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Compare the Best Home Theater Receivers in 2021

June 11, 2021 *

The Amazon Receivers help guide described a home theater receiver as the nerve center for the entire entertainment system. Also, sometimes called AV receivers, these devices can decode and amplify signals. In addition, they serve as a control center for other equipment, such as speakers and a variety of connected devices.

Why Home Theater Enthusiasts Care About Selecting the Right Receiver

Most of the new models also connect to various streaming services for direct access to music, movies, and other entertainment. Of course, people buy these devices to enhance their entertainment systems. Consumers should also look for a new receiver that supports their favorite services or devices and those they may plan to buy in the future.

How Much Will a High-Quality Home Theater Receiver Cost?

Amazon also mentioned that people should expect to pay at least $300 for a feature-rich receiver with enough power to truly make a difference. While it’s possible to find entry-level models for as little as $150, the top products that made this list of the best home theater receivers in 2021 start at about $600.

For a cheaper option to enhance the sound quality of a TV, some people might feel satisfied with the performance and features of a soundbar for their TV.

Top Choices for Home Theater Systems in 2021

To make the most out of home theater, consider some of the best home theater receivers on the market in 2021.

Today’s Best Value: Onkyo TX-NR696

Even though Onkyo released the TX-NR696 in 2019, CNET still rated it as their best overall choice in 2021. It’s capable of producing bold sounds and offers a variety of built-in streaming protocols, including Spotify Connect, DTS Play-Fi, Chromecast, Bluetooth and Airplay.

The CNET reviewers did not care for the remote, which they found overwhelming. Expect to find this receiver on sale for about $599.

Great Sound and Future-Proofing Features: Yamaha RX-V6A

For just about the same price as the Onkyo, the Yamaha RX-V6A reproduces high-quality sound and also offers some potential future-proofing features. Some good examples include VRR for game-device compatibility and 8K pass-through.

This receiver also receives WiFi to connect with a variety of different devices via Yamaha MusicCast. It also comes with built-in connectivity to Bluetooth, Spotify Connect, and AirPlay 2.

Which Features Matter the Most for AV Receivers?

At first, the technical specs of most mid- to high-range home theater receivers might appear complex and even overwhelming. In particular, look for built-in features to connect to favorite services. As an example, the Sony STR-DN1080 costs about $100 more than the devices listed above, but it tends to get favorable reviews from people who already depend upon Android devices.

Besides ensuring the receiver works well with existing services or equipment, look for these features:

At the minimum, look for 4K HDR and Dolby Vision support with at least HDMI Version 2.0.
A generous number of HDMI ports will ensure that adding a new device won’t mean having to unplug something else. Most high-quality models provide at least six or seven HDMI ports.
WiFi streaming means the receiver can work with such services as Google Chromecast, Spotify Connect and Apple AirPlay.

Why Buy a Home Theater Receiver Extended Warranty?

Manufacturers will include an initial warranty with the purchase of a home theater receiver. Manufacturer warranties rarely last for more than one year and mostly focus on ensuring the customer doesn’t get saddled with a defective product right out of the box.

Of course, almost everybody who spends several hundred dollars on a good receiver will want to keep it for more than one year. To do so, it’s recommended to protect it against all kinds of problems that could show up after the plan terminates.

Consider buying an Upsie home theater receiver extended warranty because:

Customers can choose between two-, three-, and five-year protection plans, plus, they have up to 11 months after their purchase to register a warranty.
Upsie covers all sorts of common problems, including mechanical, connectivity, electrical, and display issues.
Upsie offers their customers 24-7 claims service and the choice of certified at-home or local repairs. If the repair doesn’t make sense, Upsie will offer a replacement receiver.

Besides receivers, Upsie also provides protection plans for all sorts of TVs, speakers, and other electronics or appliances. Take the time to find the best home theater equipment and then make the right choice to protect these devices with Upsie.