When you’re gaming, playing ambient soundtracks while you work, or lounging with the latest streaming show on, you need to upgrade to a more sophisticated sound system. I evaluated the top computer speakers based on desk space, controls, connections, RMS power output, and overall value to bring you this list of the eight best computer speakers under fifty bucks.
If you’re unfamiliar with the RMS measurement, it stands for “Root Mean Square.” That’s not a very descriptive name, but it refers to how much continuous power the speakers can put out. This is a more reliable measurement than peak power, which only indicates the maximum power a speaker can put out in short bursts.
A Quick Glance At The Best Computer Speakers Under $50:
- Creative Pebble 2.0 USB
- Elegiant SR300
- Amazon Basics V620
- Logitech Z130
- BeBom Basics SP20
- Arvicka SP-106
- Cyber Acoustics CA-2014
- Frisby Audio FS-810
1. Creative Pebble 2.0 USB
Creative Labs has had its hand in the tech industry since 1981 before most people even had computers. So it’s not surprising that they’ve got one of the most original designs in the $50 market range.
The Pebble 2.0 USB speakers have won numerous awards. PCMag UK awarded them Best Computer Speakers in 2018. PC World magazine named them Top Pick for Computer Speakers Under $100.
You really can’t go wrong with this set. That’s because, for their size, the sound they produce is quite impressive. Their 4.4W RMS power output is twice the power of most other speakers in their price range.
These little powerhouses come in black or white. Not quite a range of colors but it’s nice to have a choice other than black. You can control the volume via a knob on the right speaker and the gain via a switch on the back.
They’ll take up a little over four square inches of real estate on your desktop. They connect via a combo 3.5mm jack and USB cord to your computer. The two speakers are connected by a 47” cord, which is a good distance for computer speakers.
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The biggest drawbacks with the Creative Pebble 2.0 USB speakers are that they’re not Bluetooth compatible and you can’t plug your headphones into them. Considering you could likely plug your headphones directly into your computer, that part isn’t a big deal.
2. Elegiant SR300
The name Elegiant stems from the founders’ ambitions to become an electronics giant. They specialize in accessories like speakers, wireless chargers, and Bluetooth devices. Elegiant has a range of computer speakers and soundbars but the SR300 speakers are the best of the bunch.
These speakers come in one color – black. However, there’s a color-changing LED ring that brings life to the design. The best thing is that you can turn the lights off if they’re too distracting and still have sound. You’d think that would be a standard but not all computer speakers have this capability.
The controls offer the most functionality of the speakers on this list. Via the front-facing control panel on the right speaker, you can change the volume, connect to Bluetooth, change audio tracks, and power them on/off. There’s also an audio jack in front if you want to connect headphones.
The SR300s will take up a 4.33” x 3.54” space each, but provide a whopping 5W RMS per speaker. You can spread them just a smidge over three feet from each other without straining the connecting cable. A USB and 3.5mm plug connect the speakers to your computer.
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The only downside to these is the few Amazon reviews saying the speakers didn’t last more than six months. However, those reviews far are outweighed by the thousands of positive reviews on Amazon.
3. Amazon Basics V620
These computer speakers are sold by Amazon Basics, Amazon’s private label products. They’re manufactured by another company and sold with Amazon’s branding on them. However, private labels are a huge trend right now which is sure to keep growing.
The V620s come in black and silver options. Both colors have blue LED accent lights around the base. Unfortunately, there’s no way to turn these lights off without shutting off the speakers altogether. That’s a big issue for a lot of consumers and a big oversight by the designer.
At the base with the lights, each speaker has a bottom radiator for bass. They put out 1.2W RMS of power each. The only control on these is an in-line volume control which makes for a sleeker design. If given the choice, I prefer this setup over a front-facing knob.
The Amazon Basics V620s have a 4”x3” desktop footprint and a 30” connecting cable between the individual speakers. They connect to your computer via the usual USB/ 3.55mm jack combo. There is no separate A/C adaptor.
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The most obnoxious issue with these speakers is the inability to turn off the blue LEDs. There are some workarounds, but you’ll have to cut into the base or use electrical tape to block out the light. The large Amazon Basics logo on the top of each speaker takes away from their visual appeal.
4. Logitech Z130
Logitech is a name you’re probably familiar with. The company has been making computer accessories almost as long as computers have been in people’s homes. Needless to say, a company that’s lasted this long must be doing something right.
The Logitech Z130 speakers are a little bigger than the competing brands, so you’ll need some extra space on your desktop. They measure a whopping 5” wide by 6” deep each. Vertically, they measure about 9”. There’s one color available – black – which is a good choice if you want your speakers to blend into the background.
They have 2.5W RMS of power output per speaker. That’s more than enough power to hear them while you’re at your desk, but won’t exactly fill up a room. You can control the power and volume with a knob on the front. There’s also a headphone jack and a front-facing reflex port.
Instead of drawing power from your computer via USB, these speakers have an A/C power adaptor to plug into your power strip. That reduces the load on your computer but takes up an extra socket. The connecting cord is approximately 36” between the two units.
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The only real complaint here is the very basic look these speakers have. They’re exceedingly simple and don’t have any extra flare with LED lights or a retro design. The Z130s take up a little extra room on the desktop compared to the competition.
5. BeBom Basics SP20
The BeBom Basics SP20 are speakers made by the company Bonks. The logo is emblazoned proudly on the top surface of each unit. Surprisingly, this doesn’t detract from the overall look of the speakers like it does with the Amazon Basics.
