The Best Computer Speakers for 2023

Below, we run through a list of our current top picks for wired and wireless computer speakers, whether you’re looking for something stylish, a subwoofer, or a system for mixing audio. Make sure to read past the list for our tips to help you find the best speaker system for your needs, too.

Few things in life are as enjoyable as high-fidelity music. But as you’ve probably noticed, that music only sounds as good as the system it plays through. Most PCs and Macs don’t come with high-quality speakers—and that’s to say nothing of the tiny built-in drivers in most laptops. Even if you’re on a tight budget, low-cost speakers can noticeably improve your listening experience.

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Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks

Audioengine A5+ Wireless

Best for Audiophiles

4.5 Outstanding

Why We Picked It

Aside from looking good—the A5+ Wireless speakers are available in satin black, glossy white, or (our favorite) walnut—this bookshelf system delivers high-quality Bluetooth audio. We always approve of showing off the drivers, and this grille-free set houses a handsome 0.75-inch silk dome tweeter and a 5-inch Kevlar woofer combo. Together, they provide a frequency range of 50Hz to 22KHz. Internally, a 24-bit upsampling digital-to-analog converter ensures high-quality Bluetooth playback, with support for the aptX, aptX HD, AAC, and SBC codecs. 

Who It’s For

This speaker system supports a wide range of sound sources—you can stream Bluetooth audio from your computer, plug in a 3.5mm cable, or use an RCA connector. In an era of all-in-one wireless speakers, Audioengine continues to manufacture quality stereo speakers that seamlessly accommodate every possible input.

PROS

• Excellent audio performance with solid bass depth and clarity throughout the frequency range.
• High-quality Bluetooth streaming with 24-bit upsampling.
• Wired connectivity options.
• Can be used with a subwoofer.

CONS

• No source knob.
• Limited remote control.

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Price

Amazon

$499.00

$499.00

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AudioEngine

$499.00

$499.00

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Read Our Audioengine A5+ Wireless Review

Creative Pebble Plus

Most Affordable 2.1 System

4.0 Excellent

Why We Picked It

Too often, budget-friendly just means low quality. But the inexpensive Creative Pebble Plus system delivers far better sound than you would expect for the price. Little details, like the upward angling of the left and right speakers, help provide quality desktop computer audio, while the subwoofer adds some body.

Who It’s For

If you want a solid 2.1 system, but are looking to spend far less than they typically cost, the Pebble Plus is a reasonable solution. Yes, the subwoofer here is more like a woofer and the required wiring setup isn’t very elegant, but these cheap speakers still sound better than they have any right to.

PROS

• Affordable.
• Powerful audio performance with bright, detailed highs and rich lows.
• Properly angled drivers.

CONS

• Lots of wires.
• No bass level knob.
• Only one input.

Sold By

List Price

Price

Amazon

$49.69

$49.69

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Walmart

$49.99

$66.98

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Newegg

$39.99

$39.99

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Read Our Creative Pebble Plus Review

Harman Kardon SoundSticks 4

Most Iconic Design

4.0 Excellent

Why We Picked It

The SoundSticks have been gracing desktops and flanking computer monitors for over 20 years now, and the most recent anniversary edition updates the familiar-yet-somehow-still-futuristic design in subtle ways. For instance, the speaker system now can stream music over Bluetooth in addition to playing audio via a wired connection. And, as always, the subwoofer still packs plenty of punch.

Who It’s For

Part alien spaceship, part jellyfish, the transparent SoundSticks 4 system might seem to prioritize design over sound performance but, thankfully, that’s not the case. They combine an iconic style with a little bit of rumble and actual stereo separation. Easy to set up and operate, the only real issue could be finding the best spot for the subwoofer—after all, this is one sub you don’t want to hide under a desk.

PROS

• Balanced, powerful 2.1-channel audio performance
• Iconic transparent design
• Long cables for ideal stereo separation

CONS

• All physical controls are located on the subwoofer
• No adjustable EQ or sub settings

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Price

Amazon

$299.95

$299.95

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B&H Photo Video

$299.95

$299.95

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Read Our Harman Kardon SoundSticks 4 Review

Klipsch The Fives

Best Connectivity Options

4.0 Excellent

Why We Picked It

Plenty of computer speakers disappoint in the connectivity department, but not The Fives—you can pair these bookshelf speakers with pretty much any source, including your PC. The Bluetooth-capable stereo set supports the AptX HD codec and also features HDMI, optical, USB, and 3.5mm aux inputs. You even get a dedicated RCA turntable input with a ground-screw terminal and a subwoofer out.

Who It’s For

The real selling point here is the USB input—its 192kHz/24-bit decoding means you can enjoy true high-fidelity audio playback from your computer’s sound library. That and support for AptX HD make The Fives a solid choice for anyone with lots of hi-res audio files who wants to hear the sonic quality over a wireless or wired connection. They look pretty fantastic, too.

