The best computer speakers can fill your gaming space with great audio. Knowing your budget, what features to prioritize what music and sound profile you like – big bass or an accurate, flat sound – and what volume you want are all crucial ways to narrow down the choices.
After testing, we’ve recommended the Razer Nommo V2 Pro as the best PC speaker set for total control and performance – but they aren’t the best value. If you’re on a tight budget, check out the Creative Pebble V3 at the bottom of this list (for under $50).
Speakers aren’t strictly necessary for every gaming PC setup, as the best gaming headsets give you more of an edge in FPS games and often provide more immersion than speakers. However, while the best wireless gaming headsets can give you more freedom, there’s nothing like filling your office or gaming cave with high-fidelity audio. Discover the best computer speakers and crank up the volume.
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Best computer speakers 2024:
Best computer speakers overall
Razer Nommo V2 Pro specifications:
Power |
300W |
Frequency response |
2.1 stereo |
Audio channel |
40Hz – 20kHz |
Connectivity |
Bluetooth, USB |
Reasons to buy
- Powerful sound and big bass
- Useful remote control
- Convenient wireless sub
Reasons to avoid
- RGB a bit pointless
- Very expensive
This 2.1 speaker set from Razer is a great choice if you’re looking for quality audio to play games, watch movies, and pump up your favorite jams. Not only does its stylish design look great whether you keep it, but it but everything sounds absolutely amazing through it (with the exception of certain high frequencies).
It improves over the V1 in a lot of ways (namely aesthetics and sound quality) and still manages to carry a smaller price tag. Unfortunately, that does not mean that this is a cheap speaker by any means. If you need something more affordable, check out the Creative Pebble below.
But for those who can afford it, this is probably the best one to go for. The speakers are both great and the subwoofer brings the bass for a fantastic audio experience. Shame it only has a couple of inputs (USB and Bluetooth) but that’s a small crack in the armour.
Read our Razer Nommo V2 Pro review.
Logitech Z407
Best value PC speakers
Logitech Z407 specifications:
Power |
80W |
Frequency response |
40hZ – 20kHz |
Audio channel |
2.1 stereo |
Connectivity |
Bluetooth 5.0 / 3.5mm / Micro USB |
Reasons to buy
- Great value
- Small footprint
- Clean, stylish design
Reasons to avoid
- Can lack refinement at higher volumes
- Remote functionality varies by application
- Satellites could be more powerful
The Logitech Z407 may not be the most potent speaker system here, but it offers a sublime combination of form and function at a fraction of the price of larger systems. It’s a 2.1 stereo system with no bells or whistles beyond a neat circular remote and Bluetooth wireless functionality.
At 80w peak power, the system provides a decent output that’ll fill offices and smaller bedrooms but would struggle as part of a larger home entertainment system. The 20 x 9.4 x 8.5 cm satellites are given a welcome leg up by a 24 x 23.4 x 18 cm subwoofer that delivers some decent low-end response at low to mid volumes without overwhelming the modestly detailed output of the desktop speakers. Push the volume dial to its limits, and the system loses its way, with flabby bass and distorted top end, but there’s plenty enough volume here for normal office use.
All things considered, the Z407 is a versatile set of 2.1 speakers that deliver a welcome grunt to any home system with detailed mids and highs and a generous helping of low-end courtesy of the system’s subwoofer.
Best 2.1 computer speakers
SteelSeries Arena 7 specifications:
Power |
150W |
Frequency response |
35 – 20,000 |
Audio channel |
2.1 stereo |
Connectivity |
Bluetooth 4.2, 3.5mm, optical input and output, USB-C |
Reasons to buy
- Fantastic, punch sound
- Versatile connection options
- Attractive RGB lighting
Reasons to avoid
- Captive speaker cables
- High price
- Power switch is hard to reach
The SteelSeries Arena 7 delicately balances dashing good looks with punchy sound, enabling your PC to create an immersive soundscape in both music and games. It’s not cheap, but this 2.1 speaker set justifies its $299 asking price with its detailed and balanced sound. It has a subwoofer to cover bass frequencies, but each of its satellites has a mid-range woofer and a tweeter for high frequencies, covering a wide frequency spectrum.
We found the Arena 7 was equally at home cranking out loud drum and bass tracks, as it was when playing games such as Doom Eternal. Details are clear and precise, while bass is strong, and there’s plenty of volume on top.
