Many gaming speakers support multiple platforms, such as Windows, iOS, and Android operating systems, as well as consoles like the PlayStation 5 or Nintendo Switch, allowing you to use a single solution for all of your gaming devices. To help you find the right gaming speaker for you, I’ve put together a list of the 5 best you can buy right now. I’ve broken down their features, platform compatibility, and price points to help you decide which is the best fit for your gaming space and budget. Also:
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The Razer Nommo Chroma is also a great alternative gaming speaker for those who prioritize sleek design and customization options, with its unique cylindrical shape, customizable RGB lighting, and easy-to-use control pod. The Logitech G560 is one of the best gaming speaker systems you can buy for your PC. It connects to your computer, console, or mobile device via USB or Bluetooth, providing either a completely wireless setup or a more reliable hardwired connection. The dual speakers and dedicated subwoofer offer up to 240 watts of peak power, producing up to 97 decibels of volume, so you can feel and hear deep bass tones and clear mid and high notes. The G560 also uses DTS:X Ultra virtual surround sound to recreate spatial and positional audio, making it easier to pinpoint in-game sound cues. Additionally, the speakers work with Logitech’s Lightsync RGB lighting system, allowing you to customize four lighting zones on each speaker with over 16 million colors. You can even set the RGB lighting to react to in-game audio such as music, gunfire, or explosions, adding a bit more visual flair to your Twitch streams or personal gaming sessions. The Pebble by Creative Labs is an excellent choice if you’re looking for seriously budget-friendly speakers for gaming on your PC, laptop, or mobile device. For under $20, you’ll get a pair of 4.4-watt speakers with 2-inch drivers and passive bass radiators to help enhance your computer’s native audio. The compact design makes them an ideal option for laptop gamers, as they can easily fit inside a tote, backpack, or laptop bag, and they don’t require a ton of desk space. The Pebble is also plug-and-play, which means that you won’t have to wait for dedicated drivers to download and install, and it also means that these speakers can be used with Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android devices. If you’re looking to invest in a high-end, dedicated gaming speaker system, the SteelSeries Arena 9 is an excellent option. It uses a combination of wired and wireless speakers, along with a dedicated subwoofer, to provide 5.1CH true surround sound for your gaming space. The rear speakers are wireless, giving you plenty of freedom to create custom configurations, while the wired speakers provide precise delivery of high and mid-tones. The 6.5-inch subwoofer has a downward-firing diaphragm, directing those powerful bass notes into the floor so you can feel as much as hear them. A separate control pod lets you easily adjust volume, create custom EQ settings, switch connection options, and more. The OLED screen creates crystal-clear text so you never have to use trial-and-error to know what each function is. You can connect the Arena 9 to your Windows or Mac PC, PlayStation 5, or Xbox Series X via USB or Bluetooth, while a 3.5mm AUX and Optical cables allow you to connect to mobile devices and televisions. For gamers who prefer consoles over PCs, the Vizio 2.1CH soundbar is an excellent way to enhance your TV’s integrated speakers for a more immersive and enjoyable gaming experience. The soundbar comes with a dedicated wireless subwoofer for deep bass notes, while the soundbar itself handles the mid and high tones. The Vizio soundbar uses DTS Virtual:X audio processing for cleaner, clearer sound, ensuring you’ll never miss a word of dialogue or in-game audio cue. If you use the 4K HDMI passthrough option, the soundbar supports Dolby Atmos virtual surround sound if your TV is capable of it. You can also use Alexa, Hey Google, or Siri for hands-free voice controls over your TV and connected consoles. This way, you can power on consoles, launch apps like Twitch and YouTube for walkthrough videos or let’s plays, adjust volume, and more without having to hunt down a remote. For gamers who want a speaker that looks as good as it sounds, the Razer Leviathan V2 X combines a compact design, customizable RGB lighting, and personalized EQ settings to create a more immersive experience. You can connect the Leviathan V2 X to your computer or console via Bluetooth or USB-C, letting you choose between a clean, wireless setup or a more reliable wired connection when needed. If you choose a Bluetooth connection, you can set up multiple devices and switch between them on-the-fly with the Razer Audio app. The Audio app also lets you create custom EQ profiles to suit different game genres, as well as music and voice chat. You can use the Razer Synapse desktop app to customize the RGB lighting as well. The 14 lighting zones can be customized with one of Razer’s pre-programmed color and pattern schemes, or set to react to in-game audio and music, adding more visual flair to personal gaming sessions or live streams. You’ll also want to consider speakers that have integrated Dolby or DTS audio processing, which can provide object-spatial audio without a headset. This allows you to pinpoint audio cues like enemy footsteps and gunfire to press your advantage or fall back and regroup. At its core, Dolby Atmos is an audio processing algorithm designed to replicate true surround sound in single or dual-speaker setups. If you decide to invest in a dedicated sound system for your PC or console gaming setup, a Dolby Atmos-enabled soundbar or speakers can replicate the spatial audio you experience with high-end gaming headsets. This means that even without a headset, you will still be able to clearly pick up in-game audio cues like footsteps, enemy fire, or environmental sounds. Gaming with a soundbar also means you will have more freedom to move about your space, especially if you use wireless controllers, mice, and keyboards. Plus, you will not have to worry about keeping a headset charged during your gaming sessions. The downside of a dedicated, Dolby Atmos-enabled sound system is the space it takes up. Even the smallest soundbars and bookshelf speakers take up more space than a typical headset, so you will want to plan ahead and take measurements to make sure everything will fit. You also need to be considerate of your roommates and neighbors, so make sure to choose a soundbar or speaker system that is not going to disturb everyone in the early morning hours while still providing you with a more immersive gaming experience. However, dedicated sound systems are better for pre-recorded long-plays where a creator may want to appreciate the game’s sound design, dialogue, and music with more robust audio technology. But this setup also requires the use of a dedicated microphone and noise-isolation/cancellation software to separate the creator’s voice track from the ambient and game audio for easier editing and cleaner commentary sound. The SteelSeries Arena 3 is an alternative gaming speaker for those who want a more affordable option without sacrificing too many features, as it still offers true surround sound, multi-platform compatibility, and multiple connection options. The Bose Companion 2 Series III is a good alternative gaming speaker due to its sleek and compact design, clear and balanced audio output, and easy plug-and-play setup, making it a great option for gamers who want high-quality sound without a complicated installation process.
