Upgrading your PC’s audio doesn’t have to mean a cluttered desk covered in speakers and cables. A dedicated PC soundbar is the perfect solution, offering a sleek, space-saving design that tucks neatly under your monitor while providing a significant audio improvement over built-in speakers. Whether you’re gaming, streaming movies, or listening to music, the right soundbar can dramatically enhance your auditory experience.
This guide cuts through the noise to present the best PC soundbars on the market. We’ve curated a list that covers a wide range of needs and budgets, from simple USB-powered bars for clear voice calls to feature-rich systems with virtual surround sound and powerful subwoofers. Find the ideal audio companion to complete your desktop setup and immerse yourself in superior sound.
The Essential PC Soundbar Roundup
- Dell Stereo SoundBar- AC511M
- LG Ultragear GP9 – Portable Gaming Speaker
- BLUEDEE Computer Speakers, Bluetooth Soundbar
- Razer Leviathan V2 X PC Soundbar
- Creative Stage V2 2.1 Soundbar with Subwoofer
- Bose TV Speaker – Soundbar for TV
- VIZIO V-Series 2.0 Compact Sound Bar
- Sony HT-S400 2.1ch Soundbar
- Polk Audio Signa S2 Sound Bar
- JBL Bar 2.0 All-in-One Soundbar
Dell Stereo SoundBar- AC511M
The Dell Stereo SoundBar-AC511M is the epitome of minimalist audio enhancement. Its low-profile design is built to mount directly onto compatible Dell monitors, creating a seamless look that saves precious desk space. You will appreciate its clean, integrated appearance that makes it look like a natural part of your monitor.
Setup is incredibly straightforward, requiring only a single USB connection to your monitor or laptop for both power and audio. There are no extra software drivers, power cords, or batteries needed. This plug-and-play approach delivers clear stereo sound for video calls and media playback without any complication, making it a smart upgrade from basic built-in speakers.
LG Ultragear GP9
The LG Ultragear GP9 is a versatile portable gaming speaker that doubles as a high-performance PC soundbar. It is engineered with specialized sound modes for FPS and RTS games, helping you hear critical audio cues like footsteps and environmental details with greater clarity. Its built-in Hi-Fi Quad DAC revitalizes music and gaming audio for a high-resolution listening experience.
Beyond its wired connections, the GP9 offers Bluetooth connectivity and a 5-hour battery, giving you the freedom to use it anywhere. The DTS Headphone:X technology can instantly upgrade your headset to virtual 7.1 surround sound, while the integrated microphone makes it easy to jump into voice chat sessions without a separate headset.
BLUEDEE Bluetooth Soundbar
The BLUEDEE Computer Soundbar offers excellent value with its dual drivers and dual diaphragms, delivering a balanced Hi-Fi stereo sound with clear highs and respectable bass. Anti-magnetic technology is incorporated to eliminate static interference, ensuring a crisp and clean audio performance for both music and movies.
This soundbar provides flexible connectivity with both a 3.5mm aux-in connection and Bluetooth 5.0, allowing you to easily link it to your PC, laptop, or mobile devices. A distinctive feature is its relaxing ambient light strips, which add a modern and elegant touch to your desk setup while you listen.
Razer Leviathan V2 X
The Razer Leviathan V2 X is a compact soundbar designed specifically for the desktop. Its form factor is engineered to fit perfectly beneath your monitor, promoting a clean and organized workspace. Despite its small size, it is armed with two full-range drivers and two passive radiators for a surprisingly rich and riveting audio experience.
Simplicity is key with the Leviathan V2 X, as it is powered by a single USB Type-C cable that handles both power and audio delivery. With Bluetooth 5.0 support and Razer’s signature Chroma RGB lighting, this soundbar combines essential audio performance with the customizable aesthetics that gamers love.
