Gaming, music, YouTube. Get top-notch sound quality for less than a C-note!
Updated February, 2017: Added the Creative GigaWorks T20 Series II
If you're not a headphones person, you're either dealing with terrible laptop speakers or maybe the terrible ones built into your monitor or all-in-one PC. If that's you, then you are in need of some great external speakers. You also don't want to spend a fortune on a Harmon Kardon 5.1 surround system. Fair enough.
We've rounded up some of the best computer speakers for under $100 to keep your room rockin' and your pockets full.
- AmazonBasics
- Cyber Acoustics CA-3602FFP
- Creative GigaWorks T20 Series II
- Edifier U.S.A. 2.1 Speaker System (M3200)
- Genius SW-G2.1 1250 2.1 Speaker System
- GOgroove BassPULSE
- Bose Companion 2 Series III
- Logitech Speaker System Z313
AmazonBasics
These USB-powered speakers are not for audiophiles. They're for folks who want a pair of very inexpensive speakers (about $14) that have surprisingly great sound quality for the price.
As their name suggests, these speakers are as basic as it gets, with 3W total power (you won't get much more via USB) and a basic on/standby switch and volume control.
Don't expect to blow the doors off with these, but if you're looking for a cheap way to liven things up a bit and get away from your monitor speakers, this is the way to do it.
Cyber Acoustics CA-3602FFP
This three-piece set from Cyber Acoustics comes with two satellites and a wood cabinet subwoofer for 30W (62W peak) of powerful sound, for the price (around $35). There's also a handy desktop control pod, which controls power, volume, and bass, and has a headphone jack and auxiliary port.
These speakers not only sound great, but look great as well, with their modern design and aluminum-finished pedestals; a gorgeous addition to your desktop. For under $40, you really can't go wrong.
Creative GigaWorks T20 Series II
These two-way speakers look awesome and Creative makes relatively inexpensive products that sound great. You get volume, bass, and treble control right on the front of the right speaker, and each speaker produces clean, crisp audio that'll impress, considering their $89 price tag.
Amazon user Orlando bought three sets of speakers, including the Bose Companion 2 Series II and was pleasantly surprised by these Creative speakers:
" I was actually extremely surprised how clear, crisp and loud they were compared to both the Creative T12's and the Bose Companion 2 Series II Speakers." [sic] (Amazon reviewer Orlando)
If you're looking for versatile speakers that'll sound great for gaming, any genre of music, and other audio, these will more than do the trick. Make sure that you're getting Series II before you check out, since the original T20s sucked.
Edifier U.S.A. 2.1 Speaker System (M3200)
Wanna add some boom to your room? Then you should probably go with a speaker system that comes with a subwoofer. Edifier's 2.1 channel system comes with a wood-enclosed subwoofer with a 5.5 inch driver. That's bass you can feel.
The high-end and mid range are taken care of by a couple of gorgeous, hourglass-shaped satellite speakers, which you control from a separate rotary master volume controller, which also turns the system on and off – no need to awkwardly reach down anywhere to flip the switch.
If you want immersive, rich sound and a sexy-looking system, for around $85, then check out Edifier.
Genius SW-G2.1 1250 2.1 Speaker System
Genius jumps in with another excellent 2.1 channel system that offers total clarity at any volume. You've got a 5.25-inch bass driver in a fairly compact subwoofer, two 3-inch drivers in each satellite speaker, and a total output power of 38 watts. What does that mean? It means you've got great low-end and enough juice in the system to likely fill your whole home with sound.
Each satellite speaker only has one driver, meaning the high and mid ranges are coming out of the same driver, which on other speakers often causes distortion at high volumes. Genius' speakers are surprisingly clear all the way around, though you may find some tin in the high-end when you're really blasting it.
For roughly $50, you really can't go wrong.
GOgroove BassPULSE
These are the coolest-looking speakers in our round-up, but they're not all flash and guile – these babies can hum.
With a name like "BassPULSE," you shouldn't expect anything less than deep, warm, rich bass tones, and GOgroove doesn't disappoint. Despite how thin the satellite speakers are, they still produce decent high end and mid range tones and are better than you'd expect from most thin plastic speakers.
These speakers sound good, for their price. Let's just get that out of the way because you're really buying these because of how friggin' cool they are.
Blue, green, or red, you get to choose and then set these Transformers-looking suckers up and watch 'em dance (when the bass is turned up past 80%, that is). If you're in the market for a sleek and futuristic-looking set of speakers that look even better in the dark, then go GOgroove.
Bose Companion 2 Series III
If you're want great sound quality and value, then you want Bose. Some audio snobs might look down on Bose, but there's no denying that they produce pleasing sound that puts them at the top of the consumer speaker game.
I know what you're thinking: "Bose speakers are insanely expensive." Normally, you'd be right, but these ones are only $99. You can have (to borrow from every Bose ad ever) room-filling, immersive sound for under $100.
These speakers don't come with a subwoofer but still offer powerful bass, mixed perfectly with the mid-range and high end. They're not much to look at (at all), but they are Bose by name and Bose by reputation.
