Investing in speakers with a lower price range can be scary because you’ll never know what you’re going to get and it’s often a shot in the dark. To minimize the risk of wasting even 100 and below, our experts have extensively tested and reviewed the best computer speakers under 100.
Reviews of the Best Computer Speakers Under 100
1. Bose Companion 2 Series III Multimedia Speakers
The Bose Companion 2 Series III speaker set can bring expansive sound quality and reliable performance like their larger cousins, bookshelf speakers. Even with the small profile of these PC speakers, they can still provide you with an expansive soundstage with no distortion regardless of the volume level.
The Bose Companion speakers can also be used as satellite speakers in a larger system by connecting them to almost any device via the auxiliary input. The setup is easy and the ports are clearly labeled so you can get from unboxing to enjoying amazing acoustics in just a few minutes.
What We Like
- Auxiliary input
- Minimal design
- Surround sound experience
- Volume knob on the right speaker
- Easy setup
- Compatible with Windows and Mac systems
- No distortion at any volume
What We Don't Like
- May need a subwoofer for more volume and bass
- Short wires
2. Cyber Acoustics CA-3908 Stereo Speaker System
If you are someone who puts emphasis on the overall look of your computer sound system, then the Cyber Acoustics CA-3908 Stereo Speaker System is our top recommendation. Our team is a big fan of this desktop speaker system because they are a 2.1 speaker system that comes with its own subwoofer but still keeps the price under 100.
The side-firing subwoofer paired with satellite speakers that feature a passive radiator will give your low frequencies a boost. The cloth grills are removable to reveal drivers surrounded by a glossy finish. The build of the speakers, subwoofer and control pod are superb and bring room-filling rich sound.
What We Like
- Beautiful design and finish
- Removable grilles
- Comes with a subwoofer
- Has a control pod for easy control
- One of the best speakers for bass
- 1-year warranty
- Easy to use and set up
What We Don't Like
- Short wires and power cord
- The different components cannot be paired with other devices
3. Creative Inspire T12 Multimedia Speaker System
Living up to the name, these desktop speakers really inspire elevated sound quality. Our experts feel that not only are these PC speakers the best bang for your buck as the lowest price option on our list, but they are also great space savers as they occupy minimal space like the Edifier Exclaim E10.
Since the 3 inch Creative Inspire T12 Multimedia Speaker System has built-in BassFlex Technology, this audio system does not require an extra subwoofer for enhanced bass output. You can enjoy big bass from the speaker set alone.
The drivers are constructed to bring you superior acoustic clarity and you can plug in your headset via the headphone jack for private listening and aux input for wired sound sources if you wish.
What We Like
- BassFlex Technology
- High performance drivers
- Easy to use
- Wide frequency response
- Headphone jack available
- Auxiliary connection
- Clear mids and highs
- Glossy finished
- Perfectly tuned
- Volume control knob
What We Don't Like
- Not a very wide soundstage
- Thin housing
4. Amazon Basics USB-Powered PC Computer Speakers
You can’t go wrong with Amazon Basics USB-Powered Computer Speakers. They tackle everyday needs and this PC audio system was made to improve your sound experience with crystal clear and crisp quality sound.
This 4-pack set of speakers come with uniquely shaped design to add some edge to your desktop computer setup. Not only that, these USB-Powered speakers sound great and are very easy to use and feature a plug and play design. They also add an element of appeal with the LED lights that can illuminate your gaming space.
The frequency response range is from 80Hz to 20 kHz and a combined total power of 2.4 watts. With figures like this and a compact size, this speaker set is highly portable and powerful.
What We Like
- Unique design
- LED lights
- In line volume control
- Wide frequency response
- Small speaker set
- Simple setup
- 1-year limited warranty
- Highly portable
- 2 finishes
What We Don't Like
- May require a subwoofer for lovers of bass
- Can’t turn the blue LED off
5. Edifier G2000 PC Computer Speakers
Meant for gaming, the Edifier G2000 PC Computer Speakers are among the best PC speakers under 100 for sound quality. They are super small, the smallest computer audio system on our list but they pack quite a punch.
