Your computer monitor’s built-in speakers aren’t doing your music, movies or video calls any favors. Whether you work from home, game a lot or simply stream your favorite playlist, a good pair of desktop speakers transforms the experience for the better. The good news is that you don’t need to spend a fortune to hear a real difference. Here are my picks for top budget computer speakers under $399 (with many way under that price).
I found that the around-$300 bracket has quietly become one of the most exciting categories in consumer audio. Brands like Audioengine, Edifier, Creative and Onkyo compete fiercely. That means the quality on offer today would have cost twice as much just a few years ago.
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My top budget computer speakers
Every speaker on this list connects over Bluetooth (except one AirPlay-only option), so you can stream wirelessly from your iPhone, iPad or MacBook without fussing with excessive cables in your computer setup. But most also offer wired alternatives — USB, RCA, or a 3.5mm aux input — for when you want a more stable, lower-latency connection.
We’ve covered the full price range, from desk-friendly budget options under $100 to premium 2.0 systems pushing up toward a still-relatively-affordable $300-$400. Whether you prioritize flat, accurate sound for music production or a warm, room-filling rumble for entertainment, there’s something here for you.
Best computer speaker picks under $150 per pair
10. Logitech Z407 — $108
Photo: Logitech
If your main concern is getting loud, satisfying sound without spending much, the Logitech Z407 is hard to beat. This 2.1 system pairs two compact satellite speakers with a dedicated down-firing subwoofer, delivering 80W of peak power that’s genuinely impressive for the price. Connectivity covers Bluetooth, micro-USB, and a 3.5mm jack, and a wireless control dial — usable up to 20 meters away — lets you adjust volume and bass without reaching across your desk. The capsule-shaped satellites can be oriented horizontally or vertically to suit your setup. Bass-heavy listeners will find this system particularly satisfying, though the subwoofer can feel a touch overwhelming in very small rooms.
This USB speaker-and-subwoofer combo includes wireless control and immersive sound.
- Affordable audio power
- Includes subwoofer
- Wireless control dial
- Subwoofer might be overkill in small rooms
9. Creative Pebble Pro — $65
Photo: Creative
At just $65, the 60-watt Creative Pebble Pro brings almost absurdly good value. These tiny orb-shaped 2.0 speakers use 2.25-inch full-range drivers angled at 45 degrees to point sound directly at your ears. They’re powered entirely by a single USB-C cable — no separate power adapter required. Sound is crisp and bright, with a built-in gain switch that noticeably boosts volume when you need it. A Bluetooth 5.3 connection makes wireless pairing a snap. This isn’t a speaker for bass enthusiasts, and it won’t fill a large room, but for a clean desk setup on a tight budget, not much at this price comes close.
Creative Pebble Pro Minimalist 2.0 USB-C Computer Speakers feature Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity, customizable RGB lighting, plus Clear Dialog and BassFlex technologies.
- 60-watt peak output
- RGB lighting
- Enhanced dialogue through Clear Dialog
- Not the most powerful speakers
- Added bass may not please everyone
8. Edifier MR3 — $120
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac
Edifier MR3 is a set of Hi-Res Audio-certified studio monitors that just happen to work brilliantly as everyday desktop speakers. Their 3.5-inch mid-low drivers and 1-inch silk dome tweeters with a dimpled waveguide deliver a flat, neutral frequency response from 52Hz to 40kHz — ideal for anyone who values accuracy over coloration. The Class-D amplifier provides 18W × 2 (RMS) output power and Bluetooth 5.4 with dual-device connectivity means easy switching between your laptop and phone. The companion Edifier ConneX app offers a six-band EQ and room compensation settings. Rear bass and treble knobs allow quick acoustic adjustments without going into the app. I find the MR3s such a good value that I use them daily in my M4 Pro MacBook Pro setup.
These powered studio monitor speakers are Hi-Res Audio certified and connect via wire or Bluetooth V5.4. They include a headphone output and an array of control options.
