The best computer speakers can improve the audio experience from your desktop setup. Can't hear the dialog clearly from your Teams meetings? A pair of the best computer speakers can help that. Does your video and gaming experience lack the impact you know it should have? A good pair of computer speakers will change that.
In much the same way as the best soundbars upgrade the sound quality of a TV, even one of our most affordable sets of desktop speakers will outperform the tiny speakers built into a laptop or computer monitor screen.
In this list, we've assembled the best computer speakers based on performance and pricing. Each of the models ranked below will produce a better-sounding audio experience than built-in speakers, and are a great way to build a more dynamic and entertaining workspace for yourself and the whole family to enjoy.
Read on to see which computer speakers make the grade and are worth adding to your desktop based on our testing.
Top 3 best computer speakers
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The best computer speakers you can buy right now
The Bose Companion 2 Series III represents the best desktop speakers for most people. This pair of powered speakers has been on sale since 2013, and the solid build and functionality continues to be a popular with buyers at the $149 asking price. The 7.5 x 5.9 x 3.1-inch satellites don't take up much space on your desk, but they create a big, full sound. The slightly premium price is worthwhile as it produces more bass than speakers twice the size, and with robust vocals and pleasing treble, it delivers very good sound overall.
The simple and elegant design features a single volume knob on the right speaker, along with a headphone jack so you don't have to disconnect the speakers to listen privately. These speakers don't give you any way to adjust the bass or treble, but with the well-balanced sound, you likely won't miss that feature.
Read our full Bose Companion 2 Series III review.
If you’re in the market for computer speakers that come bundled with a subwoofer, the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 THX is quite a bargain. Audio quality is impressive with a wide soundscape that allows you to hear subtle nuances in songs. Vocals, instruments, and sound effects are detailed, which benefits listeners when indulging in movies and video games. Each satellite sits attractively on the side your desktop and laptop as well.
Not having Bluetooth can be a deal-breaker for some. Also, figuring out where to place the large subwoofer may present challenges for those with very little space to work with. However, if you have the extra room to store it, the ProMedia 2.1 will reward you with robust bass.
Read our full Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 THX Certified Computer Speaker review.
Building out your desktop setup can get expensive, especially for those who are working from home regularly. The Creative Pebble V3 proves you don’t have to spend crazy money to snag a pair of serviceable and super-affordable computer speakers. Despite its compact size, the Pebble V3 produces loud and crisp sound, putting what comes out of your laptop speakers to shame. The orb-inspired design is attractive and takes up very little space, plus we appreciate all the hardware (e.g., 2.25-inch driver, passive bass radiator) and inputs (e.g., 3.5 mm port, USB-C) Creative managed to squeeze in.
There isn’t much bass coming out of the driver, which means lows can lack depth on contemporary songs. A headphone output would have also been appreciated to enjoy music privately, but the price point makes the Pebble V3 incredible value.
Read our full Creative Pebble V3 review.
The Logitech G560 are the best computer speakers for serious gamers. The G560 produces robust sound, whether you're playing a game or listening to music, and the subwoofer really adds to the experience. If you like to play loud, this system is a great fit for you. It also features a sophisticated lighting system comprising four distinct zones with bright, colorful LEDs, which are fun but can be distracting. The included software is integral; you use it to configure the lights, activate surround sound and even create profiles for specific games.
One helpful feature of the G560 is its Bluetooth compatibility, which lets you funnel in your own music from a smartphone. This means that you can play pretty much anything on these speakers, and you can hand off control from person to person easily. If you need something powerful for an impromptu dance party, the G560 will work in a pinch, and even provide its own light show to go along with the proceedings.
Read our full Logitech G560 review.
If you're looking to step up from those tinny speakers on your gaming laptop or monitor and you don't feel like wearing one the best gaming headsets all day, the Razer Nommo Chroma speakers are an excellent gaming audio solution that makes just about any media sound great at a reasonable price.
These gaming-minded stereo speakers deliver rich, and directionally accurate sound for hearing the competition coming. During our testing, they were largely as impressive for entertainment as they were for games, and are a solid set of speakers for all kinds of computer tasks.
As the name suggests, the Razer Nommo Chroma sports a thin LED strip around the base that can glow millions of colors. Using Razer's Synapse 3 software, you can customize the Nommo with an array of lighting options to bring an extra atmospheric element to gaming as well as routine computer tasks.
Read our full Razer Nommo Chroma review.
How to choose the best computer speakers for you
There are three things to consider when choosing the best PC speakers for your setup: sound quality, extra features and price.
Cheaper, less elaborate systems can sometimes offer decent sound quality, but the sound output is often not particularly well nuanced, and the maximum volume is sometimes not loud enough to fill your listening space or impactful enough for your activity. More elaborate systems tend to offer richer treble, deeper bass and more substantial vocals. A great-sounding pair of speakers should be nicely balanced across the frequency range.
Extra features tend to come standard in more expensive speakers, but even cheaper models can have them. The most common extra feature is discrete bass/treble controls, but you can also have remote controls, wireless functionality and RGB lighting. None of these things is strictly necessary, but some can make your life a lot easier, especially if you're looking to turn your computer into an audio powerhouse.
Although improving the working from home experience may be your main criteria, gamers may also enjoy the extra depth a set of dedicated computer speakers can bring to their favorite titles. Online gaming is one of the most popular forms of entertainment, and you may want a set of dedicated desktop speakers to heighten the environment of a favorite open world title for a more realistic and engaging experience.
How we test the best computer speakers
To an extent, testing to find the best computer speakers isn’t that different to testing one of the best Bluetooth speakers or even a soundbar. We’re looking for high audio quality across a range of uses, from making sure voices are clear in video calls to the speakers’ music, movie and gaming performance. We’ll play a variety of different media, including multiple musical genres, to identify any sonic strengths and weaknesses.
We also examine how easy it is to set up a pair (or multi-speaker set) of computer speakers, but generally you shouldn’t need any special knowledge to get them up and running.
Generally, we try to spend a few days using each speaker set on a desktop/home office setup, to fully replicate the conditions in which you’d use them yourself.
Once our testing is complete, we rate the best computer speakers based on our five-point system (1 = worst, 5 = best). Products that hit nearly every mark are awarded an Editor's Choice badge.
Contributions from: Michael Gowan, Marshall Honorof, and Michael Andronico
More from Tom's Guide
- Our pick of the best gaming headsets you can buy right now
- I test headphones for a living and these are my favorite options for working from home
- These Q Acoustics M20 speakers are a great addition to any desktop
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