The Best Computer Speakers
Save this article to read it later.
Find this story in your account’s‘Saved for Later’section.
Comment
Speakers designed for computer-based listening have come a long way from the alien-looking pods and translucent “sound sticks” that were common desktop options two decades back. Sure, you can still find examples of those, but the computer-speaker category now includes design-forward models from traditional hi-fi brands, compact desktop monitors from pro audio brands, and a great many options in between.
In this article
With so many offerings to choose from, it’s important to consider what you expect from computer speakers before taking the plunge. “Buying computer speakers is about balancing space, connectivity, and sound quality,” says Ian White, editor of eCoustics and a prolific reviewer of desktop speakers and audio components. “The best examples fit your space, connect to your gear, image well at close range, and sound good for hours without turning your desk into a miniature war zone.”
Beyond the more general considerations, it’s also important to consider exactly how you’ll be using the speakers. Do you simply want better audio quality than what your laptop’s built-in speakers provide when sitting through Zoom meetings or watching videos on YouTube? Or do you plan to use them for specific activities, such as music listening, gaming, or media production? There are speaker options to suit each of those scenarios, and it will be important for you to find the right match.
To get an overview of the features, connections, controls, sound profiles, and other computer-speaker aspects that really matter, I went straight to the source and asked a group of top reviewers with years of experience covering the category for input. I also asked which speakers and speaker brands they recommend, along with their reasons for picking them from the mass of available options.
The best computer speakers
New! You can now save this product for later.
A great-sounding speaker pair with all the connectivity and configuration options you might need.
New! You can now save this product for later.
An affordable, stylish set of speakers with accurate sound and plenty of flexibillty.
New! You can now save this product for later.
Built for all-day music listening with audiophile sonics, plus they're easy to set up and configure.
Whatwe’relookingfor
Size
When shopping for computer speakers, a key thing you’ll want to consider is the amount of space they’ll take up on your desk. Some models are fairly large, and they can overpower your desktop and leave little extra space for working.
Larger computer speakers can run about the size of a pair of small toasters, and you may find that there’s space for little else on your desk aside from your laptop or computer monitor and keyboard after you’ve set them up. For this reason, it’s important to measure your desktop’s surface area and check the speakers’ width, height, and depth specifications to see if it will be an appropriate fit. If you do have enough space for bigger speakers, models that can accommodate a woofer with a four-inch or larger diameter will generally deliver deeper bass and a more dynamic sound.
If your desktop only has space for smaller speakers, the main downside will be more limited bass, although many models do provide a subwoofer-output jack to connect an external sub for increased bass extension. There can be other downsides to small speakers, however. According to Mark Knapp, a Strategist contributor and audio-product reviewer for PCMag, some computer-speaker-makers “shrink down the speaker’s size by moving the power supply outside of the cabinet.” The downside here is “a clunky power brick that you need to find space for on your desk or will take up prime real estate on your power strip.”
Connectivity and controls
You’ll also want to think about how your speakers will connect to your computer and about other devices you might want to use as sound sources, such as a phone, a tablet, or even aturntable for playing vinyl records.
Most desktop speakers provide a range of connection options for hooking up directly to a computer, along with onboard controls for adjusting volume, switching inputs, or other functions. “The most important computer-speaker features are inputs, followed by accessible controls,” says Ryan Waniata, an audio-product reviewer for eCoustics who has also contributed toWired,USA Today, and other publications. “Depending on your setup, you’ll want as many inputs as possible, from wired inputs like USB, optical, and 3.5-mm. (mini-jack audio) to wireless Bluetooth. For controls, you’ll want easy access to power and volume, especially the latter, so you can turn things down in a hurry when things get hectic (especially if you and your SO work from home).”
A common connection type is USB-C, which is found on most recent computers and virtually all new computer speakers. “For computer use, I tend to prefer speakers with a USB-C input,” says Jasper Curry, creator of theJasper Tech YouTube channel, where he regularly tests computer speakers and other audio gear. “A normal headphone-jack connection can work fine, but it can often pick up noise or interference from the other electrical equipment. USB usually makes the setup cleaner because the audio stays digital until it reaches the speaker.”
The analog inputs on computer speakers will be either stereo RCA jacks or stereo 3.5-mm. mini-jack ports. Less common wired connection types include optical digital and HDMI ARC (or eARC), both of which will be useful if you also plan to use the speakers as a soundbar alternative for a TV. Even rarer are speakers that feature an RCA jack phono input, which includes a phono preamp so you can directly connect a turntable for playing vinyl records.
