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Good computer speakers can make for a quick desktop upgrade. Sound is often overlooked when people buy a PC. Some folks prefer headphones, others stick with those old, battered speakers they inherited, and some rely on the awful built-in speaker in their monitor. With any of the speakers in this list, you can enhance voices in video calls and movies, tease out greater depth in your favorite music, and provide spatial awareness in games. After several months of testing, I've narrowed my selection across various budgets and preferences. Whether you want a soundbar for your computer, a pair of speakers, or a surround sound system, you can find it here.
Be sure to check out our many other audio guides, like the Best Soundbars, Best Bluetooth Speakers, Best Wireless Headphones, Best Gaming Headsets, and Best Bookshelf Speakers.
Updated May 2026: I reorganized this guide and slimmed down my recommendations, added speakers from Kanto, added mentions for speakers from Ruark and OXS, and updated prices.
Best Overall
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After testing more than 30 computer speakers and soundbars over the last few years, I always return to the Audioengine A2+. With an elegant design and quality construction, they are compact enough for my busy desktop. But don’t be fooled by the small stature—these speakers pack a serious punch. The clarity in the higher registers is excellent, but there’s also depth and accuracy in the mids. While the lack of a subwoofer means the bass can be a little shallow, it’s not distractingly so. Music is where the Audioengine A2+ shines, but I had no trouble hearing cloaked Elites with positional sound in Halo Infinite, and voices came through crisp and clear during in-game chat, video calls, and movies.
Connectivity is well-rounded, but just watch out for jumps in volume with different input devices. The volume knob, which also turns the speakers on or off, is a little awkward behind the left speaker, and there’s no remote, but I have no other complaints about these PC speakers. You can also upgrade the A2+ by adding a subwoofer and 15-degree stands. Audioengine updated the A2+ in 2025, making the best even better by adding Bluetooth 5.3, 24-bit audio, and USB-C connectivity. There’s also a built-in USB DAC (digital-to-analog converter), so USB-C is the best way to connect your PC or laptop. Ultimately, these are the best computer speakers for most people because they strike the perfect balance of style, power, features, and price.
Best Small PC Speakers
With a properly compact form, 6.5 x 4.3 x 4.2 inches (165 x 112 x 109 mm), these cute wee computer speakers can squeeze onto the busiest desktops. There’s an elegance to the molded plastic design with rubbery feet, and the Kanto UKI speakers come in a couple of fun colors (blue or green), alongside the classic black or white. More importantly these speakers produce rich, warm, and detailed sound, with surprisingly good bass. They served me well for music, games, and video calls.
I connected the speakers and plugged the right one into my PC via USB-C (no cable supplied), but there’s also a pair of RCA inputs, a subwoofer output, a 3.5 mm headphone port around front, and support for Bluetooth 5.0. Pairing and streaming from my phone was quick and easy. I appreciated the simple volume knob on the front of the right speaker that you press the switch modes. Desktop stands ($30) are available (sold separately) to angle these speakers at your ears, and they’re probably worth snagging, though there is also a rear screw mount hole.
Audiophile Pick
iLoud Micro Monitor
Boasting a big sound for such a compact set of speakers, the iLoud Micro Monitors come recommended by WIRED's resident audiophiles. These speakers impressed me right from the simple setup (plug in the 3.5-mm audio output). The sound is well-balanced, with plenty of detail in the warm mids and sparkly highs. Even the bass response is good, considering there’s no subwoofer. I love the tiny fold-out feet, enabling you to angle them up for a better sound. There is also Bluetooth support (A2DP) to stream from your phone or other devices. The iLoud Micro Monitors do a great job with music, movies, and games.
But the design might not be for everyone; I don’t like the big iLoud logo on the side. You also have to reach around the back of the left speaker for the power switch, volume dial, and Bluetooth button, though I like the straightforwardness of these controls. There are also three switches to tweak EQ settings, but these speakers are basically plug-and-play. There is no USB port or built-in DAC.
Best For $200
These speakers from Edifier come close in sound quality to our top picks and are significantly cheaper. The M60 speakers produce a rich, clear sound that persists when you crank the volume. The bass is decent, considering the lack of a subwoofer, but it can get muddy and a bit rattly. You have three connection options, including USB-C (which will be best for most folks), 3.5 mm, or Bluetooth 5.3. My test music playlist sounded great on these speakers, and only the rumbly bass distracted me in games and movies, though they come with angled stands that point them at your ears and reduce vibrations. The M60 speakers are also the perfect size for most desktops.
On the downside, the touch controls are a little annoying (you have to hold down for three seconds to power on/off or change mode), and the Edifier ConneX app for Android (also available on iOS) was a little flaky, though it offered some handy customization options and a six-band equalizer. Overall, these speakers are a solid option if this is your budget.
Best For $100
G2000
You don’t have to spend big to get a decent set of computer speakers, as Edifier proves with the G2000. Angled to fire sound up at you, these speakers have LED lighting on the back and a compact form that makes them easy to fit on a crowded desk. My test speakers were white, but you can also find them in black, pink, or red. Controls on the right speaker include a switch-like volume rocker and a mode button that cycles between music, movies, and games. Long-press the mode button to cycle LED lighting effects (there are 12). There is distortion on anything bassy, and the G2000 are a bit muddy on the high end. Because the sound imaging is far from precise, it can be tough to pinpoint sounds spatially. This is particularly noticeable with movies and games.