The controls are accessible on the side of the main speaker and these tiny audio speakers can reach hi-fi quality output with an RMS power rating of 16 watts per speaker. This means you get a combined 32 watts! Couple the power rating with the bass port and you get speakers that bring the powerful bass.
These speakers offer multiple sound modes to optimize and tune the speakers to relay your content to the top of their abilities. Unlike G2000, Edifier M3200 has a 2-way magnetically shielded satellites.
What We Like
- Very small profile
- One of the best computer speakers for audio quality
- Multiple sound modes
- RGB illumination
- Very powerful
- Highly compatible with your entertainment devices
- Wide frequency response
- Bluetooth speakers
- You can adjust the volume on one of the speakers
- Great sound quality
What We Don't Like
- No remote control
- USB cord is short
6. Logitech Z623 400 Watt Home Speaker System
The Logitech Z623 Home Speaker System is one of the most powerful PC speakers under 100 with a total peak power output of 400 watts. The combo with just analog connections like a 3.5mm aux input and dual RCA will be under 100, but if you want optical and Bluetooth, it will push you over the limit.
The Z623 is powerful and versatile. Not only do they make great PC speakers with balanced sound, they can also become the main audio source for your home theater setup without taking up much space.
The speaker set also comes with its own side-firing subwoofer that will provide audiophiles with crystal clear sound with just the right amount of bass.
What We Like
- Speaker subwoofer combo
- Powerful and loud volume with 400 watts
- Excellent sound
- Rich bass
- Highly compatible
- THX certified
- Easy setup
What We Don't Like
- Not a very sleek and luxurious design
- Requires more money for Bluetooth connection
7. KEiiD Computer Speakers
The next option is a relatively unknown brand compared to the other options on our list. However, that’s not to say they can provide you with great sound experience too. The KEiiD Computer Speakers are very simple and beautifully designed with high-end aluminum construction.
For the price, these PC speakers are also Bluetooth speakers and can pair with other devices for wireless streaming. They come with their very own control pod that allows you to customize the EQ modes and adjust the volume easily.
Don’t let the simple design fool you, underneath the surface of the KEiiD PC speakers are wide range with two passive radiators and an excellent quality DSP.
What We Like
- Full-range
- Passive radiator in each speaker
- Customizable EQ modes
- Sound modes
- Control pod
- Bluetooth 5.0
- Built-in DSP
- Has a built-in microphone
- Brings top quality sound
- Aluminum housing
- Small size
- Sleek design
What We Don't Like
- The control pod is corded
- Requires more moneyDoesn’t have a subwoofer for Bluetooth connection
8. Creative Labs 51MF1610AA002 GigaWorks T20 Series II 2.0 Multimedia Speaker System
Lastly, we have another music system that has superior bass technology. The Creative Labs GigaWorks T20 Series II 2.0 Multimedia Speakers have built-in BasxPort Technology, which specifically improves the low-range frequencies to make up for the lack of a sub.
To guarantee hi-fi quality, the innovatively designed drivers are made with materials to perfectly relay highs, mids and lows to the top of their abilities. What you’ll see under the hood are 2-way drivers, glass fiber cone drivers and dome tweeters.
This GigaWorks T20 has treble, bass and volume are easily adjustable and the controls are accessible at your fingertips on one of the speakers. The knobs are situated on the main speaker and the connection ports are also located on the front for your convenience.
What We Like
- Adjustable EQ
- Easy to set up and connect
- 2-way speaker
- Durable drivers
- BasXPort Technology
What We Don't Like
- A little large for a laptop
- The golden yellow driver really stands out
Computer Speakers Under 100 Buyer’s Guide
Buying the best computer speakers under 100 is no easy feat. It’s not like choosing expensive options like high-quality sooundbars for computers that will give you a standard quality baseline. Computer speakers under 100 can be a risky investment if you don’t know what to look for. Fear not, because our experts are here to help by elaborating on the most wanted features in the best computer speakers under 100.
