Best PC Speakers Reviews of 2023

Each of the computer speakers on this list has an integrated amplifier with a wattage rating (W). Just as the best soundbars improve the sound quality produced by the speakers inside a TV, an inexpensive set of desktop speakers will likely outperform the tiny little speakers built into a laptop or monitor screen.

We compiled this list of the best computer speakers based on ease of use, performance, and price. All of these things contribute to a better-sounding audio experience, whether you're working, listening, watching, or gaming.

1. Razer Nommo Pro

Important Specifications 

• Brand: Razer

• Series: RZ0502470100R3U1

• Speaker Type: Subwoofer

• Connectivity Technology: Bluetooth, USB

• Recommended Uses For Product: Gaming

Product's highlights

Razer touts gaming speakers that are fine-tuned for the best sound with the Nommo Pro. We can honestly say that they did an excellent job. This THX-certified 2.1 sound system provides a lot of power and rumble, as well as near audiophile-level sound quality, mobile accessibility, and a subtle gamer's appearance.

We rarely come across a gaming speaker system that has plenty of power and rumble as well as a beautiful, almost audiophile-grade sound. The Razer Nommo Pro includes all of this, as well as an impressive stereo soundstage, a subtle gamer's look, accessibility, customizability, and a slew of connectivity options.

This 2.1 sound system is so impressive — and surprisingly good for a gaming speaker — that we've forgotten about the $499 (£499, AU$849) price tag. Yes, that is an exorbitant price for a pair of gaming speakers. However, these are also among the best computer speakers available.

Pros

• Excellent audio quality

• Chroma Razer

Cons

• You must pay Razer Tax.

2. SteelSeries Arena 9

Important Specifications 

• Brand : SteelSeries

• Item Weight: ‎33.2 pounds

• Product Dimensions: ‎18.8 x 18.7 x 15.4 inches

• Item Dimensions LxWxH: ‎18.8 x 18.7 x 15.4 inches

• Color: ‎Black

Product's highlights

Nothing compares to the immersive experience provided by true surround sound. Turning on virtual surround sound for a set of headphones or speakers comes nowhere near providing a fully immersive experience. There aren't many computer speaker configurations that offer true 360-degree audio.

Steelseries has addressed this issue with their flagship speaker system, the Arena 9. This 5.1 system, which consists of six separate speakers: two front satellites, a center channel speaker, two rear satellites, and a subwoofer, will instantly transport you, as it did us, into your favorite games and movies.

We find that the Arena 9s really bring the games to life. When we change our character's point of view, audio elements physically surround us. And, because of that subwoofer, we can hear the rumble whenever there's an explosion. Even when listened to in stereo, the audio is detailed, clear, and engaging.

So, if you're thinking about investing in surround sound, the Arena 9 is hard to beat. Just make sure you have enough desk space.

Pros

• Audio that is full, fun, and engaging

• The surround sound experience is epic and immersive.

Cons

• RGB lighting could be improved.

3. Logitech G560

Important Specifications 

• Brand: Logitech

• Recommended Uses For Product: For Televisions, For Computers

• Color: black

• Product Dimensions: 3.54"D x 9.5"W x 4.91"H

• Speaker Maximum Output Power: 240 Watts

Product's highlights

The Logitech G560 is a worthwhile choice if you want serious sound that puts PC gaming front and center.

The G560 offers two benefits: First and foremost, it aspires to be an excellent speaker for both music and games. It succeeds without qualification here, which should come as no surprise to anyone familiar with existing Logitech speakers.

Second, Logitech has equipped the G560 with a sophisticated lighting system that consists of four distinct zones illuminated by bright, colorful LEDs. The lights are pretty and harmless, but they can be distracting due to some software issues and some aggressive lighting defaults.

Pros

• Overall sound is excellent

• EQ and surround modes that work

• Excellent bass performance

• Excellent lighting options

Cons

• For nighttime gaming, bass levels are difficult to control.

• Lighting software can be difficult to use.

4. Fluance Ai41

Important Specifications 

• Brand: Fluance

• Model Name: Ai41

• Speaker Type: Wireless, Subwoofer, Bookshelf

• Connectivity Technology: RCA, Bluetooth

• Special Feature: Ai41 Powered Bookshelf Speakers (pair), Remote Control, 2x AAA Batteries, 6ft Power Cable, 8ft 18 Gauge Speaker Wire, Quick Start Guide, Fluance Catalog, Lifetime Customer Support, …

Product's highlights

The Fluance Ai41 has a significant flaw in that it does not support USB. If you can get around that (there are Bluetooth, RCA, and optical inputs, after all), you'll be hard pressed to find a pair of powered bookshelf speakers that sound as good as these.

