value. At current verified prices, the Sony HT-S100F costs about $81.99 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 Sony HT-S100F if: Shoppers who want the cheapest no-fuss, no-app upgrade over TV speakers, with a Voice mode.
Scores by criterion
| Criterion | Hisense HS5100 | Sony HT-S100F |
|---|---|---|
| Dialogue clarity | 7.8Center channel; RTINGS Dialogue 7.9 (snippet). | 6.8Beats TV speakers, but there's no center channel (RTINGS). |
| Dialogue boost range & controls | 5.0News mode only. | 4.5Single Voice toggle. |
| Ease of setup & use for seniors | 6.0Three extra boxes to place and power; EzPlay only with Hisense TVs. | 8.8HDMI ARC/CEC, simple remote, no app. |
| Overall sound quality | 7.5Full 5.1 with a sub. | 6.0Decent 2.0 with modest bass. |
| Value | 8.0Lots of hardware for $179.99, but much of it is surplus for dialogue-focused buyers. | 8.8$98 with three testers behind it. |
| Safety, energy & repairability | 5.5No data found. | 5.0Neutral: no parts or idle-power evidence found. |
Specifications
| Spec | Hisense HS5100 | Sony HT-S100F |
|---|---|---|
| Exact evaluated bar, subwoofer and surround configuration | Bar + wireless subwoofer + 2 rear speakers | HT-S100F bar only |
| Workflow type | 5.1 system with rears | Standalone budget bar |
| Dialogue feature | News sound mode; center speaker (marketing) | Voice mode |
| Exact US model and regional suffix | HS5100 | HT-S100F |
| Dialogue enhancement levels | — | 1 levels |
| Soundbar width | 902 mm | 902 mm |
| Dedicated center channel / speech driver | Yes | No |
| Soundbar height | 62 mm | 64 mm |
| Soundbar depth | 91 mm | 89 mm |
| Channel configuration | 5.1 | 2.0 |
| Meets editorial 800-mm width and 80-mm height filter | No | No |
| Dolby Atmos | No | No |
| Separate subwoofer included | Yes | No |
| Verified decoding and transport support | — | Dolby Digital, LPCM 2ch (retailer spec) |
| 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 |
| ARC/eARC, optical, TV-specific and adapter requirements | — | HDMI ARC or optical |
| Width | 35.5 in | 35.5 in |
| Physical remote, TV remote, account and app requirements | — | Included remote; TV remote via HDMI-CEC; no app |
| Current verified retailer price for evaluated configuration | 179.99 USD | — |
| Listing, indexed listing, cart, delivery or conflicting-render status | Best Buy and Walmart $179.99 (search snippets) | Amazon new offer $98 from third-party seller Electronic Express (search snippet) |
| 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 →Sony HT-S100F
Pros
- Very low price
- HDMI ARC/CEC for TV-remote control
- One-touch Voice mode
- Bluetooth and optical inputs
- Backed by several independent testers
Cons
- No center channel
- Single voice toggle, no levels
- Older 2018 design
- An owner reports Bluetooth lag with video
A fair budget upgrade. For stronger hearing needs, spend more on one of the ZVOX bars.
Full Sony HT-S100F 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.