A Bluetooth wireless connection is widely supported on computer speakers, and many computers provide a wireless Bluetooth output. But while a wireless hookup between your computer and speakers might sound good in theory, and it’s nice for occasional listening from a phone or tablet, it’s not the highest quality or most reliable connection type for everyday use. “Bluetooth may be nice for a secondary connection, but try to stick to wired options for your primary connection,” advises Knapp. “A lot of speakers with Bluetooth use old standards and basic codecs that really limit the sound quality you’ll get, and even if a speaker supports new, higher-resolution formats like LDAC or aptX-HD, odds are that your computer doesn’t.”
All models featured in this guide are active speakers, which are the most common and convenient desktop option. Rather than requiring a separate amplifier, active models feature built-in amplification, with one speaker serving as the main unit that houses the power and input connections and controls, and a second, satellite speaker that links to it via speaker wire or a multi-pin interconnect.
Sound and setup
Different speakers have different sound profiles and, based on how you plan to use them, that factor needs to be taken into consideration. Asked about this topic, White advises: “Desktop listening is nearfield listening, so you do not need a wall of sound. You need clarity, detail, presence, imaging, and tonal balance at close range. For most listeners, I would choose a slightly warmer tonal balance over something overly analytical, unless you are editing professionally and need studio-monitor accuracy.”
That last point is one Curry also emphasizes in his buying advice. “If you are editing podcasts, videos, or music, I would care more about accuracy. You do not necessarily want the speaker that makes everything sound the most exciting; you want one that helps you make accurate audio.”
Setup is also crucial to getting the best — and the most accurate — sound from computer speakers; you can’t simply drop them on your desktop and expect optimal performance. For one thing, on a typical desk, the speakers won’t be pointed at your ears. A main setup concern is the height of the tweeter, the speaker driver that delivers high frequencies, since higher-frequency sounds are more directional than lower-frequency sounds. “There are a few details that can make a lot of difference in a desk setup,” says Knapp. “Stands that angle the speakers up so they point at your ears can change the sound considerably. Some speakers include these, but you can also buy them separately if they aren’t packaged in.”
Computer speakers designed for desktop use are necessarily compact, and for that reason, bass extension will be more limited than with traditional bookshelf and tower speakers, which use larger drivers in bigger enclosures and can more easily deliver low frequencies. But what if you crave bass? Look for a pair that offers the option to add a subwoofer. “The speaker’s subwoofer-out port gives you an easy upgrade path,” comments Curry. “The best implementations also apply a filter so the main speakers stop trying to produce bass notes and instead hand that job off to the subwoofer, and this can really allow small speakers to shine.”
Equalization (EQ) adjustments made either through the speaker’s onboard controls or an app on a Bluetooth-connected phone can also have a big effect on sound quality. When done well, Curry finds these to be a nice bonus: “Some modern speakers have a companion app or built-in tuning options that let you adjust the sound directly on the speaker. The nice thing about this is that the EQ applies no matter what you are listening to or what device you are using. It can help people dial in the sound to match their room, desk setup, or personal preference.”
The best computer speakers overall
New! You can now save this product for later.
Woofer size: 4-inch |Tweeter size: 1-inch |Total amplifier power: 100W (RMS) |Inputs: USB-C, HDMI eARC, optical digital, analog stereo mini-Jack |Subwoofer output: Yes |Bluetooth: Yes (LDAC) |Onboard EQ: Yes |Dimensions(HWD): 8.9 inches by 5.2 inches by 8.3 inches |Remote: Yes (2.4GHz) |Control app: Yes |Volume control: Yes (rear) |Color options: Black, white |Accessories: USB-C cable, optical cable, mini-jack to RCA audio cable, mini-jack to mini-jack audio cable, speaker interconnect
If you’ve got the space on your desk for a slightly chunkier than average computer speaker, the Edifier M90 is an appealing option that checks all of the boxes, and it comes from a brand that all of our experts recommend as a reliably good speaker manufacturer.
