Written By:
Our posts contain affiliate links. Sometimes, not always, we may make $$ when you make a purchase through these links. No Ads. Ever. Learn More
Table of Contents_
Any computer won’t be complete without a set of the best desktop speakers. The best desktop speakers can provide excellent sound quality without being too loud or too distorted. High-quality speakers should not only sound great, but they should be free of any audio anomalies caused by software conflict or hardware issues as well. To that end, we spent a week testing some of the most recommended speakers on the market and ranked them according to our highest standards.
Out of the 20 desktop speakers we tried out, only six made it to our list. We chose the Logitech Z130 Stereo Speakers as our top pick because of their high-quality audio output and ease of use. To find out more about this pair of speakers and five of our other favorites, read on!
We’re sorry, this product is temporarily out of stock
The Logitech Z130 Compact Speakers follow the company’s trend of producing reliable and budget-friendly electronics. These speakers boast a respectable 5W nominal output that makes for some good quality audio, but their real selling point is their size.
The Z130 measures 8.9 (L) x 5.9 (W) x 5 (H) inches, making it the smallest among the Logitech speakers on this list. The quality of its audio output is great considering its size, and it’s decently loud for such a small pair of speakers. It has a fixed aux cable like many other speakers in its brand, but it’s sturdy enough to not worry about. Your computer deserves the best speakers.
Alternatively, you can find great computer speakers that will match your setup or roll with the leading gaming speakers, as well as compare the best bookshelf vs monitor speakers before you buy. This will enhance your overall entertainment experience significantly.
The Z200 speakers feature adjustable bass levels that can be manipulated via a tone dial in one of the speakers, and it can belt out up to a maximum of 10 watts, which is twice the audio level of other speakers on our list. The Z200 speakers have a 3.5mm input port, as well as an auxiliary line to allow for two simultaneous device connections.
The speakers are covered by a 2-year hardware warranty that should extend their lifetime in case they break down.
Another popular option from Logitech is the Logitech G560 Lightsync PC Gaming Speakers. Also, read about computer accessories for more gear.
The Bose 2 Series III Multimedia Speakers are excellent for listening to music, watching movies, or playing video games because of their sharp audio quality. These speakers produce powerful sounds without feeling oppressive to your ears. You’ll definitely feel the difference when you compare these speakers to other brands. If you are into boating and want a marine speaker, check out our guide to the best boat speakers.
Despite the overall high-quality audio, the bass from these speakers is slightly muddy when compared to others. The lows tend to sound a little distorted when compared to the highs and mids that the speakers can produce, but it’s hardly noticeable. These speakers are great for the best desktop computers.
The Pebble 2.0 speakers are an excellent choice if you’re looking for compact speakers. These USB-powered speakers can draw power directly from your computer, eliminating the need for an auxiliary power cable. These speakers have a far-field driver and passive radiator technology that helps them deliver crystal clear audio and deep bass at a nominal output of 8W, which can be boosted up to a peak power of 16W.
The only downside of these speakers is that their audio quality starts to suffer when the volume is cranked up too high. Expect the sounds to become distorted at very high volumes, but otherwise, the Pebble 2.0 speakers are a steal. Read more about the best computer speakers and compare them to the leading bookshelf speakers to see which one is better.
These speakers from AmazonBasics make for a good alternative for those who are looking for USB-powered speakers. These speakers have a nominal power output of 2.4W and a frequency range of 80 Hz-20 kHz, which is slightly above the usual 50 Hz minimum but is still within the standard range.
They weigh only 1.4lbs and have a very small 3.9- x 2.6-inch footprint, making them very easy to carry around. They’re fairly loud for their size, but the audio output starts to get distorted by the 75% mark and the bass is relatively weak despite the radiators on the bottom of each speaker. You can also check out the best wireless speakers. Our best Bluetooth speakers, top Bluetooth speakers under $300, and our leading mini Bluetooth speaker lists are also helpful.
The TaoTronics TT-SK018 Sound Bar veers away from the look of traditional speakers in favor of a 16-inch long, bar-shaped design. Its shape, paired with its USB-based power connector, makes it great for cramped desks or workspaces without sacrificing too much in terms of audio quality. You can connect this speaker to your computer via a 3.5mm jack, RCA cable, or Bluetooth, and it can belt up to 10W of power at the standard 50Hz-20kHz range.
Despite its looks, it actually has two speakers in it to make for even sound distribution. However, this doesn’t keep it from having fairly weak bass. Its audio output is decent, but the weak bass really affects its overall quality when compared to the rest of our picks. If it is bigger audio that you are after for the home, read about the best floor-standing speakers.
We wanted to make a list of desktop speakers for general purposes at home or in the office. We decided to keep the nominal volume output of our chosen speakers as close to 5W as possible so they aren’t too loud or too weak. For context, a 5W speaker produces about 96 decibels, which is about as loud as a power mower. We didn’t include anything stronger since it would be too excessive for desktop speakers. Additionally, we kept the audio frequency of our top picks within the standard 50 Hz to 20 kHz range that is common among all desktop speakers to keep them well-balanced in terms of volume and quality. The best computers deserve the best speakers.
We also kept the connection type of each speaker in mind in terms of their power and audio inputs. All of the speakers on our list can be connected via a 3.5mm jack, while some can also be connected via RCA cable or Bluetooth. Almost every modern computer (including handheld devices) is compatible with 3.5mm connectors, but on the off chance that your device doesn’t have a 3.5mm aux port, some adapters are readily available in most electronic stores.
Other options that just missed our list include the Audioengine A2 Wireless Speaker System and the Audioengine HD3 Wireless Speaker System. The A2 is a Bluetooth mini home music system that’s suited for your desktop or small spaces; featuring a modern design and is available in a black, red, or white hi-gloss finish. Whereas the HD3 offers a more classic look available in black, white, or walnut. If you’re in the market for a Surround Sound Gaming Headset, check out our review of the Razer Tiamat Elite 7.1.
