Buying Guide
The Best Gaming PC Speakers Under $150
From the GS560 to the Z407: three speakers ranked on form and inputs, with who should skip each one.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read3 products evaluated
USB-powered speakers keep cabling simple on a gaming desk. Every pick uses USB and cost $150 or less, ordered from the lowest price.
This is a research roundup, not a lab test: form, inputs and extras come from each maker's published specs; nothing here was tested in-house, and gaps in the specs are flagged, not filled in.
Quick Picks
Our 3 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
Redragon GS560 PC Soundbar
The cheapest way into this group, below the GS520.
Best for: Spending as little as possible.
Our take Check price for Redragon GS560 PC Soundbar (opens in a new tab)
Stereo Pair Form
Redragon GS520 PC Speakers
A stereo pair form.
Best for: Buyers who want a stereo pair form.
Our take Check price for Redragon GS520 PC Speakers (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Logitech Z407 2.1 Bluetooth Speakers with Subwoofer
The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a wireless control dial with a 30m range.
Best for: Buyers who want the most complete package.
Our take Check price for Logitech Z407 2.1 Bluetooth Speakers with Subwoofer (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The cheapest way into this group, below the GS520. | Spending as little as possible. | Check price for Redragon GS560 PC Soundbar (opens in a new tab) |
| A stereo pair form. | Buyers who want a stereo pair form. | Check price for Redragon GS520 PC Speakers (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a wireless control dial with a 30m range. | Buyers who want the most complete package. | Check price for Logitech Z407 2.1 Bluetooth Speakers with Subwoofer (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 3
Redragon GS560 PC Soundbar on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Redragon's GS560 is a roughly 16in USB-powered bar with a front volume knob and four lighting modes.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when no subwoofer, so deep bass comes only from the main driver is a problem.
Why we like it
Audio arrives over 3.5mm. At about 16 inches wide it fits under most monitors, and its RGB lighting can sync to the music. It suits a gaming desk where space for two speakers is tight.
A volume knob with a built-in power switch sits on the bar, and it runs on USB power with a 3.5mm audio cable. It works with PCs, TVs and consoles. USB supplies power only; sound arrives over the 3.5mm cable.
It makes the most sense for spending as little as possible, since it offers the cheapest way into this group, below the GS520. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the GS520 was the next step up.
Key dimensions & specs
- Form: Desktop soundbar
- Inputs: USB power, 3.5mm audio
- Subwoofer: None
- Extras: 4 lighting modes, volume knob
Pros
- Roughly 16in body that fits under most monitors
- Front volume knob
- Four lighting modes
- The cheapest way into this group, below the GS520
Cons
- No subwoofer, so deep bass comes only from the main drivers
Stereo Pair Form2 of 3
Redragon GS520 PC Speakers on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Redragon's GS520 is a USB-powered stereo pair with six touch-controlled RGB modes.
Best for
- Buyers who want a stereo pair form.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: no subwoofer, so deep bass comes only from the main drivers.
Why we like it
Sound comes over 3.5mm. Volume sits on the speaker itself, so you don't need to reach for the keyboard. Separate volume buttons give precise control, and it runs on USB power with 3.5mm audio and mic cables.
The brushed finish suits a minimalist desk. Its full-range 2.0 stereo drivers suit a small desk without a subwoofer. It is the only pick here with 6 touch RGB modes extras; the Z407 has wireless control dial extras instead.
You also get a low price tier. USB supplies power only; sound arrives over the 3.5mm cable. It was priced above the GS560 and below the Z407 at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Form: Stereo pair
- Inputs: USB power, 3.5mm audio
- Subwoofer: None
- Extras: 6 touch RGB modes
Pros
- Six touch-controlled RGB modes
- USB power
- Low price tier
- A stereo pair form
Cons
- No subwoofer, so deep bass comes only from the main drivers
- Costs more than the GS560 at the time of writing
Premium Pick3 of 3
Logitech Z407 2.1 Bluetooth Speakers with Subwoofer on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Logitech's Z407 adds a subwoofer and a wireless control dial with a 30m range.
