Buying Guide

The Best Gaming Speaker Bars for a PC Desk

A desk soundbar fits under a monitor and saves width. These five differ in inputs, bass and extras.

By , PC Hardware Editor

12 min read5 products evaluated

A desk setup with a keyboard, mouse and headset beside a monitor
Illustrative image

A speaker bar is the tidy way to get sound at a desk: one unit under the monitor instead of two speakers either side. Inputs vary, from USB-C to 3.5mm to Bluetooth.

We compared inputs, bass hardware, lighting and extras from each listing.

Quick Picks

Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.

  1. Best Single-Cable Bar

    Razer Leviathan V2 X PC Soundbar

    Power and audio over one USB-C cable.

    Best for: Tidy desks

    Check price for Razer Leviathan V2 X PC Soundbar on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
  2. Most Inputs

    Creative Sound Blaster GS3 Soundbar

    USB-C, AUX and Bluetooth 5.4 plus headphone out.

    Best for: Multiple devices

    Check price for Creative Sound Blaster GS3 Soundbar on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
  3. Best Budget Bar

    Redragon GS560 PC Soundbar

    Lowest price tier with a front volume knob.

    Best for: Budget desks

    Check price for Redragon GS560 PC Soundbar on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

Our Picks

Best Single-Cable Bar1 of 5

Razer Leviathan V2 X PC Soundbar

Razer's Leviathan V2 X runs power and sound over one USB-C cable, with two drivers and two passive radiators.

Best for

Tidy desks

Skip if

Price-first buyers should look at the GS560, which cost less when we checked.
Razer Leviathan V2 X PC Soundbar

Why we like it

It is small enough to sit under a monitor. Two full-range drivers and two passive radiators fit in the most compact bar in Razer's Leviathan V2 range. It pairs over low-latency Bluetooth 5.0, and Razer's software controls lighting and audio switching.

It is the only pick here with a two passive radiators subwoofer; the Leviathan V2 has a down-firing subwoofer instead. 14 Chroma RGB zones extras is unique to it among these picks, while the GS3 uses headphone output extras. It also comes with a 90dB maximum volume.

Bluetooth adds some delay, so use a wired input for games. Its price falls between the Philips soundbar and the Leviathan V2, based on our last check.

Key specs

Form
Desktop soundbar
Inputs
USB-C (power and audio), Bluetooth 5.0
Subwoofer
Two passive radiators
Extras
14 Chroma RGB zones

Pros

  • Two drivers with two passive radiators
  • Power and audio over one USB-C cable
  • 90dB maximum volume
  • 14 Chroma RGB zones extras, the only one here

Cons

  • Costs more than the GS560 at the time of writing

The catch

Buyers who need a confirmed peak power should compare it with the GS3, which offers 24W.

Best Bass2 of 5

Razer Leviathan V2 PC Soundbar with Subwoofer

The Leviathan V2 adds a down-firing subwoofer and THX Spatial Audio to Razer's desktop bar.

Best for

Games and films

Skip if

Price-first buyers should look at the GS560, which cost less when we checked.
Razer Leviathan V2 PC Soundbar with Subwoofer

Why we like it

Bluetooth 5.2 covers phones. Two full-range drivers and a down-firing subwoofer come in a bar that fits under a monitor. THX Spatial Audio adds 7.1 virtual surround for games and films.

Two full-range drivers and a down-firing subwoofer cover the full range, with THX Spatial Audio for 7.1 virtual surround. The compact bar fits under a monitor, angled toward you on rubber feet. It also offers 18 Chroma RGB zones.

Bluetooth adds some delay, so use a wired input for games. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the Leviathan V2 X. Buyers who need a confirmed peak power should compare it with the GS3, which offers 24W.

Key specs

Form
Desktop soundbar with subwoofer
Inputs
USB, Bluetooth 5.2
Subwoofer
Down-firing subwoofer
Extras
THX Spatial Audio, 18 RGB zones

Pros

  • Down-firing subwoofer
  • THX Spatial Audio 7.1 virtual surround
  • 18 Chroma RGB zones

Cons

  • Costs more than the GS560 at the time of writing

Most Inputs3 of 5

Creative Sound Blaster GS3 Soundbar

Creative's Sound Blaster GS3 takes USB-C, AUX and Bluetooth 5.4, and has a headphone output.

