Buying Guide
The Best RGB PC Speakers
From the GS560 to the Pebble X Plus: three speakers ranked on form and inputs, with who should skip each one.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read3 products evaluated
RGB speakers match a lit desk and often sync to audio. Every pick has lighting, ordered from the lowest price.
Our comparison rests on published figures for form, inputs and extras; nothing here was tested in-house, and where a maker leaves a figure out, we say so.
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
Creative Pebble X Plus 2.1 Speakers
The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 15W RMS by default and 30W RMS with a 30W+ USB-C PD adapter.
Best for: Buyers who want the most complete package.
Our take Check price for Creative Pebble X Plus 2.1 Speakers (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 15W RMS by default and 30W RMS with a 30W+ USB-C PD adapter. | Buyers who want the most complete package. | Check price for Creative Pebble X Plus 2.1 Speakers (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
- Pass on it if no subwoofer, so deep bass comes only from the main driver rules it out for your setup.
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 undercut the GS520 and every other pick on price 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
- 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
- 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
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. No other pick in this guide offers 6 touch RGB modes extras; compare the Pebble X Plus, which has RGB extras.
You also get a low price tier. USB supplies power only; sound arrives over the 3.5mm cable. When we checked, only the GS560 cost less, and the Pebble X Plus cost more.
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
Creative Pebble X Plus 2.1 Speakers on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Creative's Pebble X Plus is a compact 2.1 set that doubles to 30W RMS with a 30W+ USB-C PD adapter.
Best for
- Buyers who want the most complete package.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the GS560, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It connects over USB-C, AUX and Bluetooth 5.3. Its 2.75-inch drivers and compact subwoofer deliver 15W RMS and 30W peak, and a 30W USB-C PD adapter unlocks more volume. RGB lighting can be set to match a desk setup.
You get RGB extras here, which sets it apart from the GS520 and its 6 touch RGB modes extras. 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: 30W
- Inputs: USB-C, AUX, Bluetooth 5.3
- Subwoofer: Separate subwoofer
- Extras: RGB
Pros
- 15W RMS by default and 30W RMS with a 30W+ USB-C PD adapter
- Compact 2.1 layout
- Bluetooth 5.3
- Separate subwoofer, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the GS560 at the time of writing
How We Chose These RGB PC Speakers
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- We lined up 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 Pebble X Plus, 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 Pebble X Plus for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 15W RMS by default and 30W RMS with a 30W+ USB-C PD adapter.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the GS560 (under $50) to the Pebble X Plus ($100 to $150).
What to Look for in RGB PC Speakers
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Fit and compatibility
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 Pebble X Plus: a compact 2.1 layout.
How much to spend
Under $50 buys the GS560 and the GS520; $100 to $150 buys the Pebble X Plus 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 Pebble X Plus.
Do you need a subwoofer
A separate or down-firing subwoofer adds low bass for films and games. In a flat or shared room, a 2.0 set may be the better neighbor.
How to Choose RGB PC Speakers
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 | Pebble X Plus | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 15W RMS by default and 30W RMS with a 30W+ USB-C PD adapter |
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 |
| Pebble X Plus | 2.1 with subwoofer | USB-C, AUX, Bluetooth 5.3 | Separate subwoofer | RGB |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The GS560 was the lowest-priced pick and the Pebble X Plus the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Speakers |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | GS560, GS520 |
| About $100 to $150 | Pebble X Plus |
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 GS560?
USB supplies power only; sound arrives over the 3.5mm cable. In this guide it ranks first of 3, as our Lowest Price Here 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 Pebble X Plus: 15W RMS by default and 30W RMS with a 30W+ USB-C PD adapter.
Is Bluetooth fine for games?
For casual play it is usable, but it adds delay. A wired input avoids that.
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 GS560, chosen for the cheapest way into this group, below the GS520. Look at the GS520 for a stereo pair form and the Pebble X Plus for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 15W RMS by default and 30W RMS with a 30W+ USB-C PD adapter if those matter more to you.
Turn lighting to static to avoid distraction while working.