Upgrade Your Audio: The Best Budget PC Speakers Under $100

Tired of the weak, underwhelming sound emanating from your laptop speakers? You’re not alone. Many built-in laptop audio systems suffer from a lack of clarity, depth, and overall fidelity. Whether you’re enjoying music, movies, or games, subpar audio can significantly detract from the experience, especially when sharing with friends and family. Fortunately, you don’t need to break the bank to drastically improve your PC audio. High-quality PC speakers are available at surprisingly affordable prices.

Forget the notion that you need a complex and expensive 7.1 surround sound system. For under $100, you can discover a range of budget-friendly PC speakers that deliver impressive audio quality. While compromises are inevitable at this price point, the best budget computer speakers provide an enjoyable listening experience without emptying your wallet.

Why Trust Our Recommendations?

Our team of experienced audio reviewers has rigorously tested numerous budget speaker models. We’ve sifted through the market, identifying the speakers that stand out for their performance, value, and overall quality. Our testing methodology is comprehensive and designed to simulate real-world usage.

We set up each speaker system in a typical home office environment. We then play a diverse selection of audio tracks, pushing the speakers to their performance limits. We analyze every aspect of the speaker, from its design and build quality to its audio fidelity and ease of use. We meticulously compare and contrast different models, allowing us to provide informed and tailored recommendations.

Our Top Picks for Budget PC Speakers

Here are some of our favorite budget PC speakers, categorized by their strengths and ideal use cases:

Creative Pebble: The Unexpected Champion

Pros: Surprisingly rich and immersive audio, compact design, incredibly affordable.
Cons: Lacks Bluetooth connectivity.

We were genuinely surprised by the Creative Pebble. These unassuming $25 speakers defied our expectations, delivering audio quality that rivals models twice their price and size. The USB-powered 2.0 system produces a clear and detailed sound that enhances any listening experience. While the absence of Bluetooth is a drawback for mobile device users, the Pebble remains an exceptional value for PC audio.

Ideal for: Those on a very tight budget who still want surprisingly good audio.

AmazonBasics USB-Powered Computer Speakers: Rock-Bottom Price, Decent Sound

Pros: Extremely affordable, simple plug-and-play USB connectivity, attractive LED accent lights.
Cons: May not satisfy audiophiles seeking high-fidelity sound.

The AmazonBasics USB-powered computer speakers offer a well-rounded audio experience at an unbeatable price. These speakers are incredibly easy to use with their simple plug-and-play USB connectivity. The addition of blue LED accent lights adds a touch of style. If your primary goal is to improve upon the basic sound of your PC without spending much, these speakers provide a solid solution.

Ideal for: Those with very limited funds who just need functional sound from their PC.

Monoprice DT-3BT: Quality and Simplicity

Pros: Clear audio, Bluetooth 5.0, TRS and RCA jacks, understated design.
Cons: May lack the visual appeal of more stylish speakers.

Monoprice has a long-standing reputation for providing affordable, quality tech gear. The 50-watt DT-3BT desktop speakers uphold this tradition, offering clear audio and versatile connectivity options. Bluetooth 5.0 ensures a stable wireless connection, while TRS and RCA jacks provide compatibility with a range of devices. With a simple and understated design, and a reasonable price, these speakers are an excellent choice for those who prioritize sound quality and ease of setup.

Ideal for: Music lovers who appreciate layered audio and want to fill their living room with sound.

Creative Pebble Pro: Feature-Rich and Versatile

Pros: Enhanced connectivity (USB, 3.5mm aux, Bluetooth), headset and microphone jacks, customizable RGB lighting.
Cons: Higher price point compared to the original Pebble.

The Creative Pebble Pro builds upon the success of the original Pebble, adding a wealth of features and enhancements. The expanded connectivity options allow you to connect multiple devices, including smartphones, tablets, and gaming consoles. The inclusion of headset and microphone jacks makes it an ideal choice for gamers and streamers. Customizable RGB lighting adds a touch of personalization.

Ideal for: Those who need versatile speakers for multiple devices and appreciate additional features like headset connectivity and RGB lighting.

