Who needs the best gaming speaker in 2021 when you’ve already got a quality gaming headset, right? Gaming speakers are often looked upon as unneeded in this day and age of high-resolution audio offering headsets.
However, there is a case to be made for them. Because, let’s admit it, how long are you going to bear the strain of having ear cans over your ears nonstop? Having a hard day? No problem, strain your body and your head some more by strapping a half kilo mass or a headset on and playing through the strain.
Don’t get us wrong, a quality gaming headset will always be a thing of beauty. But sometimes, all you want is to sit back and relax in a room pulsating with the sounds of your favorite song or—even better—your favorite game.
So while gaming speakers tend to be overlooked, they really shouldn’t be. The advantages to having one are many:
First of all, what good is having high quality graphics when you receive it with scratchy or poor audio? Great graphics deserve great audio. If not, then why bother.
Also, installing quality gaming speakers will give you an advantage over your teammates and opponents as you battle for supremacy over PC or console. And this would be simply because a good gaming speaker allows you to hear even the tiny sounds from far away within the game.
You never have to worry about a zombie, and alien, or another enemy sneaking up on you and ending your session prematurely.
And lastly, gaming speakers are versatile; you can use them for other uses outside of gaming like listening to your favorite songs from your favorite artists or TED talks while you decompress from a hard day at the office.
Good gaming speakers are simply a must-have.
Now, the choice of gaming speaker depends on a few factors like available space, available budget, and your preference when it comes to sound features like bass and quality.
With enough space, you could probably look at the typical 2.1, left and right speaker setup that features a roof-shaking subwoofer if you want to receive excellent sound depth and positional or 3-D audio.
However, that option would be expensive and may or may not lie out of your budget’s reach.
Gamers with lower budgets would still do very well for themselves with soundbars. These devices also come with subwoofers that shake the walls and give you an immersive feeling of being present in the game you are playing. And the best part is that these subwoofers are small enough to tuck into tight spaces like under your gaming desk. These are favorable options if you are tight on space and budget, yet still need an audio upgrade.
It’s also important to know a little bit about the underlying tech when searching for the best gaming speaker for your game station. These and more are the things we will be outlining below in our list of the gaming speakers you absolutely must look at; and this is because they separate the best speakers from the also-rans.
There are hundreds and hundreds of speakers out there vying for your attention, of course, each claiming to be good enough for your game corner. But only a few qualify as the outright best. So to make things easy for you, we separated the contenders from the pretenders to present you a winning list of the very best gaming speakers in 2021.
Best Gaming Speakers for PC Gamers
| Product | Key Features | Our Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Bose Companion 2 Series III | • Perfect for listening to music • Extremely easy to set up | 4.7 |
| Logitech Lightsync G560 Speakers | • Powerful 3-D sound effects along with the rich, bass-heavy audio. • RGB lighting | 4.8 |
| Creative Pebble Plus | • Produces richer, crisper, clearer sound than any of its similarly priced competitors • Small and compact in size | 4.3 |
| Creative Stage 2.1 | • Compatible with most devices in your home • Combination of a subwoofer and a soundbar | 4.6 |
| Razer Leviathan: Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound | • Bluetooth • Perfect for gaming | 4.8 |
| Logitech Z906 | • Incredible surround sound • Perfect for gaming/movie nights | 4.9 |
| Logitech Z623 | • Built in headphone jack for private listening • Integrated controls | 4.6 |
| Cyber Acoustics CA-3602A | • 2 speakers & a subwoofer • Decent for gaming | 4.4 |
| TaoTronics Gaming Computer Speaker | • Bluetooth compatibility with most devices • Perfect for gaming/listening to music | 4.5 |
| Cyber Acoustics Bluetooth CA-3712BT | • Bluetooth • LED | 4.5 |
Bose Companion 2 Series III
As one of the most trusted names in the audio field, Bose hardly needs an introduction. And the minimalist design that goes into the Companion 2 Series III is just the sort that would fit nicely into any PC gaming setup. This is the perfect PC gaming speaker for you if you wish to upgrade your sound above the scratchy inbuilt PC speaker, but don’t want anything too flashy or pretentious.
You won’t get roof-shaking, pulsating bass from this gaming speaker, but you will get great audio nonetheless even at high volumes.
It is important to note that the Bose Companion 2 Series III are not dedicated gaming speakers, though. You want to keep that in mind while you are on the search for a speaker. This speaker can be used to listen to music and other sounds just as it can be used for gaming.
If you plan on using your speaker for activities outside of our gaming, then you want to take a serious look at the Bose Companion Series 2 III.
