The home stereo system: 10 of the best to enjoy with the family

1. Philips FX10 (best volume)

Today’s home stereos are brimming with new functionality, you’re not restricted to playing your CD collection at home. You can easily tune into the radio, or stream content from your smartphone. 

The Philips FX10 is a state-of-the-art Bluetooth home stereo. This product has its own CD player, and inputs for USB flash-drives too. 

There’s a remote-control included for managing your music, and a Bluetooth connection too. 

More than just versatile, the Philips provides amazing audio quality. 

The dual amplifiers offer exceptional sound, with a dedicated woofer and tweeter for clear frequencies. The MAX sound technology even means you can turn the volume all the way up without any distortion. 

All that, and you get a digital tuning system with pre-set stations to help you find your preferred radio channels. 

For a price of around $190, the Philips FX10 features:

• Bluetooth music streaming
• iPod, iPhone, and iPad access
• High-quality bass
• Beautiful compact design
• Convenient remote control
• FM radio with digital tuner
• Audio-in jack and USB
• CD player
• MAX sound support

We love the look and feel of the Philips home stereo. Despite its relatively compact size, the sound is incredible. 

You won’t have to worry about losing clarity at higher volumes. One slight problem is the wires are extremely short. You might need to splice wires in just to reach an outlet. 

There’s no separate treble equalizer setting. 

2. Sony Micro (best mini home stereo)

Who says you can’t have a home stereo system in a small space? Play your entire music collection with the Sony Micro Hi-Fi system. 

This durable and convenient product comes with 3 separate components. That means you can find the perfect placement for each element in your home. 

There’s a CD player, and USB or audio-in compatibility too. You can also stream your music through Bluetooth. 

With an integrated FM radio tuner, finding your favorite channels is a breeze. We’re also a huge fan of the top-loading CD player, which looks professional and sleek in any home. 

Despite its small size, the Sony still offers an excellent quality of music. Mega bass technology enhances the lower frequency tones in your music for a deeper bassline. 

With a price of around $150, features of the Sony Micro include:

• CD player
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Aux-in and USB 
• 2 6 watt speakers
• Bassline enhancement
• NFC connection
• FM tuner

Aside from its compact footprint, one of our favorite features of the Sony Micro is its NFC compatibility. 

If you want to stream your own music, you can just tap your phone against the system. There’s no need to search for devices all day. 

It is a bit difficult to set your FM station pre-sets. You might struggle with the instructions of this home stereo initially. 

3. Boytone BT-428F (best light show)

A home stereo can be as simple or complicated as you like. 

The Boytone BT-428F is one of the more advanced options we’ve seen. Surprisingly feature-rich despite its small price-tag, this home stereo system is brimming with functionality. 

You don’t get a CD player, but you do get Bluetooth connectivity and FM radio. There are SD and USB ports for digital playback. Plus, your remote control manages both the music and a light show. 

With a fun design, the Boytone can fit well into most modern homes. 

The Bluetooth system in the central unit has a powerful range of up to 33 feet. 

Another great feature is the speakers of this home stereo come with a built-in subwoofer and amplifier. 

For a surprisingly low cost of only around $65, the Boytone features:

• MP3 playback
• LED display
• RGB light features
• SD/USB and aux support
• FM radio
• Bluetooth connectivity
• 50 watt sound
• Wide audio spectrum

The 50-watt speakers deliver admirable sound in spite of their small size. 

The Boytone comes with a 5.25-inch sub-woofer, and excellent interior technology, to deliver a great range. Although there are some limitations in the sound quality at higher volumes, this is an excellent full-sized home stereo. 

The only slight downside is there’s no CD player. 

4. HDi CD-526 (best budget option)

There are some incredibly expensive home stereo systems on the market today. But you don’t necessarily need to spend a fortune to get a great product. 

The HDi audio is one of the best home stereo choices for people on a budget. 

This compact speaker will fit well in smaller homes. The speakers can stand separately from the main base, so you have lots of flexibility. 

Unlike most stereo options that only feature FM radio, the HDi provides both AM and FM. 

There’s also an aux-in connection for playing your own music, and a CD player. Unfortunately, you don’t get Bluetooth with this product. 

For as price of around $45, features include:

• AM/FM tuner
• Aux-in and headphone jack
• CD player
• Sleek and compact design
• Programmable CD playback
• 2 large speakers with Hi-Fi sound

The HDi CD-526 is one of the more basic home stereo options available today. If you just want something simple that plays radio and CDs, it’s a good pick. 

You won’t need to spend a fortune or take up a lot of space in your home. Unfortunately, the volume is quite limited, you won’t fill a whole house.

The buttons are also a bit confusing. 

5. Sangean HDR-18 (best for radio)

A home stereo can either come with the central system and speakers separate, or as an all-in-one device. This Sangean HDR-18 is a great example of the latter option. 

Offering crystal-clear and distortion-free sound, Sangean is all about sensational radio. 

The HDR-18 features the latest HD radio performance, with excellent station signals, and no subscription fees. 

You can switch between HD radio and digital or analog AM/FM stereo receptions. 

There’s also 20 memory presets to choose from, and a clock. You can set 2 alarms, access snooze functions, and set timers too. 

Unfortunately, it’s worth noting this is a radio home stereo only. There’s no Bluetooth or CD player included. 

For about $150, you get: 

• HD radio 
• Digital and analog FM/AM 
• Crystal-clear distortion-free sound
• Excellent remote control
• Acoustically tuned wooden cabinet
• Information display
• Real-time clock with timer, and alarms
• 20 pre-sets

If you’re not interested in listening to your own music, but you do want to improve your radio experience, Sangean has you covered. 

