The best PC speakers come in a variety of styles and sizes, ranging from $30 to $500 (or more). Sure, you can use headphones or a gaming headset for a more private listening experience that won’t disturb others in your vicinity. But if I can help it, I prefer not wearing anything on my head, which is which is why I like a pair of dedicated external speakers that can deliver high-quality sound that’s a big step up from what my laptop’s (or desktop’s) tiny internal speakers can produce, even if those internal speakers are designed by major audio brands. Whether you use your PC for gaming, watching videos, listening to music or work meetings, this list offers plenty of top speaker options to choose from. While I haven’t fully reviewed all the speakers on this list, I have tested all of them.
Our Picks
Bottom Line
8.4
Craeative is known for its value PC speakers, including its popular orb-shaped Pebble speakers, which start at $20. In recent years, the compa…
Pros & Cons
- Compact, elegant design
- Impressive sound for the size and price with ample bass and good clarity
- Detachable cork stands
- Good wired and wireless connectivity
- Can add subwoofer for more bass
- Volume control on front
- They look nice but don’t feel that premium
- No HDMI eArc or optical input
Bottom Line
8.3
Creative Labs has long been known for making value audio products, but its new-for-2025 Pebble Nova PC speakers have more of a premium flair t…
Pros & Cons
- Well-balanced, detailed sound with well-defined bass
- Attractively designed
- Included pedestal system with detachable bases
- Good connectivity options with USB-C audio, Bluetooth and an auxiliary analog input
- Customizable lighting element
- No optical input
- Only supports SBC audio codec (not AAC) for Bluetooth streaming
- Not quite as good for far-field listening
Bottom Line
The Audioengine A2 Plus is very similar to the step-down A1 but offers slightly more refined styling and slightly better connectivity options …
Pros & Cons
- Slick, minimalist design
- Strong sound quality
- Bluetooth and USB connectivity
- Bass has limitations
Bottom Line
8.6
Creative Labs’ Pebble speakers have long been a top budget pick for PC speakers. The entry-level model is on its third generation, aka V3 (see…
Pros & Cons
- Compact design
- Very good sound quality for their size and price
- RGB lighting element
- Good connectivity options, including Bluetooth
- Have to buy Pebble X Plus bundle to get subwoofer
- No app for Macs
Bottom Line
Edifier makes a ton of PC speakers, and they’re generally very good. We like the R1280DB Bluetooth Bookshelf speaker because it has all the fe…
Pros & Cons
- Attractive design
- Strong sound
- Good connectivity options
- May be slightly big for certain setups
Bottom Line
SteelSeries’ line of Arena PC gaming speakers is available in three models, starting with the entry-level Arena 3, which retails for around $1…
Pros & Cons
- Compact design
- Good sound
- Companion app
- Less-than-premium build quality
- Not a lot of bass
Bottom Line
Razer’s second generation of its Lettier and pricier, at $250 as opposed to $20
Pros & Cons
- Soundbar design with sub and THX Spatial Audio
- Good sound
- Bluetooth
- RGB lighting
- Soundbar design isn’t for everybody
Bottom Line
Creative’s Pebble speakers have been around for a while and the V3 version includes a USB-C plug (a USB-A adapter is included) that powers the…
Pros & Cons
- Improved sound
- Value price
- USB-C and Bluetooth connectivity
- Bass has its limitations
Bottom Line
The Logitech Z407 is a compact system with a small subwoofer that doesn’t exactly have a premium feel (it’s an all-plastic affair and the sate…
Pros & Cons
- Sleek design with small subwoofer
- Speakers can be placed vertically or horizontally
- Good sound
- Wireless puck-size controller
- Bluetooth-enabled
- Bass could be tighter
Bottom Line
The entry-level model in Audioengine powered speaker line, the A1 sound good for their compact size, particularly in terms of their clarity. L…
Pros & Cons
- Sleek, compact design
- Very good sound for their size
- Bluetooth
- Bass has its limitations
Bottom Line
Audioengine’s powered A5 speakers have been around for several years and have received some technology upgrades over time. The wired-only vers…
Pros & Cons
- Powerful, detailed sound
- Premium build quality
- Bluetooth option
- Pricey
- Somewhat larger
Bottom Line
Canadian speaker company Fluance is known for delivering speakers with a lot of power for their price, and its attractively designed Ai41-powe…
Pros & Cons
- Attractive design
- Impressive sound for the money
- Bluetooth option
- Optical connection
- Slightly large
- No USB connectivity
What are the best PC speakers overall?
