Audio upgrades that won’t break your budget.
Sometimes you just want to relax and hear your music or movie’s audio without being encumbered by wearing headphones. That’s especially the case if you’re enjoying your media with friends or family. The problem is that laptop speakers just often don’t have great sound; they can sound muffled, tinny, and/or lack audio fidelity. What you need instead is a good pair of PC speakers to get the best sound from your media files.
Luckily, you don’t need to buy a complete 7.1 surround sound system to feel satisfied. For less than $100, you can find some affordable PC speakers that provide quality audio. It’s true that at this price point you will need to make a few compromises, but the best budget computer speakers can still offer a quality listening experience while saving you money, and that’s what we call a win-win.
Why should you trust us? Because our PC speaker reviewers have tried most of the budget speaker models on the market, so they know the ones that stand out from those that don’t quite hit the mark. Our testing criteria is also as thorough as it gets. To test each speaker, we set it up in a typical environment — on a desk in a home office — and play a variety of audio tracks while pushing a speaker system’s sound capabilities to the limit. We consider everything from how practical the design is, to the audio fidelity. We also compare and contrast models to make recommendations based on our findings.
Creative Pebble – Best overall budget speakers
Pros
- Extremely affordable
- Excellent audio quality
- Space-saving design
Cons
- No Bluetooth connectivity for mobile devices
Why we like the Creative Pebble
We wouldn’t have thought a set of $20 speakers could impress us much, let alone turn out to be our favorite. But Creative Pebble’s simple USB-powered 2.0 system defies all odds, producing richer, more immersive audio than you commonly find in speakers at twice the price — and twice the size. Though we wish these offered Bluetooth connectivity for mobile devices, the Pebble is still a top-notch choice.
Who should buy the Creative Pebble
If you’re strapped for cash and still want decent audio, then the Creative Pebble is a no-brainer. You just need to have a USB-A port and a 3.5mm audio jack handy in your PC. You’ll also need to be cool with the fact that your speakers will be tethered, so you’ll need to unplug them if you want to move your rig.
Sound BlasterX Kratos S3 – Best budget 2.1 system
Pros
- Wooden construction enables natural, warm sound
- Small footprint
- Deep, rich bass
Cons
- No extra audio inputs for mobile devices
Why we like the Sound BlasterX Kratos S3
Though the Sound BlasterX Kratos S3 is marketed for gaming, we like how its wooden construction enables warm, natural sound and beefy bass for all of our media. At just $80 it’s an inexpensive entry point into 2.1 speaker systems, without taking much space at all.
Who should buy the Sound BlasterX Kratos S3
If you like a warm, resonant sound and punchy bass in your games or other media — the kind of sound you often get with a larger 5.1 multi-channel system — but have limited space, then the Sound BlasterX Kratos S3 will suit you to a tee.
Creative Pebble Pro – Best speakers for multiple devices
Pros
- Clear, detailed audio
- Can get very loud
- No distortion at high volume
- Noise cancellation through Creative’s software
Cons
- Volume adjustments are more minimal at higher volumes
Why we like the Creative Pebble Pro
Imagine our top overall pick, and then soup it up with more features — namely, much more connectivity and sweet RGB lighting. That’s the Creative Pebble Pro. If you have multiple devices (plus a headset and microphone), these speakers let you centralize everything. You can connect devices via USB, a 3.5mm aux cable, and Bluetooth, and there are jacks for a 3.5mm headset and a dedicated 3.5mm microphone, too. It’s a great upgrade option if you want the Pebble’s great sound but want just one set of speakers for your gear.
Who should buy the Creative Pebble Pro
Anyone who wants the versatility of being able to use their speakers with more than just their PC — so a smartphone, tablet, or other device. These speakers are also ideal if you use a 3.5mm microphone and like the idea of using the Creative Pebble Pro’s software to do things like muting or unmuting your calls or filtering out unwanted noise.
Monoprice DT-3BT – Best premium Bluetooth speakers
Pros
- Clean audio
- TRS, RCA, and Bluetooth connectivity
- Capable of very loud volume
- Easy access to aux input and headset output jacks
Cons
- Audio will sound a little hollow to some ears
- Audio distortion at higher volumes
Why we like the Monoprice DT-3BT
For years, Monoprice has sold affordable, quality tech gear without fanfare or frills. It continues this tradition with its 50-watt DT-3BT desktop speakers, which sport clear audio and support the most common kinds of connections. There’s of course Bluetooth 5.0 for clean, wire-free setups, but TRS and RCA jacks are available, too. Combined with the understated appearance and tidy $100 price tag, they’re an excellent option for speakers with good sound and simple setup straight out of the box.
Who should buy the Monoprice DT-3BT
If you like to hear layered elements in your music, then you’ll really like the Monoprice DT-3BT’s emphasis on higher and lower tones. These speakers also project sound very well, so choose them if you like to fill up your living room with the sound of your tunes or media.
Cyber Acoustics CA-2890 Speaker Bar – Best space-saving speaker
Pros
- Clip mount keeps it off your desk
- Clear, distortion-free audio
- Can get very loud
Cons
- No bass
- Weak stereo audio
Why we like the Cyber Acoustics CA-2890 Speaker Bar
This basic speaker bar may be outclassed by other extremely affordable rivals in some ways, but the Cyber Acoustics CA-2890 Speaker Bar has a feature that keeps it in the running — you can clip it to a monitor. That gets this speaker off your desk, a plus for anyone that loves minimalism. Add in clear audio reproduction, and lack of distortion at high volume, and those seeking a good compact option can forgive it for its lack of bass and proper stereo output.
Who should buy the Cyber Acoustics CA-2890 Speaker Bar
Anyone super tight for desk space or who just likes a clean, uncluttered place to plant their PC. If that’s you, then you’ll love the speaker’s clip-on functionality that will win you back some much-needed real estate.
AmazonBasics USB-Powered Computer Speakers with Dynamic Sound – Best dirt-cheap option
Pros
- Well-rounded sound
- Plug-and-play setup
- Low price
Cons
- Can’t turn off accent lighting
Why we like the AmazonBasics USB-Powered Computer Speakers with Dynamic Sound
These AmazonBasics USB-powered computer speakers get you well-rounded audio for a rock-bottom price. They’re easy to use with simple plug and play USB connectivity. They also feature attractive glowing blue LED accent lights below each speaker’s bottom radiator.
Who should buy the AmazonBasics USB-Powered Computer Speakers with Dynamic Sound
If your budget consists of just loose change and your goal is simply to release the sound from your PC without it sounding terrible, then these speakers will do nicely.
