OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Soundbars Methodology v2.0
Soundbars Methodology v2.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Soundbars Methodology v2.0: technical specifications plus grades from 1,310 independent expert reviews and 1,704 video reviews, with 0% commercial bias.
Explore Soundbars Methodology v2.0

TCL Alto 3 Review | 109 Data compared

Avg. price:~£55N. of audio channels:2.0Audio output power:80 WHDMI ARC type:none

TCL Alto 3 Review: Compare 109 technical specifications and 3 expert and video reviews to see how this product ranks in the Soundbars category and whether it is worth buying.

TCL Alto 3
5.1/10

Overall score

Score
5.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the soundbar's quality, based on technical analyses and grades from independent expert reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best soundbars on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 78% of models
Score components

95%

5.0

Technical score

5%

6.3

Reviews score ( 2 · 1)

Reviews score 5% · 6.3 · based on 3 independent reviews
Every model in this category gets the same split: reviews 5%, technical score 95%. This model has enough reviews, so its review score is the weighted average of their grades.
â–¼Worse than 78% of soundbars
6.6

Value for money

Value for money
6.6/ 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 72% of models
Score components

70%

5.1

Overall score

30%

10

Price

â–¼Worse than 72%
5.0

Technical score

Technical score
5.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of the soundbar's technical performance, covering key areas such as audio quality, channel configuration, connectivity, HDMI and wireless features, and design.
When it matters
When you want to compare soundbars based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 74% of models
Score components

25%

4.1

Audio

18%

4.7

Formats

16%

6.3

Connectivity

14%

5.9

Controls

12%

4.2

HDMI & Gaming

10%

4.0

Smart features

5%

7.5

Design

â–¼Worse than 74%
6.3

Reviews score

Reviews score
6.3/ 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.
Weighting: Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
Share: Reviews are 5% of the overall score for every model in this category; each of the 2 needed reviews that is missing counts as 7/10.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 99% of models
Grades by review (3)
2 reviews: 1 with a printed score, 1 estimated from the review. 1 video review, counting half as much as a written test. Share in the overall score: 5%, the same for every model in this category.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
â–¼Worse than 99%
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Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of soundbar TCL Alto 3

Technical score
Technical score
5.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of the soundbar's technical performance, covering key areas such as audio quality, channel configuration, connectivity, HDMI and wireless features, and design.
When it matters
When you want to compare soundbars based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 74% of models
Score components:

25%

4.1

Audio

18%

4.7

Formats

16%

6.3

Connectivity

14%

5.9

Controls

12%

4.2

HDMI & Gaming

10%

4.0

Smart features

5%

7.5

Design

5.0
Reviews score
6.3
Value for money
Value for money
6.6/ 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 72% of models
Score components:

70%

5.1

Overall score

30%

10

Price

6.6
Brand name
TCL
N. of audio channels
2
This soundbar offers 2 audio channels, fewer than 43.6% of soundbars and equal to 56.4% of soundbars.
Audio output power
80 W
Market range: <10 W – >260 W
This soundbar delivers 80 W of audio output power, more than 51.2% of soundbars and equal to 7.5% of soundbars.
Max SPL
92 dB SPL
Market range: <75 dB SPL – >105 dB SPL
This soundbar has a max SPL of 92 dB SPL, lower than 59.5% of soundbars.
Min frequency
92.4 Hz
Market range: <20 Hz – >120 Hz
This soundbar reaches a minimum frequency of 92.4 Hz, higher than 93.6% of soundbars and equal to 0.6% of soundbars.
Show more
Dolby Atmos
no
This soundbar does not support Dolby Atmos. 20.7% of soundbars include this feature.
DTS:X
no
This soundbar does not support DTS:X. 10.6% of soundbars include this feature.
Dolby TrueHD
no
This soundbar does not support Dolby TrueHD. 17.6% of soundbars include this feature.
DTS-HD Master Audio
no
This soundbar does not support DTS-HD Master Audio. 10.1% of soundbars include this feature.
Dolby Digital Plus
no
This soundbar does not support Dolby Digital Plus. 25% of soundbars include this feature.
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N. of HDMI inputs
0
Market range: <0 – >5
This soundbar has 0 HDMI inputs, fewer than 32.5% of soundbars and equal to 67.6% of soundbars.
Wi-Fi connectivity
no
This soundbar does not support Wi-Fi connectivity. 31.9% of soundbars include this feature.
Wi-Fi version
N/A
Bluetooth connectivity
yes
This soundbar supports Bluetooth connectivity. 3.7% of soundbars include this feature.
Bluetooth version
4.2
This soundbar uses Bluetooth 4.2, which is older than that of 61.6% of soundbars and the same as that of 24.9% of soundbars.
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Smartphone app
no
This soundbar does not have smartphone app. 35.1% of soundbars offer this feature.
Remote control
yes
This soundbar has remote control. 26.6% of soundbars offer this feature.
Control panel
yes
This soundbar has control panel. 9.6% of soundbars offer this feature.
Voice assistant compatibility
no
This soundbar does not support voice assistant compatibility. 31.4% of soundbars include this feature.
Far-field microphones
no
This soundbar does not have far-field microphones. 12.2% of soundbars offer this feature.
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HDMI version
N/A
HDMI ARC type
none
This soundbar has none as its HDMI TV-audio return type, which is less advanced than what 68.6% of soundbars and the same as what 31.4% offers.
HDMI-CEC support
no
This soundbar does not support HDMI-CEC. 63.1% support HDMI-CEC.
HDMI pass-through resolution
none
This soundbar supports HDMI pass-through up to none, which is lower than that of 21.5% of soundbars and the same as that of 78.5% of soundbars.
HDMI pass-through frame rate
none fps
This soundbar supports HDMI pass-through up to none fps, lower than 18.2% of soundbars and equal to 81.8% of soundbars.
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AirPlay
no
This soundbar does not support AirPlay. 20.2% of soundbars include this feature.
Chromecast built-in
no
This soundbar does not support Chromecast built-in. 12.3% of soundbars include this feature.
Spotify Connect
no
This soundbar does not support Spotify Connect. 23.4% of soundbars include this feature.
TIDAL Connect
no
This soundbar does not support TIDAL Connect. 9.6% of soundbars include this feature.
Amazon Music native support
no
This soundbar does not support native Amazon Music. 21.3% support native Amazon Music.
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Width
600 mm
Market range: <350 mm – >1.1k mm
This soundbar is 600 mm wide, narrower than 66% of soundbars and equal to 2.1% of soundbars.
Height
61 mm
Market range: <50 mm – >100 mm
This soundbar is 61 mm high, shorter than 76.5% of soundbars and equal to 0.5% of soundbars.
Thickness
91 mm
Market range: <60 mm – >135 mm
This soundbar is 91 mm thick, thicker than 57.8% of soundbars.
Weight
1,680 g
Market range: <500 g – >5.5k g
This soundbar weighs 1,680 g, less than 63.3% of soundbars.
Build material
plastic
This soundbar uses plastic for the build material, which is different from that of 4.8% of soundbars and the same as that of 89.4% of soundbars.
Fabric grille or wrap.
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TCL Alto 3 vs the average soundbar