Not only that, but the RGB lighting from these speakers looks fantastic, casting their lights behind the satellites to create ambient lighting behind your gaming setup. This is all controllable using SteelSeries’ GG software, and we particularly enjoyed the Audio Visualizer setting when listening to music.
To top it all off, there’s an enormously versatile set of connection options, including USB-C for your PC, but also Bluetooth, and optical inputs and outputs. The catch is that the Arena 7 is very far from cheap, and $299 is a lot for a 2.1 PC speaker set, but you won’t be disappointed if you choose to splash out.
Read our full SteelSeries Arena 7 review.
Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2X
Best soundbar
Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2X specifications:
Power |
180W |
Frequency response |
50Hz – 20kHz |
Audio channel |
2.1 Stereo / virtual 5.1 surround sound |
Connectivity |
Aux / Bluetooth / HDMI ARC / Optical / Subwoofer / SXFI / USB-C |
Reasons to buy
- Convenient controller
- Solid build quality
- Subwoofer provides thumping bass
Reasons to avoid
- Bland looks
- Struggles to fill a big rooms
Originally the Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2 occupied this spot, and the V2X is even better than its predecessor. You don’t see as much demand for soundbars in the gaming PC market these days, with many opting for 2.0 or 2.1 speakers instead, but this product proves that soundbars still have their place. Its small design means that it can find a home even in the tiniest of gaming spaces, which sets it apart from many of the bulkier speakers.
On its own, the soundbar isn’t super powerful, but that’s where the subwoofer comes in. The bass sounds great and we think its especially adept when used for gaming – however, if you were using it for music, for example, you might find that it struggles to fill larger rooms with sound. Still, when you’re gaming and it’s sitting right in front of you, that’s really not going to be an issue.
Logitech Z906
Best surround sound computer speakers
Logitech Z906 specifications:
Power |
1,000W |
Frequency response |
35Hz – 20kHz |
Audio channel |
5.1 surround sound |
Connectivity |
Aux / Coaxial / Optical / Six-channel direct / RCA |
Reasons to buy
- THX certified
- True 5.1 surround sound
- Great build quality
Reasons to avoid
- Styling is drab
- No HDMI inputs
- No HD audio decoding
If you want a fully-fledged surround system, then the Logitech Z906 should be on your radar. This 5.1 set has rightly earned its legendary status in the 10+ years it has been available. It has an impressive peak power of 1,000W, with its subwoofer providing thunderous bass and its five satellite speakers scattering crystal sonic detail all around you.
With THX certification, the Logitech Z906 also makes for a great movie-watching experience, bringing cinema-quality sound into your home. Plus, you can take advantage of that 5.1 surround sound in many of the best PC games. The ability to switch between multiple inputs means you can easily change between your PC, phone, or console. For even more versatility, you can add Logitech’s Bluetooth adapter to play sound through the system wirelessly.
Creative Pebble V3
Best budget computer speakers
Creative Pebble V3 specifications:
Power |
16W |
Frequency response |
100Hz – 17kHz |
Audio channel |
2.0 Stereo |
Connectivity |
Aux, Bluetooth 5.0, USB |
Reasons to buy
- Stylish, compact design
- Bluetooth 5.0
- Affordable
Reasons to avoid
- No subwoofer
- No headphone output
- Sound can get muddled at high volumes
Looking for a cheap set of PC speakers that’ll still be a massive improvement over built-in monitor speakers? Look no further than the Creative Pebble V3. Despite being the cheapest option, they’re pretty stylish stereo speakers that look right at home when sharing the same setup as the best gaming PC.
Connecting to your system via USB, these little fellas have a peak power of 16W. That compares to typical monitor speaker power ratings of just 2x5W. Don’t expect audio that’s going to take your breath away, but for a cheap option, Creative’s Pebble V3 offers great quality for its size. You can also stream to them from another device, such as a smartphone, via Bluetooth 5.0.
Audioengine A5+ Wireless
Best computer speakers for audiophiles
Audioengine A5+ Wireless specifications:
Power |
150W |
Frequency response |
50Hz – 22kHz |
Audio channel |
2.0 stereo |
Connectivity |
Aux, Bluetooth 5.0, RCA |
Reasons to buy
- Superb audio performance
- Wired or wireless connectivity
- Plenty of power
Reasons to avoid
- Large footprint
- No digital inputs
- Expensive
These are the best-sounding computer speakers on this list, with their built-in 24-bit DAC letting you listen to music how it is supposed to be heard. They’ve also got wireless connectivity, so even if you’re away from your PC, you can still fill your room with music by connecting your phone via Bluetooth. Sound quality stays top-tier over Bluetooth, too, thanks to Qualcomm’s aptX-HD codec, which allows 24-bit audio streaming.