I opted to give the step-up Edifier M90 model a listen, and was very impressed with its performance for the money. The M90 has a smooth tonal balance, and with a 4-inch woofer and ported cabinet, extended bass for a compact speaker. Dynamics are strong, imaging is precise, and vocals in music tracks sound nicely fleshed out. Some music I listened to did come across a bit trebly, but the M90’s custom 9-band EQ, a feature available in the Edifier ConneX app (tested on iOS), let me easily shape the sound to my liking.
Along with having great sound, the M90 offers up any physical connection you could want, from USB-C (with 24-bit/96kHz support) and analog stereo mini-jack to optical digital and HDMI eARC (both of which enable connection to a TV). There’s also a subwoofer output and Bluetooth wireless with LDAC support. A five-meter interconnect provides a flexible range of installation options in case you want to move the speakers away from the desktop, and there’s a volume-control knob for quick level adjustments, though its rear placement is less convenient than a front-facing control.
If you don’t need all of the M90’s connectivity
New! You can now save this product for later.
Like the Edifier look and sound but don’t need HDMI or a subwoofer or have a smaller desk? Curry recommends the M90’s smaller sibling as a great option for casual listening.
The best less-expensive computer speaker
New! You can now save this product for later.
Woofer size: 4.5-inch |Tweeter size: 0.75-inch |Total amplifier power: 60W (RMS) |Inputs: analog stereo RCA, balanced ¼-inch TRS, analog stereo mini-jack (front) | Output: 3.5mm headphone (front) |Subwoofer output: No |Bluetooth: Yes |Onboard EQ: No |Dimensions(HWD): 9.7 inches by 6.0 inches by 4.8 inches |Remote: No |Control app: No |Volume control: Yes (front) |Color options: Black, white |Accessories: mini-jack to RCA audio cable, speaker wire
I’ve had the JBL 104-BT sitting on my desk for over a year, and I find them to be great all-around computer speakers, especially for the price. The 104-BT’s sound quality leans more toward accuracy than warmth, making it a good choice for media production. But the detail and clarity these speakers provide also makes them good for general music listening, and they can be played fairly loud without losing the effortlessness that defines their sound.
One area where the 104-BT comes up short against many of the other speakers on this list is connectivity. Inputs are provided for various analog connections, including stereo RCA and Balanced ¼-inch TRS, but there’s no USB-C or other digital input ports. There’s also no subwoofer output, though Bluetooth wireless is supported.
Aside from the sound, design is another reason why I’m a happy JBL 104-BT user. The pill-like, ported cabinet is just under five inches deep, which leaves plenty of space for other things on my desk. Front-panel controls allow for switching sources and making quick volume-level adjustments, and there’s a front-panel headphone output and mini-jack stereo input. The JBL 104-BT may not be the most feature-packed computer speaker out there, but it still offers quite a bit for the money.
The best computer speaker for smaller desks
New! You can now save this product for later.
Woofer size: 2.75-inch |Tweeter size: 0.75-inch |Total amplifier power: 30W (RMS) |Inputs: USB-C, stereo RCA, stereo mini-Jack |Subwoofer output: Yes |Bluetooth: Yes (aptX-HD) |Onboard EQ: No |Dimensions(HWD): 6 inches by 4 inches by 5.25 inches |Remote: No |Control app: No |Onboard volume control: Yes (rear) |Color options: Black, white, red, green, yellow |Accessories: USB cable, mini-jack audio cable, speaker wire
If you’re looking for an affordable computer speaker and don’t have much in the way of room on your desk, you can’t go wrong with the Audioengine A2+. White of eCoustics is a fan, praising the A2+ as a speaker that “works best in the nearfield, where its warm balance, clear midrange, and focused imaging are useful for music, gaming, and everyday computer use.” I’m also a fan of the company’s speakers, which I’ve found punch well above their small size, and the A2+ consistently impressed me during the time I spent listening with it. Unsurprisingly for a compact speaker with a 2.75-inch woofer, bass is limited, yet the bass it produces sounds well defined.
For the A2+, Audioengine didn’t go overboard with inputs, which are limited to USB-C, stereo RCA, and stereo mini-jack. There’s also an RCA output for connecting to a subwoofer and Bluetooth aptX-HD wireless support. The volume-control knob is located on the rear, a necessary design choice given the small size of the slotted cabinet, and the external power-supply brick is also to be expected in such a compact speaker. You can find a wider range of connections and features on some of Audioengine’s larger speakers, but a big part of this model’s charm is its small size.