Best for

Multiple devices

Skip if

Worth skipping when no subwoofer, so deep bass comes only from the main drivers is a problem.
Creative Sound Blaster GS3 Soundbar

Why we like it

It has 24W peak. Its racetrack drivers and port tube reach 24W peak, and SuperWide processing widens the stereo image. RGB presets include a peak meter that follows the audio.

Its RGB presets include a peak meter that follows the sound, and SuperWide processing widens the stereo image. You get headphone output extras here, which sets it apart from the Leviathan V2 X and its 14 Chroma RGB zones extras. You also get three inputs in a compact bar.

Bluetooth adds some delay, so use a wired input for games. On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper GS560 and the pricier Philips soundbar, at the time of writing.

Key specs

Form
Desktop soundbar
Peak power
24W
Inputs
USB-C, AUX, Bluetooth 5.4
Subwoofer
None
Extras
Headphone output

Pros

  • Headphone output
  • Bluetooth 5.4
  • Three inputs in a compact bar
  • Highest peak power of the picks (24W)

Cons

  • No subwoofer, so deep bass comes only from the main drivers
  • Costs more than the GS560 at the time of writing

Best Budget Bar4 of 5

Redragon GS560 PC Soundbar

Redragon's GS560 is a roughly 16in USB-powered bar with a front volume knob and four lighting modes.

Best for

Budget desks

Skip if

Choose another pick if you can't accept this: no subwoofer, so deep bass comes only from the main drivers.
Redragon GS560 PC Soundbar

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 cost the least of the 5 picks at the time of writing, with the GS3 the next step up. There is no published peak power figure, whereas the GS3 offers 24W.

Key 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
  • Lowest price tier with a front volume knob

Cons

  • No subwoofer, so deep bass comes only from the main drivers

Best Portable Bar5 of 5

Philips Portable Bluetooth Soundbar

Philips's soundbar runs on a 12-hour battery and connects over Bluetooth 5.4.

Best for

Moving between rooms

Skip if

Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: no subwoofer, so deep bass comes only from the main drivers.
Philips Portable Bluetooth Soundbar

Why we like it

A built-in mic handles calls. It streams over Bluetooth 5.4, has RGB modes that follow the audio, and includes a microphone for calls. It fits under a monitor.

Its built-in battery lasts up to 12 hours, or 6 with lights on, so it works away from a power outlet. It outputs 14W peak from two full-range drivers. It includes a volume knob and USB playback, and the maker positions it for laptops, monitors and gaming setups.

You also get 7W RMS output. Bluetooth adds some delay, so use a wired input for games. It was priced above the GS3 and below the Leviathan V2 X at the time of writing.

Key specs

Form
Portable soundbar
Peak power
14W
Inputs
Bluetooth 5.4
Subwoofer
None
Extras
12-hour battery, built-in mic

Pros

  • 12-hour battery
  • Built-in microphone for calls
  • 7W RMS output
  • Bluetooth 5.4 inputs, the only one here

Cons

  • No subwoofer, so deep bass comes only from the main drivers
  • Costs more than the GS560 at the time of writing

How We Chose These Gaming Speaker Bars for PC

Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.

A wooden desk with a monitor on an arm and small speakers
A wooden desk with a monitor on an arm and small speakers
What we compared
We set side by side five speakers on form, peak power, inputs and subwoofer from manufacturer specifications. Nothing was tested in-house; 4 of the 5 fields compared are stated for every pick, while peak power has gaps.
What every pick has in common
All 5, from the Leviathan V2 X to the Philips soundbar, state form, inputs and subwoofer.
Where the specs have gaps
The Leviathan V2 X, the Leviathan V2 and the GS560 give no peak power.
Price range
At our last check the picks ran from the GS560 (under $50) to the Leviathan V2 ($150 to $250).

What to Look for in a Gaming Speaker Bar for PC

Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.