Connectivity options are solid, with USB, 3.5-mm aux, and Bluetooth 4.2. There is also a sub-out for adding a subwoofer, and they really need one if you want a deep rumble. Unfortunately, when you power up these speakers, they play a silly revving race car sound. I also dislike the volume rocker. (Why can't it just be a knob?) The Edifier G2000 can’t compete with our top picks here, but for the money, these compact speakers are impressive, and they offer a nice upgrade over our budget pick below.
Best Budget Computer Speakers
Pebble V3 Speakers
These tiny, cute, affordable computer speakers from Creative have a lovely orb-shaped design with a gold-colored cutout contrasting the black or white exterior. Angled up to fire sound at your ears, and just 4.8 inches tall, these speakers fit on the most crowded desktops. The right speaker has a volume control and a gain switch. WIRED reviewer Nena Farell raved about these speakers and was impressed by their volume and sound quality, considering the price.
Connectivity options include USB-C, 3.5-mm aux, or Bluetooth 5.0. The box includes a USB-C to USB-A adapter, but you need a port that can provide enough power to get the most out of these speakers. Bass is inevitably lacking, and some distortion can kick in at higher volumes. Creative also offers the even cheaper V2 if you don’t need Bluetooth.
Best Desktop Soundbar
Stage Pro
The latest compact soundbar from Creative is my favorite from the company so far. This affordable 2.1-channel soundbar and subwoofer system has been hooked up to my desktop computer via USB for the last few weeks, and I’m pleasantly surprised by its performance. The near field mode is ideal for desktop use, and I enjoyed using the Stage Pro for gaming and movies. Voices come through clearly, and there’s a deep rumble of bass, courtesy of the subwoofer. (The subwoofer is large, but tall and thin, so it easily fit beneath my desk). Music sounds good in general, though lacking the warmth, stereo separation, and clarity of our top picks.
Connectivity options include HDMI ARC with CEC, Bluetooth 5.3, optical-in, 3.5-mm aux, and USB audio, so you can also use this soundbar with your TV in a home theater setup or with your smartphone. There are controls on top, and you get a slim remote that thankfully includes the option to turn the display off. The Creative Stage Pro looks smart and fits neatly beneath my superwide monitor. It can be tough to find room for speakers on my desk, as I have a vertical monitor to the left. A soundbar can be a better fit if you have a similar setup using monitor arms. The Creative Stage Pro is a big improvement over previous Creative soundbars I tested (see below), and it’s a bargain if you’re set on a soundbar. Read our Best Soundbars guide for other picks.
Best Surround Sound
Arena 9
As a fan of SteelSeries, makers of some of the best gaming mice, and the Apex Pro keyboard I use, I was excited to try its speaker lineup. The Arena 9 is SteelSeries' top-of-the-line surround sound system. It includes a central speaker flanked by a pair of front speakers with LED zones and a control unit, all of which plug into a large subwoofer. A pair of rear speakers connects to each other and a separate power outlet, but they connect to the rest of the system wirelessly, so you don’t have to run long cables. The Arena 9 speakers are fine for music, but the real reason to get a surround system is for movies or games. They elevated the epic battle scene as House Atreides falls in Dune and helped me react in the nick of time when Banished troops flanked me in Halo Infinite. Only a good set of headphones can provide better spatial sound.
The SteelSeries Arena 9 connects to a computer via a single USB cable, but there’s also an 3.5-mm aux and optical-in and -out ports. There are no controls on the speakers because you get a wired control unit with a touchscreen that acts as a volume dial by default, but can also be used to tweak EQ, lighting, and system settings. You can also dig into this on your computer via the SteelSeries GG software. The Prism RGB lighting can sync with the rest of your SteelSeries gear, with a huge range of animated effects, colors, and even the option to match the colors from your screen. Sadly, there are only four zones of LEDs (two on each front speaker), so it's not like the entire setup lights up. You will also need quite a bit of desk space and suitable spots for those rear speakers, but if you crave surround sound in your games, the Arena 9 is worth the hassle.
Other Computer Speakers I Liked
There are tons of computer speakers on the market, and many of the ones I tested are perfectly fine, but don't deserve a spot above for one reason or another.
Photograph: Simon HillCreative Pebble Nova for $240: These eye-catching orb-shaped speakers with RGB rings around the base are a statement piece for your desk. They are big, angled at 45 degrees, and you have the choice of a flat base or elevated stands. They light up, produce a pleasant sound that’s rich across the board and with real depth, and can, frankly, get far too loud for your desktop. I was also impressed by the virtual surround sound for gaming. Don’t make the mistake of thinking the Creative App is superfluous, because it’s packed with options, from an equalizer to dialogue enhancement to RGB lighting controls. While I love the stand, it made them too tall for my desk because of my dual monitors. I also found the touch controls a bit finicky, and I advise switching off the power saving mode.