The speakers provide superb bass themselves, but if you’re looking for more of a kick, there’s the option to hook your subwoofer up, too. Color-wise, you can choose from white, black, or a snazzy bamboo effect. Note that these are quite large speakers, though, with dimensions of 18 x 27 x 23 cm.
How to choose the best computer speakers
The first place to start when choosing computer speakers is to think about whether you want just two desktop speakers (2.0), two speakers and a subwoofer (2.1), or surround sound (5.1). In general, 2.0 speakers offer the best clarity at any given price, compared to other options, especially at lower listening volumes.
However, if you listen to a lot of music with thumping bass and want that for your games and movie watching too, then you may prefer a 2.1 set. Surround sound is really nice to have for certain types of games and is amazing for movies too but it takes up a lot of space and the sets are a lot more expensive with very few options available these days.
The next factor to consider is, of course, cost. You simply can’t get surround sound for under $100, and nothing good for under $200. However, for 2.0 and 2.1 systems, you can spend a lot less and get a decent sound. You can get reasonable 2.0 and 2.1 speakers for $50-$80 while there are some quality 2.0 speakers for $100 and 2.1 sound for $150.
Speaker size is another crucial consideration. Some of our favorite 2.0 speakers are quite large so if your desk space is limited you may be better off with a 2.1 system that has smaller desktop speakers. However, in general, the larger a speaker, the better it sounds, so it’s worth avoiding going too small if you possibly can.
Connectivity is another major factor for computer speakers, Many now include Bluetooth so you can easily hook up your phone or tablet while many will use a USB connection (that can sometimes power the speaker) saving the need to have a fancy sound card on your PC. However, plenty of the best-sounding 2.0 speakers still use a simple analog stereo set of inputs, so it all depends on your priorities.
As for some factors that don’t matter much, nearly all ‘gaming’ features such as special sound profiles are a waste of time. They can work for headphones in competitive gaming situations where the profile is tuned to highlight footsteps in a certain game, for instance, but they don’t really translate to speaker use. You just want to get the best-sounding speakers you can for the money. The same goes for styling and RGB. If you like the look, you go right ahead, but it’s not going to do anything to enhance your gaming.
FAQs
Why should I use computer speakers?
PC gaming is often a solitary hobby, at least when it comes to there being more than one person at a desk. However, there are times when using a pair of speakers for audio makes sense, especially if you invite a friend round to your gaming room. For starters, using multiple headsets can be cumbersome, as you’ll need a free USB or aux connection, and wired headsets result in an abundance of cables.
It’s commonplace for the best gaming monitors and laptops to produce sound without the help of the best PC speakers, but convenience usually comes with compromise. While integrated speakers work fine, they often give you tinny audio and a distinct lack of clarity and definition compared to high-quality, standalone computer speakers.
Which size computer speakers should I go for?
When choosing the best gaming speakers for your PC, there are several considerations to make, the first of which is size. If you place a subwoofer under the best gaming desk, for example, it could eat into valuable leg space, in which case some quality 2.0 speakers would be ideal. If you’ve got little space left on your desk for a set of satellite speakers, then the Razer Leviathan soundbar could slot under your monitor nicely. But if space isn’t an issue, then you could kit your room out cinema-style with Logitech’s Z906 5.1 system.
Is surround sound worth it?
Splashing out on a surround system really depends on your usage of the speakers. If you’re going to be watching movies on your PC and want the most immersive experience, a 5.1 or 7.1 system will greatly increase that. There are also surround sound-compatible games, such as Deathloop, Cyberpunk 2077 and GTA 5.
On the other hand, if you’re primarily using your speakers for listening to music before switching to your favorite headset, then a simple stereo setup is all you need.
What do 2.0, 2.1, and 5.1 mean?
Those numbers you see to describe sets of speakers refer simply to the number of speakers. The first digit is the number of smaller ‘satellite’ speakers while the second digit is the number of subwoofers. So, a 2.0 system is just two desktop satellite speakers, a 2.1 system is two satellites with one subwoofer, and a 5.1 is five satellites (two front, one middle, two rear) and one subwoofer. And, yes, in some high-end home cinema systems and real cinemas, you do get systems with multiple subwoofers – a 7.2 speaker system, anyone?