PROS

• Excellent sound signature with crisp, detailed highs and round, rich bass depth
• Handsome design, with removable tweed grilles
• Lots of connectivity options, including Bluetooth, HDMI, Optical, and an input for turntables
• 192kHz/24-bit decoding from USB inputs

CONS

• Expensive
• No app or EQ support (yet)

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List Price

Price

Amazon

$799.00

$459.99

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Read Our Klipsch The Fives Review

Audioengine A1-MR

Best Audioengine Speakers With Wi-Fi

4.0 Excellent

Why We Picked It

The A1-MR speakers deliver crisp DSP-free audio in a relatively compact design with true stereo separation. And unlike other models from Audioengine, they support Wi-Fi streaming (otherwise, you can connect a computer via a 3.5mm input and stereo gear via the RCA port). Another solid feature for tight spaces: The speakers are video-shielded, which means you can place them close to monitors without affecting the picture.

Who It’s For

Bluetooth streaming may be convenient, but Wi-Fi offers better fidelity. Thus, if you’re streaming from a service like Apple Music that offers lossless audio, Wi-Fi is the way to go.

PROS

• Rich, natural, and detailed audio with no digital signal processing
• Multiroom playback via app
• Wired aux input and subwoofer output

CONS

• App doesn’t have an EQ
• Not for those seeking powerful bass
• Drivers aren’t angled upward for ideal playback

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List Price

Price

Amazon

$229.00

$229.00

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Read Our Audioengine A1-MR Review

Fluance Ai61

Best Bluetooth and Wired Computer Speakers

4.0 Excellent

Why We Picked It

The Fluance Ai61 speakers make this list for several reasons. Their handsome design and overall sonic clarity are obvious ones, but their solid connectivity options and ability to adjust the EQ via the bundled remote are also advantages. The back panel includes RCA, USB-C, and optical inputs, and you can also stream via Bluetooth. Finally, you can add a subwoofer to bring some deep lows to the mix.

Who It’s For

If you plan to connect to your computer via USB-C, these speakers are a great choice.

PROS

• Rich, detailed audio performance with true stereo separation
• Handsome design
• Wired and wireless audio options
• Discrete bass and treble controls

CONS

• Lacks serious sub-bass (but offers subwoofer output)
• No companion app
• Can clip the beginning of tracks over Bluetooth

Sold By

List Price

Price

Amazon

$299.99

$299.99

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Walmart

$479.99

$299.99

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Read Our Fluance Ai61 Review

Logitech Z407

Best Midrange 2.1 Audio System

4.0 Excellent

Why We Picked It

Although the Logitech Z407 isn’t the most powerful 2.1 option on this list, it gets a nod because of its affordable price. You need to spend more to get true sub-bass levels, but this system can still muster a palpable thump at moderate to high volumes. Logitech gets some little things right here, too—the left and right speakers are angled upwards to meet the your ears.

Who It’s For

If you’re considering the far less expensive Creative Pebble Plus but want Bluetooth streaming, this is a sensible upgrade that still won’t break the bank.

PROS

• Powerful audio performance with rich lows and bright highs
• Easy to operate
• Affordable

CONS

• Subwoofer can distort at top volumes
• Hardwired cables are a little short

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List Price

Price

Amazon

$119.99

$119.99

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Read Our Logitech Z407 Review

Pioneer DJ VM-50

Best Value for Studio Monitors

4.0 Excellent

Why We Picked It

At $338 per pair, the DJ VM-50 speakers are reasonably priced for home studios and deliver quality, accurate sound. There’s some DSP in the chain, but not the heavy-handed kind we often hear on Bluetooth models—they don’t apply any sort of compression or limiting to the signal, which means they won’t squash your mix’s peaks. There is an overload limiter on the input stage, but this is just a protective measure that rarely engages.

Who It’s For

DJs, musicians, and home studio enthusiasts who want monitors that deliver accurate audio should appreciate this set because it delivers an ideal balance of lows, mids, and highs. On the back panel, you also get two EQ knobs that respectively adjust bass and treble levels. Each knob has four settings, which means you can fine-tune the output to your room.

PROS

• Powerful, accuracy-focused sound signature
• Adjustable DSP aims for flexibility, not sculpting
• Relatively affordable as a pair

CONS

• DSP cannot be bypassed
• No audio cables included

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List Price

Price

Amazon

$169.00

$169.00

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Read Our Pioneer DJ VM-50 Review

Razer Leviathan V2

Best Desktop Soundbar for Gamers

3.5 Good

Why We Picked It

The Razer Leviathan V2 soundbar tucks right under a computer monitor and takes up less desk space than separate left and right satellites. The subwoofer makes the system adaptable to many applications, though the customizable built-in LEDs might appeal most to gamers.

Who It’s For

The combination of a space-saving design, audio clarity, and subwoofer rumble should please gamers and cinephiles alike. The Leviathan V2 is also appropriate for people who just want a little more rumble from their music.

