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Best Computer Speakers

Updated September 2023
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Audioengine HD3 60W Wireless Powered Desktop Speakers
Audioengine
HD3 60W Wireless Powered Desktop Speakers
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Most Comprehensive
Bottom Line

This premium option is the perfect combination of the latest hassle-free wireless technology and the best high-fidelity analog sound available.

Pros

A must-have for hardcore music enthusiasts. Pair of Bluetooth speakers. Strong wireless connection. Effortless to set up and play. Loud, yet crystal-clear audio. Compatible with all Bluetooth devices. Available in 4 stylish finishes.

Cons

Audioengine speakers look great and sound better, but these computer speakers are expensive.

Best Bang for the Buck
Bose Companion 2 Series III Multimedia Speakers
Bose
Companion 2 Series III Multimedia Speakers
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Tested Choice
Bottom Line

Well-made and beginner-friendly, during trials, we found this speaker set to provide balanced sound for both music and games alike.

Pros

Top-tier Bose quality and distortion-free audio. Incredibly easy to set up even for newcomers to PC. The sound remains clear even at higher volume levels. Has a compact yet sleek design that allows them to fit on most desks without issue.

Cons

The bass is rather heavy out of the box so you may need to tweak your audio settings.

Logitech THX Sound 2.1 Speaker System
Logitech
THX Sound 2.1 Speaker System
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Customer Favorite
Bottom Line

Versatile and powerful, these produce crisp audio and deep bass for computers, consoles, and digital devices.

Pros

Provides booming 2.1 sound with peak power of 400W. Delivers faithful THX sound recreation for films and games. Three inputs available to toggle between. Controls on speakers are easily accessible.

Cons

No wireless connections. Speakers take up space.

Logitech Speaker System Z323 with Subwoofer
Logitech
Speaker System Z323 with Subwoofer
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Immersive Sound
Bottom Line

This completely wired sound system is affordable and sports surprisingly good sound quality.

Pros

Features 360-degree sound. Subwoofer delivers booming audio. Utilizes 2 RCA inputs. Integrated headphone jack. Excellent value.

Cons

There is no WiFi or Bluetooth option, so you need to check if your devices are compatible before you buy.

Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 THX Certified Computer Speaker System
Klipsch
ProMedia 2.1 THX Certified Computer Speaker System
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Trusted Brand
Bottom Line

High-quality set from a trusted name in sound that provides immersive, crystal clear sound.

Pros

THX-certified 2.1 channel speakers with a peak power of 260W. Subwoofer delivers rich bass. Ideal for computer gaming and streaming. Compatible with a variety of devices.

Cons

Limited inputs. Some reported issues with knob quality.

Why trust BestReviews?
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

30
Models
Considered
90
Consumers
Consulted
8
Hours
Researched
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Buying guide for Best computer speakers

In the early days of computers, sound quality wasn’t a huge concern. Prior to the invention of streaming music, consumers were lucky to find laptop or desktop computers with speakers that sounded even halfway decent. But a lot has changed since then. Now we use web-connected devices for all kinds of audio, ranging from high-fidelity music to TV shows in multichannel surround sound, and having a good set of computer speakers makes a big difference when it comes to enjoying digital content.

Luckily, the computer speaker market has blossomed in the digital age, taking advantage of advancements in sound engineering and connectivity to perform better than ever before.

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Computer speakers are designed to handle two-channel stereo audio. If you’re looking for speakers to handle multichannel surround sound with streaming services like Netflix or Amazon Video, you might be better served by a proper home theater kit.

Key features of computer speakers

Most sets of computer speakers can do a lot more than make your music sound great. Here are the best features you’ll find when comparing different models.

Bluetooth

Many computer speakers include Bluetooth functionality, so you can wirelessly connect your smartphone and stream your personal music through them. If you need versatile speakers that will work with both your computer and your phone, get a set that includes Bluetooth.

External subwoofer

Subwoofers are great for bringing out the bass in your music, TV shows, and movies – they’re basically a separate box that sits on the floor and handles all of the audio’s bass. If you love big, booming bass in your music and movies, pick a set of computer speakers with a subwoofer (just remember that subwoofers can be a little bulky, so you’ll need to figure out where to put it).

Multiple inputs

Some computer speakers have multiple ports to physically connect additional devices for playback. Even if your computer will be your main source of audio, having multiple input options can be incredibly convenient for connecting things like a virtual assistant or an MP3 player.

Headphone jack

Although the days of the 3.5mm auxiliary jack are numbered, there’s still a lot of value in being able to plug a set of wired headphones directly into a set of computer speakers for critical listening.

Computer speakers vs. other speakers

It’s easy to get lost when shopping for any kind of speakers. There are so many different types that it’s hard to know which ones are right for you. Computer speakers are fairly unique – if you know what to look for. Here are the main types of speakers you’re likely to see while you’re shopping.

