Best computer speakers 2023

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.

Here are the best computer speakers in 2023:

1. Razer Nommo Pro – best computer speakers overall
2. Logitech Z407 – best value computer speakers
3. Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2 – best soundbar
4. Logitech Z906 – best surround sound
5. Creative Pebble V3 – best budget option
6. Audioengine A5+ Wireless – best sound quality

1. Razer Nommo Pro

The best computer speakers overall.

Razer Nommo specs:

The two desktop speakers are stylish and benefit sonically from being raised up on stalks – it stops sound reflections off your desk. What’s more, the subwoofer provides masses of bass power.

2. Logitech Z407

The best value PC speakers.

Logitech Z407 specs:

Pros

• Great value
• Small footprint
• Clean, stylish design

Cons:

• 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 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. 

3. Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2

The best soundbar.

Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2 Specs:

Pros:

• Goes LOUD
• Solid build quality
• Subwoofer provides thumping bass

Cons:

• Bland looks
• Can lack subtlety
• Music-reactive lighting is hit-and-miss

Soundbars in the gaming PC market are relatively few and far between, especially compared to the prevalence of 2.0 and 2.1 speaker counterparts, but the Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2 makes us wish this wasn’t the case. If your setup means you don’t have room for speakers either side of your monitor, the Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2 should fit snugly under most displays and keeps cable clutter to a minimum.

While the soundbar alone lacks power, the include subwoofer fills out bass nicely, making for a generally powerful and detailed sound system. It also offers 2.1 or virtual 5.1 surround sound, with the latter providing a more immersive sound that’s ideal for sitting back and watching a movie.

4. Logitech Z906

The best surround sound computer speakers.

Logitech Z906 specs:

Pros:

• THX certified
• True 5.1 surround sound
• Great build quality
  
  Cons:
• 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 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.

5. Creative Pebble V3

The best budget computer speakers.

Creative Pebble V3 specs:

Pros:

• Stylish, compact design
• Bluetooth 5.0
• Affordable

Cons:

• 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.

6. Audioengine A5+ Wireless

The best computer speakers for audiophiles.

Audioengine A5+ Wireless specs:

Pros:

• Superb audio performance
• Wired or wireless connectivity
• Plenty of power

Cons:

• 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 was 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 own 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.

Why 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 a number of 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 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 – 7.2 speaker system, anyone?

How to choose the best computer speakers

When choosing the best computer speakers for 2023, we looked 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 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.