Best Gaming Speakers for 2023: PICKS FOR ANY BUDGET

Buyer’s Guide On How To Pick The Best Gaming Speakers

You might be thinking - why don't I get a set of bargain bin speakers and be done with it?

You can go that way no problem. But, you'd just be butchering any future prospects of immersion in your favourite game.

This is why it's essential to get a speaker set that is specifically designed for gaming. Not only will they ensure you will have the best possible gaming experience, but they will look cool too. 

More on the looks factor later in the article. First, let's find out what makes gaming speakers different than regular, cheap computer speakers under 50$.

What Makes Gaming Speakers Different To Standard Speakers?

To the best way to answer this question is to start from the basics and go from there.

Speakers move air at specific frequencies by vibrating the membranes. The smaller the membrane is, the higher-pitched the sound will be. The bigger the membrane is, the lower-pitched the sound will be.

The membranes can be made out of a range of different materials, ranging from cardboard to diamond. The more-exotic the material, the crisper the sound will be. However, this also means a higher price.

The best gaming speaker will have membranes that are built out of high-quality fabric. Regular computer speakers under $100  will have the membranes constructed out of cheap cardboard.

Regular computer speaker's membranes often produce a muted, flat sound that just isn't cut for gaming. This is why you should always choose a model designed explicitly for gaming since it will feature membranes that can produce sound in a wide frequency range.

Of course, the quality of the membrane is not the most crucial factor in a gaming speaker. The number and type of membranes are also vital (more on that later).

Let's move on to the magnets since they're the ones that move the membranes. The stronger the magnets, the more powerful the speakers. 

Most gaming speakers feature strong magnets. This is why you have to look for a model that features appropriate shielding, so it doesn't interfere with other electronics.

The power of the speaker is measured in Watts, which is directly linked to how far the magnet can move the membrane. Most regular computer speakers don't go over 60 Watts, while some gaming speakers will even go above 200 Watts!

Don't let the number of Watts fool you, though. Commonly, the speaker's power is referred to its maximum power output which can be delivered only for a short period. This is why you should look for the speaker's Watts RMS, which represents the amount of power it can generate on a continual level.

Moving on - It's not all about the speaker's drivers . The casings are also important. 

Especially if you want to feel like the aliens you're blasting off are in your room. This is why it's essential to get a gaming speaker setup that features wooden housing (at least for the subwoofer). Not only does wood amplify the sound, but it also gives it a more natural color.

As a gamer, you will want your speakers to have a lot of bass since most sound effects are quite bass-heavy. You will also want to get a compact model, so you have enough room for your mouse and keyboard on your desk.

I'll touch on the importance of size a bit later in the article. First, we have to go over the question of how much bass do you actually need.

Bass or Low Bass?

A great gaming experience is as much about sound quality, as it is visuals. Subwoofers are an excellent way to enhance the atmosphere of your favorite video game; however, many users often don't take full advantage or become uncomfortable with too high-levels bass tones over time. 

That being said, investing in a good set can add layers and color when you’re fighting off enemy forces or running from death traps within certain games - like Doom 2016's gun sounds suddenly coming alive if supported by subwoofer systems.

This is why you should always go for a gaming speaker set that features a subwoofer. Ideally, you’d want the subwoofer to have a wooden housing because it will greatly improve the sound quality and give it more colour. 

Just having a sound system with a subwoofer isn’t enough. Placement is also incredibly important.

I really like to immerse myself in games and if the sound is off I get annoyed. So, I spent hours finding the best angle for the satellites and the subwoofer. I placed the subwoofer in different parts of my room so I get the best possible experience.

I realize you might not have the time, nor the will, to find the best possible location for your gaming speakers which you can try out a couple of common configurations:

• You can place the subwoofer on the ground and keep the satellites on the desk. This is the most common type of setup and one of the most effective ones. You will get all the mid and high frequencies delivered directly to your ears while the subwoofer will provide the ever-important rumble from beneath.
• You can place the entire set below the desk. This isn’t ideal. The sound will be a bit muted and flat because it will reverb a lot between your legs and the table.
• You can place the entire set on the desk. This also isn’t ideal because the subwoofer will vibrate your desk and impact your precision.

Frequency Range

The frequency range of most computer speakers can be between 80hz and 20Khz.

For most of you, these numbers might not mean much. However, there is a great number of games where vocals and instrumentals are essential to the experience.

I was recently playing Homeworld: Remastered Edition which is incredibly immersive. However, if I didn’t have a decent set of 2.1 speakers I wouldn’t feel like a space fleet commander because I couldn’t enjoy the incredible soundtrack and the sounds of combat and radio chatter.

If you want to ensure you have the most immersive experience you will have to go for a model that has a high-frequency range. Thankfully, this feature is becoming more important amongst gamers.

Most manufacturers are adapting their gaming speakers towards more professional-grade technologies. This is why you should go through the specs thoroughly and read the customer reviews.

Connection Type: Wired or Wireless

Not all gaming speakers come with Bluetooth connectivity feature. In fact, most models come with the old-school 3.5mm jack. There are even some models that also feature a TOSLINK connection, but those are incredibly rare and very expensive.

I recommend you think about which type of connection is the most convenient for you.

If you're going to use them with your desktop gaming rig, I recommend you pick a set that has 3.5mm connectivity. 

However, if you're going to use the speakers with your other devices such as TVs, phones and tablets, you should go for a set with Bluetooth connectivity. 

If you have a flat screen TV in your gaming room, you should go for a Bluetooth gaming speaker set.

Why?

Well, most TVs these days have a terrible sound quality because they're too thin for the speakers to reverberate. So the best way to go is find an audio device that would pair and function perfectly with your existing TV. Look for a well-matched speakers or a soundbar recommended for a Vizio TV, if that’s what you currently have.

It all boils down to personal preference. I recommend you get a set that is the most convenient for you.

Size and Additional Features

Size is one of the most overlooked features of PC gaming speakers.

I know we all love the look of massive speakers, but not everyone has enough space to accommodate them. 

When it comes to gaming PCs and laptops, desk space is already scarce. This is why gaming speakers come in many shapes and sizes. Today you can find everything from compact sets that are smaller than a computer mouse, to oversized sets with a huge woofer.

The days of crowded computer desks are long gone. All major brands now advocate minimalist design that is more suited for modern living environments. This is a good thing because most of our desk space is already taken up by the monitor setup and the mouse and keyboard.

This is why most best-rated gaming speakers are not too big and not too small. The overall size of the set is dependant on the size of the subwoofer.

The subwoofer is, in most cases, the part that requires more space than all of the satellites combined. I recommend you go for the size that'll fit on your desk.

When it comes to other accessories, there are two things to consider. If you don't want to reach behind your desk to plug in your headphones, I recommend you buy a model that has a headphone jack.

The second thing you should consider is RGB lighting. I know it's completely unnecessary, but it gives the speakers that pro-gamer look.

If anything else it creates excellent ambient light. This feature is entirely up to you.

Top 5 Best Gaming Speakers of 2023

Now that you know how to pick the best gaming speaker, you can take a look at my selection. I’ve reviewed speakers from all price points and levels of popularity. So, let’s jump right into it!