It’s hard to declare one set of PC speakers as the “best overall,” but the new Creative XF1 speakers ($180) deliver very good bang for the buck and currently sit at the top of our list. That said, Creative makes other PC speakers that are recommenable, as do Edifier, Audioengine, Logitech, Razer and others. Note that all the picks on the list are stereo speakers (some are 2.1 setups with a subwoofer), not surround-sound setups with rear speakers.
The best PC speakers for 2026
We added the Creative XF1 speakers.
The XF1 come with cork stands that tilt the speakers up. / David Carnoy/CNET
Best value mini studio monitor PC speakers
Creative XF1
- Compact, elegant design
- Impressive sound for the size and price with ample bass and good clarity
- Detachable cork stands
- Good wired and wireless connectivity
- Can add subwoofer for more bass
- Volume control on front
- They look nice but don’t feel that premium
- No HDMI eArc or optical input
Craeative is known for its value PC speakers, including its popular orb-shaped Pebble speakers, which start at $20. In recent years, the company has dabbled in more premium models, such as the $280 Pebble Nova. However, its new XF1 desktop speaker set is a slightly different animal in that it has a subdued, straightforward boxy design and a more midrange price of $180. But it still follows the same value formula, delivering very good sound for the price along with pretty robust connectivity options. Read my full review.
Screenshot by David Carnoy/CNET
Best orb PC speakers from Creative
Creative Pebble Nova
- Well-balanced, detailed sound with well-defined bass
- Attractively designed
- Included pedestal system with detachable bases
- Good connectivity options with USB-C audio, Bluetooth and an auxiliary analog input
- Customizable lighting element
- No optical input
- Only supports SBC audio codec (not AAC) for Bluetooth streaming
- Not quite as good for far-field listening
Creative Labs has long been known for making value audio products, but its new-for-2025 Pebble Nova PC speakers have more of a premium flair to them and look and feel more substantial than its other Pebble speakers. They also sound quite a bit better, with full, clear sound, natural mids and ample, well-defined bass sans subwoofer. It helps to boost the treble a bit in the EQ settings in the companion for Windows PCs or iOS and Android devices. It adds a little more sparkle and detail to the highs and livens the sound up, making it more exciting. The Windows PC app is more robust than the mobile app, which is quite basic and designed for folks who want to connect their smartphone or tablet to the speakers via Bluetooth.
The speakers come in white or black (I tested the black version) and can sit flush on top of their detachable bases or be elevated a few inches with a pair of included pedestals (I chose to elevate them with the pedestals). Like a lot of PC speakers these days, there’s a customizable LED lighting element at the base of each speaker, though it’s fairly subdued and only noticeable in a darkened room.
While the Nova are equipped with its signature 45-degree angled drivers that pump sound directly toward your head, these speakers have coaxial drivers where the tweeter and woofer align to achieve “coherence and precision across the entire sound spectrum.” They’re a big upgrade from the Pebble X’s drivers. I wouldn’t say these are the greatest far-field speakers (they will fill a small room with sound but may seem small for medium-sized rooms), but they perform really well as near-field speakers when you’re sitting a few feet away from them. For the money, they’re hard to beat; I’ve tested speakers that cost more that don’t sound as good.
I also liked the connectivity options. They’re powered via USB-C (power adapter included) and can connect to devices via USB-C, a 3.5mm auxiliary port or the aforementioned wireless Bluetooth option (the 1.5m cable that connects the two speakers should be long enough for most folks, but even though it’s USB-C, it appears to be a proprietary connection, so you can’t just swap in a longer cable). It’s also worth noting that while these are ostensibly PC speakers, you can use them with a Sony PlayStation 5 or Nintendo Switch or Switch 2 via USB-C. Creative also sells the speakers in a bundle with its SoundBlaster X5 amp for $480 or $80 less if bought separately.
