You don’t have to be an audiophile to appreciate the benefit of having the best computer speakers. Great speakers allow you to hear every bone-crunching punch in Mortal Kombat 11 or the bullets that whiz by your head in Apex Legends. Honestly, maybe you need to blast some Lil Nas X after a long day at work to wind down from the day. While we will always sing the praises of why you need a good gaming headset, there’s something beautiful about just sitting back and filling the room with rich sound.
Choosing the best speaker system depends on how much space you have. If you’ve got the room, go for the typical left/right speaker setup with a subwoofer. These will give you excellent depth of sound and positional audio. The only downside is that this option is usually more expensive. If you don’t have space or cash, soundbars are great options as well. Those too can come with a subwoofer that you can tuck under your desk.
Leading the pack are the Logitech G560 speakers with their immersive Lightsync RGB lighting that don’t tie you to any janky software. If you’re on a budget and still want some decent sound, the Creative T100 speakers are maybe the best computer speakers you can find for under $100.
We’ve got choices for everyone from the budget-conscience to the sound snobs; the best computer speakers have the quality, balance, and bass you need.
Best computer speakers
1. Logitech G560
The best RGB gaming speakers
Weight: 1.79kg (satellites) 5.5kg (sub) | Size: 5.8 x 6.5 x 4.6 in (satellites) 15.9 x 10 x 8.1 in (sub) | Drivers: 6.5-in subwoofer, 2-in tweeters | Supported Connectivity: USB, 3.5mm, Bluetooth
Immersive Lightsync RGB lighting
Built in DTS:X Virtual Surround
No independent volume/bass control
Lightsync works best against a wall
When it comes to RGB lighting you either hate it or love it. The PC Gamer office may be divided on this topic but there’s one thing we can agree on: Logitech’s G560 Lightsync feature is anything but gimmicky. If there’s one RGB product we’d recommend that might actually impact your PC gaming experience, it’s this one.
Logitech’s software allows you to choose between two control modes for the speakers. Hardware control ditches the software and uses Bluetooth or AUX input devices for lighting. You get a nice rainbow color cycle that also acts as an audio visualizer that flashes and brightens to the beat of music being played. Switching over to software control allows you to choose between fixed color, color cycle, breathing, audio visualizer and screen sampler lighting modes.
Screen sampler is where the G560 really shines. Much like ambient backlighting products, the software takes user-defined areas of the screen and extends the colors outwards to create a very immersive lighting experience. Since a good portion of this effect relies on the rear facing LEDs, the speakers need to be positioned right beside your display with their back against a wall to get the best effect.
While the lighting was a huge factor in the immersion aspect, the precision of the positional audio really impressed us too. We don’t normally like the virtual surround of 7.1 digital gaming headsets but were pleasantly surprised with how well DTS:X worked with the G560, especially while trying to pinpoint where we were being shot at in Fortnite. It’s the perfect compromise if you want surround sound without the hassle of a 5.1 or 7.1 set. Even at $200 we think Logitech’s G560 is a fantastic deal.
2. Creative A250
The best budget computer speakers
Weight: 258g (9.1oz) (left satellite) 361g (12.7oz) (right satellite) 1.56kg (3.44lbs) (sub) | Size: 2.83 x 5.79 x 3.11 in (satellites) 7.20 x 8.86 x 7.48 in (sub) | Supported Connectivity: 3.5mm
Affordable
Small footprint
Excellent clarity
No bass adjustments
When you’re out shopping for cheap PC speakers below $50, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the choices out there. It also doesn’t help much when reliable brands have multiple options in the same price range. The differences between the multiple low-end speakers we tested were minimal, but the Creative A250 2.1 Speakers stood apart from the competition with big sound despite their compact size.
With a total power output of 9 watts, we were blown away to see the speakers pumping out crisper audio than some of their competitors using two to three times the amount of power. While they won’t produce the highest volume of sound, we found little distortion with the volume cranked all the way up. Despite being smaller and lower powered than a few of the other options we tried, such as the Cyber Acoustics CA-3602 or the Logitech Z313, the A250 subwoofer actually provided clearer lows. The only complaint here is a lack of bass control to complement the convenient volume knob located on the right speaker.
Wherever the A250 speakers lacked in volume, they made up for in clarity. This is why we highly recommend these speakers for students on the go. Pictured above with my 13″ ultrabook, the speakers are small enough to fit on any cramped desk surface. They’re easily the most portable 2.1 system we tried and perform best in a smaller bedroom or dorm.