Design and Size
First, decide if you want your audio system to come with its own subwoofer. If you do, you will end up with a 2.1 system [1]. If you see options advertised as 2.0 speakers, it means there is no additional subwoofer. The digit behind the decimal refers to the number of subs in the package.
There are PC speaker options that say they don’t require a subwoofer to produce heavy bass. Our experts say that this is possible, but they will still not compare to one that has a powerful sub.
The size of the speakers will depend on your allotted space and setup. Our team has made sure to include a wide range of speaker options that bring pretty good quality sound at any size. The Edifier G2000 is the perfect speaker choice for those who value deep bass tones but take up much space.
We also provide larger options such as the Logitech Z623, which are quite a bit larger than the G2000 speaker set with more treble and bass response. They are also a great choice that can be used as part of your home theater system.
You should also consider the appearance of your speaker. Yes, the look of the device won’t have an impact on the performance, but everyone wants components that are pleasant to look at. Many brands provide different color and finish options ranging from brushed metal to a glossy look.
Sound Quality
If you like deep bass, then our experts stress the importance of finding a sound system with a subwoofer. There may be a speaker that claims to have subs built-in or have bass radiators that can provide deep and low bass tones, but they will usually be no match for a separate sub.
Our team will go into more detail about the frequency response in a bit, but another important feature that will impact sound is the positioning of the speaker itself. For example, a 4 inch woofer that is downward firing will project the bass down towards the tabletop, which will then produce greater rumbles and vibrations.
Computer speakers under 100 will most-likely have firing sound, but if you can find multi-directional full-range speakers, the sound quality you get will be the best.
More complex computer speakers may even have different sound modes available. Similar to this feature on soundbars, sound modes will automatically optimize the tuning of your speakers to tailor to the content. Common sound modes include movie, music, and gaming for computers.
Speaking of customizability, different people appreciate different aspects of the audio output while streaming music, movies, or TV shows. We have experts on our team that value deep and rich bass, while others like enhanced speech. For the most natural sound that caters to your preferences, look for best speakers with EQ or equalizer customization. You can personalize your listening experience by adjusting the bass, treble and volume control.
The next feature is an advantage that you won’t find in many speakers of computers. The Logitech Z623 is THX certified, which means the audio output is the best quality at any volume. We were very impressed with the audio quality from the Z623, so if you want unprecedented sound and bass from small speakers, definitely take a look at these.
Frequency Range
As our expert team has said before, the frequency range will influence the sound your speakers get from your PC. The higher and lower the frequency response is in your speakers, the more capable they are at hitting notes more precisely.
Our experts give you a standard range to look for starting from 80Hz all the way up to 20 kHz as a baseline. If you can find ones that go higher or lower than that, then you can expect much better sound.
Power
The power desktop speakers offer is another high-ranking feature to look for. The power rating has an influence on the loudness of your speakers. Our experts say that many people don’t understand that the power rating is split up into two different categories – peak power and RMS. If you mistake peak power for RMS, you could risk damaging your speakers.
The peak power rating is the total mount of power your speakers can produce at maximum levels. This level is only meant to be played in short bursts. Over-exerting your best PC speakers at peak output for long periods will blow them out.
The RMS rating is the one you want to really look at. The RMS rating is usually only at half the output the peak offers, but it’s the one that illustrates what your speakers can handle for a long time. The RMS power is the safe power rating in which to play your speakers at without risking damage.
If you want louder and more powerful speakers, make sure the wattage listed is a large number. The higher the number, the louder and more powerful your speakers will be.
Connectivity
The connectivity will affect the convenience, ease of use, and setup of your computer speakers. For soundbars and the larger bookshelf or floorstanding speakers, the connection can also impact the sound. Luckily, computer speakers don’t offer too much variety to confuse you.