The SP20s connect to each other via a 29.5” connecting cable and to your computer using a USB/3.5mm combo cable. Admittedly, this isn’t very long at just under three feet. However, a shorter cord cuts down on the electronics spaghetti you probably already have at the back of your desk.
The 39.5” combo USB/3.5mm cable features an in-line volume control switch. Their desktop footprint is a mere 2”x3” apiece. Paired with a laptop or a tablet, the SP20s’ compact size is ideal if you don’t have a lot of free space to spare.
These computer speakers are exceptionally lightweight compared to other speakers in the best computer speakers under $50 category. They weigh only 7.05 ounces as opposed to a few pounds. If you like to take your speakers with you when you travel, these are a top choice.
There is little information available on what the RMS power output of these speakers is. Some sites claim it’s 20W, which would be exceptional for desktop speakers. It’s more likely in the range of 3W per speaker.
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Some consumers complained of a buzzing sound with these speakers. However, that’s likely due to a loose plug or wifi routers too near the speakers. Any RF transmitters will interfere with your audio with wired speakers.
6. Arvicka SP-106
Arvicka is a Chinese brand out of Shinzen City that’s been in the audio tech business for ten years. Their name is a shortened version of the phrase “art via technology” which is the company’s motto. You can find headphones and wireless speakers in their catalog.
One thing the Arvicka SP-106 speakers have that other desktop speakers are lacking is an aux-in port. You can use that port to connect virtually any device that has a 3.5mm out port. Your smart speaker, your phone, even an old CD player will all connect to these speakers.
When you want to connect them to your computer, the SP-106s use a 43” USB cable and a 59” aux-in cable. The cord between the two speakers measures 40”. Each one will take up a 2.5” x 2.5” spot on your desktop.
Like the Elegiant and Amazon Basics speakers, these come with a blue LED lighted base that gives them a nice underglow. The bonus is that you can switch the lights off without disconnecting your speakers altogether. That’s great if you don’t want to stare at blue lights all day. It would be even better if you could choose the color.
The SP-106s have a power output of 3W RMS each, which puts them on the higher end of average power for speakers this size. The sound is exceptionally crisp, making them ideal for situations like work meetings when you need to hear each word clearly.
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The volume control knob is located on the back of the left-hand speaker. While that helps smooth the overall aesthetic, it could be a pain to get to if your desk is cluttered or your speakers are against the wall.
7. Cyber Acoustics CA-2014
Cyber Acoustics is a company out of Vancouver, Canada. They’ve been in business since 1996, making speakers, headphones, mics, and webcams. They have a sister brand, Maroo, that produces protective accessories for tablets.
The CA-2014 speakers have a very different appearance from the others on our best computer speakers under $50 list because of their cloth grill covers. These will protect the cone and the passive radiator from dust and debris. I haven’t seen anything to indicate that these are removable.
The power and volume are controlled via the front of the right hand speaker. You can also plug headphones into the front. That’s a big bonus for a lot of users, particularly for meetings and gaming.
These speakers are a little on the large side but still only take up 3”x3.75” worth of space each. They hook up to your computer through a 3.5mm jack and are powered through an A/C power adaptor. The connecting wire between speakers is 36”. The A/C power cord is six feet long.
The 1.5” high-efficiency drivers deliver high and mid-range frequencies with minimal distortion. The CA-2014s are magnetically shielded which cuts down on interference from RF devices like baby monitors and cellphones.
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These speakers work best when paired with a subwoofer because they don’t produce much bass on their own. If you want a fuller sound for movies and games, the added subwoofer will improve your experience.
8. Frisby Audio FS-810
Frisby Audio is a trademark of Comsis Computer, LLC. They also own a company called Durasage Heath that produces saunas. Maybe people with saunas want to listen to music while they soak!
Frisby’s FS-810 speakers are bright, colorful, and round. They’re on this list because of their playful aesthetic, perfect for a kid’s room. You can get them in pink or blue to match your child’s bedroom decor.
For their size, these speakers have a lot of power output. They produce 4W of RMS apiece, which is surprising considering their affordability. Each will take up a 3.5” square spot on your desktop. The 2” driver gives them a surprisingly-strong bass kick.
Magnetic shielding will keep other devices from interfering with the sound quality from your FS-810s. They connect to your computer with a USB/3.5mm combo cord. Along this cord is where you’ll find the in-line volume control switch.
The cord length listed is 41” presumably for the USB/3.5mm cord. There doesn’t appear to be any info out there regarding how long the connecting cable is. Eyeballing it, I’d say it’s not more than three feet.
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Info about the company is fairly elusive and cord length info wasn’t available. However, the reviews on these speakers are all 4 and 5-stars so customers have been very satisfied with this set of speakers. Your kids can even set these up themselves!
Final Thoughts
Unless you’re a real audiophile, you aren’t going to want to spend a lot of money when it comes to speakers for your computer. Sticking to a $50 budget will still get you a great set of speakers to set on your desktop.
Unfortunately, most speakers in this price range are connected together with cords of varying lengths. None of them are independently moveable. That means you’ll need to measure the distance to either side of your computer setup to make sure whichever speakers you choose will extend far enough.
Regardless of which speakers you choose, you’re sure to be satisfied with any of the eight best computer speakers under $50 above. They all offer great value for your money. Just in case there are any issues with your purchase, however, be sure to check for warranties and guarantees offered with different models.
That wraps up this list of best computer speakers under $50. I hope you enjoyed reading about these excellent ways to boost your computer audio.
