Sound from your laptop or desktop computer speakers never seems to be good enough. They lack the depth and crisp sounds produced by proper speakers. Here you can compare 10 of the best PC speakers of 2018 that will make listening to music, speaking and gaming much more enjoyable.
Scroll across at the bottom of the table / mobile and tablet users just swipe... Logitech Z323 |  Creative Inspire T10 |  Creative Gigaworks T20 SII |  Microlabs M700 |  Bose Companion 2 SIII |  Microlabs FC330 |  Trust 17966 Tytan |  Creative Gigaworks T40 SII |  Logitech Z120 |  Logitech Z130 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||
| Our Rating |  |  | |  | |  | | |  | | Our Rating |
| OS | Windows & MAC | Windows & MAC | Windows & MAC | Windows & MAC | Windows & MAC | Windows & MAC | Windows & MAC | Windows & MAC | Windows & MAC | Windows & MAC | OS |
| System | 2.1 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.1 | 2.0 | 2.1 | 2.1 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | System |
| Wattage | • Speakers - 6W each • Subwoofer - 18W | Speakers - 5W each | Speakers - 14W each | • Speakers - 12W each • Subwoofer - 16W | N/A | • Speakers - 16W each • Subwoofer - 24W | Total - 60W | Speakers - 16W each | Total - 1.2W | Total - 5W | Wattage |
| Ports | • Dual RCA • 3.5mm Jack | • 3.5mm Jack • Aux-In | • 3.5mm Jack • Aux-In | Dual RCA | • 3.5mm Jack • Aux-In | • 2RCA Input • 2RCA Output | • 2RCA Input • 2RCA Output • 3.5mm Jack • Aux-In | • 3.5mm Jack • Aux-In | 3.5mm Jack | 3.5mm Jack | Ports |
| Controls | • Volume • Bass | • Volume • Tone | • Bass • Treble • Volume | • Volume • Bass | Volume | • Volume • Bass | • Volume • Bass | • Bass • Treble • Volume | Volume | Volume | Controls |
| Headphone Jack |  | | |  | | | | | | | Headphone Jack |
| Remote Control | | | | | | | | | | | Remote Control |
| Included Accessories | • Audio Cable • Power Cable | • 3.5mm Mini Jack Cable • Power Cable | • Stereo-to-Stereo Audio Cable (2m) • Dual RCA-to-Stereo Adapter (TV Adapter) • Power Cable | • 3.5 mm stereo to 2RCA cable • Power Cable | • Audio Input Cable with Mini-Plug • Power Cable | Power Cable | • Wired Remote Control • Power Cable | Power Cable | • Audio Cable • USB Power Cable | Power Cable | Included Accessories |
| Dimensions | Subwoofer - 21.5 x 14 x 20cm | 13.7 x 9 x 19.4cm | 8.8 x 14.3 x 2.3cm | 8 x 19 x 5cm | N/A | 8.8 x 14.3 x 31.3cm | 11 x 9 x 9cm | 14.2 x 10 x 11cm | Dimensions | ||
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years | 2 years | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year | 3 years | 2 years | 2 years | 2 years | Warranty |
| Price | **CHECK PRICE** | **CHECK PRICE** | **CHECK PRICE** | **CHECK PRICE** | **CHECK PRICE** | **CHECK PRICE** | **CHECK PRICE** | **CHECK PRICE** | **CHECK PRICE** | **CHECK PRICE** | Price |
| Logitech Z323 | Creative Inspire T10 | Creative Gigaworks T20 SII | Microlabs M700 | Bose Companion 2 SIII | Microlabs FC330 | Trust 17966 Tytan | Creative Gigaworks T40 SII | Logitech Z120 | Logitech Z130 |
Top Features | Best PC Speakers
- Our Rating – This is based on our own research in product testing and user feedback. Clicking on each product takes you to the product page where you can read customer reviews on the product you’re interested in.
- Best Value / Top Rated / Top Specs / Best Choice – Products that we consider to excel in a certain area such as value for money, reputation or technology have been given one of our aforementioned labels of recognition.
- Operating System (OS) – The vast majority of PC speakers are designed to be compatible with any computer system, and most don’t require a driver to run it.
- System – How many speakers and subwoofers are included? 2.0 are just 2 speakers and 2.1 are 2 speakers and 1 subwoofer.
- Wattage – What is the power output of the sound system? The higher the wattage, the more powerful the system is. However, that’s not an indicator of sound quality.
- Headphone Jack – Does it have a 3.5mm input so you can plug and listen to headphones?
- Price – If you want to know the price of any of the models, just click on the Buy Now button or Check Price and you’ll be redirected to the product page. The reason we don’t put prices is because they constantly change and there are so many sellers offering different prices.