- Hi-Res Audio certified
- Front-panel headphone output
- Look elsewhere for raw power
The main list: From very good to insanely great computer speakers
7. Edifier M60 — $199
Photo: Edifier
A step up from the MR3, Edifier M60 fits more speaker performance into a surprisingly compact cabinet. At $199, the M60 pumps out 66W RMS and offers Bluetooth 5.3 with LDAC support for hi-res wireless audio, and USB-C input alongside a 3.5mm aux. The included angled desk stands tilt the drivers toward your ears for better near-field imaging — a thoughtful touch that few brands include. Sound is fuller and more assured than the MR3, with tighter bass, smoother vocals and stronger clarity in the mids. M60 is a strong all-rounder for music, video calls and casual listening.
The M60 is a compact desktop speaker designed for high-resolution audio reproduction. With its impressive power output and sleek design, it’s a great addition to any desktop setup.
- Compact design, great for computer setups
- Hi-Res Audio certified
- Desk stands included
- No HDMI eARC
- No AirPlay 2
- Not the latest version of Bluetooth
6. Creative Pebble Nova — $280
Photo: Creative Labs
Creative’s most ambitious Pebble yet ditches the budget playbook entirely. Each of the two spherical speakers uses a coaxial driver layout, pairing a 3-inch woofer with a 1-inch tweeter on the same axis — a design that improves time alignment and soundstage coherence. Power is rated at 50W RMS with a peak of 100W, making these the loudest Pebble speakers ever made. The signature 45-degree elevated driver angle directs audio straight at your ears. Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C and 3.5mm connectivity are all present, and a companion app handles EQ and channel-swapping. The spherical design with bronze-accented coaxial drivers is genuinely eye-catching. And the included metal stands are nice.
A coaxial driver design gives Pebble Nova powerful sound in a compact package. They're the top of the Creative Pebble line.
- Coaxial drivers provide power
- Stands included
- Broad connectivity options
- Bigger speakers may provide more power and bass
5. Onkyo Creator Series GX-10DB — $199
Photo: Onkyo
The revived Onkyo brand made a strong impression at CES 2025 with its Creator Series, and the GX-10DB is the more affordable of the two models. It offers Bluetooth 5.3 LE, USB-C, RCA with a built-in phono stage for vinyl, and optical connectivity, plus a subwoofer output for future expansion. The design is clean and premium-feeling with removable cloth speaker grilles. And the included plastic speaker stands angle the drivers for better near-field listening. Sound is capable and well-balanced for the price, with particular strength in the midrange. If you want a versatile desktop speaker that can also connect to a turntable without any extra gear, this is one of the most practical options on the list.
These versatile speakers pack 3-inch woofers, USB/C, line/Phono, Optical ports and Bluetooth 5.3 LE Audio connectivity.
- Well-balanced sound
- Versatile connectivity
- Stands included
- You need to upgrade if you want Onkyo's best
4. Onkyo Creator Series GX-30ARC — $349
Photo: Onkyo
The bigger Onkyo sibling adds HDMI ARC to the feature set, making it the most versatile speaker on this list. Inputs include USB-C, optical, RCA with a built-in phono preamp, 3.5mm aux, HDMI ARC and Bluetooth 5.3 LE. You can connect up to six sources simultaneously and switch between them with the included remote. Sound is consistently praised by reviewers, with music, movies and podcasts all described as brilliant. The bottom end that holds up the mids and highs without overpowering them. If you want your computer speakers to double as your TV’s audio system, this is the obvious choice under $350. Note that pricing has fluctuated since launch, so shop around before buying.
Versatile connectivity is the name of the game here. Onkyo's best include not only 4-inch woofers, but USB/C, line/Phono, Optical Ports, HDMI ARC and Bluetooth 5.3 LE Audio connectivity.
- Stellar connectivity
- Midrange power, solid lows
- Somewhat expensive
3. Audioengine A2+ Wireless — $269
Photo: Audioengine
A long-standing favorite among audiophiles with space constraints, the Audioengine A2+ has been a benchmark for compact desktop sound since 2013. At just 152 x 101 x 134mm, these compact enclosures pack in Bluetooth aptX-HD, USB and analog stereo input and output via RCA and 3.5mm minijack. The left speaker is the active unit, housing a dual class A/B amplifier with 60W peak total power, connected to the passive right speaker via speaker wire. The A2+ delivers a pleasing, balanced mix of treble, midrange and bass tones, with none overwhelming the other. Bass is limited by the 2.75-inch drivers, and a matching subwoofer is available separately. For music clarity and build quality in a minimal footprint, these remain a top-tier choice.
