Best budget PC speakers 2023 - Our top picks - EU-Vietnam Business Network (EVBN)

If you’re looking for the best budget PC speakers, we’ve got you covered right here with our list of top picks, all for a relatively inexpensive price.

The benefit of opting for a separate set of speakers is the upgraded sound quality they can provide compared to the standard audio you’d typically find built into your monitor.

Whilst using devices like a set of the best noise cancelling headphones under 100 can also deliver better sound quality for less, not everyone likes the feeling of wearing headphones, especially for a long period of time.

This is where external speakers for your PC come into their own, whether you want to immerse yourself into the world of gaming or you need a set of speakers to watch videos, playback your content, or simply watch films and TV at your desk setup.

Audio quality is important here, with 2.1 speakers and above providing multiple sources of sound and a subwoofer delivering lows of 200Hz and below. However, size and connectivity are perhaps the two main areas to look out for during your selection.

This is because you’ll need to make sure your speakers fit at your desk and can easily be set up through standardised connections like a 3.5mm audio jack for compatibility, regardless of the model of your PC.

In terms of price, most of the products we’ve selected are under $100, which is what we’d consider being ‘budget’, as many of the best PC speakers can come with a premium price tag. There’s only one selection we have that’s just slightly over that, though.

This is because we felt it would be beneficial to give you the option of choosing some 5.1 surround sound speakers (which tend to be more expensive) to deliver sound all around you rather than just at your desk.

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So, with all this in mind, we’ve picked out these speakers based on specs, general reviews, and features that we think make them worth buying.

So, without further ado, let’s take a look at our top picks for budget PC speakers.

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Best budget PC speakers

Best budget 5.1 PC speakers – Acoustic Audio AA5170

Best budget PC speakers - Acoustic audio black 5.1 speakers
Credit: Acoustic Audio

Brand: Acoustic Audio | Connectivity: USB, Bluetooth | Weight: 20 lbs | Dimensions: 12.3 x 27.2 x 13.1 inches | Additional features: 5.1 surround sound, subwoofer

If you’re after a set of 5.1 speakers for a relatively inexpensive price, then we feel these AA5170 speakers by Acoustic Audio are worth checking out.

With six speakers in total, you can create a complete surround sound setup from your PC which most film, video, and streaming sources currently operate at.

There are five wired satellite speakers in the box as well as a powered subwoofer. You’ll need to arrange them so they’re at equal distances around your PC setup to get the best surround sound experience.

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The speakers should also deliver low, mid, and high-frequency sounds thanks to the combination of the speakers and the subwoofer that are capable of producing 700W of power.

Although these speakers are wired, they also have Bluetooth connectivity, so you can wirelessly pair them to your PC (if Bluetooth compatible) to give you more control over where you place the speakers in your setup.

They also come with a remote control so you can operate them easily whilst sitting at your desk without having to manually adjust the controls yourself.

Best budget 2.1 PC speakers – Logitech Z313

Best budget PC speakers - Logitech black speakers with subwoofer
Credit: Logitech

Brand: Logitech | Connectivity: Headphone jack | Weight: 1kg | Dimensions: 32.7 x 15.9 x 24 cm | Additional features: Subwoofer

Logitech has a wide range of speakers and PC peripherals on offer, including some of the best wireless keyboards on the market, but we’re focusing on these relatively inexpensive Z313 speakers for this list.

The 2.1 speaker system should offer rich sound along with the option to enhance the bass thanks to the additional subwoofer designed to produce low-pitched audio below 200Hz that the speakers would otherwise be unable to.

This should help create a more immersive experience as every single intricate difference in sound will likely be picked up by the speakers, whether that’s in a film, TV show, or PC game.

Best budget PC speakers for gaming – Archeer Dual-Channel Desktop Speaker

Best budget PC speakers - Archeer black with LED RGB gaming speakers
Credit: Archeer

Brand: Archeer | Connectivity: USB | Weight: 1.85 lbs | Dimensions: 7.28 x 4.13 x 7.28 inches | Additional features: LED RGB lighting

If you already own one of the best gaming PCs under 500 but you’re looking for a top set of speakers as well, then these Dual-Channel Desktop speakers from Archeer could be your answer.

Logitech boasts its built-in 2.5W balanced stereo speakers are designed to deliver a clear sound without any noise distortion or interference, so you shouldn’t have any distractions at all when trying to concentrate on your gameplay.

