Best overall: Bose Companion 2 Series III multimedia speakersBest gaming speakers: Logitech G560 gaming speaker systemBest for cinema sound: Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 THX-certified computer speaker systemBest for Twitch knob twiddlers: Pioneer DJ VM-50 studio monitorBest for gamers that want to be sound designers: PreSonus Eris E3.5 near-field studio monitorsBest budget: Monoprice DT-3BT Multimedia Desktop Powered Speakers
How we selected the products
The world of speakers is packed with obelisks, ovals, and what can sometimes feel like obstacles. There are all kinds of shapes, sizes, connections, and decoders. Portable wireless speakers, bookshelf speakers, high-end multichannel systems … the list goes on and on. But here we’re talking about small desktop speakers, and we’ve done the research—from hands-on testing to consulting academic articles—to find standout models. We’ve narrowed down our recommendations to only the best desktop speakers—ones that hit the sweet spot between value and performance, sprinkled with some semi-pro aspirations.
What to consider when shopping for the best desktop speakers
All of the PC speakers presented here are going to give you excellent sound, so the key is knowing what you want your system to do for you. Here are a few questions to ask as you chose.
What makes up the best desktop speakers?
If you want to know what literally makes up a great speaker, we’ve actually written an explainer on the physical build of these ubiquitous devices. If you were more thinking what are the qualities that make a speaker system best for me, the first step is to assess your particular situation. What connections does your PC have? Do you want to be able to uncouple your desktop PC speakers and use them as portable speakers for your laptop? Are you averse to wires or do you appreciate the improved sound they often bring? Do you want impressive bass via a subwoofer? What does your physical space best allow? Does your system have the capacity to push high-quality sound to speakers in the first place? The answers to these questions are extremely variable, but the speakers we suggest below are selected to bring compelling capabilities to relatively powerful PCs with a 3.5mm jack, USB 3.0 inputs, and Bluetooth capabilities. Also, keep in mind that these suggestions are based on the idea of a more compact workstation. The more space you have, and the less mobile you care for your gear to be, the larger, more involved an audio set-up can be. The “desk” in desktop is important in this list.
How much bass is too much bass?
All of our choices offer excellent stereo sound, but small speakers have natural limitations when it comes to low end. With that in mind, some offer an additional subwoofer for more powerful bass. This can be a complication for those who live in apartments and share floors and walls with neighbors, as these sound waves can carry pretty strongly through the bones of a building. However, there are models below that also feature a headphone jack should time of day or reverberation become an issue (plus dedicated wireless gaming headsets, such as the Audeze Penrose—reviewed here).
What if I want surround sound?
If you want true surround sound, you’re going to have to aim at a larger system, likely with more space and cost considerations. While there are gaming soundbars that offer virtual surround through formats such as Dolby Atmos systems, and excellent headphones that offer features such as head-tracking and simulate surround, most desktop systems are limited to two channels or two channels and a subwoofer. Some of the higher-end ones, however, do offer virtual surround.
The best desktop speakers: Reviews & Recommendations
Skip staring frustratingly at boxes on a shelf and let us decipher what the best speakers for PC bring to the, well, desktop.
Best overall: Bose Companion 2 Series III multimedia speakers
Why it made the cut: The Bose Companion 2 Series III offers great sound for its size, which is a portable package that does everything well enough that it fits “general-use speakers” to a tee. Specs:
Two stereo minitower speakersAuxiliary input Portable and compactHeadphone jackCompatible with Mac or Windows
The mini-tower-shaped Companion 2 speakers measure 7.5 inches high by 3.1 inches wide by 5.9 inches deep and fit easily beside a monitor or stand about as tall as a laptop screen. And if one family member needs the communal computer and someone wants to watch YouTube or play games, etc., these speakers transport easily to any device with a compatible outlet. They’re also perfect for a college student’s desktop, now that many college projects can require multimedia including audio and video editing. Plus a headphone jack on the front panel lets you tune out/not disturb your roommate. If you’re looking for something entry-level, these small speakers are a bargain. But if you prefer something more spherical and striking while still compact, there’s always the Creative Pebble 2.0 USB-powered desktop speakers for the maximized minimalist.
