Top-of-the-line Computer Speakers for 2024

The best way to fill your gaming PC space with great audio is of course to get hold of some of the

best computer speakers

. There are plenty of options to choose from so knowing what features to prioritize, what your budget is, what sort of music and sound profile you like (big bass or an accurate, flat sound, etc), and what sort of volume you want are all crucial questions you’ll need to ask yourself.

If that sounds like a lot to decide yourself, worry not as our

best PC speaker

guide will explain how to zero in on the best type of computer speaker for your needs and budget. You can find out our tips for finding the best speaker for you at the bottom of this list.

Speakers aren’t strictly necessary for every gaming PC setup, as the best gaming headsets give you more of an edge in FPS games and often provide more immersion than speakers. However, 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.

The best computer speakers in 2024:

How to choose the best computer speakers

When choosing the best computer speakers for 2023, you should look 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 one 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.
  

If you’re still left scratching your head, check out the FAQs below:

Bluetooth, USBWhy should I use computer speakers?

PC gaming is often 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.

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.

Which size computer speakers should I go for?

When choosing the best gaming speakers for your PC, there are several 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 some quality 2.0 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.

What do 2.0, 2.1, and 5.1 mean?

Those numbers you see to describe sets of speakers refer simply to the number of speakers. The first digit is the number of smaller ‘satellite’ speakers while the second digit is the number of subwoofers. So, a 2.0 system is just two desktop satellite speakers, a 2.1 system is two satellites with one subwoofer, and a 5.1 is five satellites (two front, one middle, two rear) and one subwoofer. And, yes, in some high-end home cinema systems and real cinemas, you do get systems with multiple subwoofers – a 7.2 speaker system, anyone?