OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Soundbars Methodology v3.0
Soundbars Methodology v3.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Soundbars Methodology v3.0: the technical score from the specifications is the base, and independent expert and video reviews (up to ±0.5 points), owner opinions (up to ±0.3) and best-of lists (up to +0.3) move it up or down.
Explore Soundbars Methodology v3.0

Amazon Basics X20r review: 108 specs compared

Avg. price:~£20N. of audio channels:2.0Audio output power:20 WHDMI ARC type:none

Amazon Basics X20r Review: Compare 108 technical specifications and 1 expert and video reviews to see how this product ranks in the Soundbars category and whether it is worth buying.

5.7/10

Overall score

Score
5.7/ 10
✕
What it is
Our main score for this model, 1–10. It combines specs, best-of lists, expert reviews and owners.
How we count it
Parts: Technical score 35%, List score 30%, Reviews score 25%, Sentiment score 10%
Marks: Each part gets a mark out of 10. For reviews, lists and owners, a typical model in this category gets about 8 and the best one gets 10.
No data yet: A part with no data shows "?". It counts as the mark of a weaker model in this category (4 in 5 models with data score higher). This way, models with reviews, lists and owners usually come out ahead.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 92% of models
Score components

35%

4.6

Technical score

30%

?

List scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.5, the mark of a weaker model in this category

25%

4.6

Reviews score

10%

?

Sentiment scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 6.8, the mark of a weaker model in this category

â–¼Worse than 92% of soundbars
7.0

Value for money

Value for money
7.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the soundbar's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a soundbar with a good balance between audio quality, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 91% of models
Score components

70%

5.7

Overall score

30%

10

Price

â–¼Worse than 91%
4.6

Technical score

Technical score
4.6/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 35% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 92% of models
Score components

25%

3.7

Audio

18%

4.1

Formats

16%

5.7

Connectivity

14%

4.9

Controls

12%

4.7

HDMI

10%

4.0

Streaming

5%

8.3

Design

â–¼Worse than 92%
4.6

Reviews score

Reviews score
4.6/ 10
✕
What it is
Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
How we count it
Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Every review counts the same: written or video, short or full test.
Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.6 for now.
Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 96% of models

4.6

Mark 7.6 is below the typical mark 8.0 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

80%

8.3

Average grade

20%

5.0

Popularity

Grades by review (1)
1 video: 9.0/10. We use 3 reviews; the 2 missing count as the category's typical 8.2: (9.0 × 1 + 8.2 × 2) ÷ 3 = 8.5. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
â–¼Worse than 96%
?

List score

List score
7.5/ 10
✕
What it is
How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
How we count it
Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 30% of the overall score.
Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
Lists with this model (0)
Not in any best-of list yet, so this part counts as 7.5. Models in a list get 8 to 10.
Not in any best-of list yet
  • No image
No image
Where to buy
    N/A~ £20
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
Loading category ranking...

Technical Specifications of soundbar Amazon Basics X20r

Technical score
Technical score
4.6/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 35% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 92% of models
Score components:

25%

3.7

Audio

18%

4.1

Formats

16%

5.7

Connectivity

14%

4.9

Controls

12%

4.7

HDMI

10%

4.0

Streaming

5%

8.3

Design

4.6
Reviews score
4.6
List score
?
Value for money
Value for money
7.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the soundbar's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a soundbar with a good balance between audio quality, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 91% of models
Score components:

70%

5.7

Overall score

30%

10

Price

7.0
N. of audio channels
2
This soundbar offers 2 audio channels, fewer than 58.1% of soundbars and equal to 41.9% of soundbars.
Audio output power
20 W
Market range: <16 W – >260 W
This soundbar delivers 20 W of audio output power, less than 81.7% of soundbars and equal to 2.3% of soundbars.
Max SPL
?
Min frequency
?
Max frequency
20,000 Hz
Market range: <19k Hz – >20k Hz
This soundbar reaches a maximum frequency of 20,000 Hz, higher than 17.5% of soundbars and equal to 76.8% of soundbars.
Show more
Dolby Atmos
no
This soundbar does not support Dolby Atmos. 30.3% of soundbars include this feature.
DTS:X
no
This soundbar does not support DTS:X. 16.7% of soundbars include this feature.
Dolby TrueHD
no
This soundbar does not support Dolby TrueHD. 16.5% of soundbars include this feature.
DTS-HD Master Audio
no
This soundbar does not support DTS-HD Master Audio. 7.6% of soundbars include this feature.
Dolby Digital Plus
no
This soundbar does not support Dolby Digital Plus. 25.3% of soundbars include this feature.
Show more
N. of HDMI inputs
0
Market range: <0 – >1
This soundbar has 0 HDMI inputs, fewer than 41.5% of soundbars and equal to 58.5% of soundbars.
Wi-Fi connectivity
no
This soundbar does not support Wi-Fi connectivity. 28.8% of soundbars include this feature.
Wi-Fi version
N/A
Bluetooth connectivity
yes
This soundbar supports Bluetooth connectivity. 4.6% of soundbars include this feature.
Bluetooth version
5.3
This soundbar uses Bluetooth 5.3, which is more up to date than 88.2% of soundbars and equal to 11.8% of soundbars.
Show more
Smartphone app
no
This soundbar does not have smartphone app. 42.6% of soundbars offer this feature.
Remote control
no
This soundbar does not have remote control. 82.8% of soundbars offer this feature.
Control panel
yes
This soundbar has control panel. 5.5% of soundbars offer this feature.
Voice assistant compatibility
no
This soundbar does not support voice assistant compatibility. 36.8% of soundbars include this feature.
Far-field microphones
no
This soundbar does not have far-field microphones. 7.1% of soundbars offer this feature.
Show more
HDMI version
2.1
This soundbar has HDMI 2.1, which is more capable than 88.3% of soundbars and equal to 11.7% of soundbars.
HDMI ARC type
none
This soundbar has none as its HDMI TV-audio return type, which is less advanced than what 75.6% of soundbars and the same as what 24.4% offers.
HDMI-CEC support
no
This soundbar does not support HDMI-CEC. 71.2% support HDMI-CEC.
HDMI pass-through resolution
none
This soundbar passes through none, which is lower resolution than 27.2% of soundbars and equal to 72.8% of soundbars.
HDMI pass-through frame rate
none fps
This soundbar supports HDMI pass-through up to none fps, lower than 21.4% of soundbars and equal to 78.6% of soundbars.
Show more
AirPlay
no
This soundbar does not support AirPlay. 19.9% of soundbars include this feature.
Chromecast built-in
no
This soundbar does not support Chromecast built-in. 11.4% of soundbars include this feature.
Spotify Connect
no
This soundbar does not support Spotify Connect. 20.8% of soundbars include this feature.
TIDAL Connect
no
This soundbar does not support TIDAL Connect. 9.2% of soundbars include this feature.
Amazon Music native support
no
This soundbar does not support native Amazon Music. 13% support native Amazon Music.
Show more
Width
418 mm
Market range: <384 mm – >1.1k mm
This soundbar is 418 mm wide, narrower than 83.1% of soundbars.
Height
?
Thickness
?
Weight
681 g
Market range: <729 g – >5.5k g
This soundbar weighs 681 g, less than 93.7% of soundbars.
Build material
plastic
This soundbar is built from plastic, which is more premium than 3% of soundbars and equal to 92.6% of soundbars.
Show more

