Upgrading your speakers is a great way to get a more immersive, enjoyable gaming experience. But where do you start if you are just looking for the best cheap gaming speakers for your PC?
There are lots of different speaker sizes, types, and brands. Not to mention the huge range of prices.
The good news is that you can get high quality, accurate sound at an affordable price.
In this article, we are going to break it down so that you can make the best choice for your needs. Let’s take a look at our top 3 recommended cheap PC speakers, and then dive into what makes a good budget speaker.
Every one of the speakers on this list is going to come in with a price of under $50.
Top Pick: Creative Pebble V2
Our recommendation for the best cheap gaming speakers for PC is the Creative Pebble V2. We chose the Pebble V2 due to their aesthetic looks, USB-C connectivity, and super low price.
You can certainly find cheaper gaming speakers for your PC, but you won’t find higher quality looks and sound for less than the Pebble V2.
The Creative Pebble V2 is a 2.0 stereo speaker pair, powered from your PC via a USB-C (or USB-A with the included adapter). It has 2″ drivers with passive radiators for deeper lows. The drivers are angled 45 degrees upward toward your ears.
The final thing that won us over was the fact that so many variations are available. Choose your favorite color, or the 2.1 version with a subwoofer for more bass. They even offer a version with Bluetooth 5.0 if you want to connect your mobile devices.
What We Like:
- High quality sound and looks for a low price
- Powered via USB-C for more power
- Rear-facing passive radiators for distortion-free lows
What We Don’t Like:
- Bluetooth not standard
- Need to connect USB and 3.5mm audio cable
Runner Up: Edifier R19U
The next pair of PC gaming speakers on our list is the Edifier R19U. The R19U is a set of USB powered speakers that send power/audio over a USB connection, or through a 3.5mm AUX cord.
The Edifier R19U is a great option for people who like a more traditional speaker design. The enclosure is made of wood instead of the plastic you find with more other options in this price range.
You’ll find 2.75″ drivers that deliver crisp, clear audio. The drivers are angled up slightly to create a better sound stage while seated at a desk.
The R19U is slightly more expensive than the Creative Pebble V2, but still a great value for people who prefer a traditional look over the more modern Pebble V2’s.
What We Like:
- Crisp, clear sound from the 2.75″ drivers
- Wood cabinet for a traditional look
- Large volume knob for easy control
- USB or 3.5mm AUX connection
What We Don’t Like:
- Bluetooth not available
- Slightly more expensive
Final Pick: Cyber Acoustics CA-3602FFP 2.1 Speaker Sound System
The final pick in our list of the best cheap PC speakers is the Cyber Acoustics CA-3602FFP. If you have a higher budget and need more bass, this is a great option.
The Cyber Acoustics CA-3602FFP is a 2.1 sound system that includes left and right speakers, plus a subwoofer for extra low end sound. Unlike the other options in our list, you will need to plug these speakers into AC power.
The left and right channels feature dual 2″ drivers and are angled for a proper sound stage. The subwoofer features a 5.25″ woofer for deep bass.
Our favorite feature is the sound control pod. You’ll have volume controls and a headphone output jack right where you need it on your desk.
What We Like:
- 2.1 sound system with sub for more bass
- Sleek, modern look
- Control pod for easy adjustments
- More powerful than the other options with AC power
What We Don’t Like:
- No Bluetooth connection
- Nearly double the price of 2.0 speaker systems
Cheap vs Expensive Gaming Speakers
Now that you’ve seen our recommendations for the best cheap gaming speakers for PC, let’s dive in to the difference between cheap and expensive speakers.
In general, the two biggest factors that determine the price of a speaker are features and materials. Features are things like whether they are self powered, or if they have subwoofer outputs. For materials, what is the quality of the enclosure? Are they large bookshelf speakers or smaller desk speakers?
Active vs Passive
One of the main things that separate cheap vs expensive gaming speakers is whether they are actively or passively powered. In other words, are the speakers self-powered with a built in amplifier (active), or do you need a separate amplifier to power them (passive)?
The cheapest speakers that you can get for PC will be passive because it is less expensive to produce them. The downside, of course, is that you will have to purchase an external amplifier to power them. That is why all our recommendations above are active speakers.
Size, Volume, Range
Another big impact on the price of gaming PC speakers is their size and form factor. Obviously, the bigger the speaker, the more material cost. The cheapest speakers are usually made with smaller drivers, in smaller enclosures. This allows for less volume and frequency range, but that isn’t a big concern for PC gaming because you are seated close to the speakers.
Generally, the size of the driver determines how loud a speaker can go. Since cheaper speakers tend to have smaller drivers and smaller enclosures, they don’t get as loud as more expensive speakers.
The dynamic range of a speaker is how accurate it can reproduce sound frequencies across the range of audible sound. With higher quality components, expensive speakers tend to offer more range and accuracy.
Features
To cut costs, cheap gaming speakers will omit some features that tend to be a luxury and not a necessity. More expensive PC speakers will all the bells and whistles.
It’s important to really take a look at what features you need, so you don’t overspend. For example, do you really need the 5.1 surround sound feature? A 2.1 PC speaker system will be significantly cheaper and still produce incredible gaming audio performance.
Speakers for PC vs Home Theater and Music
You might be wondering what the difference is between speakers for your PC, and traditional home theater or music speakers.
PC speakers are optimized for desktop use. Not only are they space efficient with features like a built in amplifier, they are tuned for a smaller sound area. Since you will be sitting right in front of a pair of PC speakers, the audio tuning is different than a bookshelf speaker designed to fill a living room with sound.
Home theater speakers tend to put an emphasis on powerful sound over accuracy and detail. PC speakers prioritize accuracy and detail, especially for gaming.
Final Thoughts – Is There Really A Best Speaker?
At the end of the day, hearing is subjective. We can give you speaker recommendations based on the objective specifications and our own personal preference. But that doesn’t mean you’ll agree that it sounds the best compared to another speaker.
It’s important to understand that audio equipment is all about finding what works for you. These kinds of product guides are a good place to start, but there really isn’t a “best” speaker out there. The meaning of best will change from person to person, based on their own needs and preferences.
Thanks for reading! Let us know in the comments below what cheap PC gaming speakers you recommend.