Another charming thing about the A2+ is its color options, which include red, green, and yellow in addition to basic black and white. And you can get matched colors when buying the Audioengine’s $39 desktop stands — an option I’d recommend to properly project the sound from these small speakers at ear level.
The best computer speakers for all-day listening
New! You can now save this product for later.
Woofer size: 3-inch |Tweeter size: 0.8-inch |Total amplifier power: 100W (RMS) |Inputs: USB-C, optical digital, analog stereo RCA |Subwoofer output: Yes |Bluetooth: Yes (aptX-HD) |Onboard EQ: Yes |Dimensions(HWD): 8.9 inches by 5.3 inches by 7 inches |Remote: Yes (Bluetooth LE) |Control app: Yes |Onboard volume control: No |Color options: Black, white, orange, blue, green, walnut |Accessories: speaker interconnect
White recommends the Cambridge Audio L/R S for “desktop listeners who want a compact active speaker system with more power, stronger connectivity, and better placement flexibility than most small powered speakers.” The U.K.-based Cambridge Audio is well regarded for its range of hi-fi components, and the L/R S is the company’s most compact active-speaker offering. In my listening tests, I found its sound to be well balanced, with excellent imaging, clear reproduction of vocals, and a relaxed, “hi-fi” sound profile that made it exceptionally pleasant to listen with. This is a perfect computer speaker for anyone who spends hours each day listening to music at their desk, and the wide range of color options, including orange, blue, green, and walnut, makes it easy on the eyes as well.
The Cambridge Audio L/R S doesn’t match the Edifier M90 or Onkyo GX30-ARC when it comes to connection choices, but its USB-C, optical digital, and analog stereo RCA inputs will let you hook up multiple sources beyond a computer, and there’s also a subwoofer output and Bluetooth aptX-HD wireless support. There are no onboard controls aside from EQ switches that optimize the sound for desktop or freestanding installation, although volume can be adjusted using Cambridge Audio’s well laid-out remote control, which also features source select and three EQ preset buttons.
A great feature of the Cambridge Audio L/R S is a select switch that lets you designate which speaker will function as the right or left speaker. This provides installation flexibility by letting you position the speaker containing the power connection and input jacks close to power and other sources in your desktop setup. All in all, the L/R S is an exceptionally well-designed and attractive compact active speaker, and one that justifies its higher-than-average price for the category.
Best computer speaker for content creators and media production
New! You can now save this product for later.
Woofer size: 3.5-inch |Tweeter size: 1-inch |Total amplifier power: 50W |Inputs: analog stereo RCA, Balanced, ¼-inch TRS, analog stereo mini-jack (front) |Output: 3.5mm headphone (front) |Bluetooth: Yes |Onboard EQ: Yes|Dimensions(HWD): 8.3 inches by 5.6 inches by 6.5 inches |Remote: No |Control app: No |Onboard volume control: Yes (front) |Color options: Black, white |Accessories: speaker wire, 3.5mm TRS to stereo RCA cable, stereo 3.5mm TRS to 3.5mm TRS cable
This compact, affordable “media reference monitor” comes recommended by the Strategist’s own Michael Berk, who has extensive experience in desktop music production. PreSonus is a well-established brand in the professional audio world, and the Eris 3.5 is the company’s entry-level computer-speaker series, with the BT version adding Bluetooth wireless support.
This speaker has surprisingly deep bass extension and power for a compact model with a 3.5-inch woofer. The imaging and detail are precise, and I experienced a better sense of soundstage depth than with most of the other speaker sets. True to form for a reference monitor designed for media production, its sound profile leans toward the dry, analytical side, and while that level of accuracy is what you want for media production, during regular music listening I found myself reaching for the rear-mounted EQ controls (+/- 6dB boost and cut) on the speaker’s ported cabinet to tone down the high frequencies and the bass.
Connection options on the PreSonus Eris 3.5BT are geared toward the pro user who would typically connect the speaker to an outboard mixer. Along with balanced, quarter-inch TRS jacks, there’s analog stereo RCA and mini-jack inputs, with the latter located on the speaker’s front panel. Other front-panel features include power on-off and volume controls, along with a mini-jack headphone output so you can easily switch to headphone monitoring to double-check your mixes.
Best computer speaker that’s great for studio monitoring and music listening
New! You can now save this product for later.