Amazon Basics X20r vs the average soundbar

246810TotalAudioFormatsConnectivityHDMIStreamingControlsDesign
  • 1 more USB ports
    This soundbar has more USB ports than the average soundbar (2 vs 1). The average soundbar has 1 USB ports.
    2 vs 1
  • AptX support
    This soundbar supports aptX, the average soundbar does not.
  • 345 mm narrower width
    This soundbar is narrower than the average soundbar (418 mm vs 763 mm). The average soundbar is 763 mm wide.
    418 mm vs 763 mm
  • More up-to-date Bluetooth version
    This soundbar has a more up-to-date Bluetooth version than the average soundbar (5.3 vs 5).
    5.3 vs 5
  • 1,319 g lighter weight
    This soundbar is lighter than the average soundbar (681 g vs 2000 g). The average soundbar weighs 2000 g.
    681 g vs 2,000 g
  • 3 years newer release
    This soundbar is newer than the average soundbar (2024 vs 2021). The average soundbar was released in 2021.
    April 8, 2024
    2024 vs 2021
  • More firmware update options
    This soundbar offers more firmware update options than the average soundbar (over-the-air vs USB).
    over-the-air vs USB
  • 5.5x cheaper
    Amazon Basics X20r is cheaper than the average soundbar (£20 vs £110).
    £20 vs £110
  • 5.5x cheaper
    Amazon Basics X20r is cheaper than the average soundbar (£20 vs £110).
    £20 vs £110
  • 3 years newer release
    This soundbar is newer than the average soundbar (2024 vs 2021). The average soundbar was released in 2021.
    April 8, 2024
    2024 vs 2021
  • AptX support
    This soundbar supports aptX, the average soundbar does not.
  • 1 more USB ports
    This soundbar has more USB ports than the average soundbar (2 vs 1). The average soundbar has 1 USB ports.
    2 vs 1
  • More up-to-date Bluetooth version
    This soundbar has a more up-to-date Bluetooth version than the average soundbar (5.3 vs 5).
    5.3 vs 5
  • More firmware update options
    This soundbar offers more firmware update options than the average soundbar (over-the-air vs USB).
    over-the-air vs USB
  • 345 mm narrower width
    This soundbar is narrower than the average soundbar (418 mm vs 763 mm). The average soundbar is 763 mm wide.
    418 mm vs 763 mm
  • 1,319 g lighter weight
    This soundbar is lighter than the average soundbar (681 g vs 2000 g). The average soundbar weighs 2000 g.
    681 g vs 2,000 g
  • Less advanced HDMI ARC type
    This soundbar has none as its HDMI TV-audio return type, while the average soundbar has eARC.
    none vs eARC
  • 35.2% lower review score
    Reviews score
    4.6/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
    How we count it
    Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Every review counts the same: written or video, short or full test.
    Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
    Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.6 for now.
    Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    â–¼ Worse than 96% of models

    4.6

    Mark 7.6 is below the typical mark 8.0 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

    80%

    8.3

    Average grade

    20%

    5.0

    Popularity

    Grades by review (1)
    1 video: 9.0/10. We use 3 reviews; the 2 missing count as the category's typical 8.2: (9.0 × 1 + 8.2 × 2) ÷ 3 = 8.5. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
    4.6 vs 7.1
  • 2 fewer drivers
    This soundbar has fewer drivers than the average soundbar (2 vs 4). The average soundbar has 4 drivers.
    2 vs 4
  • Fewer audio channels
    This soundbar has fewer audio channels than the average soundbar (2 vs 2.1). The average soundbar has 2.1 audio channels.
    2 vs 2.1
  • No Dolby Digital
    This soundbar does not support Dolby Digital, the average soundbar does.
  • No optical audio input
    This soundbar does not have optical audio input, the average soundbar does.
    No (only Bluetooth, 3.5mm AUX, USB, and TF Card)
  • No night mode
    This soundbar does not support night mode, the average soundbar does.
  • No remote control
    This soundbar does not have remote control, the average soundbar does.
  • 35.2% lower review score
    Reviews score
    4.6/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
    How we count it
    Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Every review counts the same: written or video, short or full test.
    Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
    Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.6 for now.
    Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    â–¼ Worse than 96% of models

    4.6

    Mark 7.6 is below the typical mark 8.0 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

