The best way to fill your gaming PC space with great audio is of course to get hold of some of the best computer speakers. There are plenty of options to choose from so knowing what features to prioritize, what your budget is, what sort of music and sound profile you like (big bass or an accurate, flat sound, etc), and what sort of volume you want are all crucial questions you’ll need to ask yourself.
If that sounds like a lot to decide yourself, worry not as our best PC speaker guide will explain how to zero in on the best type of computer speaker for your needs and budget. You can find out our tips for finding the best speaker for you at the bottom of this list.
Speakers aren’t strictly necessary for every gaming PC setup, as the best gaming headsets give you more of an edge in FPS games and often provide more immersion than speakers. However, while the best wireless gaming headsets can provide you with a degree of freedom, there’s nothing quite like filling your office or gaming cave with high-fidelity audio.
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Razer Nommo V2 Pro
Best computer speakers overall
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| Power | 300W |
| Frequency response | 2.1 stereo |
| Audio channel | 40Hz – 20kHz |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, USB |
- Incredible sound quality
- Looks great
- Brilliant subwoofer
- Limited outputs
- Expensive
This 2.1 speaker set from Razer is a great choice if you’re looking for quality audio to play games, watch movies, and pump up your favorite jams. Not only does its stylish design look great whether you keep it, but it but everything sounds absolutely amazing through it (with the exception of certain high frequencies).
It improves over the V1 in a lot of ways (namely aesthetics and sound quality) and still manages to carry a smaller price tag. Unfortunately, that does not mean that this is a cheap speaker by any means. If you need something more affordable, check out the Creative Pebble below.
But for those who can afford it, this is probably the best one to go for. The speakers are both great and the subwoofer brings the bass for a fantastic audio experience. Shame it only has a couple of inputs (USB and Bluetooth) but that’s a small crack in the armour.
Logitech Z407
Best value PC speakers
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| Power | 80W |
| Frequency response | 40hZ – 20kHz |
| Audio channel | 2.1 stereo |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.0 / 3.5mm / Micro USB |
- Great value
- Small footprint
- Clean, stylish design
- Can lack refinement at higher volumes
- Remote functionality varies by application
- Satellites could be more powerful
The Logitech Z407 may not be the most potent speaker system here, but it offers a sublime combination of form and function at a fraction of the price of larger systems. It’s a 2.1 stereo system with no bells or whistles beyond a neat circular remote and Bluetooth wireless functionality.
At 80w peak power, the system provides a decent output that’ll fill offices and smaller bedrooms but would struggle as part of a larger home entertainment system. The 20 x 9.4 x 8.5 cm satellites are given a welcome leg up by a 24 x 23.4 x 18 cm subwoofer that delivers some decent low-end response at low to mid volumes without overwhelming the modestly detailed output of the desktop speakers. Push the volume dial to its limits, and the system loses its way, with flabby bass and distorted top end, but there’s plenty enough volume here for normal office use.
All things considered, the Z407 is a versatile set of 2.1 speakers that deliver a welcome grunt to any home system with detailed mids and highs and a generous helping of low-end courtesy of the system’s subwoofer.
Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2X
Best soundbar
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| Power | 180W |
| Frequency response | 50Hz – 20kHz |
| Audio channel | 2.1 Stereo / virtual 5.1 surround sound |
| Connectivity | Aux / Bluetooth / HDMI ARC / Optical / Subwoofer / SXFI / USB-C |
- Convenient controller
- Solid build quality
- Subwoofer provides thumping bass
- Bland looks
- Struggles to fill a big rooms
Originally the Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2 occupied this spot, and the V2X is even better than its predecessor. You don’t see as much demand for soundbars in the gaming PC market these days, with many opting for 2.0 or 2.1 speakers instead, but this product proves that soundbars still have their place. Its small design means that it can find a home even in the tiniest of gaming spaces, which sets it apart from many of the bulkier speakers.
On its own, the soundbar isn’t super powerful, but that’s where the subwoofer comes in. The bass sounds great and we think its especially adept when used for gaming – however, if you were using it for music, for example, you might find that it struggles to fill larger rooms with sound. Still, when you’re gaming and it’s sitting right in front of you, that’s really not going to be an issue.
Logitech Z906
Best surround sound computer speakers
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| Power | 1,000W |
| Frequency response | 35Hz – 20kHz |
| Audio channel | 5.1 surround sound |
| Connectivity | Aux / Coaxial / Optical / Six-channel direct / RCA |
- THX certified
- True 5.1 surround sound
- Great build quality
- Styling is drab
- No HDMI inputs
- No HD audio decoding
If you want a fully-fledged surround system, then the Logitech Z906 should be on your radar. This 5.1 set has rightly earned its legendary status in the 10+ years it has been available. It has an impressive peak power of 1,000W, with its subwoofer providing thunderous bass and its five satellite speakers scattering crystal sonic detail all around you.
With THX certification, the Logitech Z906 also makes for a great movie-watching experience, bringing cinema-quality sound into your home. Plus, you can take advantage of that 5.1 surround sound in many of the best PC games. The ability to switch between multiple inputs means you can easily change between your PC, phone, or console. For even more versatility, you can add Logitech’s Bluetooth adapter to play sound through the system wirelessly.
