Best computer speakers for your desktop

Logitech has long been a name in computer peripherals and the Z407 hit a sweet spot when it comes to computer speakers, making this an ideal solution for many users. They’re not too expensive, but have the performance and the features to make them a top choice.

This is a 2.1 speaker system, with the left and right speakers connecting to the subwoofer. The choice of connections caters for most needs, with Bluetooth, 3.5mm or USB. Set-up is easy too, taking about 5 minutes.

The left and right speakers have a little stand, which is a little plasticky and flimsy, but it does allow the speakers to stand vertically or horizontally — the latter making for a minimalist installation. There's a wireless controller dial, so you can adjust the volume and the bass level, which is convenient.

However, the packaging for the controller leaves a sticky residue on it, so be warned you'll have to clean this off before using.

The Pebble family of speakers covers plenty of options, but the Creative Pebble Plus is a great computer speaker for those who don't want to spend a lot of money — and the performance is excellent.

The compact left and right speakers are angled upwards 45 degrees, creating a lovely immersive soundscape, while the subwoofer — a rare thing at this price — brings meaty low tones to the experience, making these speakers great for films, games and music. I found them especially good for listening to pop music.

There's no wireless connection, only 3.5mm wired, and the power comes from USB so there's no power pack supplied. You can power them from a USB port on your computer, or use an old power pack from a phone — but the set-up is just a case of plugging a couple of wires in and connecting the subwoofer. There will be wires all over your desk, but for the money, you're getting a lot of speaker.

If you want something more powerful, or with fancy lights, it's worth looking at the Creative Pebble X Pro Plus too.

Ruark Audio is best known for its retro design and these are certainly some of the best-looking speakers around — ideal if you want them to fit into your home a little better. There are no fancy lights, no plastic, just good build quality and a great aesthetic.

Although the Ruark MR1 Mk2 are some of the best desktop speakers you can get, they're not solely designed for computer use. There's no USB here, with Bluetooth likely to be the primary method of connection. Displaying wider audio credentials, there is a 3.5mm input as well as an optical input and an output for a subwoofer, which you'd have to buy separately.

That's perhaps a nod to the sound positioning of these speakers. They offer a great clear sound that's wonderfully neutral. That means they sound less bassy than many of the speakers on this list. That also makes them a better choice for music that's not driving bass. I found them to be simply wonderful for classical music. Perhaps that's fitting, because these speakers are a class above — and the price reflects that.

The Edifier MR4 is a pair of stereo bookshelf speakers that make a good option for your computer. They offer a minimalist but serious design, with exposed speaker cones on the front (keep little fingers away from these).

Technically these speakers are studio monitors, aimed at those wanting an affordable pair of speakers for music production work — and that explains the connections on the rear, including twin 6.35mm connections from audio equipment. There's 3.5mm cable for connection to a computer included but there's no Bluetooth on this particular model, so no wireless connection is offered.

The idea behind studio monitors is that they give you a flat response so you can hear more detail in the music. The result is that these speakers don't have thumping bass, so might not suit all music tastes. But if talk radio, podcasts and classical music are more your style, these are a great choice; they're less good for games or films.

SteelSeries is a big name in PC gaming accessories and its Arena speakers are designed for computers, with gamers in mind. At the top of the range are the Arena 9 offering a full surround sound system for gamers — but they cost close to £500. The Arena 7 takes a step down, offering a 2.1 system, with a powerful subwoofer for room-shaking bass, but with a more acceptable price.

All the connections go through the subwoofer, with the option of a USB connection to your computer or wireless Bluetooth. There's a volume control on the right-hand speaker and a dial on the subwoofer to adjust the bass level, but set-up and use is easy. The multitude of connections means you can connect your TV, for example, for more diverse uses.

The sound quality and performance of these speakers is excellent, but they might be overpowering and too expensive for casual users. The satellite speakers are equipped with multicoloured lighting for an added boost, but this can only be controlled via the computer app, making this a great choice for those with more serious gaming needs.

These speakers are also great for watching films, thanks to the ample performance they offer, and I loved them for dance music.

Edifier's QR65 speakers have a number of appealing features. The leather-effect finish is quite traditional, while the mirrored face with embedded lighting effects is modern and unique. It's a fusion of design ideas, which some will love, and some might find confusing — but it’s a guaranteed conversation starter.

Set-up and connection is easy, with Bluetooth or a choice of wired connections, making these ideal for computer use. The right speaker carries a dial for volume and one to control the lighting effects but also has a 65W charger, with USB-A and USB-C connections, so you can use it to fast charge your phone, tablet or laptop.

Fortunately, it's not all gimmicks, because the sound quality is great. Despite not having a subwoofer, these speakers offer enough bass to keep most people happy, so they’re better for modern music compared to some of the other 2.0 speakers on this list. I particularly enjoyed catching up on Taylor Swift's greatest hits with these.

These speakers will divide opinion, but you can't argue with the quality: they make a statement, but they back it up with performance. Unfortunately, for more advanced controls, you'll need to use the smartphone app.

Soundbars are now popular, putting the speakers into one box for a cleaner installation. The Creative Stage SE is designed to sit on your desk under your monitor to boost the sound output from your computer. It's a single-box solution, with no separate subwoofer, which means fewer wires on your desk but thinner sound too.

Set-up couldn't be easier: you connect it to the power and then connect it to your computer via USB or Bluetooth and you're good to go. I was set up in less than 5 minutes.

There's a multi-function knob on the soundbar that will allow you to adjust the volume, as well as switch between Bluetooth or wired connections. The Stage SE will announce things by voice, for example when it's in Bluetooth pairing mode, but there's also the option to turn this off.

There is a remote that lets you adjust the tone slightly, as well as engaging a "surround" mode, but it doesn't make much of a difference. There's a dialog mode on the remote designed to make voices sound clearer when watching TV or films.

The glossy finish is prone to attracting dust so I was forever wiping it clean, while the sound output is a little limited — but that's reflected in the price. That means it’s a better choice for those looking to boost the sound in video calls or less demanding apps, but it's less good for music, films and gaming.

Razer is a gaming brand, so this soundbar is specifically designed for computer use. It's compact so will fit under a monitor, with the option for angled feet to point it more directly up towards you. The design is mostly minimalist, with buttons on the top to switch inputs or adjust the volume.

There's a separate subwoofer to supply the rich bassy tones, making for a great sound overall, especially in films and games. The soundstage isn't as wide as a 2.1 system, but there's THX enhancement for spatial audio, which makes a noticeable difference.

You'll need the PC app if you want to turn the subwoofer down, control the lighting that this speaker offers or adjust the sound output. That makes the Leviathan a little more involved, requiring a little more work than some of the options on the list (but more customisable too).

Connection is via Bluetooth or USB, but there are no other options for inputs or outputs and set-up involved a computer restart for me, so it took longer than all the other options on this list. As a soundbar, the Razer Leviathan is great for games and films, with real quality, but it's not as simple as some other solutions.