For
laptops
, MacBooks and
desktop PCs
, good audio can often seem like an afterthought. It’s hard to get quality sound from built-in speakers, which have to be crammed inside a hyper-thin chassis alongside the keyboard, battery and processors that make up a personal computer. That’s where the best computer speakers come in handy. By using an external accessory to ramp up your audio output, you can get louder, higher-quality sound for whatever you’re listening to.
Good computer speakers can be the difference between hearing a colleague clearly and missing crucial information during a Zoom call, while others may want a better computer speaker setup so that games, music and movies sound better. For a good audio solution read on for the best computer speakers in 2024.
SKIP AHEAD
How we picked the best computer speakers
|
The best computer speakers
|
How to shop for the best computer speakers
|
Why trust NBC Select?
Selected.
-
Best budget pickCreative Pebble Pro 2.0
$49.99$59.99Amazon
Learn more
-
Best overall/editor’s pickAudioengine A5+ Wireless
$undefined$569.00Amazon
Learn more
-
Best speaker with a subwooferLogitech Z313
$undefined$59.99Amazon
Learn more
How we picked the best computer speakers
When picking these suggestions, I drew on the advice of a gadget specialist, while also using my own expertise as a consumer technology journalist for CNET, TechRadar and NBC Select. When choosing individual models, I kept the below criteria in mind:
-
Connectivity
: Whether you want to use Bluetooth, a USB connection or an AUX port, the best computer speakers offer a variety of connectivity options. -
Audio quality
: Computer speakers are all about the sound. I looked for models with decent sound output and suitability for calls and voice recordings as well as movies, games and music. -
Setup
: More capable computer speakers, like a dedicated soundbar, may take up more space on a compact desk, so I looked for models that could fit alongside other equipment without issue.
The best computer speakers
Creative Pebble Pro 2.0
Creative Pebble Pro 2.0
- Angled audio
- RGB lighting
- Limited bass
“Buyers on a budget may want to consider speakers like the Creative Pebble Pro speakers,” says audio hardware specialist Christian de Looper. This pair of speakers has a curved, stylish design with metallic accents, and is compact enough to fit easily around your PC setup. These speakers also angle upwards 45 degrees so the audio better reaches you from the desk. De Looper adds that these speakers “may not produce quite as much bass as the more expensive competition.”
Brand:
Creative |
Channel:
2.0
|
Volume:
10-20W |
Dimensions:
5.24 x 5.24 x 5.24 in. |
Weight:
2.23 lbs |
Connectivity:
USB-C, Bluetooth 5.3, 3.5mm AUX
Audioengine A5+ Wireless
Audioengine A5+ Wireless
- Hi-res audio
- Bluetooth/Wireless
- Large dimensions
For something with a little more heft, consider the Audioengine A5+ Wireless. This pair of bookshelf speakers can connect to your PC, turntable or home theater system, with RCA ports as well as Bluetooth aptX for transmitting hi-res audio wirelessly. De Looper says the A5+ Wireless computer speakers are “among the best.” The casing is also made of real wood for added durability.
Brand:
Audioengine |
Channel:
2.0
|
Volume:
150W |
Dimensions:
9 x 10.75 x 7 in. |
Weight:
15.4 lbs |
Connectivity:
Bluetooth aptX, 3.5mm AUX, RCA
Audioengine A1-MR
Audioengine A1-MR
- Subwoofer output
- Decent price
- No Bluetooth
De Looper also recommends the Audioengine A1-MR — a more affordable alternative to the A5+ Wireless that uses a Wi-Fi or 3.5mm cable connection instead of Bluetooth. These speakers are relatively compact but can belt out 60W of audio with the option to connect a separate subwoofer to enhance lower frequencies.
Brand:
Audioengine |
Channel:
2.0
|
Volume:
60W |
Dimensions:
6 x 4 x 5.25 in. |
Weight:
3.1 lbs |
Connectivity:
Wi-Fi, 3.5mm AUX
BlueAnt Soundblade
BlueAnt Soundblade
- Sleek design
- 80mm subwoofer
- Multiple color options
For something a little different, the BlueAnt Soundblade is a sleek, flattened soundbar that can sit underneath a PC monitor — making it a handy audio solution and one that can be conveniently stored. It features a 2.1 channel sound system, 120W output, 80mm subwoofer and a wide frequency response geared towards immersive gaming and streaming. The Soundblade has a 4.3/5 Amazon rating from over 50 reviews — and it’s also available in black, white, green, blue and pink colorways to ensure it can match your PC setup.
