While noise cancelling headphones or gaming headsets can provide an immersive gaming experience, nothing compares to a set of great gaming speakers. Not only will they free you from the inevitable discomfort from wearing headphones for hours during marathon sessions, a subwoofer can add a physical element when things go boom.
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Whether you’re looking for a simple soundbar, a full 5.1 surround sound system, or anything in between, we’ve put together a list of the best gaming speakers you can buy.
Best gaming speakers
- Bose Companion 2 Series III
- Cyber Acoustics CA-3810
- Harman Kardon Soundsticks III
- Logitech LightSync G560
- Logitech Z906
- Razer Leviathan
- Razer Nommo Pro
Editor’s note: We’ll update this list of the best gaming speakers as new models are released and old ones are retired.
Bose Companion 2 Series III
Bose is one of the most trusted names in audio, and this minimalist set is just what you need to elevate your sound beyond built-in laptop speakers or cheap offerings from other brands. They won’t put out Earth shattering bass, but they will sound great — even at high volumes.
The Bose Companion 2 Series III aren’t dedicated gaming speakers, but they won’t let you down for gaming, music, or just about any other use. They are easy to connect and set up with any laptop or desktop, and feature an easy-to-access aux port for when it’s time to switch to headphones or a headset.
Cyber Acoustics CA-3810
Budget speakers often leave a lot to be desired, but this set of 2.1 gaming speakers from Cyber Acoustics is a welcome exception. It features two 2-inch satellite speakers and a 5.25-inch subwoofer for a fraction of the price of most of the other options on this list.
In this price range, these are truly the best gaming speakers you can buy. You can even plug it into multiple devices and control volume or bass levels with the handy control pod. That said, you won’t want to crank them up to full volume, and the front-firing subwoofer needs to be placed at desk-height for the best sound.
Harman Kardon SoundSticks III
Products aimed at gamers are almost universally black-and-LED affairs, but this set of speakers from Harman offers a slick sci-fi look. With two satellite speakers sporting four 1-inch speakers each and a beefy 6-inch downward-firing subwoofer, this kit provides more than enough sound to fill an entire room.
You can expect crisp, clean sound from these speakers, but what really justifies the price is the striking design. Its predecessor was designed by Jony Ive of Apple fame, earning a permanent spot at the Museum of Modern Art. Having this jellyfish subwoofer on your desk will enhance your gaming and provide a great conversation piece.
Logitech LightSync G560
If you like the RBG gamer aesthetic but don’t want to fully commit to it, Logitech’s LightSync speakers are a fantastic option. As the name alludes to, each of the two satellite speakers has built-in LED lights that change color based on what’s going on in the game you’re playing (in supported games).
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Easy to set up via bluetooth, USB, or aux connections, the two speakers and subwoofer are capable of putting out some serious sound. If you need even more gaming peripherals, you can grab these gaming speakers bundled with a mouse and mousepad, as well.
Logitech Z906
This is the only true 5.1 surround sound setup we’re including on our list of the best gaming speakers, but it’s perfect for those of you who want the best possible sound from your games. With five satellite speakers and a sizeable 8-inch subwoofer, this is all you need to achieve true cinema sound in any room of the house.
5.1 surround sound is probably overkill if you’re gaming at a desk (even with a huge 4K monitor), but it’s an ideal setup for consoles or living room gaming when combined with a gaming lap desk like the Razer Turret. It works with a headphone jack, RCA, six channel direct, digital coaxial input or optical inputs, and can be connected to up to six devices at once.
Razer Leviathan
Razer is known for its high quality gaming gear, and the Razer Leviathan gaming speakers are no exception. This soundbar and subwoofer combo puts out some serious sound, supporting 5.1 surround sound in a form factor that fits comfortably beneath a living room television or PC monitor.
For the price, the sound is excellent and won’t disappoint whether listening to music or gaming online. The downward-firing subwoofer will really make you feel each grenade explosion, and the relatively restrained aesthetic means it won’t stand out like a sore thumb in any room of the house.
Razer Nommo Pro
If money is no object and you want the best premium gaming speakers on the market, the Razer Nommo Pro speakers are both gorgeous and sound amazing. It’s a 2.1 setup with two satellite speakers and one downward-firing subwoofer, but for desktop or laptop gaming this really the ideal setup. Plus, the satellite speakers take up very little space on your desk, and the subtle RGB lighting is fully customizable via a smartphone app.
The Razer Nommo Pro speakers are very expensive at nearly $600, but if you’re willing to drop the dedicated subwoofer the Razer Nommo Chroma is an even better value. For just $150, you get the two attractive satellite speakers that make a perfect addition to any gaming setup without breaking the bank.
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