Whether it’s for gaming, music, and video production, or simply for casual music listening, the best computer speakers are almost a must-have for a proper computer setup. To help you find the best computer speakers on the market, we spent 10 days reviewing speaker systems and testing out over 30 models, carefully considering their footprint, connectivity, sonic capabilities, and sustained audio quality over time.
Our top pick goes to the Bose Companion 2 Series III Multimedia Speakers for their clear, detailed sound, immersive soundstage, and lightweight design. But, compare Sonos vs Bose brands to make your own judgment on which one is best. Keep reading to learn more about our top pick and our six other choices for the best computer speakers on the market today.
Top 7 Best Computer Speakers
#1 Bose Companion 2 Series III Multimedia Computer Speakers
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: Our top pick for audiophile computer speakers combines portability and high-quality audio performance, with its ported cabinet design producing detailed sound. We love how its wide soundstage enables us to hear the location of the instruments for a more immersive experience. For more quality speaker products, check out our guide to the loudest Bluetooth speakers or read our write-up of the top-rated Bluetooth speakers under $300.
Read Full Review: Bose Companion 2 Series III Multimedia Review
- Audiophile computer speakers
- Best high-quality, detailed sound
- Lightweight design
- Loud volume
- Lacks wireless connection
- Short wires
The Bose Companion 2 Series III Speakers boast an easy setup, with the volume control and headphone jack on the right speaker. The speakers’ digital signal processing ensures that they can sustain their high audio quality over long periods. They also employ the patented TrueSpace stereo digital processing circuitry for that clear, lifelike soundstage. Though the speakers don’t have a bass module, they do have built-in ports for the reproduction of low notes. The bass can sound a little muddy and the lows may tend towards a little distortion compared to the highs and mids, but these are hardly discernible and do not detract from the overall audio performance. If you enjoy bass and stereo sound, then check out our guide to the best soundbar.
Even though the Companion 2 speakers are not magnetically shielded, the magnetic field around them is not strong enough to harm the data in most hard drives or older CRT monitors. In terms of connectivity, the Bose Companion 2 Series III Speakers give the option to connect to other devices via auxiliary input so you can play music from your phone and music players. For a computer with the best speaker, you may as well also pick up the best printer paper too.
#2 TaoTronics TT-SK018 Computer Speaker
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Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: The best computer soundbar on our list, the TaoTronics Computer Speakers put a premium on portability without sacrificing powerful audio performance. We also love that it comes with Bluetooth connectivity for connecting your smart devices.
Read Full Review: TaoTronics TT-SK018 Review
- Best computer soundbar
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Slim, space-saving design
- USB-powered
- Weak bass
- Hissing sound at low volume
With their slim, compact design and USB-powered feature, the TaoTronics Computer Speakers save you precious space on your work desk and lessen the number of wires that you have to contend with. They’re also simple to set up—just plug them in, connect your device, and you’re ready to enjoy a premium audio performance. They also have a microphone port located at the back, alongside the 3.5mm audio port and the power input.
Despite their size, these speakers deliver impressive cinematic audio quality in small spaces, producing 10 watts of combined power. Its compatibility with devices that have a 3.5mm jack is further supplemented by Bluetooth connectivity. With speakers this nice, you might also want to look into the best motherboard for your computer.
#3 AmazonBasics USB-Powered PC Computer Speakers
Award: BEST BUDGET
WHY WE LIKE IT: Despite their compact size, the AmazonBasics Computer Speakers deliver well-rounded audio quality with clear, crisp highs and decent, springy bass, making them the best budget computer speakers on our list. They also provide easy volume control with an in-line cord extending from one of the speakers.
Read Full Review: AmazonBasics USB-Powered PC Computer Speakers Review
- Best budget computer speakers
- Handy and convenient
- Well-rounded sound
- Sleek, stylish design
- Accent lights can’t be turned off separately
- Lacks Bluetooth connectivity
Weighing 1.5 pounds and producing 1.2 RMS watts apiece, the AmazonBasics Computer Speakers are surprisingly sturdy, with a metal frame that provides strong support. Their audio output is loud for their size, and they can produce clear quality up to a certain volume, with a frequency range of 80 Hz to 20 kHz. Like the TaoTronics TT-SK018, this model is also USB-powered, adding to its portability. To keep your computer running smoothly, you may also want to invest in one of the best CPU fans.
#4 Logitech Z130 Compact Laptop Computer Speakers
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Award: BEST QUALITY
WHY WE LIKE IT: Light and compact, the Logitech Z130 Computer Speakers deliver clean, filling audio quality with decent highs and mid-range up to a fair volume limit while still being ideal for cramped spaces.
Read Full Review: Logitech Z130 Review
- Light and portable
- Convenient volume control
- Easy setup
- 3.5mm headphone jack
- Some distortion at very high volume
Boasting a total of 5 RMS watts, the Logitech Z130 Computer Speakers can provide loud volume despite their size. These speakers also provide extra bass to your listening experience with their front-facing reflex port design. They work with both Windows and macOS, so you don’t have to worry about software compatibility. Alternatively, you can compare the Logitech Z623 vs Z625 for speakers with much more power and compatibility options.
This product comes with a headphone jack and convenient power and volume control on its right speaker, and 3.5mm input. It works with any device with a headphone jack input such as TVs, computers, smartphones, tablets, and music players. With the ability to work across so many devices, you might also want to look into the best ethernet switch for your home.
#5 Elegiant SR300 USB-Powered Wired and Wireless Computer Speakers
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Award: MOST VERSATILE
WHY WE LIKE IT: With their built-in subwoofers, the Elegiant SR300 Computer Speakers are arguably the best desktop speakers with bass on our list, delivering clear audio performance with good treble and excellent bass.