Best for
- Buyers who want the most complete package.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the GS560 was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It has 40W RMS. It delivers 80W peak and 40W RMS with a down-firing subwoofer, and it connects over Bluetooth or USB. A wireless control puck handles volume.
You get wireless control dial extras here, which sets it apart from the GS520 and its 6 touch RGB modes extras. It also offers 40W RMS output and three inputs. Bluetooth adds some delay, so use a wired input for games.
Another plus is separate subwoofer, the only one here. It was the highest-priced of the 3 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the GS520 and the rest.
Key dimensions & specs
- Form: 2.1 with subwoofer
- Peak power: 80W
- Inputs: USB, 3.5mm, Bluetooth
- Subwoofer: Separate subwoofer
- Extras: Wireless control dial
Pros
- Wireless control dial with a 30m range
- 40W RMS output
- Three inputs
- Separate subwoofer, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the GS560 at the time of writing
How We Chose These Gaming PC Speakers Under $150
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- We compared three speakers on form, inputs, subwoofer and extras from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house.
- The shared baseline
- All 3, from the GS560 to the Z407, state form, inputs and subwoofer.
- Who each pick suits
- The GS560 for the cheapest way into this group, below the GS520; the GS520 for a stereo pair form; the Z407 for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a wireless control dial with a 30m range.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the GS560 (under $50) to the Z407 ($100 to $150).
What to Look for in Gaming PC Speakers Under $150
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
What to check at home
USB supplies power only; sound arrives over the 3.5mm cable. Bluetooth adds some delay, so use a wired input for games.
Features beyond the spec table
The GS560: a front volume knob. The GS520: USB power. The Z407: 40W RMS output.
Where your budget lands
Under $50 buys the GS560 and the GS520; $100 to $150 buys the Z407 at our last check.
Match the pick to your priority
Spending as little as possible: the GS560. Buyers who want a stereo pair form: the GS520. Buyers who want the most complete package: the Z407.
Measure the desk
Check the width of a soundbar against the monitor stand, and the depth of stereo speakers against the desk edge.
How to Choose Gaming PC Speakers Under $150
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spending as little as possible | GS560 | The cheapest way into this group, below the GS520 |
| Buyers who want a stereo pair form | GS520 | A stereo pair form |
| Buyers who want the most complete package | Z407 | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a wireless control dial with a 30m range |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The GS560, the GS520 and the rest, as their makers list them.
| Speaker | Form | Inputs | Subwoofer | Extras |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS560 | Desktop soundbar | USB power, 3.5mm audio | None | 4 lighting modes, volume knob |
| GS520 | Stereo pair | USB power, 3.5mm audio | None | 6 touch RGB modes |
| Z407 | 2.1 with subwoofer | USB, 3.5mm, Bluetooth | Separate subwoofer | Wireless control dial |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The GS560 was the lowest-priced pick and the Z407 the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Speakers |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | GS560, GS520 |
| About $100 to $150 | Z407 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the GS560 the Lowest Price Here?
It earns the label for the cheapest way into this group, below the GS520. It suits spending as little as possible.
What should I check before buying the Z407?
Bluetooth adds some delay, so use a wired input for games. In this guide it ranks third of 3, as our Premium Pick pick.
Beyond the specs, what sets the GS560 and the GS520 apart?
The GS560: a roughly 16in body that fits under most monitors. The GS520: six touch-controlled RGB modes. The Z407: a wireless control dial with a 30m range.
Can I use a TV soundbar with a PC?
Yes, over Bluetooth, optical or HDMI where the PC supports it. A desktop soundbar with USB or 3.5mm input is simpler at a desk.
Is Bluetooth fine for games?
For casual play it is usable, but it adds delay. A wired input avoids that.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the GS560, chosen for the cheapest way into this group, below the GS520. Look at the GS520 for a stereo pair form and the Z407 for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a wireless control dial with a 30m range if those matter more to you.
USB power can cap volume; use a strong port.