Buying Guide
The Best Studio Monitors Under $100
Three speakers ranked on woofer size and form, where the 305P MkII has the largest woofer size; the BX3 is the cheapest route in.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read3 products evaluated
Under $100, the trade-offs are sharper, so it helps to know which spec you can give up. Every monitor pair here cost $100 or less when we checked and is a studio monitor, ordered from the lowest price.
We ranked these speakers on form and woofer size using manufacturer specifications; where a maker leaves a figure out, we say so rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Our 3 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
M-Audio BX3 Studio Monitors (pair)
The lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Keeping the budget tight.
Our take Check price for M-Audio BX3 Studio Monitors (pair) (opens in a new tab)
Largest Woofer Size
JBL 305P MkII Studio Monitor (single)
The largest woofer size here (5-inch).
Best for: Buyers who put woofer size first.
Our take Check price for JBL 305P MkII Studio Monitor (single) (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
PreSonus Eris 3.5 Studio Monitors (pair)
The top of this price range, adding 50 watts of built-in amplification.
Best for: Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Our take Check price for PreSonus Eris 3.5 Studio Monitors (pair) (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The lowest price of the group at our last check. | Keeping the budget tight. | Check price for M-Audio BX3 Studio Monitors (pair) (opens in a new tab) |
| The largest woofer size here (5-inch). | Buyers who put woofer size first. | Check price for JBL 305P MkII Studio Monitor (single) (opens in a new tab) |
| The top of this price range, adding 50 watts of built-in amplification. | Spending more for the fullest feature set. | Check price for PreSonus Eris 3.5 Studio Monitors (pair) (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 3
M-Audio BX3 Studio Monitors (pair) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The BX3 pair is the smaller 3.5-inch version of M-Audio's desktop monitors, with Kevlar woofers and silk-dome tweeters.
Best for
- Keeping the budget tight.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: woofer size of 3.5-inch, behind the 305P MkII (5-inch).
Why we like it
It is an affordable step up from computer speakers for basic mixing. It connects over a wired link, so there is no Bluetooth delay while monitoring. It is a compact first pair for a small desk.
Its bi-amplified design separates the woofer and tweeter amps for cleaner output. On woofer size it ties with the Eris 3.5 at 3.5-inch. It also offers a wired, zero-latency connection.
No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the 305P MkII was closest. What it gives up: woofer size of 3.5-inch, behind the 305P MkII (5-inch); by contrast, the 305P MkII comes in at 5-inch.
Key dimensions & specs
- Form: Studio monitor pair
- Woofer size: 3.5-inch
Pros
- Kevlar woofers with silk-dome tweeters
- Wired, zero-latency connection
- The lowest price of the group at our last check
Cons
- Woofer size of 3.5-inch, behind the 305P MkII (5-inch)
Largest Woofer Size2 of 3
JBL 305P MkII Studio Monitor (single) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The 305P MkII is a single 5-inch monitor with a boundary EQ that corrects bass when it sits on a desk or near a wall.
Best for
- Buyers who put woofer size first.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the BX3 cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
JBL runs each unit through a 100-hour full-power test. It is sold as a single speaker, so budget for two. Its Slip Stream port extends bass at low listening volumes.
Its updated transducers aim for lower distortion and a tighter transient response. It suits a nearfield desk setup. It is known for a neutral voicing at this price.
It has XLR and TRS inputs with a +4dBu/-10dBV switch, and its Class-D amps deliver 82 watts. On woofer size it leads this guide at 5-inch, ahead of the BX3 (3.5-inch). On price it sat second of 3, between the cheaper BX3 and the pricier Eris 3.5, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Form: Single studio monitor
- Woofer size: 5-inch
Pros
- Boundary EQ that corrects bass near walls or on a desk
- Slip Stream bass port
- 100-hour full-power test on each unit
- Largest woofer size of the picks (5-inch)
Cons
- Costs more than the BX3 at the time of writing
Premium Pick3 of 3
PreSonus Eris 3.5 Studio Monitors (pair) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Eris 3.5 is a compact studio monitor pair with 50 watts of amplification and acoustic tuning controls.