Read Full Review: Elegiant SR300 Review
- Best with bass
- Full-range audio quality
- Wireless connectivity
- Short wires
With a rated power of 5 RMS watts apiece, the Elegiant SR300 Computer Speakers can produce rich, full-range sound even at loud volumes. The built-in 5W dual sub-woofers reproduce great-sounding low frequencies, and thanks to its Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, this product is compatible with a wide range of devices.
You’ll see that Bluetooth connectivity in this active speaker is much better, especially when comparing active vs passive speakers, as passive speakers need more accessories to work the best.
Its versatile control panel makes it easy to increase or decrease the volume, skip tracks, turn the LED lights on or off (yes, there are built-in LED lights in these speakers), and enter Bluetooth mode. These speakers will have your gameplay audio so crisp, that you’ll need the best gaming mouse pad for your setup.
#6 Sanyun SW102 Computer Speakers
Award: BEST PORTABLE
WHY WE LIKE IT: The Sanyun SW102 Speakers’ small size and long wires make them the ideal audio desk companion. The high-quality metal and plastic body provide enough stability to keep it from vibrating on any surface, ensuring clean audio quality.
Read Full Review: Sanyun SW102 Review
- 360-degree all-around sound
- In-line wire control
- Strong bass at low volume
- Distortion with low power source
- Lacks independent volume control
The USB-powered Sanyun SW102 has a built-in bass diaphragm to provide decent bass performance for such a small speaker. Its unique acoustic resonator structure produces a sound that is powerful, resonant, and penetrating.
It also features the standard 3.5mm audio input to connect to most music players and audio devices. The USB cable can be connected to laptops and computers or to any 5V charger power supply for more portability options.
To best enjoy the stereo sound experience, it is recommended that the speakers are placed in an equilateral triangular position with the listener.
#7 Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 THX Certified Computer Speakers
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Award: BEST PERFORMANCE
WHY WE LIKE IT: The only 2.1 system on this list, the Klipsch ProMedia Computer Speakers are the best computer speakers for music production. They feature two satellite speakers and a subwoofer to deliver clear, detailed, and room-filling sound, even at the highest volume.
Read Full Review: Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 Review
- Best for music production
- Consistently clear performance
- Immersive sound experience and powerful bass
- Not portable
- Parts wear out after prolonged use
This sleek audio system from Klipsch uses its patented micro Tractrix horn technology with Poly compression tweeters and 3″ long-throw fiber composite cone woofers for that consistently clear audio quality. The 6.5” subwoofer further enriches this with its bass performance.
This audio system produces a rich and detailed sound, making it an excellent choice for those looking to dabble in music production. The Klipsch ProMedia sound system also comes with the Promedia 2.1 Control Pod, allowing you to control the volume for the main speakers and the subwoofer with ease.
How We Decided
To narrow down our choices and ensure that only the best computer speakers make it to our list, we tested and evaluated them based on the criteria of audio clarity, convenience in terms of portability and connectivity, and consistency in audio quality over time at different volumes.
We assessed their performance by playing various music and video file types, connecting from different sound sources, and playing video games with notable sound effects. The ones that made it to our list have a maximum frequency range of 20KHz, except for our top pick with the highest maximum range of 35KHz. Most of them have a minimum frequency range anywhere between 50 to 80Hz, with the Elegiant SR300 the outlier with the higher minimum range of 150Hz, and the Sanyun SW102 and Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 having the lowest minimum range of 30Hz. This means that our picks maintain a good balance of volume and audio clarity, with some more capable of producing better-sounding bass and others, such as our top pick, able to reproduce higher pitches more faithfully.
To ensure that we only have the best computer speakers that can deliver loud volume, those on our list have 5 to 20 watts of RMS power. The only exceptions are the AmazonBasics Computer Speakers, which can still deliver loud volume despite having a total of 2.4 watts in power, and the Klipsch ProMedia Speakers with its 200 watts under its 2.1 sound system. As for the portable speakers on our list, we made sure that they weigh less than four pounds for easy and convenient transport. All products feature the standard 3.5mm audio input, while some offer added connectivity via Bluetooth.
Best Computer Speakers Buyer’s Guide
The Most Important Features to Consider
- Speaker Footprint
Check how much space you have available in your work or gaming area. Soundbars are ideal for smaller setups, but if you have a bit more room, you may consider speakers coming in pairs for that more immersive left-and-right system, or even spring for a 2.1 audio system with a 4.5-inch subwoofer. - Power Source
Computer speakers can get their power from batteries, electric outlets, or a USB connection. Before purchasing speakers that need to be plugged into an outlet, make sure that you have space for your speakers near one and that you have an available socket for the speakers. - Wattage
Wattage measures power, and when it comes to speakers, it generally means that the higher the wattage—the RMS (Root Mean Squared), and not the max wattage—the higher the volume that the speaker produces. - Sensitivity
Sensitivity measures the loudness of the sound that a speaker can produce at a certain power level. Simply put, the higher a speaker’s sensitivity rating is, the louder the sound it produces. - Connectivity
The standard for connectivity among speakers is the auxiliary jack, which usually comes in the standard 3.5mm and allows you to connect your speakers to a variety of sound sources. However, this can be prone to distortion and feedback when the connection isn’t tight. An alternative wired connection is via USB, which avoids this potential distortion. For wireless connectivity, you can opt for a Bluetooth connection, which makes connecting your speaker to your phone much easier, though it comes second to wired connections in terms of quality due to the limitations of Bluetooth codecs.
Read about the best speakers and check out our best computers section for the best desktop computers to power your speakers and more computer accessories.
