The Best Computer Speakers of 2024

• Configuration: 2.1
• Connectivity: 3.5mm in, USB in, Bluetooth 4.1
• Headphone jack: Yes

This 2.1 speaker system is part of Logitech’s G range designed specifically for gamers. The G560 Lightsync consists of a large subwoofer with two satellite speakers for your desktop. These compact round speakers have a curved loop that aids stability and also provides a canvas for the RGB lighting inside.

Controls for volume, power, and Bluetooth can be found on the right speaker and there’s even a programmable button on top that cycles the lighting effects by default. There’s enough length in the cabling to have the subwoofer under a standing desk and the satellite speakers on top.

The Logitech G560 Lightsync’s sound signature is heavy on the bass out of the box, but you can use Logitech’s software to tweak the equalizer and choose from various presets. Playing music there’s an occasional lack of clarity and definition, but these are primarily designed for PC gaming.

Positional sense is strong, voices are clear, and the rumble of explosions or approaching monsters can be felt in your gut. The DTS:X Ultra virtual surround sound does a decent job of emulating a 7.1 setup and it’s well worth turning on for movies and certain games.

Lighting is a big selling point here. The satellite speakers look great on the desk and project splashes of colored light onto the wall behind them. Each speaker has two lighting zones, and you can use Logitech’s software to change the colors and choose from a range of preset effects. You can also have them react to on-screen action and match colors, which adds to the immersion when it works, but is sometimes distracting.

To get the best from the Logitech G560 Lightsync you must plug in via USB, but there’s also a 3.5mm aux port and support for Bluetooth, though sadly it’s the older 4.1 standard. The Bluetooth button makes it quick and easy to connect your phone, but the sound quality isn’t anywhere near as good as through the USB connection. One other issue we encountered during testing was a sudden jump when adjusting volume, which was unpleasantly jarring, though it has only happened once so far.

Ultimately, the Logitech G560 Lightsync is the best choice for gamers, especially if you love lighting effects and already have other Logitech peripherals. While they’re passable for music and can get extremely loud, audiophiles can find better at this price. If games and movies come first, the Logitech G560 Lightsync should be on your shopping list.

• Configuration: 2.0
• Connectivity: Optical in, Coaxial in, 2 Stereo RCA in, Bluetooth
• Headphone jack: No

Available in black or with a classic wood grain finish, these heavy, bulky bookshelf speakers offer an impressive range of features, strong connectivity, and excellent sound quality. These are stereo speakers with no subwoofer included here, though there is an output to add one if you want to.

Dials on the right speaker’s right side control volume, treble, and bass. You also get a handy, compact remote control in the box. There’s a permanently attached power cable on the right speaker and plenty of lengthy cabling to attach the two. They proved too big to fit on a multi-monitor desktop, so check your space before you opt for these speakers.

A wide variety of music sounds fantastic on the Edifier Bookshelf R1280DB speakers and they offer impressive depth and real warmth. It’s easy to pick out individual instruments and voices are very clear. You can tune the sound to your preference, but the bass is limited.

You won’t get that low rumble that a subwoofer can provide, which is missed most when gaming or watching movies. There’s also no virtual surround sound feature, though the positional sound is surprisingly good when gaming.

It’s important to connect using the RCA or optical input for best results. There’s support for the newer Bluetooth 5.0, which is swift, easy to connect to, and reliable, but the sound quality isn’t as strong when you connect wirelessly. All-in-all these speakers offer good value with enough features and strong enough performance to please most people. If you’ve been living with a tiny and tinny pair of speakers, the Edifier Bookshelf R1280DBs will feel like a major upgrade.

• Configuration: 5.1 THX-certified
• Connectivity: 2 Optical in, Coaxial in, Stereo RCA in, 3.5mm in, 6-channel direct
• Headphone jack: Yes

If you want a true surround sound experience without breaking the bank, the Logitech Z906 is a 5.1 system that’s sure to catch your eye. The speakers are reassuringly heavy, with a durable feel, and the subwoofer is enormous. The five satellite speakers are identical, with the center speaker simply turned on its side; all are angled upwards to make the most of the sound.

There’s also a simple remote control and a separate control unit with orange LEDs to show the input and which speakers are currently active. Regular thin speaker cables are provided, but you’ll want to plan placement carefully for the best results. Even though the satellite speakers are fairly compact this system claims a lot of desk space because you have the left, right, and center speakers, and the control unit. The speakers are fairly nondescript, but the control unit is ugly.