Best for
- Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Skip if
- Skip it if woofer size matters most to you; the 305P MkII offers 5-inch.
Why we like it
It suits a small desk, though 3.5-inch woofers limit how low it can reach. Its tuning controls help in untreated rooms. Its 80Hz to 20kHz range covers vocals and most instruments at desk distance.
Its 1-inch silk-dome tweeters smooth out harsh highs. Its compact cabinets fit beside a monitor on a small desk, and the pair includes the cables to connect them. It has balanced TRS, RCA and a front aux input plus a headphone jack.
Its 3.5-inch woven-composite woofers give tighter bass than typical desk speakers of this size. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the 305P MkII. If woofer size is your priority, the 305P MkII (5-inch) is the stronger choice.
Key dimensions & specs
- Form: Studio monitor pair
- Woofer size: 3.5-inch
- Extras: High and low acoustic tuning controls
Pros
- 50 watts of built-in amplification
- 1-inch silk-dome tweeters
- 80Hz to 20kHz frequency range
- The top of this price range, adding 50 watts of built-in amplification
Cons
- Woofer size trails the 305P MkII (5-inch)
- Costs more than the BX3 at the time of writing
How We Chose These Studio Monitors Under $100
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We set side by side three speakers on form and woofer size, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 3, from the BX3 to the Eris 3.5, state form and woofer size.
- Who each pick suits
- The BX3 for the lowest price of the group at our last check; the 305P MkII for the largest woofer size here (5-inch); the Eris 3.5 for the top of this price range, adding 50 watts of built-in amplification.
- Price range
- From the BX3 to the Eris 3.5, all sat in the $50 to $100 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a Studio Monitor Under $100
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Woofer size across these picks
Here woofer size runs from 3.5-inch on the Eris 3.5 to 5-inch on the 305P MkII. Start with the 305P MkII if woofer size decides it.
Extras that separate them
The BX3: a wired, zero-latency connection. The 305P MkII: a Slip Stream bass port. The Eris 3.5: 1-inch silk-dome tweeters.
Budget
All 3 sat in one tier when we checked, from the BX3 at the low end to the Eris 3.5 at the top, so decide on features first.
Start from what matters most
Keeping the budget tight: the BX3. Buyers who put woofer size first: the 305P MkII. Spending more for the fullest feature set: the Eris 3.5.
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.
How to Choose a Studio Monitor Under $100
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping the budget tight | BX3 | The lowest price of the group at our last check |
| Buyers who put woofer size first | 305P MkII | The largest woofer size here (5-inch) |
| Spending more for the fullest feature set | Eris 3.5 | The top of this price range, adding 50 watts of built-in amplification |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The 305P MkII leads on woofer size at 5-inch, ahead of the BX3 at 3.5-inch.
| Speaker | Form | Woofer size |
|---|---|---|
| BX3 | Studio monitor pair | 3.5-inch |
| 305P MkII | Single studio monitor | 5-inch |
| Eris 3.5 | Studio monitor pair | 3.5-inch |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the largest woofer size: the 305P MkII or the BX3?
The 305P MkII leads at 5-inch, with the BX3 at 3.5-inch.
Why is the 305P MkII our Largest Woofer Size pick?
It earns the label for the largest woofer size here (5-inch). It suits anyone who put woofer size first.
What extras do the BX3 and the 305P MkII include?
The BX3: Kevlar woofers with silk-dome tweeters. The 305P MkII: a boundary EQ that corrects bass near walls or on a desk. The Eris 3.5: 50 watts of built-in amplification.
Should I pick the BX3 or the Eris 3.5?
The BX3 suits keeping the budget tight; the Eris 3.5 suits spending more for the fullest feature set.
Does RGB lighting affect sound?
No. Lighting is cosmetic; some sets let you turn it off.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the BX3, chosen for the lowest price of the group at our last check. Look at the 305P MkII for the largest woofer size here (5-inch) and the Eris 3.5 for the top of this price range, adding 50 watts of built-in amplification if those matter more to you.
Keep them a few inches off the wall to tame bass build-up.