Best budget PC speakers 2024

The best budget PC speakers don't have to cost much to add a lot to your setup.

While many people go for the best gaming headsets when on PC, you can get a lot from a budget-friendly set of PC speakers, depending on what you want. The best PC speakers are incredibly pricey though, but going for a lower-end option doesn't have to mean bad quality.

Bearing all this in mind, we've made a list of the best budget PC speakers around based on specs, features, and reviews to kick off your search in the best way possible. Let's get into it...

Best budget PC speakers

1. Ultimea 5.1 Surround Sound Bar - top 5.1 PC speakers
2. Logitech Z313 - best 2.1 PC speakers
3. Archeer Dual-Channel Desktop Speaker - a superb set for gaming
4. Creative Pebble v2 - a great choice for your desk
5. Sanyun SW102 - best pick for 360-degree sound

Credit: Ultimea

1. Ultimea 5.1 Surround Sound Bar

Best budget 5.1 PC speakers

Sometimes, the best speaker system is one that incorporates a sound bar, and if you want to make sure you're getting a good rate for what you're spending, then the Ultimea 5.1 Surround Sound Bar system is perfect.

This setup comes with a tri-section soundbar and a subwoofer, which you can position around your room as you please to allow yourself amazing surround sound capabilities.

It's not only very affordable but also fairly compact as well, making it great for anyone who doesn't want to take up too much more space with their setup, or those who just like things to be neat.

It also has a good range of connectivity options and plenty of features, making it simply a very solid budget choice to consider.

• Read more: Best soundbar for small rooms

Credit: Logitech

2. Logitech Z313

Best budget 2.1 PC speakers

Logitech has a wide range of speakers and PC peripherals on offer, including some of the best wireless keyboards on the market, but we're focusing on these relatively inexpensive Z313 speakers for this list.

The 2.1 speaker system offers a rich sound along with the option to enhance the bass thanks to the additional subwoofer, designed to produce low-pitched audio below 200Hz that the speakers would otherwise be unable to produce.

This should help create a more immersive experience as every intricate difference in sound is picked up by the speakers, whether that's in a film, TV show, or PC game. You can also adjust the volume using the handy control pod that comes with them. It's wired, but as long as you set it up next to you, you should be able to reach it easily.

On that point, they're designed to be plugged into the standard headphone jack, so you shouldn't have any issues setting these speakers up with your PC either, thus making them a great option on a budget for your computer setup.

• Read more: Best TV headphones

Credit: Archeer

3. Archeer Dual-Channel Desktop Speaker

Best budget PC speakers for gaming

If you already own one of the best gaming PCs under 500 but you're looking for a top set of budget-friendly speakers as well, then these Dual-Channel Desktop speakers from Archeer could be your answer.

Archeer boasts its built-in 2.5W balanced stereo speakers are designed to deliver a clear sound without any noise distortion or interference, so you shouldn't have any distractions at all when trying to concentrate on your gameplay.

With their LED RGB rainbow lighting as well, you can make them look pretty impressive at your desk, especially as you can set the lights to flash in time with the music or gameplay on screen.

These speakers are also designed to be straightforward to set up as they plug straight into your USB port. You also only get one knob/button to operate them, making turning them on/off and adjusting the sound even easier. Therefore, if you're after a relatively inexpensive and easy-to-set-up set of speakers for gaming, look no further than these from Archeer.

• Read more: Best soundbars

Credit: Creative

4. Creative Pebble v2

Best budget PC speakers for your desk

The aptly named Creative's Pebble v2 speakers are small and weigh just 0.20 oz., making them a great option to consider if you're limited to desk space and want to save room for other peripherals.

Despite their small size, these speakers pack a punch thanks to built-in 2″ full-range drivers and passive radiators. This system has been designed to give richer and louder audio with enhanced bass reproduction for greater sound quality and range.

Interestingly, the speakers also come with 45-degree elevated drivers that are specifically angled so audio is directed to your ears rather than directly outwards, which means you won't miss a single beat or sound at your desk.

When it comes to connecting them, you simply have to plug the USB-C cable in for the power, then use a 3.5 mm jack for audio and your speakers will be ready to go. All in all, a great pair of compact speakers.

• Read more: Best budget Bluetooth speakers

Credit: Sanyun

5. Sanyun SW102

Best budget PC speakers for 360-degree sound

The Sanyun SW102 speakers are compact and feature a design that allows them to deliver 360 degrees of sound thanks to their circular shape. Despite their size though, their sound quality is rather impressive, particularly in the bass. This is because they have a built-in bass diaphragm, a closed cavity, and a low-frequency aid to further improve sound below 200Hz.

Basically, they should deliver great high, medium, and low frequency sounds so that you can use them when you want to watch films or for work purposes like video calls or editing to playback your content and hear every detail in excellent quality.

Moreover, each speaker can emit up to 5W of sound as well, which is pretty loud given their small stature and more than enough for a PC setup. Of course, being circular, this sound will be released in every direction, meaning you can place them anywhere and still benefit from their great audio quality. Sanyun says to gain the full benefit of the 2.0 Channel stereo speakers though, it's best to place them one metre apart from one another.

Connecting them is easy too. Simply plug them directly into your PC using a USB, and they’re both compatible with iOS or Android devices as well, so you can use them away from your PC. All in all, a great option to consider.

• Read more: Best headsets for home working

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Below we've answered some of the most frequently asked questions regarding the best budget PC speakers to help you decide which system to buy.

Are 5.1 speakers worth it for PC?

We'd say 5.1 speaker systems are worth getting for your PC setup. Essentially they separate the audio into six different speakers/channels: left, centre, right, surround left, surround right, and a subwoofer.

This kind of system can enhance your immersion in whatever you're listening to because it delivers sound all around you to encapsulate you in the audio of your film, TV show, video, or video game. However, keep in mind that these speakers tend to be quite expensive, which is why we only have one 5.1 option on this list.

They can also take up a fair amount of space, which means you may require a large desk to match. However, you can always place them around you as well for a 'truer' surround sound setup.

Should I get speakers with a subwoofer for my PC?

Getting speakers that come with a subwoofer is a good idea if you're looking for something to produce excellent bass.

Subwoofers basically boost lower-frequency sounds to bring attention to them more, while the speakers work on giving you mid and high-range sounds. As a result, you should find speakers with a subwoofer to deliver a more complete range of sound, which, in turn, can enhance your listening experience.

Subwoofers are particularly great when you're listening to music that comes with heavy bass, or when you're watching a blockbuster movie to further immerse yourself in the action.

Do gaming PCs need speakers?

Gaming PCs don't necessarily require speakers and, at the end of the day, it's up to you whether you want the extra addition to your setup.

The other options are either using the standard speakers that come with your monitor or selecting a headset instead.

The benefit of a good set of speakers though is they should offer better sound quality than the standard monitor speakers without needing to wear headphones all the time at your desk.

That being said, there are certain games, especially FPS titles, where listening to your surroundings is essential to help you work out where your enemies are coming from. In this instance, we'd recommend opting for something like one of the best headsets for Warzone, for example, to give you the edge over your competition.