Suitable for music or gaming, Audioengine's compact but powerful desktop computer speakers can operate via wire or wirelessly via Bluetooth. Power level: 60 watts.
- Great for music or gaming
- Wired or wireless Bluetooth connectivity
- Some might prefer higher wattage
- Desk stands sold separately
2. Edifier M90 — $369
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac
If you want to take another step up from Edifier’s MR3 and M60, above, go for its hot new M90 speakers. For $370, you get potent 100W RMS, slick, high-speed HDMI eARC connectivity to smart TVs/home theaters as well as some other perks. I found them quite impressive in my recent, 5-star review. The key thing with these is that they bring audio brawn and clarity to almost any situation. I’d love to have them in my M4 Pro MacBook Pro setup, but I already use Edifier MR3 speakers there. So I’m happy to deploy the M90s via HDMI eARC with my Roku smart TV, where they absolutely crush the TV’s own speakers and the small soundbar I had been making do with. And if you’re a console gamer, these are killer.
Boasting 100-watt RMS audio power and HDMI eARC connectivity, these desktop speakers serve well in TV and gaming setups. They feature remote control, Hi-Res Audio, LDAC codec, Bluetooth 6.0, HDMI eARC/Optical/USB-C/AUX input and subwoofer output. Comes in black or white colors.
- Great for desktop and TV setups
- HDMI eARC/Optical/USB-C/Blueooth 6.0 connectivity
- Remote control
- No AirPlay 2
- Lots of features, so they're not cheap
1. Audioengine A5+ Wireless — $399
Photo: [email protected]
For those who want the absolute most from a 2.0 system at this price ceiling, Audioengine A5+ Wireless is the answer. Larger than the A2+, the A5+ uses 5-inch aramid fiber woofers and 3/4-inch silk dome tweeters to produce a genuinely room-filling sound that can handle spaces well beyond a typical home office. The built-in class A/B amplifier delivers 150W peak power, and connectivity includes aptX Bluetooth 5.0, USB, and RCA inputs along with a variable output for a subwoofer. Build quality is exceptional — solid MDF cabinets finished in satin black, high-gloss white, or red — and Audioengine backs them with a three-year warranty. At $399, this is the most powerful, full-sounding desktop 2.0 speaker system you can buy without exceeding the budget.
These premium 150-watt stereo studio-monitor speakers are great for music, gaming and home theater use.
- Great sound with detailed highs
- Versatile connectivity
- Limited on-speaker controls
- Somewhat pricey
Bonus pick for Apple users
Apple HomePod mini — $99 each
Photo: Apple
Apple’s HomePod mini occupies a unique niche on this list, so I added it in its own special place. At just 3.3 inches tall, it delivers 360-degree audio powered by an Apple-designed full-range driver with neodymium magnet and computational audio processing via the S5 chip. It connects to Macs, iPhones and iPads via AirPlay — not traditional Bluetooth (which is only used for setup) — so it’s effectively an Apple-ecosystem-only proposition (but a great one!). It uses Bluetooth 5.0 for AirPlay handoff features, but cannot be used as a standard Bluetooth speaker. For Apple users, though, it’s a genuinely impressive-sounding compact speaker with Siri built in, and two units work great as a stereo pair.
Apple's tiny but powerful smart speaker delivers surprisingly good audio for its size. Plus, it works well with the Apple ecosystem.
- Sounds sweet, especially in stereo pair
- Works great with Siri
- Comes in great colors
- More expensive than competition
David Snow, an expert on Apple hardware and software, writes on a variety of technological and cultural topics for Cult of Mac. They include Apple news, technology buying guides, and features about computer setups and Apple TV shows and movies.
With 30 years of experience covering technology and other subjects, he has written and edited for numerous print and online publications, including CMP Media, TechTV.com, CNET, Wired News, Red Herring magazine, Law.com, The National Law Journal and Law Technology News magazine. Among other roles, he served as executive editor of the Law.com network of websites and editorial director, technology, for ALM Media.
Snow graduated with a B.A. from Syracuse University with majors in magazine journalism and psychology. While there, he worked as a reporter for The Daily Orange newspaper and associate editor of Equal Time magazine.
Founder of the blog At the Waterline, he can be reached on X (formerly Twitter) via @atthewaterline and on Mastodon via @dsnow.