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With their LED RGB rainbow lighting as well, you should find they look pretty impressive too, especially as you can set the lights to flash in time with the music.

These speakers are also designed to be pretty straightforward to set up as they plug straight into your USB port. There’s also only one knob/button to operate it, making turning them on/off and adjusting the sound even easier.

Best budget PC speakers for your desk – Creative Pebble v2

Best budget PC speakers - Creative black pebble speakers
Credit: Creative

Brand: Creative | Connectivity: USB | Weight: 0.20oz | Dimensions: 9.57 x 4.96 x 4.96 inches | Additional features: None

The aptly named Creative’s Pebble v2 speakers are small and weigh just 0.20oz which, in our opinion, makes them a great option to consider if you’re limited to desk space.

Despite their small size, Creative boasts its speakers feature built-in 2″ full-range drivers and passive radiators that have been designed to give richer and louder audio with enhanced bass reproduction for greater sound quality and range.

Read more: Best budget Bluetooth speaker

Interestingly, the speakers also come with 45-degree elevated drivers that are specifically angled so audio is directed to your ears rather than directly outwards so you shouldn’t miss a beat or sound.

When it comes to connecting them, you simply have to plug the USB-C cable in for the power, then use a 3.5 mm jack for audio and your speakers should be ready to go.

Best budget PC speakers for 360-degree sound – Sanyun SW102

Best budget PC speakers - Sanyun black elliptical speakers
Credit: Sanyun

Brand: Sanyun | Connectivity: USB | Weight: 1.15 lbs | Dimensions: 3.94 x 2.76 x 2.95 inches | Additional features: Built-in bass diaphragm

The Sanyun SW102 speakers are compact and feature a design that allows them to deliver 360 degrees of sound thanks to their elliptical shape.

Despite their size, they should deliver in terms of sound quality, particularly in the bass. This is because they have a built-in bass diaphragm, a closed cavity, and a low-frequency aid to further improve sound below 200Hz.

Basically, they should deliver great high, medium, and low frequency sounds so that you can use them when you want to watch films or for work purposes like video calls or editing to playback your content and hear every detail in excellent quality.

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Moreover, each speaker can emit up to 5W of sound as well which, in our opinion, is pretty loud given their small stature and more than enough for a PC setup.

They also plug directly into your PC using a USB connection for added simplicity, and they’re both compatible with iOS or Android devices, too, so you can use them away from your PC. All in all, a great option to consider.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below we’ve answered some of the most frequently asked questions regarding the best budget PC speakers.

Are 5.1 speakers worth it for PC?

We’d say 5.1 speaker systems are worth getting for your PC setup. Essentially they separate the audio into six different speakers/channels: left, centre, right, surround left, surround right, and a subwoofer.

This kind of system can really enhance your experience because they deliver sound all around you to increase your immersion in whatever it is you’re watching, whether that’s a film, TV show, video, or whilst you’re gaming.

However, keep in mind that these speakers tend to be quite expensive, which is why we only have one 1.5 option on this list for budget PC speakers.

They can also take up a fair amount of space which means you may require a large desk to match. However, you can always place them around you as well for a ‘truer’ surround sound setup.

Should I get speakers with a subwoofer for my PC?

Getting speakers that come with a subwoofer is a good idea if you’re looking for a sound that provides you with a very good bass.

Subwoofers basically boost lower frequency sounds to bring attention to them more, whilst the speakers work on giving you mid and high-range sounds.

As a combination, you should find speakers with a subwoofer to deliver a more complete range of sound, which should really enhance your listening experience.

They can be particularly great when you’re listening to music that comes with heavy bass, or when you’re watching a blockbuster movie to further immerse yourself in the action.

Do gaming PCs need speakers?

Gaming PCs don’t necessarily require speakers and, at the end of the day, it’s up to you whether you want the extra addition to your setup.

The other options are either using the standard speakers that come with your monitor or selecting a headset instead.

The benefit of a good set of speakers though is they should offer better sound quality than the standard monitor speakers without needing to wear headphones all the time at your desk.

That being said, there are certain games, especially FPS titles, where listening to your surroundings is essential to help you work out where your enemies are coming from.

In this instance, we’d recommend opting for something like one of the best headsets for Warzone, for example, to give you the edge over your competition.