Size
5.87 x 5.94 x 6.02 inches
Peak Power
100 watts
Drivers
3-inch driver and 1-inch tweete arranged in a coaxial layout with passive radiator
Subwoofer
No
Connectivity
USB, Bluetooth, 3.5mm AUX
Price
$$$
Best PC speaker sound for under $300
Audioengine A2 Plus
- Slick, minimalist design
- Strong sound quality
- Bluetooth and USB connectivity
- Bass has limitations
The Audioengine A2 Plus is very similar to the step-down A1 but offers slightly more refined styling and slightly better connectivity options (it adds USB connectivity), although it lacks a subwoofer output. Like the A1 it has a Bluetooth option with support for aptX streaming (for aptX-compatible devices).
For $269, it delivers excellent sound in a compact, attractively minimalist design. It’s a good option for people who can’t afford the larger Audioengine A5 (see below), which does sound significantly better but takes up more space.
The lighting elements are integrated into both the left and right sides of each speaker. / David Carnoy/CNET
Best PC speakers under $100
Creative Labs Pebble X
- Compact design
- Very good sound quality for their size and price
- RGB lighting element
- Good connectivity options, including Bluetooth
- Have to buy Pebble X Plus bundle to get subwoofer
- No app for Macs
Creative Labs’ Pebble speakers have long been a top budget pick for PC speakers. The entry-level model is on its third generation, aka V3 (see below), and costs $35, while earlier versions can be had for even less. They aren’t the greatest-sounding PC speakers, but people like them because their sound is bigger than their price.
Creative went more upscale, introducing the new-for-2024 Pebble X USB-C speakers ($90), which also come in a version called the Pebble X Plus with a mini subwoofer for $110. Larger than previous Pebble speakers yet still compact enough to fit in a backpack, the audio quality is unexpectedly good and may just be the best PC speakers that cost less than $100.
Size
5.49 x 5.20 x 5.35 inches
Peak Power
30 watts
Drivers
2.75-inch full-range drivers
Subwoofer
No
Connectivity
USB, Bluetooth, 3.5mm AUX
Price
$$
8.6
Screenshot by David Carnoy/CNET
Best PC speakers around $150
Edifier R1280DB powered Bluetooth bookshelf speakers
- Attractive design
- Strong sound
- Good connectivity options
- May be slightly big for certain setups
Edifier makes a ton of PC speakers, and they’re generally very good. We like the R1280DB Bluetooth Bookshelf speaker because it has all the features you want, including an optical input and Bluetooth capabilities in a fairly compact package that delivers very good sound for a reasonable price.
Screenshot by David Carnoy/CNET
Best affordable gaming PC speakers
SteelSeries Arena 3
- Compact design
- Good sound
- Companion app
- Less-than-premium build quality
- Not a lot of bass
SteelSeries’ line of Arena PC gaming speakers is available in three models, starting with the entry-level Arena 3, which retails for around $124. The speakers may not have premium build quality, but I liked their design and compact size (although not too compact), and I thought they sounded good for a stereo 2.0 system with single drivers. The step-up Arena 7 adds tweeters and a separate sub as well as a lighting element for $120 more, while the line-topping Arena 9 is a full surround system for $550.
The Arena 3 speakers connect to your PC with an analog 3.5mm cable, but also feature Bluetooth connectivity for connecting your smartphone or tablet wirelessly. You can tilt the speakers to your liking and easily adjust the volume with a knob on the right speaker. There’s also a companion app for Windows PCs to tweak the sound.
While there’s enough bass to provide decent punch to games, movies and music, don’t expect the bass to go that deep or have a ton of kick to it. If you’re looking for a better deal in terms of price and specs, you’ll want to go with the Arena 7.