    80%

    8.3

    Average grade

    20%

    5.0

    Popularity

    Grades by review (1)
    1 video: 9.0/10. We use 3 reviews; the 2 missing count as the category's typical 8.2: (9.0 × 1 + 8.2 × 2) ÷ 3 = 8.5. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
    4.6 vs 7.1
  • 8.6% worse value for money
    Amazon Basics X20r has worse value for money than the average soundbar (7 vs 7.6).
    7 vs 7.6
  • 2 fewer drivers
    This soundbar has fewer drivers than the average soundbar (2 vs 4). The average soundbar has 4 drivers.
    2 vs 4
  • Fewer audio channels
    This soundbar has fewer audio channels than the average soundbar (2 vs 2.1). The average soundbar has 2.1 audio channels.
    2 vs 2.1
  • No bass boost
    This soundbar does not support bass boost, the average soundbar does.
  • 71.4% less audio output power
    This soundbar has a lower audio output power than the average soundbar (20 W vs 70 W). The average soundbar delivers 70 W of audio output power.
    20 W vs 70 W
  • No Dolby Digital
    This soundbar does not support Dolby Digital, the average soundbar does.
  • No PCM / LPCM
    This soundbar does not support PCM / LPCM support, the average soundbar does.
  • 1 fewer supported audio formats
    This soundbar supports fewer audio formats than the average soundbar (1 vs 2). The average soundbar supports 2 audio formats.
    1 vs 2
  • No optical audio input
    This soundbar does not have optical audio input, the average soundbar does.
    No (only Bluetooth, 3.5mm AUX, USB, and TF Card)
  • Less advanced HDMI ARC type
    This soundbar has none as its HDMI TV-audio return type, while the average soundbar has eARC.
    none vs eARC
  • No HDMI-CEC support
    This soundbar does not support HDMI-CEC, the average soundbar does.
  • No night mode
    This soundbar does not support night mode, the average soundbar does.
  • No remote control
    This soundbar does not have remote control, the average soundbar does.
  • No dialogue enhancement
    This soundbar does not support dialogue enhancement, the average soundbar does.

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

9.0
Technical ONEBOX
≈ estimated
10/05/2026
Hands-on review · sound, range, battery and build tests
Verdict
Amazon Basics X20r has solid sound and loudness for the price, and the reviewer says it is definitely worth buying.

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Amazon Basics X20r

  • Excellent value for money, often described as 'best in class' for its budget price point.
  • Compact and sturdy build quality with an attractive design that fits well on desks or small entertainment stands.
  • Multiple connectivity options including Bluetooth 5.3, AUX, USB, and Micro SD card support.
  • Ease of setup and use, featuring simple controls and a 2000mAh battery for portability.
  • Good sound clarity and volume levels for casual listening in small rooms.

What customers don't like about Amazon Basics X20r

  • Mixed reviews on battery performance, with some users reporting it lasts significantly less than the advertised 9 hours.
  • Bass response is limited and can be underwhelming for users looking for deep cinematic audio.
  • Potential durability issues, with reports of volume knobs breaking or speakers failing after short periods of use.
  • Bluetooth connectivity can be unstable or slow to pair for some users.
  • Lacks advanced features such as HDMI ports, app support, or Dolby Atmos.

Verdict

The Amazon Basics X20R is a compact 20W Bluetooth soundbar featuring dual 10W drivers and two passive bass radiators designed for enhanced sound depth in small to medium-sized rooms. It offers versatile connectivity through Bluetooth 5.3, 3.5mm AUX, USB, and Micro SD (TF) card slots, supported by a 2000mAh rechargeable battery that provides up to 9 hours of playback at 50% volume. Main pros include its lightweight, portable design (approx. 681g), robust build quality for its price range, and the inclusion of advanced codecs like aptX Adaptive and AAC for high-quality wireless audio. However, notable cons include the lack of an HDMI port, potential treble harshness or distortion at maximum volume, and significantly reduced battery life when used at higher output levels.

Compare Amazon Basics X20r with other soundbars

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