The best computer speakers are for the PC gamer that doesn't want to be restricted to listening to their game audio through a headset permanently strapped to their head. They want the sound all around them, the bass notes of every explosion rumbling through the foundations, and who cares if the neighbours complain. 

Here's the thing, while we'll always be advocates of the best gaming headset, there's a certain satisfaction in drowning out your annoying neighbour with a big booming set of the best PC speakers. So whether you're looking to invest in some premium beastly bass, or are just trying to nab some of the best computer speakers on a budget, our comprehensive list will have you filling the room with alien death rays, nuclear explosions, and zombie groaning before you know it.

One of the main factors in deciding the best computer speakers for your desk is how much space you have to spare. If you've got the real estate, you should go for the typical 2.1, left/right speaker setup, complete with a sub-woofer. This will give you an excellent depth of sound, and positional audio. The only downside is that this option is usually more expensive, and not so space-efficient. If you don't have the space and are tight on money, soundbars are great as well. Some even come with a sub-woofer you can tuck under your desk, for some rump-shaking sound.

1. Logitech G560

Immersive Lightsync RGB lightingBuilt in DTS:X Virtual Surround When it comes to RGB lighting, chances are you either hate it or love it. The PC Gamer office may be divided on this topic, but there's one thing we can agree on: Logitech's G560 Lightsync feature is anything but gimmicky. If there's one RGB product we'd recommend, that might impact your PC gaming experience, it's this one.

Logitech's software allows you to choose between two control modes for the speakers. Hardware control ditches the software and uses Bluetooth or AUX input for lighting. You get a gentle rainbow color cycle that also acts as an audio visualizer, which flashes and brightens to the beat of the music. Switching over to software control allows you to choose between fixed color, color cycle, breathing, audio visualizer, and screen sampler lighting modes. 

Screen sampler, however, is where the G560 shines. Much like ambient TV backlighting products, the software takes user-defined areas of the screen and extends the colors outwards to create a very immersive lighting experience. Since a good portion of this effect relies on the rear-facing LEDs, the speakers need to be positioned right beside your display with their back against a wall to get the best result.

2. Creative Pebble Plus

When you're out shopping for cheap PC speakers below $50, it's easy to be overwhelmed by choice. It doesn't help that reliable brands have multiple options in the same price range. The differences at the low-end can be minimal, but the Creative Pebble Plus speakers stand apart from the competition with their big sound despite the compact size.

With a total power output of 8 watts, these speakers pump out crisper audio than some of their competitors using two to three times the amount of power. While they won't produce the highest volume of sound, we found little distortion even with the volume maxed out. The only complaint here is a lack of bass control to complement the convenient volume knob located on the right speaker.

The Pebble Plus speakers may lack some raw oomph, but they make up for it in clarity. This is why we highly recommend these speakers for students and those who move around a lot, as the speakers are small enough to fit on any cramped desk surface. They're easily the most portable system we tried and perform best in a smaller bedroom or dorm.

3. Harmon Kardon SoundSticks 3Wireless

Unique designBluetooth supportNo headphone jack. When building a gaming PC or upgrading a battle station, speakers typically aren't very high on the priority list. But jumping from the integrated set of speakers on your monitor to a $200 pair of external speakers can give you a sound quality boost similar to the performance increase you'd see when switching from integrated to discrete graphics. When moving from testing our low-spec budget speakers to the Harman Kardon SoundSticks, the difference was night and day.

Unlike most Bluetooth speakers, the SoundSticks enter and stay in pairing mode as soon as they're turned on. This made it easy for us to switch between audio sources at any time without having to touch the speakers. We also noticed little loss in sound quality up to the 30ft recommended range. Unfortunately, for those that are using the speakers in an apartment complex or dorm, that does mean nearby strangers can connect to them at any time.

With their beautiful looks and satisfying sound, the SoundSticks were an easy favorite for PC gaming. But for big-budget audio purists looking for the best of the best, the performance and expandability of powered bookshelf speakers or studio monitors remain tough to beat.

4. Razer Leviathan Sound Bar

One of the great things about gaming headsets is that they take up very little space. Unfortunately, if you're looking for a great set of speakers, chances are you'll have to sacrifice some of the real estate around your gaming PC. Luckily, Razer has a solution for the modern PC gaming minimalist: the Leviathan soundbar.

The Razer Leviathan is designed to be placed directly underneath your monitor and features both wired and wireless input options to help reduce clutter. We especially appreciated the notch in the middle, which allows you to run your keyboard and mouse cord underneath cleanly.

Razer's soundbar directly competes with several other options on this list. It may not match the sound quality and feature set of the Logitech G560, but the Leviathan remains a smart choice for PC gamers who want a simple single speaker setup.