Size
8.5 x 6.0 x 6.0 inches
Peak Power
30 watts
Drivers
4-inch full range driver
Subwoofer
No
Connectivity
Bluetooth, 3.5mm AUX
Price
$
The Razer Leor / Screenshot by David Carnoy/CNET
Best gamer-friendly PC soundbar
Razer Le
- Soundbar design with sub and THX Spatial Audio
- Good sound
- Bluetooth
- RGB lighting
- Soundbar design isn’t for everybody
Razer’s second generation of its Lettier and pricier, at $250 as opposed to $200. While it gains Bluetooth wireless support, it loses some other useful connections; say bye-bye to analog and optical, for example. Still, it’s a compact and solid alternative to headphones or a beefier surround setup that might be overkill or require too much space
You can get the soundbar by itself for $100, but the version with the subwoofer sounds significantly better.
Screenshot by David Carnoy/CNET
Best cheap USB-C PC speakers with Bluetooth
Creative Pebble V3
- Improved sound
- Value price
- USB-C and Bluetooth connectivity
- Bass has its limitations
Creative’s Pebble speakers have been around for a while and the V3 version includes a USB-C plug (a USB-A adapter is included) that powers the speaker, as well as Bluetooth connectivity. They’re available for $35, while the earlier V2 version (also with USB-C but no Bluetooth) can be had for around $25. With a higher peak power rating, note that this V3 model does play louder and sounds a little better than the V2. The step-up Pebble Pro speakers offer slightly better sound (improved bass response), RGB lighting and Bluetooth 5.3 instead of Bluetooth 5.0.
These speakers don’t deliver huge sound, and they’re light on the bass, but they’re surprisingly decent for their low price and are a good plug-and-play solution for laptop owners with USB-C ports.
A version with a subwoofer that delivers more bass is available for only $40. The Pebble Pro speakers may be your better bet if you’re on the fence about getting a subwoofer.
Wireless Logitech around $100
Logitech Z407
- Sleek design with small subwoofer
- Speakers can be placed vertically or horizontally
- Good sound
- Wireless puck-size controller
- Bluetooth-enabled
- Bass could be tighter
The Logitech Z407 is a compact system with a small subwoofer that doesn’t exactly have a premium feel (it’s an all-plastic affair and the satellite speakers are quite light), but it’s attractive and has some nice features. For starters, it’s simple to set up. You can use it in wired mode with an auxiliary 3.5mm cable or connect it to your computer
It comes with a hockey puck-size controller (powered by two AAA batteries) that doubles as a Bluetooth transceiver between any Bluetooth-enabled audio device and the speaker system. You can skip tracks forward and back by tapping on the top of the puck and turning the dial to control the volume. It’s also worth noting that the speakers can be stood up vertically or horizontally. It’s a nifty design.
The sound is good at close range, but the bass isn’t exactly tight (you can only expect so much for the price). This would work fine as an audio system in a small room, but it just doesn’t have the juice to sound good in a larger room (it’s touted as having 80 watts of power, but power ratings don’t mean all that much).
Top PC speakers under $200
Audioengine A1
- Sleek, compact design
- Very good sound for their size
- Bluetooth
- Bass has its limitations
The entry-level model in Audioengine powered speaker line, the A1 sound good for their compact size, particularly in terms of their clarity. Like the more expensive A2 Plus, they’re a little bass shy, but if you’re using these at close range (as one tends to do if you’re looking at a computer screen), the bass will seem ample. You can connect a subwoofer to them, but that would substantially raise the price for the package. In a small room, they could work as your main speaker system, but they just don’t have enough power for a larger room.
The nice thing about them is that they look quite slick. They’re also simple to set up and wireless, so you can connect your computer — or another device —to engage pairing mode. A set of speaker wires connects the two speakers (the left speaker has the amplifier and all the connectivity options). You can also use the auxiliary-in port to connect your computer with an included cable
Best PC speakers under $500
Audioengine A5 Plus Wireless
- Powerful, detailed sound
- Premium build quality
- Bluetooth option
- Pricey
- Somewhat larger
Audioengine’s powered A5 speakers have been around for several years and have received some technology upgrades over time. The wired-only version is $399, but if you want to add a Bluetooth option, the price goes up to $499. You can connect to your PC either with a cable oreakers to double as standard bookshelf speakers
As you might expect, they have significantly more bass than Audioengine’s smaller A2 Plus, and they resemble traditional monitor speakers. With a built-in 150-watt amp, they deliver clean, dynamic sound with lots of volume and will rock a medium-size room without a problem.
