Buying Guide
The Best PC Speakers Under $40
From the GS520 to the Pebble V3: three speakers ranked on form and inputs, with who should skip each one.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read3 products evaluated
Under $40 PC speakers are small stereo pairs or compact soundbars powered over USB. Every set cost 40 or less when we checked and is a PC speaker system with its inputs listed.
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 a missing extras is flagged, not filled in.
Quick Picks
Our 3 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
Redragon GS520 PC Speakers
Undercutting the GS560 on price when we checked.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the GS560.
Our take Check price for Redragon GS520 PC Speakers (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Redragon GS560 PC Soundbar
A roughly 16in body that fits under most monitors.
Best for: Buyers who want roughly 16in body that fits under most monitors.
Our take Check price for Redragon GS560 PC Soundbar (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Creative Pebble V3 USB-C Desktop Speakers
The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 2.25in full-range drivers angled up at 45 degrees.
Best for: Buyers who want 2.25in full-range drivers angled up at 45 degrees and can spend more than the GS560 costs.
Our take Check price for Creative Pebble V3 USB-C Desktop Speakers (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undercutting the GS560 on price when we checked. | Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the GS560. | Check price for Redragon GS520 PC Speakers (opens in a new tab) |
| A roughly 16in body that fits under most monitors. | Buyers who want roughly 16in body that fits under most monitors. | Check price for Redragon GS560 PC Soundbar (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 2.25in full-range drivers angled up at 45 degrees. | Buyers who want 2.25in full-range drivers angled up at 45 degrees and can spend more than the GS560 costs. | Check price for Creative Pebble V3 USB-C Desktop Speakers (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 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 would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the GS560.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: 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 also offers a low price tier.
USB supplies power only; sound arrives over the 3.5mm cable. It makes the most sense for buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the GS560, since it offers undercutting the GS560 on price when we checked. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the GS560 was closest.
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
- Undercutting the GS560 on price when we checked
Cons
- No subwoofer, so deep bass comes only from the main drivers
Also Consider2 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
- Buyers who want roughly 16in body that fits under most monitors.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when no subwoofer, so deep bass comes only from the main drivers 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. On price it sat second of 3, between the cheaper GS520 and the pricier Pebble V3, at the time of writing.
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
Cons
- No subwoofer, so deep bass comes only from the main drivers
- Costs more than the GS520 at the time of writing
Premium Pick3 of 3
Creative Pebble V3 USB-C Desktop Speakers on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Creative's Pebble V3 runs on a single USB-C cable for power and sound, with Bluetooth 5.0 and a 3.5mm input as alternatives.
Best for
- Buyers who want 2.25in full-range drivers angled up at 45 degrees and can spend more than the GS560 costs.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: no subwoofer, so deep bass comes only from the main drivers.
Why we like it
Its 2.25in drivers angle up at 45 degrees toward the listener, and a gain switch adds volume. Its 2.25-inch drivers are 50% louder than the previous Pebble, and Clear Dialog processing helps speech in calls and films. It also connects over Bluetooth 5.0 or a 3.5mm input, and its drivers angle up 45 degrees toward your ears.
Its 2.25-inch drivers are 50% louder than the previous Pebble, and one USB-C cable carries power and audio. Bluetooth adds some delay, so use a wired input for games. At our last price check it topped the group, with the GS560 the nearest cheaper option.
Key dimensions & specs
- Form: Stereo pair
- Inputs: USB-C (power and audio), Bluetooth 5.0, 3.5mm
- Subwoofer: None
Pros
- 2.25in full-range drivers angled up at 45 degrees
- Clear Dialog processing for speech
- Gain switch for extra volume
- The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 2.25in full-range drivers angled up at 45 degrees
Cons
- No subwoofer, so deep bass comes only from the main drivers
- Costs more than the GS520 at the time of writing
How We Chose These PC Speakers Under $40
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We compared three speakers on form, inputs, subwoofer and extras, using each maker's published specs. These are research figures, not bench results: 1 of 3 picks leave out extras.
- The shared baseline
- All 3, from the GS520 to the Pebble V3, state form, inputs and subwoofer.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Pebble V3 gives no extras.
- Price range
- From the GS520 to the Pebble V3, all sat in the under $50 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in PC Speakers Under $40
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Features beyond the spec table
The GS520: USB power. The GS560: a front volume knob. The Pebble V3: Clear Dialog processing for speech.
Budget
Price does little to separate these 3: the GS520 through the Pebble V3 all landed in the under $50 tier, which leaves features to decide it.
Match the pick to your priority
Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the GS560: the GS520. Buyers who want 2.25in full-range drivers angled up at 45 degrees and can spend more than the GS560 costs: the Pebble V3.
Soundbar or stereo pair
A soundbar sits under a monitor and saves desk width. A stereo pair spreads the sound wider and usually fills a room better at the same price.
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 PC Speakers Under $40
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the GS560 | GS520 | Undercutting the GS560 on price when we checked |
| Buyers who want roughly 16in body that fits under most monitors | GS560 | A roughly 16in body that fits under most monitors |
| Buyers who want 2.25in full-range drivers angled up at 45 degrees and can spend more than the GS560 costs | Pebble V3 | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 2.25in full-range drivers angled up at 45 degrees |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The GS520, the GS560 and the rest, as their makers list them.
| Speaker | Form | Inputs | Subwoofer | Extras |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS520 | Stereo pair | USB power, 3.5mm audio | None | 6 touch RGB modes |
| GS560 | Desktop soundbar | USB power, 3.5mm audio | None | 4 lighting modes, volume knob |
| Pebble V3 | Stereo pair | USB-C (power and audio), Bluetooth 5.0, 3.5mm | None | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the GS520 the Lowest Price Here?
It carries the badge for undercutting the GS560 on price when we checked. It is aimed at anyone who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the GS560.
Beyond the specs, what sets the GS520 and the GS560 apart?
The GS520: six touch-controlled RGB modes. The GS560: a roughly 16in body that fits under most monitors. The Pebble V3: 2.25in full-range drivers angled up at 45 degrees.
Who should choose the Pebble V3?
The Pebble V3 carries our Premium Pick label for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 2.25in full-range drivers angled up at 45 degrees. It ranks third of 3 here and sat in the under $50 tier at our last price check; it suits anyone who wants 2.25in full-range drivers angled up at 45 degrees and can spend more than the GS560 costs.
Should I pick the GS520 or the Pebble V3?
The GS520 suits buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the GS560; the Pebble V3 suits buyers who want 2.25in full-range drivers angled up at 45 degrees and can spend more than the GS560 costs.
Can I plug headphones into the speakers?
Only if the maker specifies a headphone output. Otherwise, use the PC's own jack.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the GS520, chosen for undercutting the GS560 on price when we checked. Look at the GS560 for a roughly 16in body that fits under most monitors and the Pebble V3 for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 2.25in full-range drivers angled up at 45 degrees if those matter more to you.
Check how the speakers get power and audio; USB power and a 3.5mm input are the most common.