Creative Pebble V3
Best budget computer speakers
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| Power | 16W |
| Frequency response | 100Hz – 17kHz |
| Audio channel | 2.0 Stereo |
| Connectivity | Aux, Bluetooth 5.0, USB |
- Stylish, compact design
- Bluetooth 5.0
- Affordable
- No subwoofer
- No headphone output
- Sound can get muddled at high volumes
Looking for a cheap set of PC speakers that’ll still be a massive improvement over built-in monitor speakers? Look no further than the Creative Pebble V3. Despite being the cheapest option, they’re pretty stylish stereo speakers that look right at home when sharing the same setup as the best gaming PC.
Connecting to your system via USB, these little fellas have a peak power of 16W. That compares to typical monitor speaker power ratings of just 2x5W. Don’t expect audio that’s going to take your breath away, but for a cheap option, Creative’s Pebble V3 offers great quality for its size. You can also stream to them from another device, such as a smartphone, via Bluetooth 5.0.
Audioengine A5+ Wireless
Best computer speakers for audiophiles
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| Power | 150W |
| Frequency response | 50Hz – 22kHz |
| Audio channel | 2.0 stereo |
| Connectivity | Aux, Bluetooth 5.0, RCA |
- Superb audio performance
- Wired or wireless connectivity
- Plenty of power
- Large footprint
- No digital inputs
- Expensive
These are the best-sounding computer speakers on this list, with their built-in 24-bit DAC letting you listen to music how it is supposed to be heard. They’ve also got wireless connectivity, so even if you’re away from your PC, you can still fill your room with music by connecting your phone via Bluetooth. Sound quality stays top-tier over Bluetooth, too, thanks to Qualcomm’s aptX-HD codec, which allows 24-bit audio streaming.
The speakers provide superb bass themselves, but if you’re looking for more of a kick, there’s the option to hook your subwoofer up, too. Color-wise, you can choose from white, black, or a snazzy bamboo effect. Note that these are quite large speakers, though, with dimensions of 18 x 27 x 23 cm.
How to choose the best computer speakers
When choosing the best computer speakers for 2023, you should look for a combination of the following factors:
- Sound: Ideally, your speakers will produce clear, balanced sound with highs, mids, and lows neatly sitting alongside one another and with no frequency overwhelming one another. Sound is highly subjective, so listening in-store or taking advantage of returns policies to audition your system is advisable.
- Power: If you’re using your speaker setup in a small room or office space, your power requirements may differ significantly from those in a larger space. Equally, if your speaker system doubles as a home cinema or music system, look at a setup with more power to deliver an immersive, room-filling experience.
- Connectivity: As with all peripherals, being able to connect to devices in the ways you want can save you frustration, time, and effort further down the line. In terms of inputs and outputs, it’s a case of the more the merrier. More connectivity options = more flexibility.
- Form factor: Modern computer speakers can be stylish, modern, AND functional. However, the size of the system you choose is arguably more important. Larger speaker systems generally deliver better low-frequency responses, although that doesn’t always translate to better quality sound. You may also have a subwoofer for additional bass to compensate for smaller satellite speakers, but be aware that it will take up more desk or floor space.
- Price: If you’re looking for a low-cost system for occasional gaming and you’re not concerned about immersive surround sound experiences, then your budget may be lower than if you’re looking for a multi-use music and cinema system that provides 5.1 surround sound. Where possible, test the system in the kind of environment that you’re likely to be using it in.
If you’re still left scratching your head, check out the FAQs below:
Bluetooth, USBWhy should I use computer speakers?
PC gaming is often a solitary hobby, at least when it comes to there being more than one person at a desk. However, there are times when using a pair of speakers for audio makes sense, especially if you invite a friend round to your gaming room. For starters, using multiple headsets can be cumbersome, as you’ll need a free USB or aux connection, and wired headsets result in an abundance of cables.
It’s commonplace for the best gaming monitors and laptops to produce sound without the help of the best PC speakers, but convenience usually comes with compromise. While integrated speakers work fine, they often give you tinny audio and a distinct lack of clarity and definition compared to high-quality, standalone computer speakers.
Which size computer speakers should I go for?
When choosing the best gaming speakers for your PC, there are several considerations to make, the first of which is size. If you place a subwoofer under the best gaming desk, for example, it could eat into valuable leg space, in which case some quality 2.0 speakers would be ideal. If you’ve got little space left on your desk for a set of satellite speakers, then the Razer Leviathan soundbar could slot under your monitor nicely. But if space isn’t an issue, then you could kit your room out cinema-style with Logitech’s Z906 5.1 system.
Is surround sound worth it?
Splashing out on a surround system really depends on your usage of the speakers. If you’re going to be watching movies on your PC and want the most immersive experience, a 5.1 or 7.1 system will greatly increase that. There are also surround sound-compatible games, such as Deathloop, Cyberpunk 2077 and GTA 5.
On the other hand, if you’re primarily using your speakers for listening to music before switching to your favorite headset, then a simple stereo setup is all you need.
What do 2.0, 2.1, and 5.1 mean?
Those numbers you see to describe sets of speakers refer simply to the number of speakers. The first digit is the number of smaller ‘satellite’ speakers while the second digit is the number of subwoofers. So, a 2.0 system is just two desktop satellite speakers, a 2.1 system is two satellites with one subwoofer, and a 5.1 is five satellites (two front, one middle, two rear) and one subwoofer. And, yes, in some high-end home cinema systems and real cinemas, you do get systems with multiple subwoofers – a 7.2 speaker system, anyone?