What you will mostly see are wired options ranging from a headphone jack to an analog aux input. There may be a chance your affordable computer speakers will also offer wireless Bluetooth connection, but this will usually cost extra. Thankfully, our team has found some options like the KEiiD computer speakers and the Edifier G2000 that are both compact Bluetooth speakers that sound great and produce incredible heavy bass, like the Mackie CR3 Series.
One con we often see with PC speakers is short wires. A short power cable or connection wire will greatly limit your placement flexibility. All you will be able to do is keep it close to a power source or your PC. If your choice of best computer speakers only has wired connections, make sure the included cables give you enough leeway.
If you opt for one of our Bluetooth options, then you have more room to play music with your setup. Even if you don’t have Bluetooth included for wireless streaming from your media devices, you can purchase a wireless speaker kit that can transform wired to wireless. However, for the extra price, our team advises just going with a Bluetooth option from the get-go.
Another perk Bluetooth connectivity offers is more compatibility. Since computer speakers often only feature analog connections, one with Bluetooth will offer more compatibility with other household media devices because Bluetooth is a ubiquitous feature. The bottom line is, our team highly recommends options with wireless connectivity.
Setup and Portability
This section of setup and portability ties into previous sections to do with size and connection. To be easily portable, the speakers need to have a small profile and not take up too much space. Don’t worry about the sound, because even tiny speakers like the Edifier G2000 can impress with high levels of volume and power.
Of course, a speaker with Bluetooth will be much easier to set up and is much more mobile. You are very much at the mercy of the wire length for cabled connections. Bluetooth is also very easy to set up. All you need to do is put both sound devices into pairing mode and wait for a stable connection.
It’s also essential for your package to come with everything you need. Nothing is more frustrating than looking forward to improved sound and then realizing you cannot complete the setup. Included items should be the necessary cables and other components, a user manual, and a warranty outline.
Other Features
Most of the best computer speakers under 100 will be rudimentary in terms of extra bonus features. They won’t have as much to offer as full-fledged home theater system speakers but do provide satisfactory sound for your PC.
What might be a remote control for a soundbar comes in the form of a control pod for your desktop speakers. The control pod is a small device that will give you access to all the basic settings such as volume, mute, and power. Even without a control pod, our team advises to look for a speaker pair that has some kind of control panel or buttons somewhere on the surface.
There are many options that have volume control on the right speaker. It’s a knob that easily adjusts the loudness of your speakers.
You should also consider the price of the product. While we are solely addressing speakers under 100 and the price tag isn’t a feature of the product per se, but we do see a difference between ones that are lower on the scale and others that are closer to the 100 mark.
The warranty is another intangible feature that our team thinks is very important. Most brands offer at least a 1-year warranty even if it’s limited to cover the parts. Consider it a bonus if you find a product that offers anything longer than that and throws in a satisfaction guarantee as well.
Having trouble configuring your remote control? Then, you can check these steps on how to properly program an RCA remote with codes next!
FAQ
What are the best cheap computer speakers?
The excellent low-price computer speakers are the Series III Bose Companion 2 speakers. While they aren’t the most eye-catching of the bunch, they are known to deliver top quality audio and any volume level and produce a wide soundstage and rumbling bass with an easy setup
Our Top Pick For a Computer Speaker Under 100: Bose Companion 2 Series III
The Bose Companion 2 Series III are the best computer speakers under 100. Even without a subwoofer the bass levels are very impactful. You can always add an extra subwoofer for deeper bass if the default bass drivers don’t do the trick.
The total power output of the Companion 2 will greatly surpass that of your traditional computer speakers. The setup also takes next to no time, as it comes with easily labeled inputs and all the necessary cables included to get you set up.
Planning to go wireless? Then, check our guide on how to include Bluetooth in your stereo receiver here. Read next!