PROS

• Full, crisp sound with thunderous bass
• Good stereo imaging
• Customizable RGB lighting

CONS

• No 3.5mm or optical audio input
• THX Spatial Audio offers limited benefits

Sold By

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Price

Amazon

$249.99

$249.99

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Best Buy

$249.99

$249.99

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Razer

$249.99

$249.99

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Read Our Razer Leviathan V2 Review

Buying Guide: The Best Computer Speakers for 2023

What are the Best Speakers for a Desktop Computer or Laptop?

To choose the best speakers for your computer, you first need to understand the different types of models you’ll encounter most frequently, and those are stereo, 2.1, and surround sound speakers.

Stereo speakers consist of only a left and a right speaker, 2.1 refers to a pair of speakers with a subwoofer, and surround sound ideally involves at least five speakers plus a subwoofer. The role of the subwoofer is to cover deep bass frequencies, generally below 100Hz. A solid sub at a reasonable volume can add rumble to film explosions and depth to kick drums, bass guitars, analog synths, orchestras, and more. Some stereo speaker pairs, however, sound great even without a subwoofer, primarily because their woofers (the drivers dedicated to low-mid and low frequencies below 1KHz) are perfectly capable of handling the bass response.

The vast majority of desktop speakers are stereo pairs. Some have accompanying subwoofers, but you won’t likely have more than two or three satellites to deal with. Some serious gamers and cinephiles might want to look for a 5.1-channel (or higher) surround sound system, but the extra cost and inconvenience of placing all those speakers around the room isn’t worth it for most users.

There are also one-piece solutions (or one-piece with a subwoofer) that offer plenty of power, but they don’t provide the stereo imaging you get from multiple satellites. You might even be able to plug portable Bluetooth speakers into your PC as a one-piece solution if they have a 3.5mm audio input or a USB connection.

Harman Kardon SoundSticks 4
(Credit: Harman Kardon)

What Are the Best Bookshelf Speakers?

The term bookshelf speaker generally describes any speaker that can comfortably fit on a bookshelf and is part of a stereo pair or other multiple-speaker setup. However, especially among audiophiles, it has a much more important implication: Bookshelf speakers are small, unpowered stereo speakers. That unpowered part is a very big detail that should please anyone who knows how to set up a high-end home sound system and might frustrate everyone else.

All speakers require power to run. Without electricity flowing into the drivers, a speaker is just a box with some weird paper and metal bits in it. The vast majority of computer speakers, along with all Bluetooth and wireless models, are powered, or “active.” That means a built-in amplifier takes the signal it receives and feeds enough power into the drivers to reproduce it. This is very handy because it means you don’t need to get a separate amp to drive your speakers; you just plug them into your computer and they work.

Bookshelf speakers, on the other hand, typically work passively and require a separate amp. That means whatever music you want to hear through them needs to be put through the amp first, which then connects to the speakers. They’re more expensive and take up more space once you finish the setup, but the benefit is much more powerful and clear sound.

Klipsch The Fives
(Credit: Klipsch)

There are a few exceptions in the form of active studio monitors. Here, the distinction between a bookshelf speaker and a computer speaker blurs. Basically, some powered speakers are designed for high-end audiophile use, like home studio mastering. They don’t need an amp, but generally sound better and cost more than most consumer-level computer speakers. Of course, you can use them with a computer just as easily, since it’s still just a matter of plugging the speakers into your sound card.

We primarily test active speakers that have built-in amps. That covers the vast majority of computer speakers, wireless speakers, and consumer-oriented home theater speakers and soundbars.

How Do I Connect Speakers to My Computer?

You might not think much about extra features when it comes to PC speakers, but there are some things to consider. Do the speakers include bass and treble controls so you can tailor the sound to your tastes? How about a mute button? Or a remote control?

High-quality sound and robust extra features are not necessarily mutually exclusive; it depends on the set. If your PC has a limited number of USB ports, you’ll probably want to go with the more common 3.5mm audio output connector, though USB speakers sometimes come with extra features or even software that enables special functions. And, if your PC has Bluetooth, you can stream music wirelessly to any speaker that accepts it (which is the vast majority of portable speakers and a large number of desktop speakers). You just have to deal with potential codec restrictions, however.

Razer Leviathan V2
(Credit: Razer)

How you plan to use your speakers can also help you determine the best option. You probably don’t need a mammoth subwoofer if you’re listening at work—small speakers with decent clarity might be the wisest choice, particularly if you’re just using them to watch YouTube videos or listen to internet radio streams. For home, maybe you want larger or more stylish speakers, and the ability to blast them without distortion (especially if your PC is your main music source). For more, see our guide on how to set up your speakers.

How to Pick Speakers for Recording Music

Are you a musician and want to record and mix music at home? Look for a pair of active studio monitor speakers that represent your work as accurately as possible and don’t color the sound in a way that hides flaws in a recording that could show up on other listeners’ systems. Audioengine does this nicely. And be sure to pair them with a good microphone.