We were surprised by how good they sounded when we tested them. The bass on these ported speakers is especially deep. We almost don't miss having a subwoofer anymore. Furthermore, the high-mids are only slightly boosted for a bright but rich audio quality.

While it did take up a little more desk space than we would have liked, we still highly recommend them. Of course, if you have a particularly small desk or are on a tight budget, you may have to look elsewhere. When you crank up the volume, those one-inch silk dome tweeters and five-inch woofers sound fantastic.

Pros

• Full, forward high-mid sound

• Several connections

Cons

• There is no USB or USB-C.

5. Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 THX

Important Specifications 

• Brand: Klipsch

• Model Name: Pro Media 2.1

• Speaker Type: Subwoofer

• Connectivity Technology: wired

• Recommended Uses For Product: For Gaming Consoles, For Indoor Use, For Computers, For Televisions, For Music Players

Product's highlights

The Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 speaker system provides excellent, versatile audio. This means you're getting the best computer speaker experience whether you're listening to music, watching movies, or gaming. These THX-certified speakers have a high power output, a wide frequency range of 31Hz to 20kHz, and detailed audio quality that includes strong bass, maximum clarity, and excellent balance. We're not exaggerating when we say it's powerful enough to replicate home theater quality in your living room.

The only limitation of this system is its audio input, which is restricted to 3.5mm. This may not be the best option if you want crisp, uncompressed digital sound quality. If you want to live a cable-free life, there is no Bluetooth option. Nonetheless, you can't deny the impressive sound quality it provides, especially for the low entry price.

Pros

• Home theater-quality sound that is THX-certified

• Incredible value for money

Cons

• Misses some low-end frequencies

1. What characteristics distinguish a good computer speaker?

There are no distinguishing characteristics that distinguish the best computer speakers from the subpar ones. It's more a question of execution. However, if you get something with digital connectivity, whether it's USB, Optical, or even Bluetooth, you'll get better results. Analog speakers can still sound fantastic, but they are more compressed in comparison.

Having said that, some computer speakers include convenience features that make controlling them easier. A remote or control pod is a useful addition because it allows you to change the volume and possibly other parameters without having to minimize what you're watching or playing.

2. How do I connect my computer speakers?

Most computer speaker systems include two or three pieces. You'll end up with a left speaker, a right speaker, and, in some cases, a subwoofer. They are usually fairly simple to set up. However, you do not want to place each speaker on either side of your monitor or laptop. You should also angle them so that they point at your head when you're sitting at your computer. Some computer speakers are even angled to help with this. If you want to feel more immersed, move the speakers further out to widen the sound stage. Just remember to keep them a few feet away.

Subwoofers are designed to be placed on the floor. Not only are many of them downward-firing, which means the sound is supposed to bounce off the floor before reaching you, but they also move more air than regular speakers. As a result, if you keep your subwoofer on your desk, you may end up with a lot of unnecessary vibrations. Simply keep the subwoofer close to your desk, whether directly underneath or to the side.

Finally, there are a few soundbars marketed specifically for computer use. If you get one of those, make sure it's centered with you to get the most out of its likely limited sound stage.

3. Is a 2.1, 5.1, or 7.1 setup required?

For the PC market, you'll mostly find 2.1 setups with just left/right channels and a subwoofer—perhaps more frequently than that, a 2.0 setup without a subwoofer. That's primarily because it meets the requirements for a desktop and monitor, with the speakers in front of the user for good stereo sound.

Living room speaker systems and home cinema systems will go a step further, with at least five surrounding speakers in most cases. You could connect such a system to your PC and get decent support for it, but we're hesitant to recommend it due to the sheer number of wires involved around a single desk. It's not worth considering.

Some companies, including Windows' Sonic function, will tout virtual 5.1 to compensate for the lack of physical speakers, often at the expense of sound quality. Remember that many games use clever 3D audio techniques to generate positional game audio with great accuracy, so you might not need much assistance.

The best computer speakers will help you get the most out of your computer's audio. Whether you're gaming or watching the latest Netflix show, you're not getting the full experience if you're using built-in speakers on your laptop or some cheap ones from Amazon.