As you’d expect of a system this powerful with such a large subwoofer, the bass is deep and delivers a rumble you can feel coming up through the soles of your feet and into your gut. That powerful bass enhances action movies and games, though you’ll want to turn it down for music. There’s good separation of instruments and voices come through even in noisy scenes. The only way you’ll get a better positional sense in a game is by wearing headphones.

There’s also a 3D mode that converts two-channel stereo sound to surround sound and works quite well. But as much as we love the Z906 for movies and gaming, it can’t match some of the other systems we’ve tested for music. Even after extensive fiddling around with settings, it’s hard to get a balanced sound because the bass dominates, and the treble lacks a bit of punch.

There are plenty of input options with the Z906, but also some strange omissions for a system like this. You’ve got 3.5mm, RCA, six-channel direct, digital coaxial, or optical, but there’s no HDMI or USB and no support for Bluetooth.

It’s worth mentioning that Logitech does sell a Bluetooth receiver separately, so you could always add Bluetooth support. This system is THX-certified and supports Dolby Digital and DTS, though it stops short of HD formats. Ultimately, if you’re seeking a surround sound alternative to headphones and you have understanding neighbors the Z906 truly enhances immersion for gaming and movies.

• Configuration: 2.1
• Connectivity: HDMI with ARC, Optical in, 3.5mm in, USB in, Bluetooth 5.0
• Headphone jack: No

This modestly sized soundbar is finished in glossy black, which looks slick but immediately attracts dust. It’s a good size for most desktops and proved easier to accommodate than some speakers. An LED under the grille in the center lights up to display the connection and volume level.

The Creative Stage V2 comes with a large separate subwoofer, but the relatively short cable makes it unsuitable for use with a sit-stand desk. You can find power, volume, and Bluetooth controls on the right edge and there’s also a good remote control in the box.

The Stage V2 also nails the rumbling bass you want for action movies and games, but there’s sometimes a lack of definition and clarity when playing music. It can sound a little muddy, though you can tweak the bass and treble. We appreciated the Clear Dialog option for bringing clarity to voices.

The Surround mode cranks up the bass and general impact for added excitement. This soundbar struggles to fill a large room and sounds best when you’re around three feet away, which makes it a good choice for the computer.

Connectivity is excellent with HDMI ARC, optical, USB, Aux, and support for Bluetooth 5.0. It’s quick and easy to connect to your phone via Bluetooth and stability is good, but there’s no AAC or aptX codec support, so music quality suffers slightly. Ultimately, the Creative Stage V2 is an affordable choice if movies and games are your priority and a soundbar is a good fit for your desktop.

• Configuration: 2.1
• Connectivity: 3.5mm in, USB in, Bluetooth 5.0
• Headphone jack: No

With a distinctive look that blends matte and glossy black with splashes of white in the drivers, the Creative SBS E2900 makes an impact. It comprises two smallish satellite speakers that are perfect for the desktop and a larger subwoofer that houses the controls and volume dial.

Turn it on and an LED lights up the subwoofer driver in blue, with a small orange display below to show source and volume. There’s no RGB or fancy syncing here, but you can change the color manually using the basic remote control.

The Creative SBS E2900 is a bass-heavy speaker system with a surprisingly powerful subwoofer. It sounds reasonably good most of the time, but you do have to tweak the tuning controls to get the best from it.

Music can be a little tinny and lacking in definition at times, but that’s reflected in the relatively low price. Dialogue in movies, games, and voice calls sounds loud and clear. The bass rumble is appreciated for explosions in games, but accurate sound positioning is lacking.

This 2.1 speaker system has an impressive, if slightly odd, range of features. There’s a standard auxiliary 3.5mm jack, but there’s also FM radio support, USB drive and SD card ports, and support for Bluetooth 5.0. Sadly, there are no PC USB or optical input options.

It’s easy to connect your phone via Bluetooth and switch back and forth between wired and wireless connections. The cables to the speakers are annoyingly short, which limits your placement options and means it won’t work well with a sit-stand desk.

There were no stability issues with the subwoofer under the desk, though the SBS E2900 lacks support for aptX and AAC codecs, which limits the quality somewhat.