Logitech Speaker System Z313
What's an accessory roundup without a Logitech product? Lacking, that's what. The Z313 system comes with a powered subwoofer and two satellite speakers to deliver 25 watts of total power. That's enough to fill your room and then some.
While the full range sounds excellent at normal volumes, the highest of the high-end does fall a bit flat and can get pretty tinny at very high volumes. (Pro-tip: just turn up the treble in the equalizer on your computer. It'll do in a pinch.)
The Z313 comes with a handy control pod that lets you control volume and your headphones, so there's no need to reach under your desk to mess with anything, as is the case with some other 2.1 systems.
This is another rather unobtrusive set that'll fit nicely on even smaller computer desks, but isn't much to look at.
Something to consider when buying speakers
In the case of most consumer goods, you're paying way too much for whatever you're getting and you often get much more for much less, depending on the product.
With speakers, you really do pay for what you get. If you're spending under $100, don't expect anything absolutely ground-breakingly spectacular, but don't expect total crap either. Spending an extra $50 to $100 unlocks another tier of great-sounding speakers that will likely surpass this list. That being said, if your budget is tight, these are the tops!
What are your favorites?
Are you using an unreal speaker system that cost you less than $100? Sound off in the comments below and tell us why you think it's the best!
Reader comments
Best Computer Speakers for Under $100
Might somebody talk its experience on Logitech Z333 or Z533 sound quality?
Im still on my Creative Gigaworks S750 :D
Logitech Z333 does have fantastic value for its cost! They look slick, come with wooden cases, a sub, plus a remote knob control & headphone plug. Love it!
Unlike some of the other commentators here, I find this article very useful. It's not meant for audiophiles, but rather for the casual users like myself who just want decent speakers for less than $100. If you're an audiophile, you can probably guess this article is not for you after reading its title, and can skip it if you have no interest. For me, this article helps narrow down the choices to just a few (compared to the hundreds of sub $100 speakers listed on Amazon). So, my thanks to the author. Can't please every single reader :-)
Still using Klipsch 2.1. Very good sound.
I'm using Edifier R1800Tiii - small, but powerful. Slightly above 100$. You can also find Bluetooth -enabled version of it.
Logitech or Bose, that's my choice. Nothing else.
Harmon sound sticks??
These are sub 100 dollar computer speaker "suggestions". If you can afford more, here is an easy answer, don't get these. Having said that, what can you recommend that are "top quality" computer speakers for less than 100 bucks?
Lindsay, you start. Less than a yard and they have to be proven not to suck.
Micca MB42X, plus speaker wire, plus Lepai 2020A. OK, it's $120, but it blows away these other speakers in sound quality.
Thanks for the speaker tips. I have a pair of Creatives on my desk now but I think I'm missing my old sub woofer.
I use a $20 Lepai amp with Dayton Audio 8" bookshelf speakers. Yeah call me old school.
I have a set of Harman kardon "champagne glass" speakers w/subwoofer on my system now. Sounds good for the 50 bucks I bought them for. On closeout at my local mom and pop computer store. I am replaceing them with PSBs but these sound pretty good.
The Logitech is terrible
These are all great options on the cheap. It's worth noting that spending a bit more unlocks alot more potential and your entry into hi-fi audio. Once you have a dedicated DAC and AMP, technically any speakers can be computer speakers. Or you can connect powered monitor speakers directly to a DAC. The sound quality will blow away Creative, Logitech, and any other "computer speaker" brands. If you're serious about audio, you will want to go that route. Never settle!
The best 5.1 PC speakers ever made are still the discontinued Logitech Z5500. Worth spending more and getting them in Ebay.
I prefer Craigslist. I have had several high end systems and speakers for under $100. Now there is a small chance you might die meeting someone on Craigslist, but I'll take that chance.
I think ones chances of dying on the way to or from Best Buy and/or tripping in their own house and breaking ones neck and dying on the way to the door to pick up their Amazon.com package are about the same as having a bad encounter on Craigs List.
But I would say ones chance of a sexual assault on Craigs List is probably greater than getting sexualy assaulted by the package delivery person.
Maybe I read his comment wrong, but I think he was semi-joking saying that there is a small chance you might die. I think the main point is that it can be sketchier meeting up with a random person to buy something than to go to an official store or buying it online.
Your last comment kind of contradicts your first one though. You say it's a low chance to have a bad enconter on craigslist, but then say the chance to sexually assaulted through craigslist is higher than by a delivery person. Which brings me back to the my point above.
My response was also a joke. But as a whole, I don't think package delivery folks are any more likely to sexually assault someone than anyone else.
Make America Great Again, or Stronger Together, or Live Long and Prosper, or May the Force be With You or something like that....
GigaWorks T20 Series II from Creative are great speakers...
For my speakers, I have a pair of Logitech speakers that apparently cost $20 at Wal-Mart but I bought them for $1 at Goodwill. On Windows, they only output sound in both sides if I use the front headphone jack, but on Linux, I think I can use the Line Out jack to get both channels. It's been so long since I used them on Linux that I can't remember how they functioned there. As far as sound is concerned, they're pretty decent and the sound is clear for what they cost. Because of the audio jack problems, I just use headphones instead, though.
