Best computer speakers 2023

The best computer speakers are a great way to fill the room with gameplay audio, not to mention movies, shows and music that you might also run from your PC. They’re not strictly necessary for every gaming PC setup, as the best gaming headsets can give you the edge in FPS games. And 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.

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.

We’ve tried out the best PC speakers for gaming and general use that you can buy today. We’ve compared audio quality, build and design, features and price to help you make a great buying choice.

Here are the best computer speakers in 2023:

1. Razer Nommo Pro – best overall
2. Logitech Z407 – best value PC 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 speakers have one of the smallest footprints on this guide, and the lack of a large subwoofer can also help if you’re trying to manage cables in your setup. That said, the Razer Nommo Pro is no slouch when it comes to providing a rumbling low-end.

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 crisp, detailed output of the satellites. Push the volume dial to its limits, and the soundstage can become cluttered, with the subwoofer dominating as the satellites run out of steam.

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 their speaker counterparts, but the Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2 makes us wish this wasn’t the case.

Rather than finding room for tweeters on either side of your monitor, the Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2 should fit snugly under most displays and keeps cable clutter to a minimum. Don’t let its compact form factor fool you, as this soundbar has more than enough oomph in its 2.1 or virtual 5.1 surround sound configuration for a truly immersive gaming experience.

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, with an impressive peak power of 1,000W that drives the thunderous bass of its huge subwoofer, as well as the five satellite speakers.

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, so they can get more than loud enough for a small room. 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 that lets 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 satellite 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. Colour-wise, you can choose from white, black, or a snazzy bamboo effect.

Why should I use computer speakers?

PC gaming is admittedly 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.

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 Razer’s Nommo 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.

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.