Best computer speakers 2024: Top desktop models tested and rated

Adding one of the best computer speakers to your desktop is a great way to build a dynamic and entertaining workspace for yourself and the whole family to enjoy.     

In much the same way as the best soundbars upgrade the sound quality from a TV's built-in speakers, desktop speakers bring a big boost to any movie and gaming experience with a more powerful and immersive audio experience. All the desktop designs listed here have been tested as they would be used at home and all will outperform the tiny speakers built into a laptop or computer monitor screen. They can also help improve video conversations in desktop workspaces with clearer dialog in meetings, or simply provide great-sounding audio for listening to your favorite tunes in the background.    

In this list, I've selected the best computer speakers based on their performance in our tests and their suitability for different activities. Read on to see which models make the grade and bring a boost to your desktop setup.

The quick list

About the author

Lee Dunkley

Hi, I'm Lee and I cover all things audio for Tom's Guide, including maintaining our buying guides on the best computer speakers, best headphones, best soundbars, and best Bluetooth speakers. I am passionate about sound quality and getting the highest quality sound for all kinds of setups. I've been testing and writing about audio for more that 30 years years, and I love providing sound advice to help shoppers make informed buying decisions and achieve great sound.

The best computer speakers you can buy right now

Best desktop computer speakers

Although these have been around for over a decade, the Bose Companion 2 Series III continue to be the best desktop speakers for most people. Although connectivity options aren't as wide as what's on offer on newest desktop speakers — there's no Bluetooth or USB connectivity here — 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

Best budget computer speakers

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

Best computer speakers for music

Kanto's Ora desktop speakers are our best computer speakers for music. They don't have a big footprint and are ideal for smaller desktops where sound quality is of high importance. Our tests showed that they could produce an impressive nearfield soundstage, with a detailed and musical sound. 

In fact, our reviewer was so impressed that they mentioned that the Kanto Ora managed to make familiar tracks feel like they were experiencing them for the first time. This level of sonic detail is rare among budget desktop speakers, helping to justify the higher price and potentially making them a candidate for anyone thinking of starting to build a home studio setup, too.       

Connectivity runs to Bluetooth, USB-C and line-level RCAs for external sources. Plus, there's a subwoofer output should you want to upgrade the setup to a 2.1 configuration by adding the matching Kanto Sub8 subwoofer costing $279. 

• Read our full Kanto Ora review

Best computer speakers with a sub (2.1)

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 review

Best 2.1 computer speaker package for gaming

The Logitech G560 are the best computer speakers for 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 fun.

• Read our full Logitech G560 review

Best computer speakers for gaming clarity

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 may have been around for a while, but they 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

Best computer speakers: specs compared

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.

Sound quality

Sound quality is a subjective consideration, but choose the wrong speaker setup and you'll find them boring to listen. Think about the kind of sound you like and decide whether you enjoy a big bass sound, one with clear dialog and vocals, or a speaker setup that has a bright or detailed top end. Everyone hears things differently, and the kind of sound you enjoy is personal to you.

It's also worth considering the environment you're placing the speakers in. Are they going to be placed on a desktop? Close to a wall? Or on dedicated speaker stands? As computer speaker are mostly used in near-field desktop arrangements with the speakers placed within a few feet way from the seating position, the size of the speaker matters too. Also consider the environment the speakers are placed in. Speaker placement has a surprisingly big influence on the sound it produces. If you want it to perform its best, it's important to consider proximity to boundary walls as well as the material a speaker is placed on.

Power output is also something to consider. Generally speaking, the greater the figure the better they will be at handling complex audio signals and filling a room with sound. Most computer speakers will outperform those built-in to a laptop or monitor.          

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 desktop speakers that come with a subwoofer (2.1) or a full multi-channel speaker system with front and surround speakers with a subwoofer (5.1) to heighten the gaming environment for a more immersive and engaging experience.

Features

Extra features tend to come as standard in more expensive speakers, but even cheaper models can have them. The most common extra feature are some kind of tone or dedicated bass and treble controls, but you can also have remote controls, wireless functionality via Bluetooth (or even Wi-Fi) and RGB lighting.

Another is the number and type of inputs they support. Ideally you want to see a pair of stereo RCAs for analog sources as well as optical digital connectivity and/or a USB port. A headphone socket on the front is also a useful addition.

None of these features are strictly necessary, but some can make your life a lot easier, especially if you're looking to turn your computer into a studio powerhouse.

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 refined high frequencies, deeper bass and good vocal clarity. A great-sounding pair of computers speakers should sound balanced across the entire frequency range, with no band of frequencies sounding more powerful than another.

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.

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

Best computer speaker deals right now