While it‘s true that a good or even great pair of headphones can help you get more work done or just enjoy your favorite tunes, sometimes, with a computer, you need a little more volume. Enter the desktop computer speaker, which helps give your built-in computer speakers an often much-needed boost. Even in the case of the most expensive gaming computers, built-in speakers can often be underwhelming, especially when playing a game or trying to watch your latest Netflix binge.
Thankfully, desktop computer speakers are widely available and will give you a much-needed boost in sound quality. Here are the seven best desktop computer speakers you can buy today:
Factors to Consider When Buying Desktop Speakers
When shopping for desktop speakers, there are several key factors to keep in mind:
- Sound Quality and Power: Pay attention to speaker driver sizes, frequency ranges, and power output. Bigger drivers and more watts generally produce better sound.
- Connectivity: Wired or wireless? Wired is more reliable but wireless is more convenient. Make sure connectivity options match your devices.
- Channels and Subwoofer: 2.0 systems have left/right channels. 2.1 adds a subwoofer for deeper bass.
- Brand Reputation: Stick with reputable consumer electronics companies known for good audio.
- Extra Features: RGB lighting, software EQs, and spatial audio enhance immersion.
- Budget: Desktop speakers range from $30 to $500+. Set realistic expectations at each price tier.
With those factors in mind, let‘s look at 7 top speakers I recommend across various budgets and needs.
Best Overall: Bose Companion 2 Series III
Bose Companion 2 Series III Multimedia Speakers
With dozens of computer speakers available, standing out above the pack is difficult to do but the Bose Companion 2 Series III manages to rise above. The only true downside is that it isn’t wirelessly connected and requires a 3.5mm cable connection directly to your desktop.
If you can overlook that limitation, the wide sound offered by the Bose Companion 2 Series III is likely to immediately win you over. The dual-speaker hardware adds Bose’s TrueSpace stereo digital processing circuitry for stronger low-end performance than speakers twice the price. Most important is that at just 7.5 x 5.9 x 3.1 inches in size, these compact speakers deliver room-filling sound you‘d expect from much larger models.
At $149, this is the best desktop computer speaker option that balances performance, design, brand trust, and value. It‘s a great choice for media consumption, gaming, or office setups.
Best Value: Creative Pebble V3
Highly regarded as one of the best values in desktop speakers, the Creative Pebble V3 dominates the low-end speaker market. Packed with custom-tuned 2.25-inch full-range drivers, Creative claims the V3 model is 50% louder with deeper bass and richer overall sound than the previous generation.
Connectivity is also upgraded with the addition of Bluetooth 5.0 and a 3.5mm audio input. Despite the tiny 4.8 x 4.7 x 4.6 inch footprint, the V3‘s angled driver design pumps out surprisingly big, crisp sound making it a great choice for cramped desktops.
If you‘re looking for impressive audio on a tight budget, the $35 Pebble V3 should be at the top of your list.
Best for Gaming: Logitech G560
Logitech G560 PC Gaming Speaker System
Standing out among gaming desktop speakers requires outstanding sound, easy setup, and lasting quality. The Logitech G560 answers the call with its 240W of total power for room-filling immersion no matter your game genre.
Powered by Logitech’s LIGHTSYNC RGB technology, the first thing anyone notices about the G560 is the stylish and reactive lighting. The four-zone LED system pulses and changes color based on in-game explosions or to visualize approaching enemies. You can customize patterns and sync lighting with other Logitech gear via the software.
Beyond good looks, the G560 produces huge, distortion-free audio with DTS:X 7.1 surround capabilities so games and movies sound as epic as they look. It‘s also loaded with connectivity like Bluetooth and wired options to pair with PCs and mobile devices seamlessly.
For a killer audio-visual experience on the desktop, the $189 G560 hits all the right notes.
Best Style: SteelSeries Arena 7
SteelSeries Arena 7 Illuminated 2.1 Gaming Speakers
Like the Logitech G560, the SteelSeries Arena 7 grabs attention with brilliant RGB lighting. The ambient 4-zone LEDs shine 16.8 million colors, reacting to music and on-screen gameplay for dazzling effects that extend beyond the speakers themselves to fill an entire room.
Beyond the light show, the Arena 7 produces stunning acoustics thanks to precisely angled dual drivers plus a powerful 6.5-inch subwoofer. The 2.1 channel system delivers deeply immersive positional audio with thundering bass for a true competitive edge. A built-in 10-band EQ accessed via SteelSeries‘ Engine software lets you finely tune sound profiles as needed.