Computer speakers

These typically come in sets of two small, rectangular speakers and a modest subwoofer. These are meant to be stationary and plugged directly into both your computer and an AC power outlet. Most importantly, computer speakers include amplifiers, so they’re designed to take an audio signal from a non-powered source (like a computer or smartphone) and amplify it.

Traditional speakers

Like those you attach to a receiver, traditional speakers don’t include a power source, so they rely on an external device to power and amplify the sound. Most devices like smartphones, tablets, computers, or laptops provide an audio signal but don’t amplify it, so the only way to connect your devices to traditional speakers is by using an amplification source like a receiver in between.

Portable Bluetooth speakers

Though usually marketed to users of mobile devices, they can be used with computers as well. Portable speakers connect to an audio source with Bluetooth and typically have a built-in battery so they can be taken anywhere. If you need a speaker that will go with you, consider picking up a Bluetooth speaker.

Computer speaker prices

It’s easy to overpay for computer speakers, so as you’re looking at your options, keep these price ranges in mind. You can expect to pay from $30 to $300 for a pair.

Inexpensive

You’ll find competent speakers that are good enough for casual listening but won’t knock your socks off for $30 to $75. Speakers in this price range are fine for small offices or users who don’t need a lot of bass in their music. If you need speakers that will make your computer sound good but don’t need them to make it sound great, you can get a good value in this range.

Mid-range

You’ll find the best balance of price and quality in computer speakers in the $76 to $149 range. These are models that come with impressive subwoofers, include full sets of connectivity, and sound fantastic. Unless you have an exceptionally large room or want a designer brand, there’s no need to spend more than this to get a good deal.

Expensive

You’ll see luxury brands offering slick, modern-looking computer speakers for $150 to $300. Computer speakers in this price range will sound good enough to please any audiophile and offer every connectivity option available, but the improvements over less expensive competitors can be so slight that they’re not worth the investment.

Tips

  • Decide if you want to control your computer’s volume on the computer or the speakers. When you add a pair of speakers to your computer, there will be two places to control the volume – you can adjust the volume of the signal sent from your computer in your computer’s operating system, or you can adjust the volume of the sound coming from the speakers by turning the dial on the speakers. It’s easy to lose track of what’s controlling what, so we recommend leaving your computer audio at about 60% of full volume, so the speakers are always amplifying a consistent signal. You can then make adjustments from the speakers themselves.

  • Measure to see what length of cabling you’ll need before setting up your speakers. It’s easy to overestimate how much audio cable you’ll need, and extra cabling behind your computer will get messy quickly. Save yourself some untangling down the road by measuring how much audio cable you’ll need – the distance between your computer’s audio output port and where you plan on putting the speakers – and only use cables of that length.

  • Test speakers you’re comparing by using the same music sample. In order to do a fair comparison between different sets of speakers, it’s best to pick a song you know well and play it on both pairs. Once you hear how each handles the same audio, you can accurately judge the differences. Many audiophiles use Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” to test speakers because of its sound spectrum. The band’s highest highs and lowest lows will quickly demonstrate the strengths and weaknesses of any speakers.

  • Know that your speakers require a “break-in” period of about 80 to 100 hours. Over the course of the first 100 hours, the woofer (the main component that outputs the majority of the sound) will loosen enough to let more sound through. While the improvement is slight – most computer speakers sound good when you first plug them in – it’s worth noting that the sound quality will improve over time.
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You can use a USB microphone with a set of computer speakers to enhance video conferencing apps like Skype, FaceTime, or Google Hangouts. Others will hear you loud and clear, and you’ll hear others with new clarity.

FAQ

Q. Do computer speakers come with a remote control?

A. Some computer speakers include a remote control that enable you to adjust the volume from a distance. Remotes are far from a common feature, however, so if you need one, pay close attention to which models have one.

Q. Can I use a set of computer speakers with my TV?

A. It depends. If you want to send audio from your TV to a set of computer speakers, you’ll need a TV that outputs audio in a physical form factor that corresponds to one of the speakers’ inputs. For example, older TVs have red and white RCA output ports, and those can be connected with an RCA cable to computer speakers with RCA inputs. Similarly, some computer speakers have optical input ports that can connect to optical output ports on some TVs using an optical cable. If you’re thinking about using a set of computer speakers with your TV, investigate the audio output options available on the back or side of the TV to determine your needs.

Q. Which sounds better: audio over Bluetooth or audio over a 3.5mm cable?

A. Bluetooth audio has made some major improvements over the last decade, so much so that most listeners can’t tell the difference in quality between music streamed over Bluetooth versus music coming from a hardwired audio source (like plugging your computer in directly with a 3.5mm cable). Technically, a hardwired connection will almost always perform better than a wireless connectivity option like Bluetooth, but unless you’re listening to high-fidelity audio formats like FLAC or ALAC, it’s unlikely you’ll notice any difference.