Brand:
BlueAnt |
Channel:
2.1
|
Volume:
120W |
Dimensions:
8.53 x 23 x 2.13 in. |
Weight:
7.5 lbs |
Connectivity:
USB-C, Bluetooth 5.3, 3.5mm AUX
Logitech Z313
Logitech Z313
- 2.1 channel system
- Separate volume control
- Multiple speaker units
This Logitech Z313 is another budget computer speaker system but with a 2.1 channel system and a dedicated subwoofer, which adds a little more structure to the sound compared to other models around this price. It also comes with a wired control pad to easily adjust volume and it has a 4.4/5 Amazon rating across 15,000 reviews. Just note that it only works via a Bluetooth connection, and you’ll need the space for all three speaker units.
Brand:
Logitech |
Channel:
2.1
|
Volume:
25-50W |
Dimensions:
6.25 x 13 x 1 in. |
Weight:
16 oz |
Connectivity:
Bluetooth 5.3
Audioengine A2-HD
Audioengine A2-HD
- Hi-res Bluetooth aptX
- Physical volume control
- Nothing to note
De Looper recommends various Audioengine bookshelf speakers, and this A2-HD model is priced perfectly between the high-end A5+ wireless and entry-level A1-MR. At $350, it’s still costly, but you’ll get a solid pair of computer speakers you can connect over USB, RCA or a 3.5mm port. It also comes with Bluetooth aptX support for hi-res wireless audio and a front-facing volume control built into the face of one speaker.
Brand:
Audioengine |
Channel:
2.0
|
Volume:
60W |
Dimensions:
2.17 x 9 x 7 in. |
Weight:
4 lbs |
Connectivity:
USB, RCA, 3.5mm, Bluetooth aptX
Edifier G2000
Edifier G2000
- Under $100
- Dedicated gaming mode
- Limited volume
The Edifier G2000 computer speakers are a great option for those on a budget who don’t want to skimp entirely on quality, with a host of connectivity options (Bluetooth, USB, 3.5mm) and dedicated audio modes for gaming, movies or music. You can also activate RGB lighting with a single switch built into the side of the speaker.
Brand:
Audioengine |
Channel:
2.0
|
Volume:
8-16W per speaker |
Dimensions:
4.1 x 4.1 x 5.1 in. |
Weight:
4.2 lbs |
Connectivity:
USB, 3.5mm, Bluetooth 5.1
How to shop for the best computer speakers
De Looper warns that you don’t want to be caught out by low-quality models. “When it comes to PC audio, you get what you pay for, and in the low-end, it can sometimes be more cost-efficient to simply buy a pair of
over-ear headphones
,” says De Looper.
De Looper says that shoppers “could go for bookshelf-style speakers that are large enough to deliver decent bass response with their built-in woofers or buy smaller speakers that may sacrifice some bass response but come at a lower price. [Those] willing to spend a little extra should consider studio monitors, as these deliver a neutral frequency response and are built for great-sounding audio.”
He also advises against paying too much attention to frequency response and other specifications like that, saying that “a pair of speakers [can] have a frequency response of up to 40kHz (the human range of hearing extends to 20kHz, and most adults can’t hear much above 18kHz). To judge audio quality, instead look at reviews from trusted sources. After that, it’s really down to things like design and features. Do you want wireless connectivity? Multiple inputs? Do you like how a pair of speakers look?”
Frequently Asked Questions
Built-in audio for PCs is generally a little flat — quite literally. The slim laptops we love today don’t allow much room for large drivers or heavy bass output, and you’re generally limited in the audio quality you get. External computer speakers can ramp up both the volume and the range of frequencies that your PC can output.
If you have a pair of computer speakers, audio specialist
Bose
recommends placing them “an equal distance from the center of your computer monitor or screen,” while advising against putting objects (or your PC) in front of the speaker grilles. For single speakers, the same logic applies, but we’d place them close enough to the screen that the sound output feels connected to the action happening onscreen.
This depends on what kind of PC you’re using. Laptops should always come with built-in speakers, even if the quality might vary — but if you have a desktop computer, you’re likely to need separate speakers, unless your PC monitor specifically comes with built-in speakers.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
-
Christian de Looper
is a consumer technology expert for HostingAdvice, with experience testing and reviewing gadgets for Tom’s Guide, Digital Trends and TechRadar. He has a particular interest in audio hardware, with a degree in music production and as the founder of the pro audio website All Things Gear.
Why trust NBC Select?
I have worked as a gadget reporter since 2017, covering the latest developments in consumer hardware, from TVs and headphones to smart speakers and VR headsets. I previously worked as the News & Features Editor at TechRadar and now freelance for NBC Select, CNET and The Independent.
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