246810TotalAudioFormatsConnectivityHDMI & GamingSmart featuresControlsDesign
  • Night mode
    This soundbar supports night mode, the average soundbar does not.
  • Broader music format support
    This soundbar supports more music formats than the average soundbar (FLAC, MP3, WAV vs MP3).
    FLAC, MP3, WAV vs MP3
  • 6 mm lower height
    This soundbar is shorter than the average soundbar (61 mm vs 67 mm). The average soundbar is 67 mm tall.
    61 mm vs 67 mm
  • 162 mm narrower width
    This soundbar is narrower than the average soundbar (600 mm vs 762 mm). The average soundbar is 762 mm wide.
    600 mm vs 762 mm
  • Broader music format support
    This soundbar supports more music formats than the average soundbar (FLAC, MP3, WAV vs MP3).
    FLAC, MP3, WAV vs MP3
  • Night mode
    This soundbar supports night mode, the average soundbar does not.
  • 6 mm lower height
    This soundbar is shorter than the average soundbar (61 mm vs 67 mm). The average soundbar is 67 mm tall.
    61 mm vs 67 mm
  • 162 mm narrower width
    This soundbar is narrower than the average soundbar (600 mm vs 762 mm). The average soundbar is 762 mm wide.
    600 mm vs 762 mm
  • 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
  • 2 fewer drivers
    This soundbar has fewer drivers than the average soundbar (2 vs 4). The average soundbar has 4 drivers.
    2 vs 4
  • No dialogue enhancement
    This soundbar does not support dialogue enhancement, the average soundbar does.
  • No HDMI-CEC support
    This soundbar does not support HDMI-CEC, the average soundbar does.
  • Older Bluetooth version
    This soundbar uses 4.2 for Bluetooth version, while the average soundbar uses 5.0.
    4.2 vs 5.0
  • 7,600 Hz lower max frequency
    This soundbar has a lower maximum frequency than the average soundbar (12,400 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average soundbar has a maximum frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    12,400 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 1 fewer sound modes
    This soundbar offers fewer sound modes than the average soundbar (3 vs 4). The average soundbar offers 4 sound modes.
    3 vs 4
  • 40.4 Hz higher min frequency
    This soundbar has a higher minimum frequency than the average soundbar (92.4 Hz vs 52 Hz). The average soundbar has a minimum frequency of 52 Hz.
    92.4 Hz vs 52 Hz
  • 2.9% worse value for money
    TCL Alto 3 has worse value for money than the average soundbar (6.56 vs 6.7).
    6.56 vs 6.75
  • 2 fewer drivers
    This soundbar has fewer drivers than the average soundbar (2 vs 4). The average soundbar has 4 drivers.
    2 vs 4
  • 7,600 Hz lower max frequency
    This soundbar has a lower maximum frequency than the average soundbar (12,400 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average soundbar has a maximum frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    12,400 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 1 fewer sound modes
    This soundbar offers fewer sound modes than the average soundbar (3 vs 4). The average soundbar offers 4 sound modes.
    3 vs 4
  • 40.4 Hz higher min frequency
    This soundbar has a higher minimum frequency than the average soundbar (92.4 Hz vs 52 Hz). The average soundbar has a minimum frequency of 52 Hz.
    92.4 Hz vs 52 Hz
  • 1.1 dB SPL lower max SPL
    This soundbar has a lower max SPL than the average soundbar (92 dB SPL vs 93.1 dB SPL). The average soundbar reaches 93.1 dB SPL max SPL.
    92 dB SPL vs 93.1 dB SPL
  • Older Bluetooth version
    This soundbar uses 4.2 for Bluetooth version, while the average soundbar uses 5.0.
    4.2 vs 5.0
  • 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 dialogue enhancement
    This soundbar does not support dialogue enhancement, the average soundbar does.
  • Harder firmware updates
    This soundbar uses USB for firmware update method, while the average soundbar uses app-based, USB.
    USB vs app-based, USB
  • 1 years older release
    This soundbar is older than the average soundbar (2020 vs 2021). The average soundbar was released in 2021.
    October 2020
    2,020 vs 2,021

Video reviews

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

7.0
Wanna Buy It
≈ estimated
18/03/2021
Hands-on review · sound tests and room size
Verdict
TCL Alto 3 is a decent budget pick for small rooms, but it is too quiet and weak on bass for large ones.
Overview video

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

5.3
rtings.com
✓ explicit
30/11/2020
Lab test · Compact stereo bar
Verdict
The TCL Alto 3 is a small two-channel bar suited to podcasts and TV talk shows, with Bluetooth and clear voices, but it lacks bass and volume for films.

Third-party reviews

What customers like about TCL Alto 3

  • Affordable, budget-friendly price point
  • Compact 22-inch design suitable for small spaces and under small TVs
  • Quick and easy setup with optical, AUX, or Bluetooth
  • Clear dialogue and balanced mid-range ideal for TV shows and podcasts
  • Significant audio upgrade over standard built-in TV speakers
  • Bluetooth compatibility for wireless music streaming from mobile devices
  • Three specialized EQ sound modes (Movie, Music, TV) for customization

What customers don't like about TCL Alto 3

  • Weak bass performance due to the lack of a dedicated subwoofer
  • Low maximum volume that may not fill large rooms
  • No HDMI or HDMI ARC port, limiting connectivity and remote control integration
  • Does not support advanced audio formats like Dolby Atmos or DTS:X
  • Lacks Wi-Fi, Chromecast, or Apple AirPlay support
  • Noticeable audio latency over optical connection, which may impact gaming
  • No built-in mounting holes for wall hanging

Verdict

The TCL Alto 3 (Model TS3100) is a compact 2.0 channel soundbar measuring 23.6 inches wide, designed to deliver 80W of peak power with Dolby Digital decoding for enhanced TV audio. Key characteristics include specialized sound modes for Movies, Music, and TV, alongside versatile connectivity options such as Bluetooth 4.2 for wireless streaming, Optical, and 3.5mm AUX inputs. Its main pros are a low-profile design that fits easily under 32-inch TVs, a balanced mid-range ideal for clear dialogue, and a hassle-free setup process. However, it lacks a dedicated subwoofer resulting in weak bass performance, does not support HDMI (ARC) or advanced codecs like Dolby Atmos, and has limited maximum volume that may not sufficiently fill larger rooms.

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