In addition to all the above, these speakers are easy to set up and connect to any desktop or laptop, and they feature an easy-to-access aux port which makes it easy to switch to headsets or headphones whenever you desire.
Logitech Lightsync G560 Speakers
Logitech! You probably know them for making some of the best keyboards and mice—dedicated to gaming and otherwise—available on the market. Did you know they also make excellent gaming speakers too?
In fact, many ‘best’ lists put the Logitech Lightsync G560 Speakers as the best overall gaming speakers on the market today. This is a gaming speaker that offers the best of everything to PC gamers who would not settle for anything less.
From a physical and aesthetic point of view, you can expect the same as you would from any 2.1 speaker set: two powerful stereo speakers and a large, conspicuous subwoofer. The Logitech Lightsync G560 comes with support for virtual sound surround to offer powerful 3-D sound effects along with the rich, bass-heavy audio.
On top of that, you still have the option of tweaking and making changes to the default sound—rich as it is—to arrive at something that is suited to your tastes and preferences.
If you happen to have mixed feelings about RGB lighting and whether they add or subtract from the aesthetics of a device, rest assured that the Logitech Lightsync G560 will leave you firmly in favor of them. Logitech takes advantage of their years in their field to produce RGB lighting that is nowhere near gimmicky.
You are more likely to appreciate the RGB system that goes into the Logitech Lightsync G560 than otherwise, and your gaming experience will most likely benefit from it.
Logitech’s software also enables you to choose between two different control modes for their speakers. Hardware control skips on the software and leverages Bluetooth and AUX input for lighting. This mode offers a gentle color mosaic akin to a rainbow that serves as an audio visualization, pulsing to the sound of the beats.
Software control, on the other hand, enables you to choose between color cycle, fixed color, breathing, screen sampler, audio-visualizer, and lighting modes.
For a demonstration of the class and elegance of the Logitech Lightsync G560, one need only look towards the screen sampler. Similar to the ambient TV backlighting products, the screen sampler software takes user-defined areas of the gaming display and stretches the colors outwards to produce an immersive lighting experience.
For the best result, you need to place the speakers right next to your display or screen with their backs against the wall.
Creative Pebble Plus
Who would want quality PC gaming speakers that cost less than $50 anyway? Well, everybody, that’s who. And that’s one of the strongest reasons why the Creative Pebble Plus is so popular.
Now, there are many gaming speakers going for less than $50 on the market today that can be characterized as okay. And usually, this can leave you a little spoilt for choice and indecisive, since the differences between them are minimal.
However, the Creative Pebble Plus manages to stand out from the pack due to their big sound and small size.
In spite of consuming just 8 Watts of power, the Creative Pebble Plus produces richer, crisper, clearer sound than any of its similarly priced competitors—even those that ran on twice and thrice the amount of power.
Distortion is minimal when playing sounds at the highest volume, and the only complaint you might have is that the lack of bass control to make the customization more dynamic.
The small, compact size makes this speaker one of the best options for people on the go and for whom space might be a premium. You could literally just slide these speakers onto a tiny area of your desk and be okay.
There is no other gaming speaker that beats the Creative Pebble Plus at this price range. For better speakers you would have to enter the mid-range and high-range.
Creative Stage 2.1
The last entry from Creative was a budget option for those who require solid performance but lack the necessary budget. This entry by creative is a little bit more ambitious pricewise and sits in the mid-range category.
The Creative Stage 2.1 is a combination of a subwoofer and soundbar, designed to leave you drooling at the mouth for sheer sound quality. With a Bluetooth 2.1, 3.5mm connection, optical, and also a USB option, this gaming speaker is versatile and compatible with most PC models and other devices you might have in your home.
There is more emphasis on bass here than we encountered in the Pebble Plus, and gamers would surely appreciate the upgrade. As you plug away at your games, you can be sure of a steady hum emanating from the 20W speakers and 40W soundbar, enveloping you every step of the way.
The major downside to this Creative Stage 2.1 gaming speaker is the fact that it doesn’t capture the smaller sounds very well. Demanding gamers might find the frequency response range (55Hz-20,000Hz) a little uninspiring.
Every gamer knows that for certain games, the softer sounds are the meat of it all. This is one of the reasons why the best gaming headphones. But then being a little shy about the softer sounds is not unexpected from a gaming speaker that costs less than $100. All in all, the Creative Stage 2.1 offers good value for money, meeting all but the stringiest of tests.