Like any other pair of speakers below $50, the Creative A250 2.1 Speakers are easily beat when compared to a mid-range set. If you’re willing to spend a bit more for a quality speaker system, the results when gaming can be very rewarding. But for gamers on a budget, we found these speakers to be the clear winner.
3. Klipsch R-15PM
The best high end computer speakers
Weight: 10.3 lbs (4.67kg) | Size: 12.5 x 7 x 8.11 in | Drivers: 5.25-in subwoofer, 1-in tweeters | Supported Connectivity: USB, Optical, 3.5mm, Bluetooth
Extensive connectivity options
Built-in amplifier
Expensive
Large for most desks
Most users couldn’t imagine spending upwards of $500 on a PC speaker system, but audiophiles crave the high-end like any PC gamer lusts for the best graphics cards. High-end desktop speaker systems are typically composed of powered monitors and a separate subwoofer. And while many of them offer exceptional sound clarity, we found them lacking in consumer-friendly features PC gamers would benefit from. That is until we tested the Klipsch R-15PM powered monitors.
With up to five input options including Bluetooth, USB, 3.5mm AUX, digital optical, and analog RCA / phono, the R-15PM is the most versatile set of speakers we’ve tested. A small remote allows you to plug in multiple sources at once and switch them on the fly. The built-in amplifier eliminates the need for an external DAC to help keep your desk clean and allows you to forgo the a/v receiver when used in the living room.
On their own, the speakers already delivered consistent robust sound in all ranges. But once we added the Klipsch R-10SW subwoofer into the equation, the R-15PM monitors quickly entered a class of their own. While passive speakers have to be paired with an external amplifier engineered to work with a multitude of speakers, the internal amp inside the R-15PM was fine-tuned for one specific model. And the optimization shows as the system produced unmatched accuracy in all of our tests.
They aren’t the cheapest high-end speakers by far, especially when you consider the cost of adding a subwoofer. But once we consider their simplicity and consumer friendly features, the R-15PM monitors are our top choice for high-end PC speakers.
4. Harmon Kardon SoundSticks Wireless
The best designed computer speakers
Weight: 1.5 lb (0.7kg) satellites 4.9 lb (2.2kg) sub | Size: 2 x 10 in (satellites) 9.19 x 10.19 in (sub) | Drivers: 6-in subwoofer, 1-in tweeters | Supported Connectivity: 3.5mm, Bluetooth
Unique design
Bluetooth support
Inconvenient controls
Always-on Bluetooth
When building a gaming PC or upgrading a battle station, speakers typically aren’t very high on the priority list. But jumping from the integrated set of speakers on your monitor to a $200 pair of external speakers can actually give you a sound quality boost similar to the performance increase you’d see when switching from integrated to discrete graphics. When moving on with our tests from our low budget speakers to the Harman Kardon SoundSticks, the difference was night and day.
Priced at $169.95 for the standard SoundSticks III and $229.95 for the SoundSticks Wireless with Bluetooth connectivity, the price tag on our top choice for mid-range speakers can be a tough pill to swallow. But when you consider their one-of-a-kind design and equally satisfying performance, these speakers are a worthwhile investment and great addition to any battle station. Among our speaker tests within the same range, the SoundSticks excelled in audio clarity with little distortion even when cranked to uncomfortably high volumes.
Unlike most Bluetooth speakers, the SoundSticks enter and stay in pairing mode as soon as they’re turned on. This made it easy for us to switch between audio sources at any time without having to touch the speakers. We also noticed little loss in sound quality up to the 30ft recommended range. Unfortunately for those that are using the speakers in an apartment complex or dorm, nearby strangers can connect to them at any time. This can lead to some awkward moments if you aren’t already using the bluetooth connection yourself.
With their beautiful looks and satisfying sound, the SoundSticks were an easy favorite for PC gaming. But for big budget audio purists looking for the best of the best, the performance and expandability of powered bookshelf speakers or studio monitors are tough to beat.
5. Razer Leviathan Sound Bar
The best sound bar computer speakers
Weight: 4.4lbs / 2kg (soundbar) 5.1lbs / 2.35kg (sub) | Size: 19.7 x 3 x 2.8 in | Drivers: 5.25-in subwoofer, .74-in tweeters, 2.5-in full range | Supported Connectivity: Optical, 3.5mm, Bluetooth, NFC
Built in bluetooth
Dolby 5.1 virtual surround
Expensive
One of the great things about gaming headsets is that they take up very little space. Unfortunately, if you’re looking for a great set of speakers, chances are you’ll have to sacrifice some of that real estate at your battlestation. Luckily, Razer has a solution for the modern PC gaming minimalist: the Leviathan soundbar.