This is the best home stereo system for radio out there, offering incredibly clear sound at every frequency. 

6. Sony Bluetooth kit (best full kit)

The Sony Bluetooth micro music system has everything you need for fantastic listening. 

Not only do you get a micro home stereo system with a CD player, but you get lots more too. There’s a remote included, a USB input, headphones, and more. 

This product has a sleek contemporary design to fit with any home or office. 

There’s also a NeeGo mini Bluetooth receiver included to convert the device into a Bluetooth speaker. 

The Sony kit includes NFC connections, so you can tap your device to the speaker rather than searching for a Bluetooth link. 

The built-in AM/FM tuner also means you can easily receive the latest broadcast signals in seconds. You also get an easy-to-use system with a remote control. 

For a price of around $225, features include:

• Contemporary sleek design
• Mini Bluetooth receiver
• NFC connection
• AM/FM tuner
• Compact remote control
• CD player
• USB and aux input

One slight downside for this home stereo system is you will need to find the right place to store it. 

When the system overheats, it can create a lot of motor sound. On the plus side, you do get excellent reception and good amplification throughout. 

7. Sharp XL-HF203B (best hi-res)

Sharp is one of the more popular providers of home stereo equipment in the US. 

Offering an excellent combination of brilliant features and aesthetic appeal, the XL-HF203B is a top choice for homeowners. 

You can access high-resolution playback up to 192kHZ. The optical-in cable means you can easily play your own music too. 

There’s a USB port for digital content and built-in NFC for Bluetooth pairing. 

Another bonus feature of the Sharp is it comes with multi-device pairing. If you want to spread your music all around your home, you can connect extra speakers to the system. 

There’s even a remote control for easy management for a distance. 

For a price of around $200, features include:

• Adjustable treble and bass
• Remote control
• Compact design
• FM radio
• Bluetooth and NFC
• Durable materials
• Aux-in and USB
• CD player

Whether you’re playing your own music collection through CDs and Bluetooth, or you’re tuning into the radio, the Sharp XL-HF203B provides excellent sound. 

If you want high-resolution audio without limits, this could be the radio for you. 

Just keep in mind the bass is a little lacking in some areas. Another possible issue is the instructions are quite complicated. You might need some help setting up. 

8. Bose Wave system (best all in one)

If you love the idea of a home stereo system that comes in just one piece, try the Bose Wave.

Bose has a fantastic reputation for audio quality for a reason. The incredible Wave home stereo comes with access to a CD player, remote control, and aux-in cable too. 

Exclusive waveguide technology in the speaker means that you get a higher quality of sound that seems to cover the whole room perfectly. 

There’s an advanced AM/FM tuner with an on-screen display that shows the name of a channel or song. 

You also have the option to expand the performance of the Bose through an external Bluetooth adapter. Unfortunately, you need to purchase the Bluetooth system separately. 

For a price of around $400, the Bose is one of the most expensive home stereo systems we’ve seen. 

This product features:

• Convenient and intuitive design
• CD player
• AM/FM radio tuner
• Big sound performance
• Elegant design
• Optional Bluetooth adapter
• Proprietary Bose waveguide technology
• 3.5 aux output

It’s a shame the Bluetooth for this device needs a separate purchase. With the price of the Bose already so high, many people will struggle to manage the extra expense. 

We love the quality of the AM/FM tuner, however, and the easy functionality of the remote control. 

9. Pyle PD3000BT (best home theatre)

If you’re looking for an incredible high-performance home stereo system, this could be it. With 3000 watts of power, this is one of the more powerful systems we’ve seen. 

The 4-channel Bluetooth home stereo from Pyle comes with access to an AM/FM tuner, MP3 player, USB connection, and a CD player. 

There are also 2 microphone input slots so you can have your own karaoke party at home. 

With Bluetooth connections for streaming your own music, there’s no limit to what you can do. 

There are also complete EQ controls available so you can adjust everything from echo and treble, to bass. If you’re a true audio fan, then this full theatre system will allow you to create the perfect listening experience. 

For a price of around $200, features include:

• CD player
• 2 mic outputs
• AM/FM radio
• TV connections
• Bluetooth streaming
• Aux output
• Complete EQ control
• 3000 watts of power

Despite being one of the more advanced home stereo systems we’ve seen, this product does come with a major downside. You need to buy your speakers separately. 

Aside from that, everything you need is already built-in. This includes a Bluetooth 5.0 connection, which means you get a better connection, no matter what. 

10. Sangean WR-50P (best EQ)

Bringing a unique design to the world of home stereo systems, Sangean has eliminated the 3-module setup in favor of something more compact. 

The WR-50P is a powerful home stereo with AM/FM radio connectivity. 

Built-in Bluetooth means you can stream your own content from any Bluetooth device. There’s also an NFC connection so you can just tap your phone on the speaker to find it. 

The telescopic antenna means that you get better connection quality for your FM radio. 

There’s a full set of EQ controls available too. Whether you want to adjust the bass or the treble, you’ve got the freedom to find the sound that’s right for you. 

All that, and you also get a clock with alarm functions too. 

For a price of around $180, features include:

• Individual bass and treble controls
• AM/FM radio 
• 10 station presets
• Bluetooth with NFC
• Individual bass and treble
• Excellent FM connection
• Subwoofer included
• Headphone outputs
• Clock with timer and snooze functions

With think this home stereo system would be particularly great in your bedroom when you want to listen to music in comfort. The addition of clock features and alarms means you can use your device to set your schedule. 

Unfortunately, there’s no CD player, which will be a massive downside for some. Also, the radio reception can be basic at times.