Best Gaming Speakers for Console Gamers
Razer Leviathan: Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound
Good power levels, stellar bass, and decent virtual sound surround, the Razer Leviathan: Dolby 5.1 would justify its presence in any gamer’s play corner. And at the price point for which it goes, this is a soundbar and subwoofer combo that is simply hard to beat.
If you are a PC gamer who loves bass-rich sound or who prefers wireless audio, you would love the Razer Leviathan: Dolby 5.1 more than the average gamer.
This gaming speaker comes with a soundbar that is 20 inches long, and thus smaller than the regular soundbar. This small size makes it easy to place in tight places like in front of gaming TVs. You can opt to connect by way of the 3.5mm audio jack provided, but you also have the option of using the Bluetooth component if you prefer wireless audio and have Bluetooth enabled devices like smart TVs, tablets, and smartphones.
In spite of the small size, however, you can expect big things from the Razer Leviathan: Dolby 5.1. Once this baby is up you can expect a bass-heavy virtual sound surround that would suck you right into the game you are playing. The experience is even more mindblowing if you are playing sound heavy, effects heavy games like shooters.
Logitech Z906
The Logitech Z906 draws on a massive 1000Watts of power to deliver a sound experience you would never forget. You can count on the impressive 5.1 audio system to deliver a truly immersive experience.
If you consider yourself an unyielding disciple of quality audio, then the Logitech Z906 will satisfy your devotion and leave nothing in want.
There are only a precious few gaming speakers that can measure up to the Z906 when it comes to immersive gaming audio. Forget virtual sound surround, this gaming speaker offers true sound surround in all its immersive glory.
Crisp, clear, powerful, your understanding of what gaming audio should be will never be quite the same once you get a taste of this device.
Physically, the system features a number of inputs that allow you to connect up to six devices at once, and the remote control enables you to choose which device plays and how at any given time.
And yes, for all these features and more, you get to pay a premium; this is one of the higher priced gaming speakers on the market. But then again, can anyone really put a price on the perfect gaming experience?
Logitech Z623
If you’ve got the budget to go slightly over $100, you gain access to a world of awesome gaming speakers, one of whom is the Logitech Z623.
One of the best things about Logitech products is that they all benefit from the deep expertise which the manufacturer has with computer and gaming accessories.
The Logitech Z623 has two left/right satellite speakers and a superb subwoofer to deliver optimal sound performance. Each of these speakers is THX certified, and certain to offer the best quality audio. You really need not look any further if you are looking for engaging audio to take your gaming experiences to the next level.
What’s more, this setup is easy to connect and use. You have a built-in headphone jack which you can use for private listening, and also easy connections for group enjoyment. And also, the integrated controls give you complete control over sound features, placing the regulation of your entertainment firmly in your hands.
Best Cheap Gaming Speakers (Under $50)
Cyber Acoustics CA-3602A
This budget package from Cyber Acoustics comes with a three-piece speaker setup that includes a couple of 2-inch satellite speakers and a 5.25-inch subwoofer, which, for something so relatively small, pack a surprising amount of power.
This compact system is ideal for gaming.
And you can get it for less than $50. Let’s not pretend you are going to get the best gaming sound quality for this price, but at least you can expect decent sound surround and surprisingly clear audio.
To sweeten the deal further, manufacturers have thrown in a one-year warranty on their product.
TaoTronics Gaming Computer Speaker
Not only is the TaoTronic a top performer, it is also aesthetically pleasing and a joy to look at. Once you place this device among your other accessories and plug it in, it will come to life, adding a touch of brilliance to the whole setup.
But what you see is not the most surprising element you notice after you plug in; it’s what you hear. The TaoTronic Gaming Computer Speaker produces rich, powerful sounds that are pleasing to hear and could easily cause you to lose yourself during gaming sessions.
In addition to that, there are the proprietary 7W drivers installed deep within the soundbar. Along with the standard 3.5mm auxiliary cable and Bluetooth wireless capabilities, these drivers can take your hearing experience to a whole new level, whether gaming or not.
Cyber Acoustics Bluetooth CA-3712BT
Cyber Acoustics offer some of the best budget gaming speakers on the market, and the CA-3712BT is just one more. If you would like a reliable LED speaker without breaking the bank with other pricier options from Logitech and Razer, then this device is for you.
One of the best features of this gaming speaker is its Bluetooth compatibility which provides quick connections with a number of devices like your gaming PC and gaming TV. You can use the 3.5mm cable to connect instead if you’re not a fan of wireless audio.
The Cyber Acoustics CA-3712BT is one of the more versatile gaming speakers out there, and definitely a good choice if you intend using your speaker for everything ranging from gaming to hosting parties.