  1. Peak power across these picks

    Across these 2 picks peak power spans 14W (the Philips soundbar) to 24W (the GS3). The GS3 is the pick for peak power. The Leviathan V2 X, the Leviathan V2 and the GS560 give no peak power figure, so 2 of 5 picks are compared here.

  2. Extras that separate them

    The GS3: Bluetooth 5.4. The GS560: a front volume knob. The Philips soundbar: a built-in microphone for calls.

    A keyboard and mouse on a desk mat below a monitor and speaker
    A keyboard and mouse on a desk mat below a monitor and speaker
  3. Where your budget lands

    Under $50 buys the GS560; $50 to $100 buys the GS3, the Philips soundbar and the Leviathan V2 X; $150 to $250 buys the Leviathan V2 at our last check.

  4. Start from what matters most

    Tidy desks: the Leviathan V2 X. Games and films: the Leviathan V2. Multiple devices: the GS3.

    Desktop speakers either side of a monitor
    Desktop speakers either side of a monitor
  5. Inputs your PC has

    USB speakers need no sound card; 3.5mm works with any PC; Bluetooth frees cables but adds delay; HDMI and optical suit TVs more than desktops.

How to Choose a Gaming Speaker Bar for PC

By priority

PriorityConsiderWhy
Tidy desksLeviathan V2 XPower and audio over one USB-C cable
Games and filmsLeviathan V2Down-firing subwoofer included
Multiple devicesGS3USB-C, AUX and Bluetooth 5.4 plus headphone out
Budget desksGS560Lowest price tier with a front volume knob
Moving between roomsPhilips soundbar12-hour battery

Scroll sideways to see every column.

White bookshelf speakers either side of a monitor
White bookshelf speakers either side of a monitor

Key specs side by side

The GS3 leads on peak power at 24W, ahead of the Philips soundbar at 14W. "Not listed" marks peak power where the Leviathan V2 X, the Leviathan V2 and the GS560 leave the figure out.

SpeakerFormPeak powerInputsSubwoofer
Leviathan V2 XDesktop soundbarNot listedUSB-C (power and audio), Bluetooth 5.0Two passive radiators
Leviathan V2Desktop soundbar with subwooferNot listedUSB, Bluetooth 5.2Down-firing subwoofer
GS3Desktop soundbar24WUSB-C, AUX, Bluetooth 5.4None
GS560Desktop soundbarNot listedUSB power, 3.5mm audioNone
Philips soundbarPortable soundbar14WBluetooth 5.4None

Scroll sideways to see every column.

By price at the time of writing

The GS560 was the lowest-priced pick (under $50) and the Leviathan V2 the highest ($150 to $250) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.

Price tierSpeakers
Under $50GS560
About $50 to $100GS3, Philips soundbar, Leviathan V2 X
About $150 to $250Leviathan V2

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the GS3 ahead of the Philips soundbar on peak power?

The GS3 leads at 24W, with the Philips soundbar at 14W. No peak power figure is published for the Leviathan V2 X, the Leviathan V2 and the GS560, which leaves 2 of 5 picks ranked here.

Why is the Leviathan V2 our Best Bass pick?

The label rests on down-firing subwoofer included. The GS560, the cheapest pick, sat in the under $50 tier against $150 to $250 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It is aimed at games and films.

What extras do the Leviathan V2 X and the Leviathan V2 include?

The Leviathan V2 X: two drivers with two passive radiators. The Leviathan V2: a down-firing subwoofer. The GS3: a headphone output.

Who should choose the Leviathan V2 X?

The Leviathan V2 X carries our Best Single-Cable Bar label for power and audio over one USB-C cable. It ranks first of 5 here and sat in the $50 to $100 tier at our last price check; it suits tidy desks.

Should I pick the Leviathan V2 X or the Philips soundbar?

The Leviathan V2 X suits tidy desks; the Philips soundbar suits moving between rooms.

Bottom Line

The Leviathan V2 X is the simplest desk bar with one USB-C cable. The Leviathan V2 adds a subwoofer, the GS3 adds a headphone output and three inputs, the GS560 costs least, and the Philips runs on battery.

About the author

PC Hardware Editor

Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.

Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility

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