Best computer speakers 2018: the best audio systems for your PC

You’ve likely heard plenty of people out there telling you that the best headphones are the only way to get great sound out of your PC. However, not everyone is comfortable with wearing headphones all day. For these people, the best computer speakers are an amazing purchase. Still, like any PC hardware, finding the best computer speakers isn’t as easy as you’d think.

Before you decide on the best computer speakers for you, there are a few questions you should ask yourself. What do they sound like? Is the surround or stereo separation up to snuff? Do you start to get a headache after a couple minutes? Do they have balanced sound? These are all important questions to ask.

You need to also think about what you actually plan to use the best computer speakers for. Are you just going to play the best PC games, like Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and Call of Cthulhu, where immersion is all that matters? Are you binging the Castlevania Season 2 (like you should) to get into the spirit of the season? Or, maybe you just want to sit back, relax, and jam out to the new Robyn album. No matter what you’re trying to do, we’ll help you find the best computer speakers, so you can enjoy all the sounds your computer can spit out.

Luckily, you won’t have to spend a fortune to pick up the best computer speakers. Black Friday and Cyber Monday are right around the corner, and along with the Black Friday laptop and PC component deals, we’re sure you’ll be able to find some awesome deals on the best computer speakers. So, stay tuned to TechRadar to find all the best deals this holiday season.

Even if Audioengine’s A2+ came out four years ago, they’re still one of the best sets of speakers on the market. These aesthetically pleasing speakers are compatible with digital audio from your PCs USB port for uncompressed audio and unparalleled audio fidelity through its built in DAC. This winning combination means these speakers feature the highest sound quality in their class with amazing clarity and thumping bass.

When you realize that these small six-inch speakers don’t come with a sub, you start to learn that they really have a lot of bang for the buck. Be warned though, you might need to invest in a subwoofer for really low bass, or heavy bass sound at higher volumes. Luckily, they do come with an RCA output, so connecting one is a breeze. And, for just a few more dollars, you can pick up a pair of stands for even better audio.

While they may be more expensive than you’d expect to pay for the brand’s speakers, the Logitech Z623 is still very affordable when you consider just how powerful they are. The Z623 may look like your average pair of speakers, but its subwoofer produces a thundering sound that can easily dialed up or down depending on your preference. And, it offers a great soundstage – with great highs and mids – making for a more immersive gaming and movie experience. 

Logitech is practically a household name in 2018, but never before has it combined the two so spectacularly. The first Logitech computer speakers designed for gaming, the Logitech G560 are the best computer speakers for gaming – no contest. Not only do they feature RGB lighting, but through Logitech’s software, the multi-colored illumination can adapt to any kind of content you consume – whether it’s your favorite game, or the latest music.

One of the first things you might notice about the Razer Nommo Pro speakers is their immense price tag. We get it, it’s kind of hard to swallow. However, once you get past that and get a chance to use these in person, you’ll see that the sound is worth forking over 500 bucks. Not only do you get a robust down-firing subwoofer that’ll almost literally blow you away, but it also features Razer Chroma integration, so they’ll look just as good as they sound. Sure, there are cheaper options out there, but for speakers this good, the price is well worth it. 

• This product is only available in the US as of this writing. UK and Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Audioengine A2+.  

If you stare at it long enough, the Soundsticks III start to resemble some kind of glowing alien jellyfish. These translucent babies, designed by Harmon Kardon, look more like a modern art installation rather than a functional speaker system until you step back and let it do its thing. This speaker and sub combo features extra bass power thanks to its subwoofer while still managing to produce crisp highs – so you’re managing to get excellent sound at a decent price, making it perfect for music fans with a mid-range budget.

Keep in mind its few minor cons, however – it doesn’t have a headphone jack, its bass volume control is not accessible, and the LED lights cannot be turned off.

• This product is only available in the US and UK at the time of this writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Edifier E25 Luna Eclipse. 

It might lean a little bit to the bass end of the spectrum, but the Edifier E25 Luna Eclipse is an aesthetic speaker setup that not only looks good, but also features sublime sound. The Luna, which comes in red, white and black, offers a powerful but controlled bass, fantastic balance with pronounced mids and good stereo separation. It even includes touch-sensitive controls and a nifty little remote. These are some of the best computer speakers, especially if you like to pump up the volume with little to no distortion. 

The Logitech MX Sound Speakers are simply the best wireless PC speakers you can buy today. They’re a thing of beauty, with their eccentric circular design and silver accents. And, for the price, they definitely deliver a little more than what you’d expect from the best laptop speakers. The bass may sometimes overpower the mids and highs, but it still delivers an excellent soundstage and powerful audio, which makes it great for gaming. It also features dual Bluetooth connectivity so you can connect two devices simultaneously. Finally, the backlit motion sensor controls are so sensitive, a light touch is all it needs. 

Read the full review: Logitech MX Sound 

The Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 speaker system promises enchanced sound for versatile use so that whether you’re watching movies, gaming, or listening to music, you’re in for a great experience. And it does. These THX-certified speakers boast power, a wide frequency range (31 Hz to 20kHz), and a detailed audio quality with punchy bass, maximum clarity, and great balance. It’s powerful enough to replicate that home theater quality. 

That’s a lot punch for $160, even if it means having to tolerate the fact that the sub stops at 31 Hz so there’s no low end rumble.

• This product is only available in the US at the time of this writing. UK and Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Logitech Z623 

Dell’s AE715 may not be the most powerful speaker in the market. It produces a decent 360-degree sound that, while is fairly common in portable audio, is a rarity with computer speakers. For it's low, low price, this Bluetooth speaker is nothing amazing; not a lot of bass and there’s a bit of delay, but the audio quality good enough if your listening standards aren’t quite as demanding. 

However, what you’re getting in exchange are its wireless functionality, the USB charging port so you can charge the device, and the built-in mic so you can use it for conference calls. It’s definitely a great portable, wireless solution.

• This product is only available in the US and UK as of this writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Jabra SPEAK 510.  

Mackie CR4BT promises professional-grade performance, which is a lot more than what its competitors offer. The question is, does it really do that? Well, they sound good for a premium pair of speakers, but there are drawbacks including thinner mid range, and high bass cut off at 70 Hz, which means while there’s good bass presence, you might be missing the really low stuff.

The pros, however, include the acoustic foam pads to isolate the speakers from the surface it’s standing on, and the front auxiliary input. Overall, these aren’t your run-of-the-mill computer speakers. They are useful for multimedia creation and production as well.

• This product is only available in the US and UK as of this writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Logitech MX Sound.