Best Computer Speakers Under $100 2022
We find you the best PC speakers under $100!
Sound is such a critical part of any human experience. The way a beat can make our hair stand on ends, a melody can make our hearts swell, or a screech can make us shirk in fear, sound can tug at your emotions in a dozen ways, but when you’re on a budget a lot of us can feel a need to skimp on the peripherals like speakers. I’m here to tell you today that you don’t need to break the bank to achieve quality sound on your computer.
Speaker technology has come a long way over the years, and while the essence of the product has remained the same, first-time buyers may have a lot of questions still. What does a product mean when it’s talking about the bass? Do I want it to be strong or subtle? Are synced RBG lights a necessity and worth the extra cash? How much do I need Bluetooth connectivity for my desktop speakers?
Understanding all these factors and how effective a device is going to be at fulfilling your needs can be a bit daunting, especially as it can be challenging to test speakers properly in-store. This is where we come in. Below we’re going to take you through a set of affordable but high-quality speakers and show you just what we love about them so you can figure out which one best suits your needs.
Our Top Picks
Best Computer Speakers Under $100
No items found.
No items found.
In-depth Review
Logitech Multimedia Speaker System Z533
Logitech Multimedia Speaker System Z533
The Logitech Z533 speaker system with Subwoofer features the widest range of connectivity of all the devices on this list. With three possible connection points for devices, you can happily connect these speakers up to your PC, Laptop, and TV all at once if you desire, creating a simple and affordable home entertainment system.
The control all comes from one simple wired remote that allows you easily command of the volume and power to the device, meaning you don’t have to reach around the back of your computer or speakers, hunting for the off switch.
The device only uses 60w RMS (120 peak) of power and features an energy-saving mode, combined with its upfront price; you’ll be able to save money at every turn.
The Z533 also has a wonderfully sleek and simple design. The black and gold coloring gives it a touch of luxury in an understated way, leading to a very refined and distinguished look.
Sadly, for all its connection options, the Z533 lacks any Bluetooth capability, meaning it lacks the range of use that other devices have.
While convenient, the wired controller also causes an issue with its short cable that is wired directly to the subwoofer. This will limit the placement of your speakers considerably, should you wish to keep the remote accessible.
The power-saving mode, while commendable from Logitech in an effort to save energy, also seems to have a very low threshold. It is triggered when the speakers no longer detect any audio input and so shut down. However, it will do this even when there is audio playing if the audio is quiet enough. It would appear the sensor is external rather than reading audio input from the computer, which is an odd design choice.
Creative A250 2.1 Multimedia Speaker System
Creative A250 2.1 Multimedia Speaker System
The Creative A250 (2.1) Speaker System with Down-firing Ported Subwoofer is a small and mighty piece of kit. The Satellite speakers promise not to steal all your desk space yet they, and the subwoofer still come together to deliver a powerful experience at a price that won’t break the bank. The design of the A250 offers a twist on the classic speaker design, in a welcome aesthetic shift from the norm without being an overt statement that might put some off were they too bold in their design.
For the price of these speakers, you’d be hard-pressed to find better sound quality either. The A250 promises loud and detailed audio with an enhanced mid-bass and amazingly accurate sonic imaging, and it delivers.
The speakers are not without their issues, unfortunately. They completely lack any Bluetooth connectivity meaning they’re incredibly static in their application. They are attached to your PC, and that is all they will be for. In addition to this, they also lack any headphone jack being available, meaning that a shift from speaker to headphones will require you to unplug the entire device from your PC and plug in your headphones, which can get messy for some more complex PC designs.
While they boast that the integrated volume and power controls as a selling point, I would actually count it against the product. By linking volume and the power in the same switch, Creative has made it impossible for you to find that golden volume level and just leave it as is, instead you will have to find that sweet spot every time you turn the speakers on.
Logitech Z337 Bold Sound Bluetooth Wireless 2.1 Speaker System
Logitech Z337 Bold Sound Bluetooth Wireless 2.1 Speaker System
The Logitech Z337 Speaker System combines the excellent quality sound and performance from the Logitech Z533, with the Bluetooth capabilities and more compact design of the Creative A250. The Z337’s Bluetooth has a reliable 15-meter connection range, meaning you can be sure your music will keep playing as long as you’re in the room.
The Z337 also doesn’t sacrifice wired connectivity in favor of Bluetooth, as it still has a 3.5mm input, an RCA input, and a headphone jack.
The headphone jack is easily accessible via the control pod, allowing for quick changes between your speakers and headphones during online gameplay or late at night.
The Z337 features 80 Watts Peak/40 Watts RMS power, which is less than the Z533, but still more than enough to drive the sound through a room, with the max volume being perhaps louder than one needs to go.
The main detraction for this speaker system is the same problem that haunted the Z533, despite Logitech having the Bluetooth option on this device, they still insisted on a wired controller which, again, limits your placement options with the subwoofer if you want easy access to volume, power, Bluetooth control, and the headphone jack.
No items found.
No items found.
No items found.
No items found.
No items found.
No items found.
Final Word
Ultimately, all these products had their merits. Be it price, size, freedom of choice, or pure aesthetics, they all had strengths.
Now we come to the end of things; I hope this article was as informative to read as I found it to research and write, and shows just how much surprising detail can go into a speaker while making it clear that it’s not as daunting as it can seem. Even if it does still feel scary, at least now you have a comprehensive set of options to choose from.
If you found this article useful or have any comments or questions, please drop a comment in the section below. Maybe you have an idea for another product that I missed, opinions on the specifics listed, or an issue that wasn’t covered in the article. Even better, head on over to our Community hub where you can chat with all kinds of like-minded folk and continue the discussion.