Cyber Acoustics CA-2890 Speaker Bar: Space-Saving Solution

Pros: Clip-on design, clear audio reproduction, minimal distortion at high volume.
Cons: Lacks bass and proper stereo output.

The Cyber Acoustics CA-2890 Speaker Bar offers a unique space-saving solution. Its clip-on design allows you to attach it to your monitor, freeing up valuable desk space. The clear audio reproduction and lack of distortion at high volumes make it a solid choice for basic audio needs. However, the lack of bass and proper stereo output may not satisfy audiophiles.

Ideal for: Those with limited desk space who prefer a clean and uncluttered setup.

Creative Pebble X Plus: Complete Audio Solution

Pros: USB, Bluetooth, and 3.5mm auxiliary input, two speakers and a woofer, RGB lighting.
Cons: The plastic film under the woofer needs to be removed.

The Creative Pebble X Plus is a complete audio solution with versatile connectivity. You can connect it wirelessly to your phone or wire it up to create a complete audio solution for your bedroom, dorm room, or home office. The two speakers and woofer comfortably fill a room with sound. They produce a clear soundstage with good level of detail in the mids and treble range. The speakers also sport RGB lighting.

Ideal for: Those who want a complete audio solution for their bedroom, dorm room or home office.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Budget PC Speakers

Speaker Configuration: 2.0, 2.1, or More?

In the sub-$100 price range, a 5.1 multi-channel speaker setup (five speakers, one subwoofer) won’t sound as good as better models. The same amount of money can buy a much better-quality two-speaker system. These basic 2.0 stereo setups, which are comprised of just a left and right speaker with a single driver (the actual loudspeaker) in each, abound in this price range. Occasionally you can also find a decent 2.1 system — a pair of speakers to handle the higher frequencies and separate subwoofer for the bass — for not much more. These take up extra space but often produce more balanced sound.

Sound Quality: Trust Your Ears

Don’t lean too heavily on manufacturers’ specs when making a decision. Even if you can parse frequency response numbers, they are often exaggerated. Let your ears be your guide instead. Listen for a good balance between the high (treble), mid, and low (bass) frequencies. Often, speakers will exaggerate one — usually the treble or the bass — at the expense of the others. Good speakers will produce full, detailed audio that sounds as the creator intended it.

Be aware, though, that finding strong bass response in this price range can be challenging. Without a subwoofer, 2.0 systems have trouble reproducing low frequencies. The manufacturers often use technological tweaks to amplify the bass notes, but these can sound boomy, and distort the overall mix. If a deep, controlled bottom end is a priority, a 2.1 system might be a better investment.

Power Source: USB vs. AC

Both these options are prevalent in the sub-$100 price range. USB-powered speakers reduce cord clutter, as they don’t need a separate power cable. However, they can’t supply as much juice as the AC variety, so they tend to produce lower volume and less bass.

Design and Ergonomics

You wouldn’t think it could matter much, but even among budget PC speakers, design can play a big part in how your speaker sounds and how easy it is to use. For example, PC speakers that fire downwards instead of upwards may produce muffled sound, since the sound will have to bounce off an extra surface before reaching your ears. Design can also play a big part determining things like how portable your speaker is. For example, wired speakers aren’t as easy to use on the go as those with Bluetooth connectivity, and small portable speakers are preferable over big cumbersome ones if you need to move them from location to location.

Speaker Placement

You can expect there to be two or sometimes three components to your PC speakers. Ideally, you’ll want as an immersive sound as you can possibility get, which in a two-piece setup means placing a speaker either side of your PC. If your speakers also come with a woofer, this is best placed on the ground, since the heavier vibrations it produces will likely cause some rattling on your desk. Slightly angling your speakers towards your ears makes the speakers easier to hear. If you want more of a cinematic kind of sound experience you might like to also move each of your speakers further out from your laptop. This will broaden the sound stage you get from your speaker setup.

Upgrading your PC audio doesn’t have to be expensive. With a little research and careful consideration, you can find a set of budget-friendly speakers that significantly enhance your listening experience.