Say goodbye to maxing out the volume button on your computer during your next Zoom call.
Best for blending in
Edifier Exclaim e10
These skinny speakers have a unique look that can fit in with just about any office setup without looking out of place, to go along with simple-to-understand features.
Now that so many Americans are working from home full-time, a lot of us are spending a ton of time in front of our home computers. And if there’s one thing that’s true about most computers, it’s that they have pretty terrible built-in speakers. Chances are, you’ll max out the volume button on your laptop and still find the sound too soft to hear your boss on a Zoom or Google Meet conference clearly enough. And if it’s that bad for a conference call, can you imagine streaming a movie or listening to music?
Whether you’re binge watching YouTube videos, working on a student project, or getting some actual work done, good computer audio is a key part of a home desktop arrangement. There’s just one problem: You’ve gotta get some external speakers.
That’s because the default speakers that are built into most computer monitors or laptops are pretty crummy. They don’t do any of your favorite songs justice and don’t even think about watching a loud action movie with them. Unfortunately, standalone computer speakers cost money. In some cases, a whole lot of it. The good news is that you don’t have to break the bank to enhance your computer audio.
What should you look for in computer speakers?
The obvious first answer to that question is sound quality. Fortunately, just about any standalone speakers you buy will be better than what’s in a laptop. Some of the options on this list might not be audiophile-friendly considering our budgetary restraints, but that’s fine. Unless you recognize all the different nuances in audio quality, it shouldn’t be a problem with anything on this list.
SEE ALSO: These are the best computer speakers
On a more practical level, size and connectivity might be the most important factors when picking up budget computer speakers. You want something that doesn’t take up the entire desk and doesn’t require some arcane cable you’ve never seen before just to function. Everything on this list should accommodate both of those needs.
How are budget computer speakers different from expensive ones?
Computer speakers that cost hundreds of dollars tend to come with things like subwoofers for extra bass or five speakers that work in tandem to produce a surround sound effect. There are some budget speakers with subwoofers, but full surround sound isn’t going to happen here. In general, sound quality is going to get better the more money you spend. Being frugal doesn’t mean you’ll get something terrible, but it does mean you probably won’t get something fit for a home theater.
Aside from that, another practical drawback of budget speakers is that you may be limited in terms of connectivity options. There are Bluetooth-compatible budget computer speakers, but they’re a little tougher to find than if you were to up the price range a bit. This may not be a huge problem for most people, but if you’re sick of cable clutter, it’s worth considering.
Edifier Exclaim e10
These skinny speakers have a unique look that can fit in with just about any office setup without looking out of place, to go along with simple-to-understand features.-
Supported Connectivity:
3.5mm AUX -
Size:
7.09 x 4.13 x 12.2 inches -
Weight:
5.29 lbs -
Color:
Silver
The Edifier Exclaim e10 computer speakers don’t offer a ton of bonus features, as this model only offers wired connectivity using a 3.5mm AUX cable. Aside from that, all you get are power and volume buttons. These are really just skinny, sleek-looking speakers that don’t aspire to be anything more than that.
That said, their modern design and relatively low price means you’ll get something that won’t be a huge distraction, visually speaking. If you want to plug some speakers into your computer, push them to the back of the desk, and never think about them again, this might be the set to get.
Logitech S120 2.0 Stereo Speakers
These compact, durable speakers deliver the sound you want at the lowest price.-
Supported Connectivity:
Wired, 3.5 mm jack -
Size:
11.46 x 20 x 7.4 inches -
Weight:
2 lbs -
Color:
Black
The speakers are easy to set up, plugging into any computer (or other device) with a headphone jack. They have a built-in knob for volume, and thanks to their compact size, they won’t take up much space on your desk.
Many reviewers also love these speakers because of how durable and resilient they are. They’re hefty enough to resist easily falling over if you accidentally bump them, and even if you do knock them down, they can take most falls. In fact, one reviewer writes “I dropped them 100 times, they still work. I tend to be a klutz, and have knocked these guys over at least twice a week since I bought them Aug 2016. The cover flies off one and across the room, but I set them back up and they still work.”
Creative Pebble Plus
These speakers are small, lightweight, modern and deliver powerful sound with minimal distortion.-
Supported Connectivity:
Wired, USB-C or 3.5 mm AUX -
Size:
9.57 x 4.96 x 4.96 inches -
Weight:
7 grams -
Color:
Black or White
Of course, the advantages of these speakers aren’t just their size and looks: it’s their audio quality. As Amazon reviewer Hawkmoon 269 writes “there is no distortion at loud settings and the bass is actually quite good. The overall quality of sound highlights both high and low midpoints very well.”
The speakers also have a 45-degree angle tilt, which is ideal for a listener sitting at a desk because it projects the audio up towards them. Not only that, but if you don’t mind spending a little more, you can get the speakers with a powerful down-firing subwoofer to make the sound even better (though you’ll obviously need a little more office space).
While the speakers are definitely small and light enough to be portable, they are a little on the fragile side so may not be the best for taking with you on a work trip.
TaoTronics Bluetooth 5.0 Computer Speaker
This speaker is highly versatile, portable and is a great choice for gamers or those with small desk areas.-
Supported Connectivity:
Bluetooth and Wired, AUX and RCA cable connection -
Size:
16.14 x 2.17 x 2.64 inches -
Weight:
2.2 lbs -
Color:
Black or Red
But what matters most is the sound, right? And on that front, this speaker delivers, especially considering its price point. Amazon reviewer MVF writes “I can tell you that you will be amazed at the quality of sound that this little gem puts out. It’s loud for a 3W driver system; the bass has bass, and the mids and highs are great as well.”
CyberAcoustics CA-3602FFP
With an included subwoofer for bass and a control pod for easy volume adjustment, these CyberAcoustics speakers rival some more expensive speakers in terms of features.-
Supported Connectivity:
3.5mm AUX -
Size:
12 x 11.5 x 9.5 inches -
Weight:
9 lbs -
Color:
Black
Budget computer speakers that come with subwoofers for added bass aren’t impossible to find, but they’re certainly not the norm. This CyberAcoustics speaker set distinguishes itself from the competition with a genuine 2.1 setup at just $40. You’ll feel like you spent a lot more than that, especially considering some of the other goodies you get for the price.
Each of the two speakers comes equipped with dual 2-inch drivers that will only be bolstered by the deep bass produced by the subwoofer. The bad news here is that you can only connect to devices via a 3.5mm cable, but for $40, you have to accept some compromises. Another nice standout inclusion is the control pod, a little circular gadget with controls for volume, bass, and power, as well as a headphone jack for private listening. You’ll never have to touch the speakers themselves after positioning them.
Sanyun SW102 Computer Speakers
These small, light, and USB-powered speakers are a great choice if you use a laptop instead of a desktop computer.-
Supported Connectivity:
Wired, USB -
Size:
3.94 x 2.76 x 2.76 inches -
Weight:
1.15 lbs -
Color:
Black or White with blue toned LEDs
The speakers also just look cool on your desk, thanks to their compact, modern design and blue LED lights. The lights are an especially nice touch if you’re watching a movie or listening to music in low light. They also don’t need much space — always a plus if you don’t have a large desk.