8 Best Computer Speakers (2026) After Testing 30 Pairs

Save Story Save this story Save Story Save this story Featured in this article Best Overall Computer Speakers Audioengine A2+ Read more $299 Amazon Best Small PC Speakers Kanto UKI Read more $270 Amazon Audiophile Pick IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor Read more $300 Amazon Best Computer Speakers Under $200 Creative XF1 Read more $180 $150 (17% off) Amazon 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 November 2026: I added speakers from Creative, a mention for speakers from Pioneer, and updated prices. Table of Contents Other Computer Speakers I Liked The PC Speakers I Don't Recommend Are Computer Speakers Worth It? What Should I Look for in Computer Speakers? Where Should I Position My Desktop Speakers? Do I Need Speaker Stands? What Size Speakers Should I Get? What’s the Best Way to Connect My Speakers to My Computer? How I Test Computer Speakers Best Overall Computer Speakers Photograph: Simon Hill Photograph: Simon Hill Chevron Chevron Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Audioengine A2+ $299 Amazon $299 Walmart 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. Specs Drivers 2.75-inch aramid fiber woofers, 0.75-inch silk dome tweeters Power 60 watts Connectivity USB-C, 3.5-mm aux, RCA (in and out), Bluetooth 5.3 Size 6 x 4 x 5.25 inches In the Box USB-C cable, 3.5-mm cable, microfiber bags Best Small PC Speakers Photograph: Simon Hill Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Kanto UKI $270 Amazon $270 Walmart $270 Sweetwater 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. Specs Drivers 3-inch woofers, 0.75-inch silk dome tweeters Power 50 watts Connectivity USB-C, 3.5 mm, RCA, Bluetooth 5.0 Size 6.5 x 4.3 x 4.2 inches, 2.2 pounds (left) In the Box Nothing Audiophile Pick Photograph: Simon Hill Save to wishlist Save to wishlist IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor $300 Amazon $300 Sweetwater $350 Walmart 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. Specs Drivers 3-inch woofers, 0.75-inch silk dome tweeters Power 70 watts Connectivity 3.5-mm aux, RCA, Bluetooth A2DP Size 7.09 x 5.31 x 3.54 inches In the Box 3.5-mm to 2RCA cable Best Computer Speakers Under $200 Photograph: Simon Hill Photograph: Simon Hill Chevron Chevron Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Creative XF1 $180 $150 (17% off) Amazon Creative has a long history of affordable but decent-sounding speakers, and the XF1 proves it has not lost its touch. These are terrifically well-rounded PC speakers for the money. Relatively compact, they come with lovely cork speaker stands for a 15-degree angle. The sound is warm, with a decent thump of bass (there’s also an optional subwoofer output port), pleasing detail, and the ability to fill a room without distorting too much when you crank up the volume. Creative’s Nexus app (Windows, Android, macOS, iOS) gives you a 10-band parametric equalizer, so you can dial in the sound you want, or select one of the presets—and there are more than 100. These worked great for my day-to-day, meetings, videos, and some gaming. Playing music was the only time I felt a slight step down from my top pick. Connectivity is also impressive with USB-C (which will be best for most folks), 3.5 mm line-in, and Bluetooth 6.0, as well as sub out. You hold down the power button on the right speaker to turn them on and off, and press it to cycle through the modes. I found powering down a little annoying, as it switches mode if you don’t hold down long enough. But that's a minor complaint. There’s also an energy-saving mode that powers down after 15 minutes of inactivity, but you can switch it off with a physical switch on the back. These speakers narrowly unseat the Edifier M60 (see below) in this category, largely because they are a bit cheaper for a v