Top value powered bookshelf PC speakers
Fluance Ai41
- Attractive design
- Impressive sound for the money
- Bluetooth option
- Optical connection
- Slightly large
- No USB connectivity
Canadian speaker company Fluance is known for delivering speakers with a lot of power for their price, and its attractively designed Ai41-powered bookshelf speakers do just that for $250. While they don’t weigh as much or have quite the build quality of Audioengine speakers, they do offer strong sound and good connectivity options, including optical digital input and Bluetooth options. I tried the white and bamboo versions, but the speakers are also available in black.
They’re about the same size as Audioengine’s A5 Plus speakers (see below) but cost half the price. I can’t say they sound quite as good as the A5 Plus speakers, but they do sound clear and well-balanced and have just enough bass to make you think they aren’t bass-shy (there is a subwoofer connection if you want to add a sub). You can get a little more bass by placing them near a wall.
A remote is included for not only raising and lowering volume but also tweaking the treble and bass settings. These will fill a small room with sound. Note that if you want a wired connection to your computerthan $10 on Amazon), as it’s not included
The Ai41 has 5-inch drivers while the step-up Ai61 has 6.5-inch drivers. The Ai61 does offer a bit more bass and power for $50 more. The Ai41 is already fairly large for a set of computer speakers. They could also be connected to your TV
Factors to consider when buying PC speakers
Budget
Before anything else, you’ll want to figure out how much you’re willing to spend on new PC speakers. Value-priced speakers can deliver acceptable sound, but if you want more premium sound with stronger bass and better clarity, you’ll need to spend $200 or more.
Bigger speakers tend to sound better, but not everybody has room for larger computer speakers, particularly if you plan to place your speakers on either side of a monitor or even your laptop.
Subwoofer or no subwoofer?
PC speakers that come with a subwoofer tend to deliver more bass, but you have to have a place to put the subwoofer.
Connectivity
Some of the desktop speakers on this list have analog connectivity, and many offer digital connections so you can plug them directly into a computer with a USB cable. Some computer speakers offer Bluetooth connectivity, which lets you easily pair them with all your devices, including tablets and smartphones. As you might expect, more robust connectivity options tend to add to the cost, but you can find some moderately priced PC speakers that offer good connectivity features.
Surround sound?
Most of the computer speakers on this list consist of two separate powered speakers joined together by a speaker cable, with a subwoofer sometimes thrown into the mix. They deliver true stereo sound, but you can also buy PC speakers with multiple speakers for a surround sound setup to fill your home office. We’ve focused primarily on stereo PC speaker setups.
Return policy
It’s a good idea to buy your speakers at a retailer that has a good return policy, in case they don’t live up to your expectations.
How we test PC speakers
We test PC speakers based on four key criteria, comparing similarly styled and priced models. These criteria are design,sound quality,featuresand value.
- Design: We assess the design and build quality of the speakers and how they connect to your device’s sound card.
- Sound quality: We evaluate sound quality by listening to a set playlist of music tracks. We also watch some movies and play some games with notable sound effects to capture the full range of the audio experience.
- Features: Some computer speakers offer extra connectivity options like Bluetooth or an optical port for a digital connection or surround sound for a fuller audio experience.
- Value: We determine value after evaluating the strength of the speakers against all these criteria and what the speakers are able to deliver compared to other models in their price class.
PC Speakers FAQ
Are larger PC speakers better?
In general, larger speakers do sound better. The big issue with smaller speakers is that they tend to lack bass. One option is to buy smaller satellite speakers, but also get a subwoofer to capture the full range of sound effects offered by your audio. Also look for speakers that offer a built-in surround sound for a richer experience.
Are PC speakers portable?
All the PC speakers on this list have to be plugged in. You can find speakers like Creative’s Pebble V3 speakers that are powered by a USB connection, so you don’t need a separate power adapter. That’s your best bet for a more mobile system.
Why shouldn’t I just use a Bluetooth speaker instead of true PC speakers?
You can. No one is stopping you. If you want true stereo sound, a pair of Bluetooth speakers is the way to go. Bluetooth speakers can also be helpful for creating a true surround sound experience.