Best gaming speakers: Logitech G560 gaming speaker system
Why it made the cut: A great value for gaming speakers with a built-in light show and virtual 3D sound capabilities. Specs:
Two speakers and a subwooferLIGHTSYNC RGB dynamic lightingBluetooth, USB, and 3.5mm optionsDTS:X Positional Audio240 watts peak power
Gaming is a feast for the senses and many set-ups now include RGB lights in monitors, keyboards, mice, and yes, even speakers. The best desktop speakers for gaming are here. With an aesthetic verging on cyberpunk, the Logitech G560 gaming speakers’ key selling point is pairing audio with visuals that enhance an in-game, out-of-this-world experience. While having a light show doesn’t really matter for an office workstation, it’s incredibly fun at home, especially if you’re streaming for your friends and/or fans. Connect the satellite speakers to your computer via USB and your in-game movements and attacks can be punctuated by blasts of red, green, and blue (and all the 16.8 million color combinations Logitech’s LIGHTSYNC systems afford). Setting up this feature is easy, and can even be applied to music played off the PC if you want to throw a mini-rave at your house. The included down-firing subwoofer means that low end, not just light is king in this system. The volume of these Logitech computer speakers may actually be too powerful for some players, so make sure to adjust your settings accordingly and be careful if you’re in an apartment, bedroom, or dorm room, etc., with thin walls. Logitech includes software that allows a greater degree of customizability in the sound output than simple 3.5mm-only connections would (though both 3.5mm and Bluetooth connections are supported). Plus, DTS:X compatibility renders positional audio in a virtual 7.1 3D environment.
Best for cinema sound: Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 THX-certified computer speaker system
Why it made the cut: THX made its name as a leap forward in cinema sound and that impactful experience is now available in a smaller 2.1 stereo system for your desktop PC. Specs:
Two speakers and a subwooferTHX Certified3.5mm to RCA connectionHeadphone output260 watts peak power
Once upon a time, seeing the THX soundcard before a movie meant something. Before there was Dolby Atmos in theaters, etc., seeing those three letters meant that you would be rattled when the tyrannosaurus rex in “Jurassic Park” ran across the screen. “The audience is listening” became a meme before memes were memes and was parodied in cartoon shows of the era. THX technology was amazing then, producing big, boisterous sound, and it’s still amazing now that it’s been shrunk down into smaller, personal speaker systems. Very reasonably priced compared to some of its more powerful cinephile siblings, the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 desktop speakers offer thick, warm sound that is perfect if your PC doubles as your TV. While tablets may offer more portability, and a TV may offer a larger screen, a PC can push higher-quality resolution at a cheaper price. Combine that with a set of ProMedia speakers and you can push cinema-quality sound at a cheaper price as well. This system is perfect for those who live in a smaller apartment or who simply prefer to fold their media options into one great set-up. At the high end, the 260W peak Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 system’s 3-inch drivers can produce intense volume and its 6.5-inch side-firing subwoofer offers booming bass, but controls for both sit on one of the stereo speakers (or can be adjusted from your computer). Being 3.5mm input-based, the whole system can be plugged into almost any device with audio out. The stereo speakers are quite large and weighty, with plastic stands that angle them slightly and keep them elevated off a chosen surface, so you can be assured of stable sound and gear that won’t tip over from an accidental bump. If cinema stereo is your goal, the ProMedia is a solid, cost-conscious choice, with an attractive black-all-over aesthetic that blends in with most workspaces. The ProMedia satellites look like miniature theater speakers, but the sound is anything but tiny.
Best speakers for Twitch knob twiddlers: Pioneer DJ VM-50 studio monitor
Why it made the cut: The next step beyond a “stereo system,” the Pioneer DJ VM-50s are the entry point into professional-level sound production monitors offering a lot of value in a smaller, desktop-friendly package. Specs:
Single monitor (must buy two for stereo sound)5.25-inch wooferInternally powered60 watts peak powerMaximum sound pressure 107dbXLR, TRS, and RCA connections
To this point, we’ve been profiling out-of-the-box stereo and stereo-plus-subwoofer systems that are meant to be a catch-all solution for personal playback. However, thanks to the rise of SoundCloud, social media, and affordable digital audio workstations, bedroom music production is very much a thing and a bedroom DJ needs a more accurate soundfield than an off-the-shelf all-in-one system can offer. A pair of Pioneer DJ VM-50s is a perfect home production compromise between price and quality. Twitch streaming channels include live DJs and these performances pull in tens of thousands of viewers. But crafting the perfect mix from home requires equipment that can produce a precise, yet punchy sound. The VM-50s feature 5.25-inch woofers and clean Class D amplification, driving a 40Hz to 36kHz frequency response. They connect via XLR, TRS, or RCA, and project whatever they are fed into a wide sweet spot that remains crisp, clean, and detailed. There’s excellent separation of frequencies and imaging, allowing you to pick out every beat you need to match (or every shot you need to avoid if you do decide to game through them). While they’re more specialized, a pair of VM-50s will help you thrill the anonymous crowd generating fire emojis as you pump out sick jams or quick shots. If your idea of gaming is seeing how you can get others to move, and a set at Coachella is your aspiration, the Pioneer VM-50s desktop speakers are an excellent starting point.