Woofer size: 4-inch |Tweeter size: 0.75-inch |Total amplifier power: 70W (RMS) |Inputs: USB-C, analog stereo RCA |Subwoofer output: Yes |Bluetooth: Yes |Onboard EQ: No |Dimensions(HWD): 8.3 inches by 4.7 inches by x 6.7 inches |Remote: No | Control app: No |Onboard volume control: Yes (front) |Color options: Black, white, moon, gray, purple, red |Accessories: speaker interconnect, rubber feet (x8)
Curry recommends the Kanto Audio ORA as “a great hybrid desktop speaker,” citing it as ideal for “someone who wants one speaker system that can handle music, videos, everyday computer use, and some light editing or creative work.” Overall, he finds the Ora to be “not as specialized as a true studio monitor, but that is part of the appeal.”
Curry also recommends the Kanto Audio ORA4, the step-up version of the ORA, “if you have more desk space and want a bigger, fuller sound.” My desk is spacious, and I always want a bigger, fuller sound, so I gave the ORA4 a listen. The sound was as clean and balanced as Curry found the original ORA to be, and the detail and imaging and soundstage depth was up there with the best speakers in this test. Bass extension was impressive for a compact speaker with a four-inch woofer, and that bass blended seamlessly with the rest of the speaker’s frequency range.
Kanto Audio keeps things simple on the connections front by limiting the ORA4’s inputs to USB-C (with 24-bit/96kHz support) and analog stereo RCA. There’s also a subwoofer output and Bluetooth wireless. The ORA4 uses an external power supply. No remote is included, but the ORA4’s ported cabinet features a front-panel control knob for volume adjustment and input selection.
Bottom line: The ORA4 is a great hybrid speaker, one that’s flexible enough for media production but also great for music listening.
The best computer speaker for turntable owners
New! You can now save this product for later.
Woofer size: 4-inch |Tweeter size: 0.75-inch |Total amplifier power: 50W |Inputs: USB-C, HDMI eARC, optical digital, analog stereo RCA (phono/line-level), analog stereo mini-jack |Output: Subwoofer |Bluetooth: Yes |Onboard EQ: No |Dimensions(HWD): 8.7 inches by 5.7 inches by 6.7 inches |Remote: Yes |Control app: No |Onboard volume control: Yes (rear) |Color options: Black, white |Accessories: Speaker stands, front panel grilles, speaker interconnect, USB-C-USB-A cable, HDMI cable
If your desktop/computer-listening rig includes a turntable source, the Onkyo GX-30ARC is well worth your consideration. Onkyo’s marketing for the GX-30ARC suggests that it’s designed for media production like the PreSonus Eris 3.5BT pro model, but this is really another compact computer speaker coming from a hi-fi brand, so its sound profile is less clinical than a studio monitor and more suited to music listening, and it has all the connection options you could ask for.
Leading that list is an analog stereo RCA input that can be configured as a line- or phono-level connection via a toggle switch on the back panel. There are also USB-C, HDMI-ARC, optical digital, and analog stereo mini-jack inputs, along with a subwoofer output. Basically, any source you want to connect to the GX-30ARC, you’ll be able to connect.
Features that enhance usability include a rear-panel control knob for adjusting volume and switching input sources (though a front-panel knob would be more user-friendly) and a full-featured remote that provides access to both those controls. Importantly, a rear-panel switch lets you configure the main speaker with the power and other connections as either a left or right speaker to accommodate various desktop setups, and the GX-30ARC comes with a set of angled stands to ensure the tweeters are aimed at your ears for best sound plus attractive gray mesh speaker grilles. The wall-wart-type power supply is about my only ergonomic complaint, but in the grand scheme of things, it’s a minor one.
How does the GX-30ARC sound? I’d describe its performance as clean and detailed, with good bass and solid imaging. Overall, the sound lacks the hi-fi warmth of the Cambridge Audio and Audioengine speakers, but that factor also allows it to be used as an option for media production as well as music listening.
Ourexperts
• Ian White, editor-in-chief,eCoustics
• Jasper Curry, audio expert atJasper Tech
• Mark Knapp,Strategistcontributor and audio product reviewer forPCMag
• Ryan Waniata, audio product reviewer foreCoustics,Wired, andUSA Today
• Michael Berk,Strategistsenior editor
The Strategistis designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the bestacne treatments,rolling luggage,pillows for side sleepers,natural anxiety remedies, andbath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