Creative Stage V2 2.1 Soundbar
For those seeking powerful bass, the Creative Stage V2 is a 2.1 channel system that includes a dedicated, powerful subwoofer. This combination fills your room with immersive audio and deep, thumping low frequencies that a standalone soundbar cannot match. It is powered by Sound Blaster audio processing, which enhances vocal clarity and creates a wider surround sound experience.
This system functions as an all-in-one audio entertainment hub. It comes equipped with a comprehensive set of connectivity options, including TV ARC, optical, AUX, Bluetooth, and USB audio. This versatility makes it compatible with virtually any device, from your PC and TV to your smartphone and gaming consoles.
Bose TV Speaker
The Bose TV Speaker is an all-in-one soundbar designed with audio clarity as its primary focus. Its key strength lies in enhancing dialogue, making it easier to hear every word in movies, TV shows, and news broadcasts. Two angled full-range drivers work to deliver a more realistic and spatial audio experience from a compact unit.
Despite its simple setup and minimalist design, this soundbar delivers a significant improvement over standard TV speakers. With Bluetooth and HDMI-ARC connectivity, it can seamlessly become the audio source for your PC monitor and other devices, all while maintaining the renowned Bose commitment to clear and natural sound.
VIZIO V-Series 2.0 Compact Sound Bar
The VIZIO V-Series 2.0 soundbar offers a fantastic balance of performance, features, and value. Its compact and versatile design is optimized for small to medium-sized rooms, making it an excellent fit for a desktop environment or a bedroom. The sleek, all-black finish features a textured surface that is both modern and easy to clean.
It uses DTS Virtual:X technology to create a room-filling, floor-to-ceiling virtualized soundstage from just its two built-in full-range speakers. This provides a more immersive listening experience for movies and games without needing additional speakers or a subwoofer, all while maintaining brilliant audio clarity.
Sony HT-S400 2.1ch Soundbar
The Sony HT-S400 is a 2.1 channel system that includes a soundbar and a powerful wireless subwoofer. This setup is designed to deliver cinematic-style surround sound to your PC or TV setup. Technologies like S-Force PRO Front Surround and Dolby Digital work together to create an expansive and immersive audio environment.
Sony’s X-Balanced Speaker Unit and Separated Notch Edge technology are engineered to produce wide-ranging sound with enhanced vocal clarity. The system is user-friendly, featuring a simple remote control and a convenient OLED display window that makes adjusting settings straightforward.
Polk Audio Signa S2 Sound Bar
The Polk Audio Signa S2 is a premium, ultra-slim soundbar that comes with an included wireless subwoofer for a complete audio solution. Its five powerful full-range drivers in the soundbar work in concert with the subwoofer to deliver rich audio with deep, room-filling bass. Polk’s exclusive VoiceAdjust technology actively enhances dialogue clarity, which is perfect for conference calls and movies.
At just over two inches tall, it fits perfectly in front of most monitors without blocking the screen or IR sensors. It supports Dolby Digital decoding and offers multiple connection possibilities, including HDMI-ARC and optical, making it a versatile centerpiece for a high-quality PC and home theater sound system.
JBL Bar 2.0 All-in-One Soundbar
JBL is renowned for its powerful and clear audio, and the JBL Bar 2.0 All-in-One Soundbar brings that legacy to your desktop. This sleek, all-in-one unit is designed to deliver an upgrade from basic speakers with minimal setup. It houses multiple drivers in a single enclosure to produce JBL’s signature sound, known for its clarity and presence.
With connectivity options that typically include HDMI-ARC and Bluetooth, it offers a simple way to connect to your PC and other devices wirelessly. The streamlined design avoids clutter while providing a substantial audio performance that brings your music, games, and movies to life.
Buying Guide: What to Look For in a PC Soundbar
When I started looking for a PC soundbar, I quickly realized it’s not just about picking the one with the most lights or the biggest brand name. There are a few key things that can make or break your experience, turning a simple upgrade into a game-changer for your desk setup. Let me walk you through what I consider the most important factors.