With robust connectivity options from Bluetooth to optical input to support PCs and consoles, the feature-packed Arena 7 complete an attractive high-performance audio setup for $300.
Best Soundbar: Razer Leviathan V2
Razer Leviathan V2 Gaming Soundbar
The Razer Leviathan V2 soundbar aims to match (or beat) the performance of separate speaker setups in a convenient all-in-one package. Weighing a hefty five pounds and stretching 27 inches across, it makes up for size with titanic 210W audio driven by two full-range drivers and a downward-firing subwoofer.
That hardware combines with leading sound technologies – virtual 7.1 surround, THX Spatial Audio, Bluetooth 5.2 – for shockingly realistic immersion. Whether blasting enemies in games or taking in the finer details of music and movies, the Leviathan V2 impresses across the board.
For those short on space looking to simplify their desktop, the $250 Leviathan V2 proves a compact soundbar can deliver a mighty audio punch.
Best for Creators: Edifier MR4
Edifier MR4 Powered Studio Monitor Speakers
Whether producing your latest YouTube video or recording a podcast, accuracy is key. That‘s why the Edifier MR4 is the best option for creative work. This $130 set mimics the preferred bookshelf speakers of professional musicians and audio engineers.
The MR4s sport a premium wooden design with one-inch dome tweeters and 4-inch composite woofers tuned to provide supremely natural audio recreation. From the faintest whispers to resounding booms, you‘ll hear exactly what‘s being recorded so you can better edit and mix.
Connectivity includes RCA, AUX, and Bluetooth to hook up everything from old tape decks to modern mobile devices. If audio precision for recording or broadcast is a top concern, the MR4s deliver impressive fidelity at a reasonable price.
Best Splurge: Razer Nommo Pro
When money is no object, the $500 Razer Nommo Pro desktop speakers are simply second to none. Certified by THX, they boast premium components like 3-inch woven glass fiber drivers for the utmost accuracy and a beefy 8-inch downward firing sub to crystallize even the most subtle sonic details across a huge frequency range.
Backed by 210W of power, the Nommo Pros pump out tremendous volume without distortion. Integrated Chroma RGB lighting sets the mood, while Dolby Virtual surround helps complete the cinematic experience. Built-in controls and companion mobile app offer easy adjustments.
Make no mistake, the Nommo Pro is complete audio overkill for desktop purposes…and that‘s exactly why enthusiasts love it! Audiophiles seeking no-compromise sound can end their search here.
Compare the Top Options
| Speaker | Key Features | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Bose Companion 2 Series III | Legendary brand; Wide, detailed sound; Compact design |
$149 |
| Creative Pebble V3 | Huge value; Loud, good quality audio; Tiny footprint |
$35 |
| Logitech G560 | THX audio; Reactive RGB lighting; Room-filling immersion |
$189 |
| SteelSeries Arena 7 | 2.1 channel with sub; Brilliant customizable lighting; Gaming-tuned performance |
$300 |
| Razer Leviathan V2 | Powerful all-in-one soundbar; Virtual 7.1 and spatial audio; Deep thunderous bass |
$250 |
| Edifier MR4 | Accuracy for creative work; Premium components; Balanced stereo imaging |
$130 |
| Razer Nommo Pro | THX certified reference sound; Big 8-inch sub; Audiophile-grade drivers; |
$500 |
As highlighted in this breakdown, desktop speakers span a wide spectrum based on use case and budget. The good news is that technology advancements trickle down over time so even affordable options today outperform systems costing thousands just a few years back.
For media enjoyment and basic office setups, the Bose Companion 2 Series III offers a winning balance of great brand reputation and pleasing sound at a reasonable cost. On an extreme budget, the Creative Pebble V3 punches well above its tiny size and price.
Gamers and RGB enthusiasts will flip for the Logitech G560 or SteelSeries Arena 7 thanks to their fusion of pulsating lighting and hard-hitting audio. For those short on space, the mighty Razer Leviathan V2 packs a sonic wallop into a single compact soundbar.
Audio professionals and hardcore music lovers seeking mastering-grade reference speakers will think the Edifier MR4 and Razer Nommo Pro are absolute steals.
No matter your needs and budget, adding desktop speakers is guaranteed to elevate the listening experience over most built-in speakers. Just be sure to pick a set tailored your requirements and you‘ll never look at your computer the same again!