I am using cheap studio monitors for computer speakers. Way better than any computer speaker set in that price. Sometimes it's not about money but perspective. Simple as that.
Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
Likewise- they may be cheap studio monitors, but the audio quality FAR exceeds any computer speakers I've used before.
thats exactly what I use. I use my PC as my guitar Amp/effects processor so Monitors make more sense.
Bose = quiet soft.. and really good. As long as you are withing Warranty! DOH! Other than that, the others are great speakers.
Yes!
For this and the article on the 5.1 speakers, best by what measure? Just because they are under $100?
I enjoyed your article. Thanks Mike.
Its not highend if it doesn't use toslink/spdif
That's a digital interface which has nothing to do with the quality of speakers (if speakers have one it means they have a built-in DAC, which still says nothing about their quality, just that they can handle digital signal instead of or as well as analogue)
I've been thinking about why I'm so annoyed by this and some previous similar articles and I've come to the conclusion that it's the word "best" in the title. I don't mind the article itself so much but if the title says the article will tell me which speaker is best I expect to find out which is best. As there is no such thing (personal opinion/preference) as a whole I'm just very disappointed and frustrated with this and those previous similar articles.
Completely agree.
I used to really enjoy reading things on this website - but since Sam Sabri left, things have gradually deteriorated (rather mirrors how things have gone with WP/WM since Nokia left the show)
Thanks for agreeing with me, but, sorry, I don't completely agree with you. I still enjoy reading this site as a whole, it's just those "best ..." titles I have an issue with. If they'd just call them something like "a comparison of $100 or less PC speakers" or something like that I'd have no problem with them. Titles that promise something but then don't deliver, in my opinion, are just cheap clickbait and they seriously bring down the respect I have for Windows Central.
Is this article written by a new writer?
Looks like it was written by an adbot.
I have an older version of the Logitech Z-series speakers on my wife's PC, and for under $100 they are fantastic. There are certainly better speakers out there, but for under $100 you would be hard pressed to find them. Plus, they go on sale on Amazon on a pretty regular basis, so it is easy to find the next step up for under $100 on occasion as well.
Are comper speakers still a thing? It must be almost a decade that I used pc speakers. I ve gone bluetooth speakers over 100 dollars. It's worth the investment because you can not only couple them to your old pc via a bluetooth dongle but also switch them between devices such as your laptop, 2-in-in, tablet pc or other windows (phone) device. I've generally used pc speakers for up to a year, then either dumped them in the shed or sold them. With bluetooth speakers you're more flexible and will use them more consistently over time. T'hat's my experience. Better value over time (+5 years).
I find that Bluetooth connected speakers lose sync with what's going on on-screen.... Too much delay with Bluetooth
no creative in list? well i have gigaworks t20 II. bought them few years back and im very satisfied
They are definitely sick!
I actually have the GOgroove BassPULSE in Red. Awesome lil' speakers. Everyone always asks me about them when they see my office.
I'm looking real hard at the Blue ones. Do these have a headphone jack in them? Sometimes I get the "its too loud in there" from the first lady.
I am still using two Nokia play 360
The goGroove speakers are a steal indeed if te audio is really as good as people are saying in it's amazon reviews...
Those who do not specialize in audio should not give reviews on speaker qualities that they do not know how to measure or fully understand.
Oh snap!
We're now hiring the top audiologist in the world and there will never be disagreement again over sub-$100 speakers. We'll have him vetted by only the best. In addition, we have now laid off everyone who works here with sub-optimal hearing.
LMAO. His comment is why I go more to reddit for "audiophile" discussions versus Headfi.org
Yo, Rubino...listen to your readers. No-one wants these half assed compendiums of products. They don't inform us...it's just annoying clickbait. Only the most ill informed of buyers would EVER refer to these articles for buying advice.
What happened to the good old days when this website published quality rather than quantity?
I agree with what you say Spinzero, but surely the person you're replying to is just a troll and not actually staff on this site. I could not imagine anyone working for this site would post something that unprofessional and disrespectful of the readership. Having said that, the article itself (which I just re-read) is almost as insulting... "If you want bass, get a subwoofer"... Really? "Pro tip; turn up the treble in your equalizer" Seriously? A pro tip? I should not have done that re-read...
Daniel Rubino, just in case you are who you say you are, which I can't imagine, there's no such thing as a best audiologist, just as there's no such thing as a best speaker or a best car or a best shoe. It's all subjective and a matter of personal preference.
Jesus Christ... Cool your jets, Francis. Its an article on computer speakers, not blueprints on taking over the western hemisphere.
First time I up voted one one of your comments lol
Go to headfi then you idiot, why are you even reading the article?
Here come the "audiophiles", we need to buy solid gold cabling.
That's one hell of a sentence son!
No highs no lows? Must be Bose!
Zzzzz
Nothing in 5.1 audio. If your a gamer on the PC and have the layout to do surround speakers, I might hold back and find something with 5.1 on it. A lot of the games in the last 2-3 years have 5.1 sound tracks on them and you would be missing it with a 2.0/2.1 setup.
They did a 5.41 surround speaker list like a week ago
I dont even remember the last game I played without surround support