The Razer Leviathan is designed to be placed directly underneath your monitor and features both wired and wireless input options to help reduce clutter. We especially appreciated the notch in the middle which allows you to cleanly run your keyboard and mouse cord underneath.
While it certainly won’t match an actual 5.1 surround sound system, the Dolby 5.1 virtual surround sound built into the Leviathan performed exceptionally well in our tests. We found it quite easy to pinpoint gunfire and footsteps using the soundbar. Considering its compact nature, the Leviathan sounds fantastic.
Priced around $200, Razer’s soundbar directly competes with several other options on this list. It may not match the sound quality and feature set of the Logitech G560, but the Leviathan remains a smart choice for PC gamers who want a simple single speaker setup.
6. Creative Stage 2.1
The best mid-range speakers
Weight: 1.2 kg / 2.64 lb (soundbar) 3.07 kg / 6.8 lb (sub) | Size: 115 x 250 x 420 mm (sub), 550 x 78 x 70 mm (soundbar) | Supported Connectivity: 3.5mm, USB, Bluetooth 2.1, Optical
Decent bass
Very versatile, with loads of inputs
Good price
Very loud, and poor at being quiet
Short power cable
Creative’s latest subwoofer and soundbar combo is a competent mid-range sound system, with a pleasing number of connections. There’s a 3.5mm, Bluetooth 2.1, Optical, and USB option, so it not only fits with most PC builds and laptops but can be handy for other devices around the home. In terms of bass, it rumbles away well, and if you’re looking to crank out games at a decent volume, this speaker system performs well via dual 20W speakers in the soundbar and a 40W subwoofer.
The problem is that the speakers don’t perform well with quiet sounds, and the frequency response is only average, at 55Hz-20,000Hz, so you do lose a bit of subtlety in incidental game noises, which are the bread and butter of decent gaming headsets. There are a couple of other tiny issues, like a short power cable and a slightly flimsy remote, but overall the lower price makes up for this speaker set’s shortcomings. At less than $100, it’s well worth a look.
7. Creative T100
The best all-round speakers
Weight: 2.2lbs / 1kg (each unit) | Size: Size: 8.5 x 3.5 x 4.8 in | Drivers: 2.75-in full-range | Supported Connectivity: Optical, 3.5mm, Bluetooth, NFC
Crisp and clear audio
Restrained two-speaker design
Great set of features/controls
Can’t offer the same bass as a designated woofer
No RGB
Another release from Creative, the T100s are exceptionally workman-like, competent desk speakers. For around the $100 mark, you could do a lot worse, but that makes them sound much more plain than they are. They have a relatively restrained and straightforward design and limit their physical presence and footprint to that of two small-ish speakers who are deceptively good. The two speakers have simple but effective on-board controls, and the handy remote comes with enough presets and options for you to find the right one for you. It’ll connect via Bluetooth, optical cable, and regular audio jack, so while they’ll demand a bit of extra desk space, the wireless option is a good bonus.
The sound that the speakers provide is also deceptively good. The 2.75-inch/70mm full-range drivers in each unit have a good range for little speakers and even offered a realistic surround effect when necessary too. While it can’t compete with a designated woofer and the bass – and thus, the range – that that brings, the T100s do a great job of handling everything you throw at them.
The overall sound is crisp and clear but, perhaps due to the bass being a little lacking, it’s not as rich and rounded as we’d like. The clarity is such that dialogue—something headsets can often feel light with—is particularly clear. Other audio cues and details are good too, with anything in the mid-to-high-end of the audio spectrum cutting across everything else particularly clearly and successfully.
The T100s are reliable, competent, and do a spectacular job, making them pleasing all-rounders. They couldn’t entirely blow my socks off with the likes of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, for example, but they are as good any desk-bound set of speakers that we’ve tested.
How we test computer speakers
Since our guide is called the best speakers for PC gaming, we kept the testing process simple and focused on gaming. We tested each set of speakers in-game for several hours through a wide range of games with rich soundtracks and sounds, including Skyrim, Dark Souls 3, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Overwatch, and Furi. Afterward, we ran listening tests, which included snippets from the film Jurassic World and a variety of albums in lossless FLAC format such as Daft Punk’s Random Access Memories and Psychic from Darkside.
With gaming in mind, one of the most important features to test for was the left/right balance. To check this in-game, we used the CS: GO Audio Test Chamber workshop project by geri43. It’s a simple map that allows you to reproduce all sorts of in-game sounds, including ladder movements, sniper scopes, gunfire, footsteps, and more. Moving around the map or behind a wall allowed us to manipulate the location of the sounds and test how easily we could identify their direction with the speakers.