Best for gamers wanting to be sound designers: PreSonus Eris E3.5 near-field studio monitors
Why it made the cut: Not just another basic pair of speakers, these studio monitors come with sound production software to kickstart your sound design project. Specs:
Two monitors (one internally powered, one not)3.5-inch drivers1-inch frequency transducersHigh- and low-frequency controlHeadphone jackBluetooth 5.0, RCA, TRS, and Aux In connections50 watts peak power
The PreSonus Eris E3.5s (also available in the larger E4.5 model) are a compact set of Bluetooth-enabled studio monitors. As studio monitors go they are entry-level, but a step up from many desktop stereo speaker sets if you fancy sound design. Their 3.5-inch woofers and 1-inch silk-dome tweeters present an 80 Hz – 20 kHz frequency range. Beyond the smooth, consistent response, these are perfect as an entry point into production, as they come bundled with the Studio One Prime and Studio Magic Software Suite, giving you of the best music production software to edit or design sound for games, online video, and music. The Eris E3.5s are an excellent opportunity for someone to get a respectable pair of speakers while dipping their toe into sound creation. Sound-wise, these desktop speakers may be the exception to the “you get what you pay for” rule. The sound quality is impressive for the price, and the wealth of connections (including TRS, RCA, a 3.5mm jack in, and a similarly-sized headphone jack out for private monitoring) add convenience. The speakers are even great without a wired connection (because you should always want to know what your banger will sound like to the average listener streaming it wirelessly, as many people now do). What’s more, they travel extremely well, setting up quickly with power cords and quick speaker wire between the two. The durability is impressive given the size and price point. Great with a PC, great with a turntable, and compatible with a wide variety of portable devices via Bluetooth, the Eris E3.5s are not nearly the compromise you’d expect given their price point. These speakers are great for creatives, occasional creatives, or even once-in-a-blue-moon creatives because the price package makes the creative aspect almost a free bonus.
Best budget: Monoprice DT-3BT Multimedia Desktop Powered Speakers
Why it made the cut: With good whole spectrum sound that hits 20 kHz, these Bluetooth and aux-enabled speakers are a great desktop solution to studio sound. Specs:
Two monitors (each internally powered)3.5-inch polypropylene woofers0.75-inch silk dome tweeters3.5mm unbalanced headphone jack on front panel75 Hz–20 kHz frequency response2x 12-watt amplifiers for woofers, 2x 8-watt amplifiers for tweetersBluetooth, Aux cable, RCA, balanced ¼ inch stereo connection
If you’re after a simple solution for desktop sound, then the Monoprice DT-3BT Multimedia Desktop Powered Speakers do an excellent job for most of the media crossing your office desk. With Bluetooth connectivity as a central part of this speaker pair, these speakers sit at the crossroads of home audio, easily connecting with newer digital audio devices via wireless or auxiliary connections, without forgetting about higher-end audio gear and entertainment systems, which are supported via unbalanced RCA connections, and balanced ¼ inch connections. The DT-3BT is a solid full-spectrum speaker that will do a good job with most of the audio you’ll encounter, though its 75 Hz bottom-end cutoff will be improved with a good subwoofer for truly extended low-end rumble. Its silk tweeters sound good and hit a respectable 20 kHz, which is towards the high end of most people’s hearing. The speakers are further supported with built-in discrete amplifiers on each channel. With so many ways to connect, and even an earphone connection to help when you’re looking for audio privacy, the DT-3BT is an easy choice for those looking for an easy one-stop-shop to improve their home audio.
The final word on the best desktop speakers
While “a pair of speakers” seems a simple proposition, choices can get complicated when it comes to individual needs. All the options above represent good values for the money and feature quality above a no-name off-the-shelf brand. As always, assessing the most common paces and places you plan to put your speakers through will lead you to a sound system with little to no regrets. Don’t feel like you need every option. If you don’t like pumping bass, skip the systems with a subwoofer. If you hate seeing bunches of wires, go for Bluetooth. You don’t always need the best sound, you need the best sound for you.