Best Buyers Guide For PC Speakers
A PC system without effective audio is pretty worthless as an entertainment system, but where should you begin? It’s all too easy to get lost wading through jargon-filled jungles and hype-infested help pages.
If you know what to look for, filtering out the bad stuff and getting the best PC speakers to fit your own requirements doesn’t need to be a chore. Here are some of the most important factors to consider.
How Many Speakers?
Sound systems are usually defined by the number of speakers they include – a basic setup of two speakers positioned either side of the PC, is called 2.0, and may be suitable if you have only very basic needs.
You’ll find that a 2.0 setup will give you poor bass reproduction, so it’s usually best to add a subwoofer, a speaker specially designed to give a fuller, punchier bass that’s ideal if you want a louder and more immersive audio experience.
If you’re a more demanding listener, for example if you work with audio files or like to use your PC as a home cinema centre, a 2.1 system is unlikely to satisfy. If this sounds like you, consider a 5.1 surround sound system.
These produce stereo sound from front left and right speakers, and also use a subwoofer, but enhance the experience with three further speakers. Two at the left and right rear corners produce the “surround” effect, while a third directly behind the PC is used for speech. These systems are much more expensive than 2.1 setups, but you will notice a big difference.
How Much Power Do You Need?
The power output of a speaker system is measured in watts, but be careful: some manufacturers claim high figures, which turn out to measure only their speakers’ short-term peak power. Make sure you check the system’s “nominal” or long-term power.
For home PC use, there’s simply no need for very high wattage speakers – turning them up to maximum might damage your equipment as well as your hearing.
An average user is unlikely to need more than around 120 watts, a figure the best computer speakers can manage effortlessly. Anything much higher than that, and you’re pretty much heading into home cinema and studio speaker territory.
What about connectivity?
This has become a more complex choice in recent years, with the advent of USB and Bluetooth PC speakers offering wireless connection. If your needs are fairly simple, inexpensive USB speakers for your PC can be a great solution, avoiding any “spaghetti cabling” on your desk.
However, audiophiles should note that traditional audio cabling offers better sound quality than most wireless PC speakers. There is some argument about how much difference cabling quality really makes, but it’s certainly worth investing in cables that provide clean, noise-free sound.
Inward connectivity matters as much as outward; do you really want to have to disconnect your speakers from the PC in order to plug in your favourite pair of headphones or a microphone?
Whatever Apple may think, the 3.5mm headphone jack will be around for many years yet, and some PC speakers have this useful port integrated on the speaker or a wired remote control.
Some of the best speakers for PCs use the larger quarter-inch (6.35 mm) jack common on higher-end audio equipment. You may run into problems if your peripherals don’t match the speaker jack size, but adapters are readily available at a low cost.
Do You Have to Compromise Sound For Portability?
In many cases, the best speakers for your PC will be quite compact, as few people are lucky enough to have unlimited space for their speaker setups. Even small, Bluetooth PC speakers can still pack a powerful punch, so there’s rarely a need to choose full-size, hi-fi style speakers unless you’re a music producer or musician.
Smaller units are much more convenient and are portable, making it easy to move them around the house; this is ideal if you use a laptop and like to work on it in a variety of places around the house.
Battery Life
This is not usually a problem with wired speakers, which are powered either from the mains or the USB socket of your PC. However, the batteries wireless speakers can run down surprisingly fast – sometimes after just a few hours.
Rechargeable Bluetooth speakers are the most convenient wireless PC speakers, and offers wireless connection to Bluetooth enabled laptops, smartphones and tablets. There are plenty of decent 2.0 Bluetooth PC speakers around, and also 2.1 set ups, albeit not as common.
If you shop around, you should be able to find a good-quality Bluetooth PC speakers with a battery life of as much as 48 hours.
Construction
It doesn’t matter how many features a speaker set boasts, if the manufacturers have cut corners to sell it at a certain price, you’ll quickly regret buying it. There’s no reason to fear plastic construction (unless you’re buying for aesthetic reasons) – even some of the best computer speakers now use plastic quite extensively, with subwoofers combined wood also.
What matters is solidity and durability; when you test them out in the shop, listen carefully for any signs of unexpected vibration or wavering in what should be pure tones. USB speakers for PC use will also need secure, well-made cables and connectors.
Is a Remote Control Necessary?
One thing it’s easy to forget about is a remote control. Not all speakers have one, but it’s particularly useful to control power and volume without having to touch the speaker. Most PC speakers that have a remote control is of the wired type, meaning that it’ll always be hooked up to the speakers.