First up is connectivity. This is how your soundbar talks to your computer. The most common options are USB, 3.5mm aux, and optical. USB is super convenient—it often carries both power and audio through a single cable, which helps reduce clutter. A 3.5mm aux cable is the universal fallback; it works with almost anything but might pick up a bit of electrical noise from your PC. Optical connections can provide a super clean digital signal, but not all modern PCs have an optical port anymore. Think about what ports you have free and what fits your need for simplicity versus absolute audio quality.
Next, consider the built-in features. Does it have a built-in DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter)? A good DAC can seriously improve the sound coming from your computer’s motherboard. Also, pay attention to the controls. Some soundbars have physical buttons on the unit, others come with a separate wired remote, and a few even have wireless remotes. I personally prefer having physical controls I can easily tap without fumbling around. If you’re a gamer or take a lot of calls, look for a model that includes a dedicated microphone input. This lets you plug your favorite headset directly into the soundbar for easy switching.
Finally, think about the physical design and audio performance. Measure your desk space! You don’t want a soundbar that blocks your monitor or hangs off the edges. As for sound, a 2.0 channel system (two speakers) is standard and great for most people. If you want more bass without a separate subwoofer, look for a model that uses passive radiators to enhance the low end. For a truly immersive experience, some soundbars offer virtual surround sound, which can be great for movies and certain games. This guide to the 10 best PC soundbars will highlight models that excel in these specific areas, helping you find the perfect audio companion for your PC.
FAQ
Do I need a separate subwoofer with a PC soundbar?
Not necessarily. Many modern PC soundbars are engineered to produce a surprising amount of bass on their own, often using passive radiators to move more air. A separate subwoofer is great if you really want that chest-thumping, room-shaking low end for action movies or bass-heavy music. However, for most desk setups where space is limited and you’re sitting close to the speakers, a well-designed soundbar by itself is often more than sufficient. Adding a subwoofer can also be overkill in an office or shared environment.
What is the advantage of a USB connection over a 3.5mm connection?
A USB connection has two main advantages. First, it often powers the soundbar, so you only need one cable for both audio and electricity. This is a huge win for cable management. Second, and more importantly, a USB connection carries a digital signal. This means the soundbar uses its own internal DAC to convert the audio, which is typically higher quality than the DAC found on most computer motherboards. A 3.5mm connection carries an analog signal that has already been converted by your PC’s sound card, which can sometimes introduce static or interference.
Can I use a TV soundbar for my computer?
You can, but it might not be ideal. TV soundbars are often much wider, designed to fit under a 55-inch or larger television. On a desk, this could block your monitor or look awkward. They also usually require a separate power brick and might rely on an optical input that your PC lacks. PC-specific soundbars are designed with desk-friendly sizes, simpler connectivity like USB, and sometimes include handy features like a headphone jack on the front. When looking at our list of the 10 best PC soundbars, you’ll see they are chosen with a desktop environment in mind.
How do I get the best sound quality from my new soundbar?
Start by using the best connection available. If your soundbar has a USB port, use that before the 3.5mm aux input. Next, position it correctly. The soundbar should be centered directly under or above your monitor, not tucked away or angled strangely. Finally, dig into your computer’s sound settings. Make sure the audio format is set correctly (e.g., 24-bit, 48kHz or higher if supported) and disable any sound “enhancements” from your operating system that might be distorting the original audio signal. Let the soundbar’s own hardware do the work.
Are soundbars good for competitive gaming?
Soundbars are excellent for an immersive gaming experience, but for hyper-competitive gaming where pinpoint directional audio is critical, many top players still prefer high-quality headphones. Headphones provide an unrivaled stereo image directly in your ears. That said, a good soundbar with virtual surround sound can provide a very compelling and spacious soundscape for single-player, story-driven games and is perfectly capable for most competitive play. It